Grounded

Another related series from the summer's travels: airport pictures. The star-studded cast: Logan, Phoenix International, Dallas-Fort Worth, LaGuardia.

Backlog Blog

A summer's worth of pictures. Where to start? Take the lead from someone else. In response to Nicole's recent post on clouds and their (uncannily) consistent photogenic allure, an ode of my own, culled from one of this summer's many flights (nothing like being chastised by the flight attendant for shoving your face and camera against the window, post-electronics curtain call).

 

Cloud patterns have always been the sky's major draw for me, whether it's hulking storm walls thundering across the Midwest or ethereal jettrails in Cali. Thankfully, if you appreciate something, someone on the Internet loves it more and has devoted a blog/youtube montage/flickr page to it. In looking for a little sumthin sumthin to supplement my cloud pics, I stumbled across 'The Cloud Appreciation Society', whose online members number in the tens of thousands. Cost of membership is 4 pounds (of course! Britain, where clouds love YOU) and includes a BADGE as well as other vague membership privileges. Tie for Best Part: Learning cloud lingo (lenticularis! drop that conversation-stopper around the watering hole) and Clouds That Look Like Things picture section. Now, from the comfort of your very own chiggerless office chair, you too can while away the hours in aestival bliss, ruminating on alligator snouts and Snoopies in the sky. 

From Joshua Tree Park in Northern California (CAS photo gallery)

i have found what you are like

i have found what you are like
the rain,

(Who feathers frightened fields
with the superior dust-of-sleep. wields

easily the pale club of the wind
and swirled justly souls of flower strike

the air in utterable coolness

deeds of green thrilling light
with thinned

newfragile yellows

lurch and.press

-in the woods
which
stutter
and

sing

And the coolness of your smile is
stirringofbirds between my arms;but
i should rather than anything
have(almost when hugeness will shut
quietly)almost,
your kiss

e.e. cummings

Just Cringe and Bear It

from the New Yorker's manchild, Simon Rich...

If adults were subjected to the same indignities as children . . .

CAPITOL HILL

Lobbyist: If you fail to pass this proposition, it will lead to the deaths of thousands. Any questions?
Senator: Why are you wearing a sailor suit?
Lobbyist: My children decided to dress me this way, on a whim. I told them it was an important day for me, but they wouldn’t listen.
Senator: It’s adorable.
Lobbyist: O.K. . . . but do you agree with the proposition? About the war?
Senator: Put on the cap.



GARAGE

Lou Rosenblatt: Can I drive your car? I’ll give it back when I’m done.
Mrs. Herson: I’m sorry, do I know you?
Lou Rosenblatt: No, but we’re the same age and we use the same garage.
Mrs. Herson: No offense, sir, but I really don’t feel comfortable lending you my car. I mean, it’s by far my most important possession.
Brian Herson: Mom, I’m surprised at you! What did we learn about sharing?
Mrs. Herson: You’re right . . . I’m sorry. Take my Mercedes.
Lou Rosenblatt: Thank you. Can I come over to your house later? I’m lonely and I don’t have any friends.
Mrs. Herson: Well . . . actually . . . I kind of had plans tonight.
Brian Herson: Are you excluding him?
Mrs. Herson: No, of course not! (Sighs.) Here’s my address, sir. The party starts at eight.
Lou Rosenblatt: I’ll show up a little early.
Mrs. Herson: What’s that on your face?
Lou Rosenblatt: Mucus. I haven’t learned how to blow my nose yet, so I just go around like this all the time.
Mrs. Herson: Oh.
Lou Rosenblatt: I’ll see you soon, inside your house.