Matthew Distracts Himself

A word cloud of the active page of this tumblr, via Wordle.net.

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 22:29:00 -0400

A word cloud of the active page of this tumblr, via Wordle.net.

“When Day Breaks,” a film by Wendy Tilby and Amanda...

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:34:00 -0400

“When Day Breaks,” a film by Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis, via the National Film Board of Canada.

This film was produced by filming actors in beak and snout masks, and then printing each digital frame, and redrawing them using pencil and paint. Read an interview with the creators.

“The Cat Came Back,” a film by Cordell Barker for...

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:31:00 -0400

“The Cat Came Back,” a film by Cordell Barker for The National Film Board of Canada.

Change of Format

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:18:00 -0400

I always said that, if I missed a day, I’d hang it up. I managed three posts every day from 9/23/07 through the day before yesterday. Yesterday, I became distracted after I posted the holiday of the day and a quote from Larry Adler, who died on August 6. Then I had a meeting, and completely forgot to come back and post a birthday quote (it was Lucille Ball’s birthday, among others).

So, today marks the day I take a different tack. I’m not sure what it will be. Probably tid-bits that interest me. It’s apt not to be updated daily, though I guess we’ll see.

If you’ve been checking me out every day for the past 11 months, thanks. I hope you’ll find something to interest you in the future.

"Even Bach comes down to the basic suck, blow, suck, suck, blow."

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:05:13 -0400

“Even Bach comes down to the basic suck, blow, suck, suck, blow.”

- Larry Adler, harmonica player who could really blow, suck, blow, died this day in 2001.

Larry Adler

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:02:26 -0400

Larry Adler

Happy Holidays:

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:01:00 -0400

It’s Fresh Breath Day. Want a mint?

"I think, therefore I’m single."

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:40:13 -0400

“I think, therefore I’m single.”

- Lizz Winstead, comedian, political pundit, and co-creator of The Daily Show, was born on this day in 1961.

Lizz Winstead

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:37:58 -0400

Lizz Winstead

"Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for..."

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:27:00 -0400

“Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.”

- Marilyn Monroe, actor, model, singer, film producer and enigma, died on this day in 1962.

Marilyn Monroe

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:25:48 -0400

Marilyn Monroe

Happy Holidays:

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:20:40 -0400

It’s National Night Out. It’s about reducing crime, not lap dances and drinking heavily.

"All music is folk music. I ain’t never heard a horse sing a song."

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:31:20 -0400

“All music is folk music. I ain’t never heard a horse sing a song.”

- Louis Armstrong, jazz trumpeter and singer, was born on this day in 1901.

Louis Armstrong

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:28:25 -0400

Louis Armstrong

"‘But the Emperor has nothing on at all!’"

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:25:28 -0400

“‘But the Emperor has nothing on at all!’”

- Hans Christian Andersen, poet and children’s author, died on this day in 1875.

Hans Christian Andersen

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:23:14 -0400

Hans Christian Andersen

Happy Holidays:

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:19:47 -0400

Today we celebrate the forgot branch of the Armed Forces: It’s Coast Guard Day.

"God gives every bird his worm, but He does not throw it into the nest."

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 08:37:17 -0400

“God gives every bird his worm, but He does not throw it into the nest.”

- P.D. James, crime novelist and Lord For Life, was born on this day in 1920.

P.D. James

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 08:34:42 -0400

P.D. James

"Smokers, male and female, inject and excuse idleness in their lives every time they light a..."

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 08:25:20 -0400

“Smokers, male and female, inject and excuse idleness in their lives every time they light a cigarette.”

- Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, novelist, sexual progressive and non-smoker, died on this day in 1954.