News tidbits

Remember Nora, the piano-playing cat?

Well, a Lithuanian composer/conductor has written a piece of music for her.

Here's the video from BBC News.

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For six months, dog walkers in L.A. have been ignoring a law that limits the number of dogs any one person can bring to a leash-free park.

This story is from the San Jose Mercury News.

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Pricey digs for a dog park?

On Saturday, a $170,000 dog park opened in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The 3-acre site is the largest of six dog parks in the city.

Here's an article from the St. Petersburg Times.

Any other dog parks that can match or beat that price tag?

Nora's back

Here is another installment of Nora the piano playing cat.

If you missed the first part, click here. And if you missed the sad, sad Nora wannabe, click here.

I think Nora has been studying the minimalists. Somewhere Philip Glass just meowed.

Nora wannabe?

Take a look at Kitten on the keys before you watch this clip.

It's sad really, but funny.

Kitten on the keys

This is sort of amazing. A cat named Nora that likes to tinkle the ivories. (Make up your own joke.)

Her technique reminds of the almost minimalist quality of the early works of Harry Connick Jr.

I tried to get Kate to take up an instrument, but when she found out a trombone wasn't what she thought it was, she gave it up.

Edit: I think I remember Vladimir Horowitz putting his face down on the keyboard during a concert at Carnegie Hall once. So I think Nora has "studied the masters."

Edit 2: Sorry to keep adding to this, but it's too good to pass up. I'm watching last night's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and they are talking about the recent Virginia Tech tragedy and who is to blame.

After a bunch of pundits offer their opinions, Stewart says, "Come on, people, violent video games, violent movies, those are my father's scape goats."

He then asks if anyone can come up with a better excuse.

A guy from CNN (sorry, can't ID him) says, "I don't know, maybe it's YouTube."

Stewart looks in the camera, shakes his head, and says, "People, if we as a society want to live, the cat playing piano must die."

Glad I can help.