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Michelangelo's Magna Doodle DiscoveredMagnetic drawing toy, possibly worth $12 million, discovered in coatroom of New York's Cooper-Hewitt museum July 22, 2002 |
The doodle in question looked a lot like this, only brilliant Magna Doodle drawing determined to have been done by Michelangelo himself may be worth between $12 million and a kajillion dollars, according to students at Art Lowenstein's School of Art Appraisal in Hoboken, NJ. The doodle was unearthed among assorted art-related toys from the Renaissance period in what used to be a child's rumpus room, according to officials at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York. The unsigned doodle is of a half-man, half-bear — some call it a Manimal — standing on a three-dimensional see-through box, beneath a sky filled with different-sized eyes and concentric triangles, according to officials. The Manimal has a river of snakes flowing somehow magically out of his armpit, and the single word "Gwyneth" is scrawled mysteriously near the border bet...
Magna Doodle drawing determined to have been done by Michelangelo himself may be worth between $12 million and a kajillion dollars, according to students at Art Lowenstein's School of Art Appraisal in Hoboken, NJ. The doodle was unearthed among assorted art-related toys from the Renaissance period in what used to be a child's rumpus room, according to officials at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York. The unsigned doodle is of a half-man, half-bear — some call it a Manimal — standing on a three-dimensional see-through box, beneath a sky filled with different-sized eyes and concentric triangles, according to officials. The Manimal has a river of snakes flowing somehow magically out of his armpit, and the single word "Gwyneth" is scrawled mysteriously near the border between several squiggles. Experts place the time of the doodling in the mid-1500s, making it one of the oldest Magna Doodlings on record.
The Magna Doodle was plucked from a chest of toys in the museum's coatroom, formerly a child's rumpus room when the museum was home to a family of Austrian squatters in the late 1800's. Such a discovery is considered to be "a fucking mind-blower," Cooper-Hewitt Director Paul Thompson said in a telephone interview. "I didn't even know they made those things back then."
The Magna Doodle was found in a chest of toys that also included a Magnetic Wonder Whiskers toy that may have belonged to Michelangelo, and an unidentified drawing toy that involved using a solid plastic pencil to draw on a sheet of static cling film that was erased when you peeled the sheet away from the backing, Thompson said.
The museum, part of the Washington-based Smithsonian Institution, purchased the Magna Doodle within a group of five magnetic art toys in 1842, for $1. The purchase was ridiculed by some at the time, but honored as it fulfilled the wishes of then-Director Hyram McWinter, who often said "If it's artsy, I want it." By often we mean like every five minutes, it drove people crazy.
Museum scholars guessed the work might have been done by a 16th century magnetic artist Benny del Bacon, who often fobbed off his doodles on the art community of that day as "pre-surrealist deconstructionalism." Somehow it got into the wrong box and was almost sold at a museum garage sale, only to be saved by a demanding child who lived in the Cooper-Hewitt at the time.
"It's the old cliche: Renaissance master doodles a masterpiece on a child's magnetic toy, museum buys it on accident and almost sells it for nothing before snotty little Austrian kid steals it off the nickel table and hides it in his toy chest for 100 years," Thompson said.
It was first identified as a Michelangelo in April by Sir Clifford Buford, director of the National Galleries of Scotland or something, during an unauthorized surprise inspection of the Cooper-Hewitt. Buford, an Italian Renaissance scholar and air hockey freak, was rummaging around the coatroom of the design museum looking for a nice umbrella when he came across a toy chest simply labeled "Piss Off." One particular toy inside the chest caught his eye. 'My Crap, this is a Michelangelo!"' he exclaimed, not anticipating being quoted later.
While the experts agree on the artist, there is no agreement on how the doodle fits into the larger body of Michelangelo's work.
The Manimal's genitalia is only inferred, but the doodle clearly shows where they should go, said Sarah Lawrence, the museum's expert on the Italian Renaissance magnet-based arts. However, a cat doodled in the background features an alarmingly oversized penis, raising questions about Michelangelo's state of mind at the time of the doodling.
"You recognize a Michelangelo as you recognize a friend," Buford said by courier fox from Florence. "If you're familiar with a friend, and you're walking down the street, you wave to them. They may wave back, or they may duck into a shop to avoid being seen with you on the street. I rather think Michelangelo's doodle waved back. Either that, or these things here are ass cheeks; probably this Gwyneth person's. Though I'd always heard he was gay."
The Magna Doodle will go on display at the Cooper-Hewitt museum in about a year, next to a wild scratch-paper doodle Picasso did while on the phone with his mother, Thompson said. the commune news drew a great picture of a horse once, and the commune news doesn't care what anyone else thought about it. Ivana Folger-Balzac is apparently impervious to bullets, knives, and any insult known to man.
| Bush Wishes Everyone Liked Tool As Much As He DoesPresident's favorite band not enjoyed by friends like he enjoys them July 22, 2002 |
Washington, DC Ansel Evans George Bush, rockin' leader of the free world resident Bush stated Sunday that he wished everyone was into Tool as much as he is. Though he did not name names, the president implied everyone surrounding him, from his wife Laura Bush to Secretary of State Colin Powell, did not enjoy the hard rock band on the same level he does.
"I mean, they 'like' Tool and all," stated the president, "but it's just not the same. They like Tool like they won't turn them off if they're on the radio or something. I like Tool like I want to put in the CD and jam, you know, to sing along to all the songs, even the ones most people don't know. I know all their albums and who played on each song by heart. Nobody I know likes Tool like that, nobody."
Attorney General John Ashcroft confirmed the president's feelings.
"To...
resident Bush stated Sunday that he wished everyone was into Tool as much as he is. Though he did not name names, the president implied everyone surrounding him, from his wife Laura Bush to Secretary of State Colin Powell, did not enjoy the hard rock band on the same level he does.
"I mean, they 'like' Tool and all," stated the president, "but it's just not the same. They like Tool like they won't turn them off if they're on the radio or something. I like Tool like I want to put in the CD and jam, you know, to sing along to all the songs, even the ones most people don't know. I know all their albums and who played on each song by heart. Nobody I know likes Tool like that, nobody."
Attorney General John Ashcroft confirmed the president's feelings.
"Tool's not bad, I'm not saying that. It's just… I don't know, I'm not into it at all, really. Not too hard for me or nothing, I don't think, I just prefer other kinds of stuff. If I want to listen to something heavy I usually go for Rammstein or stuff like that. Most of the time I just listen to Creed. I like Creed and nobody around here does. You don't see me flipping out and whining about it."
The president, a reported Tool fan since his days as Governor of Texas when the band released Aenima, has tried since then to get everybody into Tool, from South African president Nelson Mandella to his daughters.
"Bar's into that really gay new country and Jenna just likes Jimmy Buffett. I swear, I don't know whose kids they are, but they didn't get that from me," said the president.
Unable to share his love for the band with surrounding friends, family members, and staff, the president has turned to Tool message boards and chat rooms, where his login name is usually Prisonsex2000.
"This guy the other day wouldn't shut up about 'Sober,' like it's their best song ever and, man, it was just so clear this guy was a newbie. Me and the other fans at toolbox.com were just all straight-faced, like, 'Yeah, man, that's sure 'nuff it!' I mean, don't get me wrong, 'Sober' kicks ass, no one will say it doesn't, but no one who's a Tool fan needs to be told that, right?"
Tool has been instrumental in Bush's life since he discovered them as Governor of Texas. He even credits his decision to run for president because of his love for hard rock music, stating to several press groups in 1992 that America could do better than a Fleetwood Mac fan as president. the commune news needs 30 cc's of demoral, stat, nurse! Lil Duncan makes an impressive turkey drawing with just a few crayons and an outline of her own hand.
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July 22, 2002 The Truth Behind John Walker Lindhthe commune's Red Bagel sums up the trial of a traitor Does everyone recall when John Walker was busted by our elite killing force of C.I.A. operatives over in Afghanistan? Sure they do. And then, all of a sudden, after announcing to us all that John Walker, an American, had been arrested among the Al Qaeda forces, they come out and start calling him John Walker Lindh? Hold on to your asses, folks, 'cause medicine man Red Bagel is about to seriously blow your mind.
How convenient that a plea bargain prevented Lindh's case from reaching his testimonial. Some might say it was the work of defense and prosecutors to put this nightmare of the American judicial system behind us, so Lindh could get on to facing his punishment and the American people could feel some sense of justice. I say malarkey! Ma-lar-key! Nobody wanted Lindh to tes...
º Last Column: We're Through the Looking Glass, People º more columns
Does everyone recall when John Walker was busted by our elite killing force of C.I.A. operatives over in Afghanistan? Sure they do. And then, all of a sudden, after announcing to us all that John Walker, an American, had been arrested among the Al Qaeda forces, they come out and start calling him John Walker Lindh? Hold on to your asses, folks, 'cause medicine man Red Bagel is about to seriously blow your mind.
How convenient that a plea bargain prevented Lindh's case from reaching his testimonial. Some might say it was the work of defense and prosecutors to put this nightmare of the American judicial system behind us, so Lindh could get on to facing his punishment and the American people could feel some sense of justice. I say malarkey! Ma-lar-key! Nobody wanted Lindh to testify—not his attorney, not the Justice Department, not Lindh himself.
The truth is that John Walker and John Walker Lindh are two separate people. Whoa, eh? Blew your mind out your ass, didn't I? Red Bagel promises, Red Bagel delivers.
If Lindh had testified, he would have doubtlessly revealed his horrid true story. Even if he had attempted to keep it a secret, those of us who know the real John Walker, or the most basic of human behaviors, would have suspected something was amiss. Because John Walker was sent to Afghanistan to infiltrate the Al Qaeda terrorist organization after the bombing of the U.S. Naval ship. That's right, Walker was no traitor, but the noblest of subversive, patriotic spies.
It was only once over there that Walker discovered how closed Al Qaeda was to outsiders. It was this close-knit secrecy that impeded Walker's infiltration attempts, and kept him from finding out about the Sept. 11 attacks until it was too late. Only shortly after, the Al Qaeda realized how valuable a symbol Walker could prove—an American traitor joining their cause. So they put Walker through the loyalty ritual.
Not all Al Qaeda members go through the loyalty ritual. Only outsiders that Osama bin Laden does not personally know or people he thinks would be funny to humiliate. Walker, and other possible recruits, were forced to eat alien larvae that had been found among cowpies in Saudi Arabia. The origin of these alien larvae were unknown, and picked by bin Laden only because of their strange purplish color. Those who wish to prove their loyalty eat the disgusting larvae and therefore show their dedication, which beats their previous test of eating dynamite and running into a wall, which really limited their new recruits.
Unfortunately, this larvae ingested by Walker and others contained sentient alien life that slowly began to reproduce his shape from the inside. In fact, by the time of the Al Qaeda Oz-like prison riot in which he was apprehended, John Walker as we knew him was no more. He had been disintegrated inside out, replaced with a hybrid alien-human being calling itself John Walker Lindh (after the alien larvae's own name in its own tongue). By the time our government realized their recovered spy was not the same person, they had to treat him like a traitor and silence him with this mock trial, but keep him from testifying to the American people as to his true nature.
For those who might doubt the legitimacy of this story, admittedly pieced together through my own ten minutes of research on the Internet, I pose this question to you: What other reasons would an American have to side with another country against his own, the noblest and most Christian-like in the world? º Last Column: We're Through the Looking Glass, Peopleº more columns |
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Quote of the Day“Be always on the phone, so that when the devil calls, he will get your voicemail.”
-St. JerryFortune 500 CookieJust because you don't like the message, don't waste your time killing the messenger. John of Lancaster already took care of that for you 500 years ago. New scientific breakthroughs now make it possible to wash your hair while it's still attached to your head: no more tedious cutting and re-attaching with naval knots. Try to remember: Chex are for breakfast, checks are for paying bills. You will mix those up again this week. This week's lucky dogs: Lassie's offspring still living off residuals, all Irish breeds, and the two-legged one-balled variety.
Try again later.Least Popular April Fools' Pranks1. | Entire world repopulated with talking dogs while you slept | 2. | Autistic cousin did your taxes for you, but it turns out he's a music savant | 3. | You're CNN's Kidnapper of the Week! | 4. | Woke up covered in 200 glued-on toupees | 5. | Anal rape | |
| Afghan President Steps in for Vice-PresidentBY roland mcshyster 7/22/2002 Hey Hey Hey Hey, Kansas City!
Wait, come back! That was a joke. I know it's you, America. Roland McS here with the word on the street, or at least the street right in front of the movie theater. Most of the time that's not a real street, at least they don't give it a name, it's just considered part of the parking lot or whatever. It'd be more fun if it had a real street name, but then you could probably get a traffic ticket for driving up onto the sidewalk when you're in a hurry or popping a wheelie to impress the girls waiting out front for their dad to buy them tickets. So, when it's all been said and done, it's probably for the best that things are the way they are. Speaking of the way things are, Hollywood has come through for us again with another batch of movies to ti...
Hey Hey Hey Hey, Kansas City!
Wait, come back! That was a joke. I know it's you, America. Roland McS here with the word on the street, or at least the street right in front of the movie theater. Most of the time that's not a real street, at least they don't give it a name, it's just considered part of the parking lot or whatever. It'd be more fun if it had a real street name, but then you could probably get a traffic ticket for driving up onto the sidewalk when you're in a hurry or popping a wheelie to impress the girls waiting out front for their dad to buy them tickets. So, when it's all been said and done, it's probably for the best that things are the way they are. Speaking of the way things are, Hollywood has come through for us again with another batch of movies to tickle our fancy or possibly our barf reflex. Let's take a look at the ragtag bunch shuffling into theaters this week, shall we?
In Theaters
Blue Crush
They always told her she'd never grow up to be a successful soda company executive, she always said she'd prove them wrong. They were right, and her "innovative" spin on Orange Crush goes over like a lead balloon filled with New Coke. Back to the bike shop with you, missy. A decent message picture that teaches Generation Ysters the valuable lesson that dreams are for people who never get invited to parties.
The Country Bears
You've all seen this story before, Papa City Bear gets an itch up his ass about bonding with the family's country cousins from Mobile, so he arranges for them to spend a summer in the city. Supposed hilarity ensues when these Merle Haggard-listening hayseeds butt heads with big-city socialites and try to crap in urinals or whatever. Love and understanding ensue, and room is left open for a The City Bears sequel where the situation is reversed and the urban bears learn that a bear really does crap in the woods. Feh. Worst bear movie since Yogi & Boo Boo in Compton.
Eight Legged Freaks
Conventional wisdom suggests that they could have come up with a better title for this En Vogue rocumentary, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt here. I didn't even know these gals were still around, so I'll give them credit for not titling their movie Back in Black or anything tasteless like that. They surely would have caught more flack for that than Burger King did for naming it's new burger The Black Stack. As if that didn't sound nasty enough on it's own. Anyway, this movie's basically one long runway sequence with catfights and some singing. Not too painful.
Halloween: Resuscitation
Apparently there was one blonde EMT bimbo left on the planet who hadn't learned the lesson that if a bunch of teenagers just spent two hours hacking up a dude with an axe, driving stakes through his heart and trying to blow his shit up with a flamethrower, you might want to ask some questions before you start in with the CPR. Alas, Mike Myers and the rest of the world have that broke-knecked floozy to blame for this dry and chewy sequel that's about as much fun as being dragged through an entire hospital by your catheter. Also, look for that gag to pop up in the next sequel. You heard it here first.
Signs
Don't get me wrong or make me out to be some kind of hater, you know I'm all about that badass chick from the Johnny Cougar video, Me'Shyamalan NidgeOcello directing her own movies. And I thought The Sixth Seal was as cool as a penguin's furless sack, but if I have to hear that godawful Tesla song one more time, I swear I'm going to cave in some poor sucker's brain pan. I'm just saying, that's all.
That's all for now, America the Beautiful! Especially the half of America that doesn't pee standing up. That's the beautiful half I think they're talking about when they say that. We'll be back in two weeks with another fix of the good stuff. The good stuff being the Entertainment Police, in case you were wondering. And the "we" being you, America, and me, Roland. Just in case you were starting to worry that I was referring to myself in the plural. That's only funny when crazy people do it.
Until then! |