Over the past few weeks I have really been pondering what the co-op term is supposed to amount to. Are we supposed to mesh ourselves into society, and then rip ourselves away like a stubborn band-aid? Or remain a prolonged tourist, and live life only for "I was here" photos? I admit, I am still not comfortable with the idea of being comfortable here, but I don't want to feel displaced everywhere I lay my head anymore.
With the encouragement of friends, I volunteered at a homeless shelter in the East Village this morning, serving breakfast to over 400 people. i have never shaken so many cold hands in a row. One Chinese woman told me I was beautiful. I teared up a bit, seeing this mass of people flowing in, for the food, but also for the warmth and the chance to break. Everyone was allowed to have as much food as they wanted, but as the breakfast was about to end at 11, they just weren't making anymore food. How do you tell someone no when they ask you for food? And how about when they are 10? Or how do you tell them, I'm sorry, we are closing; you are going to have to go back in the cold? Emotionally wrenching. Met some people from my church through this, though; I am becoming interlaced into my church. It has only taken a cumulative four and a half months.
Went to the Deitsch gallery today to see Stefan Sagmeister's stuff before it was dismantled tonight, and he was there. Can't believe I had the guts to do this, but I asked him how he could consider some of his installation pieces "design" when they were not working towards the goals of the client (recap: this is the Grammy-winning, famed graphic designer whose lecture I attended on tuesday, and I, the lowly midwest graphic design student, am questioning him as a designer). He said, "That is a very good question," and proceeded to explain his reasoning, which I somewhat agreed with. I was just glad he didn't publically denounce me.
Went to the Ingo Maurer gallery, the FIT museum to see the Madame Grés exhibit, the Horst P. Horst photography exhibit at the Forbes gallery, and unsuccessfully tried to win Hairspray and Wicked tickets.
Saw this 10 year old kid staked out behind some steps in Soho, and he was pummeling passerbys with snowballs. When I witnessed his first sneak attack, I laughed out loud so hard, I got a little attention myself, but it was amazing. He was glad I was amused.
Sunday, February 24
Thursday, February 21
quick highlights
Mostly just started this quick post to relay to the world that they are playing the Pee-Wee's Big Adventure song in starbucks right now, where he jumps on the bar in the giant white platform shoes, and the "satan's helpers" decide if he is that cool, they shouldn't kill him.
A group of foreigners broke out in dance today on the train, to.... Cotton Eyed Joe! Only thing cooler would be a group who broke out "Santa Fe" from RENT.
Went to a Jonathan Harris lecture today at the Apple Store. Conclusion: there are designers out in this world, in New York even, that have a drive beyond their own ego. Check out his Bhutan and Whale projects on his website [www.number27.org?]
Found an amazing graffiti wall on the corner of Spring and Elizabeth in Soho. I want my sister to come back so that I can do a senior picture by it. Or Kris' fashion.
Pinkberry. Nuff said.
A group of foreigners broke out in dance today on the train, to.... Cotton Eyed Joe! Only thing cooler would be a group who broke out "Santa Fe" from RENT.
Went to a Jonathan Harris lecture today at the Apple Store. Conclusion: there are designers out in this world, in New York even, that have a drive beyond their own ego. Check out his Bhutan and Whale projects on his website [www.number27.org?]
Found an amazing graffiti wall on the corner of Spring and Elizabeth in Soho. I want my sister to come back so that I can do a senior picture by it. Or Kris' fashion.
Pinkberry. Nuff said.
Wednesday, February 20
Here's to lookin' at you, Kidd.
have had a youthful, i love new york-get-me-the-t-shirt feeling overcome me the last few days. no work on monday meant sleeping in and being woken with sun shining into my window from the courtyard, which i thought was physically impossible (as i was waking, i was thinking about oceans 12, when they elevated the pilots because it WAS physically impossible...proving i can be oceans obsessive even in the a.m.).
i took a stroll through central park, since it was 60 degree weather, with my coat flopped over my shoulder, welcoming the warmth. i couldn't help but smile with bikers racing past and moms chatting with their stroller-bound. went to the museum of the city of new york, which never fails to have a good photography exhibit with a good dosage of ny and theater history. photos by rudy burckhardt were the highlight, especially the walker evans-esque 50s photos taken on the subway, and flatiron shadow shots. there was a "manhattan at noon" photog exhibit that was one artists attempt to utilize their lunch break, taking a shot or two every day as they went out for noon break. he was inspired by frank o'hara, who would walk the streets of ny on his lunch break, stop in the typewriter shops, and "test" the machines, writing a short poem every day (published now as a collection in the book, "Lunch Poems." i of course loved this idea, as you can imagine. i do not seek to be published, but I am inspired and obsessed. i like to eat lunch, so i am doing a short sketch every evening before bed. and now i want a typewriter, an Olivetti if you find one. there is something about that pinging noise, the manual punch of the keys that makes my heart pitter a bit.
then went to the neue gallerie, a german and austrian collection of sabarsky. you could feel your back straighten a bit just walking in the door. there was a great gustav klimt exhibit, complete with a full studio recreation, and his furniture made custom by josef hoffman. i have never been in a more strict museum. they would not let me wear my coat over my arm, or loosely untoggled. i was "spoken to" twice! i wish i would've worn my von trapp skirt, and then i could've been ordered by whistle.
went to astor place to go book browsing, and then to a Chip Kidd reading and book signing. you may recognize him as the author of The Cheese Monkeys, or as a renown book jacket designer. He is an amazing storyteller. I loved it so much that i caved and bought his new book, The Learners. It is a witty novel about a graphic designer who just graduated and is trying to establish himself. Fitting. Met some School of Visual Arts students, which was sweet.
i love john mayer, but starbucks needs to lay off him for awhile. ah!
today was a lovely day, of chinese text, magnificent jewels, and timeline comps. and Stefan Sagmeister, a graphic designer who has some pretty awesome installation art and some smart graphic solutions, too. Went to an AIGA lecture of his at FIT. He was entertaining, and pretty inspiring. He was introduced by Paula Scher, another successful graphic designer, to say the least. at lunch we discussed pets, Swiffers, and laundry. that is what you get working with a bunch of women. but there were periods of intense laughter. that is satisfaction enough.
i took a stroll through central park, since it was 60 degree weather, with my coat flopped over my shoulder, welcoming the warmth. i couldn't help but smile with bikers racing past and moms chatting with their stroller-bound. went to the museum of the city of new york, which never fails to have a good photography exhibit with a good dosage of ny and theater history. photos by rudy burckhardt were the highlight, especially the walker evans-esque 50s photos taken on the subway, and flatiron shadow shots. there was a "manhattan at noon" photog exhibit that was one artists attempt to utilize their lunch break, taking a shot or two every day as they went out for noon break. he was inspired by frank o'hara, who would walk the streets of ny on his lunch break, stop in the typewriter shops, and "test" the machines, writing a short poem every day (published now as a collection in the book, "Lunch Poems." i of course loved this idea, as you can imagine. i do not seek to be published, but I am inspired and obsessed. i like to eat lunch, so i am doing a short sketch every evening before bed. and now i want a typewriter, an Olivetti if you find one. there is something about that pinging noise, the manual punch of the keys that makes my heart pitter a bit.
then went to the neue gallerie, a german and austrian collection of sabarsky. you could feel your back straighten a bit just walking in the door. there was a great gustav klimt exhibit, complete with a full studio recreation, and his furniture made custom by josef hoffman. i have never been in a more strict museum. they would not let me wear my coat over my arm, or loosely untoggled. i was "spoken to" twice! i wish i would've worn my von trapp skirt, and then i could've been ordered by whistle.
went to astor place to go book browsing, and then to a Chip Kidd reading and book signing. you may recognize him as the author of The Cheese Monkeys, or as a renown book jacket designer. He is an amazing storyteller. I loved it so much that i caved and bought his new book, The Learners. It is a witty novel about a graphic designer who just graduated and is trying to establish himself. Fitting. Met some School of Visual Arts students, which was sweet.
i love john mayer, but starbucks needs to lay off him for awhile. ah!
today was a lovely day, of chinese text, magnificent jewels, and timeline comps. and Stefan Sagmeister, a graphic designer who has some pretty awesome installation art and some smart graphic solutions, too. Went to an AIGA lecture of his at FIT. He was entertaining, and pretty inspiring. He was introduced by Paula Scher, another successful graphic designer, to say the least. at lunch we discussed pets, Swiffers, and laundry. that is what you get working with a bunch of women. but there were periods of intense laughter. that is satisfaction enough.
Monday, February 18
"vagabond shoes longing to stray" -frank
first to admit that i am an idiot; mr. hyde is the psychotic one, and dr. jekyll the sane one. don't worry... i am JEKYLL again... and evidently not well-read.
so being mature for my age and being 20.75 years old doesn't count in this city. sinatra fanatics are apparently only allowed to be 21 and up (aka even a classy place like the carnegie club cards at the door). i even ironed my black dress for the occasion (i am usually too lazy to iron). i was really excited to hang out with my co-worker, but hopefully we will get to do dinner sometime soon, somewhere without age discrimination. maybe they would've let me in if i would've proved that Frank liked young people, since he sings, "Young at Heart" and "You Make Me Feel So Young."
i walked upwards of 100 blocks, or FIVE miles yesterday. talking on the phone always passes time and you can walk forever. i walked all the way to the moma from my apartment, and realized that i had paint, a palette, a brush, and no wallet. so i jumped a 1 train back to my apartment, and hoped to make it back to see the fab Calder exhibit before it closes. of course, the train had mechanical difficulties (knock on wood, right?), so i just decided to snub the straphangers and explore my neighborhood instead. I walked through Columbia University campus, and felt like a true scholar amongst people who were probably working on winning the Nobel Prize or something. Went to Grant's Tomb by Riverside Park, and made a true fool of myself. I don't remember the last time I studied the Civil War, probably sophomore year in high school, so I looked like a real idiot asking the tomb guard a bunch of lame questions. He literally asked me, "Didn't you learn any of this in school? Grant ended the Civil War!" But some questions were legit, because mysteriously he is from Ohio, yet buried in New York City, and has his own tomb randomly in Riverside Park. I should have quizzed him on thermography or en and em dashes to make it fair.
best part of the evening was watching the sun set on the Hudson River and New Jersey. I have made several unsuccessful attempts to see the sunrise in Cincinnati; i either drive in the wrong direction, end up in the middle of Kentucky, or fall asleep in waiting. I have moved to sunsets because I can avoid the groggy morning, and i can sort of luck into them.
saw Juno at the big Loews by lincoln center; not as cool as Sinatra, but still loved the movie. i never thought pregnancy could be so humorous. i loved the illustration, and the moldy peaches (the band, not the fruit). sat next to a couple that thought it would be a good idea to go to bed, bath, and beyond before the show. my legs kept getting tangled in their full bed set and container system. and they spilled popcorn on me. at least it wasn't their 1000 oz. blue icee.
i have decided that i like awnings. there was a long period in my life where i found them atrocious. they are growing on me! especially the stubby ones with no purpose. why have i had this revelation? no idea. i mean, why do i like green beans now, or asparagus, both considered "vial weeds" in my childhood? why do i consider one of my favorite colors brown? there are alot of inexplicables of me.
went to moma today. it takes two tries. i saw two little girls, probably 8 or so, sprawled on the floor in front of Edward Ruscha's "OOF" painting, which is pretty much a royal blue canvas with a giant yellow, sans serif "OOF" painted in the center. these girls were drawing with their prismacolors the painting. i found that absolutely amazing. this museum has "starry night," wyeth's "christina's world," warhols "campbells" series... serious paintings of the general knowledge, yet these kids are drawing the OOF. cultured new york parents spawn cultured new york kids. these girls were discussing what the painting meant, if they were choosing the right shade of blue...and EIGHT years old. i was pleasantly aghast.
went to the folk art museum, and tried for some broadway tix, but left emptyhanded. ate brunch in east village, at 7A, and paid ten dollars for some scrambled eggs. i miss the egg lady, the elderly woman down the road from my parents house, where we could get 2 dozen farm fresh eggs for 50 cents. yes, we actually called her "the egg lady."
NO WORK TOMORROW! ciao
so being mature for my age and being 20.75 years old doesn't count in this city. sinatra fanatics are apparently only allowed to be 21 and up (aka even a classy place like the carnegie club cards at the door). i even ironed my black dress for the occasion (i am usually too lazy to iron). i was really excited to hang out with my co-worker, but hopefully we will get to do dinner sometime soon, somewhere without age discrimination. maybe they would've let me in if i would've proved that Frank liked young people, since he sings, "Young at Heart" and "You Make Me Feel So Young."
i walked upwards of 100 blocks, or FIVE miles yesterday. talking on the phone always passes time and you can walk forever. i walked all the way to the moma from my apartment, and realized that i had paint, a palette, a brush, and no wallet. so i jumped a 1 train back to my apartment, and hoped to make it back to see the fab Calder exhibit before it closes. of course, the train had mechanical difficulties (knock on wood, right?), so i just decided to snub the straphangers and explore my neighborhood instead. I walked through Columbia University campus, and felt like a true scholar amongst people who were probably working on winning the Nobel Prize or something. Went to Grant's Tomb by Riverside Park, and made a true fool of myself. I don't remember the last time I studied the Civil War, probably sophomore year in high school, so I looked like a real idiot asking the tomb guard a bunch of lame questions. He literally asked me, "Didn't you learn any of this in school? Grant ended the Civil War!" But some questions were legit, because mysteriously he is from Ohio, yet buried in New York City, and has his own tomb randomly in Riverside Park. I should have quizzed him on thermography or en and em dashes to make it fair.
best part of the evening was watching the sun set on the Hudson River and New Jersey. I have made several unsuccessful attempts to see the sunrise in Cincinnati; i either drive in the wrong direction, end up in the middle of Kentucky, or fall asleep in waiting. I have moved to sunsets because I can avoid the groggy morning, and i can sort of luck into them.
saw Juno at the big Loews by lincoln center; not as cool as Sinatra, but still loved the movie. i never thought pregnancy could be so humorous. i loved the illustration, and the moldy peaches (the band, not the fruit). sat next to a couple that thought it would be a good idea to go to bed, bath, and beyond before the show. my legs kept getting tangled in their full bed set and container system. and they spilled popcorn on me. at least it wasn't their 1000 oz. blue icee.
i have decided that i like awnings. there was a long period in my life where i found them atrocious. they are growing on me! especially the stubby ones with no purpose. why have i had this revelation? no idea. i mean, why do i like green beans now, or asparagus, both considered "vial weeds" in my childhood? why do i consider one of my favorite colors brown? there are alot of inexplicables of me.
went to moma today. it takes two tries. i saw two little girls, probably 8 or so, sprawled on the floor in front of Edward Ruscha's "OOF" painting, which is pretty much a royal blue canvas with a giant yellow, sans serif "OOF" painted in the center. these girls were drawing with their prismacolors the painting. i found that absolutely amazing. this museum has "starry night," wyeth's "christina's world," warhols "campbells" series... serious paintings of the general knowledge, yet these kids are drawing the OOF. cultured new york parents spawn cultured new york kids. these girls were discussing what the painting meant, if they were choosing the right shade of blue...and EIGHT years old. i was pleasantly aghast.
went to the folk art museum, and tried for some broadway tix, but left emptyhanded. ate brunch in east village, at 7A, and paid ten dollars for some scrambled eggs. i miss the egg lady, the elderly woman down the road from my parents house, where we could get 2 dozen farm fresh eggs for 50 cents. yes, we actually called her "the egg lady."
NO WORK TOMORROW! ciao
Saturday, February 16
mr. hyde again
something inexplicable is taking foot in my life. or maybe just reclaiming it. i can feel myself begin to breathe optimism again. i am so grateful.
last sunday i signed up for a life group at my church, and i will be meeting with them on monday nights. i can't wait to build some (overdue) quality friendships outside of work. in the description, the group said that they like to watch movies, play games, and laugh A LOT. at that point, i knew we were destined, even if it means trekking up to the UES.
got my absentee ballot in the mail. it is sitting on my desk, staring at me, waiting for me to decide. with ohio as such a key state, and i know that my vote has some pull to it, i need to do a bit more research. i am only one but still one.
valentine's day meant a lot of food. there was a charity bake sale at work, and everyone and their mom made some cinnamon rolls or brownies, or went to la maisson du chocolat, in attempt drown out valentine's day woes. I wore magenta, a CMYK graphic designer take on the day. It also meant a lot of MAIL, obviously one of the highlights of the week. i got a giant box from my parents' church filled with candy and well-wishes from the congregation. there were construction paper hearts with excited marker doodles, large glued-on puff balls, and large crooked signatures... of the kindergarten variety. you can't hide a smile with those things. i went to a free bookmaking workshop in soho with one of my co-workers, which turned out to be pretty lame, but it was amazing bonding time. ate indian, exchanged life stories, and life dreams to soon become stories. i have purpose.
and last night i went to the cooper-hewitt with another co-worker for an Evening with the Campanas Brothers, industrial designers from Brazil that create funiture with recycled materials. you may recognize their name (or maybe not) from their "favela" chair, comprised of slivers of wood found on the streets of brazil. also on the panel was roberto stern, CEO of H. Stern jewelry, and a woman from Edra, an Italian furniture design and production company. it was amazing how pretentious the crowd was, and how humble the Campanas were, instead of the reverse. their weaving techniques, combining plastics and wicker, or rope and piping, could create something new out of the used.
off to the moma to do a little painting, and to get some shoes for tonight. i am going to the carnegie club to hear "sounds of sinatra" !!! i read about this last summer, and now i am going! stories are sure to follow...
last sunday i signed up for a life group at my church, and i will be meeting with them on monday nights. i can't wait to build some (overdue) quality friendships outside of work. in the description, the group said that they like to watch movies, play games, and laugh A LOT. at that point, i knew we were destined, even if it means trekking up to the UES.
got my absentee ballot in the mail. it is sitting on my desk, staring at me, waiting for me to decide. with ohio as such a key state, and i know that my vote has some pull to it, i need to do a bit more research. i am only one but still one.
valentine's day meant a lot of food. there was a charity bake sale at work, and everyone and their mom made some cinnamon rolls or brownies, or went to la maisson du chocolat, in attempt drown out valentine's day woes. I wore magenta, a CMYK graphic designer take on the day. It also meant a lot of MAIL, obviously one of the highlights of the week. i got a giant box from my parents' church filled with candy and well-wishes from the congregation. there were construction paper hearts with excited marker doodles, large glued-on puff balls, and large crooked signatures... of the kindergarten variety. you can't hide a smile with those things. i went to a free bookmaking workshop in soho with one of my co-workers, which turned out to be pretty lame, but it was amazing bonding time. ate indian, exchanged life stories, and life dreams to soon become stories. i have purpose.
and last night i went to the cooper-hewitt with another co-worker for an Evening with the Campanas Brothers, industrial designers from Brazil that create funiture with recycled materials. you may recognize their name (or maybe not) from their "favela" chair, comprised of slivers of wood found on the streets of brazil. also on the panel was roberto stern, CEO of H. Stern jewelry, and a woman from Edra, an Italian furniture design and production company. it was amazing how pretentious the crowd was, and how humble the Campanas were, instead of the reverse. their weaving techniques, combining plastics and wicker, or rope and piping, could create something new out of the used.
off to the moma to do a little painting, and to get some shoes for tonight. i am going to the carnegie club to hear "sounds of sinatra" !!! i read about this last summer, and now i am going! stories are sure to follow...
Thursday, February 14
black turtleneck gathering
starbucks closes in 23 minutes, but this day was so wonderful, that I would feel guilty not relaying my tales, and I will attempt to speed type, or be short-winded. Oh... 21 minutes left.
had a marketing meeting this morning with the international heads, and all our NY departments...free food, getting to know some important people, both good things that ease the bitterness of having to get up and come in earlier. designed all day... self-fulfilling design approved and appreciated by my superiors makes the whole process more enjoyable. one of my amazing co-workers gave me a hug today; i feel the cold-steel foundations of corporate structure crumble when a little emotion and compassion come into play (sorry for the alliteration; it is almost valentine's day and I am just allowed, ok!)
went to a jim sherraden from Hatch Show Print lecture tonight (look it up!) with my art director. he maintains this amazing printshop in Nashville, and does old-time letterpress posters, both re-strikes from the 1800s and new designs for bands like Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews. Because letterpress is becoming the oddity, the antithesis of the digital world, they are actually getting MORE clients and demand, due to rarity and the "special" factor (i made up that term. not official graphic jargon). i won a rare B.B. King poster, with a lucky post-it under my chair. we talked afterwards, and he was very encouraging and inspirational, and he signed my poster. i appreciated him so much that i want to put him on my celebrity count, but i know no one else has ever heard of this guy.
Funny things about the lecture:
1. a room of graphic designers meant a lot of black turtlenecks and funky eyeglasses.
2. there was a spelling error on the poster advertising the lecture outside the door, and Jim POINTED IT OUT.
3. Jim was asked his favorite typeface (it was "william page," the first typeface of Hatch)
4. a couple of designers behind me were chatting it up about "this amazing design school in cincinnati." Seriously! I wanted to turn around (it was my "in" for future co-ops), but i was stupid. really, there was no excuse.
Hung out with my boss afterwards.
I am happy.
YES! Seven minutes to spare.
had a marketing meeting this morning with the international heads, and all our NY departments...free food, getting to know some important people, both good things that ease the bitterness of having to get up and come in earlier. designed all day... self-fulfilling design approved and appreciated by my superiors makes the whole process more enjoyable. one of my amazing co-workers gave me a hug today; i feel the cold-steel foundations of corporate structure crumble when a little emotion and compassion come into play (sorry for the alliteration; it is almost valentine's day and I am just allowed, ok!)
went to a jim sherraden from Hatch Show Print lecture tonight (look it up!) with my art director. he maintains this amazing printshop in Nashville, and does old-time letterpress posters, both re-strikes from the 1800s and new designs for bands like Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews. Because letterpress is becoming the oddity, the antithesis of the digital world, they are actually getting MORE clients and demand, due to rarity and the "special" factor (i made up that term. not official graphic jargon). i won a rare B.B. King poster, with a lucky post-it under my chair. we talked afterwards, and he was very encouraging and inspirational, and he signed my poster. i appreciated him so much that i want to put him on my celebrity count, but i know no one else has ever heard of this guy.
Funny things about the lecture:
1. a room of graphic designers meant a lot of black turtlenecks and funky eyeglasses.
2. there was a spelling error on the poster advertising the lecture outside the door, and Jim POINTED IT OUT.
3. Jim was asked his favorite typeface (it was "william page," the first typeface of Hatch)
4. a couple of designers behind me were chatting it up about "this amazing design school in cincinnati." Seriously! I wanted to turn around (it was my "in" for future co-ops), but i was stupid. really, there was no excuse.
Hung out with my boss afterwards.
I am happy.
YES! Seven minutes to spare.
Sunday, February 10
went out for sushi on thursday, in gramercy, and then walked to the apple store to see a free movie preview of vince vaughn's wild west comedy show. it was hilarious; i approve and give my thumbs up, if that counts for anything against ebert and roeper. vince was there, and he talked a bit about the documentary and production experience. it's not really a celebrity spotting, since it was scheduled, but it is seeing someone famous.
went to the Met yesterday evening. i clipped on my metal ticket, and the weepies serenaded me through the jasper johns exhibit and the fashion exhibit. there was a hat made out of human hair, a necklace with vials of semen... and 18th century garb in the room next door. what an interesting mix of period and styles! that museum can be so gargantuous and overwhelming; you need a solid week to see and enjoy everything. my favorite area of the museum, even with my love of modern and impressionist art, is the egyptian wing. the skylights flood the room with darkness, and the spotlights shine on the rugged ruins in the center. the fountain pools in the gallery flutter with specs of light, and the nickels and dimes gleam as spilled treasure, treasure that i want to collect, like in the book "from the mixed-up files of mrs. basil e. frankweiler" (you MUST'VE read that in elementary. it is never too late if you haven't. you can borrow my copy). it is one of the most romantic and serene places i have ever been to (excluding italy). the room was dotted with couples, artists sketching, and people in awe, soaking up the moment. i was kicked out at closing.
afterwards, i "test drove" the macbook air at the apple store on 5th. they are pretty amazing. i must've been drooling, because a man came over to me, and was like, are you into graphics? (a combination of the drool, pencil skirt, and my new glasses must've given it away) we ended up having a 10 minute conversation about our experiences with macs, and our love of them. he is a video editor downtown, but i didn't find out anything beyond that. oh, how macs bring people together...
today, i ventured to soho, battling the saturday madness (that place is great on a weekday, but on weekends, people walk considerably slower, in larger quantities), to see some Earth Art from the 1970s. Mrs. Bostelman, my eighth grade language arts teacher would be proud; i wrote a research paper on the topic of earth art for her, and ever since then, have wanted to see the New York Earth Room, made in 1977 by Walter DeMaria. i have remembered that info from the notecards ever since, and today, i saw it! dirt from the 70s. there was nothing else there, really, except some simple columns and white walls. there was a sign that said no photography, and i was upset, since i have waited all these years and it is dirt! but i was respectful. i can't imagine how much that property could go for, as a luxury apartment. i guess new yorkers value the little bit of dirt they can hold onto, in this concrete jungle.
went to some amazing thrift shops today, artsy bookstores in chelsea, and walked like a maniac. i am convinced i could live in an anthropologie. when i was a kid, i thought it would be amazing to live in a bob evans. i guess my tastes have changed a bit, but living in public places is still an appeal. there was a guy that i read about that lived in an IKEA while his apartment was being fumigated. i bet we could be friends...
went to the Met yesterday evening. i clipped on my metal ticket, and the weepies serenaded me through the jasper johns exhibit and the fashion exhibit. there was a hat made out of human hair, a necklace with vials of semen... and 18th century garb in the room next door. what an interesting mix of period and styles! that museum can be so gargantuous and overwhelming; you need a solid week to see and enjoy everything. my favorite area of the museum, even with my love of modern and impressionist art, is the egyptian wing. the skylights flood the room with darkness, and the spotlights shine on the rugged ruins in the center. the fountain pools in the gallery flutter with specs of light, and the nickels and dimes gleam as spilled treasure, treasure that i want to collect, like in the book "from the mixed-up files of mrs. basil e. frankweiler" (you MUST'VE read that in elementary. it is never too late if you haven't. you can borrow my copy). it is one of the most romantic and serene places i have ever been to (excluding italy). the room was dotted with couples, artists sketching, and people in awe, soaking up the moment. i was kicked out at closing.
afterwards, i "test drove" the macbook air at the apple store on 5th. they are pretty amazing. i must've been drooling, because a man came over to me, and was like, are you into graphics? (a combination of the drool, pencil skirt, and my new glasses must've given it away) we ended up having a 10 minute conversation about our experiences with macs, and our love of them. he is a video editor downtown, but i didn't find out anything beyond that. oh, how macs bring people together...
today, i ventured to soho, battling the saturday madness (that place is great on a weekday, but on weekends, people walk considerably slower, in larger quantities), to see some Earth Art from the 1970s. Mrs. Bostelman, my eighth grade language arts teacher would be proud; i wrote a research paper on the topic of earth art for her, and ever since then, have wanted to see the New York Earth Room, made in 1977 by Walter DeMaria. i have remembered that info from the notecards ever since, and today, i saw it! dirt from the 70s. there was nothing else there, really, except some simple columns and white walls. there was a sign that said no photography, and i was upset, since i have waited all these years and it is dirt! but i was respectful. i can't imagine how much that property could go for, as a luxury apartment. i guess new yorkers value the little bit of dirt they can hold onto, in this concrete jungle.
went to some amazing thrift shops today, artsy bookstores in chelsea, and walked like a maniac. i am convinced i could live in an anthropologie. when i was a kid, i thought it would be amazing to live in a bob evans. i guess my tastes have changed a bit, but living in public places is still an appeal. there was a guy that i read about that lived in an IKEA while his apartment was being fumigated. i bet we could be friends...
Thursday, February 7
Wednesday, February 6
short skirt, spring jacket; i want cake
phil may have predicted another six weeks of winter, but if it's 55 degrees and i can wear a spring jacket and flats with no socks, i am satisfied.
met an artist today at a café by herald square. he is an expressionist, and is about 65, and was around in the NYC art world when Pollock and Warhol were big. i have a feeling that herb may always be a starving artist, and underappreciated, based on the bizarre erotic content of his work, but he gave me his card, and i took it thinking, this city churns up the most interesting people to have conversations with over "il panino" and vitamin water.
the demographic of the subway today: a woman sitting next to me with her well-worn, dog-eared and underlined copy of AA steps; a group of hispanic teenage boys searching for Waldo behind an oversized hardcover; a baby with a "hillary for president" bumper sticker stamped onto her pink fleece hat; a man with neon orange parachute pant overalls. you know you want some.
met an artist today at a café by herald square. he is an expressionist, and is about 65, and was around in the NYC art world when Pollock and Warhol were big. i have a feeling that herb may always be a starving artist, and underappreciated, based on the bizarre erotic content of his work, but he gave me his card, and i took it thinking, this city churns up the most interesting people to have conversations with over "il panino" and vitamin water.
the demographic of the subway today: a woman sitting next to me with her well-worn, dog-eared and underlined copy of AA steps; a group of hispanic teenage boys searching for Waldo behind an oversized hardcover; a baby with a "hillary for president" bumper sticker stamped onto her pink fleece hat; a man with neon orange parachute pant overalls. you know you want some.
Tuesday, February 5
cuttin' and clinton
eventful day to say the least. let's begin with me cutting a chunk out of my thumb with an x-acto at work. we were on deadline (which was moved up a day and the comp had to make a flight to London within hours), and i was rushing, and sliced the side of my thumb right off. didn't even feel it, really, just saw the fleshy piece tumble and the blood pool. like a stupid intern scared of getting reprimanded, i bandaged quickly, finished the job, and then realized that i had a "serious, serious injury," as Rain Man would say. my co-workers came over, cringed, and insisted that i be escorted to the emergency room, so i hopped a cab, and went to the clinic. no stiches, just a miracle gel foam that should solve my problems... except for the small fact that i will have a deformed thumb. it's character.
as i was walking home after work (got out early, at 6:30pm, which is actually "on time"), i stumbled upon a hillary clinton congregation out side the David Letterman show studio. I peered around a bit, being a snoop lookin' for the scoop. found out she would be on the show, and would be around afterwards to talk with us. so i stuck around a bit. befreinded a stage manager for a broadway show, the homecoming, and had some pretty interesting conversation, and I obviously suffered from a lack of political knowledge. i got yelled at by the cops, to get off the barricades, but it was the only way i could see, so like all the others, i just ignored it. got a pretty good view of hillary, but no handshake, because I was a few rows too far back. new yorkers vote tomorrow along with 21 other states. we will see who prevails...
a fight broke out in the grocery store today, as i was buying my mozz and vitamin water (obvious essentials), over the price of a newspaper. what are we coming to.
check out the band "the weepies." a new addiction...
as i was walking home after work (got out early, at 6:30pm, which is actually "on time"), i stumbled upon a hillary clinton congregation out side the David Letterman show studio. I peered around a bit, being a snoop lookin' for the scoop. found out she would be on the show, and would be around afterwards to talk with us. so i stuck around a bit. befreinded a stage manager for a broadway show, the homecoming, and had some pretty interesting conversation, and I obviously suffered from a lack of political knowledge. i got yelled at by the cops, to get off the barricades, but it was the only way i could see, so like all the others, i just ignored it. got a pretty good view of hillary, but no handshake, because I was a few rows too far back. new yorkers vote tomorrow along with 21 other states. we will see who prevails...
a fight broke out in the grocery store today, as i was buying my mozz and vitamin water (obvious essentials), over the price of a newspaper. what are we coming to.
check out the band "the weepies." a new addiction...
Monday, February 4
rousing rodent weekend
couldn't ask for a better weekend... time with great friends, fulfilling a lifelong dream of seeing phil, giants with the superbowl (I am a fair weather fan).
flew to da 'burgh and met up with beloved cincy folk to begin the pilgrimage to punxsutawney. yes, friends, i flew in to see an obese rodent predict the weather for the rest of this winter... and i am proud of it, because it has been a lifelong dream, and has been accomplished with zeal. we parked in the walmart parking lot, along with some RVs. we were given a family discount, and rode the Knob Bus at 3am up to Gobbler's Knob. we stood for a good 4 hours, at least, with chilly, "we hope they're still attached" toes and eyelids fluttering and fighting to stay open. of course, there was dancing and entertainment (phil has his own dance group), and an inner circle "flava flav" councilman who wears a giant alarm clock, and helps us count down the hours until phil's prediction. other fun tidbits: there was a person dressed in a full groundhog costume, people wearing groundhog hats, three proposals in a row, and fireworks at 6:30am. we almost fell over from falling asleep standing up. at around 7:30am, the inner circle paraded down the main aisle to the "Pennsylvania Polka" through 30,000 awaiting enthusiasts, ready to wake up phil, the "prognosticator of prognosticators." each of the inner circle men, dressed in coattails and tophats, with names like "stump warden" and "sky painter" were jolly men, eager to continue the 122-year tradition, and bring the biggest smile i have had in a long time to my face. i felt like i was 8 again. i never got into boy bands, but i feel like the love and affection for them felt something like this. after phil was pulled out of the stump, and held up like simba on pride rock, phil selected the appropriate scroll, which was read to "the believers and uninformed." friends, there are SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER. you wouldn't believe how rowdy people got when that prediction was released. but as the inner circle says... "do not blame the messenger."
after a risky drive back (we were all dead tired), we of course, came back and slept, and partook (is this a word? it is now!) in olive garden. i am blessed with wonderful friends.
back in the city that never sleeps (but i sure will be). the giants win the superbowl. people ran down the streets in boxers and giants flags as capes, beating drums and drunkenly stumbling by. a man came into starbucks and screamed, proclaiming their victory. in true new york spirit, he was reprimanded by the wee barista and refused service. there's a guy throwing his phone high in the air, and he just destroyed it when it hit the sidewalk. but he is laughing. people are walking down the streets smiling, with a bit of spring in their step, calling their patriots friends and rubbing it in a bit...because somehow the giants' win is their victory as well. i am sure by morning they will find something to be bitter about.
I cannot take credit for this. It is an amazing website from Alex:
http://freshpaint.tv/TCM_web/
a short poem for phil... (written pre-pilgrimage)
When I was young
I dreamt of the day
When I would meet you
When we'd first say "hey"
I'll be in the crowd
I may be tired and cold
But I will finally see you
Even though I am old.
flew to da 'burgh and met up with beloved cincy folk to begin the pilgrimage to punxsutawney. yes, friends, i flew in to see an obese rodent predict the weather for the rest of this winter... and i am proud of it, because it has been a lifelong dream, and has been accomplished with zeal. we parked in the walmart parking lot, along with some RVs. we were given a family discount, and rode the Knob Bus at 3am up to Gobbler's Knob. we stood for a good 4 hours, at least, with chilly, "we hope they're still attached" toes and eyelids fluttering and fighting to stay open. of course, there was dancing and entertainment (phil has his own dance group), and an inner circle "flava flav" councilman who wears a giant alarm clock, and helps us count down the hours until phil's prediction. other fun tidbits: there was a person dressed in a full groundhog costume, people wearing groundhog hats, three proposals in a row, and fireworks at 6:30am. we almost fell over from falling asleep standing up. at around 7:30am, the inner circle paraded down the main aisle to the "Pennsylvania Polka" through 30,000 awaiting enthusiasts, ready to wake up phil, the "prognosticator of prognosticators." each of the inner circle men, dressed in coattails and tophats, with names like "stump warden" and "sky painter" were jolly men, eager to continue the 122-year tradition, and bring the biggest smile i have had in a long time to my face. i felt like i was 8 again. i never got into boy bands, but i feel like the love and affection for them felt something like this. after phil was pulled out of the stump, and held up like simba on pride rock, phil selected the appropriate scroll, which was read to "the believers and uninformed." friends, there are SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER. you wouldn't believe how rowdy people got when that prediction was released. but as the inner circle says... "do not blame the messenger."
after a risky drive back (we were all dead tired), we of course, came back and slept, and partook (is this a word? it is now!) in olive garden. i am blessed with wonderful friends.
back in the city that never sleeps (but i sure will be). the giants win the superbowl. people ran down the streets in boxers and giants flags as capes, beating drums and drunkenly stumbling by. a man came into starbucks and screamed, proclaiming their victory. in true new york spirit, he was reprimanded by the wee barista and refused service. there's a guy throwing his phone high in the air, and he just destroyed it when it hit the sidewalk. but he is laughing. people are walking down the streets smiling, with a bit of spring in their step, calling their patriots friends and rubbing it in a bit...because somehow the giants' win is their victory as well. i am sure by morning they will find something to be bitter about.
I cannot take credit for this. It is an amazing website from Alex:
http://freshpaint.tv/TCM_web/
a short poem for phil... (written pre-pilgrimage)
When I was young
I dreamt of the day
When I would meet you
When we'd first say "hey"
I'll be in the crowd
I may be tired and cold
But I will finally see you
Even though I am old.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
