happy birthday!

Happy Birthday to Gene Hackman, one of unlaziest actors of our time, with a career of over 80 films spanning more than 4 decades. Many of his movies are at the top of my list of favorites, so I forgive you for this. I think today I'll pop in The Conversation and open up some Kirin Dry in your honor.

charity auction for japan

At this point I am sure that everyone is well aware of the tragic situation in Japan, when our planet decided to throw a huge tantrum and unleash horrific natural disasters upon them. It's beyond me how individuals and communities rebound and start over after this sort of experience. Where do you start?

I know that this will barely make a dent in potentially helping those facing hardships in Japan, but when I was presented with an opportunity to auction one of my photos for charity I couldn't say no. Currently I am offering this photo in the Charity Auction for Japan. Leave your bid in the comments on my Flickr. The highest bidder by Sunday will receive that photograph and also know that they did a good deed. The charity can be your choice (suggestions are listed on Flickr). Please help out if you can.

how to hate the world

The news has never exactly brightened my day. And sometimes being up on current events feels less like enlightenment and more like a punishment. Such is the case with the on-going saga of British Petroleum's colossal raping of the environment (along with their waste of natural resources and destruction of livelihoods). Every day that I watch/hear the news I sink further into that all-too-familiar global pit of despair. It's hard not to wonder "what's the use?" and living in a bubble has its appeal all over again. Can billions of people get it together when one giant company, with tons of money and resources, can't resolve a mess of its own doing? I'm simplifying things I'm sure, but when you feel overwhelmed that's the only way to process what feels like the undoing of a hopeful future.

The other day, with the gulf spill fresh in my mind, I passed by the local Sherwin Williams* store. I'm guessing that someone else in the world has also thought of this (since few ideas are really new), but I had my own private "a-ha" and decided that with some minor tweaking a new, more appropriate BP logo was in order.

HOW TO HELP THE GULF:
[ National Audubon Society ]
[ Gulf Coast Fund ]
[ Baking for Good ]
[ National Wildlife Foundation ]
[ The Greater New Orleans Foundation ]
[ The Huffington Post ]

*Obviously this is not meant as any slander upon Sherwin Williams, an attempt to reclaim their logo, or profit from it. I feel silly for even saying so, but you never know...

goodbye art linkletter (1912-2010)

The more wine we get the better the wedding. Nice, kid. Oh, thank you Mr. Linkletter for your way with children and the many, many soundbites that remind us how hilarious they are. You seemed like a nice man, and definitely left an indelible mark on radio and T.V.




[ image via Jim Blanchard ]

moxie

I have some news... I'm excited to say that I will be selling some of my stuff at a new local shop in Austin called Moxie. It will be on E 11th St and host several local artists' work as well as vintage goodies. The store officially opens on May 1st but I believe it will be open tonight for East End 4th Friday, so you can get a sneak peek. I will not have anything there yet; in fact I'm feeling the time crunch trying to get everything together. Ah, hopefully it will all work out. I encourage any of you Austinites to go check it out. And for updates find Moxie on Facebook.

lazy marriage

How does one make the ultimate romantic lazy gesture? Why, you marry your pillow. This man did it... truly sleeping with the one he loves. The funniest part, I'm probably just a few extended naps away from such nuptials. I do cherish the time I spend with my fluffy bed mate.

polaroid updates

•The film finally returns [ The Impossible Project ]
•Polaroid scarves [ Philippe Roucou ]
•New York Polaroid Project [ New York City Polaroid Project ]


[ image credit rchappo ]

goodbye j.d. salinger (1919-2010)

As everyone has probably heard by now writer J.D. Salinger has just passed away. Like many others I hold The Catcher in the Rye on a pedestal as it served as a unique and identifiable friend during my adolescent unglory years, and I am so thankful for that gift.

One of my favorite blogs, Words and Eggs, has a great post featuring several versions of the classic novel's cover.

goodbye curtis allina (1922-2009)

This may not be common knowledge to some of you, but I have in my possession around 1,000 Pez dispensers. To say I love collecting them would be an understatement, however in these tough economic times my obsession has lately been limited to the occasional dollar store purchase rather than the ruthless and overpriced world of Ebay auctions. It's just as well.

Hearing of the passing of Pez pioneer Curtis Allina saddened me; he is afterall the man responsible for giving the dispensers a face, which to me is the mainonly appeal (I just say no to the candy believe it or not). Thanks for contributing to my passion for plastic and bringing joy to so many.

POP THIS:
Pez Database [ My Pez QL
Official Pez Site [ Pez.com ]
Pez Shopping [ Canada Candy Connection ]
Pez Movie [ Pez Heads: The Movie ]
Pez Museum [ Burlingame Pez Museum ]

welcome back!

When my friend told me the news the other day that Polaroid was coming back I was filled with glee and surprise. On the one hand it shouldn't be that shocking that someone finally wised up and realized there is still demand for the product, but on the other hand it is also a bit amazing that someone is actually doing something about it. It looks like the petitions and all the press the film's demise received helped turn things around.

Now I am not sure what this means for the Impossible Project. According to their site they are moving forward with their own brand. The more film the merrier I say, hopefully returning at reasonable pricing. And now maybe certain websites/retailers can quit with the gouging ($180 for a camera!).

the font police

It seems that NBC is in some hot water due to their unauthorized use of three different fonts. The Font Bureau, which sounds like a company name a child would make up (important, serious, and oversimplified) but is very real, claims highly visible ad campaigns have used these trademarked types (Bureau Grotesque, Interstate and Antenna) and owe $2 million. That's a pretty big oops.

goodbye irving penn (1917-2009)

I picked up my first camera when I was just a little kid, but it wasn't until I was in high school that I started to learn about photographers, get to know specific work, and build a mental list of inspiring favorites. Irving Penn was one of those original photo giants that helped turn on my imagination, and he sadly passed away yesterday after a long life and legendary career. During this span his images varied from high fashion, to stark portraiture, to odd still lifes -- everything equally exhibiting the talent and ability to capture beauty in all its forms.

goodbye childhood pt. 501

By now I'm sure that everyone knows of the passing of at least Patrick Swayze (far right) and Mary Travers (middle) of Peter, Paul, and Mary; I'm posting this more for myself than to be informative. The fellow on the far left is Henry Gibson who died on Monday. You may or may not know the name but odds are he looks familiar. He was in a ton of shows and movies (Laugh-In, Wedding Crashers, Nashville and the voice of Wilbur in Charlotte's Web to name a few) over the last several decades; for some reason I had in my head that he was also Teller's (of Penn & Teller) real life dad. O--kay...

At this point it is starting to feel like a regular thing to bid adieu to a celebrity, but I wanted to make a special point to recognize this trio. Each one in their own way played a part in my memories of youth... whether it was making friends with a familiar and reoccurring face on T.V., hearing certain songs (to say my parents loved Peter, Paul, and Mary is an understatement), or witnessing the birth of a well-coiffed superstar has he subtly live a role(s) others would have certainly hammed up given the same material. Thanks for everything; you will be missed.

[ Photo credits from l-r Roadsidepictures, Getty Images via Soundunwound, ??? but I will add if someone knows ]

hello again and goodbye

So I never really intended to stay away from here for so long. What I had intended to do was write up some post declaring my love for the recently deceased John Hughes... thank him for being the film maker that cemented my early ideas about attaining "true love", furthered my fascination with the mysterious folks that attended high school long before I did, and allowed me to become friends with made up characters that I would never actually meet but felt a kinship with none-the-less. In other words, to get sentimental here, he managed in his 80's filmography to connect with every burgeoning emotion, fear, and wish I had (even throwing in some great soundtracks and laughs). His movies ARE my youth and go hand in hand with some of my best memories.

Instead of further developing this idea I just worked and slept and before I knew it a whole week had passed. Note to anyone reading this, you probably do not want me in charge of any eulogies should the need arise. My lameness just gets in the way.


What I have said here certainly doesn't do him any justice so I offer you a few links (after the video) to some sites that did it much better, although at this point you have probably already seen them.



LINKS:
The John Hughes Edition [ Slash Film ]
Sincerely John Hughes [ We'll Know When We Get There ]
Don't You Forget About Me Documentary [ Jezebel ]

r.i.p. kodachrome

Time can heal all, but time as we know also has a cruel downside, eroding, erasing, and evolving matter into extinction. This is a fact that I have not completely come to terms with; however as I age it will become harder to avoid.

Recently it was announced that Kodachrome, the brilliant film famous for rich colors and its durability (... and that Paul Simon song), is being discontinued. This can be added to a growing list of formats that can't seem to find a place in the ever growing digital world. Part of me understands, but the part that hates to say good-bye is saddened that one more piece of history is being relegated to the "obsolete" graveyard.

Image Credit [ Albert Tanquero ]

lazy texas and the atlantic food douche

I don't typically waste my breath spewing grouchiness about some random dude's opinions but I guess every now again I can break my rule. The Austinist posted an article directing attention to a recent story on The Atlantic which discussed the writer's viewpoints on Austin's sidewalk vendors vs. restaurants, specifically (I guess) in terms of being employed with immigrants and not regulated by the health department. I'm sure his one visit to one vendor made him an expert. Anyway what really got me riled up, aside from his confusing and in my view unfocused ramblings was the statement below (click on it to enlarge if you can't read it).
I can get behind freedom of speech but... A) You're a jerk B) Tell me again, what was the point of this article. C) It was definitely not to say anything educated but if it was to sound like a pretentious blowhard, done and done. Ok, I'm better now. Forgive the mini-tirade.

go mom!

My mom is a writer and just found out that some of her work will be quoted in an upcoming issue of Oprah's magazine O. I'm so excited and proud of her! Here is the quote...

What might my life be like were I to give in to the rhythms of my own ragged dance? Like this, I imagine, walking down the trail, past grapevines and winecups and huisache blossoming in the sun. Just like this attentiveness, this pleasure, this being present in the world.

It's an excerpt from What Wilderness is This, a collection essays from women writer discussing the Southwest. My mom's name is Susan Hanson and can you find the book here.

happy obama day!