We took the night off from swim practice to take the kids to a cultural night at the museum last month. Okay, maybe it was mainly to see Deerhoof play in the entrance of the SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) but there were many bonus surprises.

First off... there were complimentary hors d'oeuvres upon entry and a film "banquet" up on the roof featuring the Rolling Stones' recording of Beggar's Banquet, conversations with David Hilliard, the former Chief of Staff for the Black Panthers, and access to the museum exhibits. Our favorite was "The Design Ethos of Dieter Rams."

It's no secret that Apple learned everything they know from Rams, who was the lead designer at Braun for 40+ years. It felt goofily appropriate to be snapping pictures of all these vintage devices with my iPhone. Makes me wish the iPhone had more buttons... and knobs... a slider or two, and of course some flitting needles. For a good 90 minutes we were entranced in the world of Analog Porn.

And I was primed for it too. My kid recently blew up my Phase Tech speakers AND Kenwood Amp so are had to start "anew." Wound up with an early-70's Marantz 2250 and a pair of 1969-ish Dynaco A-25's... followed up by refurbishing the B&O turntable. Inspired by this exhibit, I'm on the lookout for more... especially tape decks with lots of buttons. Love all those buttons.