Let's hear it for Geoff Hargadon, whose "Somerville Gates" -- a series of 13 tiny plastic replicas of Christo's stupid Central Park installation -- have blown up the spot, so to speak.

Hargadon -- "Hargo," as he's now known -- had to shut down his Web site featuring photos of "The Somerville Gates" after it received 5.5 million hits in one week. He's been fielding media calls nonstop, and has been interviewed by reporters from Germany to Colombia. . . .

Hargadon, 50, lives in Somerville, a mostly working-class city just north of Boston. His creation consists of 13 miniature plastic gates spread across his loft, often tracing the path of his cat, Edie.

TPCQ: "Turn the museums into low-income housing or discos. Give the art to the poor; give the grant money to me."

HalliBush Wars, Inc.

I'm sure by now you've all heard the gem Dubya popped while in Europe this week, but in case you haven't:

"This notion that the US is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. And having said that, all options are on the table."

So let me get this straight. Our president is guilty of illegally invading another nation, and implies that he's willing to do it again -- and his approval rating doesn't just plummet into the toilet? Is this a great country or what?

And speaking of Iran -- is it me, or did the initial reports about the earthquake there seem odd?

A powerful earthquake toppled mud-built homes and flattened villages in central Iran on Tuesday, killing at least 270 people and injuring 950, officials and state-run television said. A senior official said the death toll could top 350.

Since when are reports of natural disasters attributed to sources? Why didn't we hear a similar formulation in stories about the mudslides in California? Those sneaky Iranians -- they're probably just making the whole earthquake thing up! (TPCQ: "The question is not whether you're being paranoid. It's whether you're being paranoid enough!")

I Thank You

Speaking of things that are hard to believe -- this site is getting upwards of 500 visitors every day! I really don't know what to say, except: Thank you for your patronage. Maybe I should put up a PayPal link so you can give me money. Oh, wait. I don't need it. Give you money to the East Timor Action Network instead.

And thanks to MoFi for linking us to the remarkably impressive Artcyclopedia.

TimeWaster™

Metaphysik is fun and pointless, via ABS. I got to the level with the palm tree and the gun before I stopped caring.

Today I'm listening to: O Brother, Where Art Thou?!