Pleasure Notes

I am single, frequently happily so. When the right guy comes along, however, I am willing to test the waters. Sometimes it is perfect, at least for a while, and I have a very nice swim before my fingers get all wrinkled, and the boy and I go our separate ways. At other times, I get burned. But today, I fell in love. So what if my new boyfriend is imaginary. And needs a chest and back wax in the worst way. And is blue. I like blue.

Gary by Joshua Beggs

Isn’t he just the cutest thing ever? (Yes, that was me squealing.) He brings me such pleasure, I simply had to share him with you – but not in that way, geesh. Say hi to Gary, folks.

garysreallife.com

Check out his blog. Give thanks to his brilliant creator, Joshua Beggs. But just remember, I have dibs, and will now be visiting The Knot.

In the midst of all the Obama inauguration frenzy, I have decided to take this moment to inaugurate Pleasure Finds Friday. Each Friday, I shall highlight a cool new discovery that I have made. Or at least that is my hope. We’ll see how well intention survives reality. There are no parameters for these finds, other than that they bring me pleasure. Hopefully, they will please you too! So, without further ado…

Table

I discovered this table while trolling through Jo Meesters’ creations, and fell in love with its whimsy. While it would most definitely be a challenge to have a meal, or do much of anything else constructive, while sitting at it, as conceived, just add a durable, high-quality sheet of edge-polished glass on top and you have the perfect centerpiece for a minimalist dining room. Jo Meesters collaborated with Marije van der Park – don’t you just love Dutch names – to design the table, and used waterjet cutting technology and traditional woodworking skills to construct it. Beautiful, no?

Some people collect spoons or motorcycles or parking tickets. I collect boxes. A therapist once told me this behavior reflects a hopeless desire to force the chaos of life into neat and orderly symmetry. Or something like that. I promptly fired the therapist. My own theory about why I collect boxes is… Actually, I have no damn clue why I collect boxes. Boxes are just cool. Let me show you a few. I don’t own them. But I covet them. Maybe after taking a gander, you’ll appreciate my obsession.

From Hearst The Collector

William Randolph Hearst collected many more medieval tapestries and standing coats of arm than boxes, but the one box he did pick up is a doozie. It’s part of the Hearst The Collector exhibit at LACMA through February 1, 2009. The exhibit as a whole is interesting but not spectacular, worth a walk through if you are already at the museum but too small to warrant a specific trip. However, this precious little box, referred to as a casket by the curators of the world, is utterly to die for. Made in the 1530’s, it is covered in mother-of-pearl, framed with vermeil, and – my favorite part – topped off by four giant emeralds once owned by King Francis I, who ushered in France’s Renaissance. Not exactly a cheap trinket. Yet, it’s the perfect size in which to store all my various remote controls, don’t you think? A girl can dream.

Available at oeconline.org

While Hearst’s box is splendidly ostentatious, this stainless steel lunch box is divinely simple. It was designed by a bunch of Oregonian PTA and garden club members, wouldn’t you know, as an eco-healthy alternative to all those Sponge Bob-esque options at the local Wal-Mart. It comes with reusable, biodegradable utensils and sandwich wrap. So basically, this gem of a box lets parents show off how concerned they are about the planet their children will inherit. Who cares about the sugar-loaded crap those kids, right? The very best part of this lunch box, however, is the collection of environmentally friendly stickers included. What kid doesn’t love stickers? My entire mirror was covered with them when I was young and, while I realize that revelation might indicate pubescent self-esteem issues, my point is that I certainly loved stickers. They were a way to be creative. They were fun. They were cute. And this lunch box is an empty canvas for a trip down memory lane, a chance to be a kid again, just for a moment.

Designed by Jo Meesters

Surprisingly, I actually enjoy being an adult, most of the time. The toys that adults get to play with are much more fun than those made for kids, after all – except etch-a-sketch, which is still pretty awesome. I tend to categorize really cool furniture, clothes, and jewelry in with the more stereotypical adult toys like cars and dildos. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I consider Dutch designer Jo Meester’s light box a very kick-ass toy indeed. Constructed of sustainable wood and resin, it has 8000 holes punched into it to bring nature into your home. Grab a couple of these, line them up end-to-end, and voila – the perfect room divider in that downtown loft I fantasize about owning with Christian Bale’s Patrick Bateman, sans the chain saw of course.

By popartworks.com

Okay, perhaps I do have some issues after all. Or maybe I just need to go look for another box. In the meantime, tell me, what do you obsess over and collect?

Everyone has at least one resolution at the beginning of a new year, even if it is simply not to have any resolutions. My non-resolution is to be more whimsical.

whimsical (adj.): given to fanciful or unpredictable notions or actions.

Now, I am not licensed in any way, except to drive, and even then the DMV won’t let me maneuver motorcycles or 18-wheelers. I leave hangover remedies to those more qualified. And there are already enough sources out there for those wishing to be introspective. Instead, I offer the following celebration of GUMMI BEARS so you may start out 2009 with a smile on your face.

Gummy Bear Anatomy by Jason Freeny

There is something about Gummi Bears, or Gummy Bears, that brings out the child in everyone. Sometimes that child is homicidal, but this is what happens when you feed children candy.

Gummy Bear Homicide by ELogan Photography

This may explain why some people are actually scared of Gummi Bears, and announce this fact to the world.

Gummy Bears Scare Me

Now, I completely empathize with those folks who shake in terror upon seeing a clown, but Gummi Bears? They’re so cute and squishy! And they expand in water!

Sadly, sometimes only a 13-year-old girl just discarding her Barbies can truly appreciate the full appeal of Gummi Bears.

Bracelet from Luster Studio

Well, 13-year-olds and comic book geeks. In fact, Hans Traxler from Germany dedicated an entire comic to “The Life and Times of Gummy Bears.”

Ivan the Terrible vexed by Gummy Bear

Well, 13-year-olds, comic book geeks and hipsters. Yes, all those folks who collect metal lunch boxes and attend Viggo Mortensen’s art openings are sure to just cream over Gummi Bear lamps and such.

Gummy Lamps by Jellio

Aw, hell, they really are funky-cute, don’t you think? Check out Jellio’s cupcake furniture too! Never too early to start a wish list for next Christmas, right?

And never fear, there is Gummi Bear furniture to be found as well.

Gummy Bear Rug by Yaya Chou

No one is immune to these little gelatinous guys. Clearly an international movement – I dare say, a revolution – is under way. The radicals involved are not content with the odd lamp, earring, or YouTube video. No. They mean to take over the world. And their leader is obviously Yaya Chou. It is just a matter of time before Yaya and Frank Gehry get together to create the next architectural wonder.

Gummy Bear chandelier by Yaya Chou

What is it, exactly, that makes people so passionate about Gummi Bears? You tell me.