Mercury Makes Promises

Fans, you must be faithful indeed to return to my blog after months of my neglect. I will now offer my excuses:

1. Maman et Papa did not buy a new bed for my loft. Thus, I had to wander the house, searching for something that did not exist, taking solace where I could find it.

1a. BTW, I merely borrowed the chair you see in the photo; it belongs to Grandpere (although he rejected it)

2. Maman bought herself a new computer, a MacBook Air. Note I say "herself." She won't let me near it. I've had to sneak into the computer room in her absence and thus gain access to Mac (as she calls him.)

3. As I recall, I had promised to show you some of my iPhotography and the edited images. Again Maman. What's up with her? Perhaps she's gone mad?! Perhaps she's jealous?! Now that I've learned how to use the computer by myself (and while she's not around) I will fulfill my original promise, i.e. to create and maintain a timely and entertaining blog. I will proudly show you some of the fruits of my labor and the progress I've made in graphic/visual arts.

Please check back soon to see if I've lived up to my promises (and to see if I have mastered the MacBook Air.)

Au revoir for now, MM

iPhotography Exhibits

In this photo you see me in my Helper Dog uniform. I help Maman & Papa in many ways: around the house, with the cooking, taking them on walkies, choosing films & TV shows to watch, etc. But I'm not defined by my helper role alone. I have other occupations, ways in which I express the real me.

Now, I'm announcing three sites dedicated to my artist endeavors. Specifically, iPhotography. Both of these pictures have been shot and edited using iPhotography techniques.

iPhotography is a new art, a branch perhaps of 20th century photography, that involves snapping photos using different camera apps available in the iTunes store and then altering them with editing apps.

The camera apps I use are: the iPhone camera, KingCamera,100Cameras, Camera+ and iMaajiCam.

The editing apps: PhotoStudio, PhotoForge2, WordFoto, PhotoShop Express and Photosynth.

Loyal Fans & Friends, Would you like to view my work? If so, visit Doggie Days Diary where you will see many cute pictures of me!

Nature Altered displays a collection of edited pictures of natural landscapes & close-ups.

Word Foto combines images with words to add a dimension to what heretofore was an image-only art form.

I hope you will visit any-- or all --of these three galleries in which I present my creative work. Just click on the links above.

You can record any comments, whether about the techniques or the photo subjects on this blog (below) or on the gallery blogs.

Finally, please visit these galleries from time to time; I promise to add new material on a regular basis. For now, ENJOY! ;-D

As always, yours, Mercury Murphy

Powerful political flashmob in Paris

Soon my Iranian grandmere will be here in Athens. Last year she brought me some gifts including 2 carpets of my very own. I hope she'll bring me some gifts this year too. In the meantime, here is a video that I think you, my friends & fans will enjoy:

This video shows a flash mob in Paris that quietly but powerfully takes a stand against oppression in Iran and read the of it on You tube.

Law & Order

I am a big fan of law and order. Each morning as I peruse the police blotter, I'm struck again by the inane and sometimes vicious and dangerous behavior of human beings.

In this photo you'll note that I'm wearing my Helper Dog uniform. This I wear with great pride since it denotes my status as a responsible dog that fulfills her civic duties to individuals and to society.

But I am also devoted to Law & Order. The original is the best. See reruns on TNT daily. Next Law & Order: Criminal Intent which stars one of my favorite actors, Vincent D'onofrio. Reruns on USA. Law & Order: SVU, third. There's Law & Order: LA which I don't watch because I'm strictly East coast. But a new contender, at least in my viewing world, is Law & Order: UK.

[Break now while I watch same on BBC America.]

I highly recommend watching any of these programs (except LA). You will learn many things about NYC and London, about police procedures and about the justice system. They will augment your scans of the daily police blotter, service on a jury, or voracious consumption of mysteries.

And because all these will occupy so much time, you will keep out of trouble and stay under the radar of Majesty Law [enforcement].

Dark Monday

Dear Friends and Fans,

Can it be that we haven't communicated since the tranquil days of Christmas, with their celebration of peace and presents?

Certainly I have been busily engaged in various artistic pursuits: iphone/tography, photo manipulation, music appreciation and so forth. More about all of those shortly. I've also been exploring the blogosphere and plan to update you on some noteworthy blogs that you may wish to follow as you do mine.

And yet, I am shamed to have neglected you, faithful friends and fans. (at least, I hope you've been faithful)

So why have I titled this entry Dark Monday? You've probably already guessed. It's Doggie Styles day, my monthly visit to what Maman calls the spa. Let's tell it like it is. Doggie Styles is a public bath and also, for the really unlucky ones, shave and a haircut. Adding insult to injury, the bath costs 2 bits---if you reckon in dollars, not cents. Dark Monday refers to bath only visit; deathly Monday, the full treatment.

How did such as nice woman as Kelly surely is enter such a dastardly business?

Some questions in life will never be answered.

Thank You, Darling Santa

Dear, Darling Santa,

I hope you're not too tired to read my letter. Perhaps it's a bit overdue but I figure you might have needed a long nap after your arduous Christmas Eve. I tried so hard to stay awake that night so that I could join you as you drank the milk +brandy concoction and ate the delicious cookies. (Below is a picture to remind you of that night and of the delicious cookies; perhaps you'll want to visit me again soon.)

While I did not receive all the gifts I asked for, I was satisfied with my treat filled personalized pail, my argyle leash, a couple of balls to chase, gourmet treats to eat and a sturdy bone to chew. (Below are pictures)

Papa did not fare so well. He received a book titled A Butler's Guide to Gentlemen's Grooming and another, Porters English Cookery Bible (written by Richard, Earl of Bradford). Maman gave him a stress-relieving Adipose (a wicked alien encountered during the time travels of Dr. Who) which he disliked very much and which Maman immediately took back. Luckily, Papa bought himself an all-cotton scarf and a pair of Gap jeans. And after this blaze of infamy, he was happy to open a bottle of Glenmorangie. Perhaps friend Santa if you visit us (very) soon, he will share with you.

Maman did not receive a shopping spree in the London Burberry store, but she did open a beautifully wrapped package containing a Burberry Brit jacket. And another equally lovely package revealed sweet smelling perfume. The 8-10 carat emerald cut diamond ring set in platinum will have to wait til next year.

I know you see me all the time, when I'm awake and when I'm asleep, so perhaps you saw this: Maman downloaded a pop-up book on her birthday iPad titled The Night Before Christmas. Have you read that? It's all about a guy like you. He looks like you. He gives gifts like you. And, he says, "Ho Ho Ho." Just like you!

So darling Santa, primarily thanks to you I spent a wonderful Christmas. I was happy to learn at Christmas dinner that you visited the highly deserving Pam, Sophie, and Lily too. Next to me, they were probably the best behaved girls in Athens. Plus they set a beautiful holiday table, loaded with festive foods, and welcome me with open loving arms.

I hope you'll call me a few times during the year; we can exchange funny stories and maybe plan to meet somewhere. If that's not possible, I'll (hopefully) see you next Christmas Eve.

Love from the best behaved doggie ever, Mercury

My Christmas Letter 2010

Dear Darling Santa,

I hope this finds you as it leaves me: very well behaved indeed.

Yes, I've been ever so good this year. I don't shiver when I have to go to Doggie Styles. I brush my teeth daily. I never sneak into the bathroom where the toilet paper roll is left unattended (well, hardly ever). I don't beg for food (honesty compels me to add that Papa keeps me well fed, no need to beg). I bark at bad guys & I allow little children to pet me. I haven't pouted or cried. I've been a good helper all year long. For example, I guarded the next door neighbors' house when they were out of town. I taught Mama how to use her new favorite computer gadget, Dropbox. I picked up after myself. I behaved unselfishly -- as proof see the lists below for Maman et Papa; these I made up myself which shows that I take others into consideration & have empathy for their needs and desires.

All that being said, and as you can see from the photo above, I am looking for you every day and hoping that I'll see you soon. I will leave out some milk & cookies, the milk laced with brandy for it is now quite cold in Athens and your open sleigh isn't the best vehicle for winter traveling.

Here is my list:

my own TV set with remote control & wifi connection

new microfiber suede bed for my home (preferably red)

high IQ interactive puzzle doggie toys and

a Dog Dizzy interactive toy

an India rubber ball (also preferably, red)

an argyle sweater (pinks & browns)

a personalized small toy bucket

Papa's list:

a vintage Alpha Romeo (preferably champagne color)

non-stick skillet

2 or 3 good books

Gap jeans

Ray-Ban prescription sun glasses

Maman's list:

a 10-carat diamond ring set in platinum

Chanel perfume (the large size)

Shopping spree at Burberry's in London

jar of caviar (the large size)

Dear, darling Santa. I love you so much. You are my very best friend. Please bring all these items to our house on Christmas Eve!

Lots of love, your good friend Mercury Murphy Roushanzamir

PS: Here is a present for you, Dear Santa. It is an enhanced photo that I created all by myself. If you like, you can take it with you on your flight around the world on Christmas Eve. It'll be good company for you. Love, again Mercury