The sky is my father

Magnet #1177 - Navajo Sand Art, Father Sky

The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House is the home of the New York branch of the National Museum of the American Indian. A must-see if you're in downtown NY, and as part of the Smithsonian, it's free!

Really interesting exhibits and the building itself it totally gorgeous, both inside and out.

I picked up this magnet - a Navajo sand art painting magnet with Father Sky depicted. From what I've learned, sand art paintings are used in holy ceremonies where Earth people and Holy people come together.

In fact, the Navajo destroy their sand art upon completion, releasing the spirits into the wind (I assume). Kinda freaked me out that I had not only kept one of these paintings, but that it's in the form of a magnet!

But, the site I linked to earlier mentions that the Navajo fear having the correct version of any of their holy people in just anyone's hands. So, these pieces, and any of the ones found available for commercial sale, have important mistakes on them, so that they're not accurate depictions of the real thing. Whew.

When I learned that, it sort of made me feel a lot better, because I also felt just a little oooky having bought a magnet of one of entire culture's holy figures.

Of course, now that I've read up on this stuff, next time I'm back home, I'm totally heading back to the museum to go see if Mother Earth is there on sale, because now it's freaking me out, not having a complete set. Every image I've seen of Father Sky, he's usually standing right beside Mother Earth.

Maybe he's lonely. Maybe it's the reason for the last year of insanity. Maybe if I right the balance, things will go swimmingly.

What? I know I'm not Navajo, but whatever you believe in, don't go tempting the fates of someone else's culture or beliefs.

I learned that the hard way - having left my ATM card in an ATM, after kindasorta mocking the creepy music and the creepy guy following us around the Joseph Smith birthplace we just had to visit in Vermont.

But maybe that's another magnet...

Goodness in mankind. Right?

Magnet #1176 - Malist

Another one of my Nicola and the Newfoundlander magnets that I got last year at the Union Square Holiday Market. You know I love 'em!

Except that I'm mad at myself for buying this particular word magnet. While I love the image, I hate the word. Malist means someone who believes the worst in the world, that it's evil.

While I do believe the world is ending and quite frequently say so, I don't believe that the world or mankind at its core is evil. I just don't.

The definition that Nic & the Newfie give - presumably an older definition of the word (it being "reclaimed," and all) - is that it's "one who thinks this is a terrible world, but not the worst of all possible worlds." Which is a slightly more hopeful definition, I guess.

I hope it's that second definition that drew me to this magnet in the first place. Because the alternative would make me a sad sack of a soul, and I reject that, too.

Although, one thing that's made me think of the first definition lately is the plethora of articles, blogposts and Tweets I've been reading about the Facebook/Google snafu this week. Like watching a train wreck, I can't stop myself from clicking on the Twitter links - on my search column, for most of this evening, it's been at least a Tweet a minute. (It's Friday night, how are people still so engaged over this story?)

No, I won't go on about it - it's a magnetblog, after all - but I think what scares me most out of the whole embarrassing and quite disappointing fiasco, is the thought that this isn't the first (or the last) whisper campaign ever to be mounted. This one just has high-profile players who managed to get caught, is all.

Which only makes me wonder with a sick, icky feeling, what other negative "news" content out there in mainstream or social media was ruthlessly whispered into someone's ear.

Or emailed, as the case may be.

Coke goes green

Magnet #1175 - Green Coke

Well, sorta.

I picked this magnet up last week at a random NYC street fair I stumbled onto. Dudes, a whole kiosk of magnets. Or, Heaven, as I like to call it. I mean, it's truly a miracle that I didn't walk away with many more magnets than the half dozen I bought.

Love that this Coke bottle's green - it's the whole reason I bought it. It totally cracks me up, because The Coca-Cola Company has a superstrict set of brand guidelines - for corporate and all of their brands. Everything.

I mean, sure, TCCC has green glass-bottled Coke and are working toward a 100% plant-based green plastic bottle, but this baby 2-liter green bottle magnet?

Totally unlicensed. This green bottle is enough to make any self-respecting brand cop's head explode.

Ah, street fairs, how I love you.

Anyway, it's the 125th anniversary of The Coca-Cola Company, and to celebrate, they put on a huge 3D projection show at their Atlanta headquarters. I love corporate projection shows, having used it for a few clients of my own...but damn, ya'll, I can't even imagine the production budget on this night:

Yes, we have bananas

Magnet #1174 - Bananas

My dad's bananas have always been a part of my life - not even kidding, I mean, they're the entire plot of the lullaby my dad sang to us when we were little.

For as long as I can remember, every meal with rice my dad has (that's pretty much lunch and dinner), he eats a banana with his rice. Always. In fact, I can probably count on two hands the number of times I've seen him eat a meal at home without a banana.

Even when we go out to eat in a Chinese restaurant, my mother always has to smuggle the banana in her bag, so that he can eat it with his meal.

Every week, we'd have to pick up bananas - no grocery run was complete without them. I think he should have bought stock in Chiquita back in the 70s - with as many that he's bought, it's a wonder they don't have his portrait somewhere as most loyal customer. And lord help the soul who buys yellow bananas. His bananas always have to be slightly green, slightly yellow.

The bananas here on this magnet? They would be unacceptable. Completely. Too yellow. Like, don't even bother getting in the car with these things.

Of course, we're not just talking bananas with rice here, people. There's also the plantains. Plain and fried. Covered in flour and fried. Doesn't matter, it's always fried. Just like 80% of his other food. Fried.

Don't get me wrong, fried plantains are great. My dad makes supergreat fried plantains...but ya'll there's a reason he's going into Duke Hospital for a (possibly double) stent today!

NCMA - Go. Now.

Magnet #1173 - NC Museum of Art

Keeping this entry short and sweet - if you're ever in Raleigh, definitely check out the NC Museum of Art. Small, but nice collection, and a great venue to wander around. Love it.

This magnet's the second magnet from their gift shop, the first was a gorgeous Rodin one.

Picked it because the entire family decamped to Durham today, in prep for heartpatientdad's procedure tomorrow. I'm not sure if Durham's big enough for the entire family, but we'll see who's left standing after this week.

"The nicest person you've ever met..."

Magnet #1172 - George Herbert Walker Bush

Is it weird that I kinda believe PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem when he calls Bush the First that? I mean, honestly, in this presidential portrait, the dude actually looks like the nicest person ever.

So, tonight, along with Frank Chirkinian, Ernie Els, Doug Ford, Jock Hutchison, and Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki, the World Golf Hall of Fame inducted George Herbert Walker Bush (1989-1993).

Here's why.

What?

I know my limitations - and going on about golf is certainly not one of them! Though the write-up is actually an interesting read - I had no idea he was so involved in the game. I mean, I have a vague recollection of Bush on a golf course, but I feel like that's every U.S. President ever. Isn't it like a requirement or something?

Anyway, I'm just happy to have found something apolitical to magnetblog about for a more recent president! I feel like from Bush on, it's almost impossible not to get into their politics when talking about them, and honestly, I don't have the heart for any Dem/Rep debate.

It's a magnetblog, after all!

Every step you take

Magnet #1171 - Dylan's Candy Bar Steps

Thought I'd go with a sweet magnet for Mother's Day.

One of my favorite places in New York is on the Upper East Side in the 60s, Dylan's Candy Bar. I've magnetblogged about this candy store before, but there's really nothing like going to visit.

I love that you get totally overwhelmed by the candy, the people and the candy-related soundtrack. It just makes you happier walking in.

So when I saw that there was a Dylan's Candy Bar at the Galleria in Houston, we immediately veered into the store. I made a beeline for the magnets, of course. They were all branded New York, rather than Galleria, and this was the only magnet I saw without NY listed.

I also love it because one of my favorite parts of the store itself is the candy staircase. So damn charming.

And sweet! (See what I did there?)