Survival Tips

"Figure 185: Improvised Sunglasses"

"Figure 29: Extracting Water From Vines"

I found these images in a book entitled "FM 21 - 76/ Survival," which was distributed as a field manual to U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War. There is a lot of good information about edible and medicinal jungle plants, how to keep your feet protected, and how to devise traps. And then there are these bizarre pictures. I liked the sunglasses because I keep breaking the ones I buy - this seems like a perfect solution...except that it wouldn't block out the sun and I'd look like catwoman wandering around in San Francisco.

I like the second image for obvious reasons. Even better when turned 90 degrees. I love ephemera.

The Prelinger Library

I heard about the Prelinger archives a couple of years ago - it's a collection of video/film spanning several decades. You can view and download them for free at archive.org.

I didn't realize there was a library too - this guy, Rick, has amassed a dazzling selection of books ranging from graphic design to philosophy to outer space. You can browse the titles online at the Prelinger Library website. But really, if you can, go down to visit it - these books are crammed into a dimly lit storage space, piled high all around. It feels like a place you'd find something special.

Junk Pirate

I picked up this zine called Junk Pirate at Rock Paper Scissors this week. This guy, Pete Glover, collects interesting images - here are some playing cards from the color images section of his website. My favorite is the "awkward/pretty" one. It reminded me of this article on vintage playing cards I snipped from Martha Stewart's Living Magazine (dude, like i care. i know you read it too). Here are some images:

Changing Viewpoints

Last night I had a dream about turkeys that were all rainbow-colored. It was magical. Here's another magical image, courtesy of artist Mark Jenkins. I wish more of these existed.

It makes me think of how I tend to look at life just one way, kind of forgetting that there's always another way to take it.

There's Nothing Dorky About Rock Collections

Mottramite. The color of the Incredible Hulk!

Cinnabar. I like this one because it reminds me of those cupcakes with jam in the middle, or a baked potato with cranberry sauce instead of butter.

Cavansite and Stilbite.

Yesterday I went to Roy's house and he showed me some of his mineral collection. He mentioned the mindat website as a source for amazing photos of minerals like the ones we viewed under his microscope. I like the variety of images in the database - it reminds me that magic is everywhere. These thing exist!

y'know...it's, like, a long time.

so my mom keeps using the phrase "donkey's years" and i laugh at her because it's something i've never heard before and, until now, didn't believe was an actual phrase. i especially like how she defines it: "y'know...it's, like, a LONG TIME."

she admits it could be "donkey's ears," but again, this doesn't seem to have much to do with time.

i googled it and she was totally right. ma, i'm sorry i laughed at you. i guess you're not crazy.

Lyndie Dourthe

I saw Lyndie Dourthe's website a while back on somebody else's blog. These paper flowers are amazing. My sister and I made paper flowers last Xmas out of printer paper - they did not look this nice.

Writing Machines

I saw this typewriter on the classic typewriter page. I liked seeing the whole collection in the "typewriter spotlights" section - it gives you an idea of how different people approach a similar goal.

Velveteen Pincushions

I saw a really weird/almost cool piece of art at an estate sale this weekend - a big gold branch with big leaves and sequined velveteen pears hanging on it. It reminded me of these pincushions, which I found on a vintage goodies website last year. I'm thinking of making a couple for myself, maybe with some old candlesticks or wooden bits.

The Meaning of Hygge

I spent some months in Copenhagen a few years back, and the Danish concept of "hygge" stuck with me - it encompassed so many things that I enjoy. Hence the name of this new journal, which will attempt to gather more of the things that I like, things that I find hyggelig.

As I understand it, hygge is about warmth, coziness, a good mood or spirit, friends and family, and (often booze-fueled) good experiences. I'm all for that.

Candles, blankets, couches, dimly lit spaces, small homes, hot meals, coffee, glogg (which, for the record is nasty. why are there raisins and nuts in my wine?) - these are quintessentially hyggelig things. Whole cities can be hyggelig if they give you that good feeling, and being in Copenhagen, I came to know what that meant.