Dick Cheney: The Formative Years?

There have been a few posts lately on Boing Boing about whether certain cartoons may have shaped the world view of our Vice President. Look and decide for yourself.

MCM Municipal Architecture in Fort Worth

I'm borrowing this from a post on my other blog -- The Caravan of Dreams. It's my reaction to the Fort Worth AIA list of their 25 favorite buildings in Fort Worth. There's a few MCM gems on there -- the Amon Carter, Casa Manana, the Kimbell, the Marty Leonard Chapel and the Paul Rudolph-designed Anne Bass Residence. But I wanted to reflect on the merits of one overlooked aspect of Mid-Century Architecture, not just in Fort Worth and Dallas, but everywhere -- Municipal Government MCM. Here's one of my favorites right here in Fort Worth:

Fort Worth Public Health Building, 1800 University Drive, Fort Worth: I know it may not be sexy, but I have a soft spot for Mid-Century Modern municipal architecture, the sort of postwar government modernism that you are familiar with whether you grew up in the US or Europe. I don't know who designed it, and I guess it really doesn't matter. I love the glass, the brick, the angles and -- what is that? -- green marble? I don't know. There just something kind of optimistic about it. And I believe (but I'm not certain) that it has a date with the wrecking ball. (If someone out there knows for sure, please comment.)

However, I couldn't imagine this building holding off demolition for long. As Fred Bernstein wrote in an article for The New York Times in 2004, this style of architecture may be loved by some, but not by most: "In a society otherwise enamored of the styles of the 1960s, the architecture of that decade is rarely loved and frequently reviled. All over the country, '60s buildings are being torn down while much older buildings survive. Functional problems, like leaky roofs and inadequate heating systems, are often to blame."

Yes, it's mostly a matter of dollars and cents, but taste also has something to do with it. Bernstein continues: "But just as often, the buildings are simply disliked by institutions that have enough money to replace them."

This building and others like it may yet have their day, but I'm not expecting them to endure like the Courthouse and Post Office. This style is just not as easy for most people to love. And like many, many examples of Mid-Century Modern Architecture around the Fort Worth and Dallas area, I expect most of them to be gone before most people think preservation is important.

Appliance Porn for Thursday

Looks a little worn and over-priced, but here it is. 1949 Chambers model 90C, bought new and still in use. One owner and used in only 2 locations. Good condition and easily restorable. Color: white. Asking $900.00, OBO. Stove is in Waco, TX. See the DMN for details.

Great MCM Estate Sale in Lancaster

And they have a Frigidaire Flair! Lots of tiki/bamboo style furniture. Looks like a treasure trove of kitsch! 508 S. Dallas Avenue, Lancaster, TX 75146. Runs Thursday through Saturday, 9a-5p. See thee DMN for more details.

Superman Is A Dick

Hey, I don't make this stuff up, I just point you to it. This whole Web site -- www.superdickery.com -- is devoted to examples of Superman being ... well, being a dick.

Now, mind you, I've never thought of Superman is particularly being a dick. And I gotta say, if he wants to use his superpowers to ruin Pat Boone's career -- well, I'm kind of OK with that. He can use his heat vision to melt his white shoes, use his super strength to crush his silly little baby guitar. Go ahead. I'm fine with it. Really.

If that's being a dick, I say fine. Let me be a dick. I'm good with that.

Stop-Motion Green Giant

Those old Jolly Green Giant ads I remember from the 1970s were kind of cool. This one from the 1950s ... it's just kind of scary.

MCM MB in FW

I'm not usually one to go ga-ga for vintage wheels -- that's a level of bread and expertise I do not possess. However, this here 1963 Mercedes-Benz sedan is a something I've never experienced before -- a Mercedes with tailfins. It's available from European Motor Cars on White Settlement Road in Cowtown.