The Autoharp Guy

During the mild and warm months, Tracy and I make an effort to walk down to Port Dalhousie almost every day. The pier is a great place to sip a Tim Hortons' coffee while gazing out into Lake Ontario. When the sun's out, there's a guy who is pretty much guaranteed to be there, sitting on the same bench every day, over on the east pier, wearing only shorts and playing his autoharp. He's not busking, he just seems to be playing for his own entertainment. Regular visitors to Port will know who I'm talking about. Who is this guy and what's his story? I'm intrigued.

Frankie Venom

I spent many beer-fueled nights watching Teenage Head turn bars upside down during the late 70's and early 80's. On a good night, they were as good as a rock and roll band can get. I was a huge fan. Sadly, I've just learned that singer, Frankie Venom died today after a battle with throat cancer. He lived fast and hard for many years from what I've read.

One cold winter night in the mid 80's, I finished a 3 to 11 shift at the mill (Ontario Paper Co.) and walked down to Smuggler's Tavern in lovely downtown Thorold to catch the last set by Long John Baldry (they actually had some decent acts come through from time to time). I'm standing near the bar, halfway through my first beer, when I turn and realize Frankie Venom is next to me. He's by himself, beer in hand. I have no idea why he's there, alone at a dive in Thorold, Ontario watching Baldry. I say hello and tell him how much of a Teenage Head fan I am. He shakes my hand and promptly asks me "Got any drugs?" I didn't, and he moved onward, looking elsewhere for medication.

Bye, Frank. Thanks for some kinda fun. I enjoyed it.

From Above

Yann Arthus-Bertrand photographs the earth from above. There's no point in trying to describe the wonder of his photos. I'll just say you really should see these 10 examples from his upcoming exhibition in NYC.

High Quality

Very interesting thread over at Ask Metafilter - identical products presented as premium or budget.

Perfume

Christopher Brosius concocts unique perfumes and sells them from a small shop in New York. His creations aren't traditional fare - he's based his business around the idea that evocative and pleasing odors can come from anywhere, not just a flower garden. "Wet Pavement" and "At the Beach 1966" are two of the more interesting products he carries.

Official website.

Socotra Island

Out in the Indian Ocean, 250 km from Somalia and 340 km from Yemen, sits Socotra Island. The climate is hot, harsh and dry. The landscape is incredibly beautiful and mysterious.

Dead Moose with Lipstick

This New Yorker jab at Sarah Palin is fantastic.

Stormy

A great collection of rain-related photography. Bad weather can be beautiful.

Real World

Peter Gabriel's engineer, Richard Chappell, provides a video tour of Gabriel's main writing and recording room at Real World Studios. I'm a fan, so it's nice to see where so much of his music came to life. Part two.

Reading between the lines, I get the sense that the "boss" and employee roles are very clearly defined in this space.

A tour of the entire Real World complex.

Here Again

The sun shines high above
The sounds of laughter
The birds swoop down upon
The crosses of old grey churches

We say that we're in love
While secretly wishing for rain
Sipping Coke and playing games

September's here again
September's here again

- David Sylvian