Suburban Sprawl

Christoph Gielen photographs new housing developments across the USA. They are not comforting.

Architecture

Well, Frank Gehry's at it again, this time in Las Vegas. The Cleveland Clinic Ruvo Center for Brain Health has opened to its architect's approval.  Under construction, it appeared a bit, well, destroyed:

But Mr. Gehry knew well what he wanted, and he and his staff had compliant computers. The future is here.

I think it's pretty good that I got out when I did.

I don't this today's students spend much time with Sir Bannister Fletcher's efforts, either.

(This might actually have a negative action on my brain.)

Comments cordially invited.

Another Pic from apod.com/

Awesome site with awesome sights.

On Easter Island This Morning

there was a partial eclipse.  The statues watched in silence.

(HT: APOD)

Venetian Macau

Good grief! This is absolutely astounding:

The camera distorts in order to include the breadth of this complex.

Now, here is the Grand Staircase at the center of the Casino:

The entire place provides a mere 10,500,000 sq. ft., 3000 suites, 300 restaurants, etc., etc., etc.
This, and many other pictures, were on page 1 on http://www.twistedsifter.com/ on Tuesday morning. (If you get there late, you will have to dip inside the document.)

This is worth a look, in person.

121 Years.

Baffled on this Fourth

Please watch (12 minutes) this Boston Pops rendition of Tchaikovsky's "1812", enjoy the instruments, and connect all this to July 4. Do not mention Russia. Be brief.
 http://www.mediaite.com/online/happy-fourth-watch-the-boston-pops-fireworks-spectacular/

Thanks in advance.

July 4, 2010

"Same swing. Any club"

If you ever wondered what was going through a golfer's mind during his tee shot, consider:

(click to expand)

BLAM! CRASH!

Lighting strikes three of the tallest buildings in Chicago at the same time! from Craig Shimala on Vimeo.

The Abdication of Edward VIII

That's Edward. Not a very dashing sort, but that sure is a neat sword.

He also had a typewriter.

And a hankering for the ladies.

You know the rest of the story.

Summer Solstice 2010

Precisely at 0428 Pacific Daylight Savings Time on Monday 21 June.
Do please enjoy your extended daylight hours.

Concerto for Vuvuzela in B Flat

Here it is, folks. Just grab your vuvu, follow the notes, and you too can be on world-wide television. (At 4:30 a.m. on the West Coast of the USA.)

Or, if you prefer, just copy this warning sign and put it on your TV set:

Summer Fog

I'm thinking that finally we have reached Summer equilibrium. The days are sunny and warm, the late afternoon brings the strong West winds, and the evenings are cooled by the fog over the Bay. Mornings are foggy and cool until about 11:00 a.m.

That's a typical summer. We welcome it.

Flag Day 2010

Monday, June 14 is Flag Day in the United States. So, go fly it!
And the 235th birthday anniversary of the U.S.Army!

The Second Stanza

6 June 1944 - DDay

Just sayin'

Remembrances (1906)

Now, read the account of the '06 Earthquake as recorded by Arnold Genthe, photographer of City Hall (above) and his famous shot down Sacramento Street:

http://www.zpub.com/sf/history/ag/ag-asi-10.html

This one is worth the time it takes to read. So, read it.

(Thanks)

Memorial Day 2010