for next year’s halloween…

Body masks of the Asmat people of New Guinea. These are spectacular! Beautiful creations. I’ve really never seen anything like this. They were on show at the Met. Not sure if they are part of the permanent exhibits

(images by: vivien chin)

this week’s desk view: slot cars

Rigged and ready to go! Let the races begin! Fully equipped with cardboard bumpers for the occasional/frequent airborne vehicle.

(image by: vivien chin)

who you gonna call?…

….Ghostbusters!! State puff marshmallow man is a genius decoration!!

(image by: vivien chin)

a glamorous halloween

Silver skeletons should always be used to decorate.

(image by: vivien chin)

love repeats

More fun with Siri. Haha

(screenshot from my phone)

naked cowboy

After 4 years of living here, I finally saw the naked cowboy…haha. Times Square is full of characters.

(images by: vivien chin)

why not siri??

An awesome response from Siri when I asked her “why not??”. Hahahaha. Ohhh iPhone…

(screenshot from my iPhone)

in memory of…

People show their respects to Steve Jobs today at the Apple Store in the Upper West Side.

(image by: vivien chin)

wild hearts…

 

Inspired by the horse diver, Sonora Webster Carver, who made horse diving popular in Atlantic City around the 1930s.  Sonora became blind in 1931 upon impact of the water which detached her retinas.  She continued to dive in the show for 11 years despite being blind.  Images above are from the horse diving tower at the steel pier in Atlantic City.  I always think about how much I love the movie “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken” which was based on events in her life.

 

(images from google)

white rabbit_jefferson airplane

One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don’t do anything at all
Go ask Alice, when she’s ten feet tall

And if you go chasing rabbits
And you know you’re going to fall
Tell ‘em a hookah smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call
To call Alice, when she was just small

When the men on the chessboard get up
And tell you where to go
And you’ve just had some kind of mushroom
And your mind is moving low
Go ask Alice, I think she’ll know

When logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead
And the white knight is talking backwards
And the red queen’s off with her head
Remember what the dormouse said
Feed your head, feed your head

(“White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane)

egg hat

Can’t get over this image.  Not only is it a egg hat, but it just got stolen.  HOW????

The hat belongs to entertainer Greg da Silva of Cape Town, South Africa, who made a world record-breaking hat out of 1,000 eggs

(image from refinery29)

how did dinos die?

 

hehehe…thanks Jeff S. for the find.

the thin man

William Powell and Myrna Loy in “The Thin Man”

damage report

Thankfully damage in the upper west side was low. The worst I saw is this lamp post fallen on the red car. A few fallen trees here and there, but all in all everyone came out unscathed in my neighborhood.

(image by: vivien chin)

hurricane protection

So I decided to walk around my neighborhood to see what kind of hurricane protection there was around. This was around 4pm Saturday before Irene was to make her appearance. Though I live in a “no evacuation” zone, we still have damage from wind and debris to worry about.

Several things i saw repeating around the neighborhood: There’s apparently the tape or plywood option being implemented to protect glass, but I’m not confident at how my the tape is going to save you. Better to be safe than sorry I suppose. Also saw lots of public trash cans flipped over with people just piling their trash on top with he occasional silly string (???). And grocery stores were still being decimated with people stocking up on food.

(images by: vivien chin)

graphical fashion

Uniqlo has pop-up stores in various locations to promote the opening of their new one on 5th ave.
Here are the mannequins in the pop-up on West 87th St. & Broadway in Manhattan

(image by: vivien chin)

don’t just be a sheep…be a well dressed one

Fun center window display in the soho Uniqlo. Sheep sheep sheep sheep sheep…

(image by: vivien chin)

hurricane of deals

The chaos of Irene has hit New York grocery stores even before Irene is scheduled to make her appearance.  I can’t believe someone actually thought to make this sign.  Hilarious!

No one knows what to expect exactly, but they sure are all getting prepped. Bottled water was flying off the shelf like crazy. Went to Fairway today to get some food since NY transportation is supposed to be shut down tomorrow. Guess we are all sorta on house arrest when you think about it. Time to get productive! Crazy natural phenomenons in NY the last 2 weeks. Crazy apocalypse-like black skies of rain, thunder, and lightning and an earthquake just a few days ago. Let’s add hurricane to the list. Be safe everyone.

(image by: vivien chin)

murakami in paris

Love Murakami’s work

(image from ELLE magazine)

sleep no more

 

“Sleep No More” is a site specific, modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth put on by Punchdrunk Theatre Company.  The play is performed in the McKittrick Hotel – 3 linked warehouses in Chelsea that have been gutted and installed with a maze of rooms to explore and witness events unravel in front of you.  Veering away from the traditional stage performance, the “Sleep No More” experience is one that is reminiscent of a “choose your own adventure” book you would read when you are little.  All spectators wear Venetian style masks, keeping their anonymity [from eachother and to the actors], as they wander from room to room.  There is no set path.  There are things going on everywhere simultaneously, different characters to follow around, and every person will come out having their own unique experience.  I’ve included a video from Cool Hunting’s behind the scenes look as some of the sets.

I’m going to see it this Saturday.  I can’t wait!

 

Check out more here:

—NY Times Review

—NY Times Slideshow of images

—Sleep No More NYC

—Cool Hunting

(images from Cool Hunting)

mini

Cool car siting in the UWS.  I want it

(images by: vivien chin)

hey boy

“Hey Boy” by The Blow

 

Hey Boy
Why you didn’t call me?
I waited for days
I can’t believe you didn’t call

Hey Boy
Why you didn’t call me?
I waited for days
I can’t believe you didn’t call

A. You’re gay
B. You’ve got a girlfriend
C. You kinda thought I came on too strong or
D. I just wasn’t your thing
no ring

Hey Boy
Why you didn’t call me?
I waited for days
I can’t believe you didn’t call

When we sat outside for an hour at the party and talked
I thought something good could be starting
It’s not a lot that I want
just some talking
and really, you just injured my pride

Hey Boy
Why you didn’t call me?
I waited for days
I can’t believe you didn’t call

Susan said that maybe you’re scared
Shelly says there always is a reason
and Chris said you’re probably surrounded by girls and I’m just not one of them you’re needing

 

true affection

“True Affection” by The Blow

I was out of your league
And you were 20,000 underneath the sea
Waiving affections
You were out of my league
At a distance that I didn’t wanna see
Down to the bottom

I wanted a junction and often there was one
You’d surface face first and we’d share our thought bubbles
And I still believe in the phrases that we breathed
But I know the distance isn’t fair to cross

I was out of your league
And you were 20,000 underneath the sea
Waiving affections
You were out of my league
At a distance that I didn’t wanna see
Wanted you nearer

Your depths made a pressure that punctured my works
and all your fluids couldn’t tolerate the force of my thirst
I love the place where we shared our tiny grace
But because it’s real doesn’t mean it’s gonna work

I was out of your league
And you were 20,000 underneath the sea
Waiving affections
You were out of my league
At a distance that I didn’t wanna see
Wanted you nearer

And true affection floats
True affections sinks like a stone
I never felt so close
I never felt so all alone

I was out of your league
And you were 20,000 underneath the sea
Waiving affections
You were out of my league
At a distance that I didn’t wanna see
Wanted you nearer

equality

Loved this message on the board at Epistrophy Cafe last night.

(image by vivien chin)

ny sky

Check out the average color of the New York City sky at nskyc.com

It’s updated every 5 mins.  Very Cool.

savage beauty

Checked out the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibit at the Met Museum a few weeks ago.  It was an amazingly breathtaking display of dresses and clothing.  The man is a genius!  The detail, intricacy, & mystique are unbelievable.  I would love to wear one of his creations.  The Exhibit is on display until August 7, 2011.  Very worthwhile to go see it.

 

richard cory

They say that Richard Cory owns one half of this whole town,
With political connections to spread his wealth around.
Born into society, a banker’s only child,
He had everything a man could want: power, grace, and style.

But I work in his factory
And I curse the life I’m living
And I curse my poverty
And I wish that I could be,
Oh, I wish that I could be,
Oh, I wish that I could be
Richard Cory.

The papers print his picture almost everywhere he goes:
Richard Cory at the opera, Richard Cory at a show.
And the rumor of his parties and the orgies on his yacht!
Oh, he surely must be happy with everything he’s got.

But I work in his factory
And I curse the life I’m living
And I curse my poverty
And I wish that I could be,
Oh, I wish that I could be,
Oh, I wish that I could be
Richard Cory.

He freely gave to charity, he had the common touch,
And they were grateful for his patronage and thanked him very much,
So my mind was filled with wonder when the evening headlines read:
“Richard Cory went home last night and put a bullet through his head.”

But I work in his factory
And I curse the life I’m living
And I curse my poverty
And I wish that I could be,
Oh, I wish that I could be,
Oh, I wish that I could be
Richard Cory.

(“Richard Cory” by Simon & Garfunkel)

mets vs. giants

Giants won 2-0. May 4, 2011.

(image by: vivien chin)

feathers, feathers everywhere!!

Giant pillow fight in Union Square today!

(images by: vivien chin)

gmail motion_april fools

Nice April Fools Google…hehe…”Star message”…”when in doubt throw it out”…”why the long face”. My favorites.

“Gmail Motion uses your computer’s built-in webcam and Google’s patented spatial tracking technology to detect your movements and translate them into meaningful characters and commands. Movements are designed to be simple and intuitive for people of all skill levels.”

(images & text from google.com)

japan

Disheartening images of the tragic state of Japan due to the recent tsunami & earthquake.  My heart goes out to them for all the lives lost as well as hope for a quick recovery.

(images from boston.com)

heart for japan

Heart for Japan logo designed by Graphic artist Delphine Perrot to encourage people to donate money to help humanitarian relief in Japan after the recent earthquake and tsunami.

 

 

flying house

National Geographic flies a small version of the UP! house across a California desert by attaching 300 weather balloons 8 ft in diameter and filled with 1 tank of helium each.  The house flew up to 10,000ft in the air with 2 pilots.  Pretty awesome.

Thanks moi for sending me the find!

 

(images from National Graphic Channel.  Original article here)

yesterday’s desk view: be mine valentine…

Valentine from Violet. Little kids are so cute. This made my day

 

(image by: vivien chin)

walking house

Walking House by Laurie Simmons at the MOMA

 

(image by: vivien chin)

gong hay fat choy!!_cny 2011

 

Cutest little lion hanging out in Chinatown today during the Chinese New Year festivities! Happy New Year everyone!

(image by: vivien chin)

merry christmas!!!

Hope everyone is having a Very Merry Christmas this year!  Stay warm and toasty and joyous.  I’m truly blessed to have my family and loved ones around and in my life.  (Not to mention, Grandma’s food is the best!!)  Love to all!

(image from the Boston Herald)

halloween panda dog

This wins the ridiculous + cute award.  Thanks Kristin for the Halloween photo find!

 

(image from flickr)

around the world 144 times…

These lyrics are so hard to remember!…haha

“Around The World”
_Daft Punk

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world
Around the world, around the world.

mr. toast

This is pretty awesome.  Thanks Jeff for the find.  Buy them here online.

(image from Mr. Toast Store)