Words and Curiosities

As a lover of antiquities, reference books and, of course, words, I've spent the past few months wondering whether my overflowing bookshelves might have a little extra space for a copy of Pictorial Webster's: A Visual Dictionary of Curiosities.

Printed by Quercus Press, and released last August, Pictorial Webster's is a 400 page alphabetical arrangement of images printed from wood carvings and copper electrotypes used in 19th Century dictionaries.

The project was begun by John Carrera almost fifteen years ago when he found a tattered 1898 dictionary under his grandfather's favorite reading chair at the family farm. Read all about it right here.

Here's a peek inside the pages of this artistic and whimsical volume of lexical history:

Naturally, the copy I was thinking of adding to my collection is the Trade Edition, shown above, and available on Amazon.com for a very reasonable sum.

Nonetheless, this film detailing the making of the $4600 leather-bound Deluxe Edition, is incredible. From the actual printing of each image, to the cutting of the pages, to the painstaking binding and stamping of the cover, it is an amazing glimpse into the process of creating a book. I was blown away! Well worth 7 minutes to check it out.

Pictorial Webster's: Inspiration to Completion from John Carrera on Vimeo.

Alma

If you're down for a little dose of creepy, take two minutes to watch Alma, a beautifully-made animated short that I stumbled upon earlier this evening, written and directed by Rodrigo Blaas. But don't say I didn't warn you...

( via GeekTyrant)

Just Can't Get Enough

We all know that there is loads of fun to be had with Flickr, but have you seen this website?

Be forewarned. It's a little addictive. One could easily while away an indecent amount of time experimenting with color combinations if she were so inclined.

These shots come from the magical mix of photos that Flickr spun out for me today.

A Different Kind of Meet-Up

Every once in a while you come across a scene or event that is just begging to be photographed. Usually in those circumstances I curse myself for lacking the foresight to bring my camera along. But every once in a while, I'm prepared.

Perhaps you were unaware, as I was, that yesterday was the biannual New York City Dachshund Meet-Up in Washington Square Park. Folks, this was no little meet up. This was an event.

Everyone was sporting their very best outfits:



Often with a thematically appropriate touch:



and thematically appropriate accessories too!



New friends were made:


Yes, the Yankee fan was getting friendly with the military dachshund, and the well dressed little lady dachshund tried to make the out-of-place pug feel at home.


Everyone was eager to pose for the camera:




There was even musical accompaniment--an organ grinder churning out "The Dach's Song," which was sung with gusto by the many dachshund parents attending.


Have a look at the lyrics.

Dachsie, meine dachsie, best canine under the sun. Call you "wiener" or "sausage" or "hot dog," we know that you're number one.

Surely enough to melt the heart of any dachshund owner.

Seeking Paparazzi?

I find it to be such an odd, odd concept that people would seek out the experience of being followed by paparazzi. Granted, I am a little camera shy (getting in front of one, anyway) but it seems like we may have taken our obsession with celebrity culture a little too far. We can now hire paparazzi to follow us around, pester us, and make us feel just like Brad and Angelina.

I was so bemused by this article in TIME a couple of months ago, I tore out the page and stuffed it in my bag, thinking I would mention it to my husband or maybe share it with you all. I just rediscovered it there this morning, slightly crumpled and still just as incomprehensible to me. Apparently hiring paparazzi is a happening new trend for birthday parties and people out for a night on the town. According to the article, at Celeb 4 A Day for one low price of $1,499 you can hire "six paparazzi for two hours, a publicist to tell them to stop bothering you, a bodyguard to protect you from the crowd, limo service, a glossy MyStar magazine cover [with your picture on it] and a CD containing 10 photos."

You hire paparazzi to bother you and people to get them to stop bothering you? Is this stuff for real?

News Flash

We interrupt this recap of my trip to idyllic Vancouver to bring you Breaking News. The Village Voice has published an article on the much-watched Food Network show, Iron Chef America. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in how it really all goes down in kitchen stadium. I warn you, it kind of takes the shine off the penny.

Iron Chef Boyardee by Robert Sietsema

I only wish Robert Sietsema had been able to get the inside scoop on the Chairman, whose quirks continue to mystify me. Like why does the Chairman backflip into kitchen stadium? And why, during the show's intro, does he stare intently at a sweet yellow pepper, only to pull a switcheroo and bite into an apple at the last second? We may never know.

Something to Reflect On

The other day my father sent me a link to a series of photographs by Seattle artist Chris Jordan. I found it so thought-provoking I had to share it here. The series is called Running the Numbers: An American Self Portrait. Check it out.