Angels and Others

Today we were saddened, weirded out, and, okay, maybe a tiny bit amused (look at that goofy David Bowie eye!) by a Times article about how the Japanese craze for tiny "bonsai" dogs (wasn't there a scary fake website about this or something ?) has led to lots of damaged goods getting pumped out of puppy mills. There's even a slide show. What's next, Times, a big picture of a retarded white tiger named Kenny? Oh, wait . Japan, Home of the Cute and Inbred Dog [NYT]Earlier: It's A Retarded Tiger Kind of Day Via Gawker

We'll be traveling over the week-end so we leave you with the above message until next week. Peace and Love.

There ain't no answer. There ain't gonna be any answer. There never has been an answer. That's the answer. Gertrude Stein

Vynil, an alternative to wallpaper !? Cow , Elephant or even Zoo Pig and Guitou the Cat . Price: €50

Our Austrian friend at work has told us that the time of the Krampus has come and gone. We'll miss him and his Yuletide child beating. We also have to ask if a culture with a nasty Christmas imp that punishes naughty children can be all bad. OK other than that business in the 1940's? Bye Krampus . We love you!

Krampus , a terrifying companion to St Nicholas, is seen in an age-old Austrian procession to mark the start of Advent. In Hungary, there are two key Christmas figures: there is Mikulás (St. Nick) and Krampusz . St. Nick is a nice- ish tall thin guy who dresses in either red or white and gives out candies or presents. He also has a sidekick named Krampusz who punishes bad children by beating them or taking them away. It's interesting to see that Hungarians have not done away with punishing badness completely as has been done in North America. Also, it's still possible to suggest in public that a bad child might get beaten (or taken away) which, as we know, is not possible here. Wikipedia , that great source of speculation, has a page on the Companions of Saint Nicholas all of whom appear to pre -date eastern Alpine Christianity .

and if it dosen't get any better I won't let it snow in Christmastown this year.

Any Questions?