View of Lower Hamilton

Went to visit a friend at Juravinski, and after running up the Wentworth stairs, snapped a quick photo.

S.o.t.D. - Like A Pen – The Knife

Like A Pen – The Knife

Bouncy electro-pop from these Swedes. They’re also Fever Ray.

Bibliophilia: World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War – Max Brooks

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War – Max Brooks

I read this book when it came out, and thought it was great. Liked the structure of it, interviews with eye witnesses and participants long after this war for the survival of humanity was over.

Anyway, with the movie that uses the same title being out, and my annoyance that this Brad Pitt publicity vehicle had little resemblance to it, I decided to read it again.

The part I found most chilling was the aspect of command and control structures and logistical systems and their ability to be destroyed, and how pivotal that is to a military engagement. With zombies, there is no C&C or supply system to destroy.

S.o.t.D. - Polyesterday – Gus Gus

Polyesterday – Gus Gus

I don’t know why, but I’ve never paid attention to Gus Gus. It’s like my radar somehow discounted them as an insignificant blip. I think I may have somehow, wrongly, gotten them conflated with Sigur Rós. Who I think are like nails on a blackboard. 
But Gus Gus are nothing like them – and they’re good. Now I’m kicking myself for ignoring them all this time.

Bibliophilia: Five Weapons: Making the Grade – Jimmie Robinson

Five Weapons: Making the Grade – Jimmie Robinson

I have to admire a publication where the author and artist are one and the same. When it happens to be a really fun story and good art, it’s even more admirable.

Set in a school for the children of assassins, filled with a host of quirky characters, where the very likeable protagonist is sent. He faces challenges won by observation and guile rather than force, set against a whodunit that develops as the story unfolds. This is one of those titles that remind you why you read comic books. Suitable for young adults, but as you can see, this middle aged adult enjoyed it tremendously.

And I had to smile at seeing that the school festival had booths set up from MagPul, SigSauer, Spyderco and several others.

If I had a criticism, it’s that I wished that the whole story wasn’t told entirely within the confines of horizontal boxes. The layout of the pages makes them a little bit static. But that is a very minor quibble.

One of the things I liked is that rather than have the chapters divided by the cover that the original had, the sketch is shown. Being a fan of process, I dug that.

An example showing issue #1.

8 Wheeled, 2 Seat Cargo Bike

Berliner Nico Junge created this 8 wheeled cargo bike, based in part on the open source N55 bike. With a 10 m² platform and a carrying capacity of 450 kg, it has four-wheel steering and independent wheel suspension. Two drivers can get it up to a speed of about 10 – 15 km/h.

More information, photos and videos can be found here:
http://www.nicojungel.net/space.html

Bibliophilia: Storm of Steel – Ernst Jünger

Storm of Steel – Ernst Jünger

A memoir of WW1, from a German perspective.

The only other one like it that I’m familiar with is All Quiet On The Western Front.

The authors recounting of his experiences is quite matter of fact. Tales of astonishing horror and destruction are described very curtly. His numerous woundings are chronicled with little fanfare. The levity when it appears is gallows humour.

With the centenary of the unfathomable carnage of WW1 fast approaching, this is a good read for anyone interested in an all encompassing historical overview. While from my perspective he may technically have been “the enemy”, his depictions of his experiences and the descriptions of the deaths of his comrades humanizes an inhuman conflict. 

Bibliophilia: Influx – Daniel Suarez

Influx – Daniel Suarez

I loved this novel, book #4 from one of my favourite authors.

A really imaginative, technology and science drenched, dread inducing thrill ride. The scenes within Hibernity are mind blowing. Sure there is stuff in here that is silly. But it is such great fun that you’re willing to overlook some of the implausibilities. Just a superb blend of action thriller and scientific speculation.

I wish Hollywood would use his books/ideas for sci-fi movie plots rather than the predictable parallel universe/time travel/alien invasion scenarios that seem to crop up again and again.

S.o.t.D. - Kalimankou Denkou (The Evening Gathering) – Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares

Kalimankou Denkou (The Evening Gathering) – Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares

I heard someone describe them as “keening witches” recently, but I think this an amazing example of choral music.

Bibliophilia: Kick-Ass(es) – Mark Millar & John Romita Jr.

Kick-Ass – Mark Millar & John Romita Jr.

Kick-Ass 2 – Mark Millar & John Romita Jr.

Kick-Ass 2 - Prelude: Hit-Girl – Mark Millar & John Romita Jr.

Who hasn’t at one time or another thought of putting on a costume and kicking some criminal ass? Just ridiculously, over the top violent, extremely gory, the incongruity made all the more glaring by tiny, 11 year Mindy, aka Hit–Girl, being utterly bloodthirsty and ruthless. Curious about the film adaptation of this now.

Bibliophilia: Killing Rommel – Steven Pressfield

Killing Rommel – Steven Pressfield

Fiction, but I suspect a fairly accurate story about the Long Range Desert Group, and their younger cousins, the Special Air Service, and their exploits behind the lines in North Africa. Fascinating chapter in history. If I have a criticism of it, I wish that there were more detailed maps included.

S.o.t.D. - Babymaker – Pale Saints

Babymaker – Pale Saints

I admit, I thought the whole “shoegazer” thing was a great genre of music. 

S.o.t.D. - Cut The Tree – Wolfgang Press

Cut The Tree – Wolfgang Press

Off of Lonely Is An Eyesore. With a suitably obscure video. Love that slow bass line.

Bibliophilia: Facing the Other Way: The Story of 4AD – Martin Aston

Facing the Other Way: The Story of 4AD – Martin Aston

I’ve talked on here a bit about my love for the incredible 4AD Records.

I bought their records in the 80’s sound unheard, simply because they were on 4AD. But as someone with limited amounts of money to spend on imported music, I didn’t get many of the magazines that may have talked about the music. I read bits here and there, heard stuff on the radio, friends imparted what little they knew. So there was a lot about the bands and the label that was a mystery. 

So when I saw this book mentioned in an Exclaim review, I was overcome with excitement and ordered it. Wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it is a massive 650 page tome. Covers mainly the first 20 years, with a more cursory look at the last 15 years. It’s very complete, with a lot of minutiae that non fans might not care for, but I ate it up. Perhaps only interesting for the obsessive 4AD fan. (Although...is there any other kind of 4AD fan?)

Getting to read the stories behind the music, of what were often bands who shunned the limelight, is both edifying and kind of depressing. When it was a guy who loved music and had a very developed sense of what to release and operated on instinct, things went well. When it became about running a record company, and having to break bands big in America, and “move units” in order to make it all financially viable, and babysit prima donna cokeheads, it stopped being fun.

There was quite a bit in this book that made me sad. Fragile egos, inflated egos, mental illness, drug addiction, domestic relationships, creative relationships, domestic and creative relationships intertwined, dysfunctional relationships, relationships torn asunder.

To read how Vaughn Oliver and Nigel Grierson, or Mick Allen and Mark Cox haven’t spoken to one another in years, just made me sad. Reading how Robin Guthrie was an insufferable asshole just disappointed me.

Just like the old adage that one shouldn’t see how sausages are made, maybe it’s best if one doesn’t learn too much about the inner workings of a revered record label.

I noted the parallel between my waning interest in the label, and Ivo Watts-Russell’s waning interest in the label, which seemed to coincide. It began to taper off for me from the early 90’s, and by the mid 90’s, when Wolfgang Press put out their last record, that was it for me, and shortly after, he sold his interest.

4AD went through quite a lull, but they are again on the upswing. After being in the doldrums for years, they are again signing an eclectic mix of acts.

The limited edition version is something else.

S.o.t.D. - Harm’s Swift Way – Robert Plant & Band of Joy

Harm’s Swift Way – Robert Plant & Band of Joy

I heard a track or two off this album when it came out and it was always in the back of my head to check out the album. Pretty good. Silver Rider and the cover of Low’s Monkey are also some of the stand out tracks.

S.o.t.D. - Praise Your Name – The Angels Of Light

Praise Your Name – The Angels Of Light

The Angels Of Light were Michael Gira’s project after he disbanded the mighty Swans, and this is the first track off the first Angels album, New Mother. This project explored Gira’s interest in Americana and Appalachian music.

Red Tailed Hawk on the Iroquois Bar pt. 2

Photos taken by Andrew Little.

S.o.t.D. - Igmatik (Tripswitch Remix) – Abakus

Igmatik (Tripswitch Remix) – Abakus

As opposed to just the regular version I posted 4 years ago.

S.o.t.D. - Venter – Ben Frost

Venter – Ben Frost

An Australian living in Reykjavik, Iceland. Instrumental, minimal – reminds me a bit of....Vangelis and Swans up on stage together. First track of his I’ve ever heard, and I’m intrigued.

S.o.t.D. - From A Distance (eXcess Remix) – Phaeleh

From A Distance (eXcess Remix) – Phaeleh

Another winner from Phaeleh.

Red Tailed Hawk on the Iroquois Bar pt. 1

There is now a red tailed hawk nest in a tree at the foot of the Iroquois Bar. In the CN yard below, they’ve done some bulldozing. I wonder if they might not have set up there because of the animals attracted to the disturbed soil, looking for grubs, worms, roots, etc. Drop out of the nest, grab something, and carry it back up. The thermals and wind patterns due to the cliff and its proximity to the lake likely play a factor as well.

But this is the first time in all the years of living here that we’ve spotted a nest in the trees.

Wandered into the rail yard to get a look at the nest from below. (You can just make out the disturbed soil beneath.)

It flew over us and not long after a Blue Jay came to squawk at it, and swoop in to harass the hawk. We may think it’s neat that it’s there, but clearly some of the other residents don’t appreciate it.

Photos taken by Andrew Little.

S.o.t.D. - Invisible Sun – The Police

Invisible Sun – The Police

One of those tracks that helped ignite my love for the ominous in music.

S.o.t.D. - Over The Shoulder – Ministry

Over The Shoulder – Ministry

There was a video show from Cleveland that was on in the middle of the night when I was younger. Used to watch it because they had some interesting stuff on there. New Model Army, Cabaret Voltaire, and this video. I was already listening to Twitch, and loving it - partly because of the fact that Adrian Sherwood was the producer. (Previous to Twitch, Ministry was forgettable fluff.) Hadn’t seen the video for this though. Loved Al’s hair.

S.o.t.D. - The Criminal – Sons of Freedom

The Criminal – Sons of Freedom

Rocking Canadian outfit that didn’t last nearly long enough, or get the recognition I think they deserved.

Mona Lisa was another great track.

S.o.t.D. - Love On A Real Train – Tangerine Dream

Love On A Real Train – Tangerine Dream

TD are one of those acts I feel I should be a big fan of, but for some reason they’ve largely escaped my attention. This is really the one track that I am most familiar with. Too bad it’s from a Tom Cruise movie, but still a fantastic track.

S.o.t.D. - Reach For The Dead – Boards of Canada

Reach For The Dead – Boards of Canada

Off of their most recent LP Tomorrow’s Harvest.

S.o.t.D. - February – Detz

February – Detz

S.o.t.D. - Something In Your Eyes (DJ South Central Vocal) – DJ Spark E (Feat. Esther Adeyemi)

Something In Your Eyes (DJ South Central Vocal) – DJ Spark E (Feat. Esther Adeyemi)

There is another variant of this I like more, but this is the only one to be found on YouTube.

S.o.t.D. - Certain Trust – Delerium

Certain Trust – Delerium

First thing I ever heard off the first release of this Front Line Assembly offshoot. Never liked F.L.A. much, but this I loved. Sadly, too many other things competing for my attention and money for me to ever pursue their entire catalogue. 

S.o.t.D. - Talk 2 Me – Machine Drum

Talk 2 Me – Machine Drum

Neither machiney or drummy, just a beautifully soothing piece of ambience.

S.o.t.D. - Liebe ist... – Narcotic 303

Liebe ist... – Narcotic 303

Ja! Liebe ist ein deutscher tech-house song.

S.o.t.D. - River (feat. Shura) – Hiatus

River (feat. Shura) – Hiatus

Fantastic song, but the second half has a more upbeat feel than the first, more relaxing half. I think the stringed instrument used might be a Zheng or a Koto.

Frankie Venom Statue

There has been a bit of a brouhaha in my neighbourhood recently. Namely $200,000 of tax payer money for a statue of Frankie “Venom” Kerr, lead singer of Hamilton punk rock band Teenage Head.

A lot of people were not thrilled about this. Myself included.

Besides the considerable amount of money for a statue of someone not a particularly well known or popular figure, many felt the process was rather heavy handed, with little to no public consultation. The usually dependable Brian McHattie, the ward councillor, had been approached by local musician Tom Wilson about the idea, and had run with it.

After considerable public backlash, a meeting was convened. I made sure to attend. 

The whole thing just feels contrived to me, and like historical revisionism. Attempts to portray him as a popular entertainer of the people are fanciful at best. Having been a participant in the punk scene in London, Ontario 30+ years ago, I can tell you that it was an outsider art form. There was no mainstream media interest, massive crowds didn’t come to the shows, average people didn’t recognize musicians on the street and ask for autographs. If anything, being punk rock meant there was a good chance some assholes might try to beat you up. If nothing else, you were subjected to verbal harassment, discriminated against, and generally made to feel unwelcome in many places.

I also have some serious doubts about any real, lasting cultural relevance he or his band had. I question whether they were all that influential. Sorry, I don’t think Teenage Head was ever that interesting. Bands like Crass presented an articulate and consistent political message. I might not necessarily agree with it, but it was far more profound than the seeming “let’s get wasted and party” aesthetic that a band like Teenage Head espoused. And I don’t think punk of the late 70s, early 80s was meant to be a lot more than an ephemeral art form. It wasn’t meant to be fawned over and mythologized years later by people who weren’t even there. 

Wilson and his daughter Madeline got up and stated that the statue was tied into an effort to create a health insurance plan for musicians. (Something that like most everything else about this was not communicated.) I guess in an attempt to make people care about this. Their efforts to draw some kind of connection between the two disparate issues just left a vast chasm of “huh?” for everyone in the audience. It seems like a fanciful pipe dream at this point, and one doesn’t follow from the other.

I guess it’s all for naught anyway. His family withdrew their permission for his likeness to be used. They felt as though his legacy had been dragged through the mud, and felt it best to put a stop to it all.

An argument might also be made that there is no statue of Sir Alan Napier MacNab. MacNab may have been a corrupt bastard, but if there was one person who helped build Hamilton into what it is today, it’s him. If anyone from this neighbourhood has real lasting cultural and/or historical import, it’s him.

One of the things that was said about this whole boondoggle was that it was meant to promote the arts.

I don’t think tax dollars should fund the arts. But if they are going to spend that money, and the stated aim is helping artists, be they visual or musical, I don’t think a $200,000 statue (of which the city would suck up $70,000 anyway) is the way to go.

The point I raised is that in some areas there is a really vibrant poster culture. This doesn’t seem to exist here. If you really wanted to do something that could benefit illustrators and designers, silk screeners and printers and musicians (and by extension, the venues), put that money into posters.

Rather than the usual begging on Kijiji for someone to do up a CD cover and/or poster and/or T-shirt design in exchange for a copy of the CD, admission to the release show and some drink tickets, and “exposure”, how about a sum of money that makes it actually worth some creatives time? A large letterpress or silk screened full colour poster could be sent to venues to promote an upcoming tour, and be sold by the band. Both of those things have a demonstrable benefit for an act. Printing it would benefit a business. Hanging it up where the band will play, has a benefit for the venue.

The other point I raised is that my nephew is getting into music, learning to play a few different instruments and showing a fair bit of aptitude. He is fortunate that his parents are capable of purchasing those instruments and paying for lessons. Many people in this city are not so well positioned. If there is a fifth of a million dollars to spend, I would rather see that money go towards buying instruments and lessons for underprivileged kids. Or a practice space for them to come and learn and maybe meet others interested in making music. This seems like a far more worthwhile way to inspire and foment a future generation of music makers than a statue.

If the stated aim is to promote music, how about something that benefits people now and to come, not mythologize someone from the past. 

Oh look. It’s the back of my head.

Bibliophilia: Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man’s Fundamentals for Delicious Living – Nick Offerman

Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man’s Fundamentals for Delicious Living – Nick Offerman

Someone recently said to me “You’re like Ron Swanson, but without the mustache.” I had to plead ignorance on who this Ron Swanson guy was. After some investigation I learned that he’s a character on a comedic television program called “Parks and Recreation”. Since I haven’t got a TV, I had only the vaguest knowledge of the show. I watched a few best of clips on the YouTube, and laughed myself silly. I could see how my acquaintance thought we shared a few characteristics.

I further learned that Mr. Offerman is a wood worker of some talent who enjoys building wooden boats. Well. I like the character he plays, and he seems pretty cool as his usual self too.

Grabbed this autobiography, and I am now unabashedly a fan of Mr. Offerman. He just seems like a really cool, down to earth guy. Genuinely likeable. He praises and expresses gratitude to his family for a great upbringing. He praises and expresses gratitude to his teachers for a solid education. He praises and expresses gratitude to his co-stars for their fine work. He praises and expresses gratitude to his pals for their unwavering friendship. He praises and expresses gratitude to his wife, the foxy Megan Mullaly, for her love and support.  

He was a high school jock who also liked theatre, and decided to pursue it. He did it for love of the craft, not for fame and fortune. Along the way he did other things to facilitate that love, things like the behind the scenes tasks. He seems like he would have been genuinely content building sets and doing odd carpentry jobs to survive. But that humility and decency got him a lucky break, and he rose to a level of relative renown and financial comfort. But all along he never lost sight of where he came from and who facilitated that opportunity.

There were many points where I laughed out loud, and I smiled the whole way through. His take on religion alone is fantastic. I’m sure the salty language here and there will offend some, but hey. An enjoyable read by an authentic, genial man.

If Mr. Offerman ever finds himself in my neck of the woods, a few imbibements of his choice are on me. And if I ever find myself in his neck of the woods, I hope we can go for a paddle or make a pile of shavings.

S.o.t.D. - Southern Man – Akshin Alizadeh

Southern Man – Akshin Alizadeh

The sax in this really adds a whole other level of sophistication to this soulful track.

Bibliophilia: The Initiates: A Comic Artist and a Wine Artisan Exchange Jobs – Etienne Davodeau

The Initiates: A Comic Artist and a Wine Artisan Exchange Jobs – Etienne Davodeau

A book that meshes bande dessinée and viniculture. It documents the year that Davodeau spent working with wine-maker Richard Leroy. At the beginning, Davodeau knew little about how wine is made and Leroy knew almost nothing about comics. Over the course of the year, the pair talk with wine-makers and artists, and walk each other – and the reader – through the process of making a bottle of wine and producing a book, as well as the why behind each of their respective professions. The result is a fun and educational book about art and passion and what it means to work and live.

This gives a little blurb about it and shows a few pages.
http://www.winethegreenrevolution.com/knowledge/books-to-read/126-the-initiates-etienne-davodeau-and-richard-leroy

And it is also a book to show to anyone who hasn’t yet grasped that “comic books” can be about so much more than superheroes.

S.o.t.D. - A Million Lies – Insideman

A Million Lies – Insideman

Add that growling bassline to a track and it almost guarantees I’ll love it.

S.o.t.D. - Only You – Intense

Only You – Intense

One of my favourite D&B producers, who always put out really top notch stuff. Mellower than some of their other tracks, but no less fantastic.

S.o.t.D. - October – Detz

October – Detz

It makes me sad that stuff this good remains relatively obscure.

I wish I’d been this focused as a 16 year old

Austin Hay built himself a small house on wheels so he would always have a place to live. In college, past college.

Lots of teenagers are screw-ups, but seeing someone who has his poop together at that age gives you some hope for the future.

(And the YT channel that produced this has lots of good videos. Largely about small home living, but some other worthwhile topics as well. Gardening, alternative transportation, etc.)

S.o.t.D. - Hold On – Bcee

Hold On – Bcee

Golden.

MIT Books and Courses Online - For Free

MIT publishes virtually all of its course materials online – for FREE. You can take hundreds of courses completely free, in your own time

http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

The list of courses is here 
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/index.htm

S.o.t.D. - Perfect Sky – Ghosts Of Paraguay

Perfect Sky – Ghosts Of Paraguay

How much water is there on planet Earth? Not much.

This image from the U.S. Geological Survey gives you an idea of how much water there is on Earth.

This picture shows the size of a sphere that would contain all of Earth’s water in comparison to the size of the Earth. The blue sphere atop the United States, (which would cover a distance from +- Salt Lake City, Utah to +- Topeka, Kansas, has a diameter of +- 1,385 kilometers (+- 860 miles) , with a volume of +- 1,386,000,000 cubic kilometers (+- 332,500,000 cubic miles). The sphere includes all the water in the oceans, seas, ice caps, lakes and rivers as well as groundwater, atmospheric water, and even the water in all the flora and fauna, your dog, and your tomato plant.

Some amazing factoids:
• The volume of all water would be about 1,386 million cubic kilometers (km³), or 332.5 million cubic miles (mi³). A cubic kilometer of water is equal to a teralitre (10¹² litres - 1 000 000 000 000 liters). A cubic mile of water equals more than 1.1 trillion gallons.

• About 12,900 km³ (3,100 mi³) of water, mostly in the form of water vapour, is in the atmosphere at any one time. If it all fell as precipitation at once, the Earth would be covered with only about 1 inch of water.

• The 48 contiguous United States receives a total volume of about 17.7 km³ (4 mi³) of precipitation each day.

• Each day, 1,170 km³ (280 mi³)of water evaporate or transpire into the atmosphere.

• If all of the world’s water was poured on the United States, it would cover the land to a depth of 145 kilometers (90 miles).

• Of the freshwater on Earth, much more is stored in the ground than is available in lakes and rivers. More than 8,400,000 km³ (2,000,000 mi³)of freshwater is stored in the Earth, most within one-half mile of the surface. But, if you really want to find freshwater, the most is stored in the 29,200,000 km³ (7,000,000 mi³) of water found in glaciers and icecaps, mainly in the polar regions and in Greenland.

And this is how much fresh water there is, compared to Earth and the total amount of water:

All Earth’s water, liquid fresh water, and water in lakes and rivers

The sphere over the western U.S., (1384 kilometers / 860 miles in diameter) is all the water. The sphere over Kentucky, (273 kilometers / 169.5 miles in diameter) is all the fresh liquid water in the ground, lakes, swamps, and rivers. The sphere over Georgia, (56 kilometers / 34.9 miles in diameter) is all the fresh-water lakes and river.

Bibliophilia: Exile to Babylon – David Lapham

Exile to Babylon – David Lapham

Dumb. 

In a future dystopia there is a private military contractor, made up not of retired special ops guys, but chicano street hoods arrested and given an option – jail or working for this PMC. Oh gawd.... One of their members has gone rogue and kidnapped a bunch of high level US government officials, and the heros pop star girlfriend. Groan.... And this bad guy also happens to control the last remaining supply of oil and that is where he is holding the hostages. Sigh.... And of course, who are the only people who can rescue the hostages and wrest control of this oil field away from the bad guys? Why, a bunch of just arrested gangsters without any training of course. Jeezus.... And then the plot twist you couldn’t possibly see coming from a mile away....the head of the PMC staged the whole kidnapping for his own ends. Oh come on.....

The art in this was mediocre. The part that bugged me the most being that every character has a shaven head and muddled facial tattoos. Scribbled, nothing very distinguishable, so each character looks much the same. The “good guys”, the “bad guys”. I couldn’t really tell who was who. Even if I had cared, none of these characters was in any way identifiable. Oh and the colour palette is very limited, which also doesn’t help. Combine that with an IQ reducing story, with plot points that made no sense, and I found the graphic novel that I detested more than anything I’ve read in a while.

Avoid.

S.o.t.D. - Wandering Spirits – Bluetech

Wandering Spirits – Bluetech

This is awesome distilled down to the purest essence of awesomeness.

Have I mentioned that Bluetech is quite possibly the greatest producer out there?

Bibliophilia: The Lost Art of Walking: The History, Science, Philosophy, and Literature of Pedestrianism – Geoff Nicholson

The Lost Art of Walking: The History, Science, Philosophy, and Literature of Pedestrianism – Geoff Nicholson

I walk a lot. So when I saw this I grabbed it, hoping to maybe gain some insights, get a new appreciation for walking, etc. 

It’s part autobiographical, part historic anecdotes about people engaged in feats of extreme pedestrianism, part lists of the subject of walking showing up in songs or movies or books.

I found it meandering and started skimming over it after a while.

To be very blunt about it, I would have gotten more out of going for a walk.

Bibliophilia: Bandette - Vol. 1: Presto! – Paul Tobin & Colleen Coover

Bandette - Vol. 1: Presto! – Paul Tobin & Colleen Coover

I have to love a book where the author/artist husband/wife team thank Modesty Blaise and “the 1960’s, France, girl detectives and cat burglars”. It has a band dessinee feel to it, and I also just generally like a book that an adult as well as young adult can enjoy. A fun if slightly silly read. The painterly style of Coover is also really cool.

But what I enjoyed even more was the appendix in the back where Colleen Coover explains her illustration process. She does layouts and pencils digitally, turns it all to a non repro blue, prints it out, does ink washes, scans it in and then colours it. Very cool technique, and I appreciate that she helps spread knowledge by sharing her technique. 

S.o.t.D. - Who We Are – Yelsha

Who We Are – Yelsha

S.o.t.D. - Dropsickle – Casino Versus Japan

Dropsickle – Casino Versus Japan

Dreamy.

S.o.t.D. - It Takes Two – Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock

It Takes Two – Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock

As far as I’m concerned, hip hop lost its way after the mid 80s. It used to be fun and positive. Now? 

S.o.t.D. - I.O.U. – Freeez

I.O.U. – Freeez

Breaking and BMX. Totally corny video, but still a really fun, upbeat track 30 years later.

I’m in love with this woman.

I’m in love with this woman. Or she is at the very least my heroine. And envious of her children. Those kids are rich beyond words. To have a parent who spends quality time with them, showing them how to make things, to use their imagination, to use tools, to repurpose stuff, to solve problems, etc. In an age when so many parents think merely buying something for their kids will suffice, those kids are learning real skills and will have memories they will cherish

If she hasn’t, this mom should be nominated for a super cool mom of the decade award.
 
Come on...re-enacting the Battle of Hoth with ice cream and printable figures?
http://www.filthwizardry.com/2013/05/battle-of-hoth-ice-cream-dessert.html

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2012/03/kids-diy-star-wars-x-wing-fighter.html

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2012/01/r2d2-mini-secret-storage-box-from.html

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2010/10/milk-jug-storm-trooper-helmet.html

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2009/01/giant-cardboard-rocket-ship.html

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2010/07/diy-land-of-oz.html

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2010/10/diy-star-wars-toys.html

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2013/03/milk-jug-dragon-mask.html

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2012/05/coffee-cup-sleeve-printable-for-your.html 

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2010/08/diy-remote-controlled-dalek-from.html

Fastener Chart

This handy visual overview of fasteners is courtesy of Bolt Depot, who also provide this as a printable PDF.

Fastener Categories

Head Styles

Drive Types

Nut Types

Washer Types

S.o.t.D. - Obsession – Djrum

Obsession – Djrum

What does anyone know about spacesuit design?

NASA wants the world to vote on its new spacesuit designs.

You can go here to see what they look like.

http://jscfeatures.jsc.nasa.gov/z2/

Other than the obvious “Buzz Lightyear” reaction most will have about the first suit you see, all I can think is that the average person out there knows nothing about space suit design. Why would the opinion of a yokel like me or you matter? And given that the information given is little more than a cursory look at the appearance of any of these, how could anyone provide an opinion that is worth anything? This is the lowest common denominator of American Idol being applied to something as crucial as the design of a suit meant to protect those going into outer space. This is a shallow popularity contest.

This nonsense is too goofy to be believed: “The third option is called “Trends in Society,” and with a bright color scheme mimicking athletic training gear, it’s supposed to reflect what everyday clothes might look like in the future.”

Bio Diversity Library

A friend contacted me asking about old flower illustrations for a tattoo idea. I knew I had bookmarked this. It took some digging around, but I finally found it again.

Now while the internet has made it really easy to search for images, as someone who works in a tattoo shop, the preponderance of people who come in with a small, low rez image they found on the internet, and think that that will suffice, is driving all of us to despair and drinking. Please go to the goddamn library, or buy some books that have big, clear images. Please.

Failing that, I feel I have to share this almost demented amount (1727 sets) of beautiful old illustrations of natural history of all sorts. You can spend days in here.

Flowers, leaves, animals, insects, birds, bones, eggs, horns, shells, trees, fruits, etc.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/biodivlibrary/sets/

S.o.t.D. - On My Mind – Rui Da Silva (w. Ben Onono)

On My Mind – Rui Da Silva (w. Ben Onono)

Stuff like this and the classic Touch Me, show that Da Silva knows how to craft fun, funky tunes. And he seems to be able to pick vocalists to collaborate with that really complement the track. In this instance, the singer being Ben Onono.

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

I post this every year. 

Drowning people don’t look the way movies and television portray them. Not just people with small children should read this, but I think it’s important for everyone to be able to recognize the signs of someone drowning. Far too many people drown every year, just in this province alone. Thank you to Mario Vittone for writing this.

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

Please read it and share it widely.

S.o.t.D. - Fading Lights – Synkro

Fading Lights – Synkro

Synkro knocks another one out of the park. Atmosphere and breaks.

How To Build An Igloo

Another great short film from the treasure that is the National Film Board of Canada.

From 1949, this ten minute film directed by Douglas Wilkinson shows how two Inuit men build a shelter in an hour and a half. I’ve expressed my admiration for the Inuit’s ability to harness what’s around them and use it in a harmonious way. And it also shows how magical the spiral is.

I’ve always harboured a dream about wanting to build an igloo and spend some time in one. But I’ve never lived anywhere that had the type of snow this requires. 

S.o.t.D. - Estrange – Shed

Estrange – Shed

Love that incredible echoing, booming sound René Pawlowitz manages to get on those kick drums.

Artspiration – Predators by Maxim Shkret

Young Russian artist called Maxim Shkret who creates these 3D paintings inspired by vector images.

More at the link.

FalconWatch is back

The falcon cameras are back up and running again in Crackson Square. At least one egg has been hatched. 

But you don’t even have to be there to be able to watch the falcons. Sometimes they’re terribly inconsiderate and go off flying, so there’s not much to look at. But check back.

http://falcons.hamiltonnature.org/