Hoop to do.(German Fed. Archives/Commons-wikimedia.org)
Plain and simple created a global frenzy: A plastic ring. A plastic plate.
A home without a hula hoop or a frisbee? Impossible.
No one does “buy this” better than the USA.
Ah, marketing is everything. Everything.
Believe what you are told? “Being told something is art automatically changes our response to it, both on a neural and behavioural level.”(Researchers at Erasmus University in Rotterdam)
Want a change? Carnival Corp does and launches TV shows on ABC, NBC, CW networks to lure new customers and to dull negative images of their industry.
Advertising skill brilliantly persuasive from years and years of practice.
Which is why I don’t believe it: That there’s no way to stop internet recruitment by extremists without:
- Censorship by governments of words and thoughts on social media, blogs, YouTube… To stop dangerous “hate speech” (And just who gets to decided what qualifies as that? Will it change with the winds of time?)
- Demanding companies create and hand government agencies the keys and back doors to their programs, operating systems, games, cell phones, and servers to allow authorities to gather informational data at will.
I don’t buy it.
Neither do others.
“Advertisers and agencies arguably know better than anyone how to target young people. One of the trends at Cannes this year is brands powering social good. That movement needs to be extended to actively fighting the hatred that is spreading online….” Read more here
People. This is America. No one does “buy this” better.
The land of slick cereal ads (guaranteed to cause fights in the grocery aisles), seductive perfume ads (to drain bank accounts for “when you care to give the very best – or else”), Big Pharma (“Don’t worry about the fine print. Just tell your doctor you want it”), weight loss programs, overpriced NFL team wear, Cinco de Mayo, and the must have “IT” Christmas toy (that is endlessly advertised although it’s been out of stock since August)
The land of “Truck Country” vehicles that never see a ranch or farm.
The land of Subaru’s dogs and the Budweiser frogs.
The land of Gates, Jobs, Zuckerberg, Doresy, Stone, Glass, innovative techies, and those wizards who create addictive, mesmerizing video games.
Not to mention the talented animators, movie producers, and comedians.
(Oh, OK. I have a dog that considers it her community service to vacuum up anything left on sidewalks or streets. Here’s the serious marketing “Ten Years of Apple iPods Commercials” PC Mag)
Brilliant. People.
So you’re telling me, Washington, DC, that there is no way to create an effective internet campaign to counteract ISIS? Seriously?
I know. You tried.
But not one viral moment. Lame-O is what I heard. (Sorry, GEC. Weak Tweets.)
It’s not like others aren’t trying to help you out:
- “Ex-terrorist explains how to fight ISIS online” (CNN)
- “Using YouTube to counter ISIS” (UK)
- “YouTube’s battle against ISIS” (YouTube’s quietly recruiting moderate Muslims)
While there’s always the chance of someone being unclear on the concept, high-powered ad agencies who know brand development could avoid missteps.
To Homeland Security and federal agencies, who want to simply react by restricting and policing the internet rather than being proactive to develop a strong counter campaign, Shakespeare’s quote seems more than applicable:
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks”
Don’t you think that clown could turn things around if he wanted to? (amazon.com)
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Yep, that Little Red Engine’s “I think I can, I think I can” goes a long way.
Net the real deal
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
(Clear the tracks: Electronic Frontier Foundation here.)
Need direction, a good byte to grab, and willingness to run with it. (L.Schonova/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Perception is everything. Obviously one of those very expensive, heavy duty, all terrain baby buggies. Doubles as a stylish constructionist bassinet in any trendy loft. ©
Cloudy heading – with no logical thought to ground in context.
That’s freedom.
“It is what you want it to be.”
That’s risky.
Lil’ darlings once, words now hobbled. They huddle among their own kind in the back book rooms.
Confused with physical batterers.
Ever to be absolved of guilt? A committee might fine them, innocent.
They are bound to hope their banishment is only temporary. (Absence makes the human heart grow fonder, yes?)
Lady Language: all dressed up and nowhere to go. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Words tried to adapt to the crippling of the their backbones.
Dismissal of vocabulary study, root words, endings and prefix. (Sigh. A loss of their heritage)
Scorned for the rollicking games that independent letters are fond of : that mental hide an seek thrill with paronomasia, metaphors, those tricksters: the words often confused, tongue twisting alliterations, and oh, onomatopoeia!
Longing for the days of quick social cuts and social slams.
Language of intelligence.
When satire said you cared enough to slay the very best.
Persuasive discussions of grace and meaningful content.
No fun any more.
So much hyperbole around.
De-evolution to childish name calling without even a clever retort in response. (“I’m rubber and you’re glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you” doesn’t even come close.)
Language never thought civilized society would wander away from her. Maybe she didn’t realize that netting could snag, or that many dislike dangling modifiers. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Who rules the lines? Words wonder.
Relentless scarlet pens pricking.
Words tormented out of a reason.
Totally unnoticed by fans of the emoji, that new genie.
How funny if you consider: old fire soot and clay colors on cave walls may last longer than electronic squiggles on screen.
Can’t call words back, they say.
But have to wonder if words, the bricks and mortar of civilization, are sticking together, compounding, becoming plurals, and diagramming their return.
What will the last word be?
And who will have it.
Priceless
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Assorted wordy stuff:
- Should words be banned from standardized tests so kids don’t feel sad (Yeah, “dinosaur”,”birthday” will make anyone weep.)
- “Facebook is imposing prissy American censorship on the whole rest of the world” (The word “prissy” is enough reason to include that article. Gotta love that. When was the last time you heard that used?)
- “We are ‘almost definitely’ living in a Matrix-style simulation, claims Elon Musk. (First, that ‘almost definitely’ combo begs attention. That and what he says is the only explanation for all the craziness right now…)
“Come on, cutie. Drop the lettering. Don’t you know actions speak louder than words?” (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
It’s all in the twists wrists.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Well, bust ma britches and call me Nancy. This is gonna thrill a lot of people.
Uber’s driverless cars are now available in Pittsburg.
Undeniably handy for bank robbers, drive-bys, mean girls with water balloons…
No more stress worrying that the get-away driver will chicken out and leave you holding the bag.
No need for the difficult decision whether to permanently silence a nervous driver to keep from being ratted for a Crime Stoppers reward or plea deal.
A little planning may be necessary. Nothing too complicated
The cars may have cameras. Nothing a little spray paint or Halloween mask can’t fix.
Uber payment process and records: Any stolen credit card can open an account or just watch for a summoned car, then jump in ahead of the intended passenger.
For a ghostly exit: call a friend and have him/her jump out in front of the car after the occasion so it will jerk to an avoidance stop allowing the passenger to escape before driving on to the assigned prepaid location where authorities could be waiting.
Currently there’s a huge incentive to try out the Uber phantom cars:
Right now the rides are FREE. (Eventually, a trip will cost around $1.05 a mile)
Gosh darn.
Emerging technology seems to drive a whole new line of possibilities.
“Sorry, ma’m.One more time for the record. The Headless Horseman was driving the car? (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
A brave new world. Are we brave enough to live it?
- Bloomberg. “Uber’s First Self-driving Fleet Arrives in Pittsburg”
- Fortune. “Uber Debuts Self-driving Cars in Pittsburg”
And then there’s this: “Google’s smart cars will be able to detect exactly where the police cars are”
If cars can be programmed to be aware and respond to certain types of vehicles and actively respond to their presence, is it too far out of the realm of possibility to imagine that one company’s car could be programmed to interfere or aggressively intimidate – even confront – a competing company’s driverless car? I’ll leave what methods could be used by the cars to your imagination.
Could be quite a clash.
Will cops be forced to create a “Bad Vehicle” compound for misbehaving driverless cars…and would that turn into something like Robot Wars arenas?
I can’t be the only one seeing this stuff…..
All I can say is buckle up: a rough ride ahead.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
Seeing what isn’t there doesn’t drive detectives.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Tough enough. It’s a wheel thing.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Faced with a lame (not even 3 speed) bike, the clever kids figured a way out: clothes pins and playing cards.
Despite the yells from the kitchen window “Clip those on, and you’ll loosen the spokes. Then the wheel will break. And you’re not getting a new bike if you break this one…”
Smugly, they rolled out hoping the rattle would be enough for the Brando of their minds.
None of that immature belting out “zoom-zoom, varooom” like a little kid with a new Christmas truck.
Talk about lame-o.
Image sounds like the game.
Ben-Hur style: Teach those bike riders to whine about “share the road”. Watch out car chasing dogs and small kids on curbs. (the truthaboutcars/ “Primer on Houston Slab Culture”)
The ppopular trend not unnoticed by auto manufacturers.
Importance of style over actually functioning.
Fake it until you make it.
Many new engines, electric vehicles, and hybrid cars are wimpy silent runners.
No more roar of muscle cars boosting drivers’ self esteem and telling the world how powerful they are.
No loud exotic rumble announcing the arrival of an expensive, leased ’cause no way this guy could afford a chick magnet like this super car like the Ferrari V8.
Car companies have a fix for that sad all I can afford car feeling:
Fake “zoom” piped in by stereo for that “reel car” feel.
- Sound and Fury of Fake Engine Sounds (PC Magazine) Mustang GT, Porsche, BMW 5 Series. Is it live or is it a recording? Will anyone know the difference?
- America’s best-selling cars and trucks are built on lies. Rise of the fake engine noise. (Washington Post) Mustangs, Ford 150’s.
- Rise of the Fake Engine Roar Is it false advertising or should buyer know the difference?
- Faking it: Engine-sound Enhancement Explained. (Car and Driver) How quiet vehicles are getting the muscle car enhanced experience
Milli Vanilli and Marcel Marceau would sign the praises of these wheel ideas.
Don’t judge. (C. Brown/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Sound response starts early: big noise, big joy.
Then there’s the current social facade.
Not music to gearhead ears.
More bolting on of deception permeating today’s society.
Driving home the idea that everyone deserves to be the flashy model or super powered even if clueless or haven’t earned it?
Auto be fine to only pretend instead of hitting the road with simplicity and honest, reliable transportation?
Always a worry if the spokes get too loose and the wheels fall off.
Only swoon to true zoom.
Sound advice
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
You can’t in a roller skate in a buffalo herd.
You can’t use sarcasm around people any more.
Avoid trouble with inert smiles and nods.
But seriously, do you think whales, turtles, raptors, and babies don’t mind?
Ever shuffle uncomfortably seeing wildlife GPS collared or tagged?
Bound to mess with their flight dynamics or cause a vague lopsided feeling when tearing through the underbrush. Hang up potential.
If Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer was the laughing-stock among his peers about his nose, what about one with the weird alien lump?
Animals can have self-esteem issues, right?
Researchers say animals aren’t bothered by the monitors, but how do they know? (Ever had a pebble in your shoe and not be able to get rid of it?)
Animals aren’t talking, but a new invention may offer insight shortly.
Designed for a tiny creature who can’t object – one pretty mush speechless for several years (then you cannot shut them up). In a few years data by those who can finally speak up will tell if monitors are darn annoying to those who get them stuck on.
Not this kind of owlet.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
The Owlet is a smart sockie that monitors a sleeping infant’s heart rate and oxygen levels. If the child stops breathing, an alert is sent to your smart phone.
Honestly this is an important tool for premature infants or those at risk for SIDS.
But after talking recently with some soon mothers-to-be who are frantically worried about every little thing and totally panicked seeing dangers everywhere, I wonder if the giggling joy of a baby freely kicking those piggies in the air will become a thing of the past like feeling the wind in your hair while riding bikes or horses.
Let’s hope Owlet marketing is done with some restraint.
Babies have enough to cry about.
As if monitor tags aren’t bothersome enough, there’s a new way to be even more annoying to ocean inhabitants like sharks. Long distance even.
Saildrones: unmanned, wind and solar-powered ocean vessels that can to patrol the oceans to track movements, guard protected areas, gather research data, possibly carry cargo, and there’s the quietly muttered military uses.
There goes the neighborhood.
“Sea Drones Venture into Uncharted Waters” (Bloomberg article)
If you’re land locked, you can still get into the technology circle.
Ever get really bored and hunt up that YouTube video of cat on the rumba? (That one should be captioned “Perception is everything”. It is RC Cat approved. Sufficient warning.)
Park yourself and get energized. No more worries about getting tripped up in the garage!
“Wireless charging for the Leaf, Volt, and ELR? It’s here …and it’s ain’t cheap” (Autoweek)
Leaf charging wirelessly. No, that is not green Leaf poop. (autoweek.com/image by PLUGLESS)
Think wireless cell phone charger on steroids.
Once the car is carefully parked exactly over a pad on the floor, an induction coil on the underside of the car picks up the electric magnetic field and starts the charging process for the car battery.
Sounds very Jetson’s cool…but that electric magnetic field?
People used to worry about getting too close to those EMF things.
But car manufacturers wouldn’t create stuff that might be dangerous, would they?
Just to be sure, send the cat in on a rumba, coax it to hop on the charging pad by using a fishing pole dangling a mousie, then see if the cat starts glowing or get scary zombie-ish.
Advancing technology can create some unpredictable results.
Don’t let the cat get your tongue.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Shockingly, test idea is not RC Cat approved.(cheezburger.com/icanhazcheesburger.com)
But for a dream, what would life would be?©
They say some live their lives backwards.
Could have misunderstood.
His, a Twilight Zone version.
Twisted that old cliché of beginning, dependency, ignored wishes, controller only to reverse order to the end.
A truer Möbius bent.
At the beginning, his son’s wedding called them all back to their island home.
Crowds of cousins, family, and long-lost friends gathered after so many years gone.
All the old childhood haunts visited and remembered:
The old house.
Over there, the school still stands.
And where they met for baseball.
Not far from where he learned to sail.
On the beach he walked as a kid, the sun and sand still felt the same.
One “last night out with the boys” at a bar – before the glittering wedding and new start.
Dancing. Singing. Laughter until late.
The morning after the ceremony, he was thrilled by an unexpected surprise:
A kayak by the back door.
A small sailboat trailered on the drive.
A note from his best childhood friend saying, “Enjoy them as long as you are here”.
He adored being out on the water. The perfect day hardly seemed long enough.
Later, enjoying the balcony view with his wife, he happily relayed his day’s adventures as if he was a 5-year-old child returning from the “bestest birthday party ever”.
Island’s sunset. Can’t touch that.©
He paused, waved at the horizon’s stained glass colors, and said, “A glorious sunset almost identical to this morning’s sunrise, yes?”
Smiled at his wife of many years. The children now off on their own.
Took one last drag on his cigarette.
And fell forward onto the ground.
He always loved his island. He always loved the sea.
Under the wide and starry sky
Dig the grave and let me lie:
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.
This be the verse you ‘grave for me;
“Here he lies where he long’d to be,
Home is the sailor, home from sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.”
(Robert Louis Stevenson)
They say some live their lives backwards.
If so, may it be happily done.
Would you worry if people, places, or situations from earlier years suddenly start spinning in reverse?
Sailing on a Möbius sea
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
RIP, Arturo. Fine sailor, neighbor, and friend.
“Just a dream and the wind to carry me. And soon I will be free…” song by Christopher Cross (USPD/commons.wikimedia.org)
Sticking it. But for what purpose? Adding to the souvenir collection, hoping to barter and trade for a treat, or cleaning up the neighborhood as community service? Whatever, it’s planned and it’s something.©
To keep it simple, they keep it simple.
Shunning what complicates.
Not just black and white, they see more, but aren’t distracted by shades of color.
Focused on what’s in front of their nose, yet alert to what’s ahead.
Demonstrating the basics. Move forward at a steady pace. Gently carry any burdens and remember to put them down at the right time and place. Leave room for others along the way. Wildly simple.©
Always smiling. Willing to play. Creating their own jokes.
People think that’s the sign of a simple mind.
Sophistication overlooked.
Use of tools by a species shows advanced learning and cognition, right? Always knew she was smart. Molly Malamute using her higher level thinking skills to solve the problem of stick being too unwieldy to manage while walking long distances. A firm foot is the perfect tool to solve the problem. Next she’ll want the car keys. She can already drive stick.©
Through it all they are kind: doing their best to help those they consider simple.
Who’s to say?
Sticking to basics.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
With a little help from his friend, Piglet Lurch keeps up. What helps one, helps all. (thekitchengarden.com)
Boo the Nanny, having done all he is able, is standing up for his piglet friend Lurch. Lurch, appropriately named, has quite a story. There is hope and his salvation may be here. Celi and Boo have a simple request. Even a line or a link in your posts would be greatly appreciated.
Simple works: noun, verb, miracles.
“Can you hear me now?” Boo Nanny calling.(thekitchengarden.com)
“A jewel in hand is… WHAT? We did not steal it. They dropped it. Finders Keepers. Stop calling us mean girls!”©
You know how it is with some: always taking credit for another’s work.
Just like cheerleaders shaking pom poms for attention, the always helpful Lantana petaled over, picked up the significant piece, and pushed it up by the window.
“Here. Look. Thought you’d want to know.”
The first red leaf – borrowed from their neighbor – not their own.
They still insist some credit is due for seeing Fall’s reservation sent well in advance.
After a baking July, followed by the wettest August since 1914, September has arrived – with style.
Color, lower humidity, and nightly temps just under 80 F.
We’ll take it.
But realistically, only wishful dreaming of fall…a traditional chilly one like in the picture books or fashion shows.
You haven’t lived until you’ve been a kid in this area spending Halloween sweating like a fountain behind a full face plastic mask with only two eyes and a mouth gap for ventilation on a typical sweltering trick or treat night.
Between heat stroke and sugar overload, kids were usually a wreck the next day.
Ah, but companies learned that lesson and adapted to the regional weather, right? Starbucks spices autumn up with latte specialty drinks either hot of cold. A little Chile Mocha, too.
First red read.
Ready for more
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
(Back on regular posting schedule soon. It’s mild enough to get outside and mostly dry – hope it is there, too. Enjoy the weekend! )
Now this is the source of the scarlet better. A bush that not only has showy fall leaves, but also pink blooms most of the winter. And berries “Show off!” complains the spring plant crowd.©
We called Uber for an escort, but oddly they slammed the phone down and said they weren’t that kind of company. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Uber shall regret this.
Yes, yes, the hall is small, but it is fraught with hazards. Littered with danger.
Your shoes are closed toe and washable, yes? Good. We grant you the opportunity to attend Us.
Staff seems to be ignoring unable to hear Our neverending demands requests. Still, it shall be easy to location them by this trail of crumbled lumps.
NO! Do not touch that! Kick it aside.
Oh, look not offended. It is a kindness.
Not snowy fluff thoughtfully tossed for Our amusement. Instead disgusting soggy tissues dropped everywhere as if by a crazed flower girl in a wedding.
Staff’s foolish attempt to recreate Shakespeare’s character Marion with that nose shows a complete lack of understanding holiday costuming.
If Harry Potter was able to locate a hidden train platform at the station and Dr Who has a Tardis, who knows what potential the dark recesses of a box holds.©
The Season of Festivals has begun with the annual Boxing of the Children. All the local realms are bubbling with joy and energy.
Even the Molly freaks Us out totally with her barking each morning has noted the return of the lumbering yellow transport boxes.
We overheard Staff discussing that many are visiting the Big Box Stores in preparation.
This excited Us, too.
We LOVE big boxes and wished to attend such a store to personally selection a big box for Our own. A whole store to committed to offering a big selection – how thrilling.
But Staff declined.
We were terrible terribly disappointed.
Perhaps Staff was wise, as it appears the yearly Invasion of the Orange Vegetables may commence early this year.
The stores are already offering protective camouflage costumes for the fall veggie assault.
Holler-Ring cannot be far behind.
Rumor says a couple of high-profile, newsworthy, presidential candidates trend setters are already considering their fall festival costuming:
We feel compelled to offer some advice to these two individuals.
Fall garb is to disguise, not reveal who they really are:
Not wise to tempt the March of Musheaded Vegetables.
Ah, there is Staff now.
We appreciate your escort.
Yes, yes. You may tell your family of your good luck.
But only close family – not all those cousins and any social media “family tree”.
Obvious social-climbing is so gauche.
Felines know to climb in secret.
It is apparent that humans and dogs do not.
The Molly, on the other paw, might consider a sport other than tree climbing as a hobby.©
This is where We leave you.
There’s the door – and the location for you know what:
And don’t forget to leave an open can of food in the doorway as tribute
The paw is waving! Are you blind as well as deaf?
Audience fini.
Yes, yes. That is an attractive bow in apology, but go, you must.
Adieu, mon chere
I am RC Cat and I approve this message.
Related posts from the Realm: “Floating out Veggie hypothesis” or the German struggles as a new RC of her Realm with “Wayward Sockies and Blowhard Vegetable Invaders”
.
Oh, my! More out of the box Halloween options that candidates could consider? Any other suggestions?
Hmmm. If only Marie Antoinette had kept her head. A bold woman holding power in the world. If only she had realized the mic was on when she said, “Let them eat cake – free cake – And mandate they must like it!” (US PD/smithsonianmag.com)
How about the “No tears for me” girl? (Eva Peron or Evita by Costume designer Chris Oram/fashionista)
Only a little law-breaker. Small criminal.Petty.This is petty, right?(Partycity.com)
Unfortunately the costume model turned too quickly so it was impossible to see if the bag was labeled “Wall Street” or “Lobbyists” or both. Stark and dark. (Party City.com)
Risky couple of choices: One a bit rusty and said to be steely and heartless. The other goes against the grain, is always matchless, and is rumored to have no brain. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Yo-ho-ho. Making out like pirates. Suited up for a national treasure hunt.(PartyCity.com)
Possibility. Everyone loves a bit of mystery. Exactly what is hidden by that hat, cape, and swagger? Nothing like surprises to add to the fun and games .(Costumesfc.com)
National Day of the Dog. In the spirit of graciousness and kindness to the lesser species We salute the canines.
Those of the furkini clan who protect and provide comic relief.
Even those who appear like Lucy with tire marks on their backs.
Lucy (her story here) is proof that the smallest paws can have a supper bowl of impact on the lives of both dogs and cats.
What? “Supper” / “super” – not much difference.
So in honor of dogs can hardly believe those words managed to pass our lips…although We do admit growing fond of the Molly , We, RC Cat of the Realm have planned some amusing entertainment for our subjects.
Staff insisted We reconsider Our original choice: the movie Dog Day Afternoon.
What? It’s got “dog” in the title. And it is afternoon. (Our paw is quivering with temper…)
Instead We offer an Instructional Video created by another Realm that seems perfect.
This fine feline lecturer has additional training films on such subjects as “Regarding the Big Game“, “The Vertical Carpet“, “The Disappearing Humans”, “The Art of Massage“, “Regarding Friendship”, “Bathing Your Human”, “The Forbidden Water Bowl” and more.
Yes. yes. We could provide easy clicks to links, but these additional videos can be located without too much trouble and how hard is it to look in the sidebars of those listed?
But as with anything, the greater the effort required, the more the joy once the goal is obtained.
Besides We grow weary being altruistic.
We regret duties of the Realm must be attended to, unlike you who have nothing demanded of you but to adore and pay attention to your guiding light of your world, your RC Cat so enjoy your fun without Us.
We accept your appreciative thanks in advance.
And are quite confident you will remember the custom of the Realm.
Don’t forget to leave an open can of food in the doorway as tribute
We toil so others can party. No one could walk away without complying after seeing a gaze of such exhaustion.©
May the treaties between dogs and cat always remain strong.
Adieu, mon chere
I am RC Cat and I approve this message.
Once fired, grains’ gain.©
Be the grain
Not that bothersome wheat, oat, or barley. Those too corny.
Be rock solid. Whether SiO2 or CaCO3.
Sharp crystals.
The builders.
Be the grain: pile on the poundings, repeated washes, all the tumbling and sunning.
Be not the pail.
Those of the never-ending of “half full” or “half empty”
Those far too quick to spill it all.
Be not the shovel.
Who knows where they’ve been or done.
Those too sharp and rigid. Cutting in the wrong hands.
Be the grain
Soft to the touch, yet inevitably dominating.
Undeterred by obstacles or nature’s stormy temper.
Be the grain of grit.
Make people squirm in their seats.
Just be wary of tires and feet.
Life of the beached.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Fine grains: AIA Sandcastle Competition 2016 photos.
Can your architect do this? Takes some grit to get it done.
More? 2016 Galveston AIA Sandcastle Golden Bucket Winner. Video.
On the scale of things, doesn’t get much cuter.(HoustonZoo/Stephanie Adams)
Cracks from the break room.
Blame Bob. He insisted. New baby. Of the right species.
Meat up, please. Phoenix, a Komodo Dragon, is ready to take a bite out of life.
A fine time for Dragons.
So inventor John Taylor was pleased to accommodate.
Pearls of wisdom and all.
Wise domain or wisecrack?
Questionable quips overheard in the always maddening crowds:
- Why was Adele even considered for Superbowl entertainment? They thought people would get up and go buy more beer.
- Why did the pools turn green in Rio? International businessmen snort knowingly that the chemical’s supplier suddenly realized he wasn’t going to get paid.
- The souvenir t-shirt supposedly spotted on U.S. Men’s Olympic Swim Team: “I went to Rio and all I brought back was a trashed reputation.” Thanks, guys. Add another chapter to the Ugly American.
- Mom always said, “If you can’t bring enough for everyone, don’t bring any for anyone.” Insults served up for all in the outrageously rude animated “Sausage Party”. Video clip and film review from The Guardian here. Give it a try if you’ve been finding that you can’t laugh at yourself or silly stereotypes recently. Think of the film as a vaccine against stiff-necked self-righteousness or as an allergy shot for desensitization against annoying remarks meant to be hurtful. Words – even from a sharp tongue – are just hot air. “Can’t hurt you if you don’t care and don’t let them.” Mom used to say that, too.
Docs and researchers say a little dirt is good for you. No one realized how much the news media would take that to heart.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Everyone wants to be a better person.
Cognitive psychologists know what works and why.
Maybe the schools should try it? (A bit of satire, yes? No.)
Healthcare should mandate it.
You’d think a 20% reduction of mortality risk would get people’s attention. Sugary drinks and sweet cereals certainly did. Who couldn’t be willing to find 3 hours a week to participate if it meant living 2 years longer?
Summer’s draggin’ up some seemly stuff.
Keep cool, like Bob.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve already heard enough. You’re going to be forced to listen for 75+ days as the ugly presidential campaign drags on. The price you pay for being human. And you have the nerve to call us animals.” (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Chronophage taking a chomp out of time. Seriously. It is. Greek: chrono = time, phagos = eater of.(hmns.org,/image by Laurie Perez)
Time eaters. You’ve experienced them.
Not daydreams. Those are a time’s builders.
But the others.
Like cell phones. (More exactly, like your mom on cell phones. Why is my number listed as “Technical Assist for anything and everything”?)
Like Facebook. (Setting any records for unfriending these days?)
Like any attempt to find a channel where you don’t hear the words “Phelps”, “Biles”, “Clinton”, or “Trump”. (The media has become so boorish that if they were neighbors and you were hosting a block party and they were at the front door, you’d tell everyone to be quiet and hide until they left.)
Getting the run-around high on the museum wall. ©
Treasures like the fanciful Chronophage are no waste of time.
“Part insect, part reptile, the chronophage represents the looming presence of wasted time. Every 60 seconds, she opens her mouth to devour the passing minute. She appears weathered, but her lacy enamel wings suggest she was once beautiful. Every hour, she stretches her titanium body, her glass eyes light up, and she warbles the Westminster Chimes, voiced by Scottish Opera singer Kate Valentine. From outer to inner, the rings light up to count seconds, minutes, and hours…”. read more from HMNS.
More than just a pretty face, all the magic is in the grasshopper-like leg movements.
This grasshopper escapement is real science and was critical to 16th century seafarers. Why? Wild oceans created more problems than just sea sickness for sailors.
John C. Taylor has only created 4 of these clocks which are designed to show the relativity of time.
This one’s pacing around on the wall of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, but only until Sept 18th. Don’t wait until you run out of time.
Time runs around in circles, but can’t escape the inevitable crunch time. (hmns.org)
As Einstein used to say “When you sit on a park bench with a pretty girl for an hours, it seems like a minute; but if you sit on a hot stove for a minute it seems like an hour: that’s relativity.”
Time after time
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
(Still on blogging break, but this is cool.)
A similar clock, The Corpus Clock (in Cambridge), by John Taylor.
Clear. Search of area complete.©
No snake in the grass.
Good to get back to roots.
Might find what’s bugging you.
(Munching)
Hiding in plain sight. A dancer of the shadows. Every family has one. ©
Seems crowded: from you and what army?
A relative gathering: Lizards’ reunion.
Hunting available. Draws them.
Like flies.
(Nod)
Old guard out to impress. Can’t have a reunion without at least one show off.©
This season’s well seasoned.
(Silence)
Staff still singing that tune.
Sends regrets. For fewer posts or that musical link? Earworms.
(Smirk)
Bye,
Bob
More Bob here.
(Who is Bob? Simple)
Always one extreme athletic type. Works during the week as trainer for American Ninja Warrior competitions.
Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 