Not ready for its close-up

Why did Google airbrush its post-Katrina satellite maps?

From CNN.com

The House Committee on Science and Technology's subcommittee on investigations and oversight on Friday asked Google Inc. Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt to explain why his company is using the outdated imagery.

The subcommittee cited an Associated Press report on the images.

"Google's use of old imagery appears to be doing the victims of Hurricane Katrina a great injustice by airbrushing history," subcommittee chairman Brad Miller, D-North Carolina, wrote in a letter to Schmidt.

Swapping the post-Katrina images and the ruin they revealed for others showing an idyllic city dumbfounded many locals and even sparked suspicions that the company and civic leaders were conspiring to portray the area's recovery progressing better than it really is.

Andrew Kovacs, a Google spokesman, said the company had received the letter but Schmidt had no immediate response.

Here's what Google Maps says New Orleans riverfront looks like today:





This isn't the first time Google's been accused of questionable or unethical Web practices. It's disappointing that a company I usually regard as a modern Internet pioneer can and is making questionable choices. Whether this choice is intentional is a question that needs to be answered.

Thoughts?

Pony-hawks are the new ewww

I’m not exactly sure why I’m watching “American Idol” this season – other than to give me something to talk about with co-workers and grandparents – but I will say this.

Sanjaya must go.

Really, how did he make it past the audition process?



Oh, and kick Chris Sligh out after him – his charm wore off about three weeks ago.

Also, I’m kind of embarrassed by how much I actually like Simon Cowell and Randy Seacrest – the latter whom, in my opinion, doesn’t get the respect he deserves. Do you think it’s easy standing up there playing nice with all those dimwits? He makes it seem effortless so give the guy his props.

In completely unrelated news, that horrible car wreck on Monday was only a few miles from my house. Which doesn't really mean anything except that I live on a really long street that, even with its speed bumps, seems to be a main thoroughfare for racing idiots. Some of whom are probably drunk. The reality of what the possibilities could be is, for lack of a better term, quite sobering. I get pissed enough at all the booming bass lowrider cars but I guess I'll take having my living room shake, rattle and roll over a fiery collision any day.

Why are people so stupid?

the bitch is back

In case you didn't notice - and really, I don't blame you if you didn't - I've been trying to post here more often. Who knows, maybe you're not even reading anymore. You left me long ago for Heckasac because she calls bullshit on everyone. Or maybe Sacrag because they're all into the snark...but anyway, the point is that I'm still around and I was feeling kind of bad about spending so much time on the crack that is MySpace* that I decided to return to my roots. Luckily my roots don't involve anything complicated like DIY html or else I'd still be on the couch in my pajamas watching "Australia's Next Top Model." So much better than the US version, just FYI. Girls are actually pretty and don't bitch as much - they save the bitchiness for each other.

Anyway, I'm here, still not as bullshit-calling as Heckasac, still not as, um, snarky as Sacrag...still just me...kind of always mad at the world, in love with good pop songs,** watching too much trashy TV, trying to write and sneaking in books here and there.

*Please note, I am not going into MySpace rehab...at least not until all you crazy bulletin posters finally push me over the edge.

** I really like the new Fratellis record.

Allergies: 4; Me: 1

Fresh off of bronchitis and the allergies are killing me. They made me fall into bed early Friday night, cut short my day of I-don't-care-how-broke-I-am shopping on Saturday and then sent us packing early from Cory's sister's birthday bash on Saturday night.

Then they kept me out of commission for the Record Club show with Agent RIbbons and Golden Boy. Cory represented and said the show was good with a decent turnout for a Sunday afternoon.

I did, however, finally make it out of the house for the Agent Ribbons/Stars & Garters / Wanda Jackson show. This is my fourth time seeing Wanda Jackson and I have to say she's even more rocking and adorable and awesome than ever. Seriously. Plus, having Red Meat as her backing band really added some oomph - you can tell those guys love the hell out of her - it was very sweet to see.

This week: Mitch Easter at the Fox & Goose and Lily Allen at the Crest. If the hydrangeas and ragweed doesn't kill me first.

Elliot Smith

This is really kind of awesome - The Rawk Blog has an extensive complete Elliot Smith collection of covers. The Beatles. The Kinks. Dylan. Neil Young. Even some Jon Brion.

Speaking of Smith, Goldenboy is playing Record Club Sunday afternoon at 4pm. Agent Ribbons is also on the bill. The show is at the Press Club which is kind of fitting and kind of weird because if you're going to get all six-degrees-of-separation about it, that's where Smith played in 1997. Only it was the Depressed Club then. Anyway, should be a good way to spend your Sunday afternoon. Then you can hop over to Old I for that Wanda Jackson / Agent Ribbons show later in the evening. And who says there's nothing to do in this town?

join the record club

Last night's Baby Grand / Zebras show at the Press Club was way fun for a Wednesday night.

Ok, confession: I didn't stay for the Zebras because my friend wanted to go home and I was also pretty damn tired thanks to a killer case of allergies. But I thought Baby Grand rocked it and I loved all the stuff Roger was playing before their set. I think he's doing a cool thing with this "Record Club" night and I definitely intend to check out some of the other shows he books. They're usually on Sunday nights though, so just a heads-up there. Anyhoo, Cory said the Zebras were pretty awesome and I'm kind of bummed that I have to be someplace early Saturday morning or else I would go with him to SF to check them out here.

Next subject: New music.
For the first time in a long time I'm kind of happy about some new music. Loving the new Amy Winehouse record - think a modern-day Roni Spector singing about booze, drugs and sex. Britney Spears should cover "Rehab."

And I just love that Lily Allen record to death - it makes me happy and I don't the last time a record actually made me laugh out loud. In a good way, I mean.


Also, the new Bloc Party and !!! make me wanna dance, dance, dance...

Also, if Super Furry Animals aren't going to put out records anymore than the Gruff Rhys album is a pretty good trade.

Oh, and the Mirah record - it's a thing of joy.

Locally you should pick up the Agent Ribbons disc. Kind of amazing actually with its sophisticated, folk-pop sound. And the cutest hand-made covers.

Speaking of local, I had the chance to see Ancient Sons last week and they had a couple of songs that really popped. Literally - just the sweetest Beatles-Zombies pop.

Oh, and speaking of Agent Ribbons - they're playing this weekend at Old I with the always-amazing Wanda Jackson. It's Sunday at Old I. $17 - which is kind of expensive but, hey, it's Wanda Jackson. You should go.

Television without pity....

So, watching Prince on TV can turn you gay. Just like watching Ann Coulter can turn you into a soulless robot and watching Tyra Banks makes you America's Next Top Waddle. And narcissistic. And fierce.