Beyond blending in

I’ve seen photos of people wearing experimental, electro-flexible plasma “clothing” that projects the scene directly to the rear, giving the (near) illusion of looking right through the wearer, but the technology has yet to be perfected. While an interesting proof-of-concept, I’m more impressed by the trompe-l’œil work of artist Desiree Palman. You really have to look two or three times at some of her photos to find the human hidden within. (And there really is one, too!)

Who doesn’t have days when this ability would be welcome relief?

Leviathans in love

Before I forget, I want to mention the short trip Yumi and I recently took to Maui with Yumi’s mother. (It was my first time to visit one of the outer islands in the four years that I’ve lived here, if you can believe that.) I wasn’t expecting much — I mean, Hawaii is Hawaii, right? — but a short 25-minute plane ride away and it really did feel like we were off on vacation. Or at the very least, off O’ahu.

The weather was fantastic and Haleakala even more spectacular. But what I want to comment upon is the crazy amount of whales we saw there. The humpbacks have returned in droves to their winter mating grounds and, by all appearances, are having a ball. I didn’t realize that whale watching could be done — satisfyingly so, at that — from the beach! Even while driving (though I don’t advised it) you can see whales breaching, slapping, and leaping right out of the ocean. I’ve never seen anything like it.

The topper came when Yumi and I went snorkeling maybe 75-100 meters off the Kaanapali coast. (The water is so clear and scenery so inviting that you find yourself pretty far offshore before you know it.) Yumi’s mother chose to stay on the beach but I had both room keys/cards in my suit. I was thinking she might want to go back to the room so Yumi and I swam in to shore to give her one of the cards. As we pulled ourselves out of the surf several enthusiastic onlookers dashed over to ask about the whale.

“What?”

“Look.” They pointed out to sea.

We turned and caught sight of — I kid you not — a massive whale gracefully arching back down into the water right about where we must have been swimming. Yumi’s mother said it looked like the whale was right on top of us.

I couldn’t believe it. After an entire day of mounting giddiness brought on by glimpses of whales cavorting on the horizon, something that large swims right by us and we don’t even notice? How the hell did that happen? We saw sea turtles, sure, but no whale. I was brimming with excitement and frustration at the same time.

The next day we went swimming again but were not able to recreate our near-encounter. (No matter: the snorkeling alone is out of this world.) What we did discover, however, is that you can actually hear whales singing, popping, laughing, and communicating with each other! Yumi picked up on this first as she wasn’t using a snorkel. (I couldn’t hear much as the sound of my own breathing blocked most external sound.) But sure enough, when I held my breath under water, the eerie yet playful sonic traffic of whale pods scattered offshore was clearly discernible. I can’t even begin to describe how cool it was to eavesdrop on this other world where we were but distant witnesses.

I’m now determined to return to Maui each and every winter and bob on the surface until that whale glides past me once more.

Unless I get eaten by a shark first

(photos from the trip)

Color my world

Tickle your fancy (and grab a few delightful desktop images while you’re at it) over on swirlingthoughts’ Flickr page. (link)

Tim Biskup

I’ve recently become a big fan of Tim Biskup’s pop-surrealist visions. A lot of his stuff — this poster especially — reminds me of the Magic Kingdom attraction posters which line the entrance tunnel to Main Street U.S.A. There’s more good stuff for your viewing pleasure on his website.

(Some clever faux-Disney attraction posters…)

Pop-up pulp

These are wonderful. Photographer Thomas Allen creates graphic pop-up illustrations from the cover art of classic pulp thrillers, with each element still attached to its original book. A collection of Allen’s work is now available in a new book, Uncovered. I just love them.

(link to images of Allen’s work at Joseph Bellow Gallery; link to more images at Foley Gallery )

Giving new meaning to “go sit in the corner”

I’m sure this elementary school situated in a cave in southwest China has it’s drawbacks — winter, for one, comes to mind — but as a kid I couldn’t have imagined any cooler place to attend class.

‘Shroom for your room

Wouldn’t you just love to have a bunch of these mushroom lamps scattered about your floor?