Today's Links
The wonder that is iTunes: now that we Canadians have access to iTunes, I figured I would poke around a bit and indulge some musical whims. While the selection is still limited (700,000 is a big number but nowhere near representational of the sum of recorded music), there's enough there to make searching an educational experience. Having attended a performance of Puccini's Turandot by the COC at the Hummingbird Centre earlier this year, I was left wanting a 'punchier' rendition of Nessun Dorma, the opera's signature aria and one of the most recognizable of Puccini's works - an essential test of a Tenor's abilities. iTunes had 29 renditions - including one I already have, from the Three Tenors in Concert CD - Pavarotti belts it out like a champ - and I do like the recording - however I wanted to see if there was someone else who could throw it down with authority, so to speak. Using the 30-second sample ability, I listened to many of the 29 tracks and settled on Mario Lanza's(wikinfo) rendition from his Opera Arias & Duets CD(amazon.ca), released postumously in 1999. I'm not sure when it was recorded but sure enough Lanza cements his rep as a terrific, throaty tenor - even though his stage experience was minimal (he is better known for his big screen work than his big stage work) he was an accomplished singer with legions of fans. Here's a direct link to the track. (requires iTunes). Now there's a retail experience that bricks-and-mortar stores just can't compete with.
An NDP MP has re-introduced legislation to remove the GST tax from the sale of feminine hygiene products. Let's hope it gets passed. Never made sense to me. This bill was first introduced by NDP MP Marilyn Churley in 2002 and is being re-re-introduced by NDP MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis. She first did so in February of this year but it's now coming up for first reading in the commons if time permits (Private Member's Bills take a back seat to Government Bills). The Bill was C-488 of the last session of parliament - hasn't been given a number yet for this session.
Just in time for the Xmas season - Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life", in 30 seconds, with bunnies. A classic.. been around a while but it deserves an annual viewing just like the movie that inspired it. Angry Alien Productions, who are responsible for this 'tribute', have also done The Exorcist, The Shining, Titanic, Alien and Jaws as well as some classic horror films. Take a peek at their website!
Follow-up: Jennifer Traig's Devil in the Details is but one of many "Virtual Book Tours" available here.
Webcomics Review's Best Webcomics of 2004 - lots of good stuff there... many titles I had never seen before.
Create your own webcomic strip! Easy peasy! This is a terrific example of viral marketing.
Apparently someone named "Madonna" made $125M last year from touring, selling out 55 of 56 shows. Madonna who?
From /., another WikiWar - "John Patrick Ennis, whose nutty predictions as Sollog (Son of Light, Light of God) are familiar to many usenetters, may have bitten off more than he could chew when he picked Wikipedia as his latest vehicle for spamvertising." -- see the Wiki here, and, more amusingly, the history file for the Wiki, which now has over 500 entries. The wonder of the Wikipedia is such that you can compare any of the previous versions to any other, all the way down the line. WikiWars occur when an entry in the open source encyclopedia happens to be controversial - anyone can edit a Wiki entry so the battle to maintain a politically neutral and objective entry can be a challenge for all involved.