bookofjoe

Mr. Lincoln's T-Mails — Was Abraham Lincoln the first master of a new technology?

That's the thesis of Tom Wheeler's 2006 book, which I first heard of when I read Mark Leibovich's August 3, 2008 New York Times article about John McCain's technophobia.

How Wheeler's book slipped by without my noticing I can't fathom; I guess I somehow missed all the rave reviews.

In any event I just ordered a copy.

Just goes to show that sometimes life does give you a second chance.

Chapter one is a free download here.

Chair Canopy — Episode 2: Price break (but there's a catch)

Constant readers will recall Episode 1 on August 5, 2008, in which the answer to a "What is it?" feature turned out to be a portable compactable canopy for chairs.

My world-wide network of wired-in correspondents once again chipped in, this time in the person of the estimable James Thornburg, who sent me a link to a version (top) that appears very similar — but in one important respect not identical — to the previously-featured iteration, yet costs 25% less.

From the website:

Kelsyus Chair Canopy

This attachable canopy fits all of our Kelsyus chairs (see chair link).

It is perfect for creating shade while sitting on the beach or at the ball field.

It folds up easily by twisting in on itself to create a circle about 18 inches in diameter.

Made of 100% PVC fabric.

Color is Stone.

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Note that this canopy "... fits all of our Kelsyus chairs...."

But what if you don't own or want to buy a Kelsyus chair?

You might be out of luck.

Whereas the more expensive version ($19.98) "fits most outdoor chairs."

$14.95 for the Kelsyus.

You make the call.

The Narrow Path — by Kay Ryan

No rime-grizzled mountain climber,
puzzled by where to put his fingers next,
knows the least thing about
how narrow work gets
that depends only on pleasure.
When it gets late or he gets depressed,
he can hang in a nylon sack,
his whole weight waiting
for the light to come back.
But for people who ascend
only by pleasure
there are no holding straps.
They must keep to the
hairline crack all the time
or fall all the way back.

Digital Photo Watch

Once upon a time, in a century past, people dreamed of such things.

Now you can get one for a hundred bucks.

I like it.

From the website:

Digital Photo Watch

View slideshows or single photos and analog or digital time on a high-resolution (128 x 128) 1.5" LCD screen.

Display photos or time alone or superimpose time over pictures.

Easy plug-and-play with PC (Windows 2000/XP) or Mac.

USB-rechargeable, provides 8 hours viewing per charge.

Includes AC adapter.

Leather band.

Chrome case.

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$99.95.

Badaude does Paris

You could do a lot worse with your time than spend some with her.

[via Milena Castulovich]

Inline Box Vase

"Chem lab beaker glass handblown to single file two single short stems."

8.5"W x 2.75"D x 1.5"H.

$4.95.

Proposal for a project — inspired by Daniel Eatock

"I have taken a Polaroid photograph of a copy machine and photocopied it continously while it developed. I wanted to how many times the copy machine could copy the image before it was fully developed."

Eatock's description above, from his upcoming (September, 2008) book "Daniel Eatock Imprint," gave me an idea:

Take a Polaroid.

Put it face down on a copy machine and make 100 copies.

Sign and number the 100 "originals" (each should be different from the next, as long as all 100 copies were made before the picture developed completely).

Sell them.

The only thing that I'm not sure about is the price: I mean, a penny apiece? $1? $100? $1,000?

Let me find my calculator, hold on a sec... OK, 100 x $1,000 = $100,000.

Yeah, that'll work.

Cat Oat Kit Hairball Remedy — That can't be right... can it?

I thought my brain had a hairball — yes, I know you think I've had a cortical hareball for years now — when I espied the photo above, illustrating "Nature's hairball remedy — Oat Kit for Cats."

But then I blinked and shook myself and sure enough, my eyes were open and I was awake.

From the website:

Cat Oat Kit

Oat kit for cats is nature's hairball remedy.

Enrich your kitty's diet and save your houseplants — with healthy, all-natural oat grass.

Full of trace minerals and chlorophyll, the enticing greens help freshen breath and rid cat of hairballs, which can block the digestive tract.

Shoots grow in just a few days.

Includes 8 oz. pot with lid, peat moss and 1 oz. of oat seeds.

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Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit, if this isn't the real deal.

Maybe Flautist will weigh in, if we're lucky.

Priced to sell: was $5.98 but now reduced to $4.98.