Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Dwell(ing) On Top Of The Rock



Rocktop Real Estate
The Rock
January 2007

And some build their houses with the materials discarded by others.

If this home were built with new materials — you'd be reading about it in dwell.

•••

Funky Nuts
My Feet Can't Fail Me Now
(Buy: The Dirty Dozen: Ears to the Wall)

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Ziggy Played Guitar



Seaside Fairy Real Estate
Rockport, Maine
January 2007

While the kids — and some adults, I dare say — built spec houses for fairies.

"Creating whimsical fairy houses in the woods is somewhat of a tradition in the Northeast, especially Maine and Vermont. Using tree stumps, mosses, twigs, acorns and other natural materials, children (and adults, too) fashion little dwellings, hoping the fairies will appreciate and use their gift to them."
From 'Fairies & Fairy Houses' on Squiddo

There's a starman waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds.
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He's told us not to blow it
Cause he knows it's all worthwhile.
He told me,
"Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie."


•••

Starman
(Buy: David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust)

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Margaret Yvonne Middleton, R.I.P.



Yvonne De Carlo (aka. Lily Munster)
September 1, 1922 – January 8, 2007
Photograph from Universal-International's 'Buccaneer's Girl' (1950)

As beautiful as Lily, as she was in life.

•••

Prozac For Lovers: (Don't Fear) The Reaper
(Buy: Prozac For Lovers)

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Here We Go Loop-Dee-Loop



Twenty-Four Potholders
January 24, 2007

"No Kitchen Blisters in 2007!"

That's my motto.

That's right, break out the loom! With the express knowledge that I would be unable to keep any other New Year's resolutions (from past experience) — I choose a crafty alternative — making 'One Potholder A Day' for 2007. So far, so good — and, it's a very soothing distraction from other everyday chores. I am running low on loops though (Apparently I've had many days worth of loops laying around the house for some time now.), and it's time to order more.

Only 338 to go!

•••
Like Humans Do
The Great Intoxication

(Buy: David Byrne: Look Into The Eyeball)

Friday, January 19, 2007

Espero Alegre La Salida …




Frida Kahlo Following Her Mother's Death, 1932
Guillermo Kahlo
6 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches Gelatin Silver Print
Courtesy of Throckmorton Fine Art, Inc. New York, New York

'Images of an Icon offers a means of seeing Frida Kahlo’s world through the eyes of those who surrounded her. Modern masters of the camera such as Lucienne Bloch, Emmy Lou Packard, Florence Arquin, and Manuel Alvarez Bravo, as well as leading photojournalists such as Giselle Freund, Bernard Silberstein, and Fritz Henle captured her in their lenses. Kahlo’s relatives, lovers, and friends, including Guillermo Kahlo, Nickolas Muray, and Lola Alvarez Bravo were witness to a more intimate Frida. The images span Kahlo’s life and follow the artist from precocious child to famous artist. They permit a look into her bedroom, a seat at her table, a visit to her hospital room, a stroll through her garden, and a view into her collections. There is an ancillary component to the exhibition featuring the work of Northwest artists who have been inspired by Kahlo, the artist and icon.'

This exhibition is organized by Throckmorton Fine Art, New York. Local support is generously provided by Helen and Peter Bing and The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.


Sure, Tacoma, Washington is 3,294 miles away from The Rock — but if I had 50 hours of free time — I'd hop in the car and beeline it out to Frida Kahlo: Images of an Icon, February 3 – June 10, 2007, at the Tacoma Art Museum. But, if you, like me, can't get out there right now (but we have until June of this year) — enjoy their site and resource links for more about Kahlo, and the photographers who knew, and loved her.

•••

Calexico: Quattro (Gotan Project Remix)
(Buy: Calexico: Black Heart)

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Black Crow Snow Angels



Black Crow
Rockport, Maine
December 26, 2001

After the long wait for Winter — Snow! (And ice, eeks!)

So, today I'll give you something warm.

Enjoy, and get out and play!

•••

Bob Marley & The Wailers: Sun Is Shining
(Buy: Bob Marley & The Wailers: Kaya)

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Let's Talk About Sex (On The Beach)



Morning Commute
Lawrys Narrows
January 4, 2007

Once nearly exterminated, New England harbor and gray seals are on the increase in the Gulf of Maine. This rebound, the result of two decades of legal protection, is an environmental success story. It has also created a new set of environmental management problems: as seal populations have grown, encounters between humans and seals have also increased, both on shore and off. Commercial fishers and salmon farmers, in particular, are concerned that increasing seal populations are threatening their livelihoods — a situation which is complicated by the concurrent collapse of wild groundfish stocks in the region. (via: WhaleNet)

Male seals are taking advantage of the effects of climate change by having more sex, according to a new study.BBC NEWS

All I'm saying, is that it sounds like somebody's keeping (Read: gettin') busy.

Or, take:

1 1/2 oz. Vodka
3/4 oz. Peachtree Schnapps
1/2 oz. Creme de Cassis
2 oz. Orange juice
2 oz. Cranberry juice
Orange slice
Maraschino cherry

Shake all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into a highball glass. Garnish with lime wedge.


And meet me in Lawrys Narrows.

•••

Salt-N-Pepa: Whatta Man
Salt-N-Pepa: Shoop

(Buy: Salt-N-Pepa: Very Necessary)

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

You Know — For The Kids!



Aunt Jean, working the hoop in her heels.
My grandfather's basement bar, Elizabeth, New Jersey
1958

My sincere, childhood thanks to Richard Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Melin — founders of WHAM-O®.

"You know — for the kids!"

•••

Lemon: Won't You Join Me For A Drink
(Buy: Ursula 1000: Ursadelica)

Dr. Rubberfunk: Bossa For The Devil
(Buy: Ursula 1000: Ursadelica)

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

La Naissance du Jour



Sunrise on the ferry.
January 5, 2007

"You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm."Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

Happy Birthday to G and Suz!

•••

Sugarcubes: Birthday
(Buy: Sugarcubes: The Great Crossover Potential)

Dave Matthews: Everyday
(Buy: Dave Matthews Band: Everyday)

And I'm throwing this one in — just because it was 55 degrees this weekend. WTF?

Frank Sinatra: Summer Wind
(Buy: Sinatra Reprise: The Very Good Years)

Monday, January 08, 2007

ELVIS LIVES (In Somebody's World, But Not Mine)



The Oval Office
White House Photo Office Roll # 5364
Oliver F. Atkins
December 21, 1970

On December 21, 1970, Elvis Presley paid a visit to President Richard M. Nixon at the White House in Washington, D.C. The meeting was initiated by Presley, who wrote Nixon a six-page letter requesting a visit with the President and suggesting that he be made a "Federal Agent-at-Large" in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

I worked with a guy who had tickets to see Elvis perform in Portland, Maine — the day after he died, of a drug overdose.

I never liked Elvis that much, but he shared the same birthday (today) as my mom — and I love her.

Happy Birthday, Moms!

•••

Elvis Presley: Suspicious Minds
(Buy: Elvis Presley: #1 Hit Singles Collection: Limited Edition Vinyl Box Set)

The Heptones: Suspicious Minds
(Buy: The Heptones: Suspicious Minds)

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

I'm Proud To Be A Corporate American, Amen



Mickey D's
'Now with Diet Feelings!'®
January 3, 2007

'Saint of the Day', The Most Holy Name of Jesus

'In a world of fiercely guarded corporate names and logos, it should be easy to understand this feast. The letters IHS (not top be mistaken with these guys, or these, or these) are an abbreviation of Jesous, the Greek name for Jesus.'

And — in honor of the passing and mourning of Gerald Ford (R.I.P.) — even the flag of The Golden Arch (They do one thing right.) is flying at half-staff.

Do you want fries with that faith?

•••

Jimmy Scott: Day By Day
(Buy: Jimmy Scott: Little Jimmy Scott)

Beach Boys: God Only Knows
(Buy: Beach Boys: Pet Sounds)

George Michael: Faith
(Buy: George Michael: Faith)

XTC: Dear God
(Buy: XTC: Skylarking)

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Full Egg Man



3:15
Full Moon Rising
January 2, 2007

'I looked out the window and seen his bald head.'

I guess this big egg had places to be — and couldn't wait until this evening.

•••

Beastie Boys: Egg Man
(Buy: Beastie Boys: Paul's Boutique)

Monday, January 01, 2007

A Toast! A Toast! A Toast! To Champagne's Delicious Bubbles!



Kitchen window
January 1, 2006

Stosst an! May champagne's delicious bubbles, wash away the dreariness that is this first day of 2007 on The Rock.

Im Feuerstrom der Reben,
Tra la la la la la,
Sprüht ein himmlisch Leben,
Tra la la la la la.

Die Könige, die Kaiser,
Die lieben Lorbeerreiser,
Doch lieben sie daneben
Den süssen Saft der Reben.
Stosst an, stosst an
Und huldigt im Vereine
Dem König aller Weine!

Stosst an! Stosst an! Stosst an!


(In the firestream from the vines,
Tra la la la la la,
Sparkles a divine life,
Tra la la la la la.

The kings, the emperors
They love laurel branches,
But they also love
The sweet juice of the vines.
A toast, a toast
And in unity pay homage
To the king of all wines!

A toast! A toast! A toast!
)
Johann Strauss, Champagne Chorus, Act II, Die Fledermaus

Happy New Year!

•••

Johann Strauss: Champagne Chorus, Act II, Die Fledermaus
(Buy: Johann Strauss: Die Fledermaus)