Drop stuff and make music

Gravité from Renaud Hallée on Vimeo.

Not so smiley face

New shoes

I really shouldn't be buying things I don't need right now, primarily because I'm more grossed out by capitalism and consumerism than ever before. Sadly, though, I did grow up in America, so when I see something I like all sorts of U.S.A.-approved rationalizations enter my head, like "Oh, why not!"



I guess that's not really a rationalization. I did actually need a new comb, though. (And look, the shoes came with alternate laces!) They also came with a soft bag touting some lofty principles. (I think "groovyness" should be spelled "grooviness." But otherwise, yes, Mr Fluevog! I agree with you wholeheartedly.)



I have a feeling that bag is just going to end up full of fabric scraps.

Damn, this is what I get for walking home across Spring Street and taking an unintentional detour across Prince.

And now I'm not so sure about the shoes. What do you think? Yea or neigh?

Keeping busy

Here are two new "secret" drawings I'm working on. I shall reveal all when I'm finished...if they don't end up in the trash with the banana peels, that is.

What your phone can tell you

I felt compelled to change the screen saver on my cell phone from this



to this



yesterday. That must mean something, right?

Laundry robot

I'm not a big fan of doing laundry, but I have to admit I don't mind the part when everything is clean and all you have to do is fold. So initially I wasn't interested in this robot. But then I saw it in action. It's so cute! And it just wants to fold up washcloths, dishtowels, towels, and any other rectangular items you have! OK, I'd like to hang out with this robot, after all!

Hoot hoot

I read the book Florence Nightingale: The Making of an Icon a couple years ago, and what I remember most about it is this drawing, and how one of the highlights, if not THE highlight, of Florence Nightingale's personal life was when she got a little owl.

She named it Athena and kept it with her at all times, carrying it around places in the pockets of her skirts, and washing it occasionally with sand. Is there anything more freaking cute than that drawing of the little owl? And also the fact that Florence's older sister Parthenope was so inspired by Florence and the owl's relationship that she drew this lovely drawing?

I picked up the biography because I'd read a review about what a crazy, madcap page turner it was (seriously). That and the obvious "But who was Florence Nightingale, really?" question led me down into the basement of the Strand to find a copy. Well, it turned out not to be a madcap page turner (shocking, I know). But it wasn't exactly boring, either. Old Flo was a huge celebrity nurse in her time (a what?), a trailblazing feminist, and a shrewd businesswoman in her way. She was also simply tireless.

I guess I've been thinking about her recently because my sister said something to me about how maybe I shouldn't be so nice to everyone all the time. I don't know: certainly there are times when being nice to people does not produce the results you would hope for, but that's not the only reason to be nice. I'm sure there were soldiers in the Crimean war who Florence would rather not have tended to. I'm also sure, though, that she probably felt a lot better when she went and hung out with her little owl for a while. Yes, what I'm saying is, it's not such a bad idea to occasionally ask oneself, "What Would Florence Do?"