Saturday, January 31, 2009
The White House’s First Celebrity Dog
I know the story has been done to death but you can read about other White House dogs here.
Box of Broken Dreams
Box of Broken Dreams: Search of a Soul Lost and Found in Los Angeles,' a young photographer's belongings are abandoned on a Hollywood street, leaving writer Mark Groubert to piece together the fragments of his life. Here are the video excerpts from a life on DVD.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Schwarzenegger
Schwarzenegger can order two furlough days a month .
Ahnold's furlough days bear an uncanny resemblance to Ontario's infamous "Rae Days" in the 1990s that hit both Mr. Nag and I in the pocketbook. Gutting collective agreements may well come back to bite Schwarzenegger on the ass. Ask Bob Rae who is now considered unelectable at the federal level, in large part because he did just that. Of course Ahnold may hold an advantage: his muscles are corporal while Bob's are merely intellectual.
Via Pam
Ahnold's furlough days bear an uncanny resemblance to Ontario's infamous "Rae Days" in the 1990s that hit both Mr. Nag and I in the pocketbook. Gutting collective agreements may well come back to bite Schwarzenegger on the ass. Ask Bob Rae who is now considered unelectable at the federal level, in large part because he did just that. Of course Ahnold may hold an advantage: his muscles are corporal while Bob's are merely intellectual.
Via Pam
Thursday, January 29, 2009
People Got a Lottta Nerve
I love Neko Case and I love animals so posting this is a win-win for me.
On tour I spend a lot of time in hotels I always watch TV on the treadmill, and so many times there'd be some horrible animal disaster -- somebody being mauled to death by a tiger or an elephant that rampaged. Those stories are so depressing, and the animal is always the one who gets murdered at the end. I don't know why people act so shocked. You got in the cage with the tiger, you were harassing it and then it f---ing killed you. It's a f---ing tiger. What the f--- were you thinking?"
Oh, but she's not done. "Then they shoot the tiger. That's hardly fair. It's a large predator. Or killer whales in zoos -- those things are supposed to swim 200 miles a day. It's like having a teenager and saying, 'OK, I'm gonna feed and clothe you, but you have to live in this refrigerator.' People say [zoos] are for the children, but why would you want your children to see sad, crazy animals?"
If you think Case doesn't have a similar soft spot for domesticated animals, until February 3 her record label will donate $5 to Best Friends Animal Society every time a blogger posts 'Nerve.'
Neko_Case_People_Got_A_Lotta_Nerve.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)
More Than Words
Illustrated Letters from the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art:
Above are examples from Eero Saarinen, Andy Warhol and Antoine de Saint-Exupery. This lovely link comes courtesy of my friend John at Uncertain Times.
Often the expression of joy or affection, illustrated letters represent an irrepressible urge to picture language. They are evidence of the writer's use of words and images to amplify the form and effect of a message. The letters have been selected by Archives of American Art Curator of Manuscripts Liza Kirwin. These are drawn entirely from the collections of the Archives of American Art, encompassing exuberant thank you notes, winsome love letters, lively reports of current events, graphic instructions and other personalized communiqu?s from the early nineteenth century through the 1980s, in each sender's distinctive style.
Above are examples from Eero Saarinen, Andy Warhol and Antoine de Saint-Exupery. This lovely link comes courtesy of my friend John at Uncertain Times.No cliches? Still not cool dude.
Guys, if you want to see this movie I'm just not into you.
Bradley Cooper, Kevin Connolly, and Justin Long act out ten romcom cliches you won’t be seeing in their upcoming film.
Ten Chick Flick Cliches That Are Not In He's Just Not That Into You
via
Bradley Cooper, Kevin Connolly, and Justin Long act out ten romcom cliches you won’t be seeing in their upcoming film.
Ten Chick Flick Cliches That Are Not In He's Just Not That Into You
via
Alexander Calder performs his "Circus"
This video excerpts scenes of Calder performing the “Circus” from a 1955 film by Jean Painleve.
Via Uncertain Times
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Glorious Teapots
Warhol Teapot
Jim Dine Teapot
Lichtenstein TeapotKATE ANDERSON is an accomplished painter. For the last 10 years she has been spending her days knotting with waxed linen, blending an archetypal art form (the teapot) with appropriated images from what is commonly considered to be “high art.” They are gorgeous, handcrafted objects.
Seen at accidental mysteries
Artomat
How cool is this?
Art-o-mat machines are retired cigarette vending machines that have been converted to vend art. There are 82 active machines in various locations throughout the country.
Via
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Napping: the expert's guide
I am not a napper unless I'm ill. As a rule a nap leaves me feeling drained and disoriented. Mr. Nag on the other hand can't get by without a late afternoon siesta. Somehow we have learned to coexist.
For years, napping has been derided as a sign of laziness. We are 'caught' napping or 'found asleep at the switch'. But lately it has garnered new respect, thanks to scientific evidence that midday dozing benefits both mental acuity and overall health.Read more
Via
Dear Richard
The world's best passenger complaint letter? Someone doesn't like the food on Virgin Airways and tells it like it is to Richard Branson.
So lets peel back the tin-foil on the main dish and see what’s on offer.
I’ll try and explain how this felt. Imagine being a twelve year old boy Richard. Now imagine it’s Christmas morning and you’re sat their with your final present to open. It’s a big one, and you know what it is. It’s that Goodmans stereo you picked out the catalogue and wrote to Santa about.
Only you open the present and it’s not in there. It’s your hamster Richard. It’s your hamster in the box and it’s not breathing. That’s how I felt when I peeled back the foil and saw this. MORE
On This Day
In a cloud of snow and ice, the great bridge that crossed the Niagara River has collapsed upon itself. Now, all that remains of the Honeymoon Bridge are tangled cable lines, crushed wooden beams and twisted metal. Under the weight of an enormous amount of ice, the bridge's beams gave way and fell into the frozen reservoir below.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Gail Hill Photography
This is Gail Hill. She was a neighbour and a friend of mine when I lived in Toronto.
Gail shot this portrait of my boys when they were little:
Check out more of her wonderful portraits at Gail Hill Photography
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Art of Two Germanys/Cold War Cultures
LACMA Features First U.S. Exhibition to Examine the Complexity of Art Developed During the Cold War.
Anselm Kiefer, Germany’s Spritual Heroes, 1973.
Wolf Vostell, Coca-Cola, 1961.
Wolfgang Mattheuer, Cain
See the slideshow at Artdaily.org
For East and West Germany during the Cold War, the creation of art and its reception and theorization were closely linked to their respective political systems: the Western liberal democracy of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the Eastern communist dictatorship of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Reacting against the legacy of Nazism, both Germanys revived pre-World War II national artistic traditions. Yet they developed distinctive versions of modern and postmodern art—at times in accord with their political cultures, at other times in opposition to them.
Anselm Kiefer, Germany’s Spritual Heroes, 1973.
Wolf Vostell, Coca-Cola, 1961.
Wolfgang Mattheuer, CainSee the slideshow at Artdaily.org
Facebbatical
Addictionary :: Facebbatical: verb, When you take time out from Facbebook because you realise its ruining your life. A Facebook Sabbatical.
USAGE:
I'm taking Facebbatical. I can't handle seeing pics of my ex keep flagging up in my friend feed.
I'm not quite there yet but I'm sure the day will come.
Via
Who Killed Nancy?
Explosive new evidence suggests the punk rocker may have been innocent
The murky half-light of a bleak New York winter's morning had yet to penetrate the small rear bedroom of an airless apartment in the city's bohemian Greenwich Village.
Stepping over empty bottles and half-eaten plates of spaghetti (the untidy remnants of the previous night's party), two police officers from the tough 6th Precinct stood in the doorway and surveyed the scene.
Pushed up hard against the far wall was a bed. Lying amid the crumpled sheets, illuminated by the unforgiving glow of a single light bulb, was the naked dead body of a young man.
Address to the haggis
Haggis - Great Food from Scotland!
Call it Scottish meatloaf. Cooked pluck and suet and lamb's breast wrapped up in sheeps' intestines! I know it's Robbie Burns 250th anniversary but I think I'll abstain.
Call it Scottish meatloaf. Cooked pluck and suet and lamb's breast wrapped up in sheeps' intestines! I know it's Robbie Burns 250th anniversary but I think I'll abstain.
Beautiful autochromes
Did you know that color images were being made at the turn of the 20th century? The process was called the autochrome, and it was a complicated process using, of all things... potatoes. If it wasn’t an autochrome, any color images you might find from that period or before were hand-colored tintypes, Daguerreotypes, and other monochromatic processes. Here, for the first time, was a process that could truly capture the ambient color of the day.
Read and see lots more at accidental mysteries.
Robert Burns 250th Anniversary Quiz
Scots Language Quiz "Do you know your dook from your gleg? Or your kenspeckle from your rammy?"
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Pedestrian Project
The Pedestrian Project consists of several performers wearing entirely black custom-made costumes modeled after the generic images of men, women, and children seen on public signs. Mimicking the lives of everyday people, the roaming sculptural forms inspire the imaginations of onlookers, who often find themselves mesmerized as these familiar icons assume busy lives of their own.
Via
Burns night address to the Tunnock's snowball
The Burns supper traditionally sees the triumphant entrance of the haggis - accompanied by bagpipes - which is greeted with the recitation of Burns's Address To A Haggis: 'Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, / Great chieftain o' the puddin-race! / Aboon them a' ye tak your place, / Painch, tripe, or thairm: / Weel are ye wordy o' a grace / As lang's my arm.'
Now author Craig McGill has composed an alternative address to the Tunnock's snowball - a chocolate-coated marshmallow and biscuit sprinkled with coconut. 'Fair fa' coconut sprinkled face, / Great chieftain o the teacake-race! / Aboon them a' ye tak your place, / mallow, choc, or cream: / Weel are ye wordy of a grace / As lang's my arm.'Read more
These shoes were made for walking.
Shoes rule in this photoshoot by Miles Aldrige. See more at Your source for all things wicked and awesome.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I Wear Your Shirt
This sounds like a cool gig but the first few months would be a bit lean.365 Days of Sponsored Shirts:
In this up and down economy I’m outsourcing my wardrobe (namely shirts) to corporate america and you! I’m going to wear a different shirt for 365 days straight in 2009, take multiple pictures throughout my day and blog about it. Days are sold at “face value” so January 1 is $1 and December 31 is $365.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Party Like It's 1829
The unruly bunch pushed into the White House, clods standing on the silk-upholstered furniture in muddy boots to get a glimpse of the new president (who was trying not to be crushed by his well-wishers). 'The reign of King Mob seemed triumphant,' wrote Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story, appalled. When the stewards finally delivered buckets full of Orange Punch, the crowd lunged for the pails, overturning furniture, smashing the glassware, and -- perhaps worst of all -- spilling the punch itself. Quick-thinking waiters lugged the remaining barrels of punch out onto the White House lawn, enticing Jackson's admirers to take the party outside. See more atAlcademics.com
Via
World's Great Madonnas
A collection of historical images of the Madonna assembled by Martha Nation.
A veritable Madonnarama!
Via
Monday, January 19, 2009
Withnail and I' farmhouse goes up for sale
'Withnail and I' is one of my favourite films but the idea of living in Uncle Monty's run down cottage doesn't appeal to me.
A remote Cumbrian farmhouse which provided the backdrop for the cult British film Withnail and I has been put up for auction with a guide price of £145,000.
Sleddale Hall, near the village of Shap, south of Penrith, has remained largely untouched since it featured in the 1987 comedy, which followed the hedonistic, alcohol-fuelled antics of a pair of out-of-work actors. More
Robotic Dancing Competition 1983
I was busy having babies when this cultural phenom hit. I often felt like a robot due to sleep deprivation but didn't have the moves.
Via WRECK & SALVAGE
Sunday, January 18, 2009
A funny thing happened
William Burroughs at the Royal Academy
Click on image to see slideshowThe Burroughs Live exhibition marks both the tenth anniversary of the author's death and fifty years since the publication of Naked Lunch. The show brings together self portraits, film and works inspired by Burroughs from artists as varied as Damien Hirst, Annie Leibovitz and David Hockney.
The Man Who Walked Between The Towers
Philippe Petit dared to walk across the high wire from Tower to Tower of the World Trade Center back on August 7, 1974.
via kox.sk
'The Memory Of Mankind'
If you add up the attendance for every major-league baseball, basketball, football and hockey game this year, the combined total will come to about 140 million people. That's a big number, but it's barely a fraction of the number of people who will visit American museums this year.Museums are big business, attracting billions of tourist dollars, advancing science, and educating and amusing more than 850 million people annually.Read more at NPR's A History Of Museums, 'The Memory Of Mankind'
Schoolchildren visiting New York's Junior Museum of the Metropolitan Museum of Art watch slides of artists at work in the 1950s. Carsten/Three Lions/Getty Image
Traveler Photo Contest Winner
I've posted other photographs from the Traveler 'World in Focus' photo contest.This one is the Grand Prize winner, 'Behold,' taken by Geoff Pingree of Oberlin, Ohio.
Pingree, a professor of Cinema Studies and English at Oberlin College, took this photograph at Madrid's Prado Museum, which was staging theatrical performances inspired by masterworks by Spanish artists. 'The photo shows performers playing Spanish King Philip IV and his second wife, Mariana of Austria,' he said.
See more at Intelligent Travel Blog. Thanks for pointing this one out to me Marilyn.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Sleep in a wine cask
Start your day in a 14.500 liter Wine-Cask, open your eyes and find yourself with sitting room and fully-equipped bathroom at Hotel Restaurant “de Vrouwe van Stavoren” in the Netherlands.
Slapen in een wijnvat
Via
Friday, January 16, 2009
Goodfellas
One dog goes one way, the other dog goes the other way, and this guy’s sayin’, “Whadda ya want from me?’VIA
astronautdinosaur.com
Bummed that today's technology hasn't lived up to the sci-fi promises of yesteryear (world peace, teleportation, orgasmatrons)? So is Scott Listfield. "We're living in the future, and it is pretty freaking weird," says the artist from his outpost in Somerville, Massachusetts." But maybe not weird in quite the way we thought it was going to be."
astronautdinosaur.com
Via
Inventor's 2020 vision
to help 1bn of the world's poorest see better
What if it were possible, he thought, to make a pair of glasses which, instead of requiring an optician, could be 'tuned' by the wearer to correct his or her own vision? Might it be possible to bring affordable spectacles to millions who would never otherwise have them?
Via
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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