Book Signings and the Kindle

A Kindle, the popular e-reader, signed recently by David Sedaris at a reading. The New York Times explains:

A recent reading in Manhattan at the Strand bookstore by David Sedaris, whose most recent book is “When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” may have offered a glimpse of the future. A man named Marty who had waited in the book-signing line presented his Kindle, on the back of which Mr. Sedaris, in mock horror, wrote, “This bespells doom.”

Although if you read the article you'll learn that the Kindle might be the most normal thing David Sedaris has signed.

Lets Hug It Out

A sculpture from artist Miranda July's latest "Eleven Heavy Things." It's an interactive collection of eleven outdoor pieces consisting of "pedestals to stand on, tablets with holes for body parts, and free-standing headdresses" that are meant to be posed with by viewers.

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Color Script for Pixar's Up

Among the many steps involved in the process of developing an animated film, especially ones as complex as those produced by Pixar, a color script is created, which is used by the filmmakers "to get a feel of the colour, mood, and visual atmosphere of the film." Check out these high res color script used in the production of Pixar's latest brilliant "Up."  Of course if you haven't seen it yet and plan on doing so, here's your spoiler warning.

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Tri-Tongue Adidas Sneakers

Too aggressive for me, but if you want 'em these Adidas Originals by Originals Jeremy Scott 3 Tongue Altitude kicks are scheduled to be available in August, 2009.

Rain Sensitive Color Changing Umbrella

Prompted by yet another rainy week and having yet another pair of white shoes ruined, I mentioned to a friend how I wished someone would invent a pair of white sneakers that would change to black when it rained outside. Well, here's an umbrella that changes color and unveils a new design in the rain. £22 here.

Chewing in Venice

An older gummy piece by Simone Decker.

Iran's Political Structure

A simplified visualization explaining the structure of Iran's political system. Here's also a "Who's Who" FAQ from the BBC.

10 Notable Diamonds

10 of the world's most extreme diamond bling.

The Ocean Dream Diamond

The Ocean Dream may be small - a mere 5.51 carats - but it’s the only diamond in the world of its kind. No other diamond is known to naturally possess a blue-green hue like this one. The color is thought to have come from being exposed to natural radiation in Central Africa for thousands of years. It’s currently owned by the Cora Diamond Corporation, but you might have seen it at the Smithsonian as part of “The Splendor of Diamonds” exhibit a few years back.

Pooja's New Shoes

I didn't think this shoe+sock combination, a spork of footwear if you will, was very work appropriate, but Pooja mumbled something about comfort and being "fashion forward." $69 here.

The Outlet Wall

A "plug" for this brilliant idea.

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Michael Gondry's Mad World

This video directed by Michael Gondry ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Dave Chapelle's Block Party") is an oldie but goodie. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N3N1MlvVc4&fmt=18]

Mark Dean Veca

Check out Brooklyn artist Mark Dean Veca who is "renowned for creating paintings, drawings and installations that portray surreal cartoons, psychedelic landscapes, and pop culture iconography while also being inspired by long-established decorative motifs."

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United States of Baseball

The United States redrawn to match baseball allegiances. Accurate? Inaccurate? Discuss.

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Laughter Soundboard

I personally think it's kind of creepy, but here's a soundboard with different laughs. YMMV: Your mileage may vary.

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Nike Marty McFlys

This is like shoe porn: Here's the Nike Marty McFly-esque Hypermax NFW kicks with glow-in-the-dark soles. I'm not so sure I can pull these off, especially in a dark bar or club, but these are hype!!!

Dropped Cone

Seen in Cologne, Germany, this whimsy installation was commission in 2001 by the building owners from duo Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Check out their other great large scale pieces.

Quote

I am a deeply superficial person.

- Andy Warhol

Booking T-shirt

Show off your misdemeanor cred with this t-shirt from Maison Martin Margiela.

Weekend Update

Other than a few random parties, I visited the newly opened High Line, a public park built over an elevated old railway  in Manhattan's west side with the rest of New York City. Unfortunately, my camera battery died when I tried to use it so all I have are these shaky cell phone snapshots of the park. Go check it out. Even The Girl I went with, ever the critic, deemed it above average.

Juxtaposition

When I doodle this is the way I imagine it in my head:

This is the way it looks in reality: