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	What's New (as of February 2004) New Features Here's my S.F. Chronicle feature on designing homeless shelters. The piece was inspired by Sam Davis, UC-Berkeley architecture professor and architect who has just finished a book on the subject: Designing for the Homeless: Architecture That Works (UC Press). JUST RELEASED! "King George Is Back" a witty, satirical song about President Bush     Even if you think the Prez is doing a great job, you'll get a kick out of this catchy and funny song by my pal Mike Dakota. If you loathe Bush, you'll like it even better! Mike claims I pushed him to finish the song, and as punishment he made me play lead guitar. (My trusty '76 Les Paul Deluxe Sunburst running through an analog distortion box.) I was present at the creation in his home studio and in the Yonasty studio for the ProTools mix. There's a surprise ending, so make sure you listen to the entire song. Click here to go to Mike's website and play the song. Recent Film/Book Review Additions     If you too find the fluff/ennui of modern French films tedious, check out two from their Golden Era: "Pepe Le Moko," a 30s classic about a French criminal bon vivant trapped in Algier's Kasbah, and Bresson's gripping "A Man Escaped" from the 50s, the true story of a Resistance partisan's incredible escape from a Nazi prison just hours before his execution. Notice the extremely effective and very spare use of music in this film.     Also worth renting are two classics of Japanese cinema, "Gate of Hell" (1953, directed by Teinosuke Kinugasa) and "Streets of Shame" (1956, directed by Mizoguchi). Desperately practising riffs, hoping to sound professional for 3 minutes   photo by Mike Dakota Travels in November/December 2003     We spent a month in Japan and Thailand in November-December--quite a challenge to pack one small bag for the chill of Nikko and Nagano and the 36 C (90 F) heat of Bangkok.... but we pulled it off, and made it home just in time to enter the holiday gift/card/food frenzy.                 On the beach at Ko Chang Island, southern Thailand. Shark bait or what, ne?   "What's New: Jan. 2004" "What's New: Sept./Oct. 2003" "What's New: July/Aug. 2003" "What's New: June 2003" "What's New: May 2003" "What's New: April 2003" "What's New: March 2003" "What's New: February 2003"