Monday, May 31, 2010
05/29/10
So happy to have my Andi here. This was taken at the new house. I am a little needy now a days......
5/31/10 Bee in the Yellow Lupine
I went to Inverness to visit a photographer's studio today, which was fantastic. They have self published 4 beautiful photography books on Marin, Point Reyes and California which are all gorgeous. Afterwards, I went out to Point Reyes which was super foggy, but was able to shoot some wildflowers, like these yellow lupine.
Images of Gaza
While getting regular updates on the increasing international protests and condemnation of the Israeli raid on the Gaza aid flotilla, I tried to look for images of the Gaza strip other than those that regularly accompany reports on the area. Here are a few that caught my eye:
The last photo of this set shows the cabinet of medical supplies in the intensive care unit of the El Shafa hospital - practically empty after the imposition of the Israeli blockade that cut off the Gaza Strip from the rest of the world.
All photos above come from the site of Zoriah - Photojournalist, where you can see a whole gallery of Gaza pictures. Some are very disturbing - unsurprisingly.
Here's another poignant photo, of children's shadows against a bullet-ridden wall in the Jabalia refugee camp, in Gaza (photo by Odd Andersen, published in the Guardian).
The last photo of this set shows the cabinet of medical supplies in the intensive care unit of the El Shafa hospital - practically empty after the imposition of the Israeli blockade that cut off the Gaza Strip from the rest of the world.
An impressive portrait of an Islamist Jihadist in Gaza.
All photos above come from the site of Zoriah - Photojournalist, where you can see a whole gallery of Gaza pictures. Some are very disturbing - unsurprisingly.
Here's another poignant photo, of children's shadows against a bullet-ridden wall in the Jabalia refugee camp, in Gaza (photo by Odd Andersen, published in the Guardian).
'Dead Parrot': before & after
Who would have thought it. Formidable Lady Thatcher inspired by Monty Python. Actually, this instance of ex-prime ministerial humour has some interesting connotations: spotting the video on Boing Boing, I looked it up and read that the term 'dead parrot', which originated in the classic Monty Python sketch (of which, more below), 'also specifically applies to a controversial joint policy document which the Liberal Party and Social Democrats issued in 1988 in the process of their merger into the Social and Liberal Democratic Party'.
How interesting that the Lib Dems and the Conservatives are now an item. Anyway. 'Shortly before her downfall as Prime Minister' I read on, 'Margaret Thatcher described [the Lib Dems] party in her deadpan "comedy" voice, saying "this is a late parrot, it has ceased to be." [...] The emblem of the Liberal Democrats is a flying yellow bird.' Whether the Lib Dems are indeed a dead parrot or a triumphant phoenix of a party depends on whether the Lib Dems end up being slowly digested by the Conservatives, or, on the contrary, emerge from the current coalition in flying colours.
Here's the 'after' version.
And here's the unsurpassed 'before' version.
How interesting that the Lib Dems and the Conservatives are now an item. Anyway. 'Shortly before her downfall as Prime Minister' I read on, 'Margaret Thatcher described [the Lib Dems] party in her deadpan "comedy" voice, saying "this is a late parrot, it has ceased to be." [...] The emblem of the Liberal Democrats is a flying yellow bird.' Whether the Lib Dems are indeed a dead parrot or a triumphant phoenix of a party depends on whether the Lib Dems end up being slowly digested by the Conservatives, or, on the contrary, emerge from the current coalition in flying colours.
Here's the 'after' version.
And here's the unsurpassed 'before' version.
How to lose friends and infuriate people
Live coverage of developments on the latest despicable, not to mention utterly stupid in terms of international PR, Israeli affront from the Guardian blog.
The ship that Israeli soldiers stormed, killing and wounding a still unclear number of civilians, including activists, was part of the humanitarian aid project of Freegaza.
The flotilla of initially eight ships carried around 10,000 tonnes of aid in the form of medical equipment, construction material, as well as stationery supplies for schools. The supplies were collected with the help of donations from around the world. In addition, nearly 800 activists, representing a total of 40 countries travelled aboard the ships. Although it had been widely expected that Israel would try to intercept the ships, no-one had predicted an armed take-over by Israeli commandos, let alone the loss of civilian lives.
Almost incredibly, this horrific development - not to mention massive political faux pas - comes only days after Israel boycotted talks aimed at establishing a nuclear-arms free Middle East. Almost 200 states are signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and Israel's provocative stance did not go down well with many leaders. It seems that the Israeli government are among those who have read and are applying enthusiastically the How to Lose Friends and Infuriate People manual.
The ship that Israeli soldiers stormed, killing and wounding a still unclear number of civilians, including activists, was part of the humanitarian aid project of Freegaza.
The flotilla of initially eight ships carried around 10,000 tonnes of aid in the form of medical equipment, construction material, as well as stationery supplies for schools. The supplies were collected with the help of donations from around the world. In addition, nearly 800 activists, representing a total of 40 countries travelled aboard the ships. Although it had been widely expected that Israel would try to intercept the ships, no-one had predicted an armed take-over by Israeli commandos, let alone the loss of civilian lives.
Almost incredibly, this horrific development - not to mention massive political faux pas - comes only days after Israel boycotted talks aimed at establishing a nuclear-arms free Middle East. Almost 200 states are signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and Israel's provocative stance did not go down well with many leaders. It seems that the Israeli government are among those who have read and are applying enthusiastically the How to Lose Friends and Infuriate People manual.
Image source
Sunday, May 30, 2010
5/30/10 The Delta
Craig slowed dowon on the top of the bridge so I could get this photo, which I have been wanting to take for some time. I then realized the best view was from the bridge because it is the highest spot. This is the Delta, the huge waterway that goes from Sacramento to San Francisco Bay and beyond. And Mount Diablo in the background.
5/29/10 Dogwoods
The dogwoods are starting to bloom in Yosmite, but we really had to hike int the woods to find a few. There will be many more in 2 or 3 weeks, as they will appear as the snow disappears.
5/28/10 Bee and Rose
I grabbed this shot in the garden while we were packing the car to the cabin. I have been trying to capture a bee for some time now, but their wings beat so darned fast. This shot is taken at f/4.0, 1/3200 sec, and I think this is getting close to capturing those little wings!
'The Giant Penis that Invaded New York'
It's a catchy title all right. And it adorns the first issue of 'Bizarre Sex', a now inevitably cult series of so-called underground comics, illustrated and published by cartoonist Denis Kitchen under his 'Kitchen Sink' imprint. The stories fit in what you might call the sci-fi hard-core porn genre, except that the style and design, althouth definitely sexual, were mostly not sensual. Over-testosteroned (or over-progesteroned) monsters from outer space or from the general Great Unknown invariably menaced Earthlings with hanky panky that was literally out of this world. A strong dose of science fiction with an adult streak of pretty sinister humour and graphic illustrations.
Image source
Love proves a safe bet
Remember the post on the BBC's prediction that Germany's song 'Satellite', by Lena was the most likely winner of this year's Eurovision contest on the basis that the word 'love' recurs no less than 26 times in the lyrics? Guess what - the prediction was spot on. 'Satellite' is indeed the winning song with 246 points (or 9.5 points per repetition of the word 'love'), and the love overkill has proved a triumphantly tried & tested recipe for Eurovision success.
...and deaf. Unfortunately, the 2010 Eurovision winning song is not trashy enough for this blog, merely dull as ditchwater. So, if you'd like to watch the clip of 'Satellite', click on the image and you'll be taken there.
...and deaf. Unfortunately, the 2010 Eurovision winning song is not trashy enough for this blog, merely dull as ditchwater. So, if you'd like to watch the clip of 'Satellite', click on the image and you'll be taken there.
Easy Rider: God damn the Pusher
From Easy Rider, directed by Dennis Hopper (1969)
'You know I've smoked a lot of grass
O' Lord, I've popped a lot of pills
But I never touched nothin'
That my spirit could kill'
'The Pusher', Steppenwolf (1968)
O' Lord, I've popped a lot of pills
But I never touched nothin'
That my spirit could kill'
'The Pusher', Steppenwolf (1968)
The end of an uneasy ride: RIP Dennis Hopper
Legend has it that James Dean once gave fellow actor Dennis Hopper this advice: "drink the drink, don't act drinking the drink". Dennis Hopper, who died on 29 May, aged 74, applied Dean's principle zealously for much of his life.
Starting his acting career with a part in American TV drama 'Cavalcade of America' in 1952, Dennis Hopper gained TV fame with his role in another TV drama, 'Medic', in 1955. In the same year he was cast alongside James Dean in 'Rebel without a Cause', and the following year in 'Giant', James Dean's last film. Dennis Hopper has appeared in dozens of films and TV dramas, including his part as Billy Clanton in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), an episode of "The Twilight Zone" (1963), "Bonanza" (1964), his iconic part, again as Billy, in Easy Rider (1969), which Hopper co-wrote together with Peter Fonda, and directed himself, his incarnation of Tom Ripley in Wim Wenders's Der amerikanische Freund (1977), his role as a photojournalist in Apocalypse Now (1979), in which - as many critics noted - he appeared to play himself, the part of the father in Rumble Fish (1983), and his memorable role as Frank Booth in Blue Velvet (1986).
Dennis Hopper also appeared in TV commercials and continued to pursue his acting career, which, however, declined as his drug and drinking habits hijacked his life. His often erratic behaviour on and off film sets made it increasingly difficult for him to find work as an actor. Until rehab restored his acting career to some extent, Hopper channelled much of his creative energy into painting, photography, poetry, and occasionally directing, for which he has received some acclaim.
His personal life matched his career in ups and downs: Hopper is survived by five ex-wives, including former Mamas & Papas member Michelle Phillips, who filed for divorce barely a week after the wedding. In October 2009 Hopper was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, of which he died on 29 May 2010.
Image source
Starting his acting career with a part in American TV drama 'Cavalcade of America' in 1952, Dennis Hopper gained TV fame with his role in another TV drama, 'Medic', in 1955. In the same year he was cast alongside James Dean in 'Rebel without a Cause', and the following year in 'Giant', James Dean's last film. Dennis Hopper has appeared in dozens of films and TV dramas, including his part as Billy Clanton in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), an episode of "The Twilight Zone" (1963), "Bonanza" (1964), his iconic part, again as Billy, in Easy Rider (1969), which Hopper co-wrote together with Peter Fonda, and directed himself, his incarnation of Tom Ripley in Wim Wenders's Der amerikanische Freund (1977), his role as a photojournalist in Apocalypse Now (1979), in which - as many critics noted - he appeared to play himself, the part of the father in Rumble Fish (1983), and his memorable role as Frank Booth in Blue Velvet (1986).
Image source
Dennis Hopper also appeared in TV commercials and continued to pursue his acting career, which, however, declined as his drug and drinking habits hijacked his life. His often erratic behaviour on and off film sets made it increasingly difficult for him to find work as an actor. Until rehab restored his acting career to some extent, Hopper channelled much of his creative energy into painting, photography, poetry, and occasionally directing, for which he has received some acclaim.
In 1975, Dennis Hopper was arrested and charged with reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and evading arrest (sources: NNDB, the Guardian)
A photo by Dennis Hopper, from Dennis Hopper: Photographs 1961-1967, Taschen Books.
His personal life matched his career in ups and downs: Hopper is survived by five ex-wives, including former Mamas & Papas member Michelle Phillips, who filed for divorce barely a week after the wedding. In October 2009 Hopper was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, of which he died on 29 May 2010.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Ken Lee
'Ken Lee' (aka 'I Can't Live'), as interpreted - title and all - by Bulgarian aspiring pop idol Valentina Hasan. Please note that the song is performed in English. I thought I might let you know, because it's unlikely that you'll realise as much while listening to the clip.
The full version, with English subtitles, here.
Fly with 99 Luftballons
A 36-year-old US adventurer has flown across the English Channel by means of helium-filled toy balloons. Jonathan Trapped set off from a field in Kent early in the morning and crossed the channel strapped on a chair that was suspended from dozens of toy balloons, to finally land in a cabbage field in France.
Stool Pigeon
A pigeon is held in custody under armed guard by Indian police on suspicion of spying on behalf of Pakistan, according to Indian media. No-one has been allowed to visit the suspect.
'Stool Pigeon', by Kid Creole and the Coconuts.
Full article in the Telegraph.
Full article in the Telegraph.
Friday, May 28, 2010
05/27/10
Didn't take any photos the 26th. I am so beyond heartbroken over Earl's diagnosis. the path report should be coming anytime now. I haven't taken a photo today yet, but here is yesterdays...
05/25/10
We do love our roses after the rain, don't we???? My neighbor has beautiful roses. I need to grow some in Maine when I get there.
Vader Pasha: Turkish Star Wars
Apparently, the Turkish version of Star Wars was not, I repeat, not meant as a parody.
If you decide to watch one of the longer clips available on the internet, such as this one, which is about 9 minutes long, may the force be with you.
If you decide to watch one of the longer clips available on the internet, such as this one, which is about 9 minutes long, may the force be with you.
Tattoo therapy
Thursday, May 27, 2010
5/27/10 Clematis Vine
I covered the camera and lens with a big towel to get this shot in the rain. I also have a rain hood, but the towel worked just fine!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
5/26/10 Yellow Field
I tried to catch some clouds tonight, but they were moving quickly over these fields of yellow flowers.
'Hacken, schneiden...' - Old German ad for Starmix food processor
I have a thing about old ads. This one must date from the 50s
(ad for Starmix food processor, in German only).
There's the rub: the Vibra-Finger
Yikes. What a creepy personal gadget. And it isn't even what you think it is (or is it?)
The Vibra-Finger was spotted on Retrospace
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
5/25/10 Tree Bark
This tree was next to the street where I parked to pick up Julia at school today, and when I looked at it more closely, it reminded me of an impressionist painting. The colors were astounding! And I liked the foliage and flowers in the background, which repeated some of the same green and red colors.
Forget about Kung Fu Panda: here's Kung Fu bear.
OK, as of now I'll start believing in reincarnation. This bear must have been a Kung Fu master in a past life. I mean, I can't do this stuff!
Initially I saw the shorter version (to which a fitting soundtrack has been added), but as that was edited I admit that I was a bit suspicious of somebody simply having cut the footage cleverly. But it looks like the clever one is the bear, after all.
Initially I saw the shorter version (to which a fitting soundtrack has been added), but as that was edited I admit that I was a bit suspicious of somebody simply having cut the footage cleverly. But it looks like the clever one is the bear, after all.
Havana bride
Wow. You don't often get to see such photos on National Geographic.
'Bride, Havana, Cuba', by Dmitri Markine. Source: National Geographic.
'Love' won't get you an Oscar
I love Wordle. Not only is it one of the best online toys I've come across, but it also allows you to present word counts as statistical graphs in a fun manner. Take, for instance, the BBC's Wordle experiment with Eurovision winning lyrics (see post below). Now, whereas the biggest winner - so far as words are concerned - in Eurovision is 'love', to win an Oscar for best picture, you need either 'American', 'Man' or 'Men', 'Best', 'One', or 'Godfather' in the title. In fact, if you want an Oscar for best picture, 'love' won't get you anywhere. See for yourself:
'Love': twelve points; 'amour': douze points
All you need is love, especially if you're a Eurovision contestant. The BBC had the brilliant idea to feed the lyrics of all winning songs of the Eurovision contest, from its inception in 1956 till now, into Wordle website - a magic online toy for creating word clouds (think of tag clouds) on the basis of how often a word occurs in a given text. Once common words like 'and', 'I' were removed, the most frequent word in Euroschmaltzy winning songs turned out to be 'Love'.
To be more precise, of the 12,299 different words that make up the BBC's own collection of 54 years' worth of Eurovision's winning lyrics, 'love' accounts for 2%. Not all that surprising, if you think that love is embedded in the Eurovision logo, is it.
To be more precise, of the 12,299 different words that make up the BBC's own collection of 54 years' worth of Eurovision's winning lyrics, 'love' accounts for 2%. Not all that surprising, if you think that love is embedded in the Eurovision logo, is it.
...And in case you're itching to find out what this year's lyrics word-cloud looks like, here it is:
On the basis of word frequency alone, the BBC predicts that this year's German entry, 'Satellite', has pretty decent odds for winning: it features the word 'love' no less than 26 times. Alles Liebe.
(Article and images from the BBC)
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