Billmon is gone --- it seems that he was depressed at the futility of liberal blogging. An odd moment for that, shortly after the Democrats retook Congress, but I've always been somewhat skeptical myself how much the blog thing really amounted to. But, aside from netroots fundraising numbers, I have seen evidence that someone thinks left-wing online activity has lasting significance. Amid politically inspired art from Daumier, Manet and Picasso, the Harvard art museum's show "Dissent!" boasts a proudly framed printout of sixteen strips from Get Your War On.

On the second track of the Twinemen's new album, the luminous Laurie Sargent offers a parting gift to a departing lover --- a box with a summer day inside. Would whoever has that box please close it? On Saturday, I had to break my T-shirts out of the closet because Boston was just too warm to be walking around in long sleeves.

The album isn't officially out yet --- so go to a gig. They're better live anyway, and there might be some surprises at the merch table...