Just for Fun

Cute 3-D pancakes!  

Mr. Picasso Head - Fun with Picasso shapes!

Fun with Jackson Pollock - Create a masterpiece just like this famous artist.  Just move your cursor, left click to change colors.

Oh maaaan...just when I thought I was going to get some work done I stumbled on this site!  Sheesh.  But yet so very cool!  I want one of those half sized Porsches!  And what a cool design for a bike/stroller!  Wish they had those when my boy was little!  Want to see what I'm ranting about?  Go to Toxel.com.  It is dedicated to Design Ideas and Tech Concepts.  Fun!

Abandoned Places

While I'm here I might as well expand on the abandoned theater theme and add this blog that I found.  It is called "Abandoned But Not Forgotten."  They have quite a bit to look through in different states and countries but I suspect there is much much more that could be placed here.  At some point I intend to add some pictures of places I have stumbled upon that have been abandoned.  There is something about neglected places that attracts me.

Did you know that there are abandoned Disney areas?  Ever wonder what happened to River Country?    There are more pics here.   You may even catch a glimpse of the defunct "Legendary Years" hotel if you are at the right place on the Disney compound in Florida.

And speaking of Disney... here is an interesting list: concepts that haven't yet come to fruition...and may never...

Boy...can I get off on a rant or what?  :)  Enjoy my insanity!

Science-fun facts

Speaking of Science...here is another site that makes science fun!  Today In Science History.  You can select any month and day in the upper left corner.  What new thing can you learn?

Biology-Bugs

Ever find a bug that you've never seen before and wonder "What the heck is that!?!"  Well, here is a place you can go to and find out!  What's That Bug?  They tell you lots of interesting things about bugs while keeping it fun!

Theater-Ghosts-Abandonded Places

I used to explore and play in an old school that had been turned into a nursing home, when visiting my grandmother.  The first story was used but the second story was abandoned, probably because it was mostly just a wide open space.  It was the auditorium for the defunct school.  It had a stage and a huge cluttered area with some seats and boxes of who knows what.  This, to an eight year old was heaven.  Although it was off limits, I spent many hours entertaining myself and whatever ghosts were there.  I'm sure they kept an eye on me because I'm sure it was full of dangers that my child brain ignored.
On a whim I Googled "abandoned theaters" and I got this right on top.  The saddest ones still have their backdrops and /or curtains.
I don't think that old school building still exists except in my memory, but it sure is a fun memory.

Hats-trimmings

Oooooh....have you ever wanted to make a hat? Well, you can get everything yo need here! It is a UK company but they have fascinators, sinamays, straws, feathers, trims, wooden blocks, and hat boxes---Don't you just love the internet!?!

Books, Literature, Reading

Just found another free book site...here. "ManyBooks.net"

And for those of you who like to listen to stories, give this site a try. It is all classic tales read by B. J. Harrison. I've been listening to him for years. I think he has a wonderful voice. Sometimes there are editing blips (one or two words overlap as if he re-read it but forgot to cut the first one out) but there are not enough to put you off the story. It's just like having someone read to you with the inflections of an actor. I've purchased a couple from him but he has dozens of freebies to listen to via your favorite pod-player.

Automata-puppets-dolls

I've mentioned that I like dolls, especially puppets which are dolls that can be animated. I am drawn to making inanimate things animate. Along those lines is an art form called automata. Automata generally uses gears and levers to create motion (animation) of something. To make these things work smoothly, you have to understand the mechanics of the structure. I found
this site to be very helpful when I was researching this subject. It has way more information than I have had time to check out so start perusing it now.

The Japanese have a wonderful version of automata that they call Karakuri. These intricate pieces verge on robotics and give a magical sense of wonder with their delicate and precise maneuvers.

Actors-comedians-Harpo

When I was young, I was in love with Harpo. I wanted to be his kid, or grow up and marry him (understand that at that time I hadn't a clue as to what that entailed.) He made me laugh, he had fun at everything he did, AND he played the harp more beautifully than I thought possible...and still had FUN doing it! I just found this official site dedicated to him.
The world could use a few million more like him.

Halloween

I LOVE Halloween! I'm just going to jump right in and post one of my favorite sites...there are so many! Lets start with Elvira, Mistress of the Dark! and her official website. There is also a wonderful fan site, Manor Macabre.

"Nighty-Night...."

Science - Biology

A fascinating video from NOVA about the genome project. I know, it sounds a bit stuffy, but it is very enlightening. It is called Cracking the Code of Life. It is two hours long but they have cut it up into sixteen segments for viewing online, so you can watch a little at at time. But I'll bet you will keep watching them one after another once you get started. It is truly one of the marvels of our lifetime!

Clothing

I just found this site via HBO's True Blood series comments. One of the characters wears a dress from this company in the upcoming series season finale. Its called Trashy Diva but the dresses are truly divine! 40s and 50s looks in fresh fabrics! And for the risque in us all they have some beautiful corsets...guess that's why they call themselves trashy, but really they are gorgeous! I might just have to save my pennies for one (after I lose 30 pounds!)

Dolls

Dolls have come long way in that they are now recognized by many to not only be play toys but works of art. I have a passion for making dolls...specifically dolls that can be manipulated to give the appearance of life...IE: puppets. But dolls, none-the-less. The National Institute of American Doll Artists has been a wealth of inspiration, tips, and resources for me over the years and continues to be so. Check it out.

One of my favorite dolls (I actually purchased one a few years back) is Ellowyne Wilde from Wilde Imagination. I also lust for their Evangeline Ghastly!

Biology...

Something close to my heart and that I get excited about is Biology. I especially like microbiology, so when an article pops up about the odd red rain that fell in India in 2001, I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. It was through this article that I first read the word "astrobiology." I guess we needed a word for the science of studying microbes on Mars and throughout the universe...I just never thought about it before.
It turns out that NASA has a whole web site dedicated to it! Fascinating information! Well worth the time to peruse it. See it here.

Literature and Writing

Lets start with Bartleby.com. This site was the catalyst for this blog. I found it just today. It has a plethora of classic literature...for FREE!

The Search is on...

I come across so many great sites when I am perusing the web. I have a ton of favorites saved! It dawned on me that I should be sharing what I'm finding. So this blog is going to be dedicated to my favorite sites on the web! Just my personal opinion. I will try to "file" them as I go along to help with going directly to something that may interest you. Thanks for visiting, come back often!
Caio!