When Matthew Bullock fashioned a noose from a bed sheet, secured it around his neck, tied it to thin steel bars in the face-high window of his solitary confinement cell, then sat down hard in an effort to break his neck and suffocate himself, it wasn't the first time he'd attempted suicide.

What You Say

Preposterous, right? Well, sure, there are all those racist-ish signs that keep popping up at your rallies.

Ready now? Bad cops! Bad, bad, bad.

by Isaiah Thompson

What do we have now? An anti-war movement that is so gutless and so savagely unimaginative that rather than gaining purpose and momentum in the face of our government's ever-increasing disdain for peace in the Middle East it has proven itself to be too lazy, even too cowardly, to face down the very disease that it had concocted itself to cure.

Jeffrey C. Billman tells you what to think

by Jeffrey C. Billman

When news breaks, we make jokes.

Visual artist Scott Chasse hops on the handlebars to ride a trend to its pre-ironic roots.

by Carolyn Huckabay

Through Nov. 28, $10, Rosenbach Museum and Library, 2008-2010 Delancey Place, 215-732-1600, rosenbach.org.

by Shaun Brady

Under the Covers with Justin Bauer

by Justin Bauer

The Pod F. Tompkast | Julius Scissor's "Converted" | Anonymous Theatre | Max Headroom: The Complete Series

Opening reception and panel discussion, Fri., Aug. 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m., free, Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine St., 215-557-0455, asianartsinitiative.org; exhibit runs through Aug. 20, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy's Mill Road, 215-482-7300, schuylkillcenter.org.

by Will Stone

As you watch boats filled with flickering candles scud across the water, or a detachment of icebound Russians slide through the snow, it's hard not to feel a sense of longing for a more munificent era.

"You Have Fashioned"

by Patrick Rapa

Mon., Aug. 9, 9 p.m., $10, with The Powder Kegs, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 877-435-9849, johnnybrendas.com.

by Patrick Rapa

Mon., Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m., $24-$37, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

by Mary Armstrong

Aretha Franklin has the right to sing opera.

by Peter Burwasser

Sat., Aug. 7, 9 p.m., $3, with Pet Milk, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919, kungfunecktie.com.

by Patrick Rapa

Thu., Aug. 5, 9 p.m., $10, with Baths and Virtual Virgin, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 877-435-9849, johnnybrendas.com.

by Patrick Rapa

Haters say bars in Fishtown are full of trash, and in the case of newcomer Kraftwork, they couldn't be more accurate.

Philadelphia Cow Share narrows the disconnect separating cattle from urban carnivores by providing the bulk-purchasing option that's logistically unattainable via farmers market, co-op or grocery store visit.

Philadelphia Distilling Cocktail Dinner at Koo Zee Doo | Stephen Starr-Garry Maddox BBQ Challenge | Pumpkin Tasting Dinners | Big Rich's Craft Beer Bingo Night at Varga Bar | Nourishing Desserts Class

Harmony Korine's Trash Humpers hits I-House for a one-night-only weirdfest.

by Sam Adams

August isn't the slow month it used to be with nothing but lousy movies and my birthday to celebrate.

Joe Osborne Geeks Out

by Joe Osborne

Sun., Aug. 8, noon-6 p.m., $3, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 215-573-3234, phillyaltcon.blogspot.com.

by Will Stone

Aug. 8, noon-5 p.m., free, Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, 1020 South St., 215-733-0390, phillymagicgardens.org.

by Julia Askenase

Sat., Aug. 7; Taking Root, noon; Made in L.A., 1:30 p.m.; Shelby Knox, 3:30 p.m.; Bronx Princess, 5:30 p.m.; Off and Running, 6:30 p.m.; panel discussion 7:45 p.m.; free (reservations requested), Leeway Foundation, 1315 Walnut St., eighth floor, 215-351-0511, leeway.org.

by Lauren Macaluso

Sat., Aug. 7, noon, free, FDR Skatepark, Broad Street and Pattison Avenue (under I-95).

by Cristina Perachio

Sat., Aug. 7, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., $5-$20 (sliding-scale donation), Studio 34, 4522 Baltimore Ave., 215-730-0982, tophiladelphia.blogspot.com.

by Will Stone