Kukeri

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Mar 242009
 


Image by Klearchos Kapoutsis, used under a CC license.

Kukeri is a yearly Bulgarian celebration that traces its roots back to ancient Thrace. Dancers wearing goatlike costumes parade around in order to frighten evil spirits away. Like a lot of spring celebrations, it contains elements of death and rebirth, as well as fertility and bacchanalia.

In other parts of the world, spring is celebrated by eating large amounts of pastel-colored candy nestled in baskets full of plastic grass. Evil spirits are frightened away by the presence of hideous baby chickens made from synthetic marshmallow. Sugar comas usually preclude any bacchanalian pursuits. Movies featuring Charlton Heston also contribute to the general anhedonia.

 Posted by at 10:41 pm

Your Flying Car

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Mar 182009
 

Image by loimere, used under a CC license.

Terrafugia is a small company that wants to make and sell flying cars. The making part seems to be going well, but the selling might be a problem. As we settle in for a long and bumpy recession, it seems unlikely that airborne automobiles are going to be a popular transportation choice.

Granted, flying cars are cool as hell. This one also has the advantage of running on ordinary unleaded gas as opposed to expensive jet fuel. But we’re headed into a period when even those rich enough to afford such a thing will think twice about make such an ostentatious purchase. I mean, people are embarrassed about owning Hummers now. Who’s going to feel comfortable cruising around in a nineteen-foot two-seater that just happens to be capable of flight?

 Posted by at 9:49 pm

Memo to St. Patrick

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Mar 172009
 


Image by The Talented Mr. Nimo, used under a CC license.

We’re coming back, buddy, so don’t get all cocky. We’re just waiting for the right time.

Love,

The Snakes

 Posted by at 6:49 pm

Willis Tower?

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Mar 122009
 

Image by david drexler, used under a CC license.

If anything, “Willis Tower” sounds more dignified than “Sears Tower”, mostly because we don’t associate the name with a large retailer. I don’t get too inspired by corporate naming (MCI Arena or Enron stadium are examples that come to mind). It’s very honest, I suppose, highlighting the fact that only large business concerns can afford to own massive structures. But it leaves something to be desired in the “sense of wonder” department.

At least with “Willis Tower”, I can pretend that it’s named after some great historical figure, deep thinker or artist. The fact that they’re really an international insurance broker can just fade gracefully away. Hmmm, delicious denial.

 Posted by at 4:26 pm

Hoovervilles: 1932 Do-Nothing Economics

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Mar 092009
 


Image by Tony the Misfit, used under a CC license.

Snark is not a new invention, apparently. I like the two-tone color scheme and the lettering style. Not really sure what’s going on with the “v” in “vote”, though. It looks a little like a caliper or some barbaric surgical instrument. Whatever it is, I don’t want to be on the wrong end of it. Maybe that’s the point: vote for Hoover and get this thing applied to you in the least pleasant possible way.

Last thought: Hoover’s do-nothing policies were the wrong way to go, but we better make sure that we’re doing the right thing to address the current economic crisis. It isn’t immediately obvious how supporting the same financial “experts” who got us into this mess will lead us back into prosperity.

 Posted by at 10:42 pm
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