I’m currently working my way through archived back-episodes of The Show with Ze Frank. It certainly makes me wish that he were still at it; it’s the perfect blend of thoughtfulness, philosophy, news, and humor, and a great daily ritual. And the wiki-tastic community of Sports Racers that arose around The Show is totally amazing.

Having brought this all up, here’s an example of the awesomeness that you missed if you weren’t paying attention in ‘06:

Anyone know of something of this sort that’s around now? Ze Frank is unfortunately not doing it anymore (although he is up to all sorts of other awesomeness, and tweets semi-regularly)…

I feel like this is the anthem of anyone who works retail or customer service. It certainly describes how I felt working at the fruit stand.

Marina also has a well-written blog, the best post of which may be this one.

This is such an angry song! Why do I love it so much??…

“I hope that our few remaining friends give up on trying to save us
I hope we come out with a failsafe plot to piss off the dumb few that forgave us
I hope the fences we mended fall down beneath their own weight
And I hope we hang on past the last exit
I hope it’s already too late

And I hope the junkyard a few blocks from here someday burns down
And I hope the rising black smoke carries me far away
And I never come back to this town again
In my life
I hope I lie
And tell everyone you were a good wife
And I hope you die
I hope we both die

I hope I cut myself shaving tomorrow
I hope it bleeds all day long
Our friends say it’s darkest before the sun rises
We’re pretty sure they’re all wrong
I hope it stays dark forever
I hope the worst isn’t over
And I hope you blink before I do
And I hope I never get sober

And I hope when you think of me years down the line, you can’t find one good thing to say
And I hope if I found the strength to walk out, you’d stay the hell out of my way
I am drowning
There is no sign of land
You are coming down with me
Hand and in unlovable hand
And I hope you die
I hope we both die.”

I love Regina Spektor’s videos — they’re always well-considered visually, and create intimate, beautiful spaces. This one’s no exception; it is a visual ode to the collected works of René Magritte, an artist whose work compliments the message of her song well.