Gen-an (Fantasy Villa) house, Shinshiro, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, designed by Japanese architect Osamu Ishiyama in 1975.
Ishiyama used unconventional and industrial materials for its construction, such as giant corrugated steel tubing typically used for civil engineering projects. The house was inspired by a monk’s minimal dwelling cell.
[Images found here, here and here; description from Google AI Overview.]
No one ever came home drunk.
Atule’er Cliff Village in Sichuan Province, China, where wooden homes cling to sheer cliffs accessed by 800-meter bamboo ladders, highlighting the daily risks for over 80 resident families
The ladders have since been replaced with stairs.
[Photo found here, description via GROK.]
Trash, New York Dolls (1973) This seminal proto punk band took their name from the New York Doll Hospital, a doll repair shop.
I hope you never have to use it.
Animal scans [Thompson, blog].
Reckless [via The Feral Irishman].
In defence of a sheep [via Everlasting Blört].
The fate of the Waratah [via Memo Of The Air].
“A gyroscopic airfoil based on sound aerodynamic principles.”
[Top image: Dirty Dogedog found here.]
From the Archives: 1 year ago. 5 years ago. 10 years ago. 15 years ago.
The True Loves are an Afro-beat funk and soul group out of Seattle. Formed in 2014 by Jabrille “Jimmy James” Williams / guitar, Bryant Moore / bass) and David McGraw / drums, they’re backed by Iván Galvez / congas, aux percussion, Gordon Brown / tenor sax, Greg Kramer / trombone, and Skerik / baritone sax. [h/t Chuck S.]
Supergroup Joe Louis Walker & The Blues Rebels, live at Zappa Tel Aviv (2013) featured Blues Hall of Fame member Joe Louis Walker / guitar & vocals, Andy Watts / guitar, Dov Hammer / harp, Ilan Hillel / bass and Alon Hillel / drums. Walker passed away in April 2025, age 75.
An amazing version of d’s classic by Brass Against, a collective led by guitarist Brad Hammonds for purposes of protesting everything you can imagine with song covers. (Fun Fact: They are banned from playing at NASCAR events and Daytona Speedway’s Rockville Festivals because of an “incident” in 2021.)
I see that the winter storm isn’t done messing with you folks east of the Mississippi and south of everything. I don’t envy you – I did my time long ago. Remember to steer in the direction of the skid, and we’ll see you on the other side. For the rest of us, heavy porchtime is expected to blow in by noon o’clock tomorrow. See you then.
A man towed his wife to Sonic with a lawn mower to get a vanilla ice cream.
“So this is in Giddings TX. I grew up there and he is always doing the nicest things for her since they’re not able to legally operate a motor vehicle as they’re both mentally handicapped. Everyone in the town always does what they can to help them out, but he is very set in doing what he can for himself and her.”
[Photo and description found here.]
Just a pile of random unrelated stuff.
From the comments section:
“I had hoped to see a video of this copter in flight. Alas, it’s never going to fly! Here’s more info I located on Instagram:
Aircraft maintenance expert Chuck Jurgen Teschke from Alberta, Canada, is creating a unique hybrid by combining a classic VW T1 Bus with parts from an Airbus H125 helicopter. This project, known as the ‘Frankencopter,’ is a static art installation designed to resemble a helicopter, though it is not intended to fly. The build features a modified VW Bus shell integrated with helicopter components, including landing skids and a tail boom, resulting in a striking visual piece that blends automotive and aviation elements.”
[Image and description found here.]
I Can’t Stop Dancing, Archie Bell & The Drells (1968)
Soul / R&B group from Houston, Texas, Archie Bell & The Drells had a string of hits in the late 60s-70s. They are best known for their 1968 dance hit Tighten Up which shot to No. 1 on the charts while Bell was recuperating from a leg injury he suffered while in the U.S. Army.
AiDA.
Stations down under.
Bear down under.
Lyrics to Hocus Pocus by Focus.
Limping devils and their vejigas.
Machines [via Everlasting Blört].
Warming up the car [Thompson, blog].
Happy blogoversary to The View from Lady Lake.
Morgan James sings Floyd [via Memo Of The Air].
[Top image: Snow couch found here.]
From the Archives: 1 year ago. 5 years ago. 10 years ago. 15 years ago.
Tacky Raccoons 