February 20, 2005

exurban wasteland

A recent Guardian story provides insight into what our new US exurbs look like to the UK:

"As US towns sprawl into the countryside, creating anonymous zones dominated by soulless malls, one of Britain's leading historians asks if it could happen here..."

Scariest quote:

"After a closely fought referendum, Phoenix, a city of 3.5 million (roughly half the population of London), has only just agreed to a light-rail system."

February 04, 2005

earth berms are easy

As I was fixing my Hobbit breakfast (four waffles, cream cheese, banana, and tea), I thought once again about Bag End. Each time I see the Bag End scenes from "Fellowship of the Rings", I think, "I want to live there." Today, I thought, "Has anyone tried to build a house like that?"

The answer, sayeth Google, is yes. And yes. Oh my, yes. Just thought I'd share.

UPDATE: If your budget is more modest, perhaps a Bag End dollhouse would be more manageable.