Paying for Weird

I rarely watch The Tonight Show, but when I do catch it, I love when they feature the crazy ebay listings; things so far out there, you couldn't imagine someone would actually fork over money for it, but they DO.

So, some fun person started a blog entitled Weird ebay Listings, and now I can get my fix. Some of them are quite entertaining. I have shared a sample below.

Note, if you will, that someone's shadow SOLD for $5.70. I mean, that's not a lot of money, but PEOPLE, please. Hey, at least the shipping was free. There were actually ELEVEN bids for this. And I love the link at the top where you can "See all similar items". Hmmmm, and what would those be?

I'LL SELL YOU AN AUCTION BUNNY'S "MY SHADOW" ULTRA RARE

Read more...

Orsay You Say?

When I think of Paris, my first thought is Musée d'Orsay. This museum resides in a renovated train station (the before and after pic is above), and the large trasluscent clock in the cafe section of the museum is popular with photographers, amateurs and professionals alike.

I am a huge fan of the Impressionist painters, and Orsay houses an impressive collection. To see these huge canvases in person is breathtaking, and to know a great many of the artists lived and created those works in Paris makes it all the more special.

When you walk in the museum, it appears that it has its own personal sky- the top of the museum so far away, and light enters through milky glass. Sculptures line the main walkway in and the galleries are on the left and right and via stairwells on either side. I am a big fan of most art museums, and have been to some of the biggest and the best. But Orsay is by far the most beautiful museum structure of them all.

The first time I went to Paris was in May of 2000. I was fortunate enough to get to go back that same year at Christmastime, spending the holiday there. Many people tried to warn me that Paris would be cold and dreary during Christmas. They couldn't have been more wrong. It was cold, but nothing near dreary. White twinkling lights draped everything in sight, the most ornate and gorgeous window decorations filled the storefronts--I spent hours trying to take them all in. The Eiffel Tower was lit up with special colors of the season and exploded into starry flashes at midnight each night in celebration.

But, my favorite thing of all, was when I went to Orsay on that trip. It was cold and snowy that night, and I got off the subway and walked briskly to the entrance. I was dreading the long line that was always outside of the museum. It was about 5pm, but was dark early. The museum was open late that evening.

When I got to the museum, there was no line. I walked right in, and thought for a moment that I had read the hours wrong in the brochure I had gotten from the hotel. But there, at the ticket counter, was a woman waiting to see my museum pass. I asked her if the weather was keeping everyone away. She told me that no, during the week of Christmas, the museum was pretty quiet.

I don't know if that is still the case, but that night, I had the museum completely to myself. I think there were one or two others in the museum, but we never really crossed paths. Now, you have to be an art freak like me to understand this, but to be able to take your time, to stand so close to these paintings, to see the actual brushstrokes, to hear the clip clop of your shoes echoing through the whole building...it was magical.

I know people rave about the Louvre, but Orsay, in my opinion, is the better museum. If you go to Paris, tell Orsay hello for me.

Read more...

Elf Yourself Comes But Once a Year

Office Max has done this little promotional bit every year for the past few years, but now Jib Jab has picked it up in partnership with them. I always have to do it, and usually grab pictures of my friends and send it to them, copying everyone I can think of on the email. It's fun to do for your kids with their pictures too. Click on the link below mine to make your own!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Read more...

Optical Illusions

I couldn't find better words to describe this artwork than those on this collection page. These are CHALK drawings! So amazing.

People will actually walk around the drawings thinking they are real holes in the pavement!

Julian Beaver is an English artist who’s famous for his art on the pavement of England, France, Germany, USA, Australia and Belgium. Beaver gives to his drawings an amazing 3D illusion! Remember, as you view them……. these are all done on level walkways!

Read more...

Sunday Laughs

I needed a good laugh this morning, and went searching for my all-time favorite commercials. These three clips never fail to make me smile. The Citibank one, OMG, when he repeats that password on the train, I laugh so hard EVERY time. The EDS commercial is just brilliant as far as I am concerned. The whole concept, the seriousness of the cowboys-- it just kills me. And this aired years ago, and I remember it still.
The Mastercard one is airing now, and I will stop whatever I am doing to watch these little guys. Love it!

Read more...

Good Karma

A ten year old sent me this message in an email. It was a forwarded email, and one of those messages that asked me to forward it to five people and I would receive good luck. Boy, could I use some luck!

But, that is not the reason I am posting it here. The email claims these are words from the Dalai Lama, but whether they are or not, I think they are all good things to remember, to do, to think about.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIFE

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

3. Follow the three R's

-Respect for self

-Respect for others

-Responsibility for all your actions

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship.

7. When you realize you have made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honorable life. Then, when you get older and think back, you will be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation, do not bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge, it is a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you have never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Read more...