Sometimes a forwarded email from a cousin you never speak to yields gold.

Tessie O’Shea is not really from Tennessee, but she is adorable, she plays the banjolele like a demon, and this clip of her makes me swoon.

This video includes a blistering solo. My favorite part happens at :57 or so.

RIP Patrick McGoohan.

If you haven’t experienced The Prisoner, you’re missing out. From the Wiki:

…combines spy fiction with elements of science fiction, allegory and psychological drama.

It follows a former British agent who, after abruptly resigning from his position, is held captive in a small village by the sea by an unidentified power that wishes to establish the reason for his resignation. Episodes typically feature the unnamed prisoner, labelled “Number Six” by his captors, unsuccessfully attempting to escape from or change the authority of “the Village.”

Funny, smart, confusing and astoundingly colorful, The Prisoner made me feel empowered, stimulated and challenged.

I haven’t watched it in a while, but I have a suspicion that, like Network, it may be even more bitting and relevant today than when it was made.

I’ve been aching to buy the series so now might be the time. Here is the opening credit sequence.

And because I am not a number, I am a human being, I enjoy gazing upon Patrick McGoohan… because in addition to being smart and talented, he was white hot.

Be seeing you.

Firstfold is as obsessed with creating paper-only objects and toys as I am obsessed with fiber. Here’s the beginning of his functional origami pinball game.

He says it’s entirely folded from rectangles with no glue… even the ball is cardstock.

A quick google search finds Firstfold’s YouTube channel, full of other paper kinetic toys and experiments. (You could also lose yourself in his favorites list for days.)

Thanks to Paul for stalking the Pinball Flickr Pool and finding this gem.

I do love the vintage section for finds like this.

From the box:

This drink and wet doll is an anatomically correct male

The doll does bear a resemblance to Archie, making it entirely more creepy than it should be. I do mean a resemblance in the FACE… I don’t know about other accuracies.

If anyone has time, can you reshoot Eraserhead with this thing? Thanks in advance.

Clicky.

I guess the baby on the catalogue for the OTHER children is holding shards of broken glass and anthrax.

6″ wet felted wool tortilla with the Virgen de Guadalupe on one side by Bee Mice Elf.

It made me snort-laugh. Clicky.

We’ve got snow in Seattle, and as baffled as the locals are, our cats are also confused.

Snafu keeps trying to hunt and kill the snow flakes but the window is in the way.

We love the cats, by the way. You probably want to see more photos, right? Clicky.

The fourth annual Urban Craft Uprising Holiday show is this weekend, and I’ll be there! From the website:

That’s right folks; this year will knock your socks off! We have some of the BEST indie crafters coming to Seattle to strike your fancy for all your holiday needs. Over 100 vendors under one roof for one stop holiday shopping that will make you feel good about the holidays. Support local and independent designers! Shop outside the box!

Date: Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th
Time: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Where: Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
Admission: Free!

Clicky.

“Don’t Worry About the Government” may be the song I love the most of all the songs there are.

With complex questions disguised as simple statements, this song is an excellent example of David Byrne‘s ability to be critical yet still open to possibilities. Those are the things that allow us to grow.

This was broadcast in 1977 on the Old Grey Whistle Test.