World’s Strangest

Today’s “Feel Art Again” is a double-header. First up was a post on the German-English artist Johann Zoffany (1733-1810); now this post delves into his painting “The Tribuna of the Uffizi.” Read both to get the full story on this talented artist. In the summer of 1772, Johann Zoffany was sent by Queen Charlotte to Florence [...]

I know we have some Lost fans out there – what did you think of the season premiere? It so happens that yesterday was also the day Alexander Selkirk was rescued in 1709 – if you’re not familiar, Selkirk is the man thought to have inspired Robinson Crusoe. Who knew Groundhog Day was such a [...]

I’m a longtime Morrissey fan. From the first time I heard The Queen is Dead by Morrissey’s band The Smiths in the 80’s, I was hooked. Morrissey’s music is generally very maudlin (if not straight-up depressing), but somehow it’s also hopeful and sweet. Below I have collected some terrific covers of songs by Morrissey and [...]

During the holiday season, I was doing some research for a story and discovered that the uber-sarcastic Dorothy Parker did some work on the script for the saccharine and sappy It’s a Wonderful Life (that’s not a slam, by the way, I love that movie). Apparently lots of famous writers have put in their time [...]

(YouTube link) Another of the many ways Queen’s classic Bohemian Rhapsody is performed, this time by Hayseed Dixie, from their new album Killer Grass. Link -via Arbroath

Many, many years ago today (451 years ago, to be exact), the world changed when Elizabeth I took the throne. She’s been a popular subject in recent years with the Cate Blanchett Elizabeth movies and Philippa Gregory books, so you probably already know the basics… what you may not know about is her fabulous couture [...]

I have this fantasy that I am harboring a rare, insanely valuable first edition of some obscure book somewhere on my overstuffed bookshelves. I’ll decide I don’t need it someday and take it to trade in at Half Price Books and the overly-honest guy behind the counter will give me a look like I’ve lost [...]

Every year, Lake Superior State University publishes a list of overused words that should be banned: Word “czars” at Lake Superior State University “unfriended” 15 words and phrases and declared them “shovel-ready” for inclusion on the university’s 35th annual List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness. “The list this year [...]

This may make me a total dork, but my favorite part about New Year’s Day is getting up and watching the Rose Parade in my pajamas. I’m really not interested in the Rose Bowl itself at all – in fact, I think I’m swearing off football in 2010 following my painful Fantasy Football loss to [...]

Phillips Japan is holding a somewhat bizarre contest right now—The Shaving Queen Contest. To enter, Japanese men are asked to visit The Shaving Queen website, where they can select one of 20 attractive women shaving her face. Once the site’s visitor has selected his favorite beauty queen, he is asked to vote for her by [...]