Picture Post

If only… the ‘eighties might’ve been a bit more fun.

Howard did always have something of the nightclub about him… oh. It’s not that Howard. As you were, then.

+++++++++++++++++++

I may just order one of these books for some prospective new parents I know. It’s the perfect companion to My First Cavity Search.

“What a wonderful gift for new parents! How to Traumatize Your Children includes useful chapters on narcissistic parenting, parent as best friend, killing self-esteem, the convenience of neglect – and even how to enjoy your legacy of trauma. Not only does this book provide lots of laughs, but it actually reinforces how you really should raise your kids. 190 pages, hardcover”

+++++++++++++++++++

If this guy is genuine, this is very very sweet and funny. If not, well then it’s more than a little bit odd:

“Is this you? Please, if you recognise this person, read on

You’ve got to be resourceful in love these days though, so full marks for trying and extra brownie points for being cute about it.

+++++++++++++++++++

From the Flickr photostream of Reciprocity, this is one of a gorgeous set called Twisting Light

Animal Dance – Twisting Light #5 The next one in the series of refraction patterns formed by passing light through various shapes of moulded and formed plastic. Photographed direct on to 35mm film.

I thought that this one looked like a chorus line of long necked llamas with large floppy ears gyrating in front of the spot lights. You may think differently. :-)

To me it looks like a headless row of dancers from an Ancient Greek vase or maybe a bit of William Morris border. Or the crysanthemums on a bracelet I bought in a second-hand shop (or ‘vintage’ store, I suppose I should learn to call them if I want to be fashionable). I prefer ‘otherly-owned’.

++++++++++++++++++++

If you are minded to be fashionable and want to mine the past for clothes, old magazines are invaluable for getting your eye in. Vogue is putting together a searchable online archive of all its covers from 1916 to the present day. Here’s March 1960: the makeup’s nice, the colours are lovely but I do hope the shape of that coalscuttle hat never, ever comes back in again.

“The cover is described as a “spokesman for black and white, a leading fashion pair”, while the London Look is said to be “understated, soft fabrics, with sashes as a feature and lots of patent leather”.”

Things don’t change that much do they – except the cover price. Good lord, 2/6- for a magazine – that’s only 12 and a half pence! (Around 20 eurocents, or 500 bucks.)

Oops. That I automatically knew that (and recognised a coalscuttle, what’s more) says more about my own personal vintage than I really care to reveal.

The Fat Controller

Tama the cat, the stationmaster at Kishi railway station in Kinokawa, western Japan, hard at work. Here, Tama sports her stationmaster cap and a neck sign reading

Cat oversees Japanese train station, brings back passengers

By Kyodo News, via AP

TOKYO (AP) — A money-losing Japanese train company has found the purr-fect mascot to draw crowds and bring back business — tabby Tama.

All the 9-year-old female cat has to do is sit by the entrance of western Japan’s Kishi Station, wearing a black uniform cap and posing for photos for the tourists who are now flocking in from across the nation.

Her job makes cultural sense in Japan, where cats are considered good luck and are believed to bring in business.

Tama has done such a good job of raising revenue for the troubled Kishikawa train line that she was recently promoted to “super-station-master.”

“She never complains, even though passengers touch her all over the place. She is an amazing cat. She has patience and charisma,” said Wakayama Electric Railwayspokeswoman Yoshiko Yamaki. “She is the perfect station master.”

Read More