Signs I Like

And we all go "Voorrang"!

Space invaders are always welcome.

Best pub name ever?

I not only saw this in Belgium, but then I saw it again a few weeks later on the Amazing Race.  Tin Tin is just that awesome!

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How You Know You're In An Authentic European City

Tonight while walking the streets in search of a quick meal, a horse drawn carriage hopped the curb and almost took me out.  I was going to yell at the guy but my German in this area of conversation is weak, and I was also kind of freaked out at how cool the entire situation was.

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Signs I Like

My craving for a random octopi is now filled.

I always "need food".

Here's a list of banned carry on items when you fly.  Why in the world would someone have to carry on a hacksaw.  I think this item should be banned not because it's dangerous, but because I don't want people sawing wood in the seat next to me.

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Have a Great Christmas

I'm not sure who reads this blog, but I sure hope you have a nice Christmas.

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The Smells Of Athens

Travel writers often describe Athens as a city of "contradiction" and say that "it plays with your senses".  When you read things like that in travel books you figure it's covering up for something really bad or that the travel writer just wanted to sound like a novelist.  The thing is Athens is a place of great contradiction and I have the perfect example.  As I walked out of my apartment last night into what I can only describe as insane and dangerous traffic, I smelled the best bakery smell that I've ever smelled before.  The strange thing is, there is no bakery for more than a block from my front door, only traffic.  This leads me to believe that the people of Athens might be developing the first and only cookie powered car.

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Sex and Christmas

I never really associate sex and Christmas together.  It appears that the manufacturers of these Christmas ornaments have a very different opinion on the subject.

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A Crazy Man Yelled At Me Today

I was walking down an Athens Street when a crazy man walked by me and yelled at me.  I can only assume he was crazy because he yelled at me in English.  It was oddly comforting to have a crazy man yell at you in your native tongue when you live in a place where many don't speak your language.  I wonder if he knew what he was saying, and I wonder if he knew how much he made my day.

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Simple Beautiful.

TimeScapes 4K from Tom Lowe on Vimeo.

I'm not sure if this movie will be particularly interesting plot wise, but I'm pretty sure it'll look great.

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Signs I Like

True.

This is either a great name for a play, or the worst name ever for a jewelry store.

I think it would be most appropriate if this sign for the dog play area in the park was more realistic.  I think a dog taking a dump and somebody slipping in it would work.

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Chris' Etiquette Tip

When it comes to eating at other people's house, unless you have something good to say, it's better to say nothing at all.  People work hard picking out the food they give you, and those that do badly probably over think the whole situation and get themselves into trouble.  On a similar note, if you happen to be throwing a party, and you ask your guests what they thought of your food, they will lie if they have to.  It's not bad to lie to a host about their food, it's expected.  Knowing this is frustrating for a host, but it's the truth.  If you happen to invite me to your house for a dinner party, and you want the truth about your food, I will also lie.

These tips are fairly prolific, aren't they?

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Traffic Bad Where You Live?

This morning when you went to work did you pay attention?  Did you complain that the traffic where you live is the worst in the whole world?  Take a look at this movie and tell me it was worse than this.

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Bridge Overkill

This bridge may not seem like much, but in my mind it holds a worlds record.

It's not the tallest, or longest bridge I've ever seen.

As a bridge it pretty much just serves its purpose of getting people across 6 lanes of busy traffic.

Where this bridge is more than any other bridge is in the options you have to make your way to the top.  First of all there are two elevators... at each end.  So that's a total of 4 elevators.

It also has an escalator at both ends, just in case.

Finally it has stairs, which would probably be enough, but I'm sure they wanted to give people as many options as possible.  Missing as an option are a rope ladder, firemen's pole, and twisty slide.

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Cool Bathroom Sign

I should first of all mention that the logo for the restaurant where this sign is located is a flame. See, they made the sign guys beard out of the flame logo... clever.

Click here to check out where this place is on the Bathrooms I've Been To map.

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Wednesday's Art Show

 I just thought I'd share a few photos from my art show last Wednesday at the Canadian Institute in Greece. Here's me with Ambassador (of the Embassy of Canada in Greece) and Mrs. Peck talking a bit about my stuff.

 It was a seriously packed house that night.  So packed that I'm hoping that some of the people come back (as it's showing till next week) because they really couldn't see all the art.  Well over a hundred people showed up and it was a grand success.  Best of all many friends came by, and I also made many new friends.

 Jonathan, the assistant director of the Canadian Institute, was nice enough to take lots of pictures, including these of the set up.

I'm very thankful to all involved and really happy that everybody seemed to have a really good time.

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Signs I Like

Nothings can cause more accidents on a highway than this sign.

I love demented french fry signs.

What does Freddy Kruger have on tap for us today dear?

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Chris's Etiquette Tips

How can I put this lightly... When visiting others, particularly in a formal setting, make sure that you only use the water closet facilities to the lightest degree possible.  In not so formal terms, unless it's absolutely necessary don't drop a deuce when at a social event.  Sure there are times when lightning strikes and there's nothing you can do, but if possible prepare yourself.  If you have other alternatives take them.  You never know what the plumbing, ventilation, and soundproofing is going to be and that can always lead to polite embarrassment.  We've all seen it happen, even though most of us say nothing.

Hey that was a great tip, wasn't it?  More to come later.

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History Lesson in a Few Minutes

I believe this is accurate and complete.

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Tomorrow Is My Show

Now if you tell me that you couldn't make it to the premier of my latest art show "Senses" at the Canadian Institute in Greece tomorrow (December 7th) because you didn't know about it, I'm going to call shenanigans on you.  I've been posting regularly all month about this show.  Now don't get all sad about being too far away, or having other plans, that's just too bad for you.  The only thing you can do is ask your local gallery owner if they could possibly put on this show when and where it's convenient to you.

Hey guys, if you can't make it to the show, you can check out our live feed from the show on December 7th at 7:30 Athens time.

Click here for more information about the show.

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This Just In...

This weeks Athens News did a whole piece about me.  I'm super happy with it, and totally shocked about how much coverage I got.

I got a brief mention in the index.

I got a short listing on the cover of the city guide.

And a half page article.  I'm flattered and I hope my show can hold up to all this great press.

If you want to read the article, click here.

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Signs I Like

I'm not sure if this was graffiti or a sign for some kind of art exhibit.  Either way it was fantastic.

Best use of an "o" in a porn shop sign.

Why do they have seats for people in wheelchairs?

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Cute Little Monster Movie

End of a Scarer from Chris O'Hara on Vimeo.

This movie is not only funny but a great look at how the Hollywood movie industry is failing us.

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Chris's Etiquette Tips

If you're at a party and you think that either a nose hair, or booger, is sticking out of your nose, do not investigate with your finger.  This may not be easy to do, but you must fight the urge.  Sometimes these boogers/nose hairs feel like their protruding, but in fact they may not be visible.  However the finger you use to investigate the problem will most certainly be visible.  The best coarse of action to to find a mirror or reflective surface to investigate the dangling problem.

Another tip, another coming later.

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Senses Will Be Showing In Athens On December 7th!

Well next week is my big art show.  I'm very excited about it going up and I sure hope you (and all of the friends you've told) can make it.  Don't worry about buying anything, I understand times are tough.  However if you do buy something, I plan on donating a portion to the Canadian Institute in Greece's library.  It allows students to study in a great environment with great material.  So come on out, say hello, and maybe touch some art work, I know you want to.

Click here for more information about the show.

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Bathroom Decorations

I love a good restaurant bathroom that looks exactly like every other restaurant bathroom except for one small detail.  Sometimes it's a light fixture, sometimes it's a small pot of plants, and sometimes it's a piece of art, but I always apparetiate the effort.

Click here to check out the latest Bathroom I've Been Too.

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Mike Tyson Wrote The Lyrics... Sort Of

This'll be stuck in my head for a few days.

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Signs I Like

 Batman live in Bruges... Culture has no limits.

 I love this mural.

I'm not sure what this says, but I assume it's worth more than "spit".

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Chris's Etiquette Tips

Don't say "That's F---ed up!" when referring to the way someone does business, talks, walks, dances, eats, combs his/her hair, dresses, listens, sleeps, or describes his childhood memories.  In fact there are rarely any occasion where such a reaction is acceptable.  If you do find yourself about to say such a thing just remember, you're just as f---ed up as they are only in a different way.

This is just another of my many etiquette tips.

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Senses Will Be Showing In Athens On December 7th!

Some people have sent me e-mail telling me that I shouldn't post my art online.  They tell me "no one will come to the show if they can see it online".  Is this true, are you collecting my art on your computer so you don't have to come out to a fun night of art and nice people?  That's a little crazy if you ask me.  I think it would be good for you to come out to the Canadian Institute in Greece on December 7th and meet some nice people and see art that isn't on a computer monitor.

Click here for more details about the show.

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Crazy Art I Saw In Belgium - Part 7

I'm no art expert at all.  Sure I make art all the time, but frankly I have no idea what's good art and what's bad art. I just make things that I like and hope others feel the same way.  On my recent trip to Belgium I came across a lot of art, and much of this art was a little strange to me.  I'm not saying it was bad, I'm just saying that I don't understand the narrative that the artist was trying to get across.

Sure half a horse is a strange idea for a piece of art, but not that strange.  Why not make his saddle look like two planks of wood making for a very uncomfortable place to sit?  That's strange, wouldn't you say?  The thing is this piece of art goes from kind of strange, to very strange, to not strange at all, then back to strange again.  After dealing with the shock of being puzzled by this piece I decided to read the plaque next to it.  Apparently back in the old days a common torture was to make men sit on two planks of wood, similar to the ones on this horse.  They would have to sit on the planks and would sometimes have weights on their ankles, not fun.  So this piece of art is supposed to represent that torture.  See, it was kind of strange (a half a horse), then really strange (the wooden saddle), then not strange at all (a little piece of history), finally strange again (why would you want a piece of art representing that kind of torture?).

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Crazy Art I Saw In Belgium - Part 6

I'm no art expert at all.  Sure I make art all the time, but frankly I have no idea what's good art and what's bad art. I just make things that I like and hope others feel the same way.  On my recent trip to Belgium I came across a lot of art, and much of this art was a little strange to me.  I'm not saying it was bad, I'm just saying that I don't understand the narrative that the artist was trying to get across.

When I first approached this statue I thought the guy was holding a large severed hand.  Then I got a little closer and I doubted that anybody would create such a strange statue in a large public square.  Then I got even closer and realized that, yes in fact, someone had decided to depict a man throwing another mans severed hand.

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Crazy Art I Saw In Belgium - Part 5

I'm no art expert at all.  Sure I make art all the time, but frankly I have no idea what's good art and what's bad art. I just make things that I like and hope others feel the same way.  On my recent trip to Belgium I came across a lot of art, and much of this art was a little strange to me.  I'm not saying it was bad, I'm just saying that I don't understand the narrative that the artist was trying to get across.

How come no one finds naked babies offensive if their situated in a fountain?  How come no one cares about the abuse of sea turtle either?  If I recreated this statue in photographic form, even using photoshop as to not hurt any children or turtles, I would have the authorities at my door in a matter of minutes.  However if I sculpt this, put it outside for the public to see, next to a fake pond, it's art.

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Crazy Art I Saw In Belgium - Part 4

I'm no art expert at all.  Sure I make art all the time, but frankly I have no idea what's good art and what's bad art. I just make things that I like and hope others feel the same way.  On my recent trip to Belgium I came across a lot of art, and much of this art was a little strange to me.  I'm not saying it was bad, I'm just saying that I don't understand the narrative that the artist was trying to get across.

Many cities all over the world have a piece of art that they are well known for.  Paris has the Mona Lisa, Rome has the Trevi Fountain and Brussels has Manneken Pis.  You would hope that the name was an unfortunate choice for a beautiful piece of art, but not so.  This statue of a little boy peeing is the symbol of not just the city of Brussels, but this entire country.

People crowd around this statue and line the streets wanting to glimpse an artistic rendition of a little boy taking a wiz.

 Even large corporations use it to advertise.  This coke machine has to be one of the worst ideas I've ever seen.  I'm not sure if a little boy peeing into a coke bottle is really the image you want to promote.

 Local restaurants use it as well.  I wonder what a french fry extrudes, mashed potatoes, mayonnaise, if he's unhealthy maybe ketchup?

You pretty much can't turn a corner without seeing a rendition of a little boy peeing.  It makes me feel uncomfortable as a grown man, and makes me feel like I have to pee pretty much constantly.

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