Critical Mass

Yesterday it was a day of Critical Mass here in Budapest. This town was not really (=really not) designed for bicycle use, so the organisers wished to show the existence of this mass – the ones who want to ride a bicycle. Violá: more than 20.000 (!!!) people came! Okay, you won’t be able to read this article, but clicking on a picture you’ll be able to see it!
The name “Critical Mass” comes from a documentary called Return of the Scorcher made by Ted White in 1992. In a scene George Bliss is examining a typical chinese situation, where some people riding the bicycle just can’t cross the road because of the heavy traffic. While waiting more and more bicyclist come and when they reach a “critical” number they can finally cross safely – together.

Save My Ass

Brother, this is rich:

Gentlemen, Welcome to SaveMyAss.
SaveMyAss is a personal assistant that keeps your girlfriend or wife happy by sending her flowers on your behalf, on a regular but semi-random basis.

I’m positive my girlfriend would love the idea of my being subscribed to a service entitled Save My Ass. Absolutely. Yep.

– Postal worker: Hi ma’am, there’s a package for you.
– Girlfriend: Who from?
– Postal worker: Um, save my ass, ma’am.
– Girlfriend: Oh joy, I’d been waiting for that!

Jazz Is Not Dead…

iTunes as a hazard to the preservation of jazz:

The digital music era should offer listeners more information about jazz, not less. The stakes are high. If jazz fragments into millions of digital files, future generations could be left with a maddening cultural jigsaw puzzle. This music could quickly become one of the mysterious art forms that is translated to the public by a small group of experts.

Same goes for Zappa, I would reckon…

The Golden Ticket

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I entered my email at wordpress.com in hopes of getting an invite for a free WP-powered weblog. Lo and behold: today I received The Golden Ticket meaning that now I’ve yet another webpage to fill up with content! You’re sitting there thinking: “why should I give a fuck?” — well: wordpress.com works by invites only. And I just happen to have one. So if any of you out there fancy the idea of having your own weblog for free, drop a note in the comments. The account comes with all the goodies WordPress has to offer right out of the box. You’ll never hear vloerbedekking Blogger again! Any takers?

Update: Houdini has the golden ticket.

Oh, and I have about a 100 Gmail accounts to give away as well.

2 CD-Releases Before The Year Is Over?

For what it’s worth (presumably from Gail Zappa):

…. As for a release sked, you will definitely see The Dub Room Special on dvd for the fall (which is upon us) and at LEAST 2 (two!) cds ere the 12 days of Christmas are out.

…And after the first of the year we will absolutely CRUSH all Boxes! Barfko should be up before then.

…I am thinking about being up for an online chat shortly. Not before the end of September though. And we are definitely interested in more participation from the crickets who have chorus in the improvelance department of the interior so let that be a lesson to ya.

Hippie Wannabe?

For sale on eBay: The Ultimate Hippie Vacation (currently at 122 bids, $0,99 starting bid). The Rules:

  1. You will be required to sell Tie-dyed T-shirts for gas and food money.
  2. There is no map on the bus and he WILL get lost.
  3. Stuff Happens! (And you know what I mean!)
  4. If the bus blows up, he has a tent.
  5. You must provide your own bail money. (Please see rule 3)
  6. He will provide “the most craziest vacation you will never forget!”