Jet Man Flew Over the English Channel

I just saw live Yves Rossy, aka Jet Man, fly across the English Channel in a single, jet-propelled wing attached to his back. The live broadcast happened at 8:00 Eastern Time.
An incredible thing to see, a human flying like a bird. If only Da Vinci were born at a different time.....
Read more here.
graph per national geographic

Andy Warhol's Other Voices, Other Rooms

On a day like today I wish for more hours in, well, a day. I only had a two-hour block to dedicate to the new Andy Warhol exhibit that The Ohio State University's Wexner Center for the Arts is showing.
What an experience it is!
I could have gotten lost in the sea of information and I nigh did.
The video installations alone are out of this world and in need of much more attention than just two hours. Looking at the array of video clips from the 80's was surreal. It takes a little stroll down the street of any city to see traces of clothing texts inspired by the 80's. However, looking at authentic video presentations from the 80's is, indeed, a poetic thing.
Many of the featured clips come from the Andy Warhol TV. In them, Warhol can be seen chatting with many celebrities of his time. Warhol's obsession with celebrity and certain kinds of aesthetic presentations can be witnessed readily in these clips. He appears chatty, extroverted, interested. At the same time, there's also a shadow of timidness, even awkwardness, that seems to surround him. Looking at the clips I thought to myself, 'Hm, he looks like he's almost pinching himself thinking: Am I really 'in' now? Do these beautiful people accept this poor boy from Pittsburgh as one of them?'
Well, any time I have a chance to see a Warhol exhibit, I make sure to do so. Warhol's work reveals much about present life and the present condition and state of pop art. He continues to be relevant. Last time I had a chance to see some of his work was back in Minneapolis in 2004. The Wexner exhibit is, by far, one of the most memorable museum experiences I have had so far. It captures the art that is Warhol beautifully. What a character, what a piece of art.
If you find yourselves in Central Ohio, make it a point to catch this.
Go here to get more information.
graphs per wexner

Palin out of Corn?

When I got back from the Andy Warhol exhibit tonight, a friend sent me the following link.
Art comes in many contents and media.
Corn, anyone?
Read more here.
per AP

New Book Recommendations

Philip Roth's Indignation. A particularly good choice if you travel. It could also be of interest to those of you who either live in or have experience of the Midwest.

Danny Goldberg’s “Bumping Into Geniuses.” Why read this? Well, it's about great encounters with music giants. Regardless of the quoted performers' genres, this will prove to be a good addition to your libraries.

A NY Times review about Goldberg's book - the particular bit is about Kurt Cobain- contains the following:

“Kurt had a mystical and powerful connection with the audience that took my breath away. … I realized that Kurt Cobain was not just a smart, quirky rock artist but also a true genius.” Perhaps. But like many of the musicians, executives and industry grunts we bump into in Goldberg’s lively pages, Cobain was something more essential to the business — and the art — of rock n’ roll than a genius. He was a professional."

graphs per ny times

Kindle, anyone?

Are you a neophiliac and a reading-obsessed individual at the same time? Then you might enjoy the Kindle.
I find it as relevant as the iPod. Learn more about it here.
graph per wiki

Idleness Looking Chic?

I tend to think that chicness and idleness can't quite inhabit the same niche. Sort of like oil and vinegar. I suppose they're fine for certain sandwich eaters but not so ok for those of us who happen to be keen on somewhat less complicated tastes. But I digress.
Rachel Zoe, the uber-stylist, is all over the place these days.
She even has a TV show on Bravo and if you happen to catch a few minutes of it, you are bound to hear her utter phrases like "I Die. D-I-E." "You look bananas." "you're shutting it down!" and other beauties of this nature in reference to shoes, accessories, clothing et al.

Zoe has big hair, big glasses, a bit venti Starbucks cup, and a very, very small frame.

I have made a few references to her in the past many of which were satire-informed. However, what I will give Rachel Zoe today is a tip of the hat for providing a consistent 'reading' of her textile choices. While as an individual I might not be moved, at all, by her styling choices, as a reader I find her overall textual presentation most worthy of attention. For sans power, she is not!

True, there are plenty of jokes one hears about her. But one also needs to give her some credit for retaining a good measure of congealed constancy in a business that's about as fickle as ..... [hint, insert the ficklest example you are individually aware of.]

So, while the big hair, big glasses, hobo-chic look, et al., isn't quite cutting it for some of us, it seems to be doing wonders for her business.

This NY Times article on her was perhaps one of the most entertaining things I read after our power and internet were given back to us.

A bit therefrom says:
"A Starbucks cup is essential to the entire gestalt. If you have seen Mary-Kate Olsen, then you can envision Rachel Zoe. The look conveys idleness, and its uncanny effect has been to make people who don’t do anything famous for doing nothing. Styling celebrities in her own strung-out ’70s glam style — Grecian tops over lean trousers, boxy miniskirts, visible clavicles, bug-eyed sunglasses, heavy gold necklaces, big rings — Ms. Zoe has landed her clients on the pages of magazines like Us with an impressive regularity."
Read more here.
Graph per wiki

Congrats Dianne Wiest!

I like Dianne Wiest. I find her amazingly talented and just overall brilliant.
Her work in HBO's In Treatment was perhaps the best acting performance I saw this past year. As a result, I was very happy to hear that she won the Emmy last night for Best Supporting Actress.

I also have a little anecdote re: her. She and I were in the same line at the airport. I forget which podcast I was listening to but when I saw her I kept thinking, 'Well, if I tell her: I just love your work!' I bet I'll make her uncomfortable. Plus, it felt like a big to-do to turn off the iPod and move my bags with my feet at the same time. Plus, public praise makes many people uncomfortable so, instead, I smiled furtively at her and went about my business which at that moment consisted of sending someone a text message about Dianne Wiest being in the same line as I at the airport.

Do check out HBO's In Treatment when you get a chance. I believe I reviewed it when it first played last January.
graph per imdb

Things Utah - Recommendation

Last time I reviewed Things Utah was over a year ago. Read that bit here.

As it has been a custom on the blog, I attempt to review the spots I visit when traveling. Any suggestions of what I should give a chance to when in SLC?

Some of my contacts there have suggested a few newer places which I will try to visit and subsequently review. Since time is limited, I prefer recommendations in the realm of the local arts and cuisine.

Thank you.

Are Pants just "Pants?"

What kind of 'textile text' are the streets of New York City sponsoring these days?
Look at this link.
Could the small amount of pant fabric actually be a message of minimalism? Could the days of big and lavish hobo-chicness a la Rachel Zoe have shifted to greener and more conservative pastures?

graph per ny times

Don't Text and Drive

A paragraph from today:

“The act of texting automatically removes 10 I.Q. points,” said Paul Saffo, a technology trend forecaster in Silicon Valley. “The truth of the matter is there are hobbies that are incompatible. You don’t want to do mushroom-hunting and bird-watching at the same time, and it is the same with texting and other activities. We have all seen people walk into parking meters or walk into traffic and seem startled by oncoming cars.”

The above statement could be deconstructed a number of ways, however it can be understood why so many people are annoyed by over-texting especially when it interferes with basic safety like driving/riding/walking or generally navigating traffic. My outgoing message encourages those who need to communicate with me telephonically to either leave a succinct VM or to send a text message. I very much hope I don't get texts by moving drivers/riders/walkers.
Read today's Times feature on SMS here.
graph per ny times