Saturday, November 30, 2013

Context Unknown: Cooking with the Rolling Stones - Hot Dogs On The Rocks

By Jack Brummet, Cooking Ed.

I have no context for where this image came from.  Some sort of teen magazine?  



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From Vice - The Real Walter White, an Oklahoma meth cooker

By Mona Goldwater, Social Mores Ed.

A fascinating piece on the real life Walter White, From Vice:



"When AMC's Breaking Bad premiered in 2008, one of Alabama's most successful meth cooks was already knee deep in building a massive meth empire. His name? Walter White. In this documentary, Walter tells us the secret behind his product, how he stacked up thousands of dollars per day, and why his partner is now serving two life sentences."
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Photo: Caroline wearing a JFK mask, with JFK

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Photographs from our rooftop in San Gil, Colombia

By Jack Brummet, South America Travel Ed.


A buzzard/vulture flying under the rainbow from a distant shower

the tile along our rooftop at the VIP hostel


if you zoom in almost dead center, you can see the giant white cross on the hill

note the "bombolinos" on the roof below

our building's wiring mast: dozens of fascinating (and a little scary) repairs and splices

The beautiful, tranquil town square, and site of a massive and loud fiesta our first two days in San Gil

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Aviophobia (fear of flying), Part 5

By Jack Brummet, Aeronautics and Travel Ed.


I'll never love flying.  But it seems to get me where I want to go and I've learned to live with it. I've gone in the last five years from being completely terrified, and needing to be knocked out like BJ Barackus, to barely ambulatory/seriously medicated walking down the jetway, to mostly OK with it. All those trips across the country and Europe I made for work a couple years ago (75 flights in one year alone), along with our own travels to Mexico, Europe and Asia, somehow have made it, at least tolerable.   On our recent trip to South America, between coming and going, and doing a couple of in-country flights, we were on nine flights.  That would formerly have left me as a basket case for the entire trip, not only for the actual flights, but the anticipation of them...


I still take a Zanax, but I am no longer really a white knuckle flyer.  I'm still sometimes feel as crazy as a latrine rat on flights, but somehow I've managed to modulate it.


In fact, I've actually come to love both taking off and landing (especially landing), which are, of course, two of the most dangerous things you do while flying.  I've even come to liking it when those white stripes (the takeoff zone) pop up as we turn onto the main runway. . .

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Friday, November 29, 2013

Faces No. 571 - one scary dude

By Jack Brummet

click to enlarge
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JP Morgan takes questions on Twitter. And then change their minds.

By Mona Goldwater, Social Mores Ed.

Beleaguered JP Morgan somehow figured that by being more open, and maybe a little more hip by jumping on Twitter and answering some questions, that they could heal themselves.  They had a Q & A session with their Vice Chairman Jimmy Lee scheduled.

It didn't take long for the questions to start pouring in.  And not much longer for JP Morgan to throw in the towel.  There is much to dislike about the internet, but these first responders warm my heart and give me hope.  



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Thursday, November 28, 2013

Anastasia, daughter of Nicholas II, and an early "selfie"

By Pablo Fanque, National Affairs Ed.


Anastasia, Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, daughter of Nicholas II, (the last king of Russia). She was assassinated with her family by members of the Cheka, the Bolsheviki secret police, on July 17, 1918. 

In happier times, she shot this selfie, which some people claim is the first selfie ever. She enclosed the photograph in s letter dated October, 28, 1914. 'I took this picture of myself looking at the mirror. It was very hard as my hands were trembling.'


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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

My visit to Area 51 (photograph)

By Jack Brummet, Alien Lore Ed.

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A handy guide to sinning: Examination of Conscience For Boys And Girls

Excavated by Mona Goldwater, Social Mores Ed.

 



















































































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Pablo Picasso's Painting Authentication

By Jack Brummet, Visual Arts Ed.


I heard a good story about Pablo Picasso on the radio today.  When an unsigned painting appeared, and resembled his style, Picasso was asked to authenticate and sign it. If he liked the painting, he would sign , whether it was his or not.  I'm pretty sure there was a  payment involved.  I know he often left a quick drawing to cover a bar or restaurant tab.  Some of those drawings are now worth more than the restaurant itself.

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Derfwad Manor. . .A Joint For Women - a new banner by Jack

By Jack Brummet, ATIT Art Director

I recently created a banner for Mrs. G's great and popular blog (and big Facebook presence) "Derfwad Manor. . .A Joint For Women." But mum's the word; or let's just say it was Jackie Brummet.

http://derfwadmanor.squarespace.com/

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