Bali News Flash: Visiting Fashionista Hurls Herself off Four Inch Platform

Tragedy on Hanoman Street

On her first day in Bali, Salomé Bambang enjoyed a delicious lunch of tofu crusted tofu patties (with a side of tofu salad) at Kafe on Jalan Hanoman. Having pulled out her little notebook to compose her "things to do in Bali 2008" list and just written, "take yoga classes", she wandered to the back of the restaurant to pick up a class schedule. In a move that was describe by local witness Wayan Suparman as "kurang indah sedikit" (slightly less than elegant) she flung herself off the step to land at the feet of several startled wait-people.

"This confirms my suspicions," stated concerned husband Paisley Foulard, "...that yoga is a vicious contact sport and should be avoided at all costs". "Salomé should stick to more sedate hobbies, like Nascar racing and Buzkashi."

What's for lunch?

Fresh catch in the Ubud Market, Bali

For centuries Bali's rice fields have provided nourishment in a variety of forms. Children have long caught dragonflies with bamboo poles with sticky tips and roasted them for snacks. Frogs and eels have also provided much needed protein. Paisley can vouch that a sambal made with eels is a very tasty treat indeed. In fact, Paisley believes that a meal in Bali without sambal, is like a meal in Austin without salsa.

Mad for Mod

Mod Green Pod world headquarters, Austin TX

Paisley has a crush on the lovely Ms. Mims. Her upholstery weight 100% certified organic fabrics are printed here in the US, use non-toxic pigments and comply with stringent Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for NO off-gassing into Paisley's pristine home. In keeping with her green philosophy, her wallpapers use water-based inks on cellulose paper.

But most importantly, her Mod Green Pod designs defy the earthy-crunchy, yoga-mat-toting, tofu-munching aesthetic. (not that there's anything wrong with that). Visit the Mod Green Pod online store to see for yourself.

Nasi, Balinese rice

View of a rice field, or Padi, near Ubud, Bali

Rice cultivation can be traced back 2000 years in Bali. It is so important that there are at least five different words for it in the Balinese language and the length of the traditional Balinese rice growing season, 220 days, is also the length of the Balinese year. This traditional rice has been largely replaced by a high yield variety capable of 2 to 3 harvests per (western calendar) year. This "miracle rice" has led to a rice monoculture, making the supply more vulnerable to pests and disease, (therefore more dependent on pesticides).

All the rage

DeltaMart, Ubud, Bali

Paisley is pleased to report this year's fashionable commodes are sporting color. Just don't do as the package suggests, Paisley suspects the color gets to the bowl in a more direct fashion.

Little gifts of no intrinsic value Vol.3

The Countess


The Eavesdropper


Masuko


The Continental

Here are a few images from Paisley's archives. For those fortunate enough to own a Mac or an iphone, you may assign them to friends' entries in your address book or use them as wallpaper. For those using other devices, Paisley has faith you will find some other creative use for them. (Paisley hopes you will contact him with helpful hints so that he may serve you better)

To download the full resolution file, click on the image. When the new window opens, drag the image onto your desktop.

Paisley arrives in Bali

Villa Kupu Kupu, Ubud, Bali

With minimal fanfare, Paisley Foulard arrived in Bali on December 2nd, 2008, despite the seizure of most of Thailand's airports by anti-government demonstrators.

Now safe and sound in his Ubud compound, Paisley is making plans for new adventures. Armed with a battery of new recipes and cooking techniques gleaned from the Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School, Paisley plans to win new friends. (stay tuned for a tasty khanom recipe, Bali style).

Stranded in paradise

Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai Thailand

Because of the Suvarnabhumi airport takeover by anti-government protesters, Paisley has found himself on an extended Thai vacation. While visiting the Wat Rong Khun near Chiang Rai, he spotted this rather exuberant No-Smoking sign. Forget what they taught you in art school; More is More.

Little gifts of no intrinsic value, Vol.2

Delilah

Another goodie from the archives. To download this free iPhone wallpaper, click on the image. When the new window opens, drag the image onto your desktop.

It's Nice to Share

Wat Doi Saket (temple grounds), Chiang Mai, Thailand

If it were not for his excessive international travel and the attendant abundance of "moral signage", Paisley would most certainly would have wandered off the straight and narrow path long ago.

Art in Public Places

4901 Strass Gallery, Austin, Texas, November 14, 2008

A new and controversial urban art installation opened this evening at the 4901 Strass Gallery in Austin, Texas. This is the third in a series of installation/performance pieces by renowned local artist, Cowboy the Roving Rottweiler. In a brief statement to the press, Cowboy suggested that his latest work is a political comment on “the planet’s need for greenness and sustainability balanced with his personal need for leftover BBQ and tastier pizza delivery boxes”. The show was quite the “Buzz” tonight. However, if you didn’t catch it, you’ll have to wait for the next one. Some savvy art collector has already scooped this one up.~Jackie Stence

Little gifts of no intrinsic value, Vol.1

Lady Anne

Queen Aquanette

Little Nip

Frederick

Here are a few images from Paisley's archives. For those fortunate enough to own a Mac or an iphone, you may assign them to friends' entries in your address book or use them as wallpaper. For those using other devices, Paisley has faith you will find some other creative use for them. (Paisley hopes you will contact him with helpful hints so that he may serve you better)

To download the full resolution file, click on the image. When the new window opens, drag the image onto your desktop.