12.23.2008

Life as figurine





A figurine (a diminutive form of the word figure) is a statuette that represents a human, deity, or animal. Figurines may be realistic or iconic, depending on the skill and intention of the creator. The earliest were made of stone or clay. Modern versions are made of ceramic, metal, glass, wood and plastic.

Figurines and miniatures are sometimes used in board games, such as chess, and tabletop role playing games. Figures with movable parts, allowing limbs to be posed, are more likely to be called dolls, mannequins, or action figures; or robots or automata, if they can move on their own.

11.11.2008

Farine Five Roses

After watching The Testament of Dr. Mabuse last year, my movie watching companion told me this anecdote from Arthur Miller's autobiography, about his inspiration for the naming of the main character in Death of a Salesman:

"He explained that the origin of the name Loman was derived from a character called "Lohmann" in the Fritz Lang film The Testament of Dr. Mabuse. "In later years I found it discouraging to observe the confidence with which some commentators on Death of a Salesman smirked at the heavy-handed symbolism of 'Low-man,'" Miller wrote. "What the name really meant to me was a terror-stricken man calling into the void for help that will never come.""

The moment occurs about halfway through this clip, when the lights go out and Hofmeister is left crying out 'Lohman' to the dark:




I thought of Miller's comment when I came across this video of Montreal's Farine Five Roses sign:




At one point I know the days were numbered for this now irrelevant, but still iconic, neon sign. It is still there so I hope that time has passed. It is possibly my favourite thing in Montreal.

More Farine Five Roses Here.

Lest We Forget




"Oh I've seen people wearing those apple things here!"


11.04.2008

Halloween was on Friday

Costume left overs up for grabs:

One hat that fits too small and feels like its about to fall off but doesn't which causes you to hold your neck at weird stiff angles and move unnaturally like you've just gotten your hair done up for prom and you don't want to ruin it.

One ultra suede vest that seems perfect for washing you car.

One plunger.

One toad stool hat. Italian design.

Two Hunter S. Thompson inspired sunglasses and cigar holder sets. Debate continues as to which one gives off a greater authenticity, and which one references HST but through the Deppsian lense.

I think at least two pairs of fake breasts.

One really freaking scary werewolf mask.

One pair of Kim Jong II glasses.

One gray fringe with elastic strap and possibility of super powers.

One pimp cane complete with hoe finding compass and secret compartment for magic potions.

One cable cord. Other possible uses - Indy's whip for the upcoming 'Indian Jones and the Ancient Cyborg Cult'

One pair of hulk hogan muscles. They might be a bit sweaty, but they're Brooke approved.

One little white lie.

One random afro wig.

One random devil mask.

One giant tea bag.

One sleepy Sarah Palin.

A picture frame and a Pollock.

A telephone.

One beard a la Abraham Lincoln. Well you can't actually have it. You can have the necktie though.

One Amie Phipps.

10.30.2008

betcha a million dollars
give your head a shake
walking on eggshells around here
its not a fashion show
good going
for crying out loud

10.22.2008

We are all the Brookers

"On the day when there was a full chamber-pot under the breakfast table I decided to leave. The place was beginning to depress me. It was not only the dirt, the smells, and the vile food, but the feeling of stagnant meaningless decay, of having got down into some subterranean place where people go creeping round and round, just like blackbeetles, in an endless muddle of slovened jobs and mean grievances. The most dreadful thing about people like the Brookers is the way they say the same things over and over again. It gives you the feeling that they are not real people at all, but a kind of ghost for ever rehearsing the same futile rigmarole. In the end Mrs Brooker's self-pitying talk--always the same complaints, over and over, and always ending with the tremulous whine of 'It does seem 'ard, don't it now?'--revolted me even more than her habit of wiping her mouth with bits of newspaper. But it is no use saying that people like the Brookers are just disgusting and trying to put them out of mind. For they exist in tens and hundreds of thousands; they are one of the characteristic by-products of the modern world. You cannot disregard them if you accept the civilization that produced them."

Orwell - The Road to Wigan Pier

3.25.2008

Home video

men in white tank shirts trading swigs, showing it to toddler
water shots
rainbows
canoing camera is in boat
small girl with very blond hair holds her large Christmas present, looking at it with the eyes of the uninitiated, trying to comprehend the meaning of giving and possession
a old man, gaunt, in a suit walk by with a suitcase, he is drinking from bottle, girl in chair touches the top of the suitcase, making the clasp come unlatch, popping the whole suitcase open, reveals cans of beer in side. They look at the camera and laugh
A line of children, boys smallest to biggest, one by one, camera pans as they each hold up a sock. Last in line is a girl, considerable older, she hesitates, smiling shyly, only holds her sock up half as high. Not in a way that denotes her superiority, but just shows her insecurity, her loss of the carefree shown in her brothers.