Chicken Little starring Zach Braff as the voice of Chicken Little.
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8/31/2005
8/30/2005
Urban Legends Reference Pages: Food (Luther Burger)
A bacon cheeseburger served on a Krispy Kreme doughnut bun, is a real food named after R&B singer Luther Vandross.
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8/29/2005
For all of you that weren't aware, I'm currently working a full-time job up until the 7th of September for National University. I'm working on-site creating a multimedia presentation for their yearly community banquet/chancellor address. This is simply to prove I'm working, to show that I'm caged, and that I can relate to situations from Office Space and The Office with greater insight due to this cubicle-ness.
Oh, and next Friday... is Hawaiian shirt day... so, you know, if you want to you can go ahead and wear a Hawaiian shirt and jeans.
POSTED AT 11:09 PM Permanent Link |
Sweet, this clip was part of the first Family Guy episode I ever saw. From this exact point on I knew I'd love this show.
POSTED AT 9:22 PM Permanent Link |
8/28/2005
Facelift for a Corrupt Industry
People are paying for songs on the iTunes Music Store because they think it's a good way to support musicians. But iTunes misses a huge opportunity. Instead of creating a system that gets virtually all of fans' money directly to artists-- finally possible with the internet-- iTunes takes a big step backwards. Apple calls iTunes "revolutionary" but record companies are using the service to force the same exploitive and unfair business model onto a new medium.
POSTED AT 11:28 PM Permanent Link |
The first week of classes are over. With the added pressure of the full-time job I'm working in La Jolla for National University (supposed to finish Sept 7th, although I doubt we'll be done by then considering we just received the needed information for the presentation last week), and the banquet for Floresta, and the re-creation of a website for Gray Suit Marketing, along with setting up other meetings and finding time to spend with friends... we can just say the last couple weeks have been really full. I've spent a lot of time in creating the projects, curriculum, syllabus, management system, assignments, etc. for the class, and that normally gets done in the evenings between all the other work.
I did have the opportunity to go to see Mike on Thursday night, just 24 hours before he passed away. While Tiana, Stef, Kelly and I were there with Laura, Ryan, Liz, Charlene, Big Mike, and Mike's brother Buck, we were able to speak with him off and on, and try to be a presence with him in a time of true suffering and brokeness. Mike's body had quickly deteriorated from the cancer that spread from his lungs throughout his body, which happened in just a short few days time. When I said bye to Mike I think he did recognize me and went from being startled to very calm and relaxed, and although we're not sure of his level of consciousness that night, I'm sure he knows he was very loved and appreciated every time we saw him. Mike's service is at 6pm in OB on Wednesday evening. Anyone that knew Mike and wishes to join us can either e-mail me or any of the pastors or members of the congregation of Mid-City Church of the Nazarene.
Today after church a group of us went to a park for a going away party (again!) for Kelly Tirrill. She will be leaving for Kenya on Wednesday and plans to be there for the next few months in research. Kelly has been to several countries in Africa, including Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda and has told me she very much feels like a torn citizen between Africa and the USA (I guess that's why they say we're resident aliens... ehh? ya?...). So much of her friends and family are here, but her friends and mission in Africa is such a large part of her life and heart as well. Kelly's really one of the most sincere, kind hearted, and loving people I've met - she'll be missed for sure. Again!
I did have the opportunity to go to see Mike on Thursday night, just 24 hours before he passed away. While Tiana, Stef, Kelly and I were there with Laura, Ryan, Liz, Charlene, Big Mike, and Mike's brother Buck, we were able to speak with him off and on, and try to be a presence with him in a time of true suffering and brokeness. Mike's body had quickly deteriorated from the cancer that spread from his lungs throughout his body, which happened in just a short few days time. When I said bye to Mike I think he did recognize me and went from being startled to very calm and relaxed, and although we're not sure of his level of consciousness that night, I'm sure he knows he was very loved and appreciated every time we saw him. Mike's service is at 6pm in OB on Wednesday evening. Anyone that knew Mike and wishes to join us can either e-mail me or any of the pastors or members of the congregation of Mid-City Church of the Nazarene.
Today after church a group of us went to a park for a going away party (again!) for Kelly Tirrill. She will be leaving for Kenya on Wednesday and plans to be there for the next few months in research. Kelly has been to several countries in Africa, including Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda and has told me she very much feels like a torn citizen between Africa and the USA (I guess that's why they say we're resident aliens... ehh? ya?...). So much of her friends and family are here, but her friends and mission in Africa is such a large part of her life and heart as well. Kelly's really one of the most sincere, kind hearted, and loving people I've met - she'll be missed for sure. Again!
POSTED AT 4:57 PM Permanent Link |
8/27/2005
Along with other changes to the site, I've updated the Capture section to link to the different photo sets I have going on over at flickr.
POSTED AT 8:38 PM Permanent Link |
Rest in Peace
Tonight (Friday) around 9:45 pm, Michael Patterson left this life for life eternal. Mike had managed to get up and move around a little in the morning. As the day had worn on, Mike's breathing became more and more labored, though he was able to speak some with those around him through Friday afternoon. By Friday evening, his breathing had grown shallow and he was no longer able to communicate. He died surrounded by Liz, who had done such a wonderful job caring for him, Buddy, his brother, and with a cell phone connection to Sharon, his sister.
Mike taught us much in life as well as in death. As we grieve for our loss, we also rejoice in the hope of the resurrection and the eternal communion of the saints in the age to come. The experiences of these past weeks have given me much to reflect upon.
As some of us gathered to pray around Mike's body and to give his body to God, we shared little stories from Mike's life. We remembered together that all life, every life, is a gift from God, to be cherished and honored, and lived for God's glory. Amidst our grief and tears, there was laughter and thankfulness, marvels on the ways that God had brought Mike into our lives, completely unawares what would lay ahead of us -- for him and us together. We Christians have a word for such experiences that happen through Christ -- we call it "Providence", and the experience of it in our lives, "grace."
- Pastor John Wright
POSTED AT 12:34 PM Permanent Link |
8/26/2005
8/25/2005
Generator
Based on the "Baudot" code. It is a five bit code invented by the Frenchman Emile Baudot in 1870.
Based on the "Baudot" code. It is a five bit code invented by the Frenchman Emile Baudot in 1870.
POSTED AT 1:48 AM Permanent Link |
8/24/2005
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8/22/2005
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I think this is great. Click around to activate different actions, then click the red heart in the top left to move to the next scene.
POSTED AT 10:16 AM Permanent Link |
not your average cloud pictures (able to make Nebraska look amazing)
POSTED AT 10:03 AM Permanent Link |
8/21/2005
I just finished the preparation for the class that starts tomorrow. I'm excited to use Moodle and especially to start the discussion topics I have set up. I think it'll be a very interactive and open class, and should be the right kind of challenge for designers wanting to get started in web design. You know, what it's supposed to be. Here goes nothin'!
POSTED AT 4:58 PM Permanent Link |
The Flying Spaghetti Monster is the deity of a parody religion, known as Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, started on the Internet by Bobby Henderson as a parody of the decision by the Kansas State Board of Education to allow intelligent design to be taught in science classes alongside evolution.
POSTED AT 4:57 PM Permanent Link |
At first I was playing the tamborine in the chapel band during NYC. I kept taking pictures of different things with my camera phone, including a picture of myself playing the tamborine. Then we hopped in our SUVs and started driving on the highway. While driving, we saw (among a lot of other weird things) a circus that was traveling to its next destination to set up. Each tent was driving in a huge ball - like a gerbil ball. The clowns and tumblers and what not were all on little bikes. I got out my camera phone to take a picture and a girl that was about 8 years old and half human/half cat or rabbit or something that was riding on a unicycle came up to my passenger side window and posed for a picture. She smiled, then rode off. On the highway. We arrived at the set of The Village where Anya had set up a Seder dinner for us. So we all sat around and had Seder. Kind of - pretty much we all sat around until someone said "ok, now eat all that you can in the next 30 minutes because after that you can't have food until morning". Then we chowed down on bread and a weird mixture of kidney beans, onions, and other liver-looking ingredients. Someone got in a fight with Anya about how she's been so down recently and she said she should be sad because it's Ash Wednesday anyways AND it's in the month of Argut (ya, i dunno, but apparently it's like a month of lementing). Anya took down a bunch of pots and pans from the walls of the set. Then everyone started running around screaming "hurry! It's Passover!" and hiding in the houses (kind of like when "the things we don't speak of" would come to The Village), but I stayed outside and watched. There was a lot more, and I think there was gangster rap in there somewhere, but you get the idea.
POSTED AT 12:14 PM Permanent Link |
Came up with this one tonight - it worked a couple times:
Heaven must be full, 'cuz it looks like they're kicking out angels.
Heaven must be full, 'cuz it looks like they're kicking out angels.
POSTED AT 2:20 AM Permanent Link |
8/20/2005
So I found this course management system to help me with my class (that begins this upcoming Monday). It's pretty great - ability to add assignments, quizzes, graph student grades, open forums, and all kinds of other helpful services. If you're ever in the need of an open source app for helping manage a class, Moodle is the choice.
POSTED AT 2:17 PM Permanent Link |
8/19/2005
8/18/2005
8/17/2005
8/16/2005
For all of you curious as to why I haven't posted in a few days... I don't care. Just kidding! Ahh! I love you. Come back and sit down here on Uncle David's knee and he'll tell you a story. David is now working a 3 week on-site job at National University in La Jolla. I started yesterday and we really haven't had much to do the last couple days because we're waiting for some information, but basically what I'm doing is creating a multimedia presentation for their annual banquet that the president/chancellor gives an address to their board members and what not. It's an advanced Powerpoint presentation pretty much. Almost identical to what I've been doing for Pfizer over the last few months. This one I do have a bit more creative control, but their style is pretty "bank" style - very clean cut, monotone, big images, etc. - so there isn't a lot I can do with that in the way of experimentation. Still looks really nice though. Anyways, that's what I haven't been posting. I'll try to find some more entertaining blurbs in the next few days, but until then, enjoy this page that I got from Whitney today. That's her bridesmaids dress. Pretty, huh?
POSTED AT 3:26 PM Permanent Link |
8/12/2005
I've placed 90 pictures from my trip on my page over at flickr. These are the pictures (give or take a few) I'm planning on using to create a book. Have a looksie and let me know what you all think. The only editing I've done to any of the pictures is changing them from color to black and white and adjusting brightness and contrast.
Enjoy the slideshow here
(I'm really proud of these pictures)
Enjoy the slideshow here
(I'm really proud of these pictures)
POSTED AT 3:31 PM Permanent Link |
Photography exhibitions are bland, repetitive, and uninspiring.
Art exhibitions that, by chance, feature photography, are stirring, galvanizing, and motivating.
That's what I've decided after seeing this collection.
Art exhibitions that, by chance, feature photography, are stirring, galvanizing, and motivating.
That's what I've decided after seeing this collection.
POSTED AT 1:18 PM Permanent Link |
Got back yesterday around 4:00pm yesterday after a very long flight from Providence, RI to Nashville and then on to San Diego. To recap, on Tuesday morning I slept quite late and then took Danae's car in to New Haven to look around. I found a coffee shop called Koffee Too! and did some work for about an hour and then headed back to the apartment to eat cold pizza and help move around furniture. That afternoon, Layne and I walked around the Yale campus for a couple hours. I checked out the school of art and had a tour of of the graphic design school. We also walked around the exhibition gallery, although it was only a selection of their permanent collection because the rest of the building is in renovation. We checked out the massive general library, religious studies department where Layne will be having classes (along with the Divinity School), and the commons/cafeteria area. We went back and picked up Danae to go thrift store shopping for a while. We found a corner table for their television and I found a suitcase to haul some of the different things I'd purchased on the trip. For dinner we hit our tride-and-true restaurant, Chili's, before heading back. Danae and her mom spent much of the evening deciding where knick-knacks and thingamabobs should go while Layne and I watched 4 episodes of Arrested Development and moved large boxes/furniture when asked. This was definitely a trialing time when deciding how to arrange their massive living room to be both "cute" and "functional". You can deduce which gender representative was pleading for which case.
Wednesday morning I slept in again - had a fairly tough time sleeping the night before. So around noon Layne, Danae and I set out again, this time with the larger car - the Buick, to thrift it up some more. We found all kinds of krazy krap along the way and probably spent 4 hours total at this Goodwill store and that Salvation Army. We went back to the apartment and while Layne took a power nap I drove around New Haven to see the city and take pictures of the grandios colonial houses in the neighborhood. There are definitely some cool areas of New Haven, but compared to Boston and NYC I'd have to say it's not among my favorite cities. When arriving back at the house Layne and I were instantly at work moving a very very large dresser and an even larger chest of drawers into the master bedroom. This took a lot of doing, but no major hang-ups. Post-move we all then hopped in the car and ate at a Thai restaurant near the school of art on Chapel Street. Mmmm, gotta love that Thai iced tea. Danae's mom then went to bed while the young'uns went out to Cafe Bottega for a couple hours. The three of us just sat around and talked and enjoyed the company. Quite a nice way to end the trip.
Yesterday morning I woke up at 7:30am and Layne and I were out the door by 8:00am to drive from New Haven, CT to Providence, RI. We showed up around 9:45am and Layne dropped me off at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD: pronounced riz-dee) Museum of Art so as I could walk around campus and "kick the tires". I walked all over campus, up and down the hills of Providence, and talked to a few of the undergrads about the school. I'd have to say that RISD was more impressive than Yale in terms of their graphic design program, and especially when I was able to talk to one of the MFA students about her focus in interactive narrative through digital media in the Digital Media department. It would be hard to decide between focussing on honing my skills in a technical graphic design school versus working in experimentation in the digital media program. I'll just have to apply to everything and then decide. I'm now considering applying next year and then the following year if nothing catches my eye. It was just great being around the environment that I want to get back to. I was at TF Green Airport, a short 15 minute drive away from RISD, by 11:40am and on the plane half an hour later. A long flight later, I was home. Good to be back, although I've got the pictures to prove I had a fantastic time on my trip to New England.
Sincerely,
David Steele Overholt
Wednesday morning I slept in again - had a fairly tough time sleeping the night before. So around noon Layne, Danae and I set out again, this time with the larger car - the Buick, to thrift it up some more. We found all kinds of krazy krap along the way and probably spent 4 hours total at this Goodwill store and that Salvation Army. We went back to the apartment and while Layne took a power nap I drove around New Haven to see the city and take pictures of the grandios colonial houses in the neighborhood. There are definitely some cool areas of New Haven, but compared to Boston and NYC I'd have to say it's not among my favorite cities. When arriving back at the house Layne and I were instantly at work moving a very very large dresser and an even larger chest of drawers into the master bedroom. This took a lot of doing, but no major hang-ups. Post-move we all then hopped in the car and ate at a Thai restaurant near the school of art on Chapel Street. Mmmm, gotta love that Thai iced tea. Danae's mom then went to bed while the young'uns went out to Cafe Bottega for a couple hours. The three of us just sat around and talked and enjoyed the company. Quite a nice way to end the trip.
Yesterday morning I woke up at 7:30am and Layne and I were out the door by 8:00am to drive from New Haven, CT to Providence, RI. We showed up around 9:45am and Layne dropped me off at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD: pronounced riz-dee) Museum of Art so as I could walk around campus and "kick the tires". I walked all over campus, up and down the hills of Providence, and talked to a few of the undergrads about the school. I'd have to say that RISD was more impressive than Yale in terms of their graphic design program, and especially when I was able to talk to one of the MFA students about her focus in interactive narrative through digital media in the Digital Media department. It would be hard to decide between focussing on honing my skills in a technical graphic design school versus working in experimentation in the digital media program. I'll just have to apply to everything and then decide. I'm now considering applying next year and then the following year if nothing catches my eye. It was just great being around the environment that I want to get back to. I was at TF Green Airport, a short 15 minute drive away from RISD, by 11:40am and on the plane half an hour later. A long flight later, I was home. Good to be back, although I've got the pictures to prove I had a fantastic time on my trip to New England.
Sincerely,
David Steele Overholt
POSTED AT 12:11 PM Permanent Link |
8/09/2005
Yesterday morning I was out of the Econo Lodge at 11am and sat around in the lobby for about 1 1/2 hours until Layne showed up to take us to their new home at Yale. We spent all yesterday afternoon unloading their very large, fully packed Penske truck into their sweet 2 bedroom (and one very large living room) apartment. It's within walking distance of the divinity school in the Whitehall complex. After 4 hours of unloading we took showers and went down to the Little Italy part of New Haven. Eerily, all the restaurants were closed, except for one - Frank Pepe's Pizza - which had a huge line out front. We thought that was a pretty good symbol of recommendation so we asked how long the wait was. We expected to wait about 45 minutes, but from the people in line this was apparently the best pizza.. in the WORLD. We'd be the judge of that. So we stood in line for about 30 minutes and got our two large pizzas. It was definitely amazing pizza. After dinner we got back to the apartment and everyone was so pooped we fell asleep at 9:15pm. While watching Arrested Development on my laptop in bed I heard something hit a car outside. So I looked outside and watched for about 5-10 minutes while 3 teenage boys threw rocks at passing cars. They'd grab rocks, bricks, whatever they could find and just nail the sides and windows of the cars. One guy stopped his car and the kids rushed him and threw rocks at him, too, so he got back in his car and took off. At one point I yelled at them and they all yelled back and came across the street to see who it was so they could torment me - the room where I was was dark so they couldn't tell. Layne didn't want me running out there in case they felt like tormenting them for the remainder of their 7 years at Yale. We called the police and then I went out there to chase them/find out where they went on their bikes. I couldn't find them, but we waited around while the cop asked us for information. Pretty crazy ending to the day. Don't tell Danae's mom though, she's worried enough about them moving in to a new neighborhood.
POSTED AT 11:58 AM Permanent Link |
8/08/2005
I now sit in an Econo Lodge motel room in what I have been told is the ghetto of New Haven, CT. How did I arrive here? I'll tell you. Friday during the day I did some work at the Boston Tea Stop, of course, made myself a sandwich at Jeremy and Dan's apartment, watched some Family Matters on TV, got some more work done, then walked around Harvard Square for a couple hours while waiting for Brett to arrive. Because the traffic was so bad, Brett ended up having to park near his old school, ENC, which is on the very outskirts of Boston in Walleston - a 30 minute subway ride away. While walking around Harvard Square it actually got extremely cloudy and then rained on me for about an hour. I ducked in to a Gap and also an Urban Outfitters for a while and spent my time comparing my threads to the latest trends. After the rain subsided, I took a brief walk around the streets and took some pictures - a number of which in a local cemetery where I found a teenage girl sitting on a tomb holding a teddy bear. She seemed depressed, but not like she was about to do anything to harm herself - so she made for some interesting pictures in the cemetery. Ya, very odd. I met up with Brett when he finally arrived and we went back to the apartment for a couple hours. We met Jeremy's co-worker Darcy that works in the inventory room at Apple as well. Brett and I decided to head to downtown Boston to catch some stores that were still open and grab a bite to eat. We made it to H&M for about 20 minutes but just missed the closing of Filene's Basement. Too bad. We walked around the city a little more and made our way to the South Side Diner. A Bostonian landmark, this 1950's style trailer/diner actually had some good food for 9pm on a Friday night. He said a lot of times the line is out the door after the clubs get out - it being one of the only 24 hour restaurants. After eating, we waited around for a few minutes until meeting up with Brett's friend, Anthony, from ENC. Anthony lives in CT but was in Boston with his friend Greg to ride bikes in the city. (Quick side story - Anthony once was hit by a car while on his bike, was sent to the ER with a concussion, and then sued the driver for 10k and bought a new Jeep Grand Cherokee) Planning to meet with us later, Anthony and Greg sped off. Brett and I walked back to the T station and got back to Harvard Square. Jeremy had gone to Darcy's house, but Dan was home. Unfortunately he was asleep, so Brett and I had no way of getting in to the apartment to get out stuff to leave for Providence. We went back to the Boston Tea Stop for my last Strawberry Snow and then walked around to see the famous library and extravagant landscape that is the ivy leagueness of Harvard University. Brett wanted to get back to Providence that night to sleep in his own bed, so we sat around waiting for either Jeremy to get home, or Dan to answer our calls. While waiting by the Harvard Square station, a man in his mid-50's walks up to us and begins a conversation. This Patriots jersey wearing man is a real estate broker in Newton, MA which is 20 minutes west of Boston. Apparently he comes in to Cambridge/Boston about 2 times a week to meet friends and hang out. Very socially awkward and anxious, the man I dubbed "Random Wally" stuck around as we tried to make conversation for about 15 minutes. Brett asked how he got in to Boston - he drove. "Why, do you guys need a ride somewhere?" Brett's eyes lit up as he said that ya, he did - he needed a ride to Walleston to get his car. By this time it was 11:50pm and the T was closing at 12:30am. Last train at 12:10am. Brett said he would let him know if he needed the ride and Random Wally said he'd be over by the chess players if we needed anything. We got back over to the apartment and got inside. We rushed to get my stuff together so we could get a ride with Random Wally - an adventure was surely to take place. We couldn't find him anywhere and have decided he was a few bricks short of a load and probably got picked up by the police. Dan drove Brett and I to Brett's car out in Nowhere, Boston so we could drive back to Providence and arrive at 3am. I didn't go with Brett. The following morning, Dan and Jeremy were heading to NYC for Saturday and Sunday - long story short, instead of going to Providence, I decided to go to NYC for Dan's 30th birthday party.
Jeremy and Dan's friends Mike, Dave, and Rebecca (Bex) showed up at the apartment around noon to head out. Jeremy made us a delicious turkey sandwich, and we were on our way - an hour later because we couldn't decide if we wanted to eat before or after leaving Boston. We arrived in NYC around 5pm. We stayed in the south of Manhattan by the World Trade Center sight in the Embassy Suites. Nice spot, sweet (suite) room. The nights follies began at 6:30pm when the 5 guys (we dropped Bex off on the East Side where she used to live) went down for free snacks and beverages in the hotel lounge. After an hour of chatting it up there we took off for dinner. We cabbed it to 3rd and B and arrived around 8:10pm for dinner at Max - an Italian food restaurant around in the same building where Dan lived for a while (come to find out it was only a month sublet, but Dave quickly saved Dan's pride by pointing out it was probably one of the 31-day months). We waited around for Dave's friends Robbie and John - to pass the time we purchased and played with bouncy balls on the sidewalk. Didn't cause a crash, but pretty dang close. We got in to the very dimly lit restaurant around 8:45pm. My black spaghetti with shrimp and cajun tomato sauce was great. A couple more friends showed up, Cindy and Betsy (who became my girl friends for the night), and we were off to O'Maley's near Madison Square Park for the birthday festivities around 10:45pm. Of Dan's group of friends there were 6 that had birthdays within a few weeks of each other - coincidentally turning 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 years old. So this was a gathering of old college friends, and friends of friends. The pub was hot and although around 60 people showed up, it was more of a meet-and-greet than a party. By 12:45am, Cindy, Betsy, Mike and I made the unanimous decision to take whomever wanted to follow and make our way to a club on the Upper East Side - No Malice Palace. Normally a fairly subdued club, it was hoppin' last night. After a short wait in line we got in and made a bee-line for the back where we confiscated a few sofas and promptly put our groove on. Dan and Jeremy showed up a few minutes later after saying their good-byes at O'Maley's and we partied hard until 4:00am. We took a little stroll around the corner for some falafel sandwiches and titillating early morning conversation, then took a cab back to the hotel to crash hardcore until 11am this morning.
Dan, Mike, and Dave left NYC around noon, but Jeremy and I decided we weren't yet done with the Big Apple. We gathered our belongings and took off to meet up with Jeremy's friend Rachel. We grabbed some lunch in the middle of the largest street fair I've ever seen, and then had a fantastic time walking around the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) for about 4 hours. After my backpacking trip to Europe I thought I would never be truly stunned by the collection of a single gallery or museum, but the 3,200 pieces at the MoMA in New York were amazing. I couldn't really stop to fully appreciate a single piece. I ended up being so giddy with the art I was surrounded by that I started making art of my own. I now have a collection of pictures that I plan to make in to a book of people in museums. I've had this idea for a while, ever since I visited dozens of collections in Europe two years ago, but the MoMA finalized that this needed to be done. Artistic pictures of people looking at art. I can't wait to finish it. Note - I also need a much better camera and a lot more time. It's a beginning. There was also a special exhibition of Lee Friedlander's photography that solidified my concept. What Friedlander refers to as photography of the social landscape. After the MoMA we grabbed some Chinese food near Times Square where Rachel works and then hopped on the subway to make our way back to the car and leave the city. We ended up leaving around 7:15pm. Planning on going to Providence tonight, I gave Brett a call to which he said "No, go to Boston instead and then take a train to New Haven". I decided this didn't make much sense, so I told Brett I would stay with him tonight and then see RISD tomorrow and go to New Haven on Tuesday morning. This didn't work with his plans either, and I had to leave tomorrow morning for New Haven. I called Danae, and by stroke of luck, her and Layne got in to New Haven tonight instead. I called Stef to find me a place to stay in New Haven, and had Jeremy drop me off downtown. For helping me through a tiresome excursion to New Haven, I treated Jeremy and myself to some cuisine at Spooner's restaurant a few blocks away from the Econo Lodge. Our waitress was extremely delightful, made some pleasant conversation, and then asked what we were doing around New Haven. I said I was staying up at the Econo Lodge and visiting friends. She said "oohhhh... the Econo Lodge huh?..." I asked what was wrong with it and she said she'd be back in a minute. She got back and sat down at the table with us and told us all about the four hotels that surround this area. Apparently the majority of tenants in the hotels here are rather... dicey characters. She said they have a shooting once every couple days around here. The number on the room makes all the difference though - 300 and 400 level rooms are normally fine... I'm staying in room 117. Oops. Apparently the Econo Lodge is the best of the four, but she suggested that I not make any sudden movements. It's actually all quiet on the western front outside, and I've only seen one other occupant at the motel. No problems at all, so it was amusing to hear some stories from the middle-aged waitress that was once the manager of a "No-Tell Motel" in Oceanside, CA. Gotta love making friends with the locals. Tomorrow I'll receive a call from Danae in the morning and we'll head over to Yale. Who knows what we'll end up doing, but I can't wait to see the campus and especially the art department. As unscheduled and random a weekend as it's been, I've loved it and can now say I truly appreciate the city of New York.
Jeremy and Dan's friends Mike, Dave, and Rebecca (Bex) showed up at the apartment around noon to head out. Jeremy made us a delicious turkey sandwich, and we were on our way - an hour later because we couldn't decide if we wanted to eat before or after leaving Boston. We arrived in NYC around 5pm. We stayed in the south of Manhattan by the World Trade Center sight in the Embassy Suites. Nice spot, sweet (suite) room. The nights follies began at 6:30pm when the 5 guys (we dropped Bex off on the East Side where she used to live) went down for free snacks and beverages in the hotel lounge. After an hour of chatting it up there we took off for dinner. We cabbed it to 3rd and B and arrived around 8:10pm for dinner at Max - an Italian food restaurant around in the same building where Dan lived for a while (come to find out it was only a month sublet, but Dave quickly saved Dan's pride by pointing out it was probably one of the 31-day months). We waited around for Dave's friends Robbie and John - to pass the time we purchased and played with bouncy balls on the sidewalk. Didn't cause a crash, but pretty dang close. We got in to the very dimly lit restaurant around 8:45pm. My black spaghetti with shrimp and cajun tomato sauce was great. A couple more friends showed up, Cindy and Betsy (who became my girl friends for the night), and we were off to O'Maley's near Madison Square Park for the birthday festivities around 10:45pm. Of Dan's group of friends there were 6 that had birthdays within a few weeks of each other - coincidentally turning 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 years old. So this was a gathering of old college friends, and friends of friends. The pub was hot and although around 60 people showed up, it was more of a meet-and-greet than a party. By 12:45am, Cindy, Betsy, Mike and I made the unanimous decision to take whomever wanted to follow and make our way to a club on the Upper East Side - No Malice Palace. Normally a fairly subdued club, it was hoppin' last night. After a short wait in line we got in and made a bee-line for the back where we confiscated a few sofas and promptly put our groove on. Dan and Jeremy showed up a few minutes later after saying their good-byes at O'Maley's and we partied hard until 4:00am. We took a little stroll around the corner for some falafel sandwiches and titillating early morning conversation, then took a cab back to the hotel to crash hardcore until 11am this morning.
Dan, Mike, and Dave left NYC around noon, but Jeremy and I decided we weren't yet done with the Big Apple. We gathered our belongings and took off to meet up with Jeremy's friend Rachel. We grabbed some lunch in the middle of the largest street fair I've ever seen, and then had a fantastic time walking around the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) for about 4 hours. After my backpacking trip to Europe I thought I would never be truly stunned by the collection of a single gallery or museum, but the 3,200 pieces at the MoMA in New York were amazing. I couldn't really stop to fully appreciate a single piece. I ended up being so giddy with the art I was surrounded by that I started making art of my own. I now have a collection of pictures that I plan to make in to a book of people in museums. I've had this idea for a while, ever since I visited dozens of collections in Europe two years ago, but the MoMA finalized that this needed to be done. Artistic pictures of people looking at art. I can't wait to finish it. Note - I also need a much better camera and a lot more time. It's a beginning. There was also a special exhibition of Lee Friedlander's photography that solidified my concept. What Friedlander refers to as photography of the social landscape. After the MoMA we grabbed some Chinese food near Times Square where Rachel works and then hopped on the subway to make our way back to the car and leave the city. We ended up leaving around 7:15pm. Planning on going to Providence tonight, I gave Brett a call to which he said "No, go to Boston instead and then take a train to New Haven". I decided this didn't make much sense, so I told Brett I would stay with him tonight and then see RISD tomorrow and go to New Haven on Tuesday morning. This didn't work with his plans either, and I had to leave tomorrow morning for New Haven. I called Danae, and by stroke of luck, her and Layne got in to New Haven tonight instead. I called Stef to find me a place to stay in New Haven, and had Jeremy drop me off downtown. For helping me through a tiresome excursion to New Haven, I treated Jeremy and myself to some cuisine at Spooner's restaurant a few blocks away from the Econo Lodge. Our waitress was extremely delightful, made some pleasant conversation, and then asked what we were doing around New Haven. I said I was staying up at the Econo Lodge and visiting friends. She said "oohhhh... the Econo Lodge huh?..." I asked what was wrong with it and she said she'd be back in a minute. She got back and sat down at the table with us and told us all about the four hotels that surround this area. Apparently the majority of tenants in the hotels here are rather... dicey characters. She said they have a shooting once every couple days around here. The number on the room makes all the difference though - 300 and 400 level rooms are normally fine... I'm staying in room 117. Oops. Apparently the Econo Lodge is the best of the four, but she suggested that I not make any sudden movements. It's actually all quiet on the western front outside, and I've only seen one other occupant at the motel. No problems at all, so it was amusing to hear some stories from the middle-aged waitress that was once the manager of a "No-Tell Motel" in Oceanside, CA. Gotta love making friends with the locals. Tomorrow I'll receive a call from Danae in the morning and we'll head over to Yale. Who knows what we'll end up doing, but I can't wait to see the campus and especially the art department. As unscheduled and random a weekend as it's been, I've loved it and can now say I truly appreciate the city of New York.
POSTED AT 8:40 AM Permanent Link |
8/05/2005
It continues to be humid. It continues to be fairly hot. But this city is great. Yesterday morning... well, yesterday morning I slept, but after that I came back to my old faithful Boston Tea Stop to work for an hour or so, then Jeremy and I set out. We took the T downtown to the Back Bay and walked around Newbury street for a while - looking at all the beautiful people. Little boutiques, cafes, and lots of white linen pants. The buildings around Newbury street are great - all brick, though some different in their own right. I think my favorite part of the area is the contrast between these brick and mortar buildings, and the skyscrapers and contemporary glass/rebar highrises. Makes for some good pictures. Contrast is just a good way to describe Boston in general. Lunch was had in a food court - I had to get the lobster. After lunch it was 4:15pm, so we had 45 minutes more of walking around, going through American Apparel, and picture taking, before going to the contemporary art museum at 5pm (5pm-9pm admission is free on Thursdays). Though small, the museum actually had a fairly good selection. And I can't complain when I get to witness a piece by Bill Viola. Did you know he lives in Long Beach, CA? I may have to visit... More picture taking, more walking, seeing the final remnants of the "Big Dig", and walking around Government Center and Quincy Market near the waterfront came next. Jeremy's new job will be right in the heart of this area. We met up with Dan back at the apartment last night and after 20 minutes of playing "where should we eat?" we decided on the Cambridge Commons Pub - a short 10 minute walk near Harvard. Great food. Jeremy and I then walked to the Star Market, got some groceries, and took the bus back home. Both Dan and Jeremy have work today, so they hit the sack. I took an hour or so and took some night pictures around Harvard Square. Always know that a great way to end the day is listening to Russians in Harvard Square yell back and forth at each other while playing speed chess at 1:30am. Don't worry, I got pictures.
POSTED AT 9:51 AM Permanent Link |
8/03/2005
I arrived in Providence, RI yesterday evening an hour and a half early (giving up my ticket also got me a hefty voucher for a future Southwest Airlines flight) and took a brief car ride up with Brett here to Boston, MA. We walked around Boston Commons, watched a bit of a contemporary rendition of Hamlet for free, ate some Chinese food in China Town, then shot over the bridge to Cambridge and met up with Jeremy in Harvard Square. He and Danny's apartment is smack dab in the middle of Harvard Square; an amazing location. Only a short 2 block walk from Harvard Yard. We sat around and talked for a bit, went to a local joint to grab a drink, then came back to the apartment around midnight.
Today I woke up rather late (noon - but I figure that's only 9am to me) and took out to see this area of Cambridge. I was walking around Radcliffe/Harvard's dorms and academic buildings while talking business on the phone with Anna, when I hung up and realized I was totally lost. Sure, I could have backtracked and found my way back to the apartment, but what fun is that? So I ended up wandering around the ritzy old money Victorian boug section of Cambridge for a good 30 minutes before meandering back to Harvard Square. I then went to the Boston Tea Stop right around the corner and worked for a few hours. After that I walked around a bit more, checked out a couple stores, then sat and people watched in JFK park by the Charles River. Jeremy got back around 5:30pm and we went to Central Cambridge for dinner. We had a great meal at a Middle Eastern restaurant, very bohemian and great artwork (normally I'm not a fan of the local art that shows up on coffee house/locally owned restaurant walls - even when it's my own), and then took the T back to the apartment. We watched City of the Lost Children, which is a French trip and a half - imagine The Cell meets Amelie and Sphere, before I walked around a bit more in Harvard Square and got something else to eat. I stopped by to watch some locals playing chess near the T stop and the Au Bu Pain across from Harvard. It's difficult enough just watching and trying to follow the game play - much less decipher their moves and consider playing. Very impressive.
Tomorrow Jeremy has the day off of work (for Apple - his last day is next Friday though, as he is beginning work for a non-profit on the 22nd) so I'll spend the morning working on my class at the Boston Tea Stop again (mmmm... Strawberry Snow drinks are amazing) and then we'll probably head downtown in the afternoon to find a contemporary art museum. Good times are being had - although these times are hot and extremely humid.
Today I woke up rather late (noon - but I figure that's only 9am to me) and took out to see this area of Cambridge. I was walking around Radcliffe/Harvard's dorms and academic buildings while talking business on the phone with Anna, when I hung up and realized I was totally lost. Sure, I could have backtracked and found my way back to the apartment, but what fun is that? So I ended up wandering around the ritzy old money Victorian boug section of Cambridge for a good 30 minutes before meandering back to Harvard Square. I then went to the Boston Tea Stop right around the corner and worked for a few hours. After that I walked around a bit more, checked out a couple stores, then sat and people watched in JFK park by the Charles River. Jeremy got back around 5:30pm and we went to Central Cambridge for dinner. We had a great meal at a Middle Eastern restaurant, very bohemian and great artwork (normally I'm not a fan of the local art that shows up on coffee house/locally owned restaurant walls - even when it's my own), and then took the T back to the apartment. We watched City of the Lost Children, which is a French trip and a half - imagine The Cell meets Amelie and Sphere, before I walked around a bit more in Harvard Square and got something else to eat. I stopped by to watch some locals playing chess near the T stop and the Au Bu Pain across from Harvard. It's difficult enough just watching and trying to follow the game play - much less decipher their moves and consider playing. Very impressive.
Tomorrow Jeremy has the day off of work (for Apple - his last day is next Friday though, as he is beginning work for a non-profit on the 22nd) so I'll spend the morning working on my class at the Boston Tea Stop again (mmmm... Strawberry Snow drinks are amazing) and then we'll probably head downtown in the afternoon to find a contemporary art museum. Good times are being had - although these times are hot and extremely humid.
POSTED AT 11:01 PM Permanent Link |
8/01/2005
Sorry guys, but you haven't solved the problem yet.
Drew:
Drew:
for the record I didn't substitute i in for the square root of negative one in case people didn't know what an imaginary number is. Either way i^2 is -1. It is a much harder mistake to find than that.
POSTED AT 11:31 AM Permanent Link |