A bad day to be a purple blob

This thing ...

... is not one of this nation's 150 favorite pieces of architecture, according to an American Institute of Architects/Harris Interactive survey, summarized in today's Wall Street Journal.

As the accompanying story points out, Las Vegas' The Bellagio Hotel and Casino did make the list (No. 22).

Also missing from the list:

As well as this:


... which also is home to the world's largest working carousel, adorned by many naked women:

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UPDATE:

Blair Kamin, The Chicago Tribune's Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic, reacts.

Will this $458 casserole dish buy me a job?

Gawker has acquired and posted a fine missive that Laurel Touby, headmaster of media-education/gossip portal thing MediaBistro, sent to 200 unsuccessful applicants for her open Laurel Touby's Assistant! position.

Here it is.

And here's Laurel:

If you're basing your presumptions on this photo alone, you're probably correct.

Meanwhile, one Gawker commenter posted the 1999 wedding registry for Ms. Touby and husband Jonathan Fine. It included:

• A $303 casserole dish
• A $458 casserole dish
• A $117 chili mill
• A $55 champagne whisk

Whoa -- considering those are pre-9/11-world prices, I guess that journalism degree could pay off, after all.

And sorry, prospective giftgivers of the late-but-advantageous variety; all of the above gift requests were filled, except for the whisk.