Non Sequitur
Big Event
How cool is this? Via Paste magazine, we present the awesome website Every Day Posters Every Day – where, through smartly designed posters, they turn the most mundane of everyday events into a... well... y'know... EVENT.
Vee Dub
Maybe it's because I pretty much grew up in an old Volkswagen Kombi. Who knows? Whatever the reason, I have a bit of a jones for VW advertisements. Wherever you go in the world, you're pretty much guaranteed that you'll pick up a magazine with a sharp, smart VW ad.
Like this one from China, where the copy promises: "It will go fast."
Or this one from Norway, advertising the Lane Assist technology.
Or this one from Australia, promoting one of VW's sporting sponsorships.
And this one from South Africa, crowing about VW's Dakar Rally win.
Then there's this one from Germany, calling the Cross Polo "an offroad car, not necessarily for offroad people".
And this one from France, which is as much about VW owners as it is about VWs.
Like this one from China, where the copy promises: "It will go fast."
Or this one from Norway, advertising the Lane Assist technology.
Or this one from Australia, promoting one of VW's sporting sponsorships.
And this one from South Africa, crowing about VW's Dakar Rally win.
Then there's this one from Germany, calling the Cross Polo "an offroad car, not necessarily for offroad people".
And this one from France, which is as much about VW owners as it is about VWs.
Talk About The Weather
While I'm freezing my toes off in the southern hemisphere (although that probably has more to do with the broken aircon than with the weather), the folks up north are either sizzling in the summer
or watching the storm clouds gather.
Either way, it makes for great photos at The Big Picture and The Frame.
or watching the storm clouds gather.
Either way, it makes for great photos at The Big Picture and The Frame.
Tree
What a treat! DesignCrave has a gallery up of 15 Spectacular Treehouses From Around The World. I want one.
Innovation
Driven by the Innovation Insanity initiative, Trendwatching.com has a list up of 67 new innovations that could change your world.
The ideas on the list are amazing and inspiring, and range from bamboo bicycles to windows that collect solar energy, vending machines that sell fragrances (in Paris, of course), keepsake stamps of babies' feet and hands, and a project to transform Rio's favelas by giving them a new, colourful lick of paint.
Hurt Locker
Getty Images photographer Justin Sullivan spends time on patrol with US Army soldiers, seeking and destroying IEDs in Afghanistan... and the Sacramento Bee's The Frame blog is there with the pictures.
Shoes
There's a great collection of 25 Cool Print Ads For Major Shoe Brands up at Best Design Options. I'm loving these Nike and Converse campaigns…
Game Over
And like that!... it was over. The Big Picture has a collection of photos from the final days of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
White
The Big Picture has a sobering gallery of pictures by Reuters photographer Finbarr O'Reilly. It's a look at a squatter camp populated by white South Africans – and while it's no different to any Kentucky trailer park, and no less depressing than any other squatter camp, it does at least get you thinking.
In my case, thinking about how lucky I am to have a job.
Awards
While I (and the rest of South Africa) recover from my post-World Cup blues, other people are gathering their thoughts at the end of a low-expectation/high-delivery tournament. Football365 have some amusing awards to hand out, while Al Jazeera's Andy Richardson has some interesting observations in his own Top 10.
His Top Understatement:
"The Dutch guy I met who, along with about 40 other like-minded souls, had driven from Amsterdam to South Africa. "We hit a sand storm somewhere in Sudan, the windscreen fell out and the front of the car was buried in a dune. But the worst thing was knowing we were out of cigarettes."
His Top Understatement:
"The Dutch guy I met who, along with about 40 other like-minded souls, had driven from Amsterdam to South Africa. "We hit a sand storm somewhere in Sudan, the windscreen fell out and the front of the car was buried in a dune. But the worst thing was knowing we were out of cigarettes."
Boots
Spotted these boots at Fashion Indie. They are colourful, they are expensive and they are Nike's idea of what Wellington boots should look like.
Waves
Here's a shoutout for the Surfrider Foundation – it's a grassroots non-profit organisation in the States that aims to protect the Earth's beaches and oceans. As someone who lives by the sea, it's a cause that's dear to my heart... and you gotta admit, they do have some pretty special advertisements.
Summer
Great gallery up at The Big Picture, welcoming in the northern hemisphere summer. (Meanwhile, down south, we're wearing thick socks and wooly scarves...)
Evolution
Paste magazine are running a list of their 10 Best Animated Music Videos. Included in the list is the unpleasant clip for Do The Evolution by Pearl Jam, which reminds me a little of that cheesy Métal Hurlant movie.
Day
Another great image up at A Photo A Day, this one by Scott Bort. Of course, it'll be gone by tomorrow...
Neighbours
Following Brazil's World Cup elimination on Friday evening, only one thing could possibly make the samba nation's soccer fans feel better...
That is, if their bitter rivals Argentina could somehow be eliminated as well.
Here, for your amusement, is a screenshot of the front page of Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte after Argentina's 0-4 humiliation against the Germans on Saturday.
Even if you don't speak Portuguese, I think you'll get a sense of what the headline means.
That is, if their bitter rivals Argentina could somehow be eliminated as well.
Here, for your amusement, is a screenshot of the front page of Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte after Argentina's 0-4 humiliation against the Germans on Saturday.
Even if you don't speak Portuguese, I think you'll get a sense of what the headline means.
Mzansi
Eish! My country's contributions to the global culture include Nelson Mandela, Charlize Theron, District 9, kwaito, mbaqanga, Springbok rugby, Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Groot Constantia, Klein Karoo, Luthuli, De Klerk, Coetzee, Shuttleworth, Stellenbosch, Kruger Park, Kruger Rands, Sasol, Robben Island, Shaka, Tutu, fynbos, Drakensberg, Khoisan, Mapungubwe, Vredefort, Richtersveld, iSimangaliso, Blue Bulls, Maskekela, Makeba, uqomboti, gold, diamonds, Boers, Xhosas, Zulus, Vendas, Apartheid (the end of it, not...erm... it), Kaiser Chiefs, Sterkfontein, Mrs Ples, Johnny Clegg, makarapa, ishibobo...
... and now this.
It's a KitKat advertisement from Belgium.
... and now this.
It's a KitKat advertisement from Belgium.
Start Your Engines
Check out this gallery of great motor-racing circuits, as seen from outer space, and as published on Wired.
Prom
One of my favourite style haunts is New York magazine's Look Book, where they showcase an ordinary person who has... y'know... a look. A look that you might, if you enjoyed that sort of thing, wish to duplicate/replicate/copycate.
They've got a special edition Look Book up right now, where they're showcasing teens at their senior prom. Some great outfits here – and some gorgeous gowns and dresses.
Bats
Is it a car? Is it a cartoon? The good people at MotorCrave aren't too sure... but whatever it is this BMW X9 Design Study (or possible Transformers III star) looks like it would make a worthy addition to the BatCave.
Sunnies
They're hideously overpriced, and they look like the cheap plastic ones you (probably shouldn't) buy from those dodgy traders down at the station... but if - like me - you're a sucker for funky sunglasses, then the Electric Hoodlum Acetate Color Series is sure to get you thinkin'.
Glasto Again
Remember those awesome photos from last year's Glastonbury Festival? Well, The Big Picture is back with more mayhem from this year's Glasto. Enjoy...
Game Set Match
Presenting... The best summer/dance/tennis/Djokovic/Solveig/Bob Sinclair/Monfils/music-themed video you will ever see.
Instant Replay
There have been some crazy, crazy refereeing calls at this World Cup - as The Bleacher Report so wonderfully records in their list of the Top 10 Worst Referee's Calls So Far.
For something a little different (and because I kinda miss the writing I did for all those years at Sports Illustrated), allow me to present five of the biggest blown calls... with completely plausible alternate reality scenarios for each.
URUGUAY vs SOUTH AFRICA
Group A, Pretoria, 16 June
What happened:
With 10 minutes left and South Africa 1-0 down, Luis Suarez gets the ball in the South African penalty area and is tripped up by Bafana Bafana keeper Itumeleng Khune. Khune is sent off, star midfielder Steven Pienaar is taken off to make way for the substitute keeper, and Uruguay score from the penalty spot. Fifteen minutes later, 5 minutes into injury time, Uruguay get a third goal to leave South Africa facing an early exit from the tournament. SA now need to beat France 4-0 in their final game, and hope Mexico lose to Uruguay.
What might've happened:
The referee sees that Suarez was in fact offside when he received the ball, and calls play back. He stops short of booking Suarez for an obvious dive. No foul, no red card, no penalty, no goal, no substitution and no fifth minute of added time means South Africa grind out a brave 1-0 defeat. That result leave them needing to beat France 2-0 in their final game, and hope for either Uruguay or Mexico to lose in their final clash. With France in turmoil SA win 3-0, with Khune keeping a clean sheet and Mphela springing the offside trap to score SA's third*. Uruguay's 1-0 win over Mexico means Uruguay and South Africa both comfortably qualify for the second round.
* In our world, his 37th-minute goal was harshly ruled offside.
+++
UNITED STATES vs SLOVENIA
Group C, Johannesburg, 18 June
What happened:
It's the biggest comeback since platform shoes as the United States recover from 0-2 down to draw 2-2 against the Slovenes. It could've been even better, though, as Maurice Edu has his late goal disallowed for... who knows? It wasn't offside, there wasn't a foul. Baffling decision.
What might've happened:
Edu's goal completes a dream 3-2 victory for the US, who now top the group with four points. England must beat Slovenia to qualify for the second round (which they do), but the Americans now only need a draw against Algeria in their last match. Neither side puts in any effort, and a dull 0-0 draw means our alternate reality is robbed of what happened in the real world: Landon Donovan's dramatic last-minute winner. So maybe these blown calls aren't such a bad thing after all...
+++
BRAZIL vs IVORY COAST
Group G, Soccer City, 20 June
What happened:
With Brazil already 1-0 up, Luis Fabiano receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area and juggles it once, twice over the heads of the defenders before spanking in a goal. Brazil go on to win 3-1, despite having Kaka controversially sent off late in the game.
What might've happened:
The ref spots the deliberate handball during Fabiano's juggling act, and disallows the goal. The Brazilians go on to win 2-1, but the referee - feeling bad about his tough but correct call on Fabiano - does not show Kaka that red card. Apart from that, nothing much changes.
+++
GERMANY vs ENGLAND
Round of 16, Bloemfontein, 27 June
What happened:
A shambolic England claw their way back from 2-0 down to 2-1, and just before half-time Frank Lampard's long-range shot hits the bar and bounces down a full two metres over the goal-line. For reasons known only to himself, the ref rules no goal. Germany go on to win 4-1, and England are eliminated.
What might've happened:
Lampard's goal levels the scores, and the sides go into the break tied at 2-2. England - who, as always, play on guts and confidence as opposed to any demonstrable skill - try a series of speculative shots from distance in the second half, but fail to hit the target. The scores remain tied at the end of 90 minutes, and a goalless extra time means the match goes to a penalty shootout. Özl, Müller, and Podolski all score from the spot for Germany, but none of Rooney (who's had a terrible tournament), Lampard (who missed a penalty in May's FA Cup Final) or Terry (who slips at just the wrong moment while taking his kick) manage to hit the target. The Germans win, inevitably, on penalties.
+++
ARGENTINA vs MEXICO
Round of 16, Soccer City, 27 June
What happened:
Carlos Tevez is about three or four metres offside when he scores Argentina's opener, but the ref signals a goal. Argentina win at a canter, 3-1, and Mexico are not at all pleased.
What might've happened:
Tevez's goal is disallowed. Mexico, unrattled, keep their cool for the next 10 minutes and don't gift Higuaín a second goal (unlike in our world). It takes a thunderbolt strike from Tevez to finally settle the match, which Argentina win 1-0. The score changes, but - as in the England match - the result remains the same.
For something a little different (and because I kinda miss the writing I did for all those years at Sports Illustrated), allow me to present five of the biggest blown calls... with completely plausible alternate reality scenarios for each.
URUGUAY vs SOUTH AFRICA
Group A, Pretoria, 16 June
What happened:
With 10 minutes left and South Africa 1-0 down, Luis Suarez gets the ball in the South African penalty area and is tripped up by Bafana Bafana keeper Itumeleng Khune. Khune is sent off, star midfielder Steven Pienaar is taken off to make way for the substitute keeper, and Uruguay score from the penalty spot. Fifteen minutes later, 5 minutes into injury time, Uruguay get a third goal to leave South Africa facing an early exit from the tournament. SA now need to beat France 4-0 in their final game, and hope Mexico lose to Uruguay.
What might've happened:
The referee sees that Suarez was in fact offside when he received the ball, and calls play back. He stops short of booking Suarez for an obvious dive. No foul, no red card, no penalty, no goal, no substitution and no fifth minute of added time means South Africa grind out a brave 1-0 defeat. That result leave them needing to beat France 2-0 in their final game, and hope for either Uruguay or Mexico to lose in their final clash. With France in turmoil SA win 3-0, with Khune keeping a clean sheet and Mphela springing the offside trap to score SA's third*. Uruguay's 1-0 win over Mexico means Uruguay and South Africa both comfortably qualify for the second round.
* In our world, his 37th-minute goal was harshly ruled offside.
+++
UNITED STATES vs SLOVENIA
Group C, Johannesburg, 18 June
What happened:
It's the biggest comeback since platform shoes as the United States recover from 0-2 down to draw 2-2 against the Slovenes. It could've been even better, though, as Maurice Edu has his late goal disallowed for... who knows? It wasn't offside, there wasn't a foul. Baffling decision.
What might've happened:
Edu's goal completes a dream 3-2 victory for the US, who now top the group with four points. England must beat Slovenia to qualify for the second round (which they do), but the Americans now only need a draw against Algeria in their last match. Neither side puts in any effort, and a dull 0-0 draw means our alternate reality is robbed of what happened in the real world: Landon Donovan's dramatic last-minute winner. So maybe these blown calls aren't such a bad thing after all...
+++
BRAZIL vs IVORY COAST
Group G, Soccer City, 20 June
What happened:
With Brazil already 1-0 up, Luis Fabiano receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area and juggles it once, twice over the heads of the defenders before spanking in a goal. Brazil go on to win 3-1, despite having Kaka controversially sent off late in the game.
What might've happened:
The ref spots the deliberate handball during Fabiano's juggling act, and disallows the goal. The Brazilians go on to win 2-1, but the referee - feeling bad about his tough but correct call on Fabiano - does not show Kaka that red card. Apart from that, nothing much changes.
+++
GERMANY vs ENGLAND
Round of 16, Bloemfontein, 27 June
What happened:
A shambolic England claw their way back from 2-0 down to 2-1, and just before half-time Frank Lampard's long-range shot hits the bar and bounces down a full two metres over the goal-line. For reasons known only to himself, the ref rules no goal. Germany go on to win 4-1, and England are eliminated.
What might've happened:
Lampard's goal levels the scores, and the sides go into the break tied at 2-2. England - who, as always, play on guts and confidence as opposed to any demonstrable skill - try a series of speculative shots from distance in the second half, but fail to hit the target. The scores remain tied at the end of 90 minutes, and a goalless extra time means the match goes to a penalty shootout. Özl, Müller, and Podolski all score from the spot for Germany, but none of Rooney (who's had a terrible tournament), Lampard (who missed a penalty in May's FA Cup Final) or Terry (who slips at just the wrong moment while taking his kick) manage to hit the target. The Germans win, inevitably, on penalties.
+++
ARGENTINA vs MEXICO
Round of 16, Soccer City, 27 June
What happened:
Carlos Tevez is about three or four metres offside when he scores Argentina's opener, but the ref signals a goal. Argentina win at a canter, 3-1, and Mexico are not at all pleased.
What might've happened:
Tevez's goal is disallowed. Mexico, unrattled, keep their cool for the next 10 minutes and don't gift Higuaín a second goal (unlike in our world). It takes a thunderbolt strike from Tevez to finally settle the match, which Argentina win 1-0. The score changes, but - as in the England match - the result remains the same.
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