posted in another thread but it inspired me to post it here:

http://30.media.tumblr.com/HesEVMWRf...tkoMo1_500.jpg
Alicante, Spain.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/rom3sLO6a...1PG3o1_400.jpg
(word to the wise - don't click the image unless you are prepared to see a bit of nudity)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/9/133...140b0f24c6.jpg
San Sebastian, Spain 1999 by Yoke Mc

I know a canopy isn't really an umbrella, but it is a cover...no rules. :)

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kt...pjzjo1_500.jpg

http://24.media.tumblr.com/8Mygfcsve...PIA2o1_500.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2rz6lug.jpg
Audrey Hepburn

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l1...fu4to1_500.jpg
by BANKSY

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kx...8ifto1_400.jpg
Tourists take a picture of snow falling in front of Rome’s ancient
Colosseum, on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. A rare snow is coating Rome,
dusting church domes but making slick cobblestones treacherous.
Rome was last dusted with snow in 2005. The last significant
accumulation came in February 1986, when some 20 centimeters
(8 inches) piled up, paralyzing the city. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

http://i43.tinypic.com/2emcup5.jpg
Photography by Marietta Losada

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l1...4akgo1_400.jpg

Translated:
Passing through the manipulation of light and color paper, peer into the design of bamboo and even bone structure, proud to show off the graphics in a circular format. Hat (no pattern of everyday tool) I dare to be enough "umbrella" as the townspeople of Edo culture to luxury, umbrella design blossomed. Edo, Kyoto, Osaka, and spread to regions in Gifu, umbrellas to protect the tradition of Kanazawa, which houses the only umbrella shop Matsuda.

Umbrellas were once produced in the separation process consisting of about 20 species. But as the spread of umbrellas, and artisans out of business after another. Mr. Hiroshi Matsuda craftsman, divide the thin bamboo, only processing cut the bone to be necessary tool only, but relying Honeya Gifu, after the assembled structure stretched and cut paper, oil Spread to finish, the whole process to acquire the technology, we are making.

"I had left to sell stock to the umbrella" of handmade Japanese paper, the unsold stock from how war.
Texture can also color, the new umbrella will give the case can not match."

World's most beautiful umbrella. : Hall 日乗 Shinonome


[gtokio.]

Cute:

http://squeegiesounds.com/files/2009..._umbrella_.jpg

Pretty:

http://mybrellie.files.wordpress.com...brella-450.jpg

Violent or just scary?:

http://marcustroy.com/wp-content/upl...brella_msp.jpg

According to the design page, this brass knuckle umbrella or “Umbuster” was categorised as a class 5 weapon by the Victorian Police—the primary law enforcement agency in Victoria, Australia. That would make it illegal to own there without a licence. I don’t know about all of that considering that it appears to be a concept, but I do know you could do some serious damage with it. Then again, if you got in a scuffle in the rain, the drag from the open umbrella may render your punch harmless—resulting in a swift and brutal arse kicking.


[gizmodo.au]

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http://27.media.tumblr.com/ulD4H8vXS...obG1o1_500.jpg
by Pasha Hoober

So then it's better as a concept than as practical for self-defense, if, it's raining.

Not necessarily. Unless you are utilizing its main purpose as an 'umbrella' at the time, and it is already open, and you are somehow caught in an ambush by some ne'er-do-wells, than it may not serve as good of a purpose as a brutalizing blunt object.

But, if you are the type of person that can close an umbrella in less than 2 seconds' time, I'd say this umbrella could find a good buying market in certain niche areas (but not in Australia, are you kidding? they're all convicts! and this item is not to be sold to such lunkheads. /end of perpetuating stereotype)

- - - - -


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3445/...5b9f497682.jpg
The Misarranged Mary Poppins by NikiLynn


[yay!everyday.]

http://img.ffffound.com/static-data/...a1fdf693_m.jpg
Vienna Court Opera, 1902, by burton Holmes.

"Burton Holmes invented the travel film lecture. For sixty years he was America's most famous travel showman.

His name is on a star on Hollywood Boulevard.

Who knows anything about Burton Holmes today?

This is our tribute to Burton Holmes."

-- Burton Holmes, Extraordinary Traveler

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/rede...x379-89071.jpg

http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2009/07...sR_450x364.jpg

http://www.bridalpartytees.com/blog/...05/parasol.jpg

The theme song from 'The Avengers' plays in my head.

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h.../avengers1.jpg

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l1...hl9eo1_500.jpg
Photography by Ken Russell


[marieaunet.]

http://30.media.tumblr.com/kSw6v5Uor...dHnRUh_500.jpg
by yein~

the above image creation is actually the album cover from the second studio album by Lydia, entitled 'Illuminate'.

Additionally, the artwork for the album was designed by and drawn by artist Becky Filip.

White reveals that she designed it and asked her friend Becky Filip to draw it for her. When asked what inspired the artwork, White said, "It's very Arthur Rackham & Tim Burton inspired," calling out the respective illustrator and director, "which fits the music perfectly I feel ... with that whole creepy-storybook-mysterious vibe."

[buzznet.]