Google Moon

Google launched a new moon surfing feature last month to mark the 36th anniversary of the first moon landing (aka July 20th, 1969). Check it out and make sure you zoom in as close as you can to the surface.

Also, truly planning for the future, Google put out this press release:

We usually don't announce future products in advance, but in this case, yes, we can confirm that on July 20th, 2069, in honor of the 100th anniversary of mankind's first manned lunar landing, Google will fully integrate Google Local search capabilities into Google Moon, which will allow our users to quickly find lunar business addresses, numbers and hours of operation, among other valuable forms of Moon-oriented local information.

Note: this is all part of Google's Copernicus Initiative at their G-Cheese facility experimenting in HiDeHiDeHo. You just have to read it to believe it.

Tidbits #1

The Constant Gardener is perhaps the best film I've seen all year and it's so good to be reminded how movies should be about the things that matter. I got to see a special screening at Lincoln Center with director Fernando Meirelles in attendance and there's plenty to say about that, but it will have to wait until another time. The trailer gives too much away, so avoid it if you can, but consider this among my highest recommendations, an absolute must see. (Releases August 31st)

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a conversation from set...
Tom: We're such an odd group of people, if we didn't work in film I think we'd all be in the circus.
Clarence: I think we are in the circus.

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Andrew Peterson's new album The Far Country comes out at the end of August; I'm so excited I just might pee in my pants (that's how Andy gets over oatmeal cookies).

Here's an excerpt from Phantom Tollbooth's review: "Andrew Peterson makes it easier to bear the loss of Rich Mullins. Since Rich left in a whirlwind and chariot of fire, Andrew may come closer than anyone to catching his mantle. The poetic and whimsical verse, the otherworldly view, the storytelling, and the acoustic rock sound are all here."

Heavily inspired by a quote from Meister Eckhart that said, "God is at home. We are in the far country," Andy explains, "It made me ache for home...You know, all those pictures we have of heaven and hell are not accurate. No wonder people don’t long for heaven. Little boys don’t long for an eternal church service. We went to Yellowstone for our vacation, and one thing I noticed is, we never had to tell our kids what to do there. Their job was to play, and run around, and throw rocks. That is what heaven is like. When we get there we’ll know what to do...This is a joyful album about death."

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Concerts (in New York unless otherwise noted)
Over the Rhine - Wed Sept 07: Mercury Lounge
Village Life - Sun Sept 11: Bowery Poetry Club
Bill Mallonee (Vigilantes of Love) - Tue Sept 13: Pete's Candy Store
Nickel Creek - Fri Oct 07: Nokia Theatre Times Square
Village Life (featuring Tara Leigh Cobble) - Sun Oct 09: Bowery Poetry Club
Josh Ritter - Sun Oct 16: Irving Plaza
Switchfoot - Thur Nov 03: Nokia Theatre Times Square
Andrew Peterson - Dec 09: West Miffin, PA, Lebanon Presbyterian Church

Kitten Cannon

Quite the addictive game. My high score was 1262. Good luck.

The Village

Here's a scene from The Village that holds a certain ring for me, so I thought I'd share it here:

   EXT. WALKER HOUSE - PORCH - NIGHT

   In the middle of the night, Ivy lays in bed with her 
   eyes open. She is unused to sleeping in Kitty's bed. 
   Suddenly she sits up in bed, gasping. She walks out 
   on the porch, using memory and touch to guide her to 
   where Lucius is sitting. She sits down next to him. 
   They are perhaps four inches apart. They speak in low 
   voices, so as not to wake Ivy's family.

                   IVY
         The elders are going to have an
         inquiry tomorrow. Each member of
         the village is to be questioned in
         the meeting hall.

                   LUCIUS
         To see how the border was breached?

                   IVY
              Yes.

   There is a pause.

                   LUCIUS
         It is cold outside. You ought to go
         in.

                   IVY
         Why are you on this porch?

                   LUCIUS
         It is not safe.

                   IVY
         There are other porches. Do you
         find me too much of a tomboy? I do
         long to do boy things. Like that
         game the boys play at the stump.
         They put their backs to the woods,
         and see how long they can wait
         before getting scared. That's so
         exciting. I understand you hold the
         record. It will never be broken,
         they say.

                   LUCIUS
         It's just children's games.

                   IVY
         How is it you are brave when all
         the rest of us shake in our boots?

                   LUCIUS
         I do not worry about what will
         happen, only what needs to be done.
         How did you know I was here?

                   IVY
         I saw you out the window.

   Lucius is stunned. He looks at her strangely.

                   IVY
         No...I won't tell you your color.
         Stop asking.

   She pauses, and then ventures something VERY daring, 
   never betraying how much she is risking by what she 
   says.

                   IVY
         When we are married, will you dance
         with me? I find dancing very
         agreeable.

   Lucius is stunned again. Ivy has just proposed 
   marriage to him, or rather, she has stated that it 
   is inevitable. He is shocked into honesty.

                   IVY
         Why can you not say what is in your
         head?

                   LUCIUS
         Why can you not stop saying what is
         in yours? Why must you lead, when I
         want to lead? If I want to dance, I
         will ask you to dance. If I want to
         speak, I will open my mouth and
         speak. Everyone is forever plaguing
         me to speak further. Why? What...
         good is it to tell you you are in
         my every thought from the time I
         wake? What good can come from my
         saying I--I sometimes cannot think
         clearly, or-or do my work
         properly? What gain can rise from
         my telling you...the only time I
         feel fear as others do, is when I
         think of you in harm? That is why I
         am on this porch, Ivy Walker. I
         fear for your safety above all
         others. And yes...I will dance with
         you on our wedding night.

   He has been shaking and she has been calm, but now 
   she starts to shake and tears fall from her cheeks. 
   He takes her face in his hand, and they gently kiss.