Not A Mystery
Technology
Hey BP, This Barrel’s For You!
You’d think a barrel would just be a barrel. But no, it turns out that a barrel of oil is 30% smaller than a barrel of wine. F2U Rio Linda a barrel of oil holds 42 gallons, while a barrel of wine holds 60 gallons. I discovered this the other day while standing in front … Continue reading
NYC Notes: Patek Philippe Has Left The Building
My father nurtured one, and passed it on to me. And then in turn, I passed it down to my sons. It must be a Patek Philippe watch, right? You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation. Nope. In actual fact it’s a bad back. Which brings … Continue reading
A Dead Hand Bounce For Our Stock Markets
The good news is that if a catastrophic event destroys mankind our investments will be extremely well managed after we are gone. The bad news is that the computers doing it may be trading for their own accounts instead of ours. This theater of the absurd scenario might be more plausible than you think, and occurred to me last … Continue reading
Some Parts Of Immigration Reform Really Ain’t Rocket Science
Ah, the immigration debate ramps up again. It shouldn’t take a Rocket Scientist to figure out, that by definition, enforcement requires a way to distinguish between the legals and illegals. Common sense should tell you that the only way to do that on a day-to-day basis is with a National Identity Card authenticated by some … Continue reading
The Ultimate, And We Mean Really Ultimate, In Packaging
I have an acquaintance in the packaging industry whose products utilize a super-strong cardboard. You can stand automobiles on boxes made of his cardboard; we are talking here about serious robustness. Their shipping containers are used to transport auto engines and heavy machinery. Sit in your car, raise your hand up to touch the ‘head-liner’ on … Continue reading
Those Ancient Romans Knew How To Package Their Product
Rome has seven famous hills, and an eighth that should be equally famous as a monument to product packaging, Mt. Testaccio. I learned about this when reading Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr. I also learned to be grateful that I never had to raise twins, but that’s another story. Mt. Testaccio is composed almost … Continue reading
A Modest Prediction: “What’s Next After Google Street View?”
Last week it was reported that Google is now working on something called Store View. …they took pictures of the inside of the store, every 6 feet, in all directions. They also took pictures of products. Google Store View will allow people to … click on the door to enter it, all on Google Maps. Then … Continue reading
There Should Be A Term For Corporate Schadenfreude
Schadenfreude is a kind of personal term. It’s what you feel when someone like Eliot Spitzer stumbles. But how do I feel when an entire industry gets what it deserves? Today the UK Guardian reported that, Vodafone boss Vittorio Colao has warned mobile phone executives about Google’s growing power in the online advertising and search market, … Continue reading
There Are Good Designs, And Not-So-Good Designs
The advertising industry has come up with a good idea, at the right time. The fact that it came about as a result of pressure from regulators takes away a few points, but it’s still a good idea. Trying to ward off regulators, the advertising industry has agreed on a standard icon — a little … Continue reading
And When Pigs Can Fly, Multi-Tasking Will Be Safer Than Driving
Question: What has Big Auto learned from Big Tobacco? Answer: Nothing. We now know that Big Tobacco knew of the addictive and harmful medical properties of cigarettes for years but kept that knowledge secret, while publicly denying the facts. That story didn’t have a happy ending for either the Tobacco Industry or their customers. The only … Continue reading
Yes Mr. Galassi, There WAS More To Publishing Than Met The Eye
I try not to beat dead horses. But in this case I will make an exception. Once again we have a book publisher railing against the rising tide of electronic editions. Yesterday’s Op-Ed page in the NY Times featured a column by Jonathan Galassi titled “There’s More to Publishing Than Meets the Screen” in which … Continue reading
Just Another Mystery
- Weaving A Different Kind of Necklace
- Jumping into Spring
- The Art of Using Natures Bounty to Dye Cloth
- A Shibori Stitched and Felted Wrap
- Faux Fur, Vogue and Verve
- The Perfect Dance, Part 2
- The Perfect Dance
- The Vest That Mysteriously Turned Into A Purse
- Vintage Kimono Baby Booties
- Zipper, Keys, and a Linen Belt Buckle
Sterling Jewelry & Gifts
Not A Mystery 