Local Topiary

You might well ask, "Is that a gigantic topiary cat, full of Christmas lights, and wearing a hat?  Is it wearing a ribbon around its neck?  Is it dangling a big white rat from its mouth? Is it in front of an otherwise unremarkable house in Atlanta?"  The answer is "Yes!" on all counts.  The white spidery bit is, I believe, a set of whiskers.  

Halifax

The Atlantic Ocean was kind enough to pose for a group shot with me and some local boats.  

Mortification of the Flesh

A couple of classes ago, I was showing my students a film from 1909 of Wilbur Wright and his airplane.  They mounted the camera on the plane to get what would be the first aerial shots.  One of the students confessed that while watching, he secretly wanted to see the plane crash, explaining "I guess I'm just a Jackass fan".  I took the opportunity to share my theory that the appeal of Jackass is similar to that of the martyrdom of saints - so you can suffer agonies by proxy.  That made the whole class wake up and pay attention.  They wanted to hear more, but then the bell rang.  It's fun to be the professor who is full of surprises.

The Self-Portrait

I tried really hard to make it look like the palm tree was growing out of my head, but I don't think it was successful.  Better luck next time.

Christmas Spirit

We spotted this house while walking around San Francisco, looking for views of the Bay.  To give you a sense of scale, the ornaments on the tree are beach balls.  The portion of the house behind the tree is covered in weather-proof wrapping paper and bows, while the "presents" on the sidewalk are concealing the huge lighting rig that illuminates the whole thing.  There is also an elaborate train set around the bottom of the tree.  I wonder what it's like to be their neighbour?

Overheard in the Park

Today Mollie and I couldn't help but overhear an interesting discussion in the park.  Three people, all generally regular-looking, were engaged in what seemed like a sensible conversation about a technical problem.  I'm no engineer, but their use of terminology expressed a level of professional knowledge.  However, as we approached it became clear that they were discussing a prototype for a machine to "attract UFOs".  Mollie and I slowed down so as to more effectively eavesdrop.  Seems like they have a plan that involves magnetic fields that will appeal to extraterrestrials.  I chose not to invade their privacy with a surreptitious cell phone photograph, as this would no doubt only confirm their conspiracy theory about "the watchers", or something.  

Steal This Plant

I have many stories to share from my Christmas/New Year/Etc. adventures.  Where to begin? In San Francisco I went for a lovely walk at the Botanical Garden, where these little signs tell you not to get any funny ideas.  Plant banditry will not be tolerated.