| December 1, 2002 |
The Black Dahlia Solution
It  is the most infamous unsolved homicide in LAPD history, a murder so gruesome, yet so intriguing, it reads like a piece of fiction. This site recounts the last days of Elizabeth Short, and with a noirish style that would make even Raymond Chandler proud, it offers answers by directing amateur sleuths through the strange but true murder of Ms. Short (a.k.a. The Black Dahlia), killed in Los Angeles in 1947. The murder of the aspiring actress was never officially solved despite the fact that the police seemed to know exactly who the killer was. If a little background is necessary, study the orientation to learn the facts, ma'am. Featuring crime photos (some rather gory) and quotes from people involved in the case, the site captures the creepy mood of its subject matter. Go ahead and check it out -- a nerve-racking whodunit set in the seamy underbelly of Hollywood's golden age awaits. (in Crime) |
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| November 30, 2002 |
blo.gs
Weblogs  continue to grow in popularity, no doubt in part to their immediacy. Denizens of the Internet enjoy the opportunity to drop by and catch an up-to-the-minute account on their favorite blog. However, nothing is more frustrating than encountering a cobwebbed blog that hasn't been updated in weeks. To remedy such situations, this site offers a minute-by-minute account of over 50,000 weblogs. It doesn't get fresher than this! For utility's sake, the site offers a tiny java applet that sits on your desktop and continually refreshes, keeping the weblogs whirring. You can also stop by the most popular blogs to see what kind of content is piquing the interest of others. Whether you're a neophyte or veteran blogger, you're sure to find an intriguing site or two to scour. (in Blogs) |
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| November 29, 2002 |
NotWriting.com
Quick  -- what odious task are you putting off by taking the time to read this? That long-overdue project for your boss? Some much-neglected housework? A dreaded phone call? We all procrastinate from time to time. After all, it's human nature to dilly-dally when we should be cleaning out the garage or finishing that expense report. Chris Orcutt, not-writer at large, takes procrastination to a whole new level on this site. Browse through his journal to witness Chris' avoidance writing -- from penning inspired anti-tax missives to the mayor of NYC to thinking up unusual baby names that begin with the letter "J." Waste some valuable time watching one of the "life-changing videos" that feature the "busy writer" munching some snacks, filming his fish, or gulping down some juice. You can even shop for gear made especially for kindred procrastinating writers. So next time you want to shirk a responsibility or two, think of Chris. You might just pick up creative inspiration on how to waste the day and get nothing done. (in Communications & Writing) |
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| November 28, 2002 |
Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel
When  a couple decides to marry, they can go the traditional route -- hire an overpriced caterer, outfit the bridesmaids in questionable dresses, and book a DJ who hasn't updated his collection of tunes since the Carter administration. Or, if they are sinfully spontaneous, they can double down and head for Las Vegas. Sin City is home to numerous chapels and quickie-wedding establishments, but none provide the kicks of this only-in-America matrimonial smorgasbord. Sure, you'll find webcams broadcasting live ceremonies, wedding information, and facts about the chapels. However, the real joy of the site is the video archive of past weddings, where from the privacy of your own computer you can watch strangers get married. We recommend checking out the wild, Trek-themed Intergalactic Ceremony, the sparsely attended beach party wedding, and the ubiquitous Elvis vow exchange. Stop at the picture gallery to see ceremonies involving a faux Liberace, a Donna Summer impersonator, and the cuchi cuchi girl Charo. While we won't endorse quickie weddings, we can say this campy site is a must-visit blast for any matrimonial maniac. (in Shopping) |
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| November 27, 2002 |
Record Check
You've  probably seen them before. They scrounge around the darkened corners of record stores, frequent the bins at thrift shops, and hunt through boxes at yard sales. Known as crate diggers, these LP-hungry B-boys are on the lookout for the rare, the obscure, and the just plain wild -- almost anything unique and original will do. This fascinating look at the collections of DJs and crate diggers provides a welcome walk through the world of funky breaks, tight horns, and perfect beats. Each DJ contributes a selection of gems from his or her personal collection, along with pictures and enlightening commentary. For starters, we recommend sampling either Diplodocus or Amir to get a little flavor. We're sure you'll enjoy this peek into the eclectic sounds that keeps the turntables turnin'. (in Collecting) |
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| November 26, 2002 |
Celebrating Twenty Years of Frontline
Hailed  as "one of three or four best arguments for owning a TV," this PBS series has left its mark on the national psyche. As the name implies, Frontline always covers current events and never shies away from controversy. Seminal pieces like "American Porn," "Modern Meat," and "From Jesus to Christ" cleverly pick apart complex issues that spur debate around dinner tables and water coolers. Beginning with the "The Unauthorized History of the NFL" hosted by Jessica Savitch in 1983, the series has featured a who's who of journalists and writers telling vivid stories. A historical timeline lets you toggle to read all 420 episode summaries. Topics like "You Are the Computer," "My Doctor, My Lover," and "John Paul: The Millennial Pope" reflect their moment in time. One generation later, the series has made a successful transition to the digital age. Full-length streaming videos are offered in the Classics archive. Surprisingly, the series grabs a younger, more loyal demographic than its flashy network counterparts. Why has it lasted? There are probably many reasons, but our guess is PBS never lost sight of what it takes to make people listen. (in Television) |
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| November 25, 2002 |
Ishkur's Guide to Electronic Music
Plug  your headphones in and make sure you have Flash. Prepare yourself for an opinionated audio tour of the myriad of genres and subgenres of electronic dance music. Begin with two terms: "Acid" and "Hoover." Acid is based on the Roland TB-303 bass line, which, according to Ishkur, is the greatest sound of all time. Hoover refers to the infamous fuzzy-synth noise made by the Roland Alpha Juno. These two musical clips will haunt you as you click through the main genres of House, Trance, Jungle, Breakbeat, Techno, and Hardcore. How can you distinguish between all these wild electronic noises? House is the most soulful, Trance is emotional, Jungle is aggressive, and Breakbeat is the most successful (Hip Hop is a subgenre). Techno has a purity of sound, and Hardcore can't decide if it's angry or silly. As you trace the complicated paths from Tribal to Goa to EBM, don't miss the often hilarious closed-captioning at the bottom of the page. This is one site that bounces to the beat of its own drum machine. (in Music) |
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