Archive for June, 2007

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Whatever Happened to the Class of ‘87?

June 30th, 2007

This summer I’m passing another one of ‘em signposts of getting older: my high school graduation class is holding its 20 year reunion. I’m not going. High school just wasn’t my thing.
During that period I only attended my classes dutifully, obtained a slightly above average G.P.A., and kept my socializing and extra curricular activities to […]

Design for Living

June 28th, 2007

The L.A. Times takes an in-depth look at the iconic Pacific Palisades home of Charles and Ray Eames (thanks Christopher!). I used to think the Chemosphere might be my dream home, but the Eames’ place seems a lot more comfortable and homey while still retaining that all important modern chic. It shares a lot in […]

Pieces of Eighties

June 26th, 2007

You know how things that were normal and harmless 20+ years ago often appear so weird looking today? I got that in spades while browsing through YouTube user dcbatwing’s collection of local station promos, demo reels and other video effluvia of the past. One such item is this neat demo reel that motion graphics company […]

Letter to CBS

June 24th, 2007

Dear CBS,
I was sorely disappointed to learn that you are replacing the last four episodes of Creature Comforts with repeats of some other show. Please, please reconsider and air those final episodes. It may not be as profitable for you, but just please think of the goodwill you’ve lost as a result of this ill-advised […]

Doo What?

June 23rd, 2007

The Washington Post has a small article on the beachside ’50s-’60s motel revival in the Wildwoods section of New Jersey. The locals call this architectural style “Doo Wop,” which bugs me since Doo Wop is a musical style and I always thought “Googie” is the accepted term for that kinda stuff. The Wikipedia entry for […]

The In Sounds of Today

June 21st, 2007

Let’s discuss what’s been playing on my computer, eh? Delighted to find that eMusic carries the back catalog for influential UK indie label Cherry Red, I spent several downloads recreating the Japanese compilation Cherry Red for Cafe Apres Midi for a whole lot less money than if I’d bought the CD itself. eMusic wound up […]

Cleanup on Aisle Five

June 17th, 2007

These circa 1970 photos of Hy-Lo Drug Store shelf displays (part of Paula Wirth’s Vintage Drug Stores flickr group) have an eerie stillness to them which I love. They remind me of the scene in The Long Goodbye where Elliott Gould visits an all-night grocery store and you see all these wonderfully pristine 1970s food […]

Headaches by the Number

June 15th, 2007

Mike Nelson of Mystery Science Theater 3000 writes of his chronic headaches in The New York Times Magazine. Funny!

Getting Gay with Kids Is Here

June 14th, 2007

Another embedded video to share because I’m too lazy to write anything substantial, I know, but this one’s a real kitschy gem. Back in 1986, NBC celebrated its 60th anniversary with an all-star special which somehow escaped my notice back then. The clip below showcases Nell Carter, Bea Arthur and others (Punky Brewster!) singing “Family” […]

A Future That Never Was

June 12th, 2007

Did you know that today marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of Monsanto’s House of the Future at Disneyland? My s.o. commemorated the occasion with a thoughtful Just Ask Christopher post. Guess the folks at Disney were too busy manning the new Finding Nemo submarines to notice this particular anniversary.

God Hates Reckless Drivers

June 12th, 2007

You gotta love the internet these days, when you can read about something in a book and then turn around and check it out online. The book: Amid Amidi’s Cartoon Modern: Style and Design in Fifties Animation. The film: Stop Driving Us Crazy from 1959. This jazzy short occupies the weird intersection where Christian values […]

Charles Harper 1922-2007

June 12th, 2007

Yesterday, scrubbles reader Hilary left a comment on my Charles Harper book review that the artist passed away. His hometown paper, the Cincinnati Enquirer, has confirmed the news with an obit and editorial cartoon. R.I.P. Charley Harper, and thanks for all the wonderful art you left us.

Something to Chew On

June 10th, 2007

Time magazine illustrates what families around the world eat in an average week. Interesting in so many ways. Looks like the Mexican family loves its Coca Cola, and the German family has more alchohol than usual.

How to Make a Mosaic

June 8th, 2007

Let’s talk about art. For the past several weeks I’ve been driven to try something new — transfer a digital image to a hangable piece of mosaic art. I’ve always been fascinated by this kind of stuff, with people using Legos and whatnot, but the process is proving more complicated than originally anticipated. I started […]

Clay Pigeons (And Other Critters)

June 6th, 2007

Did anybody see the Americanized Creature Comforts on CBS? Did anything in that preceding sentence make sense? I’m a huge fan of the UK edition of this program, along with pretty much anything Nick Park/Aardman does, so personally this was a genuine treat. For those unfamiliar with C.C., they take the recordings of real people […]

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