My wife hardly ever picks up a camera, but I love it when she does.

In my own photography I often try to make images that show the past and the future simultaneously. I think Ruben Reyes' images of an isolated community in northern Mexico do exactly this... This NYTimes piece gives a bit of context.

Kevin Cheng twittered recently "Cannot find any iTunes solution that lets me have an external master library, laptop w/ synced subset, and synced ratings/metadata."

Ahh.. the holy grail. I've been pursuing it for some time because I often orbit between 3 or 4 machines. I'd go further. I also want my iphones to share the synced data and to be able to sync on multiple computers. It can be done! Here's how.

Assumptions: I assume Macintosh. I assume normal locations for your Music folder and for the iTunes folder. I assume matching usernames on all the computers. I have 2 sets of instructions the first is for a fresh start (new library), the second set is for converting an existing library. Most importantly I assume a Dropbox account (they're free).

There are a couple of issues we have to get around:

1. Ratings and playlists are stored in local iTunes databases.
2. Song/Video metadata is stored in the actual media files.
3. iTunes tries to limit your syncing w/ iphones & ipads to a single library and freaks out if you switch libraries.

The solution is setting up a shared space that is automatically synced across computers and storing shared songs and metadata on the shared space.

OPTION 1: CLEAN START
Creating a clean Library from scratch.
(for an existing library scroll to the alternative method)

Step 1: Start Fresh.

a. Back up your iphone/ipod etc. by connecting it to iTunes and selecting the device while holding down the control key (choose 'Backup' from the menu.)

b. Quit iTunes and rename your iTunes folder 'iTunes-old'. This will serve as a backup if something bad happens (Remember I didn't make you do this! To restore everything, just rename the new iTunes folder that will be created 'iTunes-new' and rename the old folder 'iTunes'.).

b. Start iTunes and a new empty database will be created in your iTunes folder.

c. Uncheck "Copy iTunes files to iTunes Media folder when adding to Library" in the advanced prefs.

d. Quit iTunes.

Step 2: Set up shared space.

I use Dropbox. You'll need enough space to hold the subset of the collection you want shared on your satellite computer. Windows Live would probably also work. Some of the Macfuse based finder-ftp solutions might work. The important thing is that your shared space is indistinguishable from a normal Mac directory.

If you don't care about ratings or playlists and only care about metadata, then you're done. Just keep media files you want to share between computers on dropbox. Add the files manually to iTunes and the data will be synced on all computers automagically, but that's not what you want, you want more!

Step 3: Move your itunes database to dropbox:

If you want your ratings and playlists to match across machines, your database will have to live on the dropbox. To do this:

a. Copy your newly created iTunes folder to your dropbox folder. Right now it should be empty (no songs).

b. Create an alias of your iTunes folder, it should be named 'iTunes copy'.

c. Move 'iTunes copy' back to your Music folder and rename it 'iTunes'.

d. Now start iTunes. Go to preferences and look at the iTunes Media folder location. It should be something like '/Users/YOURUSERNAME/Dropbox/iTunes/iTunes Media'

Step 4: Add your music

Add your music/videos/etc, by dragging folders onto itunes. To add all your old music drag the 'iTunes Music' folder within 'iTunes-old' to the iTunes window and everything will be imported (or choose import from the File menu). These media files will be available locally.

For music you want to share across machines, create a folder called 'iTunes Everywhere' on Dropbox and drag folders of music into it. Anything not on dropbox will only be visible locally. If the music has been added to iTunes already you don't have to re-add it, you just have to move it, if it hasn't been added, you will have to add it.

When you are on a satellite computer, you will be able to play global files and files you add from that computer. Files on the main computer will have the little grey exclamation point next to them, but at least you can see them and see their ratings. You'll have access to all your playlists etc, but of course only local and global files will be able to play in each context (I recommend keeping a playlist of all your global files to keep things straight). Purchased music will be saved on the dropbox and available everywhere, unless you move it.

Step 5: Deal with your iphone/ipad/ipod

If you started fresh your phone will think you are on a new computer which means it will want to erase everything. You could copy your backup library id's over in a hex editor to fool itunes into being reasonable, or you could do a 'Restore from Backup' (control click the device in iTunes. The restore option is on the contextual menu). Either way it's a hassle.

Once your iphone is back up, you should select "Manually manage music." This will allow you to add files from the shared space or either computer. It's important to remember what context you are in when you are adding files. If you add a playlist from a satellite computer you must make sure that computer has access to all the songs on the playlist.

ALTERNATE METHOD: CONVERTING YOUR EXISTING ITUNES LIBRARY

Use this method if you want to convert your existing library, you'll need need to move your library files over to dropbox.

Step 1: Back up.

a. Quit iTunes.

b. Duplicate the following files in your iTunes folder and put them someplace safe: iTunes library, iTunes Library Extras.itdb, iTunes Library Genius.itdb, sentinel,iTunes Music Library.xml. .

c. Start iTunes and uncheck "Copy iTunes files to iTunes Media folder when adding to Library" in the advanced prefs.

Step 2: Set up shared space.

a. I use Dropbox. You'll need enough space to hold the subset of the collection you want shared on your satellite computer.

b. Create a directory on dropbox called 'iTunes Master' move the iTunes library files (iTunes library, iTunes Library Extras.itdb, iTunes Library Genius.itdb, sentinel) to it.

c. Create aliases for these files and move the aliases back to their original positions in your original iTunes folder.

d. Rename the files removing the "copy suffix". This fools itunes into thinking the files are in their normal location.

e. Start iTunes, kick the tires a bit, everything should be normal.

Step 3: Manage Your files.

For music you want to share across machines, create a folder on dropbox called 'iTunes Everywhere' and drag folders of music into it. Anything not on dropbox will only be visible locally. If the music has been added to iTunes already you don't have to re-add it, you just have to move it, if it hasn't been added, you will have to add it.

When you are on a satellite computer, you will be able to play global files and files you add from that computer. Files on the main computer will have the little grey exclamation point next to them, but at least you can see them and see their ratings. You'll have access to all your playlists etc, but of course only local and global files will be able to play in each context (I recommend keeping a playlist of all your global files, and playlists of files on each computer to keep things straight).

Step 4: Your iphone/ipod/ipad.

Select "Manually manage music" on your main iphone/ipod/ipad screen. This will allow you to add files from the shared space or either computer. It's important to remember what context you are in when you are adding files. If you add a playlist from a satellite computer you must make sure that computer has access to all the songs on the playlist.

It's not pretty, but it works (Earth to Apple: please make this easier!) If everything worked, you now have: A place where you can put music that is accessible globally, the ability to view all your playlists and ratings everywhere, and the ability to add songs and sync your phone/ipad from all your machines. As it should be.

Caveats: This setup works for me. It might not for you. I always shut down iTunes when leaving one computer for another because I assume things could get wonky if I have multiple live machines and multiple machines are syncing files in rapid succession. I back up religiously.

Do you have a better way to do this? If so, let me know? Edits? Leave a comment!

I keep being served rice labeled Mexican rice, that is not Mexican rice, at least not Mexican Rice as I know it.

Here is how to make proper Mexican rice:

Liquify 1 big tomato, 1 garlic clove, 1 onion, salt, black pepper and a teaspoon and a half of cumin. Add some chilis if you like things spicy. Set aside.

Boil 2 cups of chicken broth, then let it simmer. Keep one cold cup of broth off to the side

Soak 1 cup of long grain rice in warm water for 4 minutes. Drain and let it stand for 5 minutes.

Put a touch of bacon in a frying pan and warm it up to grease the pan. Add a touch of oil. Then add the rice and fry it until the rice turns golden brown.

Turn the heat up on the broth.

Add the liquified tomato mixture to the rice and fry for one minute.

Now add the broth. Bring to a boil. Once everything starts boiling reduce the heat and cover loosely so the steam escapes. When the liquid has vanished, add a third cup of cold broth, cover and cook until it has also evaporated.

Eat your delicious rice.

The future is close.

The future is when you finish these words.

The future is far.

The future is when the stars die a million million years from now and everything is so cold.

Sometimes when you're waiting for your birthday or Christmas or some special secret thing, the future seems like forever.

A long time ago, today was the future.

A long time ago they thought we would have floating sidewalks and flying cars and everything would be automatic.

(Automatic was a big part of the future for those guys.)

They thought the future would always be beatiful.

They wrote "We want no part in the past."

Funny it was so very long ago.

Some day, a long time from today, we'll all be old and we'll remember lying here talking about the future and we'll laugh about everything we did not know.

Previous costumes: 2009, 2008 (also this one), 2007, 2006

Love this image by Pixy. It doesn't appear to be part of a project yet, but looks like it might be soon:

She has many websites:

Personal

,

Pro

,

Blog

The thing about Salad Days
And Golden Ages
Is that you never know you're in them
Until years later
When their reflected glow is almost painful.

João Silva's photography is easy to spot in Times, it is almost always startling close to something terrible. Covering wars in Africa, The Balkans, Chechnya, Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan he has seen more tragedy than most of us can imagine. Silva is also also a solid writer. The Bang-Bang Club: Snapshots from a Hidden War is a harrowing portrait of war in South Africa and In the Company of God is an intense portrait of Iraqi Shiites during the war.

The New York Times reports that João was seriously injured when he stepped on a mine Saturday in Kandahar province. He was evacuated to a military hospital. There has been no update on his condition.

Update: The Times reports Mr. Silva will lose his legs. Many testimonials and tributes can be found here.

I suspect the NYTimes writer of this piece on the fascinating and disturbing phenomenon of honeybee colony collapse disorder was having a bit of fun w/ this one:

"One perverse twist of colony collapse that has compounded the difficulty of solving it is that the bees do not just die — they fly off in every direction from the hive, then die alone and dispersed. That makes large numbers of bee autopsies — and yes, entomologists actually do those — problematic."

"The first steps were awkward, partly because the Army lab was not used to testing bees, or more specifically, to extracting bee proteins. “I’m guessing it was January 2007, a meeting in Bethesda, we got a bag of bees and just started smashing them on the desk,” Charles Wick said. “It was very complicated.”

The process eventually was refined. A mortar and pestle worked better than the desktop, and a coffee grinder worked best of all for making good bee paste."

"Another possibility, he said, is a kind of insect insanity."

I met several awesome artists today. One was Cassandra Jones who creates art from found photographs. She makes elaborate large-scale wallpaper from repeating pictures of cheerleaders, flamingos, lightning, etc., etc. and she he makes really super short video pieces. One of my favorites is above. What's not to love about a neo-Muybridge?

Sometimes just to torture myself I'll browse the Sotheby's Auction Catalog (registration required)... painful, but fun.

I'm a sucker for any images from Sally Mann's Mother Land series:

This one is called Untitled (Deep South #9) and man would it look nice in the bedroom.

Don't know the series? Read these reviews/posts: Indy Week, Musings, Arts Central,

Secret society of pretty girls who read Catcher in The Rye.
Secret society of guys who wear chicken shirts.
Secret society of vaguely familiar acquaintances.
Secret society of ladies who smell of butterfly milk.
Secret society of pretend sleepers.
Secret society of guys who carry briefcases but might be in metal bands.
Secret society of guys with beards who read Epictetus.
Secret society of quiet farters.
Secret society of contagious yawners.
Secret society of guys who nod to other guys even though they have no idea why they are nodding.
Secret society of artists who might be drawing you, but are actually drawing monsters.
Secret society of men who are probably pirates.
Secret society of humans from the future (this is how they study us).
Secret society of children (who are involved in too many secret societies to list in this forum).
Secret society of people who consciously make eye contact.
Secret society of people who studiously avoid eye contact(who by the way are involved in a fierce silent battle with the secret society listed above).
Secret society of people with broken hearts and other hidden wounds.
Secret society of listmakers who search out the invisible.

Liu XiaoFang's was one of the photographers chosen for reGeneration2, a selection of "50 photographers of tomorrow" curated by the Swiss Musée de lElysée. One of her images graces the cover of the Aperture foundation catalog of the exhibition. I don't know much about this photographer and have only seen her work online at the 789 Gallery. I was wondering if anyone out in internet world had a better link. I find the work striking but cold and would like a bit more context to see if it warms me up.

Robots from raul gutierrez on Vimeo .

My kids love playing robots.