Time Has Told Me

'A birthday comes but once a year,

but age lasts forever'

 

What's New, Pussycat?

I like this.

 

No butterflies were harmed in the making of the video,
as this is but a replica of the real thing.
   

The Sweetness Follows

  

As days lengthen and the sun makes a long overdue appearance, sweetness & light become increasingly apparent within the world of 'stuff & things', with an influx of all manner of flora & fauna.

Having unfairly dismissed Claire's Accessories in the past as a haven for teeny boppers & shoplifters, I've since warmed to their cheap n' cheerful merchandise - a fraction of the price of that in shops that shall remain nameless & every bit as nice, this floral locket being one such example.

Bird-themed Urban Outfitters Boudoir Box,
available in a foursome of feathered styles.
        

Thoughts Of Mary Jane

    

Unravel

 

Speaking of Radiohead, Björk's Unravel 

 is reportedly Thom Yorke's 'favourite song ever'. 

Their cover version,
featuring some Radiohead-esque sketches:
 

   

The King of Limbs

We're well aware at this stage that Radiohead are quite the wily bunch, and that they take great pleasure in keeping us on our toes, but they've truly outdone themselves with the release of their hotly anticipated eighth studio album.

 

First came a surprise announcement via their Dead Air Space site, stating that King of Limbs would be available for download from February 19th. It then emerged that they were following the Japanese clock (as one does), and so it arrived online a day early.

Now it appears that we'll not have to wait until May to procure a hard copy of the album, which will go on sale tomorrow, with early birds receiving a copy of accompanying newspaper, The Universal Sigh

 

The blogosphere has since abounded with in-depth and often agonised analyses as to respective merits and shortcomings of the record. I for one would not so much as presume to question the musical motivations of so near perfect a band, and plan to sponge it up, unthinking and happy.

Also liking Thom (with a h) 's interpretive dance moves on Lotus Flower, the first single from the album.

      

Rhythm is Gonna Getcha

Having previously missed out on the STOMP experience, 

we made a point of going this time 'round.

It's unbelievable, that which can be achieved using only 

tin cans, matchstick boxes and old rusty sink units. 

    

Smooth Operator

Hipster Trap

And some hipster music

I happen to very much enjoy:

 

      

She's a Rainbow

Hindu populations celebrate the coming of the new year with the spring festival of Holi. Occurring the day after the full moon in the month of Phaalguna, it fell this year on March 20th.

Following a bonfire ceremony intended to banish malevolent spirits, the triumph of good over evil is celebrated with singing, dancing and feasting, and a street party in which people dust each other with a kaleidoscope of powders and perfumes.
 

On the topic of all things technicoloured, this reminds me of summer nights when we 'never went home':

  

Pictures from msn gallery.   

  

Forget Me Nots

In May of this year, the work of the late, great Alexander McQueen will feature in an exhibit at New York's Metropolitan Muesum entitled Savage Beauty. A noteworthy inclusion is this gown from his Spring/Summer '07 collection, fashioned from a multitude of genuine blooms.

Representative of his flair for the dramatic - and arguably, his untimely demise - the piece is to be to showcased in a bell jar, with the flowers gradually withering over the course of the exhibition.

A similar visual from a current footwear campaign:

     

Blue Velvet

 

 Elizabeth Taylor  |  1932~2011
   

Cherry Blossom Girl

One of the highlights of my week is the dash across the lovely U.C.C. grounds, of a Wednesday afternoon. Spying current students lolling aimlessly in today's spring weather led to misty eyed remembrance of my own aimlessly lolling days there (minus the uniform of shorts and flipflops..)  

 

 

A Whiter Shade of Pale

R.I.P. Knut the Polar Bear, Berlin Zoo's most beloved resident, who died unexpectedly last Saturday afternoon aged just four years. Rejected by his mother at birth, Knut was cared for by resident zookeepers, who doted on the orphaned cub.

In 2007, he upstaged fellow cover star Leonardo DiCaprio in a photograph shot by Annie Liebowitz and used for an environmental campaign in Vanity Fair magazine. He also inspired a number of songs, and featured in selected books as well as a German postage stamp. 

His death has been met by sadness on the part of his many admirers worldwide.

  

Common People

Faith in collective effort can quickly be replaced by a sense of bewilderment in the face of such events as those ongoing in Japan. Notwithstanding, the cumulative effect of multiple acts of altrusim - even on a relatively minor scale - is not to be underestimated.

In recent days, members of the retail sector have been doing their part to raise funds for Red Cross efforts in Japan, with the following being just some examples.

> The full proceeds of any work from Mark Perry's online 
  studio, including that pictured, are to be donated
> As are full proceeds from Zac Neulieb's Help Japan Poster
  & Nan Twee's Heart Japan Poster
> 5 dollars (3.5 euro) from the sale of each copy of Afterzine
  will be contributed
> An estimated 700 million yen (6 million euro) worth of
  clothing will be distributed to those affected by Japanese
  maunfacturer, Uniqlo
 
See here for a list of similar products.

Leanin' On A Lamppost

Newton's Third Law of Motion supposes that, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Nowhere is this more applicable than in the weird and wonderful world of the interweb. Sorta' reminds me of Rule 34, minus (some of) the explicit content.

Hence, a parody on the postsecret, more of which can be found by clicking here

 

Made Up Love Song #43

Originally conceived as a short story by Irish writer Sarah Daly, Morgan M. Morgansen's Date with Destiny has since been adapted as an impressively verbose mini-film. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Lexy Hulme, it combines live action and animation in a surrealist alternative to your run-of-the-mill, schmaltz riddled romcom.

My other half was noticeably taken with procreational personette 'Destiny', perhaps more so for her delectable back-cushions than her polypainted headfront and herbivorous tendencies. 

The Zeppelin Zoo completes the story of the impassioned pair and their pampered purr-pet, ' Madame Ballo'fur'.
  

Raindrops

  Toonpool.com

   

Once Upon a Time

The life and times of French couturier Christian Lacroix have recently been re-imagined in fairytale form. Published last month, The Tale of Sleeping Beauty is described by author Camilla Morton as the story of an inspiring and well loved icon 'living in a magical kingdom'.

This kingdom is given life through Lacroix's illustrations, providing a whimsical backdrop to the biography:

 

Two subsequent books are planned for publication within the series, making the lives of designers Diane von Furstenberg and Manolo Blahnik their respective subject matter.

 

 

And from literary fairytales to those in auditory form: Aphex Twin's Nannou tells the story of a boy's magical life under a staircase...

    

Little Green

Lá 'le Pádraig fé shéan is fé mhaise daoibh go léir
 

   

Kaili

While out walking the tiny Pop one night last week, we spotted some Chinese lanterns floating over the city.

Indicative of a more pragmatic leaning in recent years, my first instinct was to wonder where they'd land...and if they were recyclable.

 

Ear-musing Electronica:

It turns out that Daniel Victor Snaith - alias Manitoba, alias Caribou - is a phD published mathematics professor at the University of Sheffield, specialising in the field of  Overconvergent Siegel Modular Symbols.

Go figure.
     

Terremoto Tempo

Deviant Art

 
Amidst a myriad of sobering scenes and distressing footage from Japan, come reports that the magnitude of recent events was such that the earth's rotation has been disturbed:

'Analysis of data from Japan's 8.9 scale earthquake will no doubt reveal a great deal about many aspects of large-scale earth movements such as this, but one thing has already become clear: The enormity and power of this event was such that it caused the earth's rotational speed to be affected- temporarily increased by 1.6 microseconds- which amounts to a infinitesimally small reduction in the measured length of an earth 'day'. This can be attributed to the shifting of Japan's land mass by about eight feet. In the great Alaska 9.2 quake of March 1964, the energy released was estimated to be the equivalent of 12,000 atomic bombs of the type dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Later measurements revealed that as far away as Houston, Texas, the ground actually was lifted temporarily some four inches, and in Southern Florida, two and a half inches.
 
It will no doubt be some time before fully comprehensive data will be assembled and examined, perhaps many years. But is very clear- the understanding, realisation and acceptance of the scope and extreme urgency to be prepared for such events as this is no longer simply necessary- it's crucial reality in the existence and survival of human beings on this planet.'

- Article.wn.com

You've Got My Number

I received a text this afternoon relaying some unusual numerical truths as to the year 2011. Mathletics, of a Monday.

> 2011 features the dates 1/1/11,  1/11/11  11/1/11 & 11/11/11.

> July this year will have 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays & 5 Sundays, something that reportedly happens only every 823 years. This is associated with the Feng Shui 'Money Bag' phenomenon.

> Take the last two digits of your year of birth and add to the age you will be on on your birthday this year. The result will always by 111.

...And some 'Math Rock'
   

Fantastic Cat

A chuckle-worthy Sunday Secret

And some cat-inspired incantations:

Takako Minekawa: Fantastic Cat

The Cure: The Love Cats

David Bowie: Cat People

  

This last one, featured in the brilliant Inglorious Basterds, brings to mind a slightly raucous night that ended with my waking at 6am to the sound of a sleep-warbling E:  
Putting out the fire with gasoline..
 

  

Wild World

Argument in Earth's womb: She was trembling

                                    - Aashish Ameya

  

 

Thoughts & prayers to all those affected by events in Japan

   

Oracular Spectacular

Almost a year on from the release of the motion picture and it seems the love affair with all things Alice continues, as illustrated by such items as the Mini Wonderland Camera and Spineless Classics Wall Art, which creates images using the full text of Lewis Carroll's original novel.

My own dalliance in Wonderland came in the form of a gift from the very generous E a few months back, namely the Urban Decay Book of Shadows: a set comprising sixteen aptly titled, high pigment eye colours, two pencils and a primer.

As yet, I've been too engrossed in reverence to avail of its contents, though I couldn't help making a finger imprint in the lovely purpleness of Underland.

    

Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall

From Recent Weeks: Some Spring Things

  

I Am The Walrus

In lieu of Thursday Trivia, an enlighteningly comprehensive uncyclopedia exploration as to the true identity of the original Walrus, featuring such 'thoughtfully evocative' illustrations as this one, as well as an image of the famed 'Paulrus'* from the Museum of Natural Sciences*.

I am the Eggman

- John Lennon on I Am The Walrus

* Not an actual creature

* Not an actual place

   

Elephant Gun

A picture from this week's Postsecrets featuring Hindu god Ganesha reminded me of this gloriously hedonistic romp by Balkan folk outfit, Beirut, taken from their 2007 LonGisland EP.
 
I remember playing it for my Dad a few summers back and, in his typically erudite way, he likened it to a scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream.

(Can I join your dance troupe, please?)

       

Beggar's Banquet

Kinder recently introduced a novel, nom-inducing snack.

We took it upon ourselves to sample it this evening.

That was arduous indeed.
   

Bueno Mini Egg:

...Which reminds me that one of these days I'll have to relay 

the tale of Moley, the ill-fated Kinder creature.

      

What's My Name?

A countdown of the fruitiest baby names in LaLa Land:

#784 of 1,000 Awesome Things 

 

10. Gwyneth Paltrow & Chris Martin – Apple. There’s something a little ripe about naming your kid after a piece of fruit.

9. Shannyn Sossamon – Audio Science. Says the actress from A Knight’s Tale: “We wanted a word, not a name, so my boyfriend read through the dictionary three or four times”.

.

8. Robert Rodriguez – Rocket, Racer, Rebel, & Rogue. Dad will be so upset if Rocket becomes a plumber instead of developing the team into a band of caped crusaders.

.

7. David & Victoria Beckham – Brooklyn, Ashlee Simpson – Bronx. Now, Bronx is a standalone and the plus side of Brooklyn is that it’s easily split into both Brook and Lyn, making both slightly better choices than Staten Island.

 

6. George Foreman – George, George, George, George, & George. The Grillman’s kids don’t have strange names, but they do all have the same one. Big George differentiates by number and has also given each a nickname: Monk, Red, Joe, Little George, and Big Wheel.

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5. The Edge – Blue Angel. 

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4. Bob Geldof & Paula Yates – Fifi Trixibelle, Little Pixie, Peaches Honeyblossom, & Luscious Tropical Mango. This obviously cranks the fruit-named theme up a few notches.

.

3. Jason Lee – Pilot Inspektor. Jason says he got the name from a Grandaddy song he likes called “He’s Simple, He’s Dumb, He’s The Pilot.” As for Inspektor, we can only assume he was trying to differentiate from all the kids named Inspector.

.

2. Jermaine Jackson – Jermajesty. Talk about leading a royally confusing life. “Did you want pickles on the side, Jermajesty?” Maybe Jermaine should’ve done what brother Michael did with his baby Prince 2, which is give him a more accessible nickname like Blanket.

.

1. Frank Zappa – Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet, & Diva Muffin. Which Zappa would you be?

.

Just Like A Woman

International Women's Day is marked by a celebration 

of womankind the world o'er, courtesy of Reuters

Algeria: Algiers

 England: London

Senegal: Dakar

United States: New York

Kenya: Nairobi

Indonesia: Jakarta

Haiti: Port-au-Prince

Afghanistan: Kabul

England: Skegness

Thailand: Mae Sot

Siberia: Yamal