Sunday, April 24, 2011
Bernkastel-Kues is a beautiful, beautiful place.
Even last night we felt like we'd be perfectly happy heading home that night, in that we felt profoundly relaxed and satisfied.
So today we took our ease. Kept an eye on the iPhone as we coursed through Belgium and found something interesting to explore, a dam lake at Robertville, where we enjoyed an hour's hike.
Sometimes all you need is a few days to recharge!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Bright and early we trekked up the mountain, to the ruins of the castle.
A narrow old path, steep and lined with stacked flatstone, leads up to the old seat of the local bishopry, now thoughtfully transformed into a cafe where tired and thirsty travelers can take their ease.
I am still a spawning wreck under this fierce hayfever. My nose is a disgusting faucet, my eyes are ferret-red, I'm all a-quiver with clammy, sweaty chills.
But I persist. Because goddamn, guys, GODDAMN. Its breathtaking here in Bernkastel-Kues.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Now that's what I call a view.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Elf Fantasy Fair 2011 - Photos!
Had a wonderful day, and got some more practice with the ol' cam-eh-rah.
Full set here: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjuhdSuT
Gorgeous, GORGEOUS location, guys. And jaw-droppingly inventive costumes!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Today: Ren Fair, or equivalent. I'm not into the whole costuming thing...
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Nik Daum: Throwing Starfish and Hand Clamade
Artist Nik Daum is a third of the way into his goal of producing 1000 'dordles'. Whatever the word's supposed to mean, there's a metric fucktonne of awesome illustrations here:
Battle Power vs Magic Love Babies: girls' and boys' toy advertising
Admittedly very quick and dirty research, sampling a few dozen television commercials, but still.
Boys: http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/3372921/Words_Used_to_Advertise_Boys%27_Toys
Girls:http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/3372936/Words_Used_in_Advertising_for_Girls%27_Toys
A simpler time. | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
This weekend I took my new Nikon D3100 for a spin during a bike ride with the boyfriend.
Half these photos were shot from the hip; one hand on the steering wheel, the other holding the camera, one-handedly operating the dials and buttons and trying to turn the zoom ring with my pinky finger :)
Full gallery here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexfvance/sets/72157626473835204/
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Oh Internet. Today, you are all grown up.
I like big butts and I cannot lie, but is there some evolutionary reason as to why?
http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/gibxk/i_like_big_butts_and_i_canno...
The top comments on this thread show that at last the battle between cheeky memes and informative helpfulness has been decided and, both sides having claimed joint victory, it's now party time on the internet.
I'm dead, DEAD serious, guys.
Memes, while often silly and annoying, are generally easy to understand when you get access to the source and there's almost always a fair number of clever clogs who've humorously deconstructed the joke within seconds of it being posted.
They're jokes, and jokes are a global cultural currency. Over here we have jokes about silly Belgians, but there isn't a country in the world that doesn't tell similar jokes about the inhabitants of neighboring nations or provinces. Strikingly similar, too.
While a story or parable needs to be profoudnly elemental inorder to cross significant cultural boundaries, a joke is so useful and fun that it's easy for a traveler to carry one in his proverbial pocket and put it to use back home.
And so here we have a new kind of melting pot. Sincere curiosity cast out with cheeky wit, and the 'net returns useful information in like manner.
"Breathe deep, turn around and show them your terrible cake."
I don't know exactly why this had me convulsing in my office chair with barely-silent laughter.
The punishment for singing and dancing on the job in Indonesia is...
First Brigadier of the Indonesian police forces Norman Kamaru thrilled the Internet with his truly adorable lip-sync and dance routine to the stirring Indian showtune 'Chaiya Chaiya', but since he did so while on duty he facedsanctions for preech of discipline.
I think the punishment fits the crime.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Irish anti-homophobic bullying PSA: Stand Up.
A little on the tracly side toward the end, perhaps, but a well-put-together ad, this.
Also, congratulations to Barry and Hugh, who were the first gay couple to publicly tie the knot (at least in a civil partnership capacity) in Ireland yesterday.
