| The Webcrawler |
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2. T magazine (http://www.nytimes.com/indexes/2008/08/17/style/t/index.html) The sleek and stylish flash-based web version of the New York Times' lifestyle and fashion magazine, T magazine. This web version is wonderful to navigate with a very dynamic splash page that changes with each issue. The current issue has articles on James Franco, Penelope Cruz, Rome's Style Map, and current trends on Fall 2008 makeup. 3. Celebrity Mugshots (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/mugshots/) The ultimate source for celebrity mugshots. From the website: "...While the artistry of photographers like Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, and Yousuf Karsh provides the images of the powerful that will go down in history, TSG actually prefers the work of some more obscure shutterbugs. We’re talking about the countless clerks, cops, and sheriff's deputies who handle the impromptu photo shoots with the rich and famous who’ve landed in the pokey. Without the aid of fancy lighting, makeup, and wardrobe, these little works of mug shot art--taken with Instamatic, Polaroid, and digital cameras at law enforcement agencies nationwide--are perhaps the most candid photos of celebrities (and other public figures) that you’ll see. " Pretty fun if you ask me.. 4. Celebrity Riders (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/backstagetour/index.html) Since we're talking about celebrities, The Smoking Gun is also the best source for the outrageous demands these celebrities have on their riders: which is basically what the artist requires in terms of sound/stage design, lighting, transportation, meals, dressing room requirements, and the like. To give you an example, Moby's Contract Rider from 1999 includes 10 pairs of white cotton crew socks and 10 cotton boxer shorts. Not to be outdone, Christina Aguilera's 2000 Tour Rider requires, I kid you not, a police escort. 5. Weburbanist (http://weburbanist.com/) One of my all time favorite websites, Weburbanist explores urban design, culture, travel, architecture, and alternative art. Articles include The Top 7 Island Wonders of the World, Strange Inventions by Guys, Unforgettable and Ugly Faces, Guerilla Marketing History and Guide, and 7 Modern Wonders of Green Technology. But the most interesting feature I have read lately is about the World's Strangest Theme Restaurants. Not surprisingly, most of these can be found in Asia. In Tokyo, Japan , one can have a gastronomic experience which can only be called Cannibalistic Sushi. This concept involves the tradition of "Nyotaimori", literally meaning "female body plate", a tradition of eating sushi and sashimi off a nude female body. In this case, an edible "body" made of dough and certain sauces is wheeled into the dining area to be consumed by the diners. In Beijing, China, a restaurant called "Pitch Black", enables you to consume your dinner in complete darkness and the waiters serve you equipped not only with trays but also night vision goggles.
by Paula Purpera |
