General Weirdness

I got dubbed “the cultural Visigoth” when I was in college because I wasn't paying attention to popular culture when growing up. I admit it freely: I just never got around to watching TV. The only things I watch these days are Babylon 5 (when it isn't in reruns), Highlander, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Hercules: the Legendary Journeys. (The latter two are because I enjoy cheesy bad movies and my girlfriend really enjoys cheesy bad movies...) I miss the Max Headroom series (I guess the network couldn't take the criticism). (And yes, my parents and I have all of Twin Peaks taped. Couldn't you have guessed?)

If twisted, demented sensory overload is your idea of a good time, you might want to grab a Guinness and take a look at WIRED Magazine (and go directly to their login page if you're already subscribed) and UWI's Web's Edge (especially their What's Hot and Cool on the Web page).

For further brain-distortion, you might want to try the works of two of my favourite artists, Salvador Dalí (with a museum all his own) and M C Escher (who's even inspired the World of Escher company). If you're interested in the evolution of opera with modern technology, George Coates Performance Works have been doing some amazing productions over the years. Another experience worth hearing in San Francisco is Audium, which has been doing some very unusual stuff with sound for 35 years now.

For splendid weirdness in the physical world, take a look at Archie McPhee. If you really, really miss your days as a grad student, you might find the Annals of Improbable Research a refreshing bit of nostalgia...