These metal sculptures are pretty amazing

From: The Epoch Times Amazing what this guy creates from scrap metal.

"It has often been said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. For Matt Sloane, this phrase certainly rings true. A welder from Tasmania, Australia, Mr. Sloane uses scrap metal to create works of art. The talented artist specializes in creating life-size animal sculptures. Mr. Sloane has always been passionate about art. He even attended art school for a brief period but soon realized it wasn’t for him. A decade later, he took a course at a vocational college that sparked his interest in metalwork. As part of the course, he fashioned a life-size eagle out of scrap metal. The beauty of the majestic eagle with its wings spread out left him amazed.

The Painted Hills

We've spent a lot of time in Oregon over the years but never heard of this. It would have been cool to visit. From Nice News "The Painted Hills are more than a mind-bending natural masterpiece. Millions of years of history make up the unexpected multi-colored layers of this ancient landscape in central Oregon. Located in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, the rainbow-hued hills started as volcanic fallout and continued to form over millions of years of climatic changes and geological processes. The spectrum of colors splashed across the rock formations — which range from deep red and purple to golden yellow and inky black — are the result of the soil’s unique minerals and rock formations. The colors can change from time to time, based on the lighting and the moisture levels in the ground, but for the best chance of seeing the hills in their most surreal state, visit during the late afternoon light."

Modernism week in Palm Springs

I continue to be amazed at the cost of this stuff.

Lot 15 Fornasetti Fish Bowls on a Brass Tray 04d 06h 47m Buy Now Price $1,550

Lunch at Las Margaritas yesterday

The tortilla soup is always quite wonderful.

More pandas for the San Diego Zoo

Great news for panda lovers and who isn't?

"SAN DIEGO (AP) — China for the first time in more than two decades is sending pandas to the United States to the delight of the San Diego Zoo, which is preparing to receive a pair that could include a female descendent of Bai Yun and Gao Gao, two of the zoo’s former residents that were among the most reproductively successful panda mates in captivity. The China Wildlife Conservation Association said Thursday it also signed agreements with the zoo in the Spanish capital of Madrid, and is in talks with zoos in Washington, D.C., and Vienna, quelling fears that Beijing was ending its historic panda diplomacy with Western nations due to diplomatic tensions. “We look forward to further expanding the research outcomes on the conservation of endangered species such as giant pandas, and promoting mutual understanding and friendship among peoples through the new round of international cooperation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in Beijing."

The invention of Wi-Fi

From Interesting Facts

"The Basis for Wi-Fi Was Invented By a Hollywood Starlet The invention of Wi-Fi has sparked plenty of debates and disputes over the years. Various individuals and organizations contributed to its development, and while the specific inventor of Wi-Fi is a matter of contention, one unexpected notable figure played a significant role in laying the foundation that made it possible: actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr. Lamarr is known for her Hollywood career in the 1930s and ’40s, but her accomplishments went beyond the silver screen. During World War II, she teamed up with composer George Antheil to create a secure communication system that would prevent signal interference by enemy forces. This “frequency hopping” system was intended to guide torpedoes, and is widely considered the precursor to not only Wi-Fi, but GPS and Bluetooth technologies as well. However, Lamarr and Antheil’s patent expired before it got used, and only in modern times is the actress receiving the credit she deserves for enabling these transformative technologies."

Physical menus are back according to the New York Times

I'm glad about that! Not having a physical menu is kind of like being served food on a paper plate.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/01/22/dining/restaurant-menu-trends.html?smid=url-share&unlocked_article_code=1.XE0.2T0G.w0IvrMVvpYgF&login=google&auth=login-google

Miyoko Ito

I find myself very attracted to her artwork. From Wiki: Miyoko Ito (April 27, 1918–August 18, 1983) was an American artist known for her watercolor and abstract oil paintings and prints.[1][2][3] Ito was part of an informal group of like-minded, but visually diverse Chicago painters, self-named the "Allusive Abstractionists" and formed in 1981. Ito was born in Berkeley, California, on April 27, 1918, to Japanese parents,[5] but returned to Japan with her family in 1923 to receive a traditional Japanese art education and escape discrimination. Five years later, the Itos returned to California, where Miyoko went to the University of California, Berkeley and studied art. There, she was exposed to the ideas of the School of Paris, Hans Hofman, and cubism, all of which influenced her later work.

More cool stuff at Modernism Week...the Vespa scooter

"The Vespa scooter started life as a practical means of personal transport designed to get a nation moving after the ravages of the Second World War. It quickly progressed to symbolize the Italian way of life, and it blends innovative mechanical design with an unmistakable Italian style. Now regarded as a design icon, it has been copied by many manufacturers, but never bettered. Featured in the 1952 movie Roman Holiday, with Gregory Peck & Audrey Hepburn riding through Rome on one the Vespa became more than just a cheap and practical form of transport and came to symbolize freedom and imagination. By 1956, one million had been sold with the 2 million mark coming in 1960. Lambretta scooters, referred to as the Cadillac of Italian bikes, have drawn a following of riders charmed by their style and flair, their arresting retro lines and vibrant colors. Established in 1947 these vintage scooters had a renaissance around the release of the 1979 film Quadrophenia, based on The Who’s rock opera. In that movie, the Li 150 Series 3 Lambretta ridden by the young mod Jimmy is the very symbol of his rebellion."

Portrait of Queen Elizabeth

I'm surprised I hadn't seen this before but I guess there are lots of portraits that haven't been widely shared although given that it was the final portrait she sat for it does seem odd it hasn't been out there much at least to my knowledge. "Artist Basia Hamilton had the honour of painting a portrait of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on May 6, 2022, the only private portrait sitting for the Platinum Jubilee year, and the final portrait HLM sat for."

A lovely evening

We had dinner with Donna last night. We always enjoy our time together.

Yum, yum, yum

From: Scotland Now "After a long day exploring Port Appin and its stunning surroundings, you will definitely have worked up quite an appetite. Luckily, the tiny village is home to The Pierhouse hotel and restaurant, which is featured in the Michelin Guide. Specialising in locally sourced seafood, the restaurant is also popular amongst visitors — with an average rating of 4.5 out of five based on 679 reviews on travel website Tripadvisor. Recent guests have called it "understated excellence", and praised it for having the "best chips ever". (Image: The Pierhouse Hotel and Seafood Restaurant)" "Best chips ever" and wonderful looking seafood. I'm posting this while having my breakfast coffee but I could easily finish this off now.

Modernism Week in Palm Springs

Just had to post a few photos of these cool homes.

The Chinese Canadian Museum

This looks like a cool thing to do on Family Day. 'In the Chinese language, there are unique titles for each family member and relative. This makes it easy to distinguish all your relations in a large extended family. Learn about your family tree in Cantonese through playing with Lego! Build your own family using Lego pieces and have them pose for an instant family portrait. Museum staff will be available to support you in learning about all the unique names of your family relations as you put together your own tree. Time: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Location: Community Room (Ground Floor) Cost: Free with admission'

What next?

I guess nothing should surprise us these days.

"In a world-first, Spain-based performing artist Alicia Framis is set to marry a hologram generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Yes, you read it right! Ms Framis' future husband is a digital entity created with holographic technology and machine learning. She will become the first-ever woman to marry an AI-generated hologram. She has already booked a venue for her wedding. The ceremony will take place this year at a museum in Rotterdam, Euronews reported. According to Ms Framis, her to-be husband's name is AILex. The hologram is her design, tailored to "satisfy all of her emotional needs". She describes her virtual partner as a "middle-aged male hologram with slightly complex logistics". The outlet reported that Ms Framis' marriage is not a romantic one, but part of her new project called 'Hybrid Couple', in which she wants to experiment with the boundaries of love, intimacy and identity in the age of AI. "

Yoko Ono

The Tate Mondern always has interesting exhibits. "Delve into the powerful, participatory work of artist and activist Yoko Ono Yoko Ono is a trailblazer of early conceptual and participatory art, film and performance, a celebrated musician, and a formidable campaigner for world peace. Developing her practice in the United States, Japan and the UK, ideas are central to her art, often expressed in poetic, humorous, profound and radical ways. Spanning more than seven decades, YOKO ONO: MUSIC OF THE MIND is the UK’s largest exhibition celebrating key moments in Ono’s groundbreaking, influential and multidisciplinary career, from the mid-1950s to now – including her years in London where she met her future husband and longtime collaborator John Lennon." A couple of examples of what is on show.

Happy Valentine's Day

Prosser Art Umbrellas

I think I must try to buy one of these. Vancouver Art Umbrellas & Limited Edition Prints now Available Original Paintings, Canvas Prints, Framed Limited Edition Prints, and check out the new ProsserArt Accessories Category. Mark Prosser is known for his whimsical and colourful depictions of Vancouver, British Columbia, Animals and Landscapes and how his Original paintings 'Glow' under a blacklight. Mark started his artistic career in 2020 after painting for 20 years as a hobby as a self taught artist.

A chunk of the Eiffel tower in Olympic medals

Now, how cool is that. What a wonderful idea! PARIS (AP) — An Olympic medal inlaid with a piece of the Eiffel Tower. How’s that for a monumental prize? A hexagonal, polished chunk of iron taken from the iconic landmark is being embedded in each gold, silver and bronze medal that will be hung around athletes’ necks at the July 26-Aug. 11 Paris Games and Paralympics that follow. Games organizers revealed their revolutionary design on Thursday.

A lovely lunch with Donna yesterday

We went to our old favourite. I enjoyed the eggs benny as usual.

Seven years ago in Victoria

Snow always surprised Victorians.

A lovely visit with Richard

Richard came for lunch yesterday and did all sorts of stuff for us as usual. Thank you so much. You are a wonderful son.

I'm rooting for this bird's freedom

The U.K.’s Colchester Zoo is trying to bring home the least sneaky animal escapee possible: a rainbow lorikeet. The brightly colored bird made its daring getaway last weekend by simply hitching a ride onto a visitor as they were about to leave its enclosure. The rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) is a medium-sized species of parrot native to Australia. Unlike some other colorful birds, both males and females have a similar appearance, featuring a mix of blue, orange, green, and yellow feathers. Native populations of the bird are healthy, though it has become a pest in parts of Western Australia where it was illegally introduced to in the 1960s.

The reopening of Notre Dame

What a great idea to have a long reopening so many people can participate. From: "Nice News" "Mark your calendars: Notre Dame Cathedral’s grand reopening is only 10 months away. The archbishop of Paris, Monsignor Laurent Ulrich, recently unveiled the schedule for the highly anticipated event, which will come more than five years after the iconic church was badly damaged in a fire. The magnitude of the reopening is reflected in the schedule, which spans six months from Dec. 8, 2024, to June 8, 2025. Two weeks before the celebrations begin, there will be a public procession in the streets of Paris to accompany the return of the statue of Notre Dame to the building, Ulrich said in his letter. The schedule also includes the official inauguration, the awakening of the organ, and a full week of “solemn celebrations” at the cathedral, each with their own theme. Ulrich emphasized the importance of public participation, noting that the six-month timeline is designed to allow everyone to take part. “Many will be able to say: ‘I was at the reopening!’” the archbishop wrote. He also acknowledged those who have played a part in saving Notre Dame — from the firefighters who put out the fire in 2019 to the donors who have funded the reconstruction and the architects who have implemented it. “Above all, I want the people of Paris to be present at these reopening celebrations,” he said."

The most common pub name in the UK

is "The Red Lion". I think we have been to a pub called this but I'm not sure I remember where.

Fira, Greece

I guess we'll never get there but seems like a pretty cool place to visit although there do seem to be a lot of stairs so maybe not.

I just might enjoy being in this airport

Sounds llke a pretty cool idea for an airport. "Rafael Viñoly Architects’ plans for a new international terminal at Florence’s Aeroporto Amerigo Vespucci are a novel twist on green urban design. The terminal, which is expected to be completed by 2035 and serve as many as 5.9 million passengers through six hubs, will be covered by a 7.7-hectare vineyard. This will root the airport in the Tuscan landscape and celebrate the region’s wine as one the most recognisable Italian exports. The grapes will be cared for by a local winemaker who will have a cellar in the airport."

Snuggling up with pigs

Well, why not? I wonder if the experience would make me lose my love of bacon. From: CityNews Everywhere

"Customers play with a micro pig at a mipig cafe, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Tokyo. The dozens of people at Tokyo’s Mipig Café on a recent morning were taking selfies and breaking into huge smiles. The pigs, a miniature breed, trotted about the room, looking for a cozy lap to cuddle up. Customers pay $15 for the first 30 minutes and a reservation is required. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved"

The Eiffel Tower...again

I rarely miss a chance to post a photo of the Eiffel Tower. This was posted in Daily Passport.

"The iron-latticed Art Nouveau landmark so indelibly associated with the City of Light wasn’t originally intended to last longer than 20 years. The Eiffel Tower was erected for the World’s Fair in 1889 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. However, the stunning tower — then the world’s tallest — was less than popular with the Parisian public at the time, some of whom protested its construction and called the design “monstrous.” No matter, because it was slated for dismantling in 1909. Fortunately, the landmark was spared from destruction when its value as a radio tower was realized; ever since, it has remained the most recognizable feature of the Paris skyline."

Las Margaritas

We had a great lunch there yesterday. The tortilla soup was the best ever. And it was Wine Wednesday so 50% off wine. What's not to like?