Minimalism At Its Best

I just read, though maybe "read" isn't quite the right word, a fantastic book. Its construction is infinitely simple - there's almost no text at all, but a ton of photographs.

Taken from around the world, the photos are divided into sections with neutral titles like "Footwear" and loaded titles like "Modesty." Brilliant.

The photos themselves are incredible because they show such a broad spectrum of clothing and insinuate a lot about cultural values. Take, for instance, a photograph of five or so women standing on a patch of dirt with half a dozen sheep nearby. They're all dressed in black burkas that cover everything... except their white stiletto heels.

If you can find it, find it. It's well worth your time.

January Doldrums? Bar Book?

I just got off from the bar about an hour ago and I'm not quite unwound enough to try to sleep. My hope was to make the rounds and catch up on everybody's blog. Imagine my disappointment in finding out that nobody's updated lately. What slackers!

It seems the only way I can catch up on the latest blog updates is by updating my own. So unfair.

A month or so ago, one of the bar regulars told me I ought to write a book about the bar. I must admit, the thought intrigues me. Thanks to my new habit of jotting down notes and quotes during my shifts, I've accumulated over a dozen pages of material already and I can't help but think that there must be some way to assemble it all into something. I wonder... is it a non-fiction book? I could compile all the quotes and divide them into sections titled things like, "Unclear on the Concept" and "Gender Politics."

Maybe I ought to sit down with Juan and tell him I've decided to throw out my original thesis plan and replace it with the bar book. It'd be rather more humorous and significantly less bloody.

Joking aside, I'm beginning to think more seriously about the bar book, if simply because it would be gratifying to put it all together in writing. I'll keep you posted.