Drinking Coffee Makes Coffee Mugs Depressed

Aww, poor thing! My coffee mug this morning seems depressed that I'm drinking coffee out of him... Or am I just misinterpreting (t)his enigmatic smil(i)e and is this in fact Art..? Answers on a melancholic postcard to the usual address...

Scaffolding Sprouts Up As Quick As Bamboo In Hong Kong

Danger: Mem working at great height above. On scaffolding. Made out of bamboo. Wow! Apparently it's very strong and lightweight so a great material. Think I'd prefer metal though...

Advertising Location Is Better Than Location Location

It seems battles can still rage even after one party wins a coveted location... Here on Hong Kong Island KFC clearly have a great location, so much so that McDonald's wants to advertise right next to it! Naturally KFC decide to place a huge advert right above their own store. Madness...

My First Taste Of China, Just Past Customs

My first ever sight of "China" (well, Hong Kong) , as I exit Customs at Hong Kong airport. It's amazing how exotic and eastern it looks...

Altruistic Graffiti Or Another Art Student Project?

 Edinburgh is seeing an increase in chalk graffiti right now but this time it has a message.  Unlike a decade ago when an art student promoted his degree show chalking (is that even a verb?) "Who Is Ryder?" across Edinburgh, this time the graffiti has a message of doing good.  The day after Valentine's Day we have "You Look Pretty Today! :)" and a week before Mother's Day (it's tomorrow!) "Tell Your Mother You Love Her!" appears.

Is this the work of someone wanting to make the city a happier place, or an experimental piece of art about love (such a cynical thought!)...?

PS: #700

UPDATE:  Another nice one taken near The Royal Mile (via Google Local Edinburgh's twitter feed)

Pixar's Brave European Premiere Is '7 Days Later'

Okay, so I got it wrong.  My carefully predicted estimate of the European Premiere for Pixar's Brave was a week earlier than it actually will be as they have decided to have the premiere on
 the closing night of the 2012 EIFF.  It's a pretty good idea to make it a focal point although I think closing night films are even ore expensive (the opening night film is usually £15), should have factored the money making aspect in to my calculation!

Too Big To Nick? Then Fake Chain It Up!

How exactly are these chains helping? If it's to stop it falling over why the padlocks and not just simple (cheap) rope? Or do they not see the flaw in their plan...?

Divorse Is Such An Ugly (Spelled) Word

Every time I read the word "Divorse" I cry. I think they should separate with their sign painter...

I'm Only Two-Thirds Of A Devil

Maybe it's time to go to bed... Or work harder to be more of a (the) beast...

Another Muppet's Film Is One It's Way, Yay!!

After a hugely successful, Oscar winning film, it seems that we are (hopefully) at the start he start of a new series of Muppets films as Coming Soon.net is reporting that a sequel to The Muppets is on its way! Another Oscar winner?  Maybe Best Film..? Yay!! C'mon everybody...

1 Million People Listened To John Paul II Here

Great shot, lovely day and great composition (if I do say so myself). This is Phoenix Park, the largest (walled) park in Europe and the location of Pope John Paul II's mass in 1979 to over one million Irish Catholics (one would assume those two groupings are correct). Legend has it the city folk made loads of sandwiches to sell to the influx of 'tourists' at some cost but expecting a decent profit. The travelling thousands brought their own food and a huge amount of food (and money) was lost!

'Labelz Are For Jars Not People'

Great art / graffiti on the banks of the River Liffey in central Dublin.

Why Does The EICA At Ratho Twist My Words?

They may not "my" words per se, but these are words I could say.  It's just a shame they have been twisted and are running upside down (and rotated 90°).  All credit to Donald-san for spotting this (on our way to a fantastic hour abseiling) at the EICA in Ratho.

With Friends = Happy. Jump Off A 92 Foot Ledge = Sad

Lovely before and after pick of mine good friend Patrik looking all happy before a barrier, then when he steps past it he realises he is about to step off a ledge 92' in the air at the fantastic Edinburgh International Climbing Arena in Ratho, for some reason he looks less happy...

Jumangee! Do NOT Try This At Home (Or In A Bar)!

This was bad... Rather than the 'normal' three WKDs in a pint glass, we went crazy and made it all four. Never (drinking) again...

99 Hanover St Can't Spell (Or Subverts Customers)

Sigh! Why is it always bars? Just like The Kilted Pig it seems 99 Hanover St can't spell correctly or are tricking customers (kidding!). Complimentary nibbles are free, whilst complementary nibbles go well with the drinks. Which is it? Granted it could be both but I'm betting potential customers only care about the 'free' one...

Edinburgh's Shore Sure Looks Still & Stunning

Walking around The Shore is really nice on a bright blue morning and no ducks muddying the waters...

Nescafe Subliminally Sponsors The RBS Six Nations

So Nescafe (not to be confused with Julian Baggini's faux company Nest Cafe in The Pig That Wants To Be Eaten) have a new advert out, just as the Six Nations Rugby Union competition kicks off. It's spooky then that a coffee bean with 'gold' stamps on it looks so much like a rugby Ball isn't it... Let's see how long this campaign stays up after the tournament ends...

Two Meals For £5, Choice Of One Meal

What a great deal in The Grovsenor at Edinburgh West End. 2 meals for a fiver and you get to choose from (reading the asterisk) erm, incredibly there's only one choice! Why not create a more accurate (and honest) advert, 2 Chicken, Ham and Leek Pies for £5..?

Drive Misses Out On Best Soundtrack Oscar Nod

Hmmm, not happy about this.  According to Variety, Drive was ruled out in the category for Best Soundtrack because (according to 'sources') of "two problems: songs instead of score at key dramatic points, and Martinez not being the only composer listed on the official studio cue sheet. Apparently two other names were included as contributing to some cues".  This is a real shame as the music to Drive was exceptional and had a haunting quality the accentuated the film's impact.  Oh well, life goes on.  If you want another hit then here's the YouTube video for the (non-Cliff Martinez) main song, A Real Hero by College.  On the other hand, let's face it this award is destined for The Artist...