Turns out yesterday’s post about the sublime Low Country Blues is the last word‘s 200th. And we forgot to celebrate.

Think about that for a sec: 200 bits of wisdom from the finely tuned minds at AMD World Headquarters, regularly squirted into the ether for your edification and enjoyment. Seems to me we deserve an award or something.

But no—it’s all about you, the reader. (Seriously, there’s only one of you.) Which is why we remain committed to bringing you the latest in breaking news, vigorously defending sound writing practices, and offering insightful commentary on the latest developments in the world of graphic design.

Here’s to another 200 posts!

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment

The logo for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London has created quite a stir. Turns out that, if you’re the Iranian government, the stylized numerals resemble the word “ZION,” which refers to Jerusalem and, by extension, Israel. And since Iran opposes Israel’s existence, they filed a protest, urging other Muslim nations to do the same.

The only thing that I might protest, however, is the fact that organizers reportedly spent $800,000 on the logo’s design development. In this tough economy, AMD would gladly have accepted the assignment for a mere $600,000.

posted by: CK Anderson  |  category: the design life  |  comments(2)

The Denver Post has published some remarkable photographs from the collection of John C. H. Grabill. Shown is one entitled “The Great Hostile Camp”—a Lakota camp on or near the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1891.

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment

It’s been a while since we last flexed our grammar muscles here at the last word. And since few things are more gratifying than showing off for the ladies, here’s the latest exercise in pedantry: e.g. versus i.e. (Hint: they’re not interchangeable.)

e.g. is short for exempli gratia, a Latin phrase that means “for example”
i.e. stands for id est, which is Latin for “that is”

You see? Both serve to clarify, but each has a different meaning. The surest way to avoid eliciting scorn* from the nearest know-it-all, therefore, is to stick with the English.

*Check out the 1995 film Get Shorty to see what I mean. Or click here to read the actual quote, which includes an F-bomb here and there.

UPDATE: “&c.” is simply a variant of “etc.”—the “&” a sort of ligature formed by the joining of “e” and “t.”

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: the writing life  |  comments(2)

http://vimeo.com/14929836

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment

Fifty-two years ago today, Miles Davis began recording Kind of Blue, the one jazz album owned by people who don’t like jazz. (And the one album that surely must vex atheists, as it clearly demonstrates the existence of a supreme being.)

Three of the five tracks were recorded March 2, 1959: “So What,” “Freddie Freeloader,” and “Blue in Green”; the remaining two—”All Blues” and “Flamenco Sketches”—were recorded seven weeks later.

As evidence of the album’s enduring appeal, here’s a 2010 treatment of “Blue in Green” from Ralph Towner and Paolo Fresu (ECM 2085):

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment

There are times when the beauty of this region is, quite simply, breathtaking. This weekend was one of those times.

Near East Hope, Idaho.

Highway 127, south of Dusty, Washington.

Snake River at Central Ferry, north of Dodge, Washington.

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment

What began ten years ago as a low-paying gig writing snarky music reviews for an “alternative” weekly has led to a soon-to-be published short story. That’s right, folks: I can now add “author” to my resume. More details as they become available…

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: the writing life  |  make a comment