“ Gérard de Nerval, the French artist, famously kept a pet lobster, which he named Thibault. He reportedly walked the crustacean in the gardens of the Palais-Royal, on a leash. And he gave a convincing explanation for his choice in non-human companions.”
Rare Calico Lobster Turns Heads, And Escapes Dinner Menu : The Two-Way : NPR
Almost as good was this quote:
A post at the aquarium’s blog explains that lobsters come in many different colors, ranging from brown and orange to white.
“While white appears to be the most rare at an estimated 1 in 100 million, coming in second place with an approximate 1 in 30 million is the calico lobster,” according to the aquarium’s exhibit galleries blog.
Due to a lack of mirrors on the ocean floor, the calico lobster was likely unaware of its own rarity.
No word on if de Nerval picked Thibault out of thousands because the others were all too flat.
Last week I wrote three things I thought were pretty bad for work
My boss either really liked or loved all three.
I think I need to write the way George Constanza lived—-figure out what my instincts say and do the exact opposite.
Biz Markie-Just A Friend
Oh baby yoooooou, you got what I neeeeeeeeed
When I wake with this repeating in my head, I figure the day ahead can’t be too bad.
This needs to be on my dash again.
This is a big hug from me to anyone who wants it. I wish I could have helped, and I wish I could help now.
Ditto. I didn’t know him, but I am unbelievably sorry right now for the loss people are feeling.
Monday: Headache, carpal tunnel flare up, and I found a new patch of white hairs in my beard. I guess I’m old now. (Taken with instagram)
Ruben Bolling asks you to support TOM THE DANCING BUG by joining the Inner Hive for 20 bucks a year.
A YEAR.
My only argument with Ruben B. here is his apologetic tone for asking you to pay money for early access to his very good comics—that is to say, something that YOU LIKE AND WANT.
DO NOT APOLOGIZE, RUBEN, because:
While the internet DOES make it harder for talented cartoonists* to support themselves via licensing their work to traditional media distributors…
IT MAKES IT EASIER for YOU to buy work directly from the creator, and what’s more, to ENJOY the fact that almost all of the money you give them goes directly TO THE THING YOU LIKE and help it to continue to exist.
WHICH IS TO SAY: If you like a thing, supporting it financially is not an obligation. IT IS A PRIVILEGE.
For the first time in culture, we may all become patrons of the arts that we love, at a comparatively low cost to us, and at a comparatively INCREDIBLY HIGH BOON to the creator.
This new relationship is worth celebrating, and not apologizing for. It not only helps you get the thing you like into your own hands, it helps the thing you like to CONTINUE, and it ensures that your taste is reflected and relevant in the culture at large.
SO DIG DEEP, FANS OF GOOD THINGS, especially those you can pay for directly. You have nothing to lose but mediocrity.
That is all.
* (and writers, singers, comedians, filmmakers, magicians, etc.)
Seriously. The idea that we can, for very small amounts of money, support artists, has to be one of the most magical things about the Internet.
Why didn’t I know about Text-Only Instagram and Text Based Tumblr before now?
Something that should have taken 90 minutes top has taken six hours and counting, AND cost me $30. (Taken with instagram)
It appears my commitment to and interest in my side job teaching continuing ed classes might be waning
I just got a note that the class I was scheduled to teach next week is cancelled.
I may have thrown my arms up in the air in celebration.
