Wednesday, September 30, 2009

time to get off the computer and go to a PARK


This week on PBS, Ken Burns' The National Parks: America's Best Idea is causing quite a fervor on the airwaves. Spectacular stuff.

For those who can't get enough, also just out on the news stand is the latest National Geographic magazine, which features the awesome photo I've posted here and without a doubt, the usual fascinating NG article.
The photo is from this blurb on NPR.
(click on the link for details and much better views of the image)


P.S. An (unrelated to this NG photo/article) aside: One of the best days out in my entire life was spent hiking with family and friends at Pinnacles National Monument (and yes, we've returned there for more visits).

i heart skipper

Clicking around the web tonight, I came across this adorable picture of Skipper (in a sweet pink knitted cardigan with little gold buttons) - and just had to post it:




[ image from http://www.windycitydolls.com/knitting.htm ]

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

We've come a long way, baby!



I don't have Tivo.
Or anything Tivo-esque.

Last night, whilst watching TV, I used the remote to jump between two shows which aired at the same time:
Dancing With the Stars and The National Parks: America's Best Idea.
Really wanted to watch both. Not possible. Bouncing back n' forth between and betwixt two (or more) channels is silly. You end up not watching much of anything.

Using the remote thusly felt like SUCH an inconvenience. Until I realized that Hey-We've-Come-A-Long-Way from the days before everyone had TV remote controls.

Once upon a time...
if you wanted to switch to another show, you had to get up outta your chair, walk over to
the TV - actually TOUCH the TV's channel control dial - and rotate it until you got to the correct station number(s). This had to be done whenever the viewer wished for a channel change.

Like this.

HubbyDear reminded me of the time, back in the early 1970's (whooaaah!) - when the plastic knob cover from our overused TV dial stripped of its threading, rotating uselessly around the underlying metal control. Until the plastic dial housing was replaced (months or years later), we had to use a pair of pliers to change channels.

Now upon this time...
We no longer watch TV with pliers in hand. Now we sit back and change channels with our trusty remote. Gently pressing the button is such an improvement over utilizing a tool to ply the dial from station to station.

We HAVE come a long way. baby.

For me, two TV shows on simultaneously of interest is very rarely a dilemma, so no worries. Yet when it does occur, I still haven't figured my way to viewing both at the same time and not miss anything at all from either one (taping is no longer an option).

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)



Movie re-make using brilliant, if predictable, digital effects.

Based on the Jules Verne book, which, in and of itself as a read - offers plenty of excitement, especially for its time.

Brandon Fraser at his 'silly best' + two supporting actors who are not altogether unlikable.
The three come across as a believably compatible trio on a wholly unbelievable adventure.

This film's ultimate appeal is that it qualifies as HighlyLite N' Mindless Entertainment for a SuperLazy Sunday afternoon. Much like The Mummy, The Mummy Returns and The Scorpion King.

To be sure, 2008's Journey to the Center of the Earth scores as a fun romp - and worth another viewing (did I actually say that?!?).
Next time, in 3-D.
I already have four pair of 3-D glasses at the ready... anyone care to join me?


One word movie review: Cliché.
(which is not always a bad thing, btw)

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

YEAH YEAH YEAH!



Go here now.
YEAH.
Bookmark.
YEAH.
Enjoy.
YEAH.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

new improved blogger tools

STRIKETHROUGH

The strikethrough is now included as a tool.

Now - how not to abuse overuse it could be a problem.

HeeHee.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

It's a small world after all


Jackson Pollock, 1951
Mixed media sculpture (detail)
24" x 42" x 30"
~ Joe Fig ~


Today DollinkFriendBBB turned me on to the work of artist Joe Fig.

Especially fascinating are his sculptures which depict, in miniature - studios of well-known artists.

Miniatures + art studios.
Two of my very favourite things.

Click on this link, then on 'Sculpture' - and watch the slideshow.
What's not to love?

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Dog Days and Cool Cats


Thanks,WikiHow - for these coooooool tips for coolin' down (sans air conditioning) during the dog days of summer.

This link for those of us who have ever wondered why 'dog days'.

OK, Cool Cats - to the business of cooling down...