| May 12, 2002 |
Raising Hell
This  isn't an advice rag, and it won't tell you what your baby should be doing at three months or two years. Instead, the writers present new twists on parenting with liberal doses of wry humor that even singletons will enjoy. In the storytime area, meet the Unfortunate Little Boy who doesn't eat his vegetables or take naps and learns the dire consequences of such inaction. In the main journal, you'll find a devastating critique of playground politics, an illustration of the prophetic powers of parenthood, and musings on an idyllic morning with the kids. As one of the writers says, "It's about bad parenting and good parenting and the gray area between." (in Parenting) |
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| May 11, 2002 |
Twink
A  toy piano purchase at a flea market inspired the creator of this site to start collecting musical toys for kids. Accumulating everything from a Fisher Price Grand Piano to something called a Pling Plong, he began to compose tunes using these toys as the main instruments. The resulting music is both whimsical and entrancing. For example, "Shy Violet" progresses at a mournful pace, while the jaunty "Hoppity Jones" and the breakbeat-heavy "Catnip" will have you bobbing your head. After you listen to the MP3s, we recommend browsing through the extensive gallery to gaze with wonder at the toys behind Twink. (in Music) |
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| May 10, 2002 |
Airline Meals
Inspiration  struck the author of this site on a flight to Turkey. As he poked at the green glob on his plate, he thought it would be nice to show his parents what the airline provided for nourishment. So, he took a picture of the provisions, and soon after, this web site was born. It currently boasts pictures from dozens of airlines, as well as descriptions of the featured menu item. We learned that it pays to fly first class -- Japan Airlines serves its front-of-the-plane passengers gastronomic delights like duck foie gras with mushrooms and oven-roasted sea bass with glazed balsamic vinegar sauce. Want to know how much money airlines spend on your meal? Check the Useless Stuff section for the answer. Come on U.S. Air, how about loosening up the purse strings a bit? (in Food & Drink) |
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| May 9, 2002 |
Vintage Labels
Today,  travel is harried, cramped, delayed, stressful, and often times a necessary evil. But it wasn't that long ago that travel meant luxury, pampering, and exotic locales. This site lets us journey back to that era through the lost art of the luggage label. The image galleries showcase about 300 labels from ocean liners, railroads, airlines, and hotels of the past. If these images of a bygone style of travel inspire you to begin your own collection, you'll find tips and techniques for building and storing a vintage label collection. This site makes you want to put your tray table in its upright position and dream of luxuriating on the Orient Express! (in Collecting) |
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| May 8, 2002 |
Art Trails Through Victoria's Regional Galleries
Australian  Museums Online presents this tour of regional art galleries in the province of Victoria. Coast along the Port Phillip Bay to view contemporary art and view one of Australia's most significant collections of works on paper at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. The gold rush of the mid-1800s brought both people and European-style art to the area west of Melbourne. One such town, Castlemaine, houses works from the "Golden Era" of Australian landscape painting. The Midlands region was home to one of Australia's most notorious bushrangers, Ned Kelly, and the area's Shepparton Art Gallery features works from early convict potters as well as contemporary art. All of these trails lead to some of Australia's great regional art and history. (in Museums and Exhibits) |
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| May 7, 2002 |
Amelia Earhart
"I  believe that little red airplane said something to me as it swished by." So thought Amelia Earhart when an air-show pilot dove at her head and filled it with dreams of flying. Packed with similar episodes, the site chronicles the pioneering pilot's amazing life. The biography section recounts everything from her first Atlantic crossing in 1928 to her disappearance while attempting her around-the-world flight in 1937. Fascinating quotes reveal Earhart as a woman ahead of her time, and not just when it came to airplanes -- she described her marriage to book publisher George Putnam as a "partnership" with "dual control." Earhart's many achievements may inspire future generations to attempt new heights. (in Recreation & Sports > Aviation) |
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| May 6, 2002 |
George and Ira Gershwin: The Official Web Site
Strike  up the band and pump up the volume to hear the brilliant works of George and Ira Gershwin. From 1924 to 1937, the Gershwin brothers refined American musical comedy through dozens of scores for stage and screen. The history section provides biographies of both brothers, as well as a timeline and other resources. The anthology section highlights selected films and shows. But the heart of this Flash site is a Jukebox that features sound clips from over 40 Gershwin songs. Listen to classic jazz chanteuse Billie Holiday crooning "Embraceable You" and mousse-addled rocker Jon Bon Jovi singing an unexpected "How Long Has This Been Going On?". Proof that the Gershwins' musical genius is timeless and enduring. (in Composition and Song Writing) |
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