Tele@60 - \m/

The Telecaster turned 60.

Sweet mother of God, it's such a great-looking guitar. How could Leo Fender have got it right so many times?

I'm always amazed at how much the look of the guitar influences the way you hear the music. Telecasters were and are popular with musicians playing country-rock, roots-rock, blues, "Americana" and that will always be the sound of "authentic" and "true" American music to me. Conversely, whenever I think of earthy, raw, organic, honest, serious rock music, something un-gimmicky and un-trendy, I can't help but picture the musician playing a Telecaster.

I'm trying hard to remember the first artist I ever completely identified with a Telecaster. Most of my guitar idols played Stratocasters or Les Pauls (or Rickenbackers), so I'm guessing it was Bruce Springsteen. (Imagine if he played a Flying V?)

(Also see this auction site that sold one of George Harrison's Telecasters from the Let it Be session. Mama. That's one beautiful Telecaster.)

This Is How America Will Regain Its Technology Mojo

Spotted this trivia question on a packet of oatmeal: "What does the acronym CPU stand for?"

I applaud you, Mr. Manufacturer, for avoiding pop trivia questions. But I'm now afraid to go near that box of granola lest it spring a surprise test on microprocessor design on me.

"Two More Chairs"

This is what late-night TV used to be. (Norman Mailer and Gore Vidal duking it out on air. Dick Cavett and Janet Flanner join in. Everybody wins.)

What do we have on TV now? Jay Leno.

(I know, shitting on Leno is way past its expiration date.)

Things We Said Today

Snow, snow, snow, snow, snow, snow, ice, frozen rain, sleet, snow, whiteout, black ice, snow.