Friday Varia and Quick Hits

After a week off to work in the Bakken, I’m back with a pre-holiday quick hits and varia for your enjoyment.

I’ll be too honest and say that my daily productivity has begun to decline as the holidays approach. We have a tree, are heavy into menu planning, and are looking forward to a day or two when work gives way to family good cheer and, of course, as many hours of test cricket as possible. 

That being said, I will prepare my usual year end blog review and my year end “what I’m listening to” for the next week. So, stay tuned!

• Congratulations to Chuck Jones for being recognized by the Archaeological Institute of America for his outstanding work in digital archaeology.

• Some scientifical notes on Roman concrete.

• Breathtaking 3D video, computer animation of the Amphipolis tomb. (This is only breathtaking for people who have not played video games since Yar’s Revenge.) 

• This Greek Ministry of Culture Directive opens a brave new world.

• Meanwhile, stolen manuscripts and art from Cyprus continue to wend their way through the court system.

• An E.T. Game from Alamogordo has made it to the Smithsonian.

• Managing Emotions in Byzantium.

• Plumb bobs. (Or plumb-bob square-pants.)

• Conventional wisdom on oil production.

• Conventional wisdom on college students and technology.

• Two lists of the year’s best book covers: here and here.

• People next to their televisions.

• Sub-$500 stereos.

• Claridryl (for Susie).

• This is an argument for banning all art in North and South Dakota, and here you can punch a Monet.

• Voluntary ghettos and urban space.

• What I’m reading: Peter M. Ward, Colonias and Public Policy in Texas and Mexico: Urbanization by Steath. Austin 1999.

• What I’m listening to: Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music; Steven Gunn, Way Out Weather; Matthew Ryan, Boxers.