So I never saw square trees until I visited Palm Beach, Florida.
What’s the saying:
“It’s hip to be square!”
I definitely had to take a doubletake when I saw these.
Wherever we were going, I was gonna stop and get a photo of this.
These trees are almost as if they are from another planet.
What planet would have square trees?
Hope you enjoy it.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So I thought this was pretty smart.
Yes, it’s a “Smart” car.
But more important is this guy parked his car in a very smart way.
The spot was too small even for this micro urban car.
So he just parked it sideways–and poof it fits.
Also, look how easy it is for him to drive out of the spot when he’s ready.
Now, I’m not one to say whether this is legal or not (his rear wheels are on the sidewalk, of course).
Still there is something refreshing about this solution.
Nothing high-tech about it — he didn’t need to move the cars further apart or shrink his own vehicle, rather just think out of the box.
Frankly, it works, and I think this guy deserves the parking spot–so right on dude! 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
These folks make some beautiful music together.
Sit back and enjoy!
(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)
Just thought this was a really interesting photo.
The way the rain splattered down the side of this building.
The water hitting only on top and then trickling down the side like a big spill.
“The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain,” but in Washington, D.C., it falls down the side of the buildings in these weird artistic patterns.
When I was a kid, I remember when it rained, my father would tell me positively and jokingly, “Ah, we’re getting a free car wash today!”
Isn’t it amazing how G-d made the world where it rains, and provides us not only the water to drink and sustain ourselves, but literally a shower to clean our cities and wash away the dirty excesses.
The ecosystem is just an amazing array of literally everything we need and with checks and balances to keep the goings-on of the world suitable for His children. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
I took this picture in downtown Washington, D.C.
We all need some privacy at one time or another–that’s actually one reason to love blogging (ah, some peace at last!)
No matter how much we love to be surrounded by the socializing multitudes, there are times when everyone needs some space.
Enter the Privacy Shell (or Veasyble)–a new wearable, accordion device that extends over your head to give an individual an escape from the hustle and bustle around them.
It is an accessory made of paper, plastic and fabric and comes in the form of either a visor, neck ruffle, bag, or mask.
The Privacy Shells are supposed to be all about creating isolation for the individual or intimacy for companions.
While some have compared these to ostriches putting their heads in the sand, to me they are more like turtles that seeks to escape into their shell when the surroundings get to be too much or dangerous.
The difference though is that unlike real shells for sea creatures or animals, the Privacy Shell offers no real protection from the world around you.
The Privacy Shells also reminds me of the Confucian Three Wise Monkeys–that cover their eyes, ears, and mouth with their hands to imply they “See No Evil, Hear No Evil, and Speak No Evil” (i.e. I think I’ll cover face with my Privacy Shell for a little while, and all will be well).
The Privacy Shell seems to be a pointed reaction to world population exploding at nearly 6.8 billion, increasing urbanization and overcrowding, and the hurried pace of human activities and ongoing changethat is unprecedented–people are screaming out for some quiet, solitude, and real relationship intimacy (social media just doesn’t cut it).
Unfortunately, the Veasyble provides for none of these–rather, it’s a fashion statement and clever gimmick–like playing peak-a-boo with a baby, just because you cover the kids eyes for a second, doesn’t mean that you’ve really disappeared.
Wearing a privacy shell is really just an attempt to get attention, and it certainly does that.
But the need for privacy is real and we all can benefit from learning to stop the constant running around, the endless need to be productive, and the incessant interactions (online and off).
There is no magic when it comes to privacy–if you want some, you better find a place–physical, mental, and/or spiritual–that you can get away to and regain your sanity, because hiding under an accordion shell is only going to get you arrested for loitering in Times Square. 😉
(Source Pictures: here)
andyblumenthal 