Friday, November 15, 2024

The Squeeze - Republished

Excerpt from Advanced Aquarists Online Magazine:

"With very few exceptions octopuses are phenomenal escape artists, and even a large octopus (some of mine have had a head the size of a large grapefruit and been nearly 3 feet in diameter when spread out) can easily make a home out of a long-neck beer bottle! For a simple rule-of-thumb to suggest to hobbyists, I generally say that if you can stick your pinky finger into a hole, your octopus will be able to crawl through it."

Tim Burton's Vincent - Republished

Vincent is a 6 minute stop-motion film written, designed and directed by Tim Burton. It portrays the macabre fantasy world of Vincent Malloy, a young boy obsessed with being "just like" Vincent Price.

The film's narrative consists of a poem written by Tim Burton and narrated by none other than Vincent Price himself.



Macabre Satisfaction - Ramalama - Republished

This dance routine was choreographed by Wade Robson. Between his macabre choreography, the sepulchral makeup, the freakish costuming and the bizarre music of Roisin Murphy, I found the whole dance number to be incredibly mesmerizing and thoroughly, albeit oddly, entertaining.


The Hummingbird & The Flower - A Love Story - Republished

This is another* wonderful dance routine choreographed by Wade Robson. Wade and his wife, Amanda, blend this magical choreography with a haunting choice of music, simple costume design, inventive hair styling and iridescent makeup to create another* memorable, mesmerizing and superbly entertaining dance number.

The Hummingbird & The Flower

A Love Story


Dancers:
and Jaimie Goodwin

*See prior Wade Robson post, Macabre Satisfaction, dated August 19, 2006.

Fur & Feathers - A Friendship - Republished

The Naked Eye Of The Needle - Republished

Willard Wigan continues to amaze me, not only his art, but his journey as well. His artwork and his life have a common thread . . . creating a masterpiece from what others might consider to be nothing at all.

The Microscopic Sculptures of Willard Wigan
(from Amazing Planet - includes video from ABC's June 20, 2007 Newscast)
Wigan Gold ShipPhoto © CBBC Newsround

Dustin Black's Oscar Acceptance Speech - Republished

Watch this inspiring speech and, if you are so inclined, sign the thank you note and invite your friends to watch the video as well.

Dustin Black's powerful and poignant Oscar acceptance speech
for Best Original Screenplay.



Send your thanks to
Dustin Lance Black, Sean Penn
and Cleve Jones for making "Milk" possible.
www.couragecampaign.org

Mare's Tails - Republished

The wind was howling in Malibu today. A eucalyptus tree toppled over and barely missed the house it once shaded. Down by the beach, consecutive gusts created rivers of blowing sand that swept over the ground and erased footprints within its path. Mare's tails were blown in long wisps atop the crest of each wave.

In the early afternoon, there was a low tide, a negative tide of close to two feet. Taking photographs of the tidepools and experimenting with my new camera seemed to be a great idea at the time. Of course, that was before the wind started showing some major attitude.

Although grains of sand sometimes ended up in my eyes and my skin was sometimes abraded by the relentless blasts, pictures were on my mind, and somehow or another I planned on taking those photos. And, I did. And, it was a lesson in futility, especially when attempting to take pictures of wildlife while being blown sideways, backward, forward, you name it.



Was it worth it? Well, it kept me busy for two hours, and it was good exercise. What struck me as odd was that a couple of guys on horseback would ride by the day after I published the post about Apollo. I'm unaccustomed to that sight. Maybe it's a sign. Ha!


Palisades Rat Pack - Republished

Two old ladies lovingly fed rats,
turning a home in one of the nation's priciest enclaves
into Willard. Health officials let them.


Rathouse of the Palisades
by Max Taves
LA Weekly - July 30, 2008



I'm Only Four - Republished


For years, I've been telling friends that "I'm only four." And, for years, many of my friends have nodded their heads, laughed, and not known the origin of my words.

At long last, my friends will be able to unravel the mystery behind my words.

I invite you to watch, Munro, the 1961 Academy Award Winner for Best Animated Short Film.



Pssst. I'm still only four.

Reluctantly Letting Go - Republished

Letting go of any friendship is difficult, even one that has become rancid.

An old friend of mine no longer sees me in a positive light. The sparkling eyes from the laughter that my friendship once brought is gone. My presence is no longer acknowledged or welcome. No smiles. No willingness to hug or be hugged. Decades ago, that was not the case. Decades.

To be condemned for my weaknesses while neglecting to recognize and embrace my strengths causes me pain. It angers me as well, since it has taken years for me to see myself as the good and loving person that I am, to see all the beauty that I bring to this world and to those whose lives I touch.

Given the circumstances, it is no wonder that we are no longer able to bring out the best in each other. I mourn the loss nonetheless.