Old Chum is one of my favorite blogs. The photographs are always surprising. I mean, look at these!! What’s even better is that the imagery is compelling enough to engender a curiosity about things for which I knew almost nothing, but now want to know more. Ah, the beauty of the interwebs.

Wow, there really is a cult of Lego. It’s fascinating to see what images and ideas tap into our collective memory. Lego is definitely one of them. Image via brickfetish.com.

I just noticed a fabulous comment, on Swissmiss‘ posting of this image, which is worth repeating. Joanne K. says: “I did some work with Lego some time ago at HQ in Billund Denmark. Did you know that the bounce properties and sound the bricks make when dropped are also copy right protected?”

More buried treasure unearthed in move. Two nearly identical rulers found at the now defunct Grand Street flea market way way back when. Happy designer.

The best presents are the kind that betray one person’s deep understanding of another. My friend David gets me. And when it comes to gifts, he’s spot on. He’s clearly been paying attention all these years to who I am and what makes me happy. Anyway, David recently came back from an extended trip to South Africa, and the other day he presented me with an envelope containing these Sawzall blades. I think he said that he found them on the street in Cape town. Just sitting there. Who wouldn’t want them? I mean really, they are practically new for crying out loud. Well, I love them. The patina, the use, the fact that he just found them by the side of the road. All of it. Thanks Dave.

I looked high and low for these candies. I got this crazy fixation and, like a terrier, couldn’t let it go until I found them. Vichy Mints have been around since 1828. And yes, they are made from the famous thermal waters in Vichy, France…with the addition of sugar and peppermint. Please don’t let whatever association you have with the Vichy Government during WWII cloud your vision or desire for these lovely confections. It’s rumored that eating eight of these mints a day is the equivalent to a course of treatment at the spa there.