I AM YR SEX CHEF

Recently spotted during random surfing:

“He’d noticed that sex bore some resemblance to cookery: It fascinated people, they sometimes bought books full of complicated recipes and interesting pictures, and sometimes when they were really hungry they created vast banquets in their imagination — but at the end of the day they’d settle quite happily for egg and chips, if it was well done and maybe had a slice of tomato.” – Terry Pratchett

All I can add is that while technically true, trying complicated recipes won't kill you. And there's something to be said for the gourmet lifestyle – though this requires easy access to sufficient amounts of cash.

Now we’re cooking,

This is dF

PANTIES: A SURE-FIRE CURE FOR WRITERS’ BLOCK

Something to blog about,

This is dF

WEEKEND READING: TEABAGSTOCK, TORTURE, FOREIGNERS, WIRETAPS AND GARDENING

For some reason my brain is full of sleepy monkeys today. I have much to show you but can’t seem to kick into Big Clever Mode – possibly because further commentary would be redundant.

So, presented without further comment:

1. TEABAGSTOCK 2009

For full coverage and silly pictures, see Teablogging.net, Wonkette (here, here and here) and Huffington Post.

Speaking of whom, Ariana Huffington has a very good review here.

Jon Stewart’s coverage is here.

2. OKAY, YOU GOT ME, AMERICA REALLY DOES TORTURE

Good: the Obama admin releases four detailed and minimally redacted Bush-era memos legally justifying torture for the CIA whilst knowing full well it would be illegal if anyone else did it.

Bad: Attorney General Eric Holder says the DOJ will not prosecute anyone in the CIA for torturing people because that would be “unfair”.

3. FOREIGNERS ARE HARD TO TELL APART FROM AMERICANS THAT LOOK LIKE FOREIGNERS

In the zeal to crack down on illegal immigrants, the US has locked up or thrown out dozens, probably many more, of its own citizens over the past eight years, according to an investigative piece by the Associated Press.

One reason for the "error": suspected illegal immigrants have very few rights. They can be arrested without a warrant. They are not read their rights unless it's a criminal case. They do not get a lawyer unless they can pay or find one who will work for free. They can be deported without hearings. And until this January, they didn't get a free phone call.

4. THE NSA: MAKE A LAW AND WE’LL BREAK IT

Remember the illegal NSA wiretap program? Remember how Congress passed a new law making it legal? The NSA broke that law too.

5. MY OTHER GARDEN VOTES DEMOCRAT

In which a blogger on WFMU remarks on Michelle Obama’s garden project, the history of gardening during times of economic hardship and how raising yr own veggies is a good idea – and, much to her surprise and amusement, is swiftly taken to task by readers demanding she reveal her political affiliations. Conclusion: gardening is a political act (at least in America).

Okay, that’s it for Wisdom for the foreseeable future. Posts involving music, pulp art and panties will resume shortly.

Dig for victory,

This is dF

IN SPACE, NO ONE CAN HEAR YR GUITAR SOLO

And now for something completely different: a song from the first album ever to be inspired by a Robert Charles Wilson novel.

In Chinese!

The band is Wu Bai (伍佰) and China Blue, who I’ve been listening to on and off for six years or so. Wu Bai is an interesting anomaly in the Taiwan music scene in that (1) he plays rock in a scene dominated by sugarpop idols, (2) writes his own songs and (3) plays an instrument. He and his band have a rep for great live shows, and he’s outlasted an awful lot of “proper” stars despite not following the industry playbook.

He’s also hard to pin down musically, which I like. Judging from the above song ("太空弹", or “Too Blank”, according to my online translator), which is from the new album Spacebomb, this year he’s favoring turn-of-the-century David Bowie space-rock. Which isn’t as bad as it sounds. Not to me, anyway.

And I wasn’t kidding about the Robert Charles Wilson thing. See this interview for details. Admittedly, the video suggests a VERY loose adaptation ...

Space is the place,

This is dF

DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF FAYE WONG VIDEOS?

While we’re on Mandopop with sci-fi themes, here’s one of my favorite examples from a little over five years ago: Faye Wong (王菲), Android Killer!

That’s the title track to her last album, 將愛 (Jiang Ai, a.k.a. To Love), which has nothing whatsoever to do with androids or science. But the visuals are awesome. If I ever write my escaped-porn-droid novel and it gets optioned for the movie rights, I want this song running over the opening credits. In fact, I want it written in the contract.

For I am a Faye Wong fan. The end.

Destroy all robots,

This is dF