Monthly Archives: August 2006

Nissan Stanza (Albany Library)

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This was one of the first art cars I ever saw in Berkeley, and it would pop up on occasion during the pre-collection days. But once I started snapping pictures of Berkeley cars, it disappeared. After two years, I spotted it at the Albany Library one evening, and thankfully it didn’t escape while I went home to grab my camera. Unfortunately, however, the artist removed all markings of the make and model, which are required info for any posting on the Realm of the Wombat. It looks like a Dodge Aries, but Google images of Aries K’s from the 1980’s didn’t seem to match up. With the help of Wikipedia, I think I have it pinned as a Nissan Stanza.

The car is also listed with ArtCarAgency.com as the “Mondrian Mobile.” Piet Mondrian was a Dutch artist in the De Stijl movement, whose style was typified by blocks of primary colors (and black and white) separated by thick, black lines.

[Click for larger image of the Nissan Stanza]
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The World Is Flat (Thomas Friedman)

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[The World Is Flat (Thomas Friedman)]So prior to The World Is Flat, I read Collapse. The conclusion to that book was that that if China and India consume resources at the rate of Americans, the world is going to descend into an apocalyptic state of war, famine, and turmoil. After finishing The World Is Flat, I’m convinced this is inevitable. Oh, it might come faster because Mexico could join that group of emerging countries. I think this should be the #1 issue of the 2008 election, but nobody that decides the outcome of elections (i.e. Ohio and Florida) is paying attention.

This is not the easiest book to read, and Friedman spends too much time expounding the virtues of globalization (and there are many). But while I don’t think he devotes enough time to offering solutions, he does address the threat of terrorism by Middle Eastern extremists. He also chides President Bush for his failure to inspire America to become independent of oil, suggesting a national program for scientists to develop reliable renewable energy sources. There’s good stuff in there, but the overall sense isn’t quite right.

One more thing. Did you know that there are some McDonald’s drive-thrus that are answered by Indian call centers? Yeah, that blew my mind too.

Friedman’s official site and wikipedia entry

Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

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[Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not] The Arctic Monkeys are the most promising UK acts finding their way into my collection. This album is superior to countrymen Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party. The radio single “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” is one of the album’s highlights and representative of the brash teenage type theme. I don’t think you can make a career out of it, but it works for this album. Hear them on Morning Becomes Eclectic.

I’ve been waiting to post this until I finished The World Is Flat. Until recently, the Arctic Monkeys music only existed online. So why did they succeed? Not because they were on the radio and MTv and shoved down everyone’s throats so many times that people decided it must be good if they heard it that so often. People had access to the music, listened, decided they liked it, and passed it on to their friends. The buzz got big enough, and they got a record deal. While there are going to be problems with the flat world, the state of music won’t be one, if the Arctic Monkeys are any indication.

How to act as a visiting fan during a baseball game

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I’ve never been so proud of Odie as when he related this story of his trip to Wrigley to watch his beloved Pittsburgh ‘Irates take on the Cubbies.

Scene: Odie, wearing his #18 Jason Kendall Pirates jersey, and Jack are in the bleachers
Odie: Jack, even though the Pirates are losing, I’m sure glad to be at the game.
Heckler #1: Hey Kendall, why not wear a good #18 from Pirates history?
Odie: Wow, that’s a good heckle. Andy van Slyke was number 18 before Kendall, and he was much better. I’m going to let that go.
Heckler #2: Hey Kendall, where’s Barbie?
Heckler #3: Yeah, where’s Barbie?
Odie: Well, that’s not really a good heckle, but they’re Cubs fans, so they don’t really have much to cheer about.
Heckler #2: Come on Kendall, where’s Barbie?
Heckler #3: Did you guys break up?
Odie: Well, this is getting annoying, but maybe some good will come of this.
A few minutes pass, then Heckler #2 approaches Odie with a hot dog.
Heckler #2: Hey, since you don’t have Barbie anymore, we bought you this hot dog.
Odie: Um, ok, I’ll eat it.
Heckler #2: Yeah you will!
Heckler #2 returns to his seat.
Odie: You know Jack, I don’t like the cut of their jib. [yelling] Hey Hecklers, who has the highest batting average on the Cubs? Real fans, please don’t answer!
Hecklers: [silence]
A minute passes.
Heckler #3: Hey, give that hot dog back!
Two more minutes pass, then they finally answer the question.
Heckler #2: Barrett!
Odie: Well, it’s actually Jacque Jones, but at least you could name a Cub!
Heckler #3: I know how we can show him. Let’s get the wave going!

And that’s how Cubs fans lost their last shred of dignity.

Is that supposed to be there?

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[Click for larger image of Barrows Hall]

Everyone, meet Barrows Hall. Barrows Hall, this is everyone. Barrows Hall, we were wondering, is that paint around your windows supposed to be there? I know they’re doing some work to you (seismic retrofitting?), but those don’t appear to be very technical markings. Is that graffiti? If so, you got tagged by some ambitious artists. Well, if you could let us know what’s going on with you, that would be great.