On Saturday we met some friends to watch the Adult Soapbox Derby, a veritable Portland institution. It involves some unbridled creativity racing down an extinct volcano.
We have tried to go every year for the last 8 years, we have missed a few, but it is one of our favorite summer traditions. In years passed, we have marveled at a mirror mosaic-suited man at high speed, a plywood Winnebago, a bathtub full of girls in towels, and a full size office cubicle {complete with a worker at a computer, office plant, a secretary ready to take notes, and a water cooler} hurtling down Mt. Tabor.
This year included a Viking boat, a couple of huge logs, some gorgeous high speed racers, a Paris themed snow globe{brilliant} and a giant butt. If you want to see some great photos, check here.
Here are a few pictures I managed to take:
A banana split.
This vehicle went by us for one race, a red semi-truck. On the second run, it stopped right in front of where we were sitting - for a moment everyone thought there was a mechanical problem, then it lifted up and transformed into a Transformer, music and all.
A huge Big Wheel.
beauty queens gone bad
Anyway, this is a picture from a week or so ago of my favorite summertime dessert. Watermelon Granita. I don't use a recipe, but here is a link to one similar to what I do. I don't bother with the sieve, as I use a blender for this - but do remember to use a metal pan, I have a smallish enameled baking pan.
I am kind of a nut about watermelons, {our houseshold has been clipping through them at an alarming rate this summer and by household, I mean me.} so granita is a great recipe if you end up with a melon that isn't the best for salads or eating in chunks.
Years ago, I used to like to make coffee or espresso granita, but that was when I could consume caffeine at any hour of the day or night and still hit the pillow and fall right asleep. So I need to stick to fruit granitas - I think I will try something new, maybe cantalope or some kind of berry. I will report back.
Kelly at DesignCrush posted a different watermelon granita recipe a few days back which would be great to try - check out her Daily Eats posts for this past week, all include the mouth watering watermelon.
What is your favorite way to eat watermelon? Do you miss the black seeds?
Time is When is a great introduction to the concept of time for little ones - breaking it down into elementary and understandable ideas, explaining time from the micro {seconds} to the macro {years, seasons, the future}.
I hope my future includes finding more books illustrated by Harvey Weiss.
M and C are sharing a small chocolate milk at the grocery store, a rare treat. M exclaims after his first sip " I can actually feel the calcium fortifying my bones."
Oh - well in that case dear, let's get enough to fill the kiddy pool.
I love this photo so much I am going to post it twice.
Photo by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, more at the Times slideshow.
Would it be odd to say that I have a fondness for pegboard? Brings back fond memories of the metal shop in college - all of our tools were outlined in sharpie, floor to ceiling in the tool closet, and I loved being a studio tech. I also inhale deeply when I walk past the saw blade sharpening place near our house - weird, I know, but the smell of ground metal also reminds me of that time and place.
These laser embossed cardboard pieces by Dan Funderburgh are so engaging. These pieces were featured at the Fellow Traveler show at Riviera Gallery. It was a while back, but I just rediscovered this bookmark of mine. Each tool was produced in an edition of five.
Don't know if you have already seen this clever video by PES. Did I already say CLEVER?
Will be out today. Hope everybody had a great weekend.
A few more illustrations from this amazing book I shared here. The woodblock endpapers, below.
Looking forward to this movie.{ Note to self : get babysitter.} Check here to see if it is coming your way or for information on getting a screening happening near you.
In the early 1990's a loose-knit group of likeminded outsiders found common ground at a little NYC storefront gallery. Rooted in the DIY (do-it-yourself) subcultures of skateboarding, surf, punk, hip hop & graffiti, they made art that reflected the lifestyles they led. Developing their craft with almost no influence from the "establishment" art world, this group, and the subcultures they sprang from, have now become a movement that has been transforming pop culture. Starring a selection of artists who are considered leaders within this culture, Beautiful Losers focuses on the telling of personal stories. It speaks to themes of what happens when the outside becomes "in" as it explores the creative ethos connecting these artists and today's youth.
More, here, on the artists in the film, including Mike Mills and Shepard Fairey.
A few random notes on some local ladies I have the pleasure of knowing:
Kathie Steigerwald, a Dearborn, Mich. businesswoman who said she voted for Hillary Clinton
but now plans to support McCain...
"I feel John McCain is a true American and I want to support a true American," she said.
But isn't Obama a "true American?" she was asked.
"I don't know," she said after a measured pause. "I question it."
Why?
"I don't know — maybe because of his name?"
In the same article, it was noted that 25 percent of respondents in a recent Newsweek poll wrongly believe
he {Obama} was raised as a Muslim and nearly 40 percent errantly thought he
attended a Muslim school while growing up abroad. Is Barak Obama a Muslim? {that site found via}
If you are like me and always root for the underdog, you might like this photo as much I do - all of the 'athletes' here are underdogs, the humble snail. From here.
This second video for Bag of Hammers is pretty great and the song is funky and pretty addictive. { I want one of those cameras!}
From We Brave Bee Stings and All by Thao with the Get Down Stay Down.
I have long been an admirer of Paul Rand's work. Yet, I had not checked out the amazingly thorough archive of his work, HERE, until this past week. Incredibly right-now and inspiring. It might not be the most artful compliment or critique, but I find many of his works smile-provoking too. I especially like the ice cream guy, what else is new.
