Monthly Archives: October 2014

The Culture That Is Japan

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Daiso Japan is a Japanese-based retailer that specializes in cutesy cheap crap — curios, stationary, toys, kitchen supplies, cosmetics, toiletries, seasonal goods, etc. It’s an Asian Dollar Tree, with few exceptions, everything in the store is $1.50. The company … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Shopping, Travel | Tagged | 7 Comments

Questions Du Jour

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Eddie Pensier

Eddie Pensier writes: I spotted this on the shelf at a local bookstore. I’m putting the photos below a page break because I suppose they might be considered NSFW, even though the subject in question was out in the open at … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Humor, Personal reflections, Sex | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Art Du Jour

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: SHAG (aka Josh Agle), “Her Second Night in the City,” 2013 Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted in Art | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

Notes on “The Company’s in Love”

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Max Ophuls’ first feature, released in 1932, seems a conscious emulation (and sort of send-up) of Lubitsch. Not only is it set partly in the Bavarian Alps, the setting of several early Lubitsch films, it features … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Architecture Du Jour: The Hallenhaus House Barn

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Once found in a wide arc right across the eastern Netherlands and northern Germany, the Hallenhaus is a form of wood-frame house barn that contained, under one roof, living quarters, stables, and crop store. It was in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Showtune Saturday: “Well, Did You Ever?”

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Eddie Pensier

Eddie Pensier writes: The combined nonchalant swingin’ coolness of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Cole Porter may cause swooning fits of “why can’t I be that awesome?” nostalgia. From High Society (1956), the Charles Walters-directed musical adaptation of The Philadelphia … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Music | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Movie Poster Du Jour: “Devi”

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Satyajit Ray famously designed the posters used to advertise his movies. He had a knack for it. Related Satyajit Ray: graphic designer. “Devi,” which is a favorite movie of mine, can be streamed via Hulu Plus.

Posted in Commercial art, Movies | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Then and Now: Downtown L.A.

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: The intersection of Hill and Third in downtown Los Angeles, 1919 v. 2014. The concrete structure on the left is the parking lot for the Grand Central Market. Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted in Architecture, History | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Architecture Du Jour: The Shaker Style

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: The basic standards that defined both the buildings and their interiors were simplicity and utility. The Shakers frowned on any kind of decoration, and they favored pure, clean forms that were highly functional and economic to make. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

“Inherent Vice” by Thomas Pynchon

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Sax von Stroheim

Sax von Stroheim writes: Short enough and readable enough that I sailed through it, but I only ever semi-enjoyed it, and, looking back at it, overall, holistically, it’s a bit of a bummer. Pynchon’s Raymond Chandler/Philip K. Dick trip is … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing | Tagged , , | 6 Comments