lookpoppies

May the force be with you

2009-01-15T18:01:00.000-08:00

Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo.

I love this so much.

O Canada!

2009-01-04T17:12:00.000-08:00

I'm transfixed! Thanks National Film Board!

All things bright and beautiful

2008-12-17T22:22:00.000-08:00

I'm in love with this photo of barnyard animals. Animal portraiture is so underrated.

Cut a Rug

2008-12-17T22:14:00.001-08:00

I'm a terrible dancer. I think it goes part and parcel with being long-limbed and lanky, but that doesn't stop me from trying. It's my absolute failure as a graceful or rhythmically gifted dancer that makes me appreciate this cute series of photos from the Chicago Tribune, chronically the history of dance styles in Chicago. Adorable!

Ouch

2008-12-16T18:38:00.000-08:00

My office-bound working days are over (for a while at least), so I no longer have to sit through long, seemingly endless meetings. When (if?) the time comes for me to return to the 9-5 office world, I'm going to recommend these slightly uncomfortable chairs to the facilities people!

What a genius idea.

Nihongo-a-gogo

2008-12-15T21:10:00.001-08:00

I haven't really posted any photos from my time in Japan on this blog, which is sad, because I saw some amazing and wacky things! So here's a link to a book I made, full of images and memories of arguably the best year yet of my life.

http://www.mypublisher.com/bookshelf/bookviewer.py?d=tq%3Ey-cppl%60je%3E3586229

Mmmm....natsukashiiiii!

Baby, it's cold outside!

2008-12-14T19:52:00.000-08:00

It's snowing! This is a rare occurrence in the Puget Sound, so I'm enjoying the change of scenery.

Generally, I'm not a huge fan of winter or the Christmas season, but I can't help feeling Christmasy when there's a white blanket of snow on my parent's front yard. How nostalgic!

In the spirit of cold weather, here's a charming set of photos, all about London's best ice skating rinks. I love the guy with the accordian!

A Blank Slate

2008-12-09T22:31:00.000-08:00

I'm loving this slideshow of albino animals! I guess I'm in the mood for white, because all I want to do lately is eat vanilla ice cream (wtf?) and see it snow.

This adorable Danish home might be a culprit for this new predilection for a blank slate (of perhaps my upcoming move to Vancouver!) Either way, a white couch=disaster when you are me. Hello, tea stains!

Plaaaant!

2008-12-08T16:51:00.000-08:00

Wall E bento!

If I was a Japanese housewife, I would totally make these for my kids. Thankfully, I'm an American ex-patriot graduate student, so I get to eat a box of crackers for lunch and call it good.

Judge a Book By Its Cover

2008-12-01T20:35:00.000-08:00

Because I love a list:
The Book Design Review's best book covers of 2008.

PS: Check out this delightful Flickr photoset of Scholastic Book Club illustrations. I'd love to have prints of some of these. And I wouldn't mind having these on my wall too. Or these.

Also: this book sounds like my personal idea of hell.

One last thing, I swear. I got a totally unexpected scholarship for my upcoming graduate program! Which leads me to believe I might need to ask Santa for one of these...

Hypnotic

2008-11-29T11:24:00.000-08:00

I. Can't. Stop. Watching. This. Video.

(I need a metal robot glove.)

What the World Eats

2008-11-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

You'd think that after a national holiday that centers around stuffing one's face as much as humanly possible, I'd be sick of food. But you'd be wrong; I am me, and I shall never tire of food culture, even if I cannot bear to eat another leftovers sandwich. Seriously, get them away from me.

But I digress. I saw this series of photos about a month ago and immediately fell in love with it. Photographer Peter Menzel traveled around the globe, photographing families with the food they eat in one week, the cost of the food, and their favorite foods.

See it here: What the World Eats, Part 1 and Part 2.

I love this series for so many reasons. It amazes me how some families' food culture actually looks like it contains real food (ie: meat, vegetables, beans, rice, fruit, etc), whereas many other tables are covered in packages and plastic. Where's the food, America? All I see are Doritos bags and pizza boxes!

It's also interesting to note the ratio of food to people in the photos. Such prosperity, such poverty.

Whose table would you want to join? Fancy some narwal skin with the family from Greenland? Or perhaps mutton dumplings in Mongolia? Personally, I'd like to dig in with the Turkish family and all their colorful produce, olives, and bread. I wouldn't turn down a meal with the Egyptians (and their melons!), though! Mmm...falafel...

Black Friday

2008-11-28T15:38:00.000-08:00

Ahh, Black Friday. The one day of the year when it is completely acceptable for previously mild-mannered Americans to go apeshit and trample each other, all in the name of discounted video games and Tickle-Me-Elmo dolls. The entire concept of holiday shopping (for the sake of shopping) holds a morbid fascination for me, especially when the shopping is in service of violent media like many video games, so naturally I enjoyed this NYT series of photos of kids playing video games. There's a video too!

Also: Its disturbing, but if you watch footage of shoppers going crazy--with the sound off--it looks like people running for their lives after a catostrophic event. Significant, perhaps? (Can you tell I wrote my thesis on the relationship between death and consumerism?)

Scary. And oh so American.

5-a-Day

2008-11-27T17:40:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving, America! I'm not a huge meat eater, so I'll be stuffing myself with yams, green beans, and other vegetable goodies. Naturally, I'm totally digging this beautiful Flickr photo set of fruits and vegetables, captured with a homemade light box. Delicious!

Also: Rad.

Brr...

2008-11-25T19:12:00.000-08:00

Baby, it's cold outside, but I don't care--I want to go to Ålesund, Norway. What a fairytale kind of place!

Jeg elsker dig!

2008-11-24T19:03:00.000-08:00

Never have I been so proud to be Scandinavian. I might need to go to 1970's Sweden, if only for the fashions.

Just Like Honey

2008-11-24T18:52:00.000-08:00

Neat-O.

An interview with David Graves, an urban beekeeper in NYC. I so want to be his friend, despite my intense fear of bees.

Also:

Hipster, schmipster, I love this song.

Fly Away

2008-11-23T18:06:00.000-08:00

Another lighting gem from Shorpy.

Life on Earth

2008-11-20T19:24:00.000-08:00

Oooh, the nerdy librarian in me just died and went to photographic heaven. Google recently created an archive of millions of photographs from LIFE magazine (many never before published) some dating all the way back to 1750! What a phenomenal resource! Not a bad way to spend a rainy afternoon by the fire...

Handy

2008-11-20T18:50:00.001-08:00

Something about this series of painted hands really reminds me of my childhood Labyrinth and Sesame Street watching days, with a dash of the surreality I so crave...

Remember this craziness?

You've gotta love Labyrinth, in all its Jim Henson glory!

Soup Strainer

2008-11-19T19:08:00.000-08:00

I enjoy being a girl. It's true. If I choose to fully indulge those silly old gender roles, I can adorn myself with ridiculous dresses and jewelry, wear fancy unmentionables and pretty perfume, and generally am forgiven a multitude of sins, all for being a card carrying member of the fairer sex. Not a bad deal, all in all.

That being said, if I was a man, I would totally grow a crazy Salvador Dali moustache and join the World Beard and Moustache Championships. Hilarious! And kind of amazing! Seriously, check out these wonderfully weird examples of the creativity of men and their facial hair. MEN--you'be been put on notice. Do something with that hair-growing potential! (Just don't grow the loathed childmolester mustache...gross)

Suck It

2008-11-18T19:01:00.001-08:00

Thomas Kinkade's 16 Guidelines for Making Stuff Suck

Hahaha...

Smiling Mice

2008-11-14T18:04:00.001-08:00

I've been in a giggly, giddy mood this week. Here are some things that have made me laugh or squeal "awwwww!" aloud (sometimes at work, which is awkward, because I probably shouldn't be using state resources to amuse myself...)

Female Bodybuilders: "If you cover up the faces with your hands, they look like men in bikini tops and if you cover up the bodies, meth addicts."

Overheard!: Harpoonists are a girls best friend.

Baby ocelots at the Woodland Park Zoo!

Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.

If I ever have kids, I want them to be exactly like this one. Mon dieu, elle est adorable!

PS: Did you know that the French word for mouse--souris--also means smile? Souris, petit souris! Smile, little mouse! Now that puts a grin on my face.

2008-11-03T18:26:00.000-08:00

SO. COOL.

That is all.

PS: VOTE!

I See Smoke

2008-10-25T12:15:00.000-07:00

Please take a moment from your day for some whimsy and fun, and visit this charming Flickr set of vintage 1920's-1940's Japanese matchbox labels.

Makes me want to be bad and play with matches...

Color Theory

2008-10-24T23:26:00.000-07:00

I know, I know...I should probably look into therapy for this little color obsession of mine. But I can't help it!

I love this NY Times slideshow of Anado McLauchlin's chaotically colorful Mexican home. How can you resist such exuberance and passion? The entire color scheme reminds me of Frida Kahlo, a huge inspiration of mine. I don't know if I could realistically live with that level of color going on all the time, but wouldn't it be nice to have an eccentric friend who lives there and throws fabulous theme parties?

(The truth behind this post is that I'm trying to cheer myself up after becoming totally frustrated and disheartened by my hunt for cat friendly housing in Vancouver. I just spent a year apart from my cat Kipling...don't ask me to do it for two more years!)

Salt of the Earth

2008-10-23T17:20:00.000-07:00

I'm on a roll with color. I first saw this blog about salt evaporation ponds when I was living in Japan, but this recent love affair with color has rekindled my interest. Perhaps I should wear less black...

Spectrum

2008-10-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

Color freaks, rejoice. This Flickr multicolor search tool is an absolute dream. I'm addicted. Check it out!

Under the Sea

2008-10-21T18:27:00.001-07:00

Well, if I can't be a fish outside of dreams, I think I'll have to settle for mid-century underwater model. Seriously, check out these delightfully kitsch and whimsical underwater photos.

I think between Shorpy, various vintage photo streams on Flickr, and junk shops everywhere, I'm developing an addiction to old photography.

Early mornings

2008-10-21T06:30:00.001-07:00

If there's one thing that most everyone can agree with, it's this: waking up on a cold October day, having to pry oneself from dreams and a warm downy nest, into the harsh light of morning is a bummer.

I want to go back to bed. I dreamed I was a fish and the ocean was mine to conquer.

Here comes the sun!

2008-10-13T19:12:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday everyone! It's rainy and cool here in Washington, so I figured there's no better way to warm up than by looking at some amaaaazing photos of the sun.

Literally

2008-10-07T20:47:00.000-07:00

Pipe wrench fight! Magic frame! Band montage!

I love literalism.

Are your jeans blue?

2008-10-06T18:49:00.000-07:00

If you've ever worn a pair of blue jeans that was distressed in any way (physically, not emotionally), you should give these photos of a Kentucky denim factory that distresses jeans for high-end designers a look.

Attention Earthlings

2008-10-06T18:20:00.000-07:00

PLEASE: Take a moment out of your day to check out these amaaaaazing photos by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. They make me want to commandeer a hot-air balloon and explore this incredible planet. Le sigh...

(Incidentally, I'm a proud relative of the Montgolfier brothers, Frenchy-French inventors of le globe aereostatique)

Halloweenie

2008-10-04T22:25:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again--time to think about what I'm going to be for my favorite holiday, Halloween. This year, I've decided to spice things up a bit and do something sexy (last year's Frida Kahlo was one unibrow too many). I'll use this commercial as my guide and inspiration.

(fyi I'm kidding...Halloween is all about looking like a fool, not a sexy 1900's steel tycoon...)

Oh deer!

2008-10-01T19:04:00.001-07:00

This is Rupert. He is tiny and perfect, and represents everything lovely and worth protecting in the world. I want one.

PS: Did you know Audrey Hepburn had a pet deer? How fitting.

Keitai fun

2008-09-29T22:21:00.000-07:00

I had a really cool phone when I lived in Japan. It was neon blue and could do everything but bake a pie. It also took some wacky photos. Here they are for your amusement (courtesy of my old Japanese blog).

The quality isn't great, but the humor is (at least I think it is).

Found in a bridal magazine at my favorite cafe in Takaoka. Hot tip: for all you brides-to-be, a close shave is the best way to steal your man's heart! It is the most photographed day of your life after all; don't let 5-o'clock shadows ruin all those pics!

Fuckin' Goblin Strikes Back: Tokyo Edition! Need I remind you of the Osaka version of this hat? Well, here you go:

(Seriously,where can I buy this hat?! I need it!)

Found in the elevator at the Board of Education: "Himi City History Editing Office".

See also: dystopian state, Rape of Nanking

Lost and Foundo

Thank you Katakana Engrish.

Where's the 4? Something tells me I'm in Asia...

One of my students drew this for me for Christmas. It appears Santa is not only Mickey mouse, but is also plummeting to his death after his musically-minded reindeer cut loose for the holidays.

Old man in Osaka. I'm such a creep

Even whale sharks get to have fun during the HOT XMAS season in Japan!

Tall Trees and Mist

2008-09-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

I may have been born in California, but I'm a true Cascadian at heart. And here's why:

Breathtaking Art

Rainforests

Ferry boats

Cold water and whales

Kitsch

Volcanos (Mt. Rainier)

Banana Slugs

And last, but certainly not least, Bigfoot.

I must say, I love me some tall trees and mist.

Politics schmalatics

2008-09-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

Bear in mind, I'm terribly biased. But it's worth a look.

Saudade/natsukashii

2008-09-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

I feel saudade.

"The famous saudade of the Portuguese is a vague and constant desire for something that does not and probably cannot exist, for something other than the present, a turning towards the past or towards the future; not an active discontent or poignant sadness but an indolent dreaming wistfulness. Saudade is different from nostalgia; in nostalgia, you have a mixed happy and sad feeling, a memory of happiness but a sadness for its impossible return and sole existence in the past. Saudade is like nostalgia but with the hope that what is being longed for might return, even if that return is unlikely or so distant in the future to be almost of no consequence to the present. You might make an analogy with nostalgia as a feeling you have for a loved one who has died and saudade as a feeling one has for a loved one who has disappeared or is simply currently absent. Nostalgia is located in the past and is somewhat conformist while saudade is very present, anguishing, anxious and extends into the future".

Word. In Japanese, they call the feeling natsukashii, and let me tell you: ima wa, natsukashii desu.

I don't want to be an English teacher in Japan again, but I miss it nonetheless. *sigh*

I Miss Japan

2008-09-22T19:35:00.000-07:00

It's swell being back home in the Northwest, but there are times when I really miss the Land of the Rising Sun. When the leaves starting to turn red. When I see rabbits in the full moon. When I can't think of a word in English, only coming up with its Nihongo counterpart. Zannen!

But mostly, I miss Japan when I see crazy shit like this. The Funwari Milk Chan.

They're adorable! They're cute! They live in Milk Village ("located somewhere, perhaps, down south on earth") in domestic partnerships! ("Two Milkans make a couple...It has TV"). They have distinct personalities and hobbies! (Which one are YOU?) There's even a comic strip.

They're stuffed breast toys. For kids, and perhaps, salarymen.

Why isn't America cool like Japan?! It's not fair.

The truth

2008-09-20T23:21:00.000-07:00

Attention ladies!

Do you:

--shirk traditional gender activities, like baking?
--detest women who are happy in traditional roles, such as housewife, and especially dislike those who defend such role?
--prefer that women wear pants rather than dresses, presumably because men do?
--lack of a sense of humor?

Well pretty, I'm afraid you may be a Feminist.

Attention everyone. Do you support the following immoral practices?

--The denial of inherent gender differences.
--Political correctness.
--A "living Constitution" that is reinterpreted in a modern context, instead of how it was originally intended.
--Calling anyone they agree with a "professor" regardless of whether he earned that distinction based on a real peer review of his work (see, e.g., Richard Dawkins and Barack Obama). (ed note: WTF?)

So sorry, but you are probably a dirty Liberal.

Me and my socialist liberal democratic feminist brain just spent an hour being simultaneously amused, nauseated, and dumbstruck by the unintentional comic gem that is Conservapedia. Based on Wikipedia (where the only bias is towards absolute unbiased content), it is "The Trustworthy Encyclopedia", and by my estimate, the source of all Fox News' research and content. It's also hilarious, if you can get past the illogic.

Proceed with caution and a grain of salt. Some fun topics:

Evolution (complete with Hitler images!)
Logic
Global Warming
Personal favorite, those rascally gays. (PS: Hey, Conservapedia, it really isn't hard to "Make gays look good." Just comes naturally...no pun intended).

And oh, so much more. Good luck, and tread carefully.

Cool Chicks

2008-09-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

August 12, 1924. "Dr. Cora Smith King, Mrs. Emma Barnes Smith, Mrs. Sylvia Smith King." Dr. King, who was active in the women's suffrage movement, with her mother and daughter in a photo taken to illustrate a newspaper article headlined WOMAN OF 80 BOBS HAIR. National Photo glass negative

Do you ever see an old photograph of someone, and just know you'd get along? I think these three women would have some fascinating stories to tell. The one in the middle was 80 years old, and had just bobbed her hair. Scandalous!

Photo courtesy of Shorpy, aka my current internet obsession. Despite her flaws, America is pretty cool (certainly during 1900-1950. Just click the damn link!)

Out of Paper!

2008-09-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

I had my first rendezvous with the copier at work today. It was stressful to say the least. My relationships with copy machines have always been fraught with tension and disdain--Japanese copiers in particular seemed to have it in for me.

Coming across this beautiful image of an exploded toner cartridge perhaps foreshadows yet another tumultuous--if not colorful--copier relationship in my future. Love hurts.

The Grand Commute

2008-09-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

I recently started a new job. After a year of commuting to work by bicycle, it has been really weird adjusting to commuting by methods that aren't powered by my two legs. I'd ride my bike, but my workplace is just too far away from home to realistically pedal to every day. Bummer. So I go by car. Bummer.

You see, one of my absolute least favorite things about suburban America is our reliance on the single passenger vehicle for virtually all of our transportation needs. No trains. No trams. No light rail. Bad bus systems. Not much carpooling. Dangerous roads and cultural climate for cyclists. And very little intelligent community planning, which would make for smaller commutes, stronger communities, and far less environmental impact. Whenever I visit a foreign country, I'm in transportation heaven. Buses, trains, and bike lanes that occupy entire roads, everywhere you look. But not America (the auto industry made sure of that).

I strongly believe that the solution to the current energy crisis and staggering gas prices lies in massive lifestyle and community design changes. We simply cannot rely on the automobile for our transportation needs any longer. No matter how much oil we get, the solution is not the car.

Let me step off my soap box before I hurt myself. This post was inspired by a very cool photograph (courtesy of the Munster Planning Office, Germany, 2001) which represents the amount of space needed to transport the same number of people by car, bus, and bike. It may be the most elegant and effective argument for green transportation I've ever seen. Perhaps the solution to Washington state's horrible roads lies not in increasing road space, but decreasing car space??

At any rate, I'm looking forward to living in a city once again, and biking it every which way.

Pink or Blue: which are you?

2008-09-16T20:37:00.000-07:00

I first came across Jeonmee Yoon 's photographs several months ago, and was totally entranced by them. As someone who is very interested in gender roles, and even more interested in art, her series of photographs entitled "The Pink and Blue Project" both chilled and transfixed me. We so easily forget what a huge role society plays in the development of our gender roles; seeing the physical manifestation of that pressure is crazy.

Crazy Weather

2008-09-14T22:01:00.000-07:00

Living in rural Japan, I rode my bike to school everyday, no matter what the weather. Hot, cold, windy, rainy--I was there everyday on my granny bike. My least favorite weather to cycle in came during typhoon season. You know you should probably take the bus on days when your door is in danger of being blown off its hinges by the wind while leaving the house in the morning.

So while I will never understand what it is like to live in a hurricane zone, and suffer the heartbreak and destruction experienced by so many people living on the Caribbean (and my heart goes out to them), I now have a greater appreciation for the gobsmacking power of nature, and the smallness of man in its presence.

This glorious series of hurricanes, as seen from orbit, blew my mind. What a world we live in!

Sunny Saturday and Found!

2008-09-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

My dad and I went to Portland yesterday. Some highlights:

--An amaaaazing breakfast at Bread and Ink. They make their own ketchup! So delicious.
--Getting lost on the way to Powell's bookstore downtown, but winding up in the most adorable neighborhood filled with craftsman style homes and families barbecuing.
--Once we found it (silly GPS!), spending a couple hours in Powell's, the most wonderfully MASSIVE used bookstore/heaven on earth.
--Wandering through a quintessentially Northwest market, filled with old hippies, new yuppies, and lots and lots of hemp.
--People playing in a fountain.
--Being offered $85 to arm wrestle a homeless man. I declined.
--Stumptown coffee everywhere we we turned.
--A sunny bike ride along the Columbia River, which ended with burgers, sweet potato fries, and beer.

Spending time with my dad was definitely the best part of the trip, but I also loved getting a rad deal on the book "Found II" by Davy Rothbart. I LOVE Found magazine, and used to collect finds when I lived in Seattle (you'd be amazed at what you come across working at a library!). Found things are like a little slice of a person's life, a harmless and often touching bit of voyeurism to spice up your day. Owning this book (and such a deal!) makes me super happy, not to mention inspired to keep my eyes peeled for future found treasures!

Walton Ford

2008-09-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

I want a Walton Ford print in my home. Anybody who satirizes the watercolors of John James Audubon to expose oppression and consumerism (with such a great sense of humor) is okay in my book.

Plastic Bertrand

2008-09-12T22:45:00.000-07:00

I officially have a new favorite song.

Cocktail Hour

2008-09-12T21:38:00.000-07:00

I'm a huge fan of the show Mad Men. I'm also a huge fan of old fashioned cocktails. No Flirtinis or Mascara Fizzes or Kiwi-Lychee Daiquiris for me, please. I want to drink like Sinatra drank.

Natrually, I fell in love with Dyna Moe's sassy Mad Men illustrations, especially this charming cocktail cheat sheet.

Like the show, it's smart, sassy, and has killer style. But you knew that. Anyone for a whiskey sour?

Friends, near and far

2008-09-12T19:57:00.000-07:00

I like reading blogs. I love reading my friends' blogs. Here are three favorites:

http://jetset-to-japan.blogspot.com/
Kelly was my neighbor, confidante, and preserver of sanity during my time in Japan. We rode our bikes to work during the blazing Himi summers, huddled around her kotatsu during the frigid winters, and sang our hearts out during our frequent karaoke sessions, and I can't imagine life in Japan without her. Her blog tells a great story of life as an English teacher in Japan, as well as the adjustments it takes coming home again to a country that is both familiar and foreign. She's working as a rad literacy advocate in Philadelphia. She's a great photographer.

http://leavingsealevel.blogspot.com/
I like to think of Madeline as my job twin. When I met her, she had just returned from Japan (we both did the JET programme), was going to library school, and like me, was working at Suzzallo Library. She's strong and smart, and not afraid of living in a red state (she's a reference librarian in Reno now). She also keeps a great blog about being a librarian, displaced sea-leveler, and desert dwelling athlete. She's neat.

http://antelopebaby.blogspot.com/
Vanessa and I studied art history and literature together in Paris. We bonded over a variety of things, not limited to gin, unicorns, and the charming city of Copenhagen. She now lives a very lovely life in Portland, where she makes some of the cutest crafty things I've laid eyes on. Antler onsies, anyone? She also loves robots, and has a cat named Bianca.

Do you have any interesting bloggy friends?

Another blog...

2008-09-12T19:22:00.001-07:00

I spent the last year in Japan, where I was confronted on a daily basis with all things lovely, inspiring, and often, downright bizarre. (Basashi, anyone? No? Alright then.)

Now that I'm back in Cascadia, studying to be a librarian, I want to ward off reverse culture shock and celebrate all things interesting, by creating a place where I can share what makes me smile and think. I did a good deal of smiling and thinking in Japan, and have no intention of stopping, so here goes nothing!

I'm also curious if I can continue a blog for longer than a year without forgetting about it or giving up on the entire endeavor. We shall see...