Journal of Post-Ralphaelite Thought

Finally got to visit the new Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, which opened last December. Hign ceilings, lots of glass which flooded the exterior spaces with light. It was like being in a very modern church. Which in fact it was. In Jacque Barzun's intriguingly titled little book "The Use and Abuse of Art" there is (as I recall) a chapter entitled "Art as Religion." I can identify. Part of my problem these days is that I am a lapsed artist.

Interesting way of describing working with Windows on Salon . To quote: Sam Hiser, a technologist who spends much of his time promoting open-source alternatives to proprietary software, has an interesting way of describing the main difference between Microsoft's Windows operating system and Linux, its open-source competitor. "It's something I call the 'Windows pucker,'" Hiser says. "That's the feeling Windows users get when they're about to open a fifth program and they're so worried, they're clenching up their butt cheeks because they just don't want the system to lock.

Having run a one-person consulting business for a number of years, I guess I'm on countless mailing lists as a "small business owner." Must be why I've gotten half a dozen or so letters recently from the Business Software Alliance gestapo, suggesting in ominous tones that I'd better have them check me for illegal software and GET RIGHT before they slap me down. Surprise, surprise--I've gotten almost identical letters from Microsoft. This band of thugs busted Ernie Ball , maker of guitar strings and guitars, a couple of years ago and Ernie paid his fine ($90,000) then rid the company of all Microsoft products, including Windows. They now run on Linux, use OpenOffice and thumb their nose at Microsoft and BSA. Oh, and for the record, I use Linux AND Ernie Ball strings.

Woke up this morning to the news that Fred Rogers (that's Mister Rogers to YOU) died at the age of 74 of cancer. I first saw Mister Rogers Neighborhood when I was a cynical teenager in the late 60's. At the time I was not impressed....it just seemed like more sappy kid programming. It wasn't until I had kids of my own that I became a fan. My oldest son and I watched Mister Rogers almost religiously, which is only fitting, seeing as he was an ordained Presbyterian minister. The beauty of the show was that it never talked down to their audience of children. And it was for children, unlike the pretensiously hip PeeWee's Playhouse. Now I ask you, who would YOU rather have your children spending time with...Fred Rogers or PeeWee Herman? The show addressed issues in children's terms. I can remember several shows dealing with such topics as prejudice, war and other horrors of the adult world. And there was Mister Rogers assuring his young audience that thi...

Another day of ICE in North Texas. I spent the day telecommuting with the sound of automotive mayhem blaring behind me on the PlayStation 2. I now look forward to arising at 5 a.m. to catch a train to my office. Well maybe.

After little or no thought, it is time for the International Brother(and Sister)hood of Post-Ralphaelites to finally get with this Blog thing. Apologies for taking so long to get this together. Thanks to Blogger for making this possible. This was largely inspired by having to stay home because of inclement weather. Gad...it is 20 degrees outside. I realize that to many 20 degrees is no big thing, but this is TEXAS, for pity's sake.