15 Things worth knowing about coffee. Bullet points in finely illustrated form. I want some espresso now.
Category: links
The Diary of Samuel Pepys
Pepys’ Diary is an online project to republish the diaries of Samuel Pepys. The site began in 2003, and posts a new entry every day. My introduction to the man came courtesy of Neal Stephenson’s Baroque Cycle.
Comic Serif
Comic Serif is a companion slab serif to the much maligned Comic Sans. It’s available for free from HVD fonts.
The Botany of Desire
PBS has posted a full copy of The Botany of Desire, as well as extras, for your viewing pleasure. The documentary examines the human relationship with four plants, apples, tulips, cannabis and potatoes, that evolved to satisfy our desires.
Baseball infographics
Flip Flop Fly Ball features loads of baseball related infographics. The game is a statistician’s wetdream and accordingly, makes for some great visuals.
Whiskerino
This is the last year of Whiskerino, an exercise in camaraderie, manliness, photography and general beard growing. The last time it occurred, I was travelling without a razor, already rocking a massive beard, and was unable to compete. Basically, you start on November 1st, clean shaven and don’t touch your razor or any other trimming implements until February 28th, making a full 120 days of uninhibited beard growth.
I will be uploading a daily photo to my profile on Whiskerino and occasionally to my flickr stream, if you feel like keeping track. I’m also planning on producing a book at the end of it, with each of the daily photos and a collage which may or may not be related to the day’s photo.
Type News
Type News is a new website from Rob Keller, featuring an aggregation of news, photos and tweets related to typography. He and his wife have also unveiled their new foundry, Mota Italic. Help Rob repay his student loans and get some great fonts for your generosity.
Pictorial Webster’s
Pictorial Webster’s features over four hundred original woodcut and copper engravings from 19th century editions of the Merriam-Webster dictionary. The fine press edition features a letterpress interior, leather binding and a hand-tooled cover. A trade edition of the book is now available from Chronicle Books.
This video offers a behind-the-scenes peek at the making of the book. You get a good sense of what’s involved with production and the amount of effort that goes into it.
On opium dens
Confessions of an Opium-Seeker chronicles Nick Tosches’ attempt to find an opium den in the age of quick-fixes and connoisseur culture. I need to read some more of his work, the writing style sucked me into the article.
New Vonnegut short
Look at the Birdie is a previously unpublished short story from Kurt Vonnegut which will appear in his new book.