30 August 2007
07 August 2007
22 July 2007
11 July 2007
Music: Ray LaMontagne
"I guess, what's happening in other parts of the world has to come to your part of the world before you start to wake up."
Then I grabbed my computer to introduce Ray LaMontagne to you (if you don't know of him), and myself.
My introduction to this interesting musician came from the show on Sundance Channel's Live from Abbey Road. I usually listen to the musicians to see what they're about, but fast-forward through much of it because it does not catch my ear (but might catch yours!). His deep, hoarse, strained, full, and soulful voice is unmistakable and hit me immediately.
The words and feeling that is transpiring while watching him perform in this historical recording studio has left me in awe, and now in search for more about this "artist."
From his website:
'The cycle ends with the title song, which decries the absence of myth in the U.S. today. "Our culture is so naked," LaMontagne says, "I feel like we don't have events to fall back on. So many times, I fall into things, and I feel like I wish I had somebody—or a story—to fall back on that would get me through this, that would explain this. I wonder what we will leave behind. It's just the blink of an eye and we're gone. What will people dig up? Works of art? Or Styrofoam cups ?"'
It looks like this music that he is performing beautifully is pouring, no, seeping, out of him.
Then I grabbed my computer to introduce Ray LaMontagne to you (if you don't know of him), and myself.
My introduction to this interesting musician came from the show on Sundance Channel's Live from Abbey Road. I usually listen to the musicians to see what they're about, but fast-forward through much of it because it does not catch my ear (but might catch yours!). His deep, hoarse, strained, full, and soulful voice is unmistakable and hit me immediately.
The words and feeling that is transpiring while watching him perform in this historical recording studio has left me in awe, and now in search for more about this "artist."
From his website:
'The cycle ends with the title song, which decries the absence of myth in the U.S. today. "Our culture is so naked," LaMontagne says, "I feel like we don't have events to fall back on. So many times, I fall into things, and I feel like I wish I had somebody—or a story—to fall back on that would get me through this, that would explain this. I wonder what we will leave behind. It's just the blink of an eye and we're gone. What will people dig up? Works of art? Or Styrofoam cups ?"'
It looks like this music that he is performing beautifully is pouring, no, seeping, out of him.
24 June 2007
Thought
Improving those around you, the things around you, the ecosystem (if you will) that you come in contact with, regularly or not, ultimately improves YOU. By ensuring the success and prosperity of these detached things will also improve your life.
Sure, you want to take care of yourself, but it is just as important to improve these "things" around you.
Where this came from:Ted Talks 
Sure, you want to take care of yourself, but it is just as important to improve these "things" around you.
Where this came from:
07 June 2007
Choices
I believe that people, when give the choice, would live healthier, more sustainable lives. When given the opportunity people would choose to live near (not necessarily next door, but close enough to) the places that they work and socialize. They would also choose to use other forms of transportation (walking, biking, riding mass-transit)to get to these places of work and socialization.
And, not only would they change their place of living, and how they commute, people would choose to live a healthier life if given a legitimate choice. Legitimate means reasonably priced, regularly and readily available lifestyle choices.
It is up to all stakeholders; employers, businesses, industry, government, and, of course, people, to work towards a more sustainable and responsible way of life. We have to choose to live in areas that adhere to these principles even though it may mean facing adversity. No one is going to provide progressive (and, by saying progressive I really mean smart and sustainable) choices unless it is demanded.
Unfortunately, the status quo has taken over. People commute long distances, bring themselves out of their neighborhood, eat food prepared in an unhealthy way, work in buildings that affect their health, and do not interact with human beings outside of the work environment (and sometimes they don't interact at work).
It is time to wake up, demand change, take action, progress, and make responsible and sustainable choices for our lives.
And, not only would they change their place of living, and how they commute, people would choose to live a healthier life if given a legitimate choice. Legitimate means reasonably priced, regularly and readily available lifestyle choices.
It is up to all stakeholders; employers, businesses, industry, government, and, of course, people, to work towards a more sustainable and responsible way of life. We have to choose to live in areas that adhere to these principles even though it may mean facing adversity. No one is going to provide progressive (and, by saying progressive I really mean smart and sustainable) choices unless it is demanded.
Unfortunately, the status quo has taken over. People commute long distances, bring themselves out of their neighborhood, eat food prepared in an unhealthy way, work in buildings that affect their health, and do not interact with human beings outside of the work environment (and sometimes they don't interact at work).
It is time to wake up, demand change, take action, progress, and make responsible and sustainable choices for our lives.
11 April 2007
Surrounded by Green
I'm all about making our built environment more sustainable, green, and beneficial-but there is a point where the green movement becomes too "out there," losing it's appeal. Do people want to live in a home that is completely covered with plants? Maybe a small niche, but I think there has to be a more mainstream focus in the creation of new techniques and materials. Otherwise, this movement will not shake the ground.
--------------
From CNNMoney.com:
Green roofs aren't the future: They're already here. In Chicago, 2.5 million square feet of downtown roof space is now covered with hardy plants such as sedum and prairie grass--the better to lower heating and air-conditioning costs (by 10 percent or more) and dramatically reduce rainwater runoff.
The Windy City's rooftops aren't alone: The total square footage of green roofs in the United States is growing at the healthy rate of 125 percent a year.
Now some entrepreneurs are placing bets on something even more forward-thinking: green walls. "They're taking off way faster than green roofs," says Chad Sichello, president and CEO of G-Sky, a Vancouver, British Columbia, company that offers both.
27 March 2007
Taking the High Line
From Jambase.com:Bowie's Highline Fest
The H&M High Line Festival is a new multi-discipline arts festival that will be curated each year by a different artist. The inaugural edition, curated by David Bowie, will run May 9 to 19, 2007.
The ten-day mash-up of music, film, comedy, visual art and performance will highlight all of David's favorite artists. The best of the best.
The inaugural 10-day festival will take place in venues near the High Line, the elevated rail structure soon to open as a public open space, running through the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Clinton/Hell's Kitchen. A portion of each ticket sale will go to benefit Friends of the High Line, the 501(c)3 organization currently working with the City of New York to transform the 1930's rail structure into a park, set to open in 2008.
Please Note: none of the events of the High Line Festival will take place on the High Line itself.
----------------------
Great ideas come from an active community that cares about (integrating) the historical aspects, while looking ahead to support it's future.
12 February 2007
Walkability
I seem to always have ideas of what might work in an urban setting, in between places, or around. One of the recurring thoughts that complements these ideas is creating a place that people not only want to frequent, but a place where they feel like they can make (and do make) a contribution to it's overall existence. Whether it be a vegetable stand on the side of the road, a local coffee shop, public park, or music venue, these places must be able to connect with the "locals" more often than not, and create a meaningful amount of interaction between these people to improve their daily lives. It has been proven that people want to exercise (or just walk) more, why not design these places to be easily walkable.
But, the dilemma in creating these walkable places relates to creating that critical mass that attracts the retail necessary to sustain such walkability. Because, people are not going to walk for the sake of walking, they want to walk to accomplish a goal such as grocery shopping, a cup of coffee, or a haircut. These commercial places, referred to as "third places" by Ray Oldenburg in his book The Great Good Place must exist to create everyday interactions that make walkable places so valuable to the community.
26 January 2007
Two-Headed Boy
by Jeff Mangum-Neutral Milk Hotel
Two headed boy
All floating in glass
The sun it has passed
Now it's blacker than black
I can hear as you tap on your jar
I am listening to hear where you are
I am listening to hear where you are
Two headed boy
Put on sunday shoes
And dance round the room to accordion keys
With the needle that sings in your heart
Catching signals that sound in the dark
Catching signals that sound in the dark
We will take off our clothes
And they'll be placing fingers through the notches in your spine
Two headed boy
With pulleys and weights
Creating a radio played just for two
In the parlor witha moon across her face
And through the music he sweetly displays
Silver speakers that sparkle all day
Made for his lover who's floating and choking with her hands across her face
And in the dark we will take off our clothes
And they'll be placing fingers through the notches in your spine
Two headed boy
There is no reason to grieve
The world that you need is wrapped in gold silver sleeves
Left beneath Christmas trees in the snow
And I will take you and leave you alone
Watching spirals of white softly flow
Over your eyelids and all you did
Will wait until the point when you let go
Two headed boy
All floating in glass
The sun it has passed
Now it's blacker than black
I can hear as you tap on your jar
I am listening to hear where you are
I am listening to hear where you are
Two headed boy
Put on sunday shoes
And dance round the room to accordion keys
With the needle that sings in your heart
Catching signals that sound in the dark
Catching signals that sound in the dark
We will take off our clothes
And they'll be placing fingers through the notches in your spine
Two headed boy
With pulleys and weights
Creating a radio played just for two
In the parlor witha moon across her face
And through the music he sweetly displays
Silver speakers that sparkle all day
Made for his lover who's floating and choking with her hands across her face
And in the dark we will take off our clothes
And they'll be placing fingers through the notches in your spine
Two headed boy
There is no reason to grieve
The world that you need is wrapped in gold silver sleeves
Left beneath Christmas trees in the snow
And I will take you and leave you alone
Watching spirals of white softly flow
Over your eyelids and all you did
Will wait until the point when you let go
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