It’s been a good week on the internet and there are just too many things still to share with you all. So dig in for a good hour or two.
Transportation
A recent conversation with the moto-heads of my acquaintance questioned the nature of some of Ducati’s recent crop of “special edition bikes.” Here’s a look at one of the real™ classics.
I don’t know whether to be offended, amused, or heartened by this look at the role of women in the design of automobiles. I disagree with the statement that you don’t need to be a gear-head to be good, but only if you allow for gear-head to cover more ground than just a fascination with cylinder head shape and rebound calculations. I hesitate to admit that the most appealing image in the story is the “Damsels of Design” lined up with Harley Earl. Oh, and the headline writer should be pelted with powder puffs.
You can go look up the history and all that if you’d like. I’ll just sit quietly and look. Megola.
Unclassifiable
Oh you’re a diver, how cool is that? Um, maybe not so cool if you are Carlos Barrios Orta and your job is to keep the sewers of Mexico City flowing.
… and the national geographic video here (not safe for lunch)
Science
Freezing tissue samples at the American Museum of Natural History. The Ambrose Monell Cryo Collection. Bet you didn’t know that AMNH had so many kinds of collections.
Remember the Giant Spider Crab shedding it’s shell from the other day? Here’s a nice Nat Geo gallery featuring him and some of his deep ocean living buddies. Starting with the aptly named Fang Tooth Fish. OMG, and there’s a Vampire Squid. The usual Nat Geo high quality photography.
Food
Candy specifically designed to be shared.
A brief look at the process of hand raising apples in Japan. We’ve all marveled at the perfectly presented ideal fruit in Japanese groceries, these baskets and trays are meant for giving as a gift. Jane Alden has photographed the farmers and their orchards.
Art, Images, and Design
Jane Alden’s own website features a less peaceful but utterly compelling essay World War I on the Tears of Stone.
A couple of pointers to the art of Kodomo no kuni, a Japanese children’s magazine published in the 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. From the gallery of illustrations I particularly like the work of Takei Takeo and Onchi Koshiro. (Click on the list icon under the pictures to see a list of all the illustrators.) Some general information about the magazine is also given.
Summer arrived quite suddenly a couple of days ago and I want this instant Popsicle maker. Now where did I see that citrus cooler pop recipe? The one with the vodka in it?
Video
Helen Mirren with a sniper rifle. If you don’t want to see this… I’m going to wonder about your taste in violence. RED the trailer is up.