Sad News

John Martyn, a musician who never saw the fame he deserved, died this morning. If you've never heard his music, do yourself a favor and go find his album Solid Air.

RIP

Drive Dock

Drive Dock makes spare hard drives easily accessible. Wow - this a brilliant idea. Think I'm gonna be a customer.

Bill Hicks

1. Bill Hicks' mother is appearing on Letterman this coming Friday - I have no idea why but I'm quite intrigued.

2. According to Wikipedia, a Hicks biopic is in development, with Russell Crowe starring. If this is true (and I'm really struggling to believe it), I'm quite disturbed.

Memo to Bruce Springsteen

Bruce, please get away from Brendan O'Brien. He's not the guy for you.

Inaugural Speech

The Guardian's Jonathan Raban provides an insightful anyalsis of Barack Obama's underrated inaugural speech.

I was somewhat mystified by the general "meh" response from all the CNN pundits. The "non believers" inclusion alone made it revolutionary.

Photos

Great zoomable hi-res photo of yesterday's inaugural cermeony. I like spotting Secret Service agents.

Also - my favourite photo from yesterday.

Obama Inauguration Speech Ruined By Incessant Jackhammering

Obama appeared most frustrated about halfway through the address when reverberations from the pneumatic drill set off several dozen nearby car alarms, drowning out the new president's attempt to describe his vision for America's future in a changing world.

"If the person currently operating the jackhammer can hear me, please stop," Obama said at approximately the eight-minute mark of his speech. "Seriously, please. Stop it now." Full text

Woody

Woody Allen's (very funny) diary from the set of "Vicky Cristina Barcelona". Woody seems to be one of those love him/hate him artists. I love.

Climbing Up

High res photo from atop Solsbury Hill.

Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night

Confession

Normally, my interest in modern pop music, music videos and dancing hovers a fraction above zero, but wow - I'm totally taken with Beyonce's "Single Ladies". Brilliant pop song. Brilliant minimalist video.

It amazes me how after decades and decades of music, thousands and thousands of melodies and ideas, a song can still drop from the sky and sound completely fresh.

There, I'm out of the closet.

Tilt-Shift Monster Trucks

This tilt-shift video of a monster truck show is way more interesting than I ever would have expected. Just watch, you'll see.

Sol Primate

In these dark times we live in, people often need something, anything, to guide them towards a better tomorrow. When despair sets in, may I suggest a solar powered monkey?