A Frolic of My Own

Jazz, Books, Food, and the Writing Life

Blogging from New Orleans, La

29 January 2008

If you’ve seen an interior installation of a Richard Serra sculpture, you surely wondered, “How the hell did they get that thing in here.” After watching this video, you realize that removing a 26,000 pound sculpture might be the real trick.
[Thanks MAN]

Posted by Todd at 3:24 pm | Comments (3)

22 January 2008

The trash trucks were decorated this morning with beads. It’s Mardi Gras. The most wonderful gras of the year.

Posted by Todd at 12:56 pm | Comments (1)

Reason #947 why Apple designs good products: Unplug the headphones from an iPod, and it automatically pauses the song.

Most users will never notice this feature. It’s hardly worth touting on the iPod’s box. But it’s another detail that makes an iPod feel intuitive instead of like a dumb machine that plays music.

Posted by Todd at 12:55 pm | No Comments

18 January 2008

The AP began writing Britney Spears’ obituary last month. Just in case.

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16 January 2008

I had my first king cake Monday. It was awful. Not bad in the way most king cakes are bad–too dry or too sweet. This was revolting. I picked it up at PJ while getting coffee. It seemed like a nice gesture for the office. I hope they don’t hate me now.

The box claimed it was cream cheese filled, and I’ve got no problem with that. Filled king cakes can be marvelous no matter what some natives think. But this wasn’t cream cheese. The bottom seemed to have been soaked in almond extract. There was a half-inch pool of icing in the center.

I should have sensed trouble when I saw the cake was baked in Slidell. I should have know better than to buy from an Atlanta-based franchise. Next time I’m buying local.

Posted by Todd at 12:11 am | Comments (1)

10 January 2008

Tulane Universityhas a “Golf Cart Policy.” Violate it twice in a year and your department will permanently lose its golf cart privileges.

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7 January 2008

Everyone on St. Charles Avenue was wearing either a purple shirt or a red shirt. What’s that all about?

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Carnival started today. It’s time to replace the red, green and white lights with strands of purple, green and gold. It’s time to think about your costume. It’s time to stock up on cheap beer.

The Phunny Phorty Phellows made their streetcar ride tonight, and this year they’re back on St. Charles Avenue. I read in the paper that the Krewe of Alla rolled through Grenta this afternoon. I thought about arguing to Andrea that James would enjoy an early parade. Then I realized that I don’t want to be the guy who chases down parades in Jefferson Parish. I’ve no idea what kind of guy that is, but I don’t want to be him.

Posted by Todd at 2:27 am | No Comments