Kathleen Charters and Lawrence Charters
Explorations large and small
Commerce is a human-created ecology, mutating over time to fit niches. Even absurd niches. Possibly because I don’t like mayonnaise, I see no reason for tiny 1.8 ounce glass jars of mayonnaise, though the Dijon mustard tempted me. Janis Ian has Continue reading Adventures in shopping II
No idea why. Probably don’t want to know, either.
This is allegedly a check-in kiosk, allowing you to get a personal, human touch from a machine and not one of those impersonal people. Unfortunately, it would not let you check in. Several things are of interest: While laser printers Continue reading Out of order: coming soon!
Any trip to a shopping mall will be full of delights, even if you are not shopping. The delights, for me, are usually in the form of absurdities. For example, where else can you rent a hippo? In a later Continue reading Adventures in shopping
This rather large sign asks for humane treatment of roaches and rodents, selling technology that allegedly annoys the vermin. Yes, “las cucarachas” means “cockroaches” and “roedores” means “rodents.” Hate to say this, but most humans just want them gone, and Continue reading Humane treatment of vermin
The National Security Agency (NSA) has a large campus on Fort Meade, Maryland, protected by fences, barbed wire, police dogs, guards, and maybe a dragon or two. It is not visitor friendly. But right outside of the campus is the Continue reading Visit to NSA
Siri does haiku. Haiku is a very ancient form of Japanese poetry, based on a pattern of seventeen syllables over three lines of five, seven and five syllables. It is also the bane of introductory literature students unfamiliar with poetry Continue reading AI and haiku
These are onion rings. They are the size of donuts. Or possibly bagels. Nothing more needs to be said.
Nordstrom’s, ever at the forefront of high-end marketing, appears to have enlisted Sia as a clothing model. To make this even more surreal, the store music system started playing “Chandelier” while this photo was shot. Update Nordstrom’s continues to make Continue reading Sia as clothing model