I’ve learned a lot of things this week: I’ve learned to never under-appreciate a good night’s sleep, I’ve learned that some people disappear just when you thought they were about to finally be there, I’ve learned that simply processing and responding to email can take up an entire week at work, and I’ve learned that there are so many great things to see on the web that I can’t fit them all into the Weekender.

Oh, but I’ve tried.

Photos for the weekend.

Using only a scalpel, Richard Galpin intricately scores and peels away the emulsion from the surface of the photograph to produce a radical revision of the urban form:

I’m heading to Barcelona in July, so this set of wonderful photos from the city by Alix (who runs one of my favorite blogs ever) was particularly timely:

Links for the weekend.

Twilight of the Tummlers
Two of my favorite auteurs, Woody Allen and Larry David, have just made a new movie together. That fact alone has to make you excited about cinema this summer.

Play With Your Food, Just Don’t Text!
I’ve been guilty of this once in a while in the past, but in general, when you’re at the dinner table, the mobile phone needs to be put away. Seriously.

Simple Happy.
I love when people share stories of human goodness and kindness like these. That’s part of the whole reason I changed the purview of this site from a place for me to write about anything to a place for me to tell stories.

25 And Over
I linked to this article about two years ago when I turned 25, but it’s making the rounds on the web again, so I figured it would be nice for me to repost it. Every single thing on that list still holds true.

Archie commits — finally
I always knew Archie would pick Veronica, so this comes as no surprise. And while I have a soft spot for Betty (perhaps because I know what it’s like to be strung along like that), I think Archie made the right choice for his situation.

The Benefits of Distraction and Overstimulation
Have we hit the point in our culture where there’s just so much information to consume that nobody can stay focused? Is that a bad thing?

Starting with Fear, Ending with Freedom
It was a sad day when Prop 8 was held up earlier this week. Very very sad, and it made me question the human capacity for love and kindness. Amy’s post, however, reminded me that hopelessness isn’t going to solve the problem: speaking up for love and equal rights is.

For Teenagers, Hello Means ‘How About a Hug?’
I’m still figuring out how this is news enough to make the New York Times. I’ve been using the hug as my standard greeting for people I know and care about since I was a child, and still do. Then again, it’s no surprise I’m a fan of the hug.

Videos for the weekend.

This is one of the most amazing commencement speeches I’ve ever seen. My graduation speaker tried to be fun, but he was a math nerd and put me to sleep. Honestly. Ellen’s speech is just what you need if you’re about to leave school and join the real world:

Michelle Obama makes me smile and reflect and dream and love and think and be very proud to be alive right now.

That’s it for this weekend. If you want to keep on top of what else I’m reading or enjoying on the web during the week, check out my tumblelog Squandrous, my Google Reader shared items, or my Times People profile.