As Seen Around Town

Microsoft finds a sense of humor. Film at 11.

spotted at: The SciFi Channel

Because Rian will ask...

Photo by Vermillion Asian Arts, Carmel CA

Whilst in California, my uncle and I made time to drop by my very favorite shop in the world: Vermillion Asian Arts in Carmel. Vermillion is run by two lovely men, Robert and Michael. Not only do they share my love of everything Japanese, but they are also incredibly warm and friendly. Even though their shop is filled with exquisite and expensive treasures, I always feel encouraged to browse and discover, touch and covet. And they know about what they are selling, unlike so many other places these days.

These lamps came out of a Japanese ryokan. The shades are paper; the legs fold up like a camera tripod. As they had to be electrified, I imagine they originally held candles. If I remember correctly, they are circa 1920. (I might be wrong on that.)

When I was in the shop, they had 2 on display which were already spoken for. More had been promised, but t'was uncertain if they would actually materialize.

But, happily, I got the email last night that they had indeed materialized, and they remembered that I coveted two.

Wonderful.

And I'm high on cold medication, so if none this makes any sense at all, blame Dr. Lorimer.

-----

Footnote: IF you ever visit Japan, do try to stay in a ryokan. Many ryokans are located in beautiful, older buildings, and the best ones give you a real taste of Japanese culture and history, from shoji doors, tatami mats and a private garden off your room, to unrolling your futon in the evening, bringing meals to your room, and drawing your nightly bath. Read more here.

Bonsai!

Who would have thought you could bonsai a sequoia tree?



I expected this one to start throwing apples at me any moment...



Ginko leaves.

Monterey Bonsai Club, Annual Exhibition 2006
Seaside, CA

Lost and Found

Narrisch had been fretting that there were NO pictures at all of herself and mother, just the two, neither having enjoyed their photograph being taken. <mock-glares in the general direction of the Bedroom Paparazzi>

But whilst cleaning out the house this week this image fluttered out of an envelope. Sometimes the universe does smile upon you.


1991

One More

A different mastavallia orchid

Reasons Why

Begonia Leaves



Water Lily



Masdavallia Orchid

Airports II

8:00

There was a man in the Salt Lake City airport carrying a box marked

LIVE BOILED LOBSTERS

9:10

I wish I'd thought to have my camera out as we left Salt Lake City. The sun had just gone down; snow-capped peaks to one side; orange and red sunset on the other; silvery twilight on the lake.

One should always travel with Dr. Lorimer, I suppose, who remembers to do these things.

11:02

Monterey. Finally!

And: not to be believed: my bag is the first one off the trolley.

Bed.

Airports

2:00pm

So. Here I am in the Colorado Springs Airport. Here I go! Going now!

Except... flight delayed.

Ho hum.

*twiddles thumbs*

2:30

'Tis not a bad airport, really. They have free wireless. FREE WIRELESS. The two words in the English language that make Dr. Lorimer's little Scottish heart go pitter-pat.

And Indy is on MSN. Hi Indy!

So, Indy amuses me with tales of his Sims:

Indy: "It's great fun - you can play it seriously or find amusing ways to wind the little buggers up.
Or...ahem...accidently kill them."

Me: "*laughs more* Can they get run down by Sim busses?"

Indy: "I don't think so...*rubs hands together*
..but let's find out... "

3:15

Plane is supposed to be loading now.

*twiddles thumbs more*

3:50

Dr. Lorimer has a computer problem, which she explains at great length, not realizing I am sitting in an airport.

By now it is obvious that half the plane is going to miss connections. United has only one frazzled agent at the gate trying to rebook 50 people.

4:05

"Will the person who found a finance book in the men's toilet please bring it to..."

4:25

At this point it is obvious that I am not going to make my connection in Denver. The flight itself, at 16 minutes, is so short that they don't even bother closing the doors. Nevertheless, even if we left right now, I might make it but my bag definitely won't. Time to talk to Frazzled Woman.

4:45

Frazzled Woman has put me on Delta. Now I'm not going to Denver at all.

Salt Lake City, here I come.

5:30

Frazzled Woman told me to come back at 5:30 to see if they could "find my bag". First she tells me it went on the plane that just left for Denver. Ehh, did it, or do you *think* it did? I smile, she hems. I ask politely if she can radio the baggage guy who'd been tasked with finding it. She hems a bit more, but does. She thinks it is at Gate 12 on the loader now. Oh. Good thing I'm leaving from Gate 4.

I have a baaad feeling about this.

Stay tuned to see where Narrisch's luggage ends up! If the flight has pretzels! And if a freak blizzard snows her into the Salt Lake City Airport!