A love letter to a motorway (sorry, turnpike) in the New York Times (gift link) feels as if it was written specifically for me.
On the New Jersey Turnpike
Older posts
#not modernist still a delight
Potato facts, Bradford, 2025
“In the interest of good health, digest a few important facts about the potato” — Informational poster for the Potato Marketing Board, likely dating back to the 80’s or 90’s, displayed in a closed cafe in the Kirkdale Shopping Centre, Bradford, 2025.
Moody Rochdale Canal, Manchester, 2025
Not modernist, but I have a sweet spot for canals.
Stockport Exchange Station Car Park, 2024
Not modernist, but I like how this one turned out.
Panning across a parkade, Toronto, 1996
David Cronenberg filmed this shot specifically for me.
Modernist album art, 2025
I don’t like the music of Antony Szmierek enough to own his albums in duplicate, but how could I refuse with gorgeous album art like that? This one’s going right in my Forton Services shrine. Nosy greyhound notwithstanding.
On Nokia’s Weird Y2K Designs
Late 90’s/early 00’s technology, design, and marketing were all so weird in a very specific way. It’s a shame we lost that. 404 Media details the release of the Nokia Design Archive. I enjoy this one particularly:
Is everything OK at home, Nokia?
On chasing villains
If your film doesn’t have a scene where the protagonists are chased by the villains across a brightly lit bridge set against an otherwise dark background, Scooby-Doo style, what are you even doing?
Sign at Manchester Oxford Road station, 2024
This sign at Manchester Oxford Road is a high-vis and screwdriver jobbie for sure.
Fencing on Dallas Road, Lancaster, 2024
This was a high risk mission because a few weeks ago I fell on my arse on this slippery tree-lined road with such a thud a couple a street away turned back to check on me, but the barbed fencing on the right made me stop urgently and take a picture.