Dana B.

A Double-crested Cormorant sits in a tree.

Double-crested Cormorant
#OpenBeak #BirdOfTheDay #birds

A balloon dog, but transparent so you can see the "skeleton" within.

Need a distraction from the 24-hour news cycle? Check out "Balloon Dog Anatomy" by the great Jason Freeny.

Laurie Anderson on making an AI chatbot of Lou Reed: ‘I’m totally, 100%, sadly addicted’ Anderson’s experiments with language-based AI predated ChatGPT – with one machine modelled on her dead husband that her friends ‘just can’t stand’

This article reminded me of:

www.theguardian.com/music/2024/f...

I admit to laughing when I read that some thought people’s souls were being trapped inside avatars.

Went tidepooling today. Saw the best octopus.

Are you an ecologist?

My caregiving essay has reached a milestone. More than 2,000 real people and probable bots have visited the essay! I know quite a few of them are real readers, but maybe I’m also helping to train the bots on the compassion and endurance required for caregiving.

But “The Conversation” is so engrossing! If film students can’t stay focused through THAT movie, I fear our future films will be subpar.

The P-Funk Mothership spaceship prop replica at the Smithsonian!, made of metal, plastic and glass. Even the replica weighs 1,500 pounds. And there’s my husband standing in front of it. A Bootsy Collins’ costume is shown in a case to the right. It is a long yellow jacket and a hat with stars.

I wish I had taken those classes! Btw have you seen the Mothership replica at the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian?

What about the love for “formidable” critics at seemingly all publications have?

@washingtonweekpbs.bsky.social should be an hour! I think this—and say it aloud—every week.

Journalism major

Oh, I forgot I took an economics for journalists class, which was reportedly easier.

The backpacking class was awesome! I remember sleeping under the stars by myself. We also all had to hike into the wilderness area in silence.

I remember my classes but nothing was that noteworthy, except:
Backpacking

A line I love: “I took the long way home to be alone a little longer.” Thanks for celebrating The Reivers!

Have you seen “Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger”? Highly recommended! I got a tad bit emotional during the “I Know Where I’m Going” section.

I married the fella who insisted I see it!

‘Of course I’m scared’: people confront their final days – in pictures Sibylle Fendt’s intimate photographs of terminally ill patients and their carers were inspired by the death of her own husband – a period in which she experienced pain, tenderness and love

“She longs for a society in which a willingness to help and care for others is valued more highly.”

Another person said, “At some point, I just want to look back and say, ‘We did a good job.’ And that, actually, we maybe even had a good time.”

www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

Five jobs I’ve had:

1. Dental instrument cleaner

2. Typist (from live dictation) for a philosopher

3. Order taker/copy helper of personal ads in national newspapers before online dating

4. Newspaper delivery person

5. Outside table monitor for London store gazing L-R all day for CD theft

Here’s the link. If you want to read more about it before reading it, click on my pinned post. The essay covers caregiving in general but is focused on hospice. I also want to recommend the Caregiving Gen X Style podcast.

substack.com/inbox/post/1...

Also difficult when you’re the only local kid, even with a wonderful, actively helpful partner. I’m not prolific but I wrote 6k words about caregiving. Now that my essay is out there, I’m finding out from readers that we’re not alone! I’m sorry you’re going through this.

Reading this reminded me of what I love about essayist Edward Hoagland: nature, human nature, humor, and descriptions that don’t meander, where every word is earned. Thanks for sharing!

Quote post a random photo from your phone. No new photos!!

In high school, I had BIG Texas hair. And no, I will not share a photo.

Orange cat curled up with one paw sticking out

Cat croissant pose + outstretched paw

Nina Simone - The Blues View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1991 CD release of "The Blues" on Discogs.

Nina Simone: The Blues

www.discogs.com/release/1934...

I grew up in this house in the ‘80s. My mom brought a rough sketch to an architect and had it custom built in a U shape to save the trees. It looks a lot different now. There’s nothing like this house in the rain with that U shape and the wall of windows.

OK, AI has gone too far. I emailed myself a work in progress to my Gmail account, and Gemini produced a summary of my work at the top of the email. Creepy! Accurate this time, but creepy.

Saw Horsegirl recently. Great show! Opening band was so fun too (male lead singer): Godcaster

a medieval painting of a scruffy white dog with a strangely human face

normal dog, switzerland, 15th century

That was quite a leap!