Top 10 World’s Strangest Buildings Part-2

Here is another collection of Amazing and strangest Buildings.

1. Mind House (Barcelona, Spain)

Link angelocesare 

2. Stone House (Guimarães, Portugal)

3. Lotus Temple (Delhi, India)

4. La Pedrera (Barcelona, Spain)

5. Museum of Contemporary Art (Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

6. Low impact woodland house (Wales, UK)

7. Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao, Spain)

8. Conch Shell House, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

9. Cubic Houses (Kubus woningen) (Rotterdam, Netherlands)

10. Ideal Palace (France)

Happy Birthday: Alice Liddell 1852-1934 "Alice in Wonderland"

 

Alice Pleasance Liddell (4 May 1852 – 16 November 1934), known for most of her adult life by her married name, Alice Hargreaves, inspired the children's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

Alice Liddell was the fourth child of Henry Liddell, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, and his wife Lorina Hanna Liddell (née Reeve). She had two older brothers, Harry (born 1847) and Arthur (born 1850, died of scarlet fever in 1853), and an older sister Lorina (born 1849). She also had six younger siblings, including her sister Edith (born 1854) with whom she was very close. One of her younger brothers died in infancy.

At the time of her birth, Liddell's father was the Headmaster of Westminster School but was soon after appointed to the deanery of Christ Church, Oxford. The Liddell family moved to Oxford in 1856. Soon after this move, she met Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, who encountered the family while he was photographing the cathedral on 25 April 1856. He became a close friend of the Liddell family in subsequent years.

Liddell grew up primarily in the company of the two sisters nearest to her in age: Lorina, who was three years older, and Edith, who was two years younger. She and her family regularly spent holidays at their holiday home Penmorfa, which later became the Gogarth Abbey Hotel, on the West Shore of Llandudno in North Wales.

On 4 July 1862, in a rowing boat travelling on The Isis from Folly Bridge, Oxford to Godstow for a picnic outing, 10-year-old Liddell asked Charles Dodgson (who wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll) to entertain her and her sisters, Edith (age 8) and Lorina (age 13), with a story. As the Reverend Robinson Duckworth rowed the boat, Dodgson regaled the girls with fantastic stories of a girl, named Alice, and her adventures after she fell into a rabbit-hole. The story was not unlike those Dodgson had spun for the sisters before, but this time Liddell asked Mr. Dodgson to write it down for her. He promised to do so but did not get around to the task for some months. He eventually presented her with the manuscript of Alice's Adventures Under Ground in November 1864.

In the meantime, Dodgson had decided to rewrite the story as a possible commercial venture. Probably with a view to canvassing his opinion, Dodgson sent the manuscript of Under Ground to a friend, the author George MacDonald, in the spring of 1863. The MacDonald children read the story and loved it, and this response probably persuaded Dodgson to seek a publisher. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, with illustrations by John Tenniel, was published in 1865, under the name Lewis Carroll. A second book about the character Alice, Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, followed in 1871. In 1886, a facsimile of Alice's Adventures Under Ground, the original manuscript that Dodgson had given Liddell, was published.

 

When Alice Liddell was a young woman, she set out on a grand tour of Europe with Lorina and Edith. One story has it that she became a romantic interest of Prince Leopold, the youngest son of Queen Victoria, but the evidence for this is sparse. It is true that years later, Leopold named his first child Alice, and acted as godfather to Alice's son Leopold. (A recent biographer of Leopold suggests it is far more likely that Alice's sister Edith was the true recipient of Leopold's attention.) Edith died, possibly of measles or peritonitis (accounts differ), shortly before she was to be married to another suitor.

Alice Liddell married Reginald Hargreaves on 15 September 1880, at the age of 28 in Westminster Abbey. They had three sons: Alan Knyveton Hargreaves and Leopold Reginald "Rex" Hargreaves (both were killed in action in World War I); and Caryl Liddell Hargreaves, who survived to have a daughter of his own. Liddell denied that the name 'Caryl' was in any way associated with Charles Dodgson's pseudonym. They also had one daughter: Rose Liddell Hargreaves[citation needed]. Reginald Hargreaves inherited a considerable fortune, and Alice became a noted society hostess.

After her husband's death, the cost of maintaining their home, Cuffnells, was such that she deemed it necessary to sell her copy of Alice's Adventures Under Ground. The manuscript fetched £15,400, nearly four times the reserve price given it by Sotheby's auction house. It became the possession of Eldridge R. Johnson and was displayed at Columbia University on the centennial of Carroll's birth. (Alice was present, aged 80, and it was on this visit to America that she met Peter Llewelyn-Davies, one of the brothers who inspired J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan). Upon Johnson's death, the book was purchased by a consortium of American bibliophiles and presented to the British people "in recognition of Britain's courage in facing Hitler before America came into the war." The manuscript now resides in the British Library.

Late in life, she lived in and around Lyndhurst in the New Forest, and is buried in the graveyard of the church of St. Michael & All Angels, Lyndhurst.

Several later writers have written fictional accounts of Liddell. She is one of the main characters of the Riverworld series of books, by Philip José Farmer. She plays a small but critical role in Lewis Padgett's short story "Mimsy Were The Borogoves." Canadian poet Stephanie Bolster also wrote a collection of poems, White Stone, based on her. Katie Roiphe has written a fictional (claimed to be based on fact) account of the relationship between Alice and Carroll, titled Still She Haunts Me. In Alice I Have Been, author Melanie Benjamin has written a fictional account of Alice's life from childhood through old age - focusing on her relationship with Lewis Carroll and the way the publication of Alice's Adventures Under Ground affected her. The 1985 movie Dreamchild deals with her trip to America for the Columbia University presentation described above; through a series of flashbacks, it promotes the popular assumption that Dodgson was romantically attracted to Alice. Frank Beddor wrote The Looking Glass Wars, which reimagines the Alice in Wonderland story and includes real-life characters such as the Liddells and Prince Leopold. Liddell and Dodgson are used as protagonists in Bryan Talbot's 2007 graphic novel Alice in Sunderland to relay the history and myths of the area. The 2008 opera by Alan John and Andrew Upton Through the Looking Glass covers both the fictional Alice and Liddell. Alice Liddell is also the name of the heroine's ship in the book Take Back Plenty by Colin Greenland. In "A Witch's Tale" Liddell is a Witch who wants to be the greatest witch as Alice.

 

20 crazy and cool umbrella designs

The invention of the umbrella can be traced back thousands of years, but never to one absolute source.  It's use has been depicted in historical texts, images and carvings dating back millennia-- to ancient Rome, Egypt, China and the Middle East.  Today, we may take this handy tool for granted.  On the rainiest of days, what would you do if this tool was never created?  To celebrate the value of the umbrella in modern life, here is TheCoolist's list of 20 amazing, creative and futuristic umbrellas that have taken this classic invention into wild new frontiers.

The Pileus Internet Umbrella Projects the Web

Ever noticed that the common texture of your typical umbrella canopy is not unlike a projector screen?  Designers Takashi Matsumoto and Sho Hashimoto once noticed the same similarity-- and upon that realization they created the Pileus Internet Umbrella.  Pileus is an umbrella that includes a mobile PC and a projector to display live internet content while keeping its user dry in the rain.  While you're singing in the rain, Pileus can play a Flickr slideshow, show a weather map update, watch youtube videos etc...  Don't plan on getting your hands on a Pileus any time soon, as this umbrella is still in prototype stages. [link ]

The "Umbuster" Brass Knuckles Umbrella

Are YOU talking to ME?  The Umbuster umbrella by Birkiland is one part rain gear and one part deadly weapon.  Umbuster's handle is a classic set of brass knuckles, or a "knuckle duster" as they call them across the pond.  Weave your fingers through these knuckles, you'll be protected from both the rain and the dodgy blokes stupid enough to step to you.  "But being as this is an Umbuster, the most powerful umbrella in the world, and would knock your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?"  [link]

The LightDrops Rain-Powered Electric Umbrella

The LightDrops umbrella does precisely what it's name implies-- it turns drops of rain into light.  How, you ask?  LightDrops employs a conductive membrane called PDVF that converts the kinetic energy of the falling water into electricity in trace amounts.  Conceptually, this electricity will be enough to power LEDs within the inside of this umbrella's canopy.  So while you're walking through the rain, you're generating renewable energy that yields a stunning, stylish appearance.   [link ]

The Multi-Unit Superbrella

Even the largest traditional umbrellas can't keep you dry in rains mixed with heavy winds.  In cities like Chicago, the rain comes at you sideways-- and the designer of the Superbrella has an idea that'll keep you dry in the toughest of rainy climates.  The Superbrella is made of five clear umbrellas-- one on top and four in each cardinal direction.  In the four corner triangles that were not covered by the umbrellas, the designer has inserted a patch with a rain-proof hole that allows for aeration.  Grab yourself a Superbrella and a pair of tall rain boots-- you'll stay dry in the toughest of rains.  Special Note-- if you're not a cute, trendy girl as shown above, exect to look like kind of a toolbox with this thing. [link]

The Hydro-Chromatic Umbrella

In your closet, this umbrella won't look any different from your standard unit.  Once this baby is put to use in at least a mild rain, its canopy will transform and take on new colors in a vibrant fashion.  The Hydro-Chromatic Umbrella changes colors when wet, going from classic black to multi-colored and patterned.  As it dries, the colors will fade to black-- awaiting its next task when the clouds bring rain again. [link ]

The Bluetooth Mobile Messenger Umbrella

We've all been there-- you're walking in the rain and wind, struggling to control your umbrella and then your phone rings.  Can you spare a free hand?  With the Bluetooth Umbrella, you can.  The handle of the Bluetooth Umbrella features a touchscreen display with a caller ID, a speaker and mic to communicate with your caller and a radio receiver.  While Bluetooth mobile accessories have become a fashion faux pas, this one is functional enough to justify a few of your hard-earned dollars.  Or you could just wait until you arrive at your destination and then take the call... [link]

The Senz Smart Umbrella

The Senz smart umbrella doesn't include any high technology, it doesn't tweet the level of incoming rain (whoa, good idea, actually!)-- it just works better than your average umbrella.  The Senz smart umbrella doesn't blow out in high winds like your traditional umbrella.  Like a windsock, this umbrella moves its tail in the direction of the wind, adjusting to maintain its structure and keep you dry.  No frills-- just simple and smart. [link ]

The Home-Made Electric Umbrella

While you could splurge on the rare light umbrella, you could also just make one yourself.  The people at Instructables have a guide on how to turn your basic umbrella into an LED-lit masterpiece.  Grab yourself an umbrella, some LEDs and a working understanding of electronics, you can wire up one hell of a cool umbrella on the cheap. [link]

The Contracting "Polite Umbrella"

Designer Jooyoun Paek might have been poked in the eye by a passing umbrella or two in his day.  To solve this problem, and protect the eyes of others, Paek invented the Polite Umbrella, an umbrella that contracts to allow space (and safety) for passers by.  As another pedestrian approaches, simply pull the drawstring below the handle and the canopy (and its stabby points) contracts.  Nice idea, Jooyoun-- any luck with mass production?  [link ]

The Hands-Free Nubrella

The Nubrella offers one primary and unique function-- hands-free rain protection.  The cost, of course, is looking a bit goofy, but at least you'll remain dry.  Nubrella features a strap system that fits over your shoulders, holding the umbrella in place even in heavy rains and wind.  The Nubrella collapses and folds together for easy storage and carry, ready to pop open again as needed.  Unlike many of the other items on this list, Nubrella is more than a concept-- it is in production and purchaseable today. [link]

The Tandem Umbrella

The Tandem Umbrella design brings about a classic case of "why didn't we think of that sooner"?  If you've tried to fit two people under an umbrella before, you know that somebody is going to get wet.  The Tandem Umbrella solves this by adding two shafts and two canopies, woven together to allow a rain-bound couple to have equal protection.  We're curious, though-- how does the Tandem Umbrella collapse? [link ]

The Stand Umbrella

Like the Senz Smart Umbrella above, the Stand Umbrella is a true case of simple brilliance.  No frills, no fancy tech, just ingenious functionality.  When not in use, the Stand Umbrella rests upon itself, using a tiny tip-based tripod to keep itself upright.  It doesn't get any simpler (or smarter) than that! [link]

The Sword Umbrellas

The Sword Umbrellas can be summed up in just two words:  bad ass.  While the canopy here is the same as your traditional umbrella, the handle sets these apart in a fun, rather violent way.  While they can't be used as weapons like the Umbuster above can, these Sword Umbrellas certainly look the fit.  Buy one of these, and I'll dare you to try and not swing it around making sword fight noises with your mouth. [link ]

The Inside-Out Umbrella

The Inside-Out Umbrella doesn't leave a watery mess behind as it dries, it brings the remaining water with it.  Once you've ended your rainy day commute, this umbrella won't soak the floor where it rests-- it folds into itself and creates a bag which carries the rain water that once covered it.  At work or at home, this remaining water dries without leaving a mess. [link]

The Gunbrella

Continuing the theme of weaponized umbrella design, the Gunbrella features a toy gun as its handle.  While the rest of this design is 100% traditional, the gun gives it a fresh, fun look for you to battle the rains.  Personally, we're a little leary about this design-- if a passer by (or police officer) isn't in on the joke, they might take you a bit too seriously for your own good.  Be careful with this one! [link ]

The Lightstick Umbrella

Fans of the cult classic film Bladerunner will instantly recognize these.  The LightStick Umbrella features a luminous shaft-- from handle to canopy, this umbrella gives off radiant light to keep you company (and looking stylish) during a night time rain.  Surprisingly cheap, the LightStick Umbrella costs around $30 US, but presently only available in South Korea.  We'll take two-- red, white or blue.  [link]

The Weather Forecasting Umbrella

Wouldn't it be nice if your umbrella could warn you not to leave home without it?  This one can.  The weather forecasting umbrella connects to your home (or office's) wi-fi connection to deliver real-time weather data.  This data is displayed by an illuminated translucent handle that glows blue when rain is approaching.  When you're on your way out the door, just glance at this umbrella and you'll be forewarned whether or not you'll need to bring this baby with you. [link ]

The Cloud Umbrella

While perhaps not as functional as the others on this list, we included the Cloud Umbrella for it's sheer thoughtful enthusiasm.  This umbrella delivers the same functionality as your classic umbrella, but it is styled to stand out from the crowd by mimicking a cloud.  The canopy on the Cloud Umbrella is actually a series of inflated spheres that deflect the rain away from you, keeping your torso dry while the sky falls around you. [link]

The EcoBrolly "Unbrella"

If you don't have room for a mini-umbrella but have a green heart that desires to reuse, reuse, reuse, this little tool might be your type.  The Eco Brolly or "unbrella" is a plastic frame, shaft and handle that attaches to a newspaper to provide temporary coverage from the rain.  Hard or long rains may cut through this one pretty easily, but we still admire this designer's resourcefulness. [link ]

The Flask Umbrella

There's nothing worse than being dry in the rain-- or so believe the producers of the Flask Umbrella.  Visually, this puppy may not stand up to the rest of the umbrellas on this list, but its' unassuming appearance is what makes it so effective.  Twist away the handle on this umbrella to reveal a tube flask, in which you can pour any matter of libation from whisky to wine.  This one isn't bad to have around on a rainy day... [link]

Take me out to the Ballgame

I spent Sunday afternoon in Toronto doing what most Torontonians don't...I went to a Blue Jays game. Sadly, in the last 15 years, since the Blue Jays won back-to-back World Series pennants in 1992 and 1993, the attendance seems to have steadily dwindled and yesterday there did not seem to be many more spectators than on a good day at Nat Bailey.

I went with my old friend Ellen who along with her husband Howard have Seasons Tickets. They are exteremely good seats, row 11 behind home plate and one gets a very good view of the game. Watching in the ball park is a very different experience than watching on TV where you have to watch what the camera shows you.I had read that many people are not coming to the games since the Blue Jays are a losing team. That may be true. But I also suspect that many may not come because it can also be quite expensive for the average family. While one can buy an outfield upper deck ticket for as little as $10, a beer is $10, popcorn is over $6, even a small bag of peanuts is $5. That's too much.

I checked on-line and noticed that seats in the first row behind home plate re-sell for just over $300 each.

While the Blue Jays have not been winning, this was not the case on Sunday. For the first few innings they could do little wrong and before long had 9 runs. The final score was 9-3, and we all went home happy.One of the things that added to the game enjoyment was the open roof. If you haven't been to Rogers Park, the roof slides open or shut depending on the weather. As I sat there with the sun streaming down, I couldn't help but think about BC Place Stadium and its roof. Wouldn't it be wonderful if it could open like the Toronto Stadium. Sadly, I don't think this will happen. After seeing a model of the new stadium, I understand that our new roof does not turn the stadium into a 'convertible'. Instead, we arereally just adding a large sun-roof. It's better than nothing, but I remain to be convinced that it's worth the cost.

But if you are in Toronto, it is worth the cost of going to a game....if only once. (80 games might be a bit too much) Better still, find a friend with seasons tickets. They probably aren't using them!

Don't Go Near the Park or Curse of the Living Dead (1981)

Don't Go Near the Park (also known as Curse of the Living Dead, Nightstalker and Sanctuary for Evil) is a 1981 American horror film directed by Lawrence D. Foldes. The film gained notoriety when it was successfully prosecuted in the UK and placed on the video nasty list.

Synopsis

A brother and sister couple prey on young people, killing and eating them in order to stay young. They try to lift a curse on them by finding a virgin's soul they can sacrifice, with the brother fathering a daughter for that purpose.

Cast

Aldo Ray as Taft
Meeno Peluce as Nick
Tamara Taylor as Bondi
Barbara Monker as Patty / Tra / Griffith's Wife / Petranella
Crackers Phinn as Mark / Gar
Linnea Quigley as Bondi's Mother
Chris Riley as Cowboy

Deathsport (1978)

Deathsport (1978) Futuristic Science Fiction about a sport to the death, using "destructocycles."

Tagline:

In the year 3000 there'll be no more Olympic Games, World Series, or Superbowl. There'll be only... Deathsport!

Directed by

Allan Arkush
Nicholas Niciphor (as Henry Suso)
Roger Corman (uncredited)

Writing credits

Frances Doel story
Nicholas Niciphor writer (as Henry Suso)
Donald Stewart writer

Cast

David Carradine ... Kaz Oshay
Claudia Jennings ... Deneer
Richard Lynch ... Ankar Moor
William Smithers ... Doctor Karl
Will Walker ... Marcus Karl
David McLean ... Lord Zirpola
Jesse Vint ... Polna
H.B. Haggerty ... Jailer
John Himes ... Tritan President
Jim Galante ... Tritan Guard
Peter Cooper ... Mr. Bakkar (as Peter Hooper)
Brenda Venus ... Adriann
Gene Hartline ... Enforcer Sergeant
Chris Howell ... Stateman Officer
Valerie Rae Clark ... Dancer
Archie Freeman ... Mutant
Paul Kimatian ... Range Warrior (uncredited)
Linnea Quigley ... Courtesan (uncredited)

My High School Reunion

I have always been intrigued by school reunions...whatever happened to....So I decided to return to North York for the 50th anniversary of my high school W L Mackenzie. I started high school in 1961 at the age of 13 and graduated from grade 13 four years later. I attended the 25th anniversary reunion, but otherwise have had little contact with any of my high school friends, other than one friend who lives in Phoenix. So I was keen to see how people had changed.Since I was told that there would be no food served, I passed the Jewish Memorial Monuments Factory Outlet on Bathurst street and stopped off for a deli platter at Pancers Delicatessen where we regularly hung out during high school. (We really need another good delicatessen in Vancouver!) I took my copy of The Advocate and looked at old photos from our graduating year. Hopefully Honey Goldlist would show up, along with some of the other girls on whom I had a crush.

As soon as I arrived at the school I was greeted by my old friend Howie. But I was somewhat taken aback when he took my face in his hand and started to take a closer look at my beard. "You should have that looked at" he said, and I then realized he was referring to a brown mark on my cheek. I told him that I had seen my GP , but he said to ignore what a GP has to say. "See a specialist".

When I told another friend about this experience he told me that Howie was now one of Toronto's top dermatologists and I should take his advice. I will. (Who knows, maybe attending a high school reunion will help prevent getting melanoma.)

One person I wanted to see was Greg Hershoff. Greg was always a party guy with a fancy convertible and I was keen to find out what happened to him. I soon discovered he was no longer Greg Hershoff. He was now Dr. Asa Hersh DC ND of California, who specializes in healing from the inside out. I checked out his website.... His full-spectrum approach includes Bioenergy Testing, Classical Homeopathy, herbal medicine, clinical nutrition, spinal manipulation, and subtle energy healing. He has been a spiritual seeker since his youth, and is a fully ordained lay Tibetan Lama or Ngakpa of the Nyingma tradition. Well, people change when they move to California.I met up with a number of old friends, including Honey who was still a very attractive lady. I learned that she, like many of the women at the reunion, had been married, but was no longer married.
What I really wanted to know was what happened to all the guys who belonged to the Radio Club. Sadly, I didn't know them then, and wouldn't know them now. (Some one should do a study to see whether the boys who belonged to clubs like the Radio Club followed different career paths than say those who belonged to the Dance Club.)I searched for Mayna Vellis with whom I was photographed dancing in the yearbook. Sadly, neither she nor most of the other girls with whom I spent time after class in basement recreation rooms were there.It was 45 years since I had seen many of my classmates, and while some had changed and were virually unrecognizable, others hadn't changed at all!... Everyone agreed that Stan Waese should have got a special award for being the person who changed the least since 1965. Interestingly, the guys who hung around the local billiard hall still looked like guys who hung around billiard halls. Except for Ted Wineck, who was one of the event organizers...a tough guy at school...a sports hero...he told me that after many different careers, he now taught chess to elementary school children as a means of imparting life skills.

It was interesting to see some of the teachers. I went up to one lady who I recognized as a former math teacher. I told her that when I was at the school she was Miss Bennie. She looked me in the eye and said "I'm still Miss Bennie!"

A crowd favourite was Mr Gregg, the latin teacher. A number of us agreed that he had instilled in us a love of language that had remained with us to this day. Do they still teach Latin in high school?

As I left the reunion I was reminded of one of my favourite movies The Up Series, by Michael Apted.

The Up Series is a series of documentary films that have followed the lives of fourteen British children since 1964, when they were seven years old. The children were selected to represent the range of socio-economic backgrounds in Britain at that time, with the explicit assumption that each child's social class predetermines their future. Every seven years, the director, Michael Apted, films new material from as many of the fourteen as he can get to participate. Filming for the next installment in the series, 56 Up, is expected in late 2011 or early 2012.

The students at Mackenzie were generally from fairly affluent backgrounds. The majority were Jewish, and many had parents who had survived the Holocaust. Nearly everyone in my class went on to university. There were lots of dentists, doctors, accountants, lawyers and many people 'in business'. One exception....Dave 'the voice' Lennick, who was the DJ at the school dances had followed a career in radio and the theatre. Most of the women had followed different career paths...they were teachers, social workers, and many had simply stayed home and brought up their children...until their divorce.

What I couldn't understand was why more classmates had not attended the reunion. I would have thought that everyone would be curious to see how each other had changed. I discussed this with a few people who suggested that many may not have come since they didn't enjoy their highschool years and didn't want to be reminded of a less happy period of their times. Others may not have come because they weren't as 'successful' as other classmates.

At any rate, if you have a highschool reunion coming up, I urge you to attend. It can be a worthwhile experience, and there are always a few surprises. And yes, as a rule, the women look much better than the men.