1.
A car landed vertically in a snowbank in an accident involving several vehicles on Interstate 93 north of Salem, N.H. No one was injured.
2.
Diane Watry skis down Michigan Avenue as she makes her way to work.
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A man watches as large chunks of ice crash into the break wall at the Milwaukee Marina in Wisconsin.
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Hundreds of cars are seen stranded on lake Shore drive Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011 in Chicago.
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Another picture of Lake Shore Drive.
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Snow accumulates on the driver seat of a stranded Chicago Transit bus after the door was left open during a severe winter storm on Lake Shore Drive.
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Another picture of the bus.
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Snow accumulates in a pickup truck that was stranded and left open on Lake Shore Drive.
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Another picture of the pickup truck on Lakeshore Drive.
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A dog named Muldoon waits in the snow for its owner who stopped for coffee in Vermont.
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Snow finds its way inside through a revolving in Iowa City.
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An aerial shot of Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.
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I-70 near Boonville, Missouri.
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The Chicago lakefront is lost in blowing snow on the second day of the storm.
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A dog wanders above Lake Shore Drive where dozens of vehicles were stranded in the storm.
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A pedestrian leaps over the median on Lake Shore Drive toward vehicles abandoned in the storm.
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Abandoned vehicles litter northbound Lake Shore Drive.
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Mary Blake ice skates in the street in front of her home in Noblesville, Indiana. (Via Indystar.)
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Gary Phillips uses a $10.00 torch to melt the ice on a $30,000 truck in Indiana. (Via Indystar.)
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Interstate in Ohio.
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Interstate in Ohio.
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Ohio.
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High waves pound along a break wall near a lighthouse in Lake Michigan.
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A fallen tree weighed down with ice sits on Old Herhey Road in Elizabethtown, Pa.
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A bicyclist makes her way in Milwaukee, Wis.
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Cars are buried as a woman tries to clear her windshield in Milwaukee.
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Ice and freezing rain covers sidewalks as early-morning commuters carefully walk to the Metro-North commuter train platform in Ossining, N.Y.
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Grafton, Wisconsin.
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Grafton, Wisconsin.
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Cedarberg, Wisconsin.
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Iowa City, Iowa.
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St. Louis, Missouri.
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Drifts build around an overturned tractor-trailer on westbound Interstate 44 near the Allenton, Missouri. Via STLToday.
38.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Lake Michigan.
40.
Chicago.
February 03, 2011
January 03, 2011
Detroit in ruins | Art and design | The Observer
The ruined Spanish-Gothic interior of the United Artists Theater in Detroit. The cinema was built in 1928 by C Howard Crane, and finally closed in 1974 Photograph: Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre
see full article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/jan/02/detroit-ruins-marchand-mef...
November 30, 2010
The world’s greatest bookshops - travel tips and articles - Lonely Planet
The world’s greatest bookshops
Bookshops are a traveller’s best friend: they provide convenient shelter and diversion in bad weather, they’re a reliable source of maps, notebooks, and travel guides, they often host readings and other cultural events, and if you raced through your lone paperback on the first leg of your trip, the bookshop is the place to go for literary replenishment. Taken from Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2011, here are our picks for the best spots to browse, buy, hang out, find sanctuary among the shelves, rave about your favourite writers and meet book-loving characters.
1. City Lights Books, San Francisco, USA
Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s City Lights Books is still one of the world’s coolest bookshops, almost 60 years after it opened for bohemian business. Having been a meeting point for American literary icons, from beat writers like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg onwards, it’s still central to the city’s vibrant cultural scene. As well as three floors of tomes, including those published by City Lights, the shop offers weekly readings and events. More than the nearby Beat Museum, this is the place to feel the boho buzz that once inspired Kerouac et al to drive across America to the Bay Area.
Check www.citylights.com for details of upcoming events; and you can do that pretty much anywhere in wi-fi-blanketed San Francisco.
2. Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina
It’s grand, it’s splendid, it’s a strong contender to be the world’s most beautiful bookshop. Occupying a 1920s theatre in downtown Buenos Aires, El Ateneo has kept the sumptuous auditorium’s original furnishings – and added books. Beneath the painted ceiling, shelves have been built into the spectator balconies. When you’ve finished gawping at the ornate carvings and it’s time to put finger to page, the former theatre boxes are now intimate reading rooms. There’s a cafe on the stage, between red velvet curtains, and the final firework in the literary spectacle is the round-the-clock opening hours.
Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid is located on the south side of Ave Santa Fe, 50m west of Ave Callao.
3. Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal
A little over 100 years old, this art nouveau gem in Portugal’s second city remains one of the world’s most stunning shops – perhaps of any kind. Competing for attention with the books are wrap-around, neo-Gothic shelves, featuring panels carved with Portuguese literary figures. A track, used by the staff for transporting stock in a cart, leads from the entrance to the lolloping red staircase, which winds up to the first floor like an exotic flower. Books are available in English as well as Portuguese, and there’s a small cafe upstairs beneath the stained-glass skylight.
You can continue the Art Nouveau tour of Porto at Café Majestic and streets such as Rua Galeria de Paris.
4. Shakespeare & Company, Paris, France
Where did the American beat poets go to share cigarettes and profundities when they were in Europe? Shakespeare & Company of course – located in Paris’ Latin Quarter, a tome’s throw from Notre Dame Cathedral. George Whitman, the eccentric American bibliophile who opened the cosy store in 1951, has handed the reins to his daughter as he approaches 100. Nonetheless, much of Shakespeare & Co’s creative, chaotic spirit remains. It’s still a prime spot to fill your rucksack with paperbacks, hang with the Left Bank literati, and admire the packed shelves, wooden beams and poetic posters.
Nearby transport links include St-Michel (metro line 4) and St-Michel Notre Dame (RER lines B and C). Visit http://shakespeareandcompany.com for more information.
5. Daunt Books, London, England
London is an armchair explorer’s dream, offering high-quality, travel-focused book dens such as Stanford’s and The Travel Bookshop. Our favourite is Daunt Books. The mini-chain stocks a lot more than guides and maps, and everything – from biographies to fiction – is handily arranged by country. The green Daunt Books sign is found in five well-heeled enclaves of London, but the Marylebone branch is the original and best. Occupying an Edwardian bookshop, its long oak galleries with polished floors and shelves, graceful skylights and William Morris prints create a peaceful atmosphere. The perfect place for some serious browsing.
The branches at 83 Marylebone High St, Chelsea, Holland Park, Hampstead and Belsize Park open seven days a week; visit www.dauntbooks.co.uk.
6. Another Country, Berlin, Germany
The commendably eccentric Another Country is a hub for everyone from Berlin’s expat community to indie bands. The Kreuzberg institution is more of a library than a conventional bookshop; you can pay for the book, return it when you’ve read it, and get your money back – minus €1.50. In addition to some 20,000 books, the sprawling shop-cum-club offers much-loved events, including the Tuesday-night film club, Thursday TV night and Friday dinner. In the finest tradition of leftfield bookstores, Another Country inspires as well as sells creative efforts, and its website features a comic and a story about the shop.
Located at Riemannstrasse 7, Another Country is open Tuesday to Friday 11am to 8pm and weekends from noon to 4pm. The film and TV nights start at 8pm; the dinner at 9pm; visit www.anothercountry.de.
7. The Bookworm, Beijing, China
The Bookworm does everything a good bookshop should do – which is a lot more than sell books. The Beijing mothership, which has spawned branches in Suzhou and Chengdu, has played a huge role in promoting both local and foreign literature. Not only is it one of the few places in China where you can pick up books which are banned in the country, it has a lending library with 16,000-plus titles. The library is also the setting for a healthy program of events, from gigs to an annual literary festival. There’s even a whisky bar and monthly wine club.
The Bookworm International Literary Festival takes place in Beijing, Suzhou and Chengdu over two weeks in mid-March; see www.chinabookworm.com.
8. Selexyz Dominicanen, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Occupying a 13th-century Dominican church – which Maastricht’s cyclists had appropriated for bike storage – Selexyz Dominicanen consists of a steel bookstack rising towards the heavens. Cunningly, this both leaves the nave’s grandeur intact and creates 1,200 sq metres of selling space – despite the 750-sq-metre floor area. Staircases and a lift lead to the top of the three-storey stack, where you can eyeball 14th-century ceiling paintings. The altar has been superseded by a cafe, with a halo of lights hanging above a cruciform table. It’s an award-winning architectural triumph and a peaceful haven for page thumbing.
Close to both Liège in Belgium and Aachen in Germany, Maastricht is connected to Amsterdam, some 220km northwest, by train.
9. Bookàbar, Rome, Italy
Just the thought of big, sexy art books makes us consider diverting our travel dollars to collecting coffee table beauties. Alright, it’s rash talk; but even hardened travellers might agree when they ogle the arty tomes in Bookàbar – the perfect setting. With a curvy ceiling and long, smooth shelves, the shop’s coolly contemporary, snow-white interior hordes books, catalogues, CDs, DVDs and merchandise. It looks like a space station staffed by extremely well-read astronauts. The neighbours certainly don’t lower the tone, as it’s part of the Palazzo delle Esposizioni exhibition centre. Bookàbar’s adjoining cafe serves dishes inspired by the centre’s exhibitions.
Palazzo delle Esposizioni, which normally has a few exhibitions covering various art forms, is near the junction of Via Nazionale and Via Milano.
10. Atlantis Books, Santorini, Greece
In an age when independent bookshops are being replaced by chains and websites, a gang of American and European university graduates realised the dream of opening one – on a Greek island. ‘We found an empty building facing the sunset, drank some whiskey and signed a lease,’ explains www.atlantisbooks.org, though we suspect it was more of a mission than that. The shop occupies the basement of a whitewashed, cliff-top villa, which the communally minded staff also call home. The terrace overlooking the Aegean hosts cultural happenings, and inside are more cult novels and quality books than you can shake a quill at.
Santorini is to linked to Athens by Blue Star Ferries, Hellas Flying Dolphins ferries, Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines.
October 22, 2010
24 Rooms in a 30 Square Meter Apartment? Gary Chang Shows How It's Done.
In one of the most populated cities in the world, where 30 square meter apartments are a way of living, one has to be creative. But we would say that this home crosses the creativity line and becomes a work of genius. Gary Chang, an architect from Hong Kong figured it was time to bring a little change to the design scene in China. His apartment was the first to suffer a major transformation. How many rooms can fit in a 30 sq meters apartment? One? Ok, maybe two, if you count the hallway.Well, prepare to get shocked: Gary managed to fit 24 rooms in such a place and each and everyone of them has its unique personality. This was possible due to an ingenious system of sliding walls which can be moved around in order to reveal more room and utilities.
Chang has been living in this apartment since he was 14 years old. After his parents moved out, he tried a series of modifications:
Gary Chang was born in Hong Kong in 1962 and graduated from The University of Hong Kong in 1987 with a degree in Architecture. He founded his company EDGE in 1994 and his commercial commissions include clubhouses, retail spaces, hotels, restaurants, offices, homes, yacht and aircraft interiors as well as product designs.
August 31, 2010
Engraved steel plates from an 1886 Genealogical history of Medway, MA
Engraved steel plates from an 1886 Genealogical history of Medway, MA
The Biographical Sketches of Prominent Persons, and the Genealogical Records of Many Early and Other Families in Medway, Mass. 1713-1886 (The Medway Biographies and Genealogies) This 1st edition 1886 rare book is bound in blind stamped burgundy thick buckram cloth with bevelled edges; lettering at front and spine is gilt. Binding loosening a bit, but pages intact. Boards show wear at extremities and spine ends and corners. Illustrated with numerous steel and wood engravings: 12 steel engraved portrait plates, 43 other engraved illustrations including portraits and views of homes and buildings. plates are extremely sharp and crisp, they look and feel as if they were engraved this week rather than 125 years ago. incredibly beautiful. includes biographical sketches of 150 persons, and genealogical data on 550 families. Errata slip tipped in at page 197. some pages coming loose, but still attached. a solid copy, despite its flaws. A former Library of Congress copy, their bookplate is attached to the front inside board. Would be an ideal candidate for a restoration of this important rare historical document. Be aware that recent reprints of this title are available, but the issue with reprints is that the illustrations are usually of extremely poor quality, or even omitted entirely. with a reprint, you will not get the beautiful engravings contained in the original printing like this one. This is a case where you truly get what you pay for. $250.00
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Click to view largeDownload this gallery (ZIP, 4278 KB)Download full size (391 KB)Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010
note: blue and red hues are NOT on the engravings themselves, but rather, a side effect of photographing them.
August 28, 2010
August 26, 2010
Sean Connery turns 80 | Film | guardian.co.uk
Connery says he is retired from acting now, does not plan to be in any more films. a sad piece of news indeed. I wish him well, and hope he changes is mind. he has done so many wonderful films - my favorite is The Untouchables. The scene with the baby carriage on the stairs is classic, what a nail biter that was.
Image of toaster appears on Virgin Mary painting. Hail toasted bagel, full of grace, the lox is with thee!
Image of toaster appears on Virgin Mary painting
FAIRFIELD - Parishioners packed the Fairfield Church of Nazarene this week as word of the toaster apparition spread throughout the community. The phenomenon continues to prompt waves of intense emotion as people try to comprehend the heavenly message. Throughout viewing hours set up by the church, people can be seen weeping, fainting, and praying.
The miracle toaster appears embedded and glowing within the painting of the Virgin Mary hanging at the front of the church. Many feel the apparition is somehow intended to convey the opposite message of many heavily publicized sightings the Virgin Mary on pieces of toast around the U.S. in recent years.
Church officials report the toaster appears to be a KitchenAid KMTT200OB which is a medium quality four-slice toaster that comes with a one year warranty. The unit generally retails for $69.99.
Church Pastor, Paul Edwards commented, "Although we don't yet understand the meaning of this phenomenon, we do understand the Lord works in mysterious ways. Possibly this is meant to benefit our parish financially. We are considering offering the painting on eBay."
I like this prayer offered by a follower at the alter: "Hail toasted bagel, full of grace, the lox is with thee!"
August 21, 2010
"PostSecrets Through History" I'm dead, but my conscience is still bothering me.
PostSecrets Through History
by Chase Mitchell May 04, 2009
PostSecret is a place where guilty people upload handmade confessions, allowing them to combine 'art' with 'anonymous complaining.' But it's been around longer than you think.
Art by the incredible edible Katie Marino.
August 20, 2010
These kids were born as I was graduating from Gallaudet
‘what’s a floppy?’ some youngster asks innocently. ‘look it up on your cell phone, kid.’ I reply.
For most college freshmen starting school this fall, e-mail is passe and wearing a watch on your wrist is, well, unnecessary, according to the Beloit College Mindset List for the Class of 2014, most of whom were born in 1992. The list was first created by the Wisconsin school in 1998 to remind professors what cultural factors have gone into shaping the lives of their students. While e-mail was revolutionary for their parents, today's college freshmen find it terribly slow, instead choosing to use their opposable thumbs to send dozens of text messages a day on their smartphones, which they use for telling time rather than strapping on a watch and surfing the web. Home computers have always been a part of their lives, although the ones they first played on in preschool are now in museums. The PCs and Apples of the early 1990s had hard drives with smaller capacities than today's flash drives, used monochromatic monitors and were not connected to the internet. [see more at the link below] 
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