WACKY EURO-POP Zdob și Zdub So Lucky

In celebration of The Rapture/End of the World not happening (past the target in my time-zone), I've been doing some You Tube music video trolling and came across this performance - from Eurovision 2011 annual talent competition (like a massive American Idol for the whole of Europe) I felt I must share.

Things I love about it.

The fantastical art direction of everything, i.e pointy hats, video background, over-the-top lighting, etc.

The freakin' horns!

The blasting loud/soft & sweet combo

One word: UPBEAT

Unicycle Girl

The lead singer's gold bracelets.


So get on the Euro-Pop train and enjoy the wacky ride, embrace Zdob și Zdub from Moldova (USSR pre-1990)!


As always, click on the You Tube screen title to get it into a full-screen view.

(Sadly they did not win)

MY EYES or Why Sea Of Shoes Occasionally Reminds Me Of Why I'm Me

I'm featuring some photos from a blog that's a guilty pleasure for me, Jane Aldrige's Sea of Shoes

It's written by a powerhouse teen, daughter of a fashion model, fashionista - beyond - fashionista (with no negative implications). She has incredible levels of creativity & taste that are still within the realm of a non-fiction person, i.e. relatibilty) just past high-school girl woman, with a combo of savvy & naivete that I find truly charming. Okay, honestly the blog is sometimes a wee bit cutsie and world-view-blind, but she's just 17-18 for chrisssakes and it is all about style not substance.

Jane takes LOTS of pictures of herself ( and her mom takes pix of her as well as they play dress-up) in outfits put together from thrifted finds, gowns sent direct from the designer, something scavenged at at Neiman-Marcus sale, vintage jewelry from Ebay, bought from a street vendor or hole-in-the-wall shop in Tokyo, Tulsa, Paris, Chicago, Austin, etc., etc., etc. I think you get my drift.

Jane isn't going to school this year. Jane goes to Paris for the ultimate international-debutante ball experience. Jane is impossibly beautiful. Jane has a super-interesting-arty-oh so yummy-I-would-totally-grope-around-in-the-dark-and-teach- him-things-boyfriend (YOUNG - inappropriate crush alert!) whom she totally plays down. Jane's mom has money, Jane lives in a Dallas 'burb in a 70's, high-end, tract home that mom has turned into a symbol of timely, eclectic decor - faultlessly gorgeous. The gene pool is rife with creativity & style. Jane is often ed interviewed. Jane is very likable. Jane has her own shoe line. Jane goes to Japan every year with her mom. Jane has quite the future ahead.

The blog is highly visual -- from the photos she finds, her own drawings, vignettes and constructions, the photos she takes and all manner of assorted reference materials she pulls from.

Of all the components this blog has, if doesn't have affectation, or snark. Joy & beauty abound. It's professional. I'm not always in the mood for it, but, it is great eye-candy-inspirational.
If you're looking for intellectual stimulant and world news, you ain't gonna find it here. But, as a pretty, often entertaining diversion it's quite wonderful. Caveat: MUST love fashion.



Anywayyyyy, her April 1st post has her NAILING the eye-make up aspirations of many of us at the time, mid-to late 1960's. Sharon Tate's there, Twiggy's there, even Garbo appears as inspiration. Only Jean Shrimpton is missing -- so I've added her here.

These eyes are what I wanted in 1966, with a passion and fervor that shall remain unexplained. But, alas, I was not blessed with deeps set eyes and much lid. Nay my friends, I had but smallish slits with a barely visual lid. It upsets me deeply even now..kinda. Of course now, the area above my lid is headed south. Not only does the lid disappear even with open eyes, but it seems highly likely that the entire eye ball will soon be curtained by this southern migration. Aging..aaaaargh.

But, I digress.

Oh how I practiced these looks. The hardest part, as I recall, was the importance of having a steady hand, as the lines were very precise. The 'smokey-eye" with everything smudged and more subtle was decades away. For these '60's faces one had to have SKILLS.

Finally, I settled for just one shadow arc above each eye, lid + undereye liner + MAJOR lashes which was all well and good except I was a cry-er. I cried when I laughed, when frustrated, when angry, when touched. This is important because there wasn't one of the products to achieve this look that was waterproof - I tell ya, waterproof mascara changed my life - except one liquid eyeliner I found that had a patent leather/high-gloss, dried finish. The only way you could get THAT stuff off was to peel it off. Great for the lids-skin I bet. And, absolutely terrifying if you happened to see one of those patent eyeliner dry ripped strip thingies on a sweater or the floor without remembering what it really was.

Regardless, these were my eye make-up goddesses and it was fabulous to think of them and that time again.

Thanks Jane.



*Photos copyrighted by Sea of Shoes
Jean Shrimpton photo - Google Image Search

ART ALERT II - Alex McLeod's Dark And Whimsical Worlds

I am totally entwined in exploring art online lately, symptomatic of my general ennui I suppose, and looking for (at least) visual stimulation.

I saw this on Huffington Post* a couple of weeks ago, but just ran across it again and continued to explore the work of Canadian Alex McLeod's amazing digital work. Blown glass & miniatures? Nay, my artsy friends. Digital, all digital.

BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE ABOVE IMAGES TO SEE THEM REALLY BIG!

You can see his bio and fairly small images (but more of them) at Angell Gallery in Toronto website.

But, for now, enjoy a collection of large images at the Huffpost

* Arianna Huffington recently sold her transformational News/Blog source The Huffington Post to AOL, and I'm not sure how I feel about it - at all. I've relied on the Huffpost for worldview news, domestic news from all sides of the political spectrum, as well as enjoying information on style, art,health, travel, entertainment, etc. So far, it seems, mostly the indexes have beem revised, i.e. Arts is now part of Style, etc., but I've noticed the insertion of such categories as "Celebrity Babies"....ugh. Not that I'm above a little mindless drivel (hell I spent years watching "Entertainment Tonight" after work), but this doesn't bode well for a trusted news source. Was it worth the bazillions Arianna?

ART ALERT!! Amazing Artist LIU BOLIN Paints Himself Into Photos

Chinese artist Liu Bolin paints himself into locales and the results are no less than amazing.

From www.bellasugar.com

"Artist Liu Bolin has some truly amazing face and body painting skills. The Beijing-based painter and sculptor has been creating new works worthy of Where's Waldo by painting himself into his surroundings until he's basically invisible. It's amazing how accurate he gets the tones and lines. Want to see just how amazing his makeup artist skills are? Check out the gallery"


Clicking on the Liu Bolin link will bring you to the gallery handling his work with more amazing images and a bio. Clicking on the title of this post will bring you to the BellaSugar.com article.

ENJOY his mastery!

Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' Cello War Stjpan Hauser and Luka Sulic

Fabulous interpretation of the Michael Jackson classic --- Enjoy!
As always click on the You Tube window title for full screen.

Via the www.HuffingtonPost.com


When the video starts, you have no idea what you're in for. Stjepan Hauser and Luka Sulic- two very talented musicians- have turned a pop classic into an epic and beautiful classical duet with a hard core twist. The harmonies between the cellos are passionate and lively; Hauser and Sulic have created a conversation with their instruments, doing more than justice to Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal.' Don't miss the infectious video below:

Serendipity = 2NE1 A bit of loveliness and soul from Korea

Serendipity is a propensity for making fortunate discoveries while looking for something unrelated, and is one of my very favorite experiences.

On my Google home page I have a wee You Tube window which led me to a GREAT-looking, Goth-ie video of a really lovely, soulful song by whom I assume (grammar police required?) is a Korean pop group - 2NE1. That led me to this live performance of the same song "It Hurts", which led to much chair dancing, and smiling and delight.

The non-performance video is gorgeous and darkly sweet as well.

So, as your occasional music explorer, I recommend sitting back and enjoying 2NE1.

As always, please click on the YouTube window to get the full view screen.

SPACE DEBRIS Monitoring Satellite Set to Launch

The Huffington Post/AP - 09.22.2010

The Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite was scheduled to launch on July 8, but it was grounded by concerns about software in the Minotaur IV rocket and a problem in the rocket's electronics.

Officials said there were no problems in the satellite itself.

It's designed to give the Air Force its first full-time, space-based surveillance of satellites and debris in Earth's orbit. It monitors them for possible collisions.

Launch will be at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. A command center at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., will oversee day-to-day operations once in orbit.

As renderings of orbital debris show, the Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite has its work cut out for it.




An early 'green' concern of mine was about the debris we humans leave in space.

What colossal arrogance!

So on a somber (with wee pinch of science geekery) note I share this event announcement with you.

When I began to see renderings of what this space flotsam might look like (as in these renderings) I was horrified and fascinated Now, they're sending up a monitoring satellite and we will get to see what exactly is up there. For better or worse.

A Song For Saturday - Ceelo

I haven't posted in quite awhile, but this (and the fact that a good friend talked me into a Facebook page and I've been referring folks to my blog) has inspired me.

Love the Mowtown-y Vibe and the sentiment...lol

I suggest you click on the image (or the post title) to get the full-screen version on YouTube. Otherwise you can't see all the lyrics and they are fabulous!

Speak German? Translation please?

I know the Felina brand of Lingerie, but what the hell is this little film?

Too long/too early for a TV ad? Corporate film about the wonders of structured undergarments? Potential fetish film? It reminds me a little of the German "Nature" films from pre-Nazi Germany, where everyone is strong and blonde and UBER healthy, looking toward tomorrow's skies.

When was it made -- 1950's? Why does he keep smoothing his mustache (smelling his finger?...ewww.) Courtesy of Jezebel ALWAYS a terrific source :))

Anyone who can tell me more gets a fabulous prize!! heh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLg_3XyXAyc&feature=player_embedded

Man Gift Supreme! Etsy Scores Again

Clever solution to the gift-idea challenged. Particularly cool for menfolk methinks.

An Etsy vendor provides the solution:

You email them with a photo and simple specs and they create a "stuffed animal" version of...er...whomever you wish.

Great idea I think for the unsufferably egotistical, as for anyone else...and they can be TOUGH to buy for.. heh.

You could do something significantly creepier by having dolls of yourself, at various ages, locales or whatever.

My imaginations' juicing up, so I leave it to yours.

Carnival in Rio!!!

The "twirling salads" are in fact:

Members of Unidos da Tijuca samba school perform during carnival celebrations at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 15, 2010.

And, if you've never seen it, each samba "school" passes through the Sabadrome to parade their costumes and party like it's going to be Lent!


To give you an idea of the scope of the venue, check this out:

What Are These?

At first look I thought...little fast food salads.

Incorrect.

Take a shot?

Hint: Almost Lent!

Magical Performance by PINK at the 2010 Grammy Awards

My intent for this blog was to give, in my humble opinion, snippets, morsels and sometimes whole menus of what touches me, makes me laugh, roils my passions, or inspires awe and wonder....no matter what the subject. Just things I'd like to share.

Lately I seem to be sharing video. Call me visual.

This one caught me off guard -- Although the first hour of the Grammy Awards (recording industry awards - all kinds of music) rocked, hard. Try following full-blown production numbers by Beyonce, Lady Gaga & Elton John, etc.

Pink is never someone I paid much attention to. I knew who she was and had heard a few tunes over the years, but nothing ever grabbed me particularly.

Her performance on tonight's 2010 Grammy awards afforded me, and I'm sure many, many others, the knowledge that she can be an astounding performer. With the sweetest, most tender song Glitter in The Air she created a bit of magic with her...well, just watch by clicking on the bar above.

Update 02.02 - They took it off YouTube of course, even though it was credited to CBS...aaaargh, sorry.

Got it again! -- click on the Magical Performance title and be transported :))

Music from Brazil on a Sunday Afternoon -- Perfect!

I came across this Brazilian blog "Rede Blogs Do Araripe" one day when I was searching for...um...something. This site plays a local Araripe, Brazil radio Station "Radio Chapada Do Araripe" with some of the greastest Brazilian music, consistently, I've heard in a long time.

I feel like I've found a treasure. I've loved the music of Brazil since I had a Brazilian room-mate in school who turned me onto Brazilian pop and jazz. IN. LOVE. from then on. THEN her Dad took us to see the incredible Stan Getz. Amazing!



So, check out this internet radio station. I swear. It's fantastic.

A little Brazilian imagery to get you in the mood?

An Antidote to Snow!!

From the delightful Desire To Inspire blog comes this oh-my-gawd-the-PERFECT-private-low maintenance-get-away-from-it-all-spot in sunny Australia.

For those blanketed with snow right now, here's some SERIOUS daydream fodder.

Enjoy :))))

The old adage is true especially if this "fisherman's shack" is in your price range. OMG the view, the boathouse, the wonderful retro vibe of the main house. If you buy this for $4 million (yes! that's not a typo) please spend a little more on the interiors (or employ a better photographer AND a stylist for the next photo shoot) to make the dream complete. I can tell you I won't be the new owner! Just a little too out of my price range. Link here while it lasts.

This post has been brought to you by sunny Australia where it's warm and wonderful. Sorry all those under a blanket of thick wet snow. I'm so cruel ;)

Walken Does Ga Ga - The Perfect Way To Say HAPPY NEW YEAR

My pseudo blog of late? BO-R-R-R-I-N-G...I know and I apologize.

But allow me to make amends and share with you one of my favorite things from the year past

The insanely funny -- in my book -- and that's the point isn't it?

Christopher Walken reading Lady Ga-Ga's Pokerface on the BBC:





Most sincerely...

...In the spirit of watching a new year born, let us relax divisiveness, suck hatred off all of us afflicted and blow it all to hell...literally...and let peace be nurtured
and cared for
and taught.

Happy New Year my friends, et al.

FAB Design Site/Blog

I think Desire to Inspire is an Ottowa Canadian blog --- I'm lovin' all the design-y stuff there (loads-o-pix) and hope you do too!

Look at the FLOORS!
"Craigston was built in 1927 and this apartment takes up the whole top floor of the building. This was one of the first high rise buildings in Brisbane and was built as a residence for doctors as it is part of the medical precinct in Brisbane. The floors are crow's ash which is a now rare rainforest wood."


Even I could stand a Holiday mantle like this:











I've added the blog to my regulars at the right =o]

Some Days It's Just Not Your Time To Go

Yeah...Now watch it again,
and again.

There's a little jolt of how little control we have in life.

Irresistable Baby Dancing to Beyonce's Single Ladies

Difficult for even the most cynical viewer to resist this :))

Hotter Than.....

First I'm going to quote from the words of Krista, one of my favorite reads, a nugget of sly, twisted and very funny wordsmithee, one of our most erstute contemporary sages channeling through Badder Homes and Gardens about Texas heat this past APRIL :

" It's springtime in Texas, which means we're about four days away from it being so unbearably, mind-numbingly hot outside that you can't even leave the goddamn house without your skin blistering and your face melting off. Literally. Literally melting off. I have literally seen people's faces melt off onto the sidewalk right in front of me. Literally. I have literally seen this happen. Faces. Melting off. Literally melting off. Onto the sidewalk. "

Amen Sistah. Here's the thing - cwazy circumstances - I wound up injured (pre-event injury which limits my ability severely...a few steps' about it and muy pain) isolated, no phone or power (or no power to charge the phone if you prefer) for 3 days and 'bout 4 nights and the temps this week were 105+ plus here on my lofty, little, South Austin hilltop.

I was layin' low, trying to keep little sips of water down and taking frequent showers when it dawned on me something really badddd was happening. Really bad. I fought the notion, but the message remained. So changed a shirt, grabbed a purse and and cane (if I had any vanity left I woulda shot myself for how I looked long before the heat got me), got outside on the stairs (I'm on the second story), hailed a cute girl with a cell phone - 911-great EMT's with ice packs in ther van...and on and on. Hospital ran basic tests, got me hydrated and let me charge my cell phone (so I COULD solve the power situation) AND sent me home with a giant ice chest with lotsa gatorade!!!

We've been in the 100's regularly since April. Two months earlier than "usual" whatever that is any more. Global Warming? Natural, cyclical changes in the history of the Earths' climate? Doesn't really matter much any more now does it?