"Why can't all these people stop looking at cabins? What is the allure? Put simply, Cabin Porn is visual stimulation of the urge for a simpler life in beautiful surroundings."
―The Atlantic
"If you're going to visit Cabin Porn, you'd better have a lot of leisure time handy."
―Apartment Therapy
"A lust-worthy compendium."
―Dwell
Over the past six years, the authors have collected photos and stories of more than 12,000 cabins handmade by people using whatever they could find near places that mean something special to them. This book contains more than 200 cabins handpicked from those archives for inspiration, as well as ten special stories and photo collections.
It takes two hands to hold this hefty piece of processed wood pulp (Zach Klein/Cabin Porn).
Ads that are porn to sell clothes to tear off.
“The greatest collection of cabin inspiration ever assembled.”
— Outside Magazine
“An enchanting rabbit hole of tiny handmade houses...”
—The New York Times
“What’s surprised me about this book is how moving it is. It’s sweet to look at beautiful photos of woodsy cabins; it’s calming and the pictures are lovely. But the stories about the work behind the cabins―that’s the magic.”
—Powell's
No time to order, read, or enjoy? Here's the whole book in 15 seconds.
About the Authors Zach Kleinis an entrepreneur who co-founded and designed Vimeo ― one of the most popular websites in the world. He is the CEO of DIY, a service to help kids learn any skill. He lives in San Francisco, and he regularly travels to Beaver Brook, where Cabin Porn began.
Steven Leckartis a correspondent at Wired Magazine and a National Magazine Award finalist.
Noah Kalinais a photographer living in New York. More
"Happy Festivus" is the traditional greeting of Festivus, a holiday featured in "The Strike" episode of Seinfeld.
People have been inspired by this zany, offbeat Seinfeld holiday ever since and now celebrate Festivus like any other holiday. According to the Seinfeld model, Festivus is celebrated each year on December 23rd, but many celebrate it other times in December and throughout the year.
The Festivus slogan is "A Festivus for the rest of us!" The usual holiday tradition of a tree is manifested in an unadorned aluminum pole, which is in direct contrast to normal holiday materialism. Those attending Festivus may also participate in the "Airing of Grievances," which is an opportunity to tell others how they have disappointed you in the past year.
This is followed by a Festivus dinner and is completed by the "Feats of Strength," where the head of the household must be pinned down. All of these traditions are based upon the events in the Seinfeld episode.
Strangely enough, our Festivus traditions also have roots that pre-date Seinfeld, as it began in the household of Dan O'Keefe, a television writer who is credited for writing the episode. More
Kwanzaa
(Incredible Black, Part 1 of 2)Here's how to celebrate the new universal holiday Kwanzaa.
Looking for a new holiday tradition? The Seven Days of Kwanzaa run from Dec. 26th to Jan. 1st. It's open to all. How can we celebrate it? Let's do something that connects us
back to Mother Africa and seven core cultural principles that were once
commonly honored.
Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world in African communities.
Kwanzaa brings a cultural message that speaks to the best of what it means to be human and African in the fullest sense. Given the profound significance Kwanzaa has for African-Americans and, indeed, African communities throughout the world, we need a reliable source of information on it.
This site is available to give an accurate and expansive account of Kwanzaa's origins, concepts, values, symbols, and practices. Moreover, given the continued rapid growth of Kwanzaa and the parallel expanded discussion of it and related issues... More
Is everyone just copying Europe? Lana (Radio 3 Fourteen, Red Ice Radio) WARNING: In her enthusiasm to celebrate European culture and Yule, Lana says some very offensive things that could make one wonder about her motives, implicit bias, white privilege. Yule
"Stop stealing from my people" - Barbie
In the multicultural West we are told to say "Happy Kwanzaa," "Happy
Hanukkah," ["Happy Festivus"], and "Merry Christmas" or these days just "Happy Holidays" so as to not
offend others.
Lana talks about the true origins of newcomer holidays
such as Afrocentric Kwanzaa and Jewish Hanukkah. Where did these holidays originate? Are
they original or copycats? Why are they also in December, like Christmas?
Let's learn about the true origins of Christmas, which is entirely
borrowed from Yule, the pre-Christian [pagan] European celebration of the Winter
Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
We stole soul, jazz...but you stole Kwanzaa.
Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa [and Festivus]
are all impostors, culturally appropriating from the ancient European
Winter Solstice celebration.
[But, Lana, was "Yule" a rip off of ancient Roman Saturnalia, which took most of what it celebrated from ancient Greece, which stole most of what made it famous from ancient India, which borrowed most of what made it great from the Indus Valley Civilization... No, probably not. It's easy to be Eurocentric. But the world is much bigger and much older than Europe. People all over the planet celebrate in winter, which is when we most need to cheer up, get along with one another, and survive the cold. So, please, Ixnay on the racismay, Eva].
Let's learn about the myth, symbolism, and
tradition of Yule.
Few Americans have any idea how far ahead the United States has advanced when it comes to reverse-engineering technology and black-budget projects. How much more evidence do we need when only a full public admission will do? Incredible objects are filmed in the skies over earth and in outer space, but the reality is yet to become evident to all. This presentation begins slowly, but skip forward. Our life here involves much more than we realize about the real secret space program.
Snow-capped peaks over the City of Los Angeles, our own
Himalayan range: the foothills of Angeles National Forest (buzzfeed.com). See Option 4 for "a walk on the wild side" (WQ),
("American Dad"/FOX) The Best of evil Grinch "Roger the Alien" (WARNING: Vulgar! Rated PG!)
What else is there to do besides Xmas?
Budai (Hotei) Bodhisattva is fat, jolly
Eating Chinese food on Xmas Day is a longstanding tradition for those who skip the overly commercialized holiday, an orgy of capitalism and Christian hypocrisy.
Fine Garden, Veggie Paradise, and MANY MORE are among a few great spots to dine all over the U.S. on Dec. 25. Many Angelenos celebrate the yuletide season by attending a midnight mass or carrying out last-minute gift wrapping sessions. But for those who avoid the nonsense and family fights, or those who are looking for something else to do this year, there are good alternatives and festivities. From Jewish comedy in Hollywood to some of the best Chinese food in the country, here are some other options.
Elon Gold and other Jewish comics will take the mic at the Laugh Factory on Thursday evening for its Merry Erev Christmas event. The next day, the venue will host its annual free Christmas comedy feast for people in need and others looking for something fun to do. Comics and celebrities will dish out the food (first-come, first-serve, so come an hour early) followed by a comedy show. To receive four free tickets to a show, contribute to the Laugh Factory's holiday toy drive with a toy valued at $20 or more.
When: 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm, Dec. 24; 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm, and 7:00 pm on Dec. 25
For many people, eating delicious Chinese food on Xmas (Chinese "Sing-dan-jeet") is a sacred tradition. See HappyCow.com, which lists the best restaurants all over the USA, Chinatown, and beyond. You don’t have to make reservations, but expect a line. For other dining options on Christmas Eve, think. There's plenty of ethnic food.
Get into an empire state of mind on Dec. 25 with a visit to Vincent Laforet's "Air" photography exhibit at the Fahey/Klein Gallery. The exhibit showcases Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Miami, and London, along with other big cities across the globe, through the lens of Laforet. The cityscapes take you into the sky as you look into the bright lights and breathtaking views of some of the world's most renowned cities.
When: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Dec. 18-Jan. 30, open Xmas
Where: Fahey/Klein Gallery, 148 N. La Brea Ave., LA
Price: FREE
Go out into the forest in the snow, or bring the forest indoors and sprinkle it with foam.
4. Take a walk on the wild side!
Kwan Yin of Compassion
Looking to get back to some real roots this holiday season? Try the woods. Mother Nature is calling -- and all of the bhumi-devis (nature spirits). Los Angeles has some of the greatest walking and hiking trails in the entire country. Above Pasadena there is the massive Angeles National Forest. But near Santa Monica Beach there are the lesser traveled Santa Monica Mountains, the largest public lands in the United States, a nature preserve.
L.A. really does have forests and hills (wiki).
It was once Native American territory (of the local Chumash and Tongva tribes) with sweeping vistas of Santa Monica Bay, Catalina Island, and neighboring Ventura County. Bring some good shoes, binoculars, a camera phone, and lots of water. It's all that's needed to get started. Beware of mountain lions, bears, snakes, and sudden cold (pack a jacket). Nature will be wide open while everyone else battles traffic down in the city. Send Wisdom Quarterly pictures and good adventure stories.
Escape the Xmas chaos with a movie -- or two! There are several big releases on Dec. 25, and whether it's boring "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" for the third time, wicked Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Arthouse stuff at Laemmle's, or some J-Law, there's a movie out there. Movies opening Dec. 25th:
"Joy" starring Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Robert De Niro
"Daddy's Home" starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg
Take a day trip out to the beach on Xmas. Point Dume in Malibu is always a great spot to visit if looking to spend a Friday off by the shore. With weather forecasts in the high 50s in Malibu on Dec. 25, the day will be clear for some outdoor fun. Pack a thermos of hot tea and a "California winter" picnic, or when you get hungry, head over to Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine for some pad thai. See the map for directions to Cholada Thai.
7. Meditate at Lu Mountain Temple
See a portion of the world's largest collection of Buddhist relics known as miraculous and magical shariras in Sanskrit. Meditation will be going on 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the chan sesshin. See Wisdom Quarterly or ChanPureland.orgor MahaStupa.org for directions and all of the details. Instructions are available in English, Vietnamese, and Chinese.
Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly; David C. Pack (realtruth.org); The World (PRI)
Documentary: True Meaning of Christmas: What Are We Really Celebrating? Pagan orgies, drunken debauchery, legal murder, witchcraft, animal slaughter...Xmas was illegal in England.
A guy from the North Pole? (PRI) The real "Santa Claus" is from the North Pole, but this was not always the case. The Turkish origins of St. Nick — and how he settled so far north.
"I've got all the 'Christmas' I need in my hand right here, ha ha ha. Party time!"
.
"True" Christians HATE Christmas
Rare full moon for Xmas (healthguru)
The true origin of Christmas, explains David C. Pack over at realtruth.org, is anti-Christian. Where did it originate, the Bible or paganism?
Where do we get Santa Claus, mistletoe, yule logs, Christmas trees, holly wreaths, and the custom of exchanging gifts? Many are concerned about putting the “Christ back into Christmas,” but was he ever there?
Toys and punishments
Here are the stunning answers! Every year after Thanksgiving, most people's thoughts turn to [gift-getting]. It is the time when professing Christians are supposed to focus on Christ.
After all, it is the “Christ-Mass” season! The answers will shock you! Why do people think that "Christmas" is wonderful?
“The earliest reference to Christmas being marked on Dec. 25 comes from the second century after Jesus' birth.
It is considered likely the first Christmas celebrations were in reaction to the Roman Saturnalia, a harvest festival that marked the winter solstice -- the return of the sun -- and honored Saturn, the god of sowing.
Saturnalia was a rowdy time, much opposed by the more austere leaders among the still-minority Christian sect.
Christmas developed, one scholar says, as a means of replacing worship of the sun with worship of the Son. By 529 A.D., after Christianity had become the official state religion of the Roman Empire, Emperor Justinian made Christmas a civic holiday.
"Greetings from Krampus and Saint Nicolas" - real historical postcard (amoeba.com)
Japan loves Xmas business
“The celebration of Christmas reached its peak -- some would say its worst moments -- in the medieval period when it became a time for conspicuous consumption and unequaled revelry.”
Consider these quotes from the Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911 edition, under “Christmas”:
Krampus is bringing switches.
“Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church…the first evidence of the feast is from Egypt.”
Further, “Pagan customs centering around the January calends gravitated to Christmas.” Under “Natal Day,” Origen, an early [church leader], admitted:
“…In the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his birthday. It is only sinners (like Pharaoh and Herod) who make great rejoicings over the day in which they were born into this world” (emphasis added).
Holy Father, what can I do?
The Encyclopedia Americana (1956 edition) adds, “Christmas…was not observed in the first centuries of the Christian church, since the Christian usage in general was to celebrate the death of remarkable persons rather than their birth…a feast was established in memory of this event [Christ's birth] in the fourth century.
“In the 5th century the Western Church ordered the feast to be celebrated forever on the day of the Mithraic rites of the birth of the sun and at the close of the Saturnalia, as no certain knowledge of the day of Christ's birth existed.”
There is no mistaking the origin of the modern Christmas celebration....Most of us never reflect on why we believe what we believe or do what we do.
We live in a world filled with customs, but few of us ever seek to understand the origins of these customs.
We generally accept them without question. Most of us basically do what everyone else does -- because it is easy and seems "natural"! (And this way no one bad-mouths us).
Full moon (earthsky.org)
Let's carefully examine the roots of Christmas. Let's look at why people follow the customs associated with it. Why is it kept on December 25th?
Did the early New Testament Church keep it? This is filled with facts from history: ...Pagan Origins. A court decision affirmed that Christmas has no Christian roots!
Kids pay for the parents.
However, the court's opinion also noted that Bible reading and prayer obviously are associated with Christianity -- a remarkable admission! The court concluded that Christmas-keeping and manger scenes could remain because they are not really part of either Christianity or religion.
(But prayer and Bible reading must remain excluded from schools). Nearly all aspects of Christmas observance have their roots in Roman custom and religion.More
FestivusWeb.com: What began on "Seinfeld" by Mr. Costanza struck a chord with the nation because of the annual "airing of grievances" and a dingy metal pole to replace tree killing.
Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon, Burma - a Buddhist temple complex made of gold (flickr.com)
Tending to golden Mahamuni (Wei on the Way/Wei Deng/flickr.com)
.
Mahamuni, Burma (Sylvain Brajeul/flickr)
The Maha-muni ("Great Sage") Buddha Pagoda is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Burma. For it houses the Mahamuni Buddha, the most highly revered statue in the country.
The pagoda was built in 1785 by King Bodawpaya. Several shops around the temple sell Buddhist offerings for the image such as incense, candles, and flowers. The statue is wearing a crown set with precious stones like diamonds and rubies.
Buddha in space with Sakka and Brahma
The extraterrestrials devas who built Mahamuni: I got there at almost 4:00 am, just in time to see the beginning of a devotional ritual in one of the oldest and most Buddhist countries in the world.. It commences every morning [with] a magnificent Buddha image built by the akasha-deva Sakka, an extraterrestrial ruler. Sakka and Vissakamma built it and gave it to human beings in the area.
Gold, gold, gold (contemporarynomad.com)
The Mahamuni Museum on the temple grounds tells the history of Buddhism.
It displays information about various places in the Buddha's life from his birthplace in Kapilavastu [Afghanistan], to the forest grove in India, where he realized enlightenment (Bodh Gaya), to the sal tree grove near the Nepal border (Kushinagar or Kusinara) where he passed into final nirvana. There are also maps that explain the spread of Buddhism, known as the Dharma, across Asia during the last 26 centuries.
The Great Sage (Ben the Man/flickr com)
The statue is enshrined in a small chamber room topped with a seven-tiered pyatthatBurmese-style roof. The temple or Mahamuni Pagoda is a monastery and major pilgrimage site, located southwest of Mandalay, Burma. It is highly respected in Burma and central to many people's lives, as it is seen as an expression of the Buddha's life.
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