haut de gamme

We really enjoyed this retrospective review of 1960s fashion that ought to be revived from vintage maven Messy Nessy Chic. In addition to the pictured attire suitable for Star Fleet cadets from “Moon Girl” and Go-Go boot originators André Courrèges (*1923 – †2016) and Dame Mary Quant, the decade’s trends included paper dresses, outlandish eyewear and experimentation with new materials, including the use of Polymerising Vinyl Chloride (PVC) for weather-proof clothing and accessories. Much more to explore at the link up top.

freedom river

Via Kottke, we are directed towards a 1971 animated parable narrated by Orson Welles that illustrates how creeping intolerance (metaphorically and in tandem with actual erosion and ruination) undermines democracy and the exercise of liberty that attends free and fair societies.
Some of the script is a bit reductive and jingoistic and there’s an underlying current of patriotism American-style that reflects the milieu of fear at the time with the Vietnam War and the Nixon administration, but the overall message is as resonant today as it was back then, the inuring forces of regression and xenophobia as much of a threat to be vigilant against as they were nearly fifty years ago.

captain america

The US Army is scheduled to introduce retro-style service uniforms with an initial issue of some two hundred of the World War II era service dress first to military recruiters before general distribution.
Presently, in all settings outside of formal social events, the standard attire is camouflaged fatigues and combat boots (previously here and here), drawing some derision in non-combat situations and the “Greens” would be worn in the office and during conferences. Soldier reception to the new professional look is reportedly positive but at the same time were not eager to add more to their service wardrobe.

oh border where art thou?

After presenting an interesting tutorial on how to use map and satellite telemetry as movie narrative, Maps Mania was directed towards the work of Keith O’Faoláin—who took a break from surveying ring forts to consider the soft and porous border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (previously) and how uncertain Brexit outcomes exacerbate the situation immensely. More to explore at the link above including resources to learn more about the border in decades past.

the valley and bailiwick

Having declared independence once before only to have it reigned back in, the Caribbean island of Anguilla held a second referendum whose votes nearly unanimously favoured disassociating itself from the colonial governor of Saint Kitts and proclaimed itself a republic on this day in 1969.
The chairman of the freshly constituted Island Council expelled the British envoy and for about forty days basked in its freedom. On 18 March, a contingent of paratroopers and London constables peacefully occupied the island and restored order. Disappointed by this denial for self-determination, negotiations ensued and Anguilla was granted the right to “secede” from Saint Kitts, which ironically gained full independence as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis in 1983 while Anguilla remains an overseas territory. The triskelion of dolphins on the flag and coat of arms reminds one of the Manx flag, itself a crown dependency and neither part of the United Kingdom nor a part of the former empire.

snowtyres

From the always excellent Nag on the Lake, we learn about a rather rare weather phenomenon—not often encountered due to the exacting conditions necessary and first described during Roald Amundsen during his 1911 expedition to the South Pole but now that everyone carries a camera at all times, we are treated to ample evidence—called snow rollers. A modest gust of wind propels a kernel of snow near the melting pointing across a wet, loose surface and collects layers, tubular formations that leave tread rather than a typical snowball. Be sure to visit the link above to learn more and see video footage of snow rollers in action.

7x7

suburbia: Eliza Gosse paints Australian Mid-Century modern homes

emancipation of the dissonance: economist and performer Merle Hazard delivers an atonal tune

threadstories: crocheted masks and headdresses examine our online avatars and personæ

autoglyphs: Michael Light takes an aerial survey of the arid American west

forget about it: a versatile Italian word to know

needs more salt: a seasonings purveyor and a tech company collaborate to optimise spicing up your recipes

byggeskikk: a photographer becomes quite taken with a picturesque cabin