Some random links

[magid]

Art
Interestingly geometric sculptures.
Architectural models reenacting the Japanese tale of the Emperor's Castle.
The Urnash Tarot are pretty (and there's an LJ group where the artist talks about the art and design).
An Australian artist's series of paintings, including a series with animals as totems. (Hat tip to Hrafn for the link.)
Some fabulous quilling (again, hat tip to Hrafn).
One artist uses toilet paper rolls for her art.

Ideas
An article about why an Orthodox rabbi is considering taking off his kippah.
An essay about experiencing Lakota wopila tradition.

Home
A source of kosher beef jerky.
And a different source of kosher beef.
Heavy-duty shoes/boots to consider when I need to replace mine (which isn't that far off, alas).
Lamps that play with shadows.

Etc.
Interior design... from the 70s. With snark-filled commentary.
How one guy went from VA to MA using only public transportation.
The Boston paper collective.

Comments

[scholargipsy.livejournal.com]

Neat links. Thanks!

[magid.livejournal.com]

Glad you like them.

[scholargipsy.livejournal.com]

And speaking of interesting links, I thought you might find this intriguing:

How a Nice Jewish Boy Learned to Like Christmas...Because of Paganism (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-michaelson/how-a-nice-jewish-boy-lea_b_400066.html)

A few disclaimers: Jay was a friend of mine at Columbia; also, I have no vested interest in whether or not you learn to like Christmas, as a result of reading this article, or because of a visit from the Archangel Gabriel, or whatever. :) I am not proselytizing for the holiday in any way -- I just thought it was a fun read. Also, I like it because I too, uncomfortable with much of Christianity, interpret Christmas in pagan terms, which helps me enjoy it.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Interesting point of view. Not as emotionally compelling for me as for him.

Disclaimer: I met Jay at NHC, where he performed some of his poetry, which was fabulous.

[dalbino83.livejournal.com]

Oooo ... paper collective ....

[magid.livejournal.com]

I wonder if there's anyone there doing anything like what you make.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

Architectural models reenacting the Japanese tale of the Emperor's Castle.

Wow. Very, very neat. (Could have done without the talkitecture introduction, though.)

Ideas

Also wow; the first essay I found especially hmm, thoughtful/powerful/poignant. (What's another word for aphasia?)

[magid.livejournal.com]

I kept wanting the Emperor's Castle models to feel more Japanese to me, I admit.

And I keep coming back to that essay; it resonates with the issue of communal judgment of individuals that I think is a huge problem in a lot of Jewish religious communities.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

Oh god, Lileks on 70s design. This is actually the room in hell reserved for Corbusier (http://www.lileks.com/institute/interiors/BHG/chpt8/6.html). And every with the slightest notion of good taste, really. I think his first comment on that page ("Sweet Smoking Jesus, what was the matter with these people?") pretty well sums up that whole era of "design."

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Hey, we're past the 70s, right? Definitely laugh over cry.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

Aren't the 70s now retro and "cool"? Or have we dodged that bullet nuclear warhead?

(And then I found the meat grinder craft projects (http://www.lileks.com/institute/interiors/dontthrow/1.html). You will need: a spare meat grinder. And ammonia. D: D: D: )

[magid.livejournal.com]

I do have a meat grinder, thought I don't think it's extra...

(Meat grinder decor! The bad part is I could actually see that, with a bunch of plain meat grinders placed in a row on a wall, for instance, especially if using the crank then caused something to happen, such as different tones playing or something. But with strange vegetation and put on a plaque? No!)

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

And yet I think turning it into that cornucopia /thing/ is less horrific than turning it into the base for a lamp. Which is the next craft item. (YES. You need TWO spare meat grinders!! Because why would you ever want to use a meat grinder for its intended purpose!)

[magid.livejournal.com]

I've never really understood the whole "turn $object into the base of a lamp" thing, besides the whole dated look. I have issues with traditional lampshades, so I'm more interested in lamps that keep me from being able to see the lightbulb than having some "interesting" base.

I admit I've never used my meat grinder for grinding meat, though I have used it for grinding fruit, making the first mincemeat I'd ever eaten.

(And you never know, perhaps those spare meat grinders were inherited from all the aunts. Or there was an extreme going out of business sale somewhere. Or a multiple family yard sale. Or, of course, aliens requiring ground food now leaving the planet leaving them in the back yard. Or something.)

Cool.

[powerfrau.livejournal.com]

Thank you.