Do we really need a new piece of useless plastic in our lives? Is there a purpose for this instrument? It sort of resembles a swizzle stick, although the body is really too skinny to create an effective stirring motion, plus my particular coffee drink does not need to be stirred.
The top of the instrument fits perfectly into the oblong oval opening of the plastic coffee lid, which leads me to believe this was created to prevent those weird burp-like explosions of coffee that the lid can emit when the cup is full and in motion, say, when you're walking out of the store with your full drink.
Still, not necessary. I'd really rather do without another mass-produced, specialized piece of plastic people will only use once and not recycle.
To add insult to injury, the top of the instrument depicts a little character drinking hot coffee. I can't tell what or who this character is supposed to be - it has the face of an angry wolverine with the body of a mermaid, and bizarre tentacles coming out of its mouth/nose region (think Dr. Zoidberg from "Futurama".) By the way, the hideous character is also trademarked.
The Future Mr. Scotch & myself have been trying to find a good wedding song for our first dance as husband and wife. Well, that's a simplification. He said he has no opinion, but vetoed my choice, which was Little Red Corvette by Prince. Now, I haven't been to many weddings, but the ones I have attended have featured a LAME first dance song. I want something that's funky, soulful, and romantic. Any and all suggestions will be considered. We have 35 days left and I'm getting really antsy to pick one. Keep in mind, the first dance will take place at an outdoor luau here:
Alternately, if you agree with me that Little Red Corvette is an AWESOME first song, please post that sentiment here and perhaps my man friend can be convinced.
ink & watercolour, 8x10 inches (SOLD)
More documentary footage on bee attacks:
This is a question I get ALL the time... so I thought I'd post the answer here. I'll now be able to just send a link every time I get this question!
Chicago was nicknamed the Windy City not for the wind but for the politicians and city boosters who were full of "hot air."
The specifics of this are somewhat in contention. Here are a few versions:
- Supposedly when we hosted the world fair, the then mayor boasted about it so much we became known as the windy city.
- We're the "Windy City" because of the Chicago Tribune. In fact the editor of the Chicago Tribune was trying to promote the city as a summer resort and used the lakes breeze as one of its attractions.
- Actually, we were in competition with NYC for the World's Fair (the one Frank Lloyd Wright debuted in) and the NYC papers called the Chicago pols "windy" in their presentations to win the exhibition. And we did.
- Some writer coined the phrase, but it stems from all the politicians in Chicago. The writer quipped that all the politicians talking was like a big wind blowing through the cities.
- The belief is that it stems from the political bantering which took place between Chicago and New York over who would host the World's Fair.
Here is a more extended explanation:
Popular myth has it that this nickname for the Chicago was coined by Charles Dana, the editor of the New York Sun, in 1893. Chicago was competing with New York to host the 1893 Columbian Exposition and Dana allegedly coined the name as a derogatory moniker. Supposedly the term is not a reference to the winds off Lake Michigan as one might suppose, but rather refers to the Chicagoan habit of rabid boosterism and shameless boasting. To a New Yorker like Dana, Chicago was full of hot air.
The story simply isn't true. The name dates to at least 1885, and clearly refers to the breezes off the lake. 1885 references include "city of winds" as well as "Windy City." This isn't new information either. Mathew's Dictionary of Americanisms, published some 50 years ago, includes an 1887 quotation of "Windy City, but the myth persists--largely due to newspaper reporters and editors who repeat the tale without checking the facts.
SO - it's not because of the crazy winds that whip down off the big buildings as most people think. That said - it sure does live up to it's name, both the politics and the weather!!
I had three hours to kill last night at the Atlanta airport while waiting on the rain to clear away from Chicago. This is what happens when you have your camera with you and absolutely nothing to do....
I was having a pretty miserable day today. A vicious combination of stress, frustration, and loneliness typically will do the trick. Thank the gods that I have good friends, like ee.en, who even after he was drenched with my personal sorrows, went out of his way to send me this song. Interpret it how you like, but listening to A Postcard to Nina was exactly what I needed.
'cause I think about you every second
So I send you this postcard just to say
Don't let anyone stand in your way
I decided to buy some more art for my pad. Now, I'm not really a photography person, but I have been following Troy Paiva -- aka "Lost America" -- and his night photography for quite a while and decided to buy one or two of his prints. I love old signage of motels and desert scenes (I was so bummed the neon graveyard in Vegas was closed while there last) as well as bombed out looking buildings with glorious crown moldings, so I'm still trying to do decide. These are open edition prints made to order, so you can pretty much pick any image and get it...
Hmm, can't decide.
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