Last night, while at Joseph Beth Booksellers in Lexington, Kentucky I bought a book and a magazine. While waiting my turn to check out, I noticed that the three displays closest to the main checkout were quite an odd collection of topics… and then I thought about it and decided that the person responsible for the setup of these displays may be making their own statement.

I’ll let you be the judge (I got photos of each of the three for your review):

First there was this one…

then this one followed…

and the third (and last one) before the checkout…

Accident, irony or overt political statement? You be the judge.

Every year around this time, I start thinking about what I’m going to buy myself for my birthday. I start early because it always takes awhile to come up with the perfect item. Even once I determine what it’s going to be, it takes awhile to find the perfect specimen.

It’s always something that I’d never permit myself any other time of the year.

It’s usually something that is a little on the pricey side — and WAY on the cool and luxurious side. In recent years, it’s usually had something to do with writing. A hand-tooled, leather covered journal. A fantastic pen. Luxury papers. A leather-bound book. A leather case for my writing tools or a leather cover for standard composition books that turns the ordinary into something extraordinary. High quality inks. A watercolor set. Art papers. A engineering-grade mechanical pencil.

It’s not that I intended to do the pen and ink path… it just happened. But this year, I’m going to break away from that.

This year, I’m going to attempt to locate my perfect daily-use knife. I love my sterling flatware pattern. I’m spoiled and hate to eat with stainless. I like MY fork. (Eccentric, perhaps, but true.) I prefer my spoons to any others. And the sterling knife that goes with the set is great for spreading butter… and little else.

I need a real knife, one that can slice through a medium-rare slab of steak as easily as it would slide though Jello. I want it to be sink-washable, beautiful and a pleasure to use. I don’t want anything that’s run-of-the-mill.

This summer, at a Renaissance festival, I saw my perfect knife. Unfortunately, it was not for sale. S’ok, though, the one at that same booth (that was not as pretty) was over $600. If it had been for sale, I wouldn’t have bought it. I’m eccentric, not crazy. (Not rich either.)

It wasn’t terribly decorative or overly fanciful. It was beautiful in its simplicity. The blade was artfully marked Damascus steel with a nice, hefty full-length tang and a hand-polished bone handle. It was balanced and ideally weighted. The handle was neither too long, nor too short. It was perfect. And it is responsible for starting my knife-lust. (Dang it!)

So now, I’m searching.

I’ve found some fantastic examples. Some are more art-knives than knives intended for daily use. Many of the really pretty ones are “folders” and I really want a standard “fixed” blade knife. But, with that said, here are some pretties for you to view:

http://www.gallagherknives.com
http://www.stamascus-knife-works.com/ (check out the custom engraving work on some of these!)

And if you are richer than Midas, and want something that is an amazing work of art, you can bump around over on this site: http://www.engravingarts.com for works like this engraved knife and this one or maybe one from a different site, like this one. Wow, eh?

A pen may be mightier than a sword… but is it prettier than these knives? (Now, my pen is really pretty, but I don’t think it beats out these beauties!) I may not find my knife this year… but I’ll be looking for it now. Eventually, I’ll find it.

I’ve always adored Halloween. That and St. Patrick’s Day have always been my favorite holidays. I know, I’m weird. I’m accustomed to getting that response.

My “wicked” business theme was launched back on October 31st, 2002. And, even though I have changed the business name, I managed to retain the “wicked.” I like it.  I like the double entendre of bad and good. I like that it was “born” in October. Despite the warnings I received on selecting that theme, it has served me well and continues to do so. So, even with my business I celebrate the Halloween holiday.

I’ve never really been into jack-o-lanterns or ghosts or most of the more traditional Halloween imagery… except for witches and bats. I think the witchy imagery is fun and bats… well, I find them to be intriguing animals.

This year, for Halloween, my son gave me a sterling silver bat charm. I collect sterling silver charms. (He knows I love them.) This one is amazing. It’s not a tiny little thing — it’s a full two inches long! It feels like it weighs a pound! It’s solid and three dimensional. (I’ve never liked those one-sided flat charms, I like cool ones — and this one is awesome.)

It’s in the sleeping position, all snugly wrapped up in wings and hanging upside down, shaped like a bullet. He picked it up at a Renaissance festival this summer. I’m currently wearing it on a long chain and I’m enjoying it more with each passing day.

Today, I starting wondering what attracted me to bats and decided to do a little research on symbolism. I thought I’d share my findings with you (just in case anyone else out there likes bats and isn’t sure why).

Holiday Symbolism

Bats are a common image because when this season’s bonfires are lit, it attracts the insects that, in turn, attract the bats for a feeding frenzy. Since this happens in the fall, bats are seen as a symbol of transition and change — in the season and in the human experience.

Bats represent: Social relationships, communication, motherhood

It is a symbol of communication. Native Americans observed bats to be highly social creatures with strong family ties. They are nurturing, exhibiting verbal communication, touching, and sensitivity to members of their group. Bats are sensitive to their surroundings and are seen as intuitive, with the ability to see through illusion and discern truth. Devotion of the Bat totem will never fade, encouraging the journey to achieve the highest possible potential from an individual. (Information paraphrased from this page on Animal Totems)

Since bats are the only winged creatures to suckle their young, they are also a symbol of motherhood (and by association… fertility and sexuality… which is also supported by the dwelling in caverns in the “womb” of mother earth.)

East vs. West: Symbolism of the Bat

Westerners hold a more negative view of this creature, possibly because of the dual nature of winged and mammal, or because it’s nocturnal.

Eastern cultures view the bat as a symbol of wealth, longevity, peace, good health and a good death. In China, the symbol for bat is “fu” — which is also the symbol for “good luck.”

“Sometimes four bats are shown surrounding a fifth bat or five bats circulate around a stylized symbol for longevity.  In both cases, the five bats stand for the Five Happinesses:  wealth, long life, peace, cultivation of virtue (or sometimes good health), and a good death… a Chinese bat (or simply the character for fu) will sometimes be placed upside down.  That orientation derives from the fact that the words for “upside down” and “to arrive” also sound the same in Chinese (dao), such that the upside down bat means that good luck has arrived.” (taken from this page on tattoo symbolism)

The Maya culture of Central America considers the bat a type of guardian god — a god of fire. Images of bats were used to decorate pottery and funerary urns.

A Mis-match of other interpretations of bats:

Bats are symbolic of rebirth and can mean (in dreams) that you need to release the outmoded ways of doing things to permit a new, better way to enter your life because your old habits no longer suit your new opportunities. They also demonstrate that sight with eyes is only one way to know the world.

Personally, I relate to the fact that it is naturally nocturnal and is adept at finding its way — even when things seem completely dark (and foreboding). So after a little research, the idea of rebirth, changing outmoded views, being intuitive and maternal, focusing on communication and the five happinesses — it all makes me much more happy with my fascination with these little creatures.

Other interpretations may be more “dark” and negative - but these fit my world view and the classic, traditional interpretation of bats and bat symbols make me happy. And I love my charm (thanks, sweetie!)

Need a practical, median priced gift for your favorite artist, writer or student this year? Know someone who would benefit from a GTD command post that would fit in a pocket or purse?

Maybe a little bitty notebook could be the cornerstone of your gift giving season (you save money if you buy in bulk!)

My own love affair with the Moleskine:

Despite my love of Moleskines for everyday use, I really appreciate the artistic side of things where these little gems are concerned. I enjoy them so much that I’ve been collecting some sites that show off the best illustrations, hacks and accessories for the little volumes.

I know that they now make smaller and brighter colored versions (Volant versions). I just got the email yesterday. It’s pretty fresh news. But, I’m a traditionalist when it comes to my notebooks.

I’m not saying I won’t try one of the tiny ones — it looks like those may represent a “can’t help myself” episode in full force. Gee, I love paper and pens and pencils (Oh. My!)

Newfangled colored and flexi-covered versions aside, today I’m going to share a few cool things with you, fellow classic Moleskine lover. And these things can make a notebook into a token gift or an amazingly rich gift… depending on how you play it.

Moleskine Art:

Some ideas for the artist in your life. Select a Moleskine Small Sketch Notebook (pocket-sized) and add a high quality graphite pencil set and art erasers. If you are particularly fond of this artist, add in a lust-worthy water color pencil set and/or travel watercolor brushes or professional quality colored pencils to create a portable art studio.

Smashing Magazine’s Collection of Moleskine Art
‘Skine.art - a site dedicated to the decorated moleskine
Flicker Hive Mind collection over on FivePrime.org

Hacks:

A writer’s Moleskine Hacks - Mikes version from 2004, but still quite applicable (and I use the writer’s tools PDFs printed out and glued into my own). Add a package of post-it tabs, brightly colored index cards, a fabulous pen (I highly recommend the Namiki Vanishing Point Raden if it’s in your budget. I swear by mine.) You may prefer to opt for a high quality mechanical pencil, instead. Be sure to tuck an Amazon.com gift card in the pocket to support their reading habit. And dedicate it to the writer on the inside cover. No writer likes to be caught out without a place to capture ideas. IMHO, there’s no better, quicker, easier tool to capture those thoughts on the fly than a properly outfitted pocket-sized, ruled Moleskine notebook. Leather covers are nice too (see below.)

GTD Moleskine Hack for Students - Great gift idea! This How-To printed out with a brand-spanking new Moleskine, a good no-skip pen and a mechanical pencil, a few Post-It tabs, a package of index cards, a large rubber band and an eraser. Add a funky, properly sized sticker and tuck an “emergency $20 bill” in the pocket alongside a prepaid calling card and you have a “to die for” gift that will actually be enjoyed and appreciated.

Accessories:

Want a beautiful, handmade leather case for your favorite notebook? Try Gfeller Casemakers.
Want one that’s got the midas touch, and is made to order? Try Sojourner Leatherwork

To whet your appetite for bitty notebooks:

If you aren’t already a convert, learn more about all things Moleskine over on Moleskinerie. Those of us who are already in love with these little notebooks will wait, we are patient. It’s only a matter of time before you join us in our addiction.

A whole little Village of Sims on my iPhone!

I’ve been looking and looking at the apps store for JUST what I found last night…

Tiny little sims for my iPhone. Life is almost complete, now.

This appears to be made by the same company who created the earlier, more rudimentary version for my formerly beloved Treo (called Village Sims). The company that created both the older rendition and this new “Virtual Villagers: A New Home” is Last Day of Work. But, in the apps store, the seller is listed as Vivendi Games Mobile, (but it is copyrighted by Big Fish Games of LDW fame.)

When I ordered from LDW before, the customer service was amazing. I really like them as a company.

With this app going through Apple’s app store, I’m not sure how much direct contact I’ll have with the developers — if LDW is in fact the creator of this port. (I may have to drop them a line to inquire and then thank them for creating these cute little guys for my iPhone.)

Coolest new feature? The mini-games you can play to speed up the progress of the itty-bitty people learning new skills.

Biggest frustration? Grabbing them isn’t easy. I have to try multiple times to tap successfully to pick them up and move them where I want them to be. (Hoping this will be fixed in the next update.)

So, if you have been jonesing for some little sims for your iPhone, your wish is granted. And, it’s just one more way iPhone rules the smartphone/gaming/communication realm.

Not that I’m biased, or anything.

(note: Photo taken using the built-in screenshot tool on my iPhone - just hold down the home button and briefly tap the top button. The screenshot will be added to your camera roll automagically!)

First, let me say that I don’t sew. EVER. I suck at sewing — loudly. So, I accept that this is not one of my talents. I embrace it. Heck, I don’t even sew on buttons when I can help it. (When a button flies off, I consider it a divine indication that I need to donate said item to Goodwill). I know, I know, I’m thrifty in so many ways… this just isn’t one of them.

Secondly, let me admit that I love to see the creations of those who make art with fabric. I admire textile gurus. With that said, I tripped across this today, and thought I’d share.

At this time of the year (one of my favorite holidays) I thought others may be interested in seeing how really awesome costumes (albeit for the stage) are constructed.

I’d like to address this to the lovely woman (and her understandably quiet, seemingly embarrassed husband) who took little screaming Junior to Wild Oats in Lexington, Kentucky on Saturday.

Dear Mother -

No, I did NOT roll my eyes at your child. Had I rolled my eyes at anyone, it would have been at you. My sister tells me that I exude disgust without the need to roll my eyes and that I’m terribly transparent. She’s probably right. My apologies. Obviously, you misconstrued my total disgust with eye-rolling. I’m not sure how that happened.

However, having a child in a public place that screams at that decibel rate and in that particular key (I think it was a high c, although no glass actually shattered), is not ok. Perhaps you have been led to believe otherwise. I can understand that you may have been instructed incorrectly at some young impressionable age, but you are surely old enough to know better by now. If not, you may want to seek professional help.

To yell at me, “There’s no reason to roll your eyes, he’s just excited!” does not eliminate your responsibilities to others (many of whom WERE rolling their eyes, BTW) who must share the public space with your adorable child. Did it not occur to you that it was strange that you had to blurt that well-practiced line so quickly while Junior was taking a breath before screaming again? He nearly cut your mini-speech off with his tireless squeals.

At what point did it become ok for your child (or anyone else) to invade the sanctity of my personal space in such an offensive manner? The old adage about your freedom to swing your fists stopping at the edge of my nose also applies to my ears and your precocious child’s vocal cords.

I would understand if it was a sudden outburst and you scrambled to educate your child on how to be a better, more sensitive individual and a more pleasant member of society. Instead, you opted to condemn those of us who were surprised by your incredulous incapacity to even recognize a problem. Let me tell you a little secret…  just because your child wants to be the center of your attention and your world does not mean that he should automatically be thrust into the spotlight in ours. There, I said it. Believe it.

I realize it’s old fashioned of me. I realize that I’m not “cool” with the new trends toward lenient parenting. I’m an old fogy. That’s ok. I can live with that. I actually like that my own young daughter’s mouth physically dropped open in disbelief as your child expressed himself.

But if you had not been so quick to jump — if you had not had that comment a little too “at the ready” — perhaps you may have noticed the entire fresh produce section stop in their tracks and turn to stare when Junior demanded center stage. He truly is hard to ignore. Bravo for you!

If you want Junior to be the center of attention, you might try for a more subtle approach. Perhaps a talent or a skill. Maybe he will be an amazing adult… but somehow I think he may need a little more guidance than you are obviously willing (or able) to offer.

Do him a favor, do yourself a favor, do the rest of us a favor… discover a better way for him to claim his fame. And, if you can’t control his abuse of other people’s eardrums, leave him at home. In fact, why don’t you stay home with him and properly adore him at close range and in private?

Your husband appeared to be mannerly … maybe he could do the shopping.

note: photo courtesy of morguefile.com, artist: xenia.

Watched this amazing talk this morning, then tweeted it and sent it to a few people on my list. Great stuff. Worth the 19 minutes of your life required to watch it. Take the time.

Go here to watch it on TED.com.

I have seen the future (today, on YouTube) and the future is now! Go and watch the CBS news segment on the medical clinical trials for regenerating human tissue, organs and even limbs!

It’s really cool, but rather scary. If we can do this, then how long before we reduce/eliminate mortality? Speaking as a middle aged person (Gosh, that’s hard to say!), who is in no hurry to grow old and die, I’m not sure that eliminating mortality and morbidity is a good thing. I believe that mortality and the knowledge that life is short is what makes us human — what makes us either noble or despicable as individuals.

Removing that may well remove other aspects of our being that we don’t even know are in peril. I don’t know where I fall on this issue (not that my opinion could possibly alter the direction this technology is taking), but I do know it will give me something to contemplate for quite some time.

My mother knows I’m planning to do a custom ceiling and floor (probably both in my bathroom) in my little cabin, and she sent me these photos as examples. Now, I’d planned more of a ‘copy’ of a classical ceiling I’d seen once that opens up to the heavens, but this one is pretty cool too.

I particularly like the bathroom floor here…

(more…)

I just saw this today and had to share it. Interesting find for this morning, since I was up late LATE last night looking at RVs. Just before I did finally go to bed, I determined that it was time to either decide to travel or to decide to stay still on my farm — but to make a decision one way or the other and quit wasting all my time juggling scenarios.

I haven’t been able to make the decision yet, but this car seems like a little of both worlds, doesn’t it? 360 degree monitor in the center? Now that’s cool.

Sleek and silver airstream car, by Ford

I wonder if this will bump-up the sales of the Airstream Basecamp?

I love the quality of this cartoon, created by Blender (blender.org) and distributed under creative commons! It’s not Disney or Pixar, and it’s not for kids (my daughter cringed several times and held her hands over MY eyes once before I fussed at her!), but it is a “just” take on retribution. Occasionally, every “bunny” feels like a little vengeance!

Big Buck Bunny

Enjoy!

Big Buck Bunny from Blender Foundation on Vimeo.

I’m loving Pandora. I really am. I like “discovering” new music that comes pre-matched to my musical tastes. It never gets old and there’s always some new artist, style or song to enjoy. If you haven’t tried it yet… go … do it. Now.

I have also found a literary version of the same “database analysis approach” to recommending new things to try, it’s called WhatShouldIReadNext.com. So if you want to get some qualified recommendations for your next book, give it a whirl.

Once you find the book you want to read, why not read it in the same way NetFlix lovers watch movies? Check out BookSwim, it’s the NetFlix of books. If you prefer to read your book recommendations online, why not try DailyLit - and read the books you want in “bitesized” pieces via email or RSS. That way, you can read it on your cell phone/smartphone as easily as on your computer monitor. (Try on one of the free titles for size before committing to buy.)

I love iFrogz cases… love them so much that I’ve purchased them for myself and for other members of my family. My daughter loves her purple metal one. I only wish I’d been able to do so while they were on sale like this!

If you haven’t checked them out, visit iFrogz today for some of the coolest silicone and leather cases around. You can also find the metrobag (gee, I just LOVE bags) and some other accessories, like an uber-small (and bright green) compact speaker (it looks like a tiny yo-yo) that will work on any MP3 player you may have. And 40% off is always nice (but it only lasts until Wednesday).

I’ve been in the middle of a redesign over the past two days… and just about the time I got it looking the way I wanted it to look, I learn about CSS Naked Day.

To know more about why styles are disabled on this website visit the Annual CSS Naked Day website for more information.

After checking my validation a blue-zillion times lately, I thought it was a great idea to encourage “naked” pages without CSS issues all across the web.

So, I stripped my pretty new “look” to walk naked among all the other participants on the web. Kinda like a geeky nudist camp day, eh?

If you want to learn more — and have your own blog go “au naturale” — check it out! It’s for one day only, April 9th, 2008. Have fun… and don’t catch cold!

Another crazy house located today:

Found at archinect.com.

Today I received the following email from my mother. You may have already seen this, but I just had to share:

Recent hurricanes and gasoline issues are proof of the existence of a new chemical element. Research has led to the discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science.

The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact.

A minute amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction (that would normally take less than a second) anytime from four days to four years to complete. Governmentium has a normal half-life of two to six years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places.

In fact, Governmentium’s mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that  Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This  hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass. When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as
Governmentium, since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

Now, back to your life…

Right now, as I write this, the Space Ship House on a mountain in Chattanooga, TN is just about to go on the Auction Block. If you want to see inside this interesting house (not a “little” house or a “tiny” house, mind you at 2000 square feet), you can visit the ebay auction page.

So, if you are interested in living in a house that’s only accessible with an electric staircase that pushes itself to the ground, if you always wanted to BE Captain Kirk, or if you just want a really odd shaped interior, without trying to make your home’s footprint really small… this might be your thing.

The only thing standard about this house is the “three bedrooms, two baths” designation!

I blogged earlier about one of the most disgusting parasites ever, the botfly, right before we went on our cruise to Mexico. I showed the kids YouTube videos detailing the disgustingness of it all.

Today, my son Byron sent me a simple email with a link and the subject line: “I win!”What he won, apparently, was beating me out on the grossest example of this particular critter. I give him ALL the credit, but ewwwww!

Go “see” for yourself: Botfly Trapped in Eye (with photos) *shiver*

I love the concept of a roll-up computer the size of a largish dinner napkin. Don’t you?

The design (and it is a design concept only, btw) is like a latex tablet pc that’s uber-thin. Kinda cool.