Here's how I'm wasting my time online this week:
Leigh W. recommended The Abominable Charles Christopher, and now I'm hooked on this adorable web comic:
I can't tell you how many times I've listened to Jonathan Coulton's new recording of his song Code Monkey, because I've lost count. Usually the song's a bit more rockin', but I like this slightly softer take on it. If you've never heard any of Coulton's music before, definitely give it a listen:
If you like it you can do what I did and go buy it for a dollar at Coulton's site. (I like to set it on repeat on iTunes and drive John crazy. Hee!)
Next, prepare for some fantasy/design eye candy of the highest order, because BoingBoing just turned me on to the Hidden Bookcase Doors Tumblr:
Secret passages and hidden doors, oh my!! And when you're done drooling over that blog, go check out HiddenPassageway.com for more jaw-dropping trickery like this:
And finally, I know I've mentioned this blog before, but I recently re-discovered Fashion It So thanks to SuperPunch, and spent a LOL-filled few nights catching up on the archives:
K, I think that's enough to keep you well and truly occupied for now, so....go forth and procrastinate, my friends!
"Then I'd make the latch a book that you have to pull on."
ReplyDeleteI want to do the same thing, and on the other side which would just look like a nice wood panel wall, the latch would be a lighting sconce that you have to turn to the side. All it will take is a Victorian house and lots of moolah!
Did I mention my large library would have a spiral staircase in the octagonal tower that leads to a small reading room and the walkway that goes all the way around the second floor which would be open to the one below? Yeah, I need to start buying lottery tickets....
How about a rotating fireplace ala the castle in Last Crusade?
ReplyDeletePersonally, I want a drop-staircase to my own secret basement lair. Possibly descending from the bedroom. But only so it can't be seen from the outside.
ReplyDeleteAs a geek, sitting here doing an after hours software upgrade for work (fortunately from home), I'm definitely appreciating the Code Monkey song. I only wish it didn't have that repetitive high beep. I have tinnitus and it really hurts :(.
ReplyDeleteThe Ab. Chas. Chris. will break your heart over and over again, and you'll come back for more. It is really quite beautiful.
ReplyDeleteDo you read any other web comics? I'd recommend Gunnerkrigg Court and Digger for their excellent storytelling.
I adore The Abominable Charles Christopher! I have his first book and recently pre-ordered the second one. The art and the characters are just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteKathy R.
@ Pam - Yeah, the beep was bugging John, too. Fortunately there are several different versions floating around out there, though: here's a nice acoustic version, beep-free. There's also the rock version all over Youtube.
ReplyDelete@ Anony - the only other web comic I read regularly is Girl Genius, so I'll def'ly check those out!
"Put. Zee. Candle. Beck!" that would be my secret doorway.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Charles Christopher. My husband and I are obsessed with that comic. We shout "TOWNSEN!" at totally inappropriate times. Favorite line: "Wait, are you older than my grandma?"
ReplyDeleteI think even a closet would be cool if it had a book case door!
ReplyDeleteAs a combination Trek costumer and drag queen trapped in the body of a woman, I *LIVE* for Fashion It So! They absolutely SLAY me; they're the only people in the world besides me that lovelovelove Trek, RuPaul's Drag Race, Cowboy Bebop, AND The Venture Bros.! I wish I was their friend IRL. Blog MORE, you silly bitches! :)
ReplyDeleteCheers, thanks a lot,
Storm
I've added Abominable Charles to my favorites list on the strength of the current strip ("Haunted Heist", aka "Albino Mike strikes again" {grin}).
ReplyDeleteAmong my newest favorites: the charming and beautifully-drawn web comic The Redtail's Dream, in which a young man and his dog seek to remedy a mystical problem caused by a spirit-fox. [The dog is currently in the form of a moose, in case anyone clicked on the link and wondered what was going on!]
This one's not a comic, but it's very interesting: The History Blog, in which the blogger posts various articles about recent history-news stories. The one that hooked me was the one about the finding of what might be Richard III's grave; the blogger's a Richard fan too, and was almost delirious with joy - as was I!
Re secret doors/passages: I LOVE the bookshelf one. Friends of mine actually installed a secret door in their old house, using a book as the latch - you had to tip the specific book out, and the wire it was attached to would open the door. Sadly, the wire eventually broke, so perhaps a sturdier mechanism would be a better option if anyone's planning to build their own...
Jen, thanks so much for recommending TACC. I hit your link and didn't return until I had DEVOURED every comic! I'm desperately hungry for more...
ReplyDeleteNikki T (or nikkit if I forget to hit space+shiftT :) )
The Abominable Charles Christopher is a fantastic webcomic. It is both lighthearted and deep. Amazing story!
ReplyDeleteOkay, it wasnt' about fashion but it sure was fun - The Final Frontier episode of "Castle" (Nathan Fillion) taking place on the set of a cancelled Sci-Fi series (only ran for 12 episodes and was cancelled for "no good reason")at a Sci-Fi convention and directed by Jonathan Frakes. Almost too much geeky fun.
ReplyDeleteBut, a secret reading room behind the bookshelf? Dreams do come true.
Abominable Charles-- LOVE it. Especially the little drunk bird.
ReplyDeleteI can't thank you enough for the link to The Abominable Charles Christopher. I have read the entire comic in one night now and am addicted. Such joy and sorrow. Amazing. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, thank you for bringing The Abominable Charles Christopher to my attention. That is the most amazing comic I've seen in a very long time. Gorgeous, hilarious, and heartrending.
ReplyDeleteThe books are going on my wish list. Just wow.
Have you ever checked out Girl Genius? It steampunkiness crammed into a comic. I enjoy it as well as The Abominable Charles Christopher.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, the Abominable Charles Christopher is such a delight. Thanks for the tip. I've already read almost half of it in one night! Such a joy to find a webcomic that combines fantastic art with wonderful storytelling!
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember the last time you mentioned the Fashion It So blog. I lost several hours going through their entire archive. Absolutely hilarious! I would highly recommend it- even if you're not a Star Trek fan.
ReplyDelete"Code Monkey" is my "I-love-you-feel-better" song that Mr. Haiku sings to me, in this softer vibe.
ReplyDeleteThe hidden bookcase doors tumblr is really cool! Makes me want to somehow devise a hidden door... I have a couple of friends that work at DreamWorks in Burbank, and they have this super cool hidden bookcase door to a giant space in the wall that an employee converted into a rec room, with a bar and all sorts of vintage decorations and furniture, for the employees to relax in for a midday break. I'm so jealous that I've never worked at any place that cool.
ReplyDeleteI like web comics, but I don't spend enough time reading them. Mostly because I'm terrible at finding them. The Abominable Charles Christopher is adorable. Thanks for mentioning it here! Are there any other web comics you can recommend?
ReplyDelete