Have Icon, Will Travel

June 23, 2020Jeff

Someone has done some interesting thinking to help travelers in a clever and unique way. If you have ever visited a foreign country where you had no understanding of the language, this might be just the item for you.

Why not wear a shirt with icons representing cultural places in a specific country and other items that might be universally understood?

Just to give you an idea, here is a world edition T-Shirt.

To locate a bus stop, you could politely stop someone on the street and point to the icon of the bus. Most people, I believe, would get the idea and assist you.

Picture courtesy of PetaPixel

Below is a shirt targeted specifically to those who will be stopping in Paris (Notice the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe).

The company has a video to add a bit of levity to their sales pitch.

If you visit the ICONSPEAK website, you can see that they have a variety of styles, colors and targeted countries.

Read more miscellaneous stories on JBRish HERE

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©Jeffrey B. Ross 2014 – 2020 — JBRish.com

Tianjin, China Has A WOW! Library

July 13, 2018Jeff

There is an amazing library in Tianjin, China that has well over one million books. That would be unique enough for many, but what separates this library from all others is the unique design.

Look at the pictures below to gain an appreciation for this architectural wonder.

Via

Read more about the Tianjin Library, click on the Via links above.

Read more miscellaneous stories on JBRish HERE

Spring 2018 – What’s Growing in the Arizona Desert?

March 19, 2018March 19, 2018Jeff

We have arrived at our spring planting season in the Phoenix, Arizona area even when other areas of the nation continue to be cold and perhaps stormy. I had an opportunity to visit the demonstration garden at the Maricopa County Extension Center which is maintained primarily by the Master Gardeners.

There were some interesting plants in full bloom and I wanted to share two of them with you. When I select a plant to grow, it is generally one that has impressive flowers. This can be small, numerous flowers or large, showy flower that are less in number.

I also like to have the flower-to-leaf ratio to be appropriate. I don’t want the leaves to overpower the flowers. The one exception to this would be a plant that has pretty or show leaves. One plant that comes to mind in this category is Milk Thistle. We have lots of critters in our neighborhood and they like many of the plants we enjoy so I need to be very selective.

Then there are some plants that people in our region select because they are unique.

One quite “different” plant at the demonstration garden is Lion’s Tail or Wild Dagga (Leonotis leonurus) – One look and it will be obvious how this flower received its name.

Lion's Tail or Wild Dagga

Here is a close up of the flower…

Lion's Tail or Wild Dagga - closeup

Lion’s Tail is reportedly a fast growing, drought tolerant plant!

You can read more about this unique plant in The San Francisco Gate article HERE. — scroll down.

Another unique and interesting plant is the Hyacinth Bean (Dolichos lablab or Lablab purpurea). This plant is grown as much for its purple seed pod as the plentiful light and dark pink flowers. If you have a place in your garden for a vine, this might be a very good choice.

Hyacinth Bean

Naturally if this is grown in our area, it must be heat tolerant, but the amazing thing is how well the vine tends to do even with the hight temperatures as long as it is given ample water.

Hyacinth Bean closeup

You can find more information about Hyacinth Bean HERE and HERE.

Vide-Ohs: Scotch – Not Straight Up

January 24, 2018January 24, 2018Jeff

Over the weekend we dined with some friends at a popular local restaurant. One of the people in our party ordered a glass of scotch, neat.

When the drink arrived and was placed on the table, it appeared to be tipping over and all of the diners quickly reached for the glass to prevent a spill. I guess the joke was on us because the glass was designed to wobble in place when set on a flat surface. Upon inspection, we could see a bubble on the bottom-center of the glass.

It was quite interesting. Here is a brief video:

When the wait staff returned, we remarked about the glass and they said that they don’t have spills although it does cause some interesting experiences.

More Vide – Ohs

To See additional Interesting Videos, click HERE

Chrismukkah Unique Gift Wrapping Idea

December 22, 2017Jeff

If you give gifts to a couple that has one Christian partner and one Jewish partner, here is a unique way to wrap a present that supports the celebration of Christmas and Chanukah combined.

Christmas and Chanukah combined (Chrismukkah) wrapping paper

I thought this was very inventive and an interesting way to celebrate the holidays under the circumstances described above! Kudos to the creative talent who thought about this unique style of wrapping holiday gifts.

Read more miscellaneous stories HERE

SignEdge: Hall of Fame Vodka

July 21, 2017July 26, 2017Jeff

Months ago we came across this bottle at our local Costco.

Hall of Fame Unique Vodka Bottle

While this is not technically a sign, our curiosity was piqued because of our interest in unique beer and wine labels. It certainly is a good facsimile of a baseball bat for a vodka container. I am not endorsing this product and I am far from an expert in spirits, but I have to give Hall Of Fame Spirits credit.

Hall of Fame Unique Vodka Bottle

Here is part of the mission statement from their website:

“Our mission is two fold. First and foremost is to inspire the world’s best American-made Ultra-Premium Vodka. Second, is to create a distinctive brand that bottles and elicits all the intensity, emotions, valence and fandom that endears us to the game and makes us true sports fans!”

You can read more HERE!

They won an award in 2016 for the “Best of Class Platinum Bottle Design” as well as an award for “Bronze Vodka Taste.” – Read more about it HERE.

Hall of Fame Unique Vodka Bottle

Although Hall Of Fame Spirits can’t get a home run with this bottle-container, they may at least have a hit! Don’t you think this is a unique made-in Iowa idea?

JBRish.com originally published this post
See previous SignEdge posts HERE
Just for SignEdge wine or beer labels HERE

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©Jeffrey B. Ross 2017

Photography – Why Take Pictures? – Power of a Photograph

April 21, 2016April 21, 2016Jeff

Different Sets of Feet

Every so often someone will ponder or ask the question outright: “Why do you take pictures?” The simple answer, which is often the best, is that photographs can be powerful. Did you ever see someone look at a picture and cry? Did you ever see someone look at a picture and smile? Did you ever see someone look at a picture and recoil in horror or astonishment?

I have seen all of these and I have experienced them as well. Oh, and one last thing…photographs can be fun.

The Cooperative of Photography (COOPH) has produced a YouTube video called The Power of a Photograph and they provide specific examples of

Unique moments
Iconic Moments
Fun Moments
Moments of Loss & Desperation
Moments of Defiance
Moments of Bravery
Moments of Love & Respect
…And Moments of Triumph

The video below helps us appreciate why people take photographs and the power behind pictures.

From the YouTube video:

Published on Apr 19, 2016

“The COOPH team explores iconic photographs and famous moments throughout history that captured raw human emotions and stunned the world.”

Inspire the World

JBRish.com originally published this post
See previous Photography posts HERE

Photographer Peter Adams-Shawn: Lend me Your Eyes

February 21, 2016February 21, 2016Jeff

The video below begins with the statement: “Lend me your eyes and I’ll change what you see.” And indeed we see a very creative and interesting variation of the typical wedding photography video!

Originally seen at Picture Correct

Desert T-Shirts

November 30, 2015Jeff

Living in what I call a designated tourist area such as Phoenix, Arizona has both positive and negative aspects. Of course during those months that are cold in a good part of the United States and Canada, we have an influx of tourists, part-time residents and guests.

When guests come to visit us, one of the areas we like to take them is Old Town Scottsdale. There are some historical attractions which we look at, but the gift shops of all varieties are the real draw.

As the resident Phoenician, I get a kick out of going to the tourist shops to see what new desert themed T-shirts are displayed. They generally come in two categories, 1 – The beauty or uniqueness of the desert or 2 – Poking fun at the unusual life styles and/or environment of the desert.

The t-shirt below reminds us of the beautiful wildlife we have in the area. We do have some extraordinary lizards, although nothing quite like the one pictured.

XXXXXX

Of course Phoenix is a big draw as well as Scottsdale…

XXXXXX

And to celebrate the heritage and uniqueness of the desert…

XXXXXX

Then there are those that make fun of the harsh environment and cowboy atmosphere and this one tackles both…
XXXXXX

115 degrees is hot, but c’mon it beats 30 inches of snow, doesn’t it?

One of my favorites this day was this punful one…

XXXXXX

All of these T-shirts were found at Scottsdale Southwest Gifts and Apparel just north of the Scottsdale Historical Museum on the same side of the street.

XXXXXX

I am not making a recommendation although I have made purchases there. Many stores offer unique apparel both authentic southwest as well as humorous or stylized southwest items.

When you visit Scottsdale’s Old Town, be sure to bring your camera and your sense of humor. I am sure you will have a good time. Don’t forget the Scottsdale Historical Museum in the center of Old Town.

When Graduation Is More Like Halftime

June 1, 2015June 1, 2015Jeff

From the YouTube video site:

“Published on May 29, 2015

Class song & “Kaipahua Kura”

For those of you who messaged me for more info:

This is the senior class of 2015 at Kahuku High School located in Hawaii more specifically the North Shore of Oahu. The seniors learned this number in 2 days…they did a great job.

@8:43 they performed the “Kaipahua Kura” which is their very own “Haka” or “war dance” from the Maori people of New Zealand.

Kahuku High is a very culturally diverse school with lots of school spirit and pride. Good luck to them!”

Let’s salute the students, teachers, parents and advisors who had the courage to be different!

Congratulations Kahuku Class of 2015

JBRish.com – quips & queries

A life of musings, queries, quips and quandaries

unique

Have Icon, Will Travel

Tianjin, China Has A WOW! Library

Spring 2018 – What’s Growing in the Arizona Desert?

Vide-Ohs: Scotch – Not Straight Up

More Vide – Ohs

Chrismukkah Unique Gift Wrapping Idea

SignEdge: Hall of Fame Vodka

Photography – Why Take Pictures? – Power of a Photograph

Photographer Peter Adams-Shawn: Lend me Your Eyes

Desert T-Shirts

When Graduation Is More Like Halftime