Author Archives: Content Catnip

Every Picture Tells A Story: An Elephant in the Tea Room (1939)

At Robur Tea Room in Sydney in 1939, an elephant made a visit and majestically trumpeted in front of photographer Sam Hood and his friends. Thanks to the State Library of New South Wales. Found here.

Medieval Icelandic Sagas: Tales of Blood Feuds, Dangerous Women and Warriors

In this series of podcasts, Australian writer and broadcaster Richard Fidler and his friend, Icelandic writer Kári Gíslason travel to Iceland to regail us with the stories of the ancient Vikings; tales of blood feuds, dangerous women, fugitives and warrior poets. They also go to the windswept country to discover more about Kari’s own mysterious origins.Continue reading “Medieval Icelandic Sagas: Tales of Blood Feuds, Dangerous Women and Warriors”

Every Picture Tells A Story: Cracking Open a Keg on Cockatoo Island, 1925.

Here’s the auspicious launching of the HMAS Warrego II a Cockatoo Island Dockyard in Sydney Harbour circa 1925. Trainspotters here will remember that I did a post a few years ago about the creepy and now largely abandoned Cockatoo Island and it’s industrial relics. Read it here. Well this photo recalls when Cockatoo Island was inContinue reading “Every Picture Tells A Story: Cracking Open a Keg on Cockatoo Island, 1925.”

The Soul of the World: David Foster Wallace

David Foster Wallace combined his phenomenal intelligence and gift for writing with a high level of self-awareness, and a deep awareness of the brutality and enormity of the world. He had an almost omnipotent ability to understand and communicate about what it means to be human in his iconic books. Like most highly sensitive peopleContinue reading “The Soul of the World: David Foster Wallace”

Every Picture Tells a Story: Sokos Department Store, Helsinki 1947

Downtown department store Sokos in Helsinki, 1947. Located at the junction between Mannerheimintie and Postikatu department store Sokos was still under construction and resembled a behemoth and imposing ship. Courtesy of the Yle Archives – Yle Elävä arkisto on Flickr  

Setting Up House in the Manholes of Milan

Italian Street Artist Biancoshock has lived up to his name by creating a couple of stunning street art installments on the thoroughfairs of Milan in Italy. In a satirical way, this installment shows that when people are forced to seek refuge in foreign countries, with little other than what’s on their backs and when forced to liveContinue reading “Setting Up House in the Manholes of Milan”

Chasing fire and embers across the Californian badlands

Jeff Frost is a self-confessed fire chaser and photographer. Just like in Australia, California is prone to wild fires that rapidly get out of control. They are the natural peril that haunts the dreams of country dwelling people in both regions. Frost’s film is made up of hundreds of thousands of high-res photos compiled in stop motion.Continue reading “Chasing fire and embers across the Californian badlands”

The Last Dogs of Winter: A Beautiful Documentary about the endangered Canadian Eskimo Dogs

Watch the preview here  In 1976, prompted by advice from Bishop Omer Robidoux (1913-1986), Churchill dog handler Brian Ladoon made it his mission to preserve and breed Canadian Eskimo Dogs also known as Inuit Dogs or Qimmiq, the rarest registered breed of dog in the world.  His efforts have inspired both admiration and fierce criticism,Continue reading “The Last Dogs of Winter: A Beautiful Documentary about the endangered Canadian Eskimo Dogs”