I just overhead a promo for PRI's "The World". From their website, here's the synopsis of today's show:

Terrorism and the Internet
Terrorist experts meeting in Madrid say hate language on the Internet has blossomed. Some want to shut down the 4,000 known terrorist websites. Others say more Internet access is needed. Unfiltered news and open communication could be the best weapon in the war against terrorism.

Fascinating, guys. But hey, why not expand the conversation? How about this: "The Printed Word -- Tool for Good or Evil?"

Jackanapes!

This time it isn't Linux running on your ipod -- it's Linux running off of your ipod. Load up the files and no matter how boned your PC becomes, you can boot into a version of Linux, complete with GUI, restore utilities and other goodies.

Sounds pretty neat, but it's actually somewhat more pointless than it sounds. Not all PCs can boot from USB devices yet, for one thing. For another, there are already plenty of Linux "live CDs" available: pop em in your CDROM drive, power up, and try out a new operating system -- all without installing a thing. Less sexy, I guess, but more practical. Have a look at Knoppix if you're feeling curious; if you're feeling mischievous, have a look at PHLAK.

I imagine Catherine or Kyle will have a full review up on DCist later today, but last night's Ash/Bravery show didn't disappoint. Kyle already has some thoughts on the show posted -- he was a little let down by the lack of new material.

For a more casual fan like myself, though, the setlist was dead on. Sorry to say, I haven't kept up with Ash since Nu-Clear Sounds and had never seen them live. This was their first DC show in two years, so perhaps that figured into their decision to play a wide selection from their catalog. Whatever the reason, I appreciated hearing material I knew in addition to their new stuff.

The performance was proficient and professional -- loud, in tune, melodic and energetic. All I can say is, "That's how it's done." If there's any justice, Jet will spend the afterlife carrying an infinite pile of Ash amps to a club at the top of a mountain. (Across the valley, instruments perpetually recede from the grasp of the members of Rush -- I've got this all figured out.)

Oh, and bonus points for their unintentional rock & roll psychic act, which went like this:

ASH: We're going to play an older song or two for you...
ME: I hope it's gonna be "A Life Less Ordinary"
ASH: This one's called "A Life Less Ordinary"

And then they pulled a quarter out of my ear! Amazing.

On to The Bravery: I wanted to hate these guys, blind and uninformed as I was. My experience of them was limited to having seen a single underwhelming video, and I was harboring a grudge from a lack of Ash encores. I couldn't deny them, though -- they're a very good live band. But Catherine and I still opted for a mid-set ride home.

Like I said, it's not that The Bravery aren't a good band. It's just that we seem to have segued smoothly from electroclash to dance rock to Cure-dependent new wave without a break, and my tolerance for synths and eye makeup is fading pretty quickly. I get that the garage rock craze couldn't go the distance, but I'd be very happy if our next musical fad came from somewhere besides New York. The ball's in your court, Canada! Or rink. Whatever. Hell, I don't know.

...to get your ass over to biddy mulligan's at 1500 new hampshire ave nw this evening for the saint paddy's DCist happy hour. i will be in attendance, though not drinking unfortunately, due to both a pesky throat thing and a 6 mile race tomorrow. but i encourage you all to come, to drink heavily, and to bitch/rave about DCist.