It’s Not Easy Being a Griffin

They’re usually shown as proud, fearsome creatures, but this depiction seems more realistic. In an awkward stance, gagging as he presents his rainbow wings and oversized talon, Gary is rightly uncomfortable with the whole affair.

Image found at the always enchanting BiblioOdyssey.

Copenhagen Metro

Shot this on my way out of Copenhagen. Bless the Danes for putting a big window on the back of their subway trains. I recommend clicking the HD button and then Full Screen one next to it.

Adrian & Stewf, Builders

Back from a trip to Berlin, Copenhagen, Malmö, and Stockholm. Many photos will go up soon, but first, my pal Peter Bruhn caught this moment of his son Adrian letting me join in on some construction with vintage Plasticant. Believe it or not, I was once that blonde.

A Bean Feast

I am not a great singer. There are few tunes that I will belt out without fear of embarrassment or retribution. Two exceptions: Morrissey and Salt. Here is the latter: the best song and one of the best scenes in one of the best films of all time. It doesn’t get much better than Bricusse and Newley.

Ray Fenwick’s "I Will Always Love You"

Youtube users Elora, j00ntje and missbeccymay singing "I WIll Always Love You" as performed by Whitney Houston. Mixed by Ray Fenwick.

Clean Break

Lou & Bob & Tom & Randy

Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Randy Newman at first annual Farm Aid benefit concert. Photograph by Deborah Feingold. Courtesy Corbis.

What a weird and beautiful mix of dudes. I think I liked the photo better before I knew the context. It was intriguing, like any old party snapshot captured late at night on someone’s back porch — except that this particular party is full of music legends.

It reminded me of this pic:

For no reason other than it’s a nostalgic shot of four people I love, just hangin’ out. And also, they are musical legends too.

O Lucky Man!

O Lucky Man! (1973) by Lindsay Anderson and starring Malcom McDowell is, among many things, an allegory for the pitfalls of capitalism, an avant-garde Forrest Gump, and a musical with performances by Alan Price, formerly of The Animals.

Also starring Rockwell.

Continue reading "O Lucky Man!"

Mormons and Friends of Mormons for Marriage Equality

Sorry for the shaky shot. That's about as good as I could do with an iPhone and The Palsy.

Tonight, on the eve of California Supreme Court hearings, I marched for the causes of equality and peaceful, respectful protest; and on behalf of my 4 siblings — all active LDS churchgoers, and all opposed to Prop 8. James, Matthew, Marilee, and Deanne: I love you and I'm proud to be your brother. Wish you could be here.

The Ultimate Tracking Shot

Corii sent me this record of human life as seen by a camera set on a sushi conveyor belt. It is great. Can’t think of a better way to capture candid reactions to the unusual and, for those who don’t notice the camera, an authentic documentation of everyday life. Imagine the joy of the geniuses who set it in motion when the digicam made that final turn and arrived safely in front of them, video captured.

Thanks, Dad

During James’ move we found an unopened poster tube that was mailed to him and me in 2006. The handwriting was unmistakably Dad’s but was strangely neat and clear compared to other things he’d written at the time he was affected by Lewy Body Disease. We opened the tube to reveal eight travel posters he and Mom must have collected during their travels to Europe in the '60s.

Continue reading "Thanks, Dad"

Potato - Rita Pavone

Props to Sean “Spud” Keane.

Perhaps the Greatest Design Resume Ever Made

The animated CV of Michael A. Charles. Also of Garson Hampfield, Crossword Inker, and Sea Water Bliss. Props to Gaela.

A Late Tribute to the Utes’ Undefeated Season and a Celebration of Spun Sugar

Oh...

yeah!

Ben at the 2005 Emerald Bowl, San Francisco CA

4th Night by Hope for Agoldensummer

Went to San Jose’s massive but forgettable flea market a few weeks ago. Wish it was more like this one.

Too Young Molly Young

Well, great. My favorite young writer, on whom I’ve had a not-so-secret crush for weeks, is now immortalized on a popular fashion site in a video which — if they didn’t adore her already — will bring all the kids swooning. This is exactly how it feels to love a band that is only locally known and then watch them get famous and you can’t love them on your own anymore but must share them with the rest of the riffraff masses. Farewell, sweet Molly. I still have your brilliant blog to snack on throughout the day, but now I must heap my long-distance virtual affections elsewhere.

And before you chide: Yes, she’s only 21 (22 now). It’s a literary crush, damn yous!

Oren Lavie

Her Morning Elegance
Directed by: Oren Lavie, Yuval & Merav Nathan
Photography: Eyal Landesman
Featuring: Shir Shomron

Perhaps inspired by:

Welcome to Your New America

After I lounge around a while, soaking in the online inauguration festivities, I’ll be cleaning up Oakland with other Day of Service volunteers. Get on up! Celebrate and serve!

Papa Joshua

My pals Jineui and JLT just returned from Korea with a New Year gift, their adoptee Olivia. I asked him what it feels like to be a dad:

it feels really, really, really, really good. pretty much better than anything else ever. even better than a really good sandwich, a MAGIC sandwich.

Ok, that’s pretty convincing. Maybe I'll reconsider my long-held stance against having kids of my own.

Not only do I not like you, I don’t like you personally!

Carrie Fisher on her relationship with Paul Simon:

We once had a fight (on our honeymoon) where I said: “Not only do I not like you, I don’t like you personally!” We tried to keep the argument going after that but we were laughing too hard.

Paul is on the unfortunate list (with Woody Allen) of artists whose work I love but who are not very lovable. I like them, but I don’t like them personally.

On my list of good artists who are actually good people too? Alan Alda. David Byrne. Gene Wilder.