Japanese bird watching

When Ted lived in Japan he suffered from a lack of books in general and a lack of field guides to Japanese birds in particular. Maybe things have changed, but way back in 2004 it was nearly impossible to obtain such a thing in English at a reasonable price (Amazon was happy to sell one for a few hundred dollars, if memory serves me). So while visiting we were struck by this interpretive sign dangling off a rope in a Zen moss garden. It's a picture of a picture and I'm not sure what it says -- my Japanese is that bad.

analog revival

This well-crafted wind-up alarm clock renders electricity obsolete. It's also better for the environment.

the virtues of low technology

This Sears Craftsman push mower is also powered by humans, so when the gasoline runs out, the lawn will still be trimmed.

coffee insurance

The famous hand-cranking coffee grinder, in continuous use since 2001. Wooden, made in Poland, purchased in Lompoc, CA. Requires no electricity, so when peak oil hits, and the lights go out, the coffee will continue...

Antsirabe

Or check out this one in Antsirabe.

Antananarivo

Heck, even places like Antananarivo, very much in the developing world, have architecture.

architecture vs. real estate

There is a massive disconnect in the USA between its huge mania for home-owning and its relatively low interest in the field of architecture. (Bergheim, France)

The Darjeeling Limited

Over the weekend we watched The Darjeeling Limited on dvd. I was drawn to the idea of a train ride through India. On that level, the film did not disappoint; the train, the scenery, everything in the film of Indian origin was pleasing to my senses. The colors, the desert, and the feeling of being on an Indian train: all good. What sucked was everything else. Three dysfunctional brothers, all annoying. Surprisingly, Owen Wilson was the least annoying; he came closest to suggesting the existence of a moral compass. The segment with Anjelica Huston was also OK. But the worst part, the thing that ruined everything for me was the music. Apart from some harmless sitar playing, I will never forgive this film its use of old Rolling Stones and the abominably pretentious faux-Paris song, whatever the hell that was, and the extremely annoying character that kept playing it on his Bose/i-pod.