independence day

Fourth of July is always a great opportunity for photographers. Last year, I took well over 600 shots on the Fourth. This year, the results weren't as hefty, but I still managed to take a few decent shots (images 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 42, and 46 are my favorites). These are shots from parties, the parade, the carnival, on the street; some with people I know, some with people I, well, don't know. Well, enjoy the photos. Just click on the first thumbnail to get started, and then use the arrow keys to move around (or rollover the image for clickable arrows). Also, pressing 'Esc' will close the slideshow. But I'm sure you knew that already.

P.S. I'm switching all my photos over to Flickr. I know it won't get me as many views as Zooomr, but 1) I can make snazzy galleries like this easier with Flickr, 2) I just bought a Pro account, and 3) Zooomr is balls.

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Hey, tomorrow is Independence Day. IN AMERICA. In my town it’s mostly an excuse to get drunk and have some wild partays (which I abhor; as I listen to Stars of the Lid). As it so happens, my town’s parade is also a major tourist attraction—I’m talking every spot on the parade route dotted with a blanket, cooler, and souvenir-tee-wearing kid. Since I’ll be busy photographing, snarking, partying (jk, jk, I listen to straight edge musics; I’m not allowed to have fun), and going to the carnival, Squid Can won’t be updated until Monday. I have some nice Jacko-themed material and a pictorial review of one of the worst comic books I’ve ever read upon return, however. Until then, enjoy these Mp3s for the weekend.

First we have an ambient (New Age if you so wish), piano-powered selection by the San Fran-based Valerie Mih. Citing influences such as Satie, Glass, Sigur Ros, and even k.d. lang, Mih creates unassuming-yet-forceful pieces of tranquil, neoclassical-like ambient. Next, listen to something completely converse to the assuring rhythms of Ms. Mih—the resilient, ballistic ‘true’ screamo of the Swing Kids. Follow that up with some New Weird America—the backwoods-bigfoot sound of Ariel Pink’s “Beefbud”—and some actual Native American music. And, just in case you wondering, I bought the Mp3 tagged that way—with the artist as ‘Native American Indians’. Enjoy, and happy Fourth of July (or not-Fourth-of-July if you live abroad).

Download Saturn’s Rings by Valerie Mih
Download Blue Note by Swing Kids
Download Beefbud by Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
Download Navajo Hoop Dance Song by Native American Indians