Random Views of Buenos Aires

Our apartment's stairwell


Barrio la Boca


Beautiful architecture despite the lame commerce (Galeria Pacifico)


My best attempt at recreating a Thai dish (peppers are basically non existent in BA)


Ever-present noise comes with terrific public transportation


The Steve McCurry image that Crimethinc used a while back


Endless irregular reflexive verbs


Twenty pounds of allergens: A cat named Hoffa

National Day of Memory for Truth and Justice

Yesterday marked the 34th anniversary of the dictatorship that gripped Argentina from 1976-1983. The 30,000 desparacidos, persons euphemistically disappeared, were remembered and any number of other causes were celebrated. Here are just a few images of the day.

My wife, Elizabeth, wrote a more extensive piece on the demonstration over at Other Climes where several of these images are cross-posted.

Arundhati Roy: Walking with the Comrades

Take a moment to read Arundhati Roy's interview with tribal insurgents in Central India's Dandakaranya Forests

Fitzroy '68

The definitive Fitzroy epic: the funhogs' "California Route" as retold by Chris Jones. I tried uploading the scans but couldn't. Do yourself a favor and enlarge the slides to read the account. The mind boggles.

Beyond Driven

Don't get me wrong, I'm as stoked as the next guy to see dirtbags getting after it, going big in their chosen domain. But I also love finding out about the "everyman" unsung heroes--those who hold down normal jobs, are in functional relationships, and belong to actual communities--who also manage to push the fun meter to 11.

These videos have kept me pretty psyched since returning from Patagonia. Enjoy.

Andrew Skurka, reigning king of the long distance solo walk:

Rafael Slawinski: academic and all around master of those things frozen:

As I come across other inspiring stories, photos, and videos, I'll post them under the "beyond driven" moniker. Stay tuned.

*Neither a direct nor indirect reference to Pantera

Polyphony. Cacophony. Euphony.

The only thing heavier in Montreal is the snow.

(And Radwan from Ire behind the soundboard when the band climbs in a van.)

Next stop, the Abyss. Vic Chesnutt: 1964-2009

Jem Cohen photo

I didn't know him and can't even say I knew his music well, but hearing of Vic Chesnutt's suicide really hit me hard. Dark Star Deserter was beautiful and haunting and, anyway, knowing that someone doesn't want to go on just plain hurts.

"Suicide kills everyone." Right?

As much as I'd like to think that those who decide to end their life have something to teach us about what will and would make life worth living it's hard to find some other message in Chesnutt's death. Maybe it's not my place to look.

Friends and observers remember:

Constellation Records missive about Vic's passing

Jem Cohen on the re-issue of West of Rome

Ben Greenman's write-up for the New Yorker

"Loss and Longing and Sloppy Satori" a tribute at Boogy Woogy Flu (Ted Barron)