The Nice Things Are Due On Maple Street
Quarantine Art, that Randy Newman PSA, and the expected kittycats and puppers.
It's Sunday, and you know what that means: Time to turn off the news for a little while and recharge your batteries, but if you need to run to the store and buy batteries, remember your face mask. If you're an especially lucky human with an artsy person in your life, maybe your face mask will look like this brilliant homageto René Magritte's "The Son of Man," by Twitter person "LONye" :
Also, let us bow in awe to this reply, which is why Twitter will be allowed to continue:
@Nye1O @littleramstudio This is not a ppe.
— for the birds (@for the birds) 1586891198.0
Bravo.
Social Distancing Realism
The Magritte homage, as the hashtag notes, is part of the "#GettyMuseumChallenge," which is a bit of a misnomer, since it was only popularized by the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, after getting started by an art fan in Amsterdam . (The New York Timeshelpfully explains the account name, @tussenkunstenquarantaine , is "a reference the Dutch television program 'Tussen Kunst en Kitsch,' whose title means 'between art and kitsch.'")
In any case, it's all over social media. The rules are pretty simple: "recreate a work of art with objects (and people)" found in your own locked-down home. We suspect some creators may have ventured forth for special items, but as of yet, there don't seem to be any heavy handed enforcement actions.. And now it's all over Twitter, the Instagrams , and the good part of Reddit, which as we keep reminding you, is most of it. There's just so much good creative stuff!
O'Keeffe Red w/ Yellow 1945 Wallace Ketchup w/ Egg
"Self Portrait" by Joseph Ducreux
Bonnes fêtes de Pâcques à tous! https: //t.co/Ug6l1Kthqx
— ISNI - InterSyndicale Nationale des Internes (@ISNI - InterSyndicale Nationale des Internes) 1586772170.0
#gettymuseumchallenge So much fun today. https: //t.co/6VmIg1hrRx
— Samantha Tedd (@Samantha Tedd) 1586648623.0
Gustav Klimt. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, by a Russian Facebook user. This one's amazing! Here's the translated text:
This is my Adele from a portrait of Klimt. After all, so many delicious cookies, marshmallows, perks, and chocolate candy were bought to survive the zombie's! Thoughts of them with a living cloud fall around her beautiful head.
Gustav Klimt. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer. The model is my daughter Antonina. And after the photo shoot, I still love it, and even a little more than a genius
We could look at these all day, and we probably will!
Randy Newman Just Singing About What He CDCs
Randy Newman was asked by public radio station KPCC to do a short public service announcement about social distancing. He ended up doing a whole song, "Stay Away," a nice play on the title of his far more sinister early hit, "Sail Away." The narrator of this song is much nicer.
Randy Newman - Stay Away youtu.be
For my money, the best part is in the first few seconds, when we hear the super-homey sound of Newman's doggo's ears flapping as it shakes its head. But the song itself is good too! Buy your own copy here and the funds will go to the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, which seeks to bring music education to young folks in New Orleans's Lower Ninth Ward. (Or you can donate directly here. )
The LA Times transcribed the lyrics :
"Stay Away" by Randy Newman
Venus in sweatpants
That's who you are
And when this mess is over
I'll buy you a car
We'll drive that car
So fast and so far
All your stupid friends
Will be left behind
Stay away from me
Baby, keep your distance please
Stay away from me
Words of love
In times like these
I'm gonna be with you
24 hours a day
A lot of people couldn't stand that
But you can
You'll be with me
24 hours a day
What a lucky man I am
Stay away from me
Wash your hands
But don't touch your face
Wash your hands
Don't touch your face
30 years together and we're still having fun
Once we were two, now we are one
Let's go out and get a burger
When you're done you're gone
Memories of the past
Be kind to one another
Tell her you love her everyday
If you're angry about something
Let it go
The kids are frightened
Tell them not to be afraid
But don't let them touch your face
Don't let them touch your face
Just imagine the dissertations that are going to be written about this time.
Time For Twitter Stuff!
Yes. Yes it is. Like Propeller Dog:
Yes, I plan to watch this multiple times today. https: //t.co/G75dKcCYry
— Anne Wheaton (@Anne Wheaton) 1586799893.0
And this, from a professional computer artist guy who has worked on movies even I have heard of:
Due to less air pollution the sky is so clear ! I can see the Universal logo ! https: //t.co/EqiqIDL4JJ
— Romain Revert (@Romain Revert) 1586810111.0
He also did a brief "how I did that" video in gif form:
Mini Making of ! https: //t.co/jdVVug21Ll
— Romain Revert (@Romain Revert) 1586875623.0
Astrophysicist and Queen lead guitarist Sir Brian May is awesome.
Life. Made. I love you @DrBrianMay #ThankYouBakedPotato #FeedNHS https: //t.co/yZo3HScHQU https://t.co/1RKEDPIPV9
— realmattlucas (@realmattlucas) 1586703600.0
Graphic Design is somebody's passion. https: //t.co/YbBpwBV5rB
— Doktor Zoom (@Doktor Zoom) 1587230839.0
Philadelphia's "Pizza Groundhog" is enjoying this coronavirus quarantine with a full stomach! ð Thanks for sending⦠https: //t.co/uiszmBUG6W
— Action News on 6abc (@Action News on 6abc) 1586911524.0
There is a delighted dachshund puppy in this video, and so I didn't even notice the regrettable shorts & black socks combo on the human until someone pointed it out. Now I have ruined the video for you, too.
Actually, I haven't. This puppy could overcome virtually any fashion don't in the background.
here's a happy sausage to brighten your day (otistheogsausage IG) https: //t.co/eueb7M8c4l
— Humor And Animals (@Humor And Animals) 1586961217.0
Cats: They Are Doofuses, Part I:
You guys, my black cat accidentally rolled in sidewalk chalk. https: //t.co/0HB0Hjb8v6
— Ian Dorsch (@Ian Dorsch) 1586819680.0
His name is Batman, and he is a fine fellow. https: //t.co/yqQHRuZi3F
— Ian Dorsch (@Ian Dorsch) 1586824067.0
@pberard @IanDorsch Underrated tweet ð https: //t.co/7ADUiXgZ0U
— Jayne de Ville (@Jayne de Ville) 1586902413.0
@GarbageCrow @IanDorsch @neontaster There was no time for a photo of our white cat... exiting the fireplace and hea⦠https: //t.co/YiaPKUOABM
— Corina Paul (@Corina Paul) 1586886460.0
Cats: They Are Doofuses, Part II:
The BBC reports that in South Africa's Kruger National Park, the lions have been enjoying the shutdown by lounging all over the roads.
Park ranger Richard Sowry was out on patrol on Wednesday when he snapped a pride sleeping on a road which would normally be busy with tourists [...]
As a ranger in one of Africa's largest game reserves, Mr Sowry performs an essential service and continues to work during the lockdown, checking on the wildlife and guarding against poachers.
While driving near Orpen Rest Camp on Wednesday afternoon, he spotted the lions on the road ahead and pulled up just five metres (5.5 yards) away to look at the unusual phenomenon.
As he took photos with his mobile phone, the lions did not seem bothered, most of them apparently fast asleep.
"Lions are used to people in vehicles," he explained. "All animals have much more of an instinctive fear of people on foot, so if I had walked up they would never have allowed me to get so close."
The park's media officer, Isaac Phaala, explained that while lions might usually find the asphalt less comfy than the grass, it had rained shortly before Sowry encountered them: "The tar was drier than the grass at the time — big cats and water don't mix."
The park's Twitter account also advises that the lions, like a certain far less useful beast that shouldn't be approached without caution, have been unable to resist the lure of the local golf course:
https: //t.co/S3VpZMuCbS
— Kruger National Park (@Kruger National Park) 1586782578.0
Nature is healing.
Jackalopes return to Yellowstone. cc: @DoktorZoom because I hear you love this stuff. https://t.co/JLcszw3d8e
— That Other JeffK (@That Other JeffK) 1586736733.0
Cats, They Are Doofuses, Part III:
When a TV weatherman is forced to work from home. https: //t.co/1tvs3E6UA1
— Lorenzo The Cat (@Lorenzo The Cat) 1586969701.0
OWEN MEANY the foster kitten has reached a completely appropriate but also currently totally unacceptable developme⦠https: //t.co/e0ZrgHprfA
— Quinn Cummings (@Quinn Cummings) 1586822024.0
Not a cat, but definitely a doofus:
It's Quebec, I love how buddy is totally tailgating the plane. https: //t.co/xbBaWvRIsL
— Fat Apollo (@Fat Apollo) 1587064215.0
And now, an Owl Thread. Here are the first two tweets:
Ok people seem to be big fans of Paul, so a bit more about him and his families! First up, here he is the next year⦠https: //t.co/TGfhubwAJD
— Corrie Navis (@Corrie Navis) 1586817454.0
More owls follow.
Not an owl:
get yourself a dog who is also a blanket https: //t.co/5BdyRX4zFq
— Kale Williams (@Kale Williams) 1587007979.0
Speaking of cute animals, my older brother's family finally got their new dog yesterday -- a labradoodle named Copp⦠https: //t.co/DOeKzdS4dR
— David Roberts (@David Roberts) 1586805594.0
BABBY GOATY!Part of a whole thread about a little goat named Milk Dud.
Sometimes Milk Dud is so small he has to leap over Hay https: //t.co/ib9XU2DsqV
— Oregon I.T. Not ITâ¾ (@Oregon I.T. Not ITâ¾) 1584495842.0
9 day old noises https: //t.co/CR2LrmqmoT
— Oregon I.T. Not ITâ¾ (@Oregon I.T. Not ITâ¾) 1585066797.0
In addition to Nice Things, Sundays are also for Historians at the Movies! Fire up Netflix and Twitter, start watching Dolemite is My Name tonight at 8: 30 Eastern, and follow the conversation with the hashtag #HATM. I keep hearing this is supposed to be Eddie Murphy's best performance ever in his career?
Fans of Historians At The Movies, get ready to talk about blaxploitation films of the 1970s. Join us this Sunday, A⦠https: //t.co/iJvvJtJj4T
— Jason Herbert (@Jason Herbert) 1586799889.0
And finally, Yr Obligatory Thornton Content, with a very content Thornton.
I am cat hugged https: //t.co/DIry5VXzR4
— Doktor Zoom (@Doktor Zoom) 1586830312.0
(If you turn up your volume to hear Thornton purr, please remember to turn it back down.)
Little dang purrboy https: //t.co/M2cvQvNNBp
— Doktor Zoom (@Doktor Zoom) 1587102519.0
Hey! If you turned up your volume to hear Thornton purr, please remember to turn it back down . Your ears will thank me.
Now have a good Sunday, you. This is now your open thread!
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A related, hyphenated word: hunt-and-peccant. Guilty of failing to learn touch typing.
Viz: Fred Trump.