New Things That Look Like Old Things

I like new things that look like old things. For example, this lamp was in our room on a recent trip:

The lamp, with its energy-efficient bulb, has been made to look like a candle. Because we always see old things straining to appear new (I'm talking to you, Lance "Freshness" logo), this steampunkian reverse chrono-clash delights me. It brings to mind giant feather quills tipped with ball-point pens, CD players set in old wooden phonograph casings, and iPod jackets designed to resemble brass clockwork devices.

Some people are just never happy in the time they're in, and that makes me happy.