Still feeling immense sadness about David Foster Wallace's suicide, I now find out that Richard Wright, keyboardist of Pink Floyd has died of cancer at 65. I tried to gather a series of clips here but it was hard since the band has been pretty much going in some form for 40 years.
So what perfect way to highlight Pink Floyd's epic legacy than showcasing Echoes, a song so long (side 2 of Meddle), it must be experienced in four parts. As a DJ many years ago, this is what we would put on the turntable when we had to go to the bathroom, grab a snack, and call our friends to make plans for the night. A soothing, helpful song.
I always liked Richard Wright's quiet presence back there behind the keys. Soulful voice too. I like the slow zoom in, and the final slow zoom out--very 70s.
Echoes, 1971 - part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
The Great Gig in the Sky
Filtered through the brain cells of Lisa McElroy
Monday, September 15, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Jeff Koons at the Château de Versailles
As if Versailles weren't over the top enough, here comes an exhibit of 17 Koons sculptures to mess with our minds. French conservatives are already protesting the invasion of ultra-modernity in the former hunting lodge turned palace by Louis XIV. He'd probably be fascinated.
I used to scratch my head in wonder at Koons' work until I actually saw his exhibits in person. They are bigger than life, banal, exquisitely crafted objects of junk we don't think about, but thanks to him, now we do. Vacuum cleaners, balloon animals, resin figurines, all get our undivided attention when made large and lustrous; sculpted with stainless steel, porcelain, and wood, hand-carved by Italian artisans.
Here's some musical accompaniment for a set of photos from the exhibit.
Why is this man smiling? Because he makes 43-feet high puppies out of flowering plants and he's incredibly fucking wealthy.
Photos from Getty Images, Reuters, AP.
I used to scratch my head in wonder at Koons' work until I actually saw his exhibits in person. They are bigger than life, banal, exquisitely crafted objects of junk we don't think about, but thanks to him, now we do. Vacuum cleaners, balloon animals, resin figurines, all get our undivided attention when made large and lustrous; sculpted with stainless steel, porcelain, and wood, hand-carved by Italian artisans.
Here's some musical accompaniment for a set of photos from the exhibit.
Why is this man smiling? Because he makes 43-feet high puppies out of flowering plants and he's incredibly fucking wealthy.
Photos from Getty Images, Reuters, AP.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
It's Psycho A Go-Go Wednesday Baby!
That's right, it's mid-week: go-go dancin' time. But first a word from our sponsors...
Scopitone Harlem Shuffle a-go-go.
Booker T & The MG's - Green Onions (Green Onions NEVER gets old).
Chita Rivera and her go-go dancin' posse - Pretty For Me at the Hollywood Palace, 1968
The Great James Brown - Out of Sight on "Hollywood A Go Go."
Raquel Welch - Space-girl Dance
Le Girls - Go Go Mini Mini, 1967
The Sonics - Psycho A Go-Go
Slow-mo a-go-go from Village of the Giants, 1965. This one's a little too long (it IS slow-motion) but the ending is swell. Small-town teens eat the scientific discovery, "goo" and grow to monstrous heights. Fashioning their own line of giant-sized clothing out of theater-curtain remnants, the teens proceed to terrorize the entire town. A 70s-era afternoon movie classic, featuring the music of The Beau Brummels.
Scopitone Harlem Shuffle a-go-go.
Booker T & The MG's - Green Onions (Green Onions NEVER gets old).
Chita Rivera and her go-go dancin' posse - Pretty For Me at the Hollywood Palace, 1968
The Great James Brown - Out of Sight on "Hollywood A Go Go."
Raquel Welch - Space-girl Dance
Le Girls - Go Go Mini Mini, 1967
The Sonics - Psycho A Go-Go
Slow-mo a-go-go from Village of the Giants, 1965. This one's a little too long (it IS slow-motion) but the ending is swell. Small-town teens eat the scientific discovery, "goo" and grow to monstrous heights. Fashioning their own line of giant-sized clothing out of theater-curtain remnants, the teens proceed to terrorize the entire town. A 70s-era afternoon movie classic, featuring the music of The Beau Brummels.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Chapman School Chimney Swifts
Laurie's back, visiting Portland and she found out about the Chapman School Chimney Swifts before I did. Also known as Vaux's Swifts, every September, thousands of these tiny, frantically flying birds (they sleep, eat and mate in flight) roost in the school chimney as the sun goes down. This creates a swirling vortex of birds for a reverse "genie in a bottle" effect.
We, along with hundreds of picnicking Portlanders, sat up on the school hillside and watched nature adapt before our eyes. With the lack of worldwide hollow trees to safely nest-build in, the birds have been using chimneys instead. They're considered a nuisance in some parts of the world, requiring an exterminator in order for people and businesses to use their heat source without the scent of 40,000 smoked birds.
Not in Portland though! The kids at Chapman School endured many years of chilly Autumns before raising $75,000 to purchase an alternate heating system. Now the chimney is, as they say, for the birds. Here's my tiny camera-phone's birds' eye view.
And a very cool video of the Swifts turning in for the night by jgamge.
The Audubon Society of Portland is having a Swift Watch Migration walk with kids' activities and music by The Chapman Swifts band on Sept. 20th.
And the documentary, "On The Wing," will be shown at Cinema 21 in Portland for one night as a benefit for the Audubon Society, Thursday, October 2nd. The trailer has some pretty shots of the city, as well as the birds.
We, along with hundreds of picnicking Portlanders, sat up on the school hillside and watched nature adapt before our eyes. With the lack of worldwide hollow trees to safely nest-build in, the birds have been using chimneys instead. They're considered a nuisance in some parts of the world, requiring an exterminator in order for people and businesses to use their heat source without the scent of 40,000 smoked birds.
Not in Portland though! The kids at Chapman School endured many years of chilly Autumns before raising $75,000 to purchase an alternate heating system. Now the chimney is, as they say, for the birds. Here's my tiny camera-phone's birds' eye view.
And a very cool video of the Swifts turning in for the night by jgamge.
The Audubon Society of Portland is having a Swift Watch Migration walk with kids' activities and music by The Chapman Swifts band on Sept. 20th.
And the documentary, "On The Wing," will be shown at Cinema 21 in Portland for one night as a benefit for the Audubon Society, Thursday, October 2nd. The trailer has some pretty shots of the city, as well as the birds.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Pop (Do we not like that?) 1994
Aren't the 90s starting to seem far away? The turn of the century extended their pop-culture reach for a few more years, but now as we head toward 2010, the muted, earth-toned vaguely slack-jawed irony is finally past us. I'm beginning to look back at the music with yearning nostalgia instead of tired annoyance.I thought it would be fun to post the first three songs of a cultural artifact--a nearly forgotten compilation album put out on the Too Pure label in England (recently disbanded), "Pop (Do we not like that?)." Why would I do that? Because these songs are perhaps the greatest openers of a compilation ever put together, and because I can.
What sets this CD apart is the proliferation of women, mostly singing lead vocals; women with strong, unusual singing and songwriting styles. The early 90s were a good time for women vocalists and songwriters as long as they didn't expect a lot of commercial airplay. Because that wasn't and still isn't the case in the land of alternative rock programming. I'm not saying there wasn't commercial airplay, just not a ton of it go around, and in some markets, not going around at all these days. I'm merely stating a bitter and unfortunate fact.
Stereolab - Super-Electric (with intro by founding members Tim Gane and Lætitia Sadier)
I've seen Stereolab live many times over the years, most memorably at a free Central Park concert with John Cale during a heatwave. They are a treat--artful and accessible. I lost interest in the late 90s when they became more of an experimental lounge band. I can only take so much electronic repeitition before I start nodding out. The tragic bicycle-accident death of singer/keyboardist Mary Hansen left a huge hole in their harmonies and layered female voice(s), but Stereolab has forged on, dusting off their Moog synthesizers once more to release a new album, Chemical Chords
on 4AD.P.J. Harvey - Sheela-Na-Gig
"I can't decide--is she hot or not?" asked a confused Beavis and Butthead while watching Polly Jean, the original angry-woman archetype on MTV. I found her look and sound attractive yet repellent in the way I find Iggy Pop and Patti Smith attractive yet repellent. There's a lot of wounded anger in her music, but equal amounts of strength, sexiness, and melodic sense. She's been way more influential than the radio-ready angry-women types, Alanis Morissette and that corporate creation, Avril Lavigne. I'm talking about all the Sleater Kinney stuff and beyond. P.J. Harvey is kind of the one-woman Velvet Underground phenomenon. I'm sure a lot of girls who heard her went on to pick up a guitar.
Answer: yes, she is hot.
Don't Jones Me by Th' Faith Healers is available on their beloved but undersold album, Lido
but this version was newly recorded in 1993 and was released in the States for college radio. Why? No one's saying. An unusual back-story for an indie band. It costs money and takes time to re-record a song, so if anyone knows the reason, I'm curious. I like this version very much. It really builds into some controlled chaos with soothing/menacing vocals by Roxanne Stephen.According to their fan site, they disbanded in '94 to pursue various interests. They never got their due but did regroup for some Berlin and NYC shows in 2006.
The rest of "Pop" has an assortment of punk, electronica and some folky-experimental rock stuff, none of which stands out as much as these first three songs. Available for twenty cents on Amazon, it's still your best entertainment value.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
A Child's Garden of Political Discourse
A few days ago during the Democratic National Convetion, Jackson looked up from his toy garbage trucks and piles of toy garbage and asked, "Do you still want Obama to be President?"
"Oh yes," I said. "I really do. He's a good man."
I thought, hmmm, am I dumbing down the process a little there? He is only six and can only figure out the basics of the current two-party system. I thought perhaps some visuals might help. Here is my completely impartial primer, demonstrating the differences in the Presidential race for 2008. After viewing, open a few pudding cups, hold a family meeting, and discuss.
"Oh yes," I said. "I really do. He's a good man."
I thought, hmmm, am I dumbing down the process a little there? He is only six and can only figure out the basics of the current two-party system. I thought perhaps some visuals might help. Here is my completely impartial primer, demonstrating the differences in the Presidential race for 2008. After viewing, open a few pudding cups, hold a family meeting, and discuss.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Photo Op - McCain Greets Father-to-be
Doesn't McCain's body language seem slightly threatening? That face, that grip on Levi Johnston's forearm. What do you think he's saying here? Looks like, "AAAAAARRRRRRGHHH!"source: SFGate
End of Summer Photo Round-up
Sorry if this makes me some kind of "mommy blogger" (that term! Augh!). But it was a great summer and if I want to do a photo round-up, it's within my rights. Living in the Northwest, I know I'll appreciate the three months of bright sun and warm weather all the more during the nine months of rain, sleet, snow and cold.
Growing up in California, I admit, I took the seasons for granted. The weather report was so predictable and dull. Now it's like an exciting serialized novel--dynamic! I like how the weather people mix it up. It's not just "rain, rain, showers, rain." It's "a little rain, some showers, some scattered showers, light rain some of the time, pretty much rainy..." But it ain't over 'til it's over. This week will be "hot, nice and sunny, warm and balmy, a little clouds, mostly sun..."
Here's some photo bits and pieces of our summer of unemployment (thanks, recession) and fine weather.
Sand in the City in downtown Portland sported some big sculptures that were knocked down by a back-hoe at the end of the festival. Here's the Great Wall of China, which was soon ever-present on your television once the Olympics started, courtesy of NBC broadcasting protocol.
If you do a little hike up to Wahkeena Falls in the Columbia Gorge, you come to this wonderful shower-like section which creates a completely air-conditioned and refreshing atmosphere even on the hottest day. Yes, even if it's 100 degrees out (it happens), it will be about 70 when you stand right here. Ahhhhhh...
Pixie Playland in Concord, CA. It's been there since I was a kid and even before that. Walk in, buy some tickets and partake in some tiny-sized rides. Misted overhangs will also keep you cool in the often 100-degree heat.
Point Isabel Regional Shoreline in Albany, CA is the biggest off-leash dog park in the nation. Bring your dogs and your friends. I went with Tuckers and Sue Iconolodge and we went on a fine walk with Sue's new doggie, Midnight. Views of San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge, plus fine salt air make for an excellent summer outing.
Look at these dogs having the time of their dog-lives.
Stowe Lake in Golden Gate Park has paddle boat rides, ducks, seagulls, a waterfall and a traditional Chinese pagoda. Plus pink popcorn.
Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver has a multi-tasking fountain that's also a creek and a waterfall.
Sliding works better in dry weather.
Flying a kite when it's not blustery requires running starts.
No photos of us eating ice cream. Sorry.
Oh wait--close enough. Thanks Ju-Ju.
Growing up in California, I admit, I took the seasons for granted. The weather report was so predictable and dull. Now it's like an exciting serialized novel--dynamic! I like how the weather people mix it up. It's not just "rain, rain, showers, rain." It's "a little rain, some showers, some scattered showers, light rain some of the time, pretty much rainy..." But it ain't over 'til it's over. This week will be "hot, nice and sunny, warm and balmy, a little clouds, mostly sun..."
Here's some photo bits and pieces of our summer of unemployment (thanks, recession) and fine weather.
Sand in the City in downtown Portland sported some big sculptures that were knocked down by a back-hoe at the end of the festival. Here's the Great Wall of China, which was soon ever-present on your television once the Olympics started, courtesy of NBC broadcasting protocol.
If you do a little hike up to Wahkeena Falls in the Columbia Gorge, you come to this wonderful shower-like section which creates a completely air-conditioned and refreshing atmosphere even on the hottest day. Yes, even if it's 100 degrees out (it happens), it will be about 70 when you stand right here. Ahhhhhh...
Pixie Playland in Concord, CA. It's been there since I was a kid and even before that. Walk in, buy some tickets and partake in some tiny-sized rides. Misted overhangs will also keep you cool in the often 100-degree heat.
Point Isabel Regional Shoreline in Albany, CA is the biggest off-leash dog park in the nation. Bring your dogs and your friends. I went with Tuckers and Sue Iconolodge and we went on a fine walk with Sue's new doggie, Midnight. Views of San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge, plus fine salt air make for an excellent summer outing.
Look at these dogs having the time of their dog-lives.
Stowe Lake in Golden Gate Park has paddle boat rides, ducks, seagulls, a waterfall and a traditional Chinese pagoda. Plus pink popcorn.
Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver has a multi-tasking fountain that's also a creek and a waterfall.
Sliding works better in dry weather.
Flying a kite when it's not blustery requires running starts.
No photos of us eating ice cream. Sorry.Oh wait--close enough. Thanks Ju-Ju.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Eclectic Method - Just A Micro Sample Test
by Eclectic Method.
This is just crazy and reminds me of the scene in "The Man Who Fell To Earth" where David Bowie is sitting in a stupor, watching 50 TV screens on one wall of his apartment, just drinking it all in (in an over-the-top and unhealthy way). Welcome to Earth, Thomas Newton!
Take The YouTube Challenge
Sitting around on a holiday weekend, ignoring Burning Man as always, I thought I'd take the YouTube challenge. Can I think of an obscure band NOT on YouTube? My first try was a complete failure for me (or triumph for YouTube, depending on how you look at it): The Honeymoon Killers. Not the disturbingly entertaining cult film of 1969, but the 80s new-wave Brussels band that I stumbled on years ago in a used record shop. I wonder if I can find that song, Histoire à suivre, I thought. That was the best song on the record.
Here it is, live in 1983, on my first search try. YouTube: 1; me: 0.
Ironically, the movie is barely represented at all.
Next try: Inflatable Boy Clams. This obscure but beloved group, which I believe gestated in early-80s San Francisco, consisted of four young women who made some really primitive, sardonic and memorable avant-pop, demented but almost nursery-rhyme-like in its simplicity. Their song Skeletons is barely featured on two YouTube videos. One is a bunch of random edits set in Cleveland, only notable for all the commentators who wrote: It's good to hear Skeletons again. The other is a student-made 2D animation experiment. The song is only on each video for a few seconds. So I say it's a tie between me and YouTube.
If you want to hear the entire 5-song Inflatable Boy Clamb output, they're here on their fan site. I'm partial to I'm Sorry. Bassist Carol used to sometimes play in our pick-up baseball games with her husband Wally of The Wally Sound Studio. We played with rubber practice balls, hence our league name, "doggy ball." Many musicians and writers attended these games and you'd be surprised how good some of these starving artists were. Playing second base, I learned a lot of baseball skills over the years (I have yet to turn one double play--my secret shame).
Update: IBC do have some songs up on Youtube now but I went ahead and made a video to I'm Sorry because it was a dream of mine to do so. Shortly after making this, the Dangerous Minds site featured it in an Inflatable Boy Clams post — perhaps the ultimate Internet triumph of obscurity reaching the masses.
Lubricated Goat, the Australian band from the 80s. No problem. Here they are doing In The Raw:
Long ago I met an Australian lass who was traveling with my pen pal, David Nichols from Sydney (who has since written a book about The Go-Betweens), and she earnestly told me that Lubricated Goat was her favorite band. I stayed late at the club to see them on her recommendation and was I sorry! Anyway, YouTube is beating my ass.
Keith suggested The Shop Assistants. (Horn-of-failure bellowing sound: ERRRGGHHHHHHHHH!) Several videos are available. Here is Safety Net.
All right then: New Zealand folk-rockers, Look Blue Go Purple. Doh! Here's a great live video of the Buffy Sainte-Marie song, Codeine.
British feminist gender-integrated band, The Au Pairs. No problem--Live, doing Come Again in the documentary, "Urgh! A Music War."
Someone even thoughtfully posted their best song, It's Obvious. No video, but it just shows how all-encompassing YouTube has become in documenting musical culture of the past 30 years. Well played, YouTube contributors. Well played.
Here it is, live in 1983, on my first search try. YouTube: 1; me: 0.
Ironically, the movie is barely represented at all.
Next try: Inflatable Boy Clams. This obscure but beloved group, which I believe gestated in early-80s San Francisco, consisted of four young women who made some really primitive, sardonic and memorable avant-pop, demented but almost nursery-rhyme-like in its simplicity. Their song Skeletons is barely featured on two YouTube videos. One is a bunch of random edits set in Cleveland, only notable for all the commentators who wrote: It's good to hear Skeletons again. The other is a student-made 2D animation experiment. The song is only on each video for a few seconds. So I say it's a tie between me and YouTube.
If you want to hear the entire 5-song Inflatable Boy Clamb output, they're here on their fan site. I'm partial to I'm Sorry. Bassist Carol used to sometimes play in our pick-up baseball games with her husband Wally of The Wally Sound Studio. We played with rubber practice balls, hence our league name, "doggy ball." Many musicians and writers attended these games and you'd be surprised how good some of these starving artists were. Playing second base, I learned a lot of baseball skills over the years (I have yet to turn one double play--my secret shame).
Update: IBC do have some songs up on Youtube now but I went ahead and made a video to I'm Sorry because it was a dream of mine to do so. Shortly after making this, the Dangerous Minds site featured it in an Inflatable Boy Clams post — perhaps the ultimate Internet triumph of obscurity reaching the masses.
Lubricated Goat, the Australian band from the 80s. No problem. Here they are doing In The Raw:
Long ago I met an Australian lass who was traveling with my pen pal, David Nichols from Sydney (who has since written a book about The Go-Betweens), and she earnestly told me that Lubricated Goat was her favorite band. I stayed late at the club to see them on her recommendation and was I sorry! Anyway, YouTube is beating my ass.
Keith suggested The Shop Assistants. (Horn-of-failure bellowing sound: ERRRGGHHHHHHHHH!) Several videos are available. Here is Safety Net.
All right then: New Zealand folk-rockers, Look Blue Go Purple. Doh! Here's a great live video of the Buffy Sainte-Marie song, Codeine.
British feminist gender-integrated band, The Au Pairs. No problem--Live, doing Come Again in the documentary, "Urgh! A Music War."
Someone even thoughtfully posted their best song, It's Obvious. No video, but it just shows how all-encompassing YouTube has become in documenting musical culture of the past 30 years. Well played, YouTube contributors. Well played.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Get Off Hot Number Foxy Friday
In the most surreal composition of the disco era, Foxy urged American citizens of 1978 to Get Off. You don't believe me? Check out the chorus:
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Get off
So get off to get off, to get off, to get, get off
Get off to get off, to get off, get off
So get off, get off, to get off, to get, get off
Get off to get off, get off, get off
To get off, to get off, to get off, to get, get off
Get off, get off, get off, to get off
Get off to get off, get off, get, get off
Get off, get off, so get off, just get off
Get off, get off, get off
Get Off was featured prominently in "Roll Bounce." You haven't seen "Roll Bounce"? What?! The best teen movie ever! Set in Chicago in the 70s. Great soundtrack. Charismatic Bow Wow and his scrappy pals must prove their self-worth in an epic skate-off! The most homoerotic finale in teen-movie history features Wesley Jonathan as "Sweetness," challenging/coming on to Bow Wow in a jumpsuit cut to THERE.
Bonus link: Foxy's Ish Ledesma explains the song's origin in the Get Off story. Contains swear words and irreverent attitudes.
Foxy's next hit, Hot Number, didn't get to number one but it does encourage girls not to worry about being ladies, so that's something.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Get off
So get off to get off, to get off, to get, get off
Get off to get off, to get off, get off
So get off, get off, to get off, to get, get off
Get off to get off, get off, get off
To get off, to get off, to get off, to get, get off
Get off, get off, get off, to get off
Get off to get off, get off, get, get off
Get off, get off, so get off, just get off
Get off, get off, get off
Get Off was featured prominently in "Roll Bounce." You haven't seen "Roll Bounce"? What?! The best teen movie ever! Set in Chicago in the 70s. Great soundtrack. Charismatic Bow Wow and his scrappy pals must prove their self-worth in an epic skate-off! The most homoerotic finale in teen-movie history features Wesley Jonathan as "Sweetness," challenging/coming on to Bow Wow in a jumpsuit cut to THERE.
Bonus link: Foxy's Ish Ledesma explains the song's origin in the Get Off story. Contains swear words and irreverent attitudes.
Foxy's next hit, Hot Number, didn't get to number one but it does encourage girls not to worry about being ladies, so that's something.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Landscaping Do's and Don't's
My parents' housing tract was built in '69, back when there was a lot of land and very few conservationists. Hence, very large front and back yards in a geographical area with clay soil and ten months of sunshine--difficult to landscape! While people have recently gotten away from the decorative stone garden and fake-desert tableaus featuring wooden wagon wheels, cactus, and cow skulls, I still notice a lot of landscaping don't's on my daily strolls in the 90-degree heat.
Most of these houses employ gardeners so there's hope for these landscaping misdemeanors. But only if the home-owners are ready to admit they have serious landscaping issues. Let's cut through the denial and get out the pick-axes. It's time for do's and don't's.
DON'T mix your hardscapes. A river-rock facade with a brick retaining wall and a paved driveway only confuses the eye and makes me slightly nauseated.
Note the added element of a faux stone fountain on the porch. Natural, or super-natural?
DON'T over-shape your shrubs. This isn't the croquet game in Alice in Wonderland. Unless you're growing a live security hedge, let bushes grow up to be bushes.
This greenery is smoooooth.
DO make sure your "welcome" stepping stones and mats are facing the right way. Otherwise you're welcoming yourself out to the sidewalk and "emoclewing" your guests as they walk toward your door.
Ottomans are hot, but DON'T try to make your plants into one. They'll only resent you by growing in different directions on a constant basis.
DON'T form your juniper bushes into drywall.
By all that is unnatural--why? Why? Why?
DON'T let your bird bath be larger in scale than your step bridge. Unless you're expecting some California Condors to show up.
DO pose your resin statuary in a demure fashion. Charming!
Most of these houses employ gardeners so there's hope for these landscaping misdemeanors. But only if the home-owners are ready to admit they have serious landscaping issues. Let's cut through the denial and get out the pick-axes. It's time for do's and don't's.
DON'T mix your hardscapes. A river-rock facade with a brick retaining wall and a paved driveway only confuses the eye and makes me slightly nauseated.
Note the added element of a faux stone fountain on the porch. Natural, or super-natural?
DON'T over-shape your shrubs. This isn't the croquet game in Alice in Wonderland. Unless you're growing a live security hedge, let bushes grow up to be bushes.
This greenery is smoooooth.
DO make sure your "welcome" stepping stones and mats are facing the right way. Otherwise you're welcoming yourself out to the sidewalk and "emoclewing" your guests as they walk toward your door.
Ottomans are hot, but DON'T try to make your plants into one. They'll only resent you by growing in different directions on a constant basis.
DON'T form your juniper bushes into drywall.
By all that is unnatural--why? Why? Why?
DON'T let your bird bath be larger in scale than your step bridge. Unless you're expecting some California Condors to show up.
DO pose your resin statuary in a demure fashion. Charming!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
California is for Duck Lovers
For some reason I kept discovering strange ducks on this trip to California. Who can explain the profusion of odd waterfowl everywhere I turned? I was able to capture the phenomena with today's digital technology. Otherwise I'd have to sketch these things like John James Audubon and that's too much of a commitment for me. Here's some instant odd duck gratification.
At Pixieland Amusement Park in Concord I found this duck with a mohawk, waddling around, trying to avoid some Canadian Geese bullies. With Canadian Geese, you can see where the term "pecking order" comes from.
I don't know if this duck is considered cool or weird by the rest of his duck brethren. He did have a slight air of insecurity about him.
Today at Stowe Lake in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, we found this duck lurking about, waiting for us to throw some popcorn his way. He wasn't actually lurking. He was just hanging out in the shade, being chill. But what a strange-looking fellow! I was describing his looks to our five-year-old friend Alex. "Alex," I said. "This duck is like a mixture of a turkey, a vulture and a duck." Alex took a look and said, "And a COW."
So true! Here's a close-up of his bovine-like markings:
As we walked around the lake, we spotted this lovely specimen, who kind of looks like the spawn of a duck and a seagull. Could she be posing with her parents in this photo?
Here's a nice comparison between a regular-looking brown duck and this graceful little creature.
Paddle-boats make you think duck-like thoughts as you slowly make your way across the water.
We're heading back home now. I'm very sorry not to have seen some of my California friends. It's difficult to drive around and plan something for each day. Too much distance between people, and we needed some down time and time with the family. We'll be back...
At Pixieland Amusement Park in Concord I found this duck with a mohawk, waddling around, trying to avoid some Canadian Geese bullies. With Canadian Geese, you can see where the term "pecking order" comes from.
I don't know if this duck is considered cool or weird by the rest of his duck brethren. He did have a slight air of insecurity about him.Today at Stowe Lake in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, we found this duck lurking about, waiting for us to throw some popcorn his way. He wasn't actually lurking. He was just hanging out in the shade, being chill. But what a strange-looking fellow! I was describing his looks to our five-year-old friend Alex. "Alex," I said. "This duck is like a mixture of a turkey, a vulture and a duck." Alex took a look and said, "And a COW."
So true! Here's a close-up of his bovine-like markings:
As we walked around the lake, we spotted this lovely specimen, who kind of looks like the spawn of a duck and a seagull. Could she be posing with her parents in this photo?
Here's a nice comparison between a regular-looking brown duck and this graceful little creature.
Paddle-boats make you think duck-like thoughts as you slowly make your way across the water.
We're heading back home now. I'm very sorry not to have seen some of my California friends. It's difficult to drive around and plan something for each day. Too much distance between people, and we needed some down time and time with the family. We'll be back...
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Zai Jian, Beijing Olympics
My mom and dad get Olympic fever every four years, so I got to see the opening ceremony (on tape) and the closing one live. Let's give the thousands of volunteers a hand: that could not have been easy. My mom read today that they had to wear diapers so as not to get a bathroom break during the ceremony. $40 billion was spent by the Chinese government on the games and I think every billion was up there on the screen.
The London segment with Jimi Page, Becks and Leona Lewis on what looked like a transformer double-decker bus and life-sized wedding-cake topper, was super cheese-whiz compared to the awe-inspiring, frightening, regimented and artful Busy Berkeley-like Chinese extravaganza. It was like the Cher Variety Hour crashed the party suddenly. Of course, I'm all into that.
The London segment with Jimi Page, Becks and Leona Lewis on what looked like a transformer double-decker bus and life-sized wedding-cake topper, was super cheese-whiz compared to the awe-inspiring, frightening, regimented and artful Busy Berkeley-like Chinese extravaganza. It was like the Cher Variety Hour crashed the party suddenly. Of course, I'm all into that.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Customized Tourist Hoodies - Clearance Sale
I saw a lot of tourist shops on our road trip. I almost bought a Trees of Mystery View Master reel but I thought, for six dollars, I can just look out at the trees of mystery while I'm there. Even in 3-D, a View Master might not cut it. Although I do have reels for San Francisco, Disneyland and dinosaur battles, so I think I was just being really frugal.My favorite souvenir was a pink T-shirt with a terrible illustration of Big Foot, standing by a grove a trees, a confused expression on its ape-like face. The shirt stated in bold red lettering: Sasquatch Stepped on Me. I like an action verb on my street wear, but I already have two pink shirts. And then I started thinking about creating my own tourist-wear that no one would want to buy. Here's my selection of customized hoodie-styles to let people know where you've been, where you might have been, and where you're going to be. You've been to Vallejo? How cool are you? No really, I want to know.
Please indicate style, size, color and whether or not Sasquatch has stepped on you.
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