Enjoy this vintage (1961) documentary about the Mermaids of Weeki Wachee, a tourist attraction in Florida that has existed from 1947 to present times. The underwater show features a hot spring full of performers in mermaid costumes, where viewers watch through a glass wall.
The mermaids breathe "from a hose supplying oxygen from an air compressor, rather than from a tank strapped onto the back. In the shows, the mermaids (and mermen — called princes) discreetly take mouthfuls of air from the slender breathing tubes while they perform. Even with the air tubes, though, it's clear that part of being a mermaid is being able to hold your breath for quite a while." (Weeki Wachee)
My favorite part of the documentary takes place at 6:05, when one of the performers effortlessly drinks from a bottle of soda under the water.
"Star Wars Kid" was a video from 2002, in which Canadian high schooler Ghyslain Raza filmed himself earnestly swinging a golf ball receiver as if it were Darth Maul's lightsaber. It was never meant for public consumption, but after the video got around his school — leading to much mockery and bullying — it became… READ THE REST
A few years ago I saw historical horologist Brittany Nicole Cox at one of her fascinating lectures on automaton and mechanical curiosities here in Seattle where she has her workshop. I'm looking forward to seeing her again—this time in an upcoming live stream from NYC of a new documentary, "Keeper of Time." It looks to… READ THE REST
While we fans wait for the upcoming documentary "Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters," we can enjoy these sketches Mignola made for a cancelled Thor animated series back in the '90s. The docu will feature more on this show as bonus material in the documentary Blue Ray. READ THE REST
Costly repairs vital to your home's function can surprise you, and being unprepared for them can be really difficult to come back from financially. So when 45% of homeowners underestimate the cost of home maintenance, it's worth looking at your own approach to maintenance, monitoring, and preparing to ensure that you're not vulnerable to an… READ THE REST
Take a moment and think about it. As you sit here, scrolling through your phone or working on your laptop, does your neck hurt? Are your shoulders tense? Do you have any general muscle pain? For many people, the answer is a resounding yes. Of course, the problem is that a massage to work out… READ THE REST
Who isn't infatuated with a little bit of nostalgia? Everyone can appreciate something cultural from their childhood, or sometimes even from a time that they didn't live in. And there's certain things that we can see, like this, that transport us to a different time. But there are few things that can teleport us to a… READ THE REST
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