Yesterday I went to London's Science Museum.  One of their current exhibitions was called "Plasticity:  100 Years of Making Plastics."  I thought this sounded pretty darn cool.  I tend to dig semi-geeky things.

ANYway...  this photo is of one of the niftiest items in the exhibit:  the Volivik Bic Biro chandelier, made in 2007.  It's exactly what you think it is:  a working chandelier constructed from 347 recycled, black Bic ballpoint pens -- and 347 paper clips.  It was one of 30 made by a Spanish design company (enPieza) as a homage to classic plastic design (the barrels of the Bic pens are made of polystyrene).

I love when people use unexpected, found or recycled materials to make something that's otherwise ordinary.  In fact, I didn't even realize this chandelier was all pens and paperclips until I read the accompanying description.

That's why this is my "Pic Of The Week."

Today I went to see "Bodyworlds" at London's O2 Millenium Dome.  In case you don't know, "Bodyworlds" is a pretty amazing exhibition of actual human bodies that were donated to science and put through the somewhat controversial "plastination" process invented by the [slightly creepy] German Dr. Gunther von Hagens.  In short, plastination uses reactive polymers injected into cells to halt decomposition and allow detailed study and display of the body.

I had hoped to post a photo from the exhibition as my "Pic Of The Week," but alas, we were warned repeatedly that all photography -- and even drawing sketches of any part of the exhibit on paper -- was strictly forbidden.  (I would like to note here that I spotted two people making sketches -- and blocking the view of many people in the process, but I bit my tongue about that.)

In the absence of a photo, here's a link to read about plastination and the type of thing you might see at the exhibition.  "Bodyworlds" tours lots of countries -- and is nowhere near as gruesome as it may sound.  In fact, even the full-grown, plastinated giraffe failed to truly amaze me -- though the size of its anus was remarkable, for some reason.

Definitely check it out if it's in your part of the world...

http://www.bodyworlds.com

p.s.
It is not lost on me that the unusual creator of this whole thing is German -- draw parallels where applicable.

This photo was taken in the city of Bruges, which is in Belgium.  In between eating binges in chocolate shops I shot this pic -- I dig it because if you look in the lower portion of the shot you'll notice a doorway that leads directly into the canal.  I'm guessing there used to be a small platform or dock next to it, but it's more fun to imagine there wasn't.  That's why it's my Pic Of The Week.

This Halloween my husband and I carved a jack-o-lantern together.  This was old stuff for me, but my sweet, British hubbie had NEVER carved a pumpkin for Halloween -- EVER.

What the heck is going on with these British people that a guy can be almost 30 years old and have never carved a Halloween pumpkin?

now THAT'S scary.