Tuesday, May 29, 2012

We don't want no stinkin' bugs!

Interesting... I'm tempted to get one to try it out. I would like to see if they repel mosquitoes. That's my real problem!



If anyone has one already, please let me know how it is working for you!

http://3rings.designerpages.com/2012/05/21/the-sustainable-anti-fly-spheres-by-jose-de-la-o/

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Green Roofs

It's nothing new, but with this brutal summer coming, it's something to talk about. This article by the New York Times points out the temperature difference on a black roof, white roof, and green roof.

"At 1:45 in the afternoon on August 9, 2001, the temperature in Chicago was in the 90s. Eleven stories up, on the roof of City Hall, the surface temperature of the black tar measured 169 degrees. But Mayor Daley, environmental innovator — yes, that Mayor Daley — had done something interesting. The year before, a section of the City Hall roof had been painted white.  The surface temperature there was between 126 and 130 degrees. And much of the roof of the building had become a garden — 20,000 plants in 150 varieties, chosen for their abilities to thrive without irrigation and stand up to Chicago’s notorious wind. The surface temperature of the green roof varied between 91 and 119 degrees."

I googled some photos of green roofs and got two amazing photos I have to add with links. Funny thing is, both came from different websites, Sierra Club Green Home and Eco Geek, but both websites have both images. The Eco Geek has some other great images, including some goats eating a green roof :)



I encourage you to read the New York Times article. Imagine what the temperature in a city would be reduced to if every roof was either white or a green roof. Yes it's costly per square foot, but imagine the reduced electricity bills for air conditioning, the reduced amount of run off...

Friday, May 25, 2012

I'm back!

I have to admit it was very hard to leave Toronto. I absolutely LOVED that city.


I haven't had a chance to get my photos onto my computer yet, so more will follow. Lots of silly photos so I will weed through those. :) This was taken right before we went in the CN Tower. Holy man I will tell you that elevator ride is scary. If half the amount of people were in the elevator and there wasn't a glass floor, I would have been okay but I was sweating bullets on my way up. Beautiful views once you get up there.


More to follow in a few days once I get my act together. At least I'm fully unpacked! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Futuristic houses... abandoned

Poking around the internet I found a blog written about some flickr photos from Taiwan. Apparently these houses/apartments were to be some sort of resort, but it doesn't seem like that lasted very long, or if it even officially opened. The aerial view from Google Maps is quite amusing.

The flickr photos don't seem as edited as they are on the blog.. but you should still click both links and check them out...


From the blog...






From the flickr page...

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Kodak?

Not everyday you read the words 'secret nuclear reactor' and Kodak in the same sentence. Seems like it has been dismantled for a few years, but it's existence is still curious. Click on the link to read more about it, but you're still left wondering, what the heck?



Here's another article, giving more details. I would be nervous if I lived in Rochester all those years!

Friday, May 18, 2012

Anyone have $2.8 million?

Leica broke the record for most expensive camera ever sold. $2.8 million was shelled out for a 1923 Leica. I'm an old camera collector, but I can't imagine spending that much! I think the most I ever spent was $20 on an old Polaroid Land Camera, which this website tells me is from around 1948. I think I got a deal. :)

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Home Sick...and Nasa!

Home sick today. Boo. Worst part is, I'm leaving for Toronto tomorrow! I've gotten more sleep in the past few days then I normally get in a week, so hopefully I'll be as good as new tomorrow morning, and posting lots of photos from Toronto. Or at least when I get back.... but because I'm home sick and stuck on the couch, I found some cool things to post about!

Discovery News posted this awesome photo from Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Don Pettit.


Click on the image above to see the full photo and read about how Pettit took the photo. Enjoy getting lost in all of the Discovery links!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Recycled Spaces

Dwell has an interesting article about an American couple converting a 17th century warehouse in Amsterdam into a living space. I absolutely LOVE recycled spaces and dream of my own challenge one day.


I do not, however, like the painted brick. I really, really, really do not like painted brick. I realize it brings in more light, but I rather have the natural look than an artificial, oddly textured wall. Painted brick is right on up there with aluminum siding. Why hide your walls?

In any case, click on the photo to view more photos!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Auction!

A week or so ago I was fortunate enough to view this beautiful house. The photos in the link aren't mine, but the house was just too amazing not to share. I did take this instagram photo while I was there...   


This is the view from the Master Bedroom Balcony.Yes, those are horses.

If you're interested in bidding today view the Max Spann website.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Claustrophobia

Great photos taken of Kowloon Walled City before it was demolished.




"The area was made up of 300 interconnected high-rise buildings, built without the contributions of a single architect and ungoverned by Hong Kong's health and safety regulations"



To see more photos from Greg Girard, click here.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Photoshopping gone bad

We've all seen bad photoshopping. Sadly sometimes on the cover of magazines, sometimes just on the internet. But when it comes to the news... well first of all you would hope it wouldn't be photoshopped in the first place. Doesn't seem to be a problem for some...




Click on the photo or link below to read the article.



http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2012/05/busted-irans-jarring-photoshopped-missile-test-image/51940/

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Would you use this bathroom?


I'm not afraid of heights, but I am leery of trusting engineers, natural breakdown of materials, changes due to settling..... etc. Remember this post? So, that all being said...I'm not sure I would be able to use this bathroom. 

Would you?


Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Beautiful wood






Re-tiling your floor? Why not use wood tiles.

Yes, you read correctly.
 

Click on the image to view other tile shapes from Jamie Beckwith. Above is "Pisces".

 Too worried to have it as flooring? It makes a beautiful wall....



Check out the website for wooden mosaic tile options. Very cool.