the horse's mouth

Architorture: A New Series Presenting Eyesores From Around The World.

I have a special affinity for the subject of ugly buildings because I suffered through 5 years of Architecture school. Our professors tortured us by belittling our efforts, even going as far as using red pens to mark up our projects, and making students cry. So now it's time to put the shoe on the other foot and give the gurus of ugliness a taste of their own medicine.

Here we go. I present to you the latest eyesore (idea stolen from James Howard Kunstler) from everyone's favorite architect, Frank Gehry. 

Ladies and gentlemen, the Luma Arts Tower.

It majestically rises above Arles. Oh my, it's stunning and fits right in with the surrounding buildings creating a sense of calm.

Look at the detail, it's so serene and beautiful.

Yes, boys and girls, chaos and confusion are not confined to our streets they are reflected in our architorture.

Remember.

Are You Alive?

I don't know.
Let me check my pulse. Okay, there's something there. Mind you, I might be a Zombie.

Where have you been?
I'd like to think that you are asking this question. Here, there, and everywhere. But mostly not here.

Will you blog again?
What do you call this, chopped liver? Less equals more.

Does History Repeat Itself?

We've seen this movie before and it does not end well.

So, where will you stand in history, on the side of free speech or silencing those who you disagree with?

Monsieur l’abbé, je déteste ce que vous écrivez, mais je donnerai ma vie pour que vous puissiez continuer à écrire.

Social Distancing?

"To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times as reasonably possible maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence."

Fauci Warns Young Americans About Ignoring Advice on Social Distancing.

Do as I say, not as I do.

Why are cameras disappearing?

In this vodcast, experts in the field review the state of cameras in 2019 to discuss why they are disappearing.

 

Boat.

Many of the people on the water today are unknown to you and me, and yet they are better watermen than the folks who get all the press. Look to those old guys who know the ropes rather than the guys on the covers of the sailing mags or sites. They'll teach you a thing or two.

My two centavos. 

A lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth can get its boots on

"Besides, as the vilest Writer has his Readers, so the greatest Liar has his Believers; and it often happens, that if a Lie be believed only for an Hour, it has done its Work, and there is no farther occasion for it. Falsehood flies, and the Truth comes limping after it; so that when Men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the Jest is over, and the Tale has had its Effect." - Jonathan Swift

The Wheels Come Off. Some Citizens Are Upset.

I understand that it is not easy on these people.
The gap has been growing. I was busy doing other things. I would like to be guided by the will of the people of France. Free People! Too slow....look at my tie...no don't look....we will cancel taxes....ah...please don't reinduce the guillotine. Por la France...we need to produce......I'm not ready to be deposed, please. I'm not a crazy person who wants you to heat up your houses. Ah, social circles.....I want to be the coordinator. Talk to me. I will meet the mayors and you. This crisis must end! I'm going to talk to you again about more stuff. Vive la France!

The land of some of my ancestors. The ones from Britanny, Vive la France !

Facebook?

Cropped from "Echo and Narcissus" (1903), by John William Waterhouse.
Bloody hell, I hope I'm not a Narcissist. 

In Persona Christi. My Favorite Catholic Priest (In English). Fr. Stephan Wang.

I know many of you are nonbelievers, but give Father Stephan a listen. He's pretty low key, and English/Chinese like me. (I'm just saying.) (My ancestors were also from France, Ireland, Spain, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines. They were globalists before there were globalists)

Insanity! How Much Did You Pay For That Watch?

How much is that Rolex in the window? 17.8 million dollars. Sir, you are insane!

Strange days.

"At the time that Newman gave the watch to James Cox, the watch was selling for about $200," Boutros noted. At today's selling price of $17.8 million, that's quite a return on investment." The insanity of our times! Holy cow, the rails have (really) come off the tracks. I think you could fund a soup kitchen or two instead. /end rant.

Food For Thought From Simon Whistler. (Linkage) (Video)

Simon provides insight into the issues of the day. Check out his 2 channels, Top Tenz and Visual Politik, for other interesting topics.

Hype Err Loop

“I am Elon, the Great and Terrible. Who are you, and why do you seek me?"

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!

Thank God (the Great Spaghetti Monster) for Thunderfoot for calling out charlatans of all sorts. Why do we fall for this sort of loopy stuff?

Let's Sugar Coat The World. (My Life Is Awesome, Yours Is Not.)

Gaze upon my perfect world.

Look at the amazing places that I visit.

My life is perfect.

Your life sucks!

My life is awesome.

Your life sucks!

How do I know?

Facebook tells me so.

Your life sucks!

My life is awesome.

How do I know?

Facebook tells me so.

Garbage in, garbage out.

I Like Polymers!

Barbie comes to life. When did men start playing with dolls?

We're doomed!

I'm Dumbfounded, How Did The USS Fitzgerald Manage To Get T-Boned By A Slower Moving Ship?

Why am I dumbfounded?

Bridge watch.

Yes, I know, it was at night and the dreaded midwatch. 

The CIC.

Operators scanning for surface contacts (can you say ships?).

Starboard watch.

Aft watch.

1. How did all those folks on watch fail to see an approaching ship?
2. Was the crew tired?
3. Did the OOD see the ship and think he could cut in front of it because the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are fast and can turn on a dime?

The above video shows the capabilities of the Arleigh Burke class destroyer. So how did the USS Fitzgerald not see a slow moving ship? Like I said, I'm dumbfounded.

God rest the souls of the sailors who lost their lives.

Click here to read gCaptain's take on the incident.

Time For Your Medicine, Old Man.

What's the biggest news coming out of the Comey hearings today? Sen. John McCain seems a little lost.

Memorial Day.

Contrary to popular belief today is not another excuse to go shopping or throw a frisbee in the park while chomping down on a hot dog. Today is about somber reflection on those who gave their lives for you and their country, whether you agree with those conflicts or not.

What Is A Monopoly?

A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity (this contrasts with a monopsony which relates to a single entity's control of a market to purchase a good or service, and with oligopoly which consists of a few sellers dominating a market). Monopolies are thus characterized by a lack of economic competition to produce the good or service, a lack of viable substitute goods, and the possibility of a high monopoly price well above the seller's marginal cost that leads to a high monopoly profit. The verb monopolise or monopolize refers to the process by which a company gains the ability to raise prices or exclude competitors. In economics, a monopoly is a single seller. In law, a monopoly is a business entity that has significant market power, that is, the power to charge overly high prices.  Although monopolies may be big businesses, size is not a characteristic of a monopoly. A small business may still have the power to raise prices in a small industry (or market).

Amazon's ambitions to upend the grocery market appear to be getting larger. Just two days after the online retailer said it is testing free grocery pickup that could eventually be rolled out to paying Prime members, Bloomberg reports it is working to convince major brands they'd be better off selling their goods directly to shoppers. That means bypassing brick-and-mortar chains like Wal-Mart, Target and Costco, according to Bloomberg.