Blech!

1. Aftershave should be banned as environmentally unsafe.

Jeez, he leaned on my counter for two minutes while I assured him we were not hiring and he has to go through a union hall anyway. That was ten minutes ago. I can still smell whatever vile concoction he wallowed in.

2. If you call me to tell me you've left two voicemail messages for a foreman on a remote jobsite , do you really believe that I will (a) have better luck in getting him to pick up the phone than you do or (b) expect me to be able to wave my magic wand and make him call you back?

Even more magnificent maki-e

I keep forgeting e-museum!

A Heian period box decorated with wheels and water - this motif makes sense once one discovers that wooden wheels would be put into a stream to swell any loose joints. I really like the contrast of the regular geometry of the cart wheels against the swirling water. http://www.emuseum.jp/map/map_img/w074/w074s000g001/m/01/x01y01.jpg
The same motif in a Kamakura period toiletry box.
http://www.emuseum.jp/map/map_img/w076/w076s000g001/m/01/x01y01.jpg

Another Heian box, with lotuses and butterflies from the Nara Museum.
http://www.emuseum.jp/map/map_img/w007/w007s000g001/m/01/x01y01.jpg

Sparrows from the Nara Museum collection. (Lamentably, their search engine only runs in Japanese!)
http://www.narahaku.go.jp/exhib/2007toku/insei/insei-16_e.htm

Anyone remember this one? http://gurdymonkey.livejournal.com/180614.html

I keep coming back to the water motifs. I need to make some sketches when I'm not too exhausted to hold a pencil.