obscenely attractive doorways

Whatever period of design we're in, one of its most notable characteristics is the illusion of space, or openness. I suppose it strikes a new chord in human mentality. Instead of the feelings of warmth and protection that were once craved in abodes, we're now a nation of exhibitionists and voyeurs. We want to see and be seen, and our houses don't for a second hide this need for attention (paid or received).

And, well, what else... It can be beautiful.

A lot of this is compounded by the need for these homes in traditionally "private" environments - they're either located on in the middle of vast property, or on the edge of "unadulterated nature" (although the latter concept certainly hasn't existed since Manifest Destiny was invented).

It's just a lot of having one's cake and eating it, too. And eating it surrounded by glass. But located far enough away from the proles that no one will be watching YOU, certainly.

As a remedy, I suggest we return to underground bookshops and cramped quarters that make you feel like you're being swallowed alive. Where's the harm?

They think they've thought of everything (the OED)

British Admiral John "Jacky" Fisher, the first person to use "O.M.G" in print. Wherever his grave is, let's immediately amend his epitaph.

I hear that a new order of Knighthood is on the tapis—O.M.G. (Oh! My God!)—Shower it on the Admiralty!

The letter was in his Memories, published in 1919.

The OED has used this as historical context for adding OMG to their latest addition, along with other internet speak that I can't be bothered with recalling at the moment. Probably something like "fIRSt!!!111one1!!!1"

Which is my favorite picture of Julia Gillard and Barack Obama?

A: All of them.

I don't know what "mateship diplomacy" is and I certainly don't advocate that Obama eat anymore vegemite (WHERE WAS MICHELLE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE SODIUM CONTENT IN THAT CRAP?), but I do know that Barack Obama and Julia Gillard are my favorite political alliance of all time. Look at them! You just know they're telling stories about how Malia wants to become a marine biologist and summer at the Reef, or about that cheeky relation Julia has that keeps taking her clothes off with the Australian flag in men's magazines. I wonder if anyone brought up John Key, who is finally having his day in the limelight as he single-handedly fixes all of the earthquake-ravaged buildings in Christchurch. Seriously. Has anyone seen Superman around recently?

Gillard (Aus.), Obama (US), Key (NZ), Medvedev (Rus.)

OH MAN, THANKS GOOGLE IMAGE SEARCH. From the good old days, with the Russian President that I would crop out if I weren't so lazy:



Best. Best ever.

Modern Architecture 101

Here is a thing that's been making its way on the net. Honestly, other than Le Corbusier who should be in every architecture 101 mention, it's pretty complete. Has my main guy Zumthor (more well known for the baths, but I guess those weren't able to be made into a little pithy contraption?), Mies Van Der Rohe (whose surname is not Rohe, but I suppose all in the name of pith...), and Foster of Gherkin fame.

An Elephant on the Underground

Saturdays are for fun:

Adorable.

R.I.P. Suze Rotolo

Your legacy was a face. 

You were a political activist, an artist, a force of the stormy Queens streets where you grew up, tuning in  to your Philco to absorb the music and the heartbeat of every era. You moved to Greenwich when you were still a child, at 17, holding only your wits and your secret of your parents' Communism with you. 

And this is your legacy. A face, a body clutching on to a more important body, being looked at by important men. 

I hope the things that you pursued were wonderful. But I'll never know about them now.