Ran Jak Diary

Altinum revealed

The lost city of Altinum, not far from Venice, is reappearing because of an historic archaeological project. Read about it in Science.

Ryan McGinley - Dash Bombing

- From the collection.

Should Goldman Sachs be prosecuted for human rights abuses?

Watch all 3 parts...

The piano

It is strange, comfortable and scary to feel my fingers rest upon the keys of this piano. The chords did not belong together at first. They jarred my senses. Eventually some of the combinations resonated at a mildly acceptable but uninspired level. I sat and played around for hours, unable to stop making the saddest music imaginable. Took a break, then went back to the piano and fooled around some more.

Swine Flu rages, as do theories

Britain has been hit by swine flu more tan any other European country. This week 100,000 Brits were infected. Read this NRC Handelsblad report.

Here are three ways of regarding the pandemic.

1. Swine flu is being reportedly accurately by the World Health Organisation,
2. Swine Flu is fake and its reports are meant to bring billions to the drug companies, and to scare the world.
3. Swine Fu is being downplayed by governments that are anxious to cull their populations by causing deaths from disease.

Mac tablet in winter

A 10 inch screen. It might be delicious. Read this Apple Insider exclusive.

Why not to follow the in-crowd, part 288

By not following the in-crowd you don't have to praise Lars von Trier's latest boring movie, Antichrist. Here's The Guardian review.

Blake Wood, Untitled Jasper profile

- From the collection

Shorts

Mozart experts have identified two piano pieces as works by Mozart. Your diarist has marked the occasion by purchasing a piano. . .

Meanwhile, I'm over the moon with excitement about a series of lectures by Leonard Bernstein that have arrived on DVD. 

Biden and Saakashvili

There they were again today, Biden and Saakashvili, the scariest wacko duo of our times, promising the moon and the stars to Georgia, even if they threaten international stability in the process.

Новый рояль

Let the music begin! Piano by Roland.

Crisis closing pubs throughout Britain

The economic crisis is now forcing the closure of 52 Pubs in Britain every week. The Times reports.