Oral History of The Sopranos

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Oral History of The Sopranos:

Next month's Vanity Fair has a Saturday worthy longread, an oral history of The Sopranos. It's been about 5 years since the show ended, and for the most part, the major figures have not had much to say about it. There's nothing groundbreaking, but it's good if you were a fan. On the response to the show. TERENCE WINTER (writer, executive producer): One F.B.I. agent told us early on that on Monday morning they would get to the F.B.I. office and all the agents would talk about The Sopranos. Then they would listen to the wiretaps from that weekend, and it was all Mob guys talking about The Sopranos, having the same conversation about the show, but always from the flip side. We would hear back that real wiseguys used to think that we had somebody on the inside. They couldn't believe how accurate the show was.

(Via kottke.org)

James Cameron Goes For A Swim

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James Cameron goes for a swim:

Director James Cameron is now the record holder for deepest solo dive after his submarine, "Deepsea Challenger" made it to the bottom of the Mariana Trench a couple hours ago. The sponsors of the expedition are James Cameron, Rolex, and National Geographic making me think this will turn into a film someday. Another fact which makes it seem like I'm making this all up, which I'm not, is Paul Allen is live-Tweeting the entire thing.

(Via kottke.org)

Ode To The "Computer Guy/Gal"

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Internet friend, Michele Catalano on asking someone you know who "works with computers" to "fix" your own computer:

And really, most of the time he doesn’t mind. He likes you. He wants to help you. Then you call and say “Gee, I really want to get this fixed right away. Can’t you come over on your way home from work?” and he just spent all day in front of a computer and all he wants to do is go home and eat dinner and NOT sit in front of the computer. But he does it anyhow. He does it on a Saturday when we should be kicking back. He does it on a holiday when everyone is in your backyard enjoying a barbecue and you dragged him into the house to show him how your AOL doesn’t load up. On behalf of my boyfriend, and all other people who “work with computers” and get asked day after day to fix things for free, here’s a few guidelines. Be thankful. If he spent three hours at your house fixing something you fucked up that would have cost you $200 to get fixed by the Geek Squad, show your appreciation. Offer him a 50. Offer him dinner. Send him a damn thank you card or something. Don’t just say thanks and promise to call him again next time something screws up. Go read all of it. Send this to your friends. Send this to your family. JUST READ IT. This post is basically the description of what it has been like to work on anyone's computer…friends, family, co-workers, in-laws, ANYONE for the past 18 years or so of my life. Thankfully, I now do much more complicated (and get paid to do so) things for work than just "fixing printers" anymore. It also takes a lot of self-control on my part to not jump in when I see our own help desk people performing a task in a way that I consider insufficient, but I have to stop and tell myself. No. You hate this. This isn't your job anymore. Also, it helps that I tell family that I refuse to work on any machine anymore that isn't made by the Apple Corporation.

What The Space Shuttle Booster Saw

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Video from cameras attached to the booster rockets of the Space Shuttle with this minor exception: it is high definition and the audio has been remastered by Skywalker Sound. Watch it all the way to the end with your headphones on - the audio is great. Also, at the end, you can see the other booster splashing down in the ocean nearby.

via Jason Kottke. ∗

5by5 Morning Zoo Editor's Cut

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Internet friend Ted Severson made one gem of an audio clip.

On a recent 5by5 AD, Dan and Merlin were throwing around the idea of a 5by5 Morning Zoo. Here’s what I think should be the first promo for said show. If like me you are a huge fan of 5by5.tv, and specifically Dan and Merlin's riffs on a hypothetical morning zoo show, you need to go listen to this.