YouTube 1911

"The Wire" - Victorian Style

"Mother fucker," said Mr. McNulty, indicating by this succinct
phrasing his understanding as to the work that would be required
in order to make sense of the sketches and the heinous nature of
the crime...

Some talented people have adapted THE WIRE into the form of a Victorian novel.  Brilliant!

Woody

Travel Godermiche

I missed this when it was in the news nine months ago.  It is now "old news" - but somehow appropriate, as it pertains to sex toys over 200 years old!

Secret Cinema: Lawrence of Arabia

'Bedouins' shout, "Damascus is near!"

When I arrived at Alexandra Park, I was surprised to find myself on a path full of nomads, bandits, musicians, and snake charmers. Some were riding camels or horses, while others were entertaining people with stories, warnings, and shouts of “Damascus is near!

After gathering on a hill below the Alexandra Palace, we were taken in groups to the entrance. Once inside we found ourselves in World War I-era North Africa. Rows of military desks were manned by soldiers in uniform while palm tree-filled courtyards were staffed with higher ranking personnel.

Over this past weekend, a performing group in the London area called Secret Cinema put on an amazing event surrounding their screening of the great film, Lawrence of Arabia. A blogger who attended, posted this amazing report about the event...

I admire and heartily agree with Secret Cinema's goals, who describe themselves as, "...a growing community of all that love cinema, experience, and the unknown. Secret audience, Secret locations. Secret worlds.  The time is now to change how we watch films..."

Secret Cinema had this to say about the event aftewards, on their Facebook page:

Thank you to all the brave tribesmen who joined us in the revolt. Travel as one and be at peace.

I would have given my eye-teeth to have attended this magical event. To even know it happened, fills me with wonder. I find it apropos somehow that it is happening during the final days of Ramadan...

T.E. Lawrence: Study as an Enigma

Triptych portraits of T.E. Lawrence, original owned by Maarten Schild, by  Dutch artist Rob Jongbloed. 

He was an extraordinary adapter of behaviour, tending to take on the characteristics of the person he met, being able to see through the other’s eyes. He did not seem to have a clearcut, one-dimensional identity (this is who I am), but only a fragmented one, almost like a multiple personality (I am many). He did not seem to choose between these different sides, saying different things all the time, contradicting himself, which ultimately makes him into an enigma, and a fascinating source of endless speculation.

- From The Boyish Side of T.E. Lawrence

Recently, an online friend named Maarten Schild shared with me a rough draft of something he had written. It is the first of a series on a subject near and dear to the both of us - the life of T.E. Lawrence.

He asked me my opinion of it, and I was honored to offer my humble insights.

That was one of the most insightful, enlightening, and moving articles I have ever read about T.E. Lawrence. It impressed and moved me on the same level as John Mack's A PRINCE OF OUR DISORDER, which in my opinion is one of the best biographies of TE. Mack's insights as a psychologist, and his obvious empathy for Lawrence, was one of my first introductions to him. And I'm glad it was, for I have filtered everything since then through that prism, always keeping in mind how TEL grew up, how it influenced him, etc.

I agree with your insights about why he did what he did, that he was being true to himself, and doing what he felt he had to do to keep his mental health. I think that TEL may have related in some ways to Michael Jackson and his Neverland. Neverland was Jackson's escape as Cloud's Hill was TE's. I admit TE may not have wanted such extravagance, but the idea and motivation was likely similar.

I am not nor have I ever been famous or notorious or wealthy, but for some reason I have always felt a kinship and have been able to relate to persons like Jackson and Lawrence - a feeling of 'other', of alienation, of needing/wanting more, or loneliness even in the midst of a crowd, or even in the presence and fellowship of those who love me and/or I love. I recognize I am a paradox and a set of contradictions like TEL has presented to the world. I am thankful for that. I would much rather be that, and have the attendant anxiety and constant discomfort and unease that brings, than a quiet, comfortable existence, just living a so-called normal life. What a waste of a life that would be, in my opinion! But that's just me...

T.E.Lawrence the Secret X-Flights

T.E. Lawrence, aka "Lawrence of Arabia"

A fascinating new book reveals another side to the legacy and myth, of the very real T.E. Lawrence and the Arab Revolt...

J.J. Abrams Helms Steampunk Robot Movie

"Boilerplate" - my favorite steampunk robot, who I have been following for several years online and then in print - will be coming to a screen near you...Boilerplate ROCKS!

J.J. Abrams To Produce 19th Century Robot Movie ‘Boilerplate’

Obscenity vs. Freedom of Expression

From Reason.tv comes this piece on the new War on Pornography...

"When did women exchanging bodily fluids and a little light bondage become the most obscene thing in the land?" asks Constance Penley, a University of California at Santa Barbara professor well-known for her classes on pornography.

That question may be answered this week when porn producer John Stagliano's federal obscenity trial enters its second week. Stagliano faces up to 32 years in prison for distributing the adult films Milk Nymphos, Storm Squirters 2: Target Practice, and a promo reel for a trailer for Belladonna's Fetish Fanatic Five via his website for Evil Angel Productions (adults only).

Emboldened by the Stagliano trial, a group of anti-pornography organizations recently held an event to demand a new "War on Pornography." "We have a war on pornography and we're going to win it," declares Patrick Trueman, a former Department of Justice prosecutor and leader of the War on Pornography Coalition. "The pornographers know exactly what they're doing and they're not going to respond to anything but the stick of the law," adds Donna Rice Hughes, founder of Enough is Enough.

But Reason.tv speaks with others, including an adult film actress and fetish film director, who promise to resist the anti-porn crusaders. And there is a bigger issue at stake, says Marty Klein, author of America's War on Sex: The Attack on Law, Lust and Liberty. "The right to see South Park, may actually depend on the right to watch Butt Busters 3," says Klein. "If people want to have the right to do what they want to do, they have to protect the rights of other people to do what other people want to do."

"Sex at Dawn": Why monogamy goes against our nature

I'm not sure whether I buy the monogamy is not the norm argument or not, although I can see their point somewhat...but I do love their ultimate goal, to get people talking more openly and honestly. I am ALL for that...

Teeth: Female Condom

A South African doctor has invented a female condom with 'teeth' to fight rape...