Yet Another Use for Duct Tape

I love duct tape. It's an amazing thing.
Originally designed by the US military to keep ammunition dry this wonder of the 20th Century has more uses than a whole box of hand tools.

I've often said that "if it can be solved with duct tape, zip-ties, bungee cords or a little bit of cash - then it's not a real problem".
I almost always have a small roll in my gondola bag, preferrably black.

Duct tape was first developed during the Second World War, and while it's known by many names throughout the world, it's universally recognized as a handy and effective way to solve almost any problem to one degree or another.
Duct tape's a standard fixture in the NASA toolchest - in fact it is said to have "saved lives" on Apollo 13.
Long distance snowmobile racers tape their faces with it!
There are many automotive applications ranging from bodywork to mechanical.
Duct tape makes a great temporary bandage.

A buddy of mine has a duct tape wallet.
I've seen duct tape belts.
Heck, I recently read about some girl who made an entire prom dress out of the stuff! Must have been heavy.
And just when you think you've seen it all, you discover a new use for duct tape.
Last week I was rowing my gondola through Newport and I spotted this duct tape masterpiece.

Got a VW bug with a fender coming off? Duct tape it!
Got a life-or-death problem with your spacecraft? Duct tape it!
Wanna design your own prom dress? Duct tape it!
And...got a concrete float-dock piling that's coming apart? DUCT TAPE IT!

I thought about ending this post with the classic quote which compares duct tape to "The Force", but then I found this gem. by Dave Barry:

“Magnetism is one of the Six Fundamental Forces of the Universe, with the other five being Gravity, Duct Tape, Whining, Remote Control, and The Force That Pulls Dogs Toward The Groins Of Strangers."

What the HECK Happened Here?!

OK folks, we're gonna have some fun with this one.
Take a look at the photo,
come up with your best, most astute, clever, or funny answer,
And post it in the comments.

In the coming week, after I've received some good comments, I'll post the answer.

But for now, you tell me what the HECK happened here:

I'm Feeling Lucky

While this photo might look like it came from a place like Montana or Texas, it was actually taken at Squero San Trovaso.

Walking around the yard, stepping betwen gondolas and equipment, I spotted this lucky horseshoe tacked to the side of one of the buildings.

We think of horseshoes on walls and above doorways as a typical scene from the American Southwest, but they've been pinning them to walls and doorways in Europe for centuries.

Among the many superstitious beliefs associated with these crescent-shaped pieces of iron, is that "a witch cannot pass under it".

I don't know if it's true, but I didn't see any witches in the squero that day.

I guess I should count myself lucky.

Buon Compleanno Nereo

photo by Dawn ReinardI consider myself very lucky to have a friend like Nereo Zane.

He's more than just a friend, to me he's "family".

Nereo has also provided countless images and information here on the Gondola Blog, while hosting his own as well.

Today is Nereo's birthday, so my friends, join me in wishing him a happy one.

Buon Compleanno Nereo!