#989 – Bust
Posted on March 26, 2010 at 12:00 am by Chris
Chapter: Comics
I’m always fascinated by the slow erosion of large monumental structures or objects that humans touch. Paths worn into centuries old stone floors. The small section of a wooden handrail that is thinner where everyone grabs it at the first step. The giant bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln that has turned a dark brownish-green with age, except for his bright shiny golden nose.
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My aunt used to travel with old clothing & underwear and when she needed room in her suitcase for souvenirs she just threw out her clothes. She never had dirty laundry when she got home! Don’t touch the stones at the Parthenon or you’ll get deported…
I remember there’s some war memorial where there’s a trail worn into the stone floor from soldiers ceremonially walking in exact step across it.
Also, is anyone else seeing the ads for Muscle March? I could say very many things about it that wouldn’t be allowed in a PG rated comic.
Theres this one hike in Vancouver (you should knw where that is by now) that anyone who hikes has to do, the grouse mountain grind, and all the handrails and narrow-ish trees are smooth and shiny in one spot where people grab them.
http://www.offbeatearth.com/leaving-your-mark/
We’re going to need a bigger bag.
My computer desk has a worn out area in exactly the shape of my wrist, just below where my mouse is…
Also, Muscle March is more fun than it has any right to be… Even if the third race is impossible to beat.
At some of the Buddhist temples in Japan there are bronze statues of macaques (Snow Monkeys) that have had the top of the head worn off because it’s considered good luck to rub them there.
Ah, if you are fascinated with deterioration of buildings, I would recommend “Life After People” if you have not heard of it already. History channel basically.
WOOOAH. There is an Easter Island head on my desktop. Then I opened this comic and THERE IT WAS AGAIN. It is clearly a sign. Of…something involving giant stone heads. Yes. It is a cool picture, though, check it out. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/12/15/top-ten-astronomy-pictures-of-2009/9/
I would like to see an alternate version of this comic where the statue has Biff-brows.
Ha, I’ve just realised the theme for this week was travelling. Kinda funny, I’m off on a holiday myself to Ireland today. Kudos Book of Biff for always giving relevant life advice. 8D
This is one of those times the shrink ray comes in handy. Unfortunately you can’t get it through airport security…
Just to give everyone interested a direct comparison with real-life proportions of the moai depicted in today’s comic:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doc-click/2203772307/in/set-72157603733592061/
and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doc-click/2199389174/in/set-72157603733592061/
cheers!
My favorite part of visiting Union Station in Chicago, is just that, looking at the places where steps and other things are worn down because so many people have been there before. (of course, I have to make up stories about who they were and why they were there)
And yes, I meant to say with my previous post that Chris not only got the size of the moai correct, he even faithfully rendered the background landscape with the two slopes meeting behind the statue just like it looks like from that location and perspective on Easter Island!
Congratulations!
That’s not going to fit in the overhead bin. Good thing Biff had to buy three seats… He can sit next to it. 😛
4-11-10
That’s when Biff comin number 1000 comes out!!!
@Vannah – Close, Monday the 12th!
The Millibook of Biff. Oooooohhhhhh…
He could always just fold it up really small and put it in his pocket.
As a child, I went once to a hospital to visit a relative who had had an accident. I remember this quite well because of the marble stairs. It was an old building and they were pretty worn out. I was impressed.
Biff needs a very big baggage allowance!
Yea! Finally an Easter Island comic that doesn’t make the common mistake of having the statues face the ocean. They all face inland.