Butler 4

Socks & Slingshots

2011-07-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth!

2011-07-04T06:42:00.000-07:00

Q: What are the two best things to come from England?
A: The Beatles and America

The Big Rock Candy Mountains

On a summer day in the month of May,
A burly little bum come a-hikin',
He was tavelin' down the lonesome road,
A-lookin' for his likin'
He was headed for a land that's far away,
'I'll see you all, this comin' fall
In the Big Rock Candy Mounains.'

In The Big rock Candy Mountians
You never change your socks,
And the little streams of alkyhol
Come a-tricklin' down the rocks.
Where the shacks all have to tip their hats,
And the railroad bulls are blind,

There's a lake of stew, and whiskey, too,
And you can paddle all around'em in your big canoe,
In the Big Rock Candy Mountians

Chorus
O. . . The. . . buzzin' of the bees
In the cigarette trees,
Round the sodawater fountains,
Near the Lemonade springs,
Where the whangdoodle sings
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
There's a land that's fair and bright,
Where the handouts grow on bushes,
And you sleep out every night.
Where the box cars are all empty
And the sun shines every day,
O I'm bound to go, where there ain't no snow,
Where the rain don't fall and the wind don't blow,
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
The jails are made of tin,
And you can bust right out again
As soon as they put you in.
The farmer's trees are full of fruit,
The barns are full of hay,
I'm goin' to stay where you sleep all day,
Where they boiled in oil the inventor of toil,
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.

-Anonymous C.1885

Herman

2011-06-24T22:09:00.000-07:00

"And God created great whales"
Genesis.

Let it been known to all principalities, kingdoms, and nations– to all men, women, and children–that I have accomplished a most horrific feat. A feat that most men either lie and say they have championed that beast, or feign interest to attempt. For you see– I have been swayed up to the top of the mast in the hempen basket. I have spotted the spout three points off the weather bow. I swear before this court that on the eighteenth of June in the year of our Lord two-thousand-eleven I did indeed finish reading Moby-Dick or The Whale.

Mr. Melville I awe.

"...Death is only a launching into the region of the strange Untried; it is but the first salutation to the possibilities of the immense Remote, the Wild, The Watery, the Unshored; therefore, to the death-longing eyes of such men, who still have left in them some interior compunctions against suicide, does the all-contributed and all-receptive ocean alluringly spread forth his whole plain of unimaginable, taking terrors, and wonderful, new-life adventures; and from the hearts of infinite Pacific, the thousand mermaids sing to them–"come hither, brokenhearted; here is another life without the guilt of intermediate death; here are the wonders supernatural, without dying for them. Come hither! bury thyself in a life which, to your now equally abhorred and abhorring, landed world, is more oblivious than death. Comber hither! put up thy gravestone, too, within the church yard, and come hither! till we marry thee!"
Hearkening to these voices, East and West, by early sunrise, and by fall of eve, the blacksmith's soul responded, Aye, I come! And so Perth went a-whaling."

-Chapter CXII. The Blacksmith

More High Line To Walk

2011-06-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

The high line in New York City has expanded. This elevated park use to be an elevated railway making deliveries to businesses along the Hudson River. No longer used, the tracks sat fallow. Then some rich people donated a lot of money and the public benefited with an amazing new place to perambulate. It's been open for over a year now... but just last week they expanded it further up the track. Here a some pictures from and of the recently opened areas.

Times Square

2011-06-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

Remember how I told you that I was on that new pass-a-long card? Have you ever wondered what it would look like hanging in Times Square

The Salt Lake Tribune did and they wrote a story about it. Click here for the link.

THE UNION

2011-06-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

A while ago it was announced on this blog that I was working on something big. Also announced was that you all would know just how big. It's so big that I had to sneak it on to Governor's Island, located in New York Harbor, and when the park rangers were not looking... I ran it up a vacant flag pole.

Now you say... that's a big Union Jack... but just take a look at the scale when I stand next to it.
It's big right? 5ft x 10ft of United Kingdom glory. Commission for the flag came from a prop stylist for a Vogue Bambini editorial. The theme was inspired by a The Who album cover. The magazine featuring the flag will be published later this summer. When it is–you will know. Assuming that you keep current with the latest 4butler.blogspot.com posts.
This is the Union Jack. The flag of the United Kingdom. Scale of the flag is 1:2. As stated before this particular flag is 5ftX10ft. This version of the Union Jack has been the official flag of the United Kingdom since 1801. It is the amalgamation of three other flags. St. George's Cross is the white background with the red cross located in the center; St. Andrew's Cross is the blue background with the white cross from corner to corner; St. Patrick's Cross is the white background with the red cross from corner to corner. England, Scotland, and Ireland make up the Union Jack.

Been Painting Lately

2011-06-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

Have Wheels Will Travel

2011-05-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

Ask me the best thing that happened in 2010 – my answer would be this bicycle.

Made from vintage parts scoured for on ebay and other sources, my big brother constructed and sent to Brooklyn this amazing bike. Single speed, single brake, ram handle bars, with a suede seat, it is a joy to ride around NYC. Often serious bikers on the street will take a double look summing it up. The Klein frame is a road bike but has been converted into a single speed. Stripped of all inessential components it is extremely light. On the street I am more likely to pass then to be passed. Travel time from my Brooklyn residence to Central Park is around 45 minutes. Only downside to the bike is getting less value for my monthly subway pass.

Here is to fast, sleek bikes and here is to big brothers! Huzzah!

Sunday In The Park

2011-05-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

Sheep's Meadow in Central Park was the scene of a delightful afternoon picnic/gathering. Carol, Suvi, & Ben were all in attendance.

... Later on Brigham showed up.

Pass It Along

2011-05-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

Did I mention that I'm on the new pass along card?

It's true. Can you tell which one is me?

The Bridge

2011-05-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

I Think I Love You With Roller Skates from Jeffrey Butler on Vimeo.

Books...Books...Books...

2011-05-25T15:13:00.001-07:00

Tyranny!

My lifestyle is being assaulted. Over the last two years I have steadily increased the size of my reference library solely on purchases from the Strand Bookstore dollar rack. Let's review a few of the books that I have come across on those blessed racks:

The Red Air Fighter by Manfred Von Richthofen
The Oregon Trail by Francis Parkman
The Pocket Encyclopedia of Spaceflight In Color, Manned Spacecraft by Kenneth Gatland
Democracy In America by Alexis De Tocqueville
The Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant by U.S. Grant
John Brown's Body by Steven Vincent Benét
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo by Captain Ted Lawson
Gramatica Primer Grado by Dr. Vicente Tena
Hell Among The Yearlings by Edmund Randolph
Ulysses by James Joyce
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence
Commercial Correspondence by Albert G. Belding

The days of the huge book hauls are over! You see... Strand has doubled... yes I'm talking about a 100% price increase of the dollar rack for hard back books. It's now two dollars. It is ludicrous that they presume to believe that they can double the price over night and that we – the literate – will not raise up in anger and strike down the oppressive book peddler.

I digress. There will be no revolt. There will be no sticking it to the book seller. Only a decrease in my purchasing. It's okay though. As you can see. My bookshelf is full.

The radiator is stacking.
and the table is overflowing with books.
it was good while it lasted... and I rode it as long and as far as I could.

Eleanor Roosevelt Adventure Pt.2

2011-05-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

When on adventure it's always fun to have unplanned adventures. On the ER adventure I happened upon The Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. The Walkway Over the Hudson bridge was planned before the start of the civil war as a railroad bridge. It was completed January 1st 1889, just six years after the completion of the greatest bridge in the world, the Brooklyn Bridge. The Hudson bridge was used by the railroad until 1974. It underwent renovations and was opened in 2009 as a pedestrian and cyclist bridge.

I rode my bike over it and back. It is so high that it spans over the town of Poughkeepsie. Here is looking north over the Hudson River.
This is looking south down the Hudson River.
This is the train station in Poughkeepsie. You can see the bridge in the back ground.
The train ride up and down Metro North was really beautiful. It ran along the Hudson river the whole way. From the train I saw West Point. It looks like a giant castle on a cliff over looking the Hudson. I also saw a castle on a island in the middle of the river. Did you know that there is a castle in the middle of the river. Weird right? Its called Bannerman's Castle . Click here for more info.On top of the bridge.
Here is a link to more info about the bridge.

Eleanor Roosevelt Adventure Pt.1

2011-05-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

Great minds discuss ideas.
Average minds discuss events.
Small minds discuss people.

-Eleanor Roosevelt

I'd been planning a trip to visit Eleanor Roosevelt house for months. May 14th was the planned date. It was easy to get everyone together to go because... well... I was the only one that went. I have a knack for getting myself where I need to be. Where I needed to be on May 14th was on a train going north along the Hudson River. The train left from Grand Central Station at 9:54AM. I rode by bicycle from my Brooklyn residence to Grand Central. I arrived with two minutes to spare. The train ride north was just under one hour and forty minutes. During that time I read The Right Stuff by Thomas Wolfe. Turns out... Chuck Yeager is a man's man.

Upon arrival at Poughkeepsie I mounted my bicycle and started peddling the remainder distance of 5 miles to my destination of Hyde Park Ny where the Eleanor Roosevelt home is located. Before reaching the site I had to take care of something vital to the success of the trip....
find two chilli and cheese hot dogs to purchase and consume.
On the road I found this hotdog truck. A seemingly nice old lady is the proprietor. Turns out that she is a hustling old lady. I told her I'd like a ('a' when used as unit of measure means one of such unit) chilli-n-cheese hotdog. She served me up two. I thought to myself, "well played old lady... I'm not going to complain just buy what I didn't order and never do business here again." She already knew this. She also knew that I'm not from these parts and wouldn't be a return costumer anyway.
The reason that I wanted to eat hot dogs is because of the historical significance of this porch. This is Top Cabin where FDR would go to get away from everything and everyone. It's located a mile behind Eleanor's house. This is the porch that FDR served King George VI of England and his wife (the parents of the current Queen of England) their first hot dogs they had ever had.
It was a lovely hike up to Top Cottage through the woods of upstate.
This is Eleanor's house. It is built inside the defunct furniture factory Val-Kill. The house is situated next to a stream and large pond. It is really beautiful with birds and trees all around. Eleanor had the most wonderful sleeping porch. You can see it on the left of the picture below. It over looks the wetlands that surrounds her house. This house was the get away house for Eleanor's family. There was a pool, tennis court, and bbq. FDR's main house was really his helicopter mother's house and so they had to follow her rules while there. But this house they could remove their leg braces.
It was so lovely to be out in the forest and breathe the fresh air and take in some historical sites. It was a grand day trip.

St. George, St. Andrew, St. Patrick.

2011-05-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

I've been working on something big. In time all of you will know exactly how big.

Getty Tomb

2011-05-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

In one of my dollar book runs to Strand Book Store I purchased The Faber Book Of America. It is a collection of essays about America. A few weeks ago I read an essay by Frank Lloyd Wright about Louis Sullivan. Sullivan was one of the pioneering architects of sky scrapers. In the essay Wright mentions The Getty Tomb which Sullivan designed.

He said, "The Getty Tomb in Graceland Cemetery was entirely his own; fine sculpture. A statue. A great poem addressed to human sensibilities as such. Outside the realm of music what finer requiem."

This interested me, so I did further research on Wikipedia (click here). Researching the tomb even inspired me and I sketched out some designs.

I had forgotten about the tomb. While in Chicago Brigham said that he wanted to visit Graceland Cemetery. It sparked my memory and I hoped that "this was the cemetery that that one tomb was in". It was a race against time as the ground keeper told us that he was locking the gate in 40 minutes. I rushed all over that place trying to find it. Finally in a back corner I saw it. I recognized it as soon as I spotted it. This tomb is a registered Chicago Landmark.

Louis Sullivan is laid to rest in the cemetery. I didn't know that and I didn't see his tomb, but others in our cemetery party had come across his grave.
Brigham found the spookiest tomb he could and documented it.

P.S.– Frank Lloyd Wright lived and worked in Brig's parents neighborhood. The 'hood' is packed with original Frank Lloyd Wright homes around every corner.

Jonnies

2011-05-19T06:29:00.000-07:00

The first morning in Chicago we were ravenous with hunger and needed nourishment. However, we were in a strange and foreign land with a food all it's own. Although there is a menu, it might as well be written in Greek. Brigham instructed us in the locals way to order food. My order sounded like this, "combo, hot, juicy.... fries"

This is what it translates too:
Combo=Italian Sausage topped with beef.
Hot=Hot Peppers
Juicy=Some sort of juice splashed on the finished product
Fries=Fries
This thing was so hot I hallucinated for a bit. This was a great opening culinary event in a trip full of culinary delights. Long Live The Chicago Way of Food!

Vader

2011-05-18T06:35:00.001-07:00

Rumor had it there was a Darth Vader House in Brigham's neighborhood. We set out to investigate...

The thing that you need to know about my friends and I is this... We love the Star Wars. Like many of our age group and gender we are attached to Star Wars as kids from the 20's and 30's are stuck on Babe Ruth.

Our love for Star was is so great that for birthday gifts Collin painted Brig and I Star Wars character portraits to adorn our homes with!
Brigham got Jabba holding a heart shaped pillow.
I got Admiral Ackbar.

Here is the artist with the highly honored and happy recipients.
Oh we did find that Vader house. As reported... it looked like Vader.
Jeff R. leaned over to Collin and said,"Collin... I am your father."

And Collin said,"Nooooooooo...... that's impossible!!!!"

U505

2011-05-17T06:28:00.000-07:00

There are two Chicago spectacles that have been on my "must see list" for some time.

1. Go to Wrigley Field and see a Cubs game.
2. Go to the Museum of Science and Industry for the U505 exhibit.

I have accomplished one of these and it did not disappoint.

The Cubs were out of town when I was in Chicago for Brigham's birthday bash, but the Uboat was in port. Because.... well.... it's 5 stories underground in the museum's basement and it isn't going anywhere.

This is what you need to know. The Uboat, U505, is one of the coolest things I have ever seen with my eyeballs and one of the greatest things I have walked through with my feet. The U.S. Navy Captured U505 off the coast of Africa on the 4th of June 1944. On board the Navy found a mighty bounty of intelligence in the form of code books and an enigma machine. Also the Navy captured torpedoes. Which was a treat because the Allies up to that point did not know the technology that enabled German torpedoes to track their targets.

I could go on and on with stories about U505, but I will tell you only one. Then let you get to the good stuff... the pictures. The Navy had possession of U505 for about ten years before it was donated to the Museum. In that time parts and pieces of the boat were taken as souvenirs. When the museum prepared the boat for exhibit they contacted the original manufactures to see the possibility of having replacement parts made. The manufactures realized that the boat would be on display, wanting to show the excellence of German engineering, they agreed to make replacement parts and they did it for free.

Here Brigham is preparing for the exhibit by reading up on the headlines of the early 1940's.

Here is a code book that is edged with lead. This way, instead of getting into the hands of the enemy, the book would sink to the ocean floor. I am currently converting all my note books to do likewise.
Here is Brigham putting his knowledge that he learned earlier by demonstrating what it would be like to be a cook on U505.
This is the rudder of U505. It's wood covered in sheet metal. This reduced the weight, making it easy to swivel back and forth.
Here is a weather beaten US flag. This is a WWII flag which means 6 rows of 8 stars. Do the math and what do you get?... 48. Stars for Hawaii and Alaska where not added until 1959 when they were made states.

You do not want to be where this torpedo is going.
Brigham finds out what made these torpedoes so great.

The boat sat outside of the Museum from 1954-2004. It was then moved and placed in it's new exhibit as it sits today. As you might have guessed. It takes a lot to move a Uboat.

for further reading of this trip click here

Mr. George Kreidel

2011-05-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

I break this extended blog silence to inform you that the universe has bestowed upon me a mighty treasure! Huzzah! Folks.... do not misunderstand me here. Hard work and dedication were required to qualify for this artifact.

While riding my bike into Manhattan from Brooklyn I spotted a new vintage shop by the Navy Yards. Which was odd because it is an industrial area. I chatted up the shopkeeper while looking through a box full of old pictures and postcards. I pulled out a postcard that was postmarked Jun 15th, 1910 and addressed to Mr. George Kreidel of St. Joseph's Seminary located in Yonkers, New York. It was of....

Teddy!.... TR.... Col. Roosevelt.... Mr. Theodore Roosevelt himself. A period post card from right after is presidency. What luck! Bully! Upon inspection of the card something caught my eye... but I kept my cool and calmly asked the shop attendant how much for the postcards. Five dollars was the response. I continued to browse around. Nonchalantly I said, "I'll take this postcard of Teddy". Got it wrapped up in plastic and headed out of the store as giddy as a school girl. For... the thing that I noticed was not only was this a postcard of Theodore Roosevelt, but....
it could be from Theodore Roosevelt! Walking into Lars' studio before I even sat down I said, "Lars... look up Theodore Roosevelt's signature on line". As far as we two fashion designers are concerned–this is a Theodore Roosevelt signature. Judge for yourselves. Below I have a book from my reference library of Teddy's signature with the postcard right above it.

I researched as much as I could about the card. I know when George was born, when he died, who his parents were, how many siblings he had, what he did for a profession, et cetera, et cetera. Then I thought to myself that there must be something I can learn about the date and it hit me! After leaving the presidency TR went on an African Safari. When did he return you might ask...? June 1910. That fits the inscription which says, "Dear George, I am coming home, yours truly, Theodore." Only Teddy would send a postcard of himself. I have written my favorite PBS show The History Detectives about my find. I hope they come to investigate.

This Theodore Roosevelt signature and my Third Reich Typewriter (click here for that story) really make me feel like a man with a serious archive. It's only going to get better from here folks.

t-28

2010-06-20T11:51:00.001-07:00

Look what I found dad in the middle of the Arizona Desert. It's that one plane you use to fly.

Pops–Happy Father's Day

2010-06-19T06:02:00.000-07:00

This is how my father and I used roll back in the day. Stripe shirts and classic Adidas sneakers. And trikes with ape hangers.

Ape Hangers

2010-06-16T16:46:00.000-07:00

Whilst in Phoenix I saw my friend Dave. I asked him how his bike was doing. He said that it was in Utah and asked if I might like to ride it while I was there.

Absolutely. I put about 300 miles on some lovely Utah roads. It made my trip 300 times better then it would have been.

Don has a motorcycle so I swung by and picked him and his lady up and we drove the Alpine loop one night. Here is a picture of Don and being bikers in the Utah back country.

Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll

2010-06-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

This post is best enjoyed while listening to the song below.

Fellow countrymen, friends, neighbors, villains, and heroes: I have excellent news!

I got a pair of black skates! Many of you might know or heard rumors of my former life spent on the Disco Rollerskating Championship Circuit (DRCC) as a disco roller skating champion. Disco Skating is a passion of mine.

This is how it happened. Yesterday for breakfast I ate a large popcorn accompanied with a large Cherry Coke while watching the new A-Team movie. Hopped up on corn, corn syrup, and cinema magic I started walking home after the movie and came across a flea market. In the corner I saw these skates. Could they be my size? Yes they could.

How much?

$30.

I've got $20 to buy those skates right now.

Can't do it.

Are you sure... I'll take them for $20 bucks right now.

They are brand new and they cost 90 bucks.

I start to walk away.

$25

I'll think about it maybe I'll come back later. (continue to walk away)

Okay... okay $20

Deal

What that proprietor of the flea market didn't know that I did was that I'm perfectly capable of life without those skates. I'm glad that he sold them to me though.

Here are the skates on and ready to go. They fit like a dream and like the man said they are almost brand new. They need to be broken in. I have more good news. There is a Central Park Dance Skater Association (link to their website).
They meet every Saturday and Sunday and skate like there is no tomorrow. I have often wanted to join in their fun, but until now it has not been possible. I'm looking forward to meeting new friends out in the park. I presume they will be very colorful friends. But this is also a call out for anyone in the city that has been wanting a friend to go skating with in central park–I'm that friend.

Casa Grande Ruins

2010-06-12T06:26:00.000-07:00

South of Phoenix are the ruins of Casa Grande. Over seven hundred years old, they stand weather beaten and sun baked in the Sonoran Desert. Casa Grande was given it's name by Spanish Explorers that thought that it was a "great house". At it's peak it was a four story, eleven room structure. Proving that even the indigenous people of the southwest were not beyond keeping up with the Jones.

My hope is that in the far off future the ruins will erode away and only the NPS roof will remain and people will come from all over to see this strange roof in the middle of the desert.

This NP site was the first of four stamps in my NP passport book on this trip. It also marked the first stamp ever in the Western Region.

Tennessee

2010-06-11T06:48:00.000-07:00

Awww... you can't far into Memphis, Tennessee and not realize that you can drive by Graceland. Turns out that Graceland is not in that good of a Neighborhood. We did not go inside.
But we did take pictures at the front gate.
We also went to sight of MLK jr. assassination. The motel has been turned into a civil rights museum.
Those are not the original cars, but ones just like the original cars that were present when the shooting occurred.

Nashville

2010-06-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

Brittany and I left D.C. about 1pm. We drove through the beautiful verdant hills of Virginia and Tennessee. I took in as much green as possible knowing that vast arid desserts awaited us miles down the road. Brittany almost cried as we left her home of the last 4 years. However, I told her that I was quite possibly the best road trip companion that anyone could have, to prove it I said the right thing at the right time and adverted a maudlin crying session. The trip was off on the right step.

The right step does not excluded miss steps. Before even reaching the boarder of Virginia Brittany had violated the rules of the road and was promptly pulled over by the law. Upon reaching our rolled down window the lawman started to sing:

I've got a star on my car and one on my chest.
A gun on my hip with the right to arrest.
I'm the guy who's the boss on this highway,
so you better watch it if you're coming my way.
If you break the law you'll hear from me I know,
I'm just working for the state on the highway patrol.

Well… perhaps that didn't happen just like that, but that is the impression I got.

Needless to say… Brittany is way to adorable and cute to be have to be trifled with things such as "The Law" or "Moving Violations" or "Court Procedure". With a warning and a wink we were up on the road again. Barreling towards Nashville like we had direction and purpose in life.

We pulled in late about 10:30 central – 11:30 east coast. Our host and birthday boy were one in the same. Jeff R. had graciously offered us a place to stay and a party to attend. It was delightful to meet all of Jeff R.'s Nashville homies. They sure were entertaining. But as usual the conversation with Jeff R. was full of vim and vigor. Brittany had never met Jeff R. but had heard stories upon stories of him and was justifiably excited to meet him at last.

Jeff R. did not disappoint as he related to Brittany the difficulty that he had in Tennessee dating "The problem I have with the girls here is that I look into their faces and think to myself – you have a minotaur somewhere back in your family tree… They have a minotaur ancestor, it's way back there, but it's there".

That type of conversation along with one of Jeff R.'s friend freestyle rapping in the background made for a must uplifting and delightful evening.

Okay enough typing lets get to picturing. I took Brittany to one of my favorite stores in Nashville.
Hatch Show Print. And they have added a new item since I was there last.
Cats.
But do not worry… they fully advertise the new additions.
OH NASHVILLE and your Betty Boots – you are too cute!

Oh...

2010-06-09T07:34:00.000-07:00

I had a birthday.

It was a whale of a time.

(please note – candles on cake do not represent actual age)

Out West

2010-06-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

Open Space...
Forgotten Ruins...
Mysterious Companion...
The Road

Peter Goes Skydiving...

2010-04-11T04:40:00.000-07:00

Guess What Is Stirring?

2010-04-07T16:34:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Turtles in residence at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden
More turtles
Central Park
This is how I feel on dates sometimes. Guess which one I am?
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Sheep's Meadow, Central Park
Sheep's Meadow, Central Park

Guess What Odd Road-Side Attraction I Didn't Stop For?

2010-04-02T11:25:00.001-07:00

Foamhendge

Guess What I Came Across While Driving Through the Mountains

2010-03-31T13:38:00.001-07:00

This lovely waterfall just off the side of the road.
We pulled over for further exploration - this required us to jump a fence. As we were strangers in a strange land trespassing was of little concern.

Camera's were not the only device implemented to document this find.
Ben got in close and personal with his audio recording equipment to round out the experience.

Guess Who Got Married?

2010-03-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

Kristian and Reghan. And I couldn't be happier about it.

Guess What Museum Has a Crazy Exhibit Right Now?

2010-03-27T07:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to visit the big city and stare intently into an international artist eyes for as long as you wanted? Forever becoming part of the performance? Well Marina Abramovic´is having a open invitation stare down at the MOMA for the next three months. Friends – this stare down is intense.

Yes that's right, from opening to closing the artist sits at a table and anyone is welcome to join her and stare into the cosmos of the her eyes. I personally had no desire to sit and be stared at for any amount of time by this lady. But it was fascinating and intriguing to watch others get gazed upon.
Upon entering the room, I sat down on the floor and watched. There was a electric reverent atmosphere around. People spoke hushed comments of curiosity and whispered questions excitedly to their friends. I watched a lady sit down with the artist right when I arrived and she remained there for the next hour and a half. I would duck into a gallery and when I came out she was still there. I went to the upper floors and would look over the balcony and she was still there. Finally, moments after I took this photo, she left the table. The participant's friends circled her and she relayed the experience to them with a look of exhaustion like she had just swam the English Channel. Apparently staring at someone for an extended period of time really takes it out of you.

So you want to be involved?

The rules are as follows:
1: Wait in line for your turn
2: When it is your turn sit down in the chair opposite of artist
3: Gaze at artist for as long as you want
4: When you no longer have desire to look at the artist get up and walk away

Straight forward performance art stuff really.

Good news for those of you that will not be able to make it to NYC in the next three months. The whole thing is broadcast live on the internet. Click here for the stare down.

I must state a warning. On the fifth floor there is a retrospective of the artist work. I'm sorry to say that there is nothing praiseworthy or of good report about it. Do not seek after these things. You have been warned.

Guess Who Slept In All Week?

2010-03-26T18:10:00.001-07:00

Guess What We Did On The Famed Blue Ridge Park Way?

2010-03-25T06:32:00.000-07:00

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a road that starts in Waynesboro Virginia, winding it's self through the tops of the mountain to Cherokee, North Carolina. There are no commercial signs or advertising along the path of the road and it occasionally crosses other state roads. Every view is delightful to take in. It curves and drops and rises. It so happens that driving cars is not the only enjoyable activity to be had on this dream strip of highway.

Guess Who Built Real Live Cannons With His Students?

2010-03-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

Stonewall Jackson did while he was a professor at Virginia Military Institute.
Near these same guns he stood at First Manassass when he won his nickname.
The guns are a reminder that although Jackson became a great exponent of the war movement, he was primarily a master artillerist. The Cadets call these cannons - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Guess whose is buried in Lee Chapel at Washington and Lee University

2010-03-23T07:39:00.000-07:00

In April 1865 General Lee singed the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. In October 1865 Lee rode into Lexington Virginia to become president of Washington College. Later changed to Washington and Lee University in honor of Robert E. Lee.
In 1867 he oversaw the building of a new chapel. It is know as Lee Chapel. Lee and his family are buried below the chapel. There is also a wonderful museum about Lee and Washington in the basement. The museum has preserved Lee's private office just as it was on the day he retired from the position of the University's President.
A new student once asked President Lee for a copy of the rules for Washington College. Lee replied, "Young gentleman, we have no printed rules here. We have but one rule here, and it is that every student must be a gentleman." Well said General.
Lee's horse during the Civil War – Traveller – is buried just outside the chapel.
Behind the pulpit in the chapel is an awing statue of Lee by Edward Valentine that depicts Lee resting on the battlefield. (Photo by Mike Lynaugh) (Picture taking not permitted in the chapel without written permission from the director of the chapel)

New York Herald's Obituary of Robert E. Lee:

On a quiet autumn morning, in the land which he loved so well and served so faithfully, the spirit of Robert Edward Lee left the clay which it had so much ennobled and traveled out of this world into the great and mysterious land. Here in the North, forgetting that the time was when the sword of Robert Edward Lee was drawn against us—forgetting and forgiving all the years of bloodshed and agony—we have long since ceased to look upon him as the Confederate leader, but have claimed him as one of ourselves; have cherished and felt proud of his military genius; have recounted and recorded his triumphs as our own; have extolled his virtue as reflecting upon us—for Robert Edward Lee was an American, and the great nation which gave him birth would be today unworthy of such a son if she regarded him lightly.

“Never had mother a nobler son. In him the military genius of America was developed to a greater extent than ever before. In him all that was pure and lofty in mind and purpose found lodgment. Dignified without presumption, affable without familiarity, he united all those charms of manners which made him the idol of his friends and of his soldiers and won for him the respect and admiration of the world. Even as in the days of triumph, glory did not intoxicate, so, when the dark clouds swept over him, adversity did not depress.

Highlights of Lee Chapel Visit:

1) The lovely tour guide informed us about the chapel while barefoot
2) The statue by Edward Valentine
3) Traveller's gravestone
4) The reverent and respectful atmosphere

Guess who we ran into?

2010-03-22T05:39:00.000-07:00

While in VA Steven took us around to his old college stomping grounds and introduced us to some of his southern friends. We had to climb a little mountain to get up to the first one.
Of course this is Thomas Jefferson's house at Monticello that he started construction on in 1769 and take residence in 1770. (Pictures are not permitted inside the building)
Yeah we know Thomas – you did a lot of important things in your day. You don't need to rub it in.

Ben reflects the nature of Monticello and it's impact in Jefferson's life (this takes him 3.5 minutes).

Highlights of Monticello:
1) It's a smooth running operation logistically.
2) Original pieces of furniture.
3) Discovering that Jefferson slept sitting up to facilitate digestion.
4) Overhearing someone get interviewed about their trip to Charlottesville and being asked "did you just come for Monticello or anything else?" "Just Monticello... oh and the wine. In fact where do we go for the wine?"

CP found the South...

2010-03-20T18:21:00.001-07:00

...looks like they are still ready to go...

Guess how we got to this Thrift Store.

2010-03-20T05:42:00.000-07:00

First we did web based research.
Then we picked up the rental car. A little Toyota. It didn't accelerate with out my permission once. I don't know what all the fuss is about.
Then we stopped at a Waffle House in West Virginia... which is as awesome as it sounds.
Turns out that the Waffle House in West Virginia is made for a recession. Order of biscuits and gravy – only $3. Two Waffles – only $3.50. Local people watching spectacular – only $0. We were the only people in the joint that didn't know all the other people chowing down. But they treated us like they did. Oh... heart the south.
West Virginia interests me. I feel an urge to explore it and know about it. I've done my wikipedia research and it seems lovely. But! I delved to deeply and found that among the US states WV came in last! What the deal? What's going on in WV?

I know you're wondering and Hawaii came in first (shocker), followed by a tie between Utah and Montana (also shocker).

Oh yes... I'll pick back up with the narrative thread of this story. I found the most wonderful L.L. Bean Sweater. It's going to be my new standard. I'm only sad that spring has come and I won't get to much opportunity to wear it around. My fall/winter wardrobe is much better then my spring/summer.

Guess where I've been

2010-03-19T12:04:00.001-07:00

Here is a hint of where I've been.
Here is a bigger hint of where I've been.

Guess who was on the Subway?

2010-03-12T04:26:00.000-08:00

This guy with his bird.

Brooklyn Art Museum

2010-03-11T10:21:00.000-08:00

I See Spring Coming

2010-03-10T15:22:00.000-08:00

Signs of spring are all around! People are throwing out last seasons color filing cabinets to make room for this season color filing cabinets.
People wearing purple are starting to converge in public places.
Youth are listening to the wizened.
Students are pretending to study for an excuse to be outside.
People with bikes are saying "Hey – Over Here!"
Kings and Queens are falling on the battlefields.
The Empire State Building is starting to grow up out of the ground after it's winter hibernation.
And... Neon Milk is on the menu again.

Locks of Love

2010-03-09T05:44:00.001-08:00

Above is a great example of a traditional youth public proclamation of love. I'm sure many of you are familiar with this type.

–But–

Below is what the kids these days are doing now on the Brooklyn Bridge. I'm calling it The Locks of Love Public Proclamation. The youth in effect are saying our love is locked – until a bridge maintenance man come with bolt cutters.

Steven Had A Birthday

2010-03-08T12:30:00.000-08:00

Steven wasn't sure if he wanted to be recognized by the people attending his birthday party so he wore a fake mustache as a disguise.

Snack or Dinner?

2010-03-07T15:26:00.000-08:00

I'm a wildlife photographer

2010-03-05T16:24:00.000-08:00

The forth kind

2010-03-04T06:57:00.000-08:00

Lars - The hook as been baited.
Now we wait.

Ljubljana Christmas

2010-03-02T10:47:00.000-08:00

Christmas in March keeps rolling on as I got a package from Ljubljana, Slovenia. Miss Rebekah (also known as tiny dancer) had mentioned that she would send me some of the chocolate powder mix to make the hot chocolate drink I enjoyed some much during my Slovenia trip. Today she made good.
She also included a communist pin that she found at a flee market.
Guess what it looks good on...

I don't approve of communism - but I do approve of the color red and star shapes.

Thanks Tiny Dancer!

Rogue

2010-03-01T09:32:00.001-08:00

Last November my dad started asking me what I wanted for Christmas and Friday night I told him. It's this navy blazer by Rogues Gallery. I know it was a bit late for a Christmas present - but I wanted to wait for the perfect time to use this smooth stone and when I saw this chambray line jacket at the Barney's warehouse sale it was time to sling a text to dad calling in the chit.
Regal buttons no?
Workable cuffs. Nice detail Rogue Galleries.
Nice fit too. The arms are long and the body is cut a little shorter. Fitted on at the waist and along the shoulder, with a rolling shoulder. In summation - made for a stylish skinny tall man. In summation of summation - the navy blazer I've been looking for.

As you have been hoping the story does not end there. Turns out that when I texted my dad about this navy blazer he had just returned from Nordstrom's Rack having purchased a NAVY BLAZER. In his own words he said, "I was confused when I got your text because I'm old now and my brain took a while to figure out what was going on." He replied that he would accept this purchase as a suitable Christmas present for '09 (clarification was needed if it was for '09 or '10.)

One last loose thread that you all are dying to have sewn up. I got the coat for 90% off. Barney's Warehouse Sale - you've done it again.

Greece

2010-02-24T14:51:00.001-08:00

I know I've posted this picture from Slovenian before, but it seems fitting these days. It says "Today Greece, Tomorrow the rest of Europe".

Brooklyn Snow

2010-02-23T15:29:00.000-08:00

Right before Christmas there was a big snow storm. So I pulled out my sewing machine and whipped together a little bag.
Then I put it all together in a little editorial shot.

The New Fried Rice

2010-02-22T07:53:00.000-08:00

This is what Fried Rice looks like when I follow the recipe found on the NY Times website.
It was super tasty and I highly recommend it. Above Hillary is putting the finishing touches on the vegetable that she brought with her. Hillary sure knows how to bring a dark green vegetable that compliments NY Times Fried Rice.
Best part - the egg makes the most euphonious sound as it is fried in peanut oil sunny side up and then placed on top of the rice. The rice is mixed with chopped leeks. I didn't know what a leek was so I had to ask the grocer. Then I didn't know how to cut a leek so some nice lady on youtube showed me how (thanks nice lady).

First game of Ticket to Ride

2010-02-21T17:57:00.000-08:00

With all the wonderful things that Uncle Jeff has said about the board game "Ticket to Ride" we had to get our own and try it out. I would like to say that it was fun, and my 7 year old did wonderful. In fact he has said that he would like to request that Jeff come down to Atlanta for a game.

Coney Island President's Day

2010-02-20T06:40:00.001-08:00

Vocabulary & the Typewriter

2010-01-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

I love the sound of a typewriter typing. I love increasing my vocabulary. I also love note cards. Imagine the love discovered by combining these three disciplines.
Mr. Clark was emphatically instructed to insure the removal of all personal property upon vacating the premises at Lincoln Pl during his hopeful yet doomed relocation from Brooklyn to Orem. With all this required - he did a bang up job. However, some personal items remained upon my habitation of his old apartment. Among them: two pool cues, various church manuals, assortment of pens, pencils, & other miscellaneous art supplies and one 12x9x6 box from St. Louis Business Forms, Inc. of Fenton, Missouri originally purchased by Climate Source, Inc. of Salt Lake City, Utah filled with 4000 white continuous 6x3 index cards for computer printout.

The pool cues have been kept on the premises for protection from potential intruders. The church manuals have be turned over to those that can best utilize them. The pens, pencils, and other miscellaneous art supplies have been enlisted in various fashion up-start ventures. Finally, the continuous cards for computer printout (A.K.A 6x3 white index card) have been employed to more efficiently "learn me some new words".

Below is my homage to Jack Kerouac's 120ft teletype paper that he wrote On The Road with.

Would you like a tour?

First we start out with:
Later on we run into the unpleasant topic of:
Deeper in the roll we come across a real shrill:

*editor's note: cacophony is a lovely sounding word despite the fact that it is use to express something sounding unlovely.

Moving along we happen upon:
I hope you took time to notice the beauty of the type in the above picture. The uneven inking of each letter. The unique texture of each word. The type feels imbued with sincerity. It's nonuniform uniformity gives it a greater sense of legitimacy. For example - if you got two identical letters in the mail, one was typed and one was printed, which would you be drawn too read first?

Finally we finish with:
Isn't typing and vocabulary mixed with continuous cards for computer printout fun?

2012

2009-11-21T11:15:00.000-08:00

Listen People!

2012 is an awesome movie.

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry... or to use another cliché.

Seriously

Honest Abe or Halloween Part 2

2009-11-05T06:07:00.000-08:00

The decision to be dedicated to growing out my beard was a decision to be Abraham Lincoln. I consulted with my beard mentor Brigham on how long it would take. I stopped shaving and started growing on October 5th 2009. That gave me 5 weeks of solid growth.

For the actual costume I had my Karl Lagerfeld H&M double breasted long coat, a black vest Collin gave me from a production that he worked on, my black wool crêpe pants, and my black boots. I went to the trim store and bought black ribbon - two yards just incase I messed up - which I did. I tied the bow tie on and then I cut it to the historically accurate shape that President Lincoln wore. The hat came from my A. Lincoln birthday party I hosted back in February.

(Side story... I wanted to get a real hat. There was a beautiful one on ebay that I wanted to win. I determined to get it no matter the cost. I figured no matter what I paid for it there would be a market and could resale it for what I paid for it. I watched the auction for five days then put in my bid for $200 and went out for the night. When I got home I had been out bid! It went for $255! Everything worked out in the end though. While waiting in line for the parade to begin it started to raining hard. The top hat was fur and would have been destroyed and lost it's resale value.)

In preparation for my once-in-a-lifetime roll as A. Lincoln I memorized the Gettysburg Address. While at party later that night Hillary yelled out say the Gettysburg Address. I grabbed my jacket lapels and laid out the Address like it was nobody's business. I made two errors... but guess what? - nobody was the wiser. People had looks of surprise and delight on their faces at my recitation. When I finished Collin started a chat of "FOUR MORE YEARS". It caught on through the party. It was a worthy reply for my hard work.

My friend Brittany Watson wrote a most delightful blog post about A. Lincoln's beard. I suggest that you read it.

Oh... there were a few other Abe Lincolns around town that night but they were pretty amateur. First of all, they had prosthetic beards. Secondly - I know for a fact none of them had even thought of taking the time to discipline themselves in the quest to memorize The Gettysburg Address. Nonetheless I salute them for their endeavors and encourage them to keep working on their Lincoln methodology.

Tear Down This Wall!

2009-11-03T10:06:00.000-08:00

Oh Berlin Wall - I remember the times I was told about you when I was but a child. I remember the time in sixth grade when the teacher wheeled a TV into the classroom for us to watch you come down. It's been twenty years ago today. Oh what fun we had.

"Hey Baumer" or Halloween Part 1.

2009-11-02T19:20:00.000-08:00

The Royal Tenenbaums was filmed in the house pictured above. It is located in Harlem, but until Saturday I had never been there. I have been growing my beard out for 5 weeks in preparation for my Halloween costume when it dawned on me that I could also be Richie Tenenbaum my favorite character from The Royal Tenenbaums.
Then I realized that I could go to the house that the movie was filmed and take pictures out front.
I have never seen my dad or brothers (nor my sister or mom) grow out a beard. With Brigham coaching me as my beard mentor I discovered that I could indeed grow a beard.

For those of you that have not seen The Royal Tenebaums here is a good scene with Richie.

Who? The Mighty Boosh that's who.

2009-07-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

UPDATE.... NY Times article

I got a text from Mighty international man about town Lars, who by the way is back in NYC (hopefully for good this time), saying that a Mighty event was happening on East 4th St that he thought I should know about in a Mighty way.
What could be the reason for this Mighty line?
What Mighty thing was behind all the clamoring around this record shop window to get a peek from umbrella holding girls and burly Harely riders. Not to mention, justify pics from a Mighty cute NY Times photographer?
Why it's Mighty Bob Fossil (Rich Fulcher)!
And Mighty Vince Noir (Noel Fielding)!
And the Mighty Howard Moon (Julian Barrett)! Also known as The Mighty Boosh. My most favorite TV/comedy troop of all time (they're British).
Here is a Mighty Mighty Boosh fan with his Mighty spoil. What's that you ask? Why Yes, it is a Watch Tower. This Mighty Mighty Boosh fan is a Mighty monkey genius, he knows just what the perfect item is to have signed!
Watch Tower close up. This will surely put the JWs on the map!

What's that you say?... you don't know or have never even heard of the Mighty Boosh? Well that is Mighty wrong my friend. Let us rectify that situation post haste! Watch these two Mighty clips and everything will be okay in a Mighty way.

I live in Gotham

2009-07-20T18:56:00.001-07:00

More treasures from Germany

2009-07-07T20:16:00.000-07:00

The best thing that happened to me today was I got this mysterious letter by luftpost. I had no idea what it could be.
Looks like it is from Germany... I thought, "oh Germany you know my love for you and you are reaching out to me. That's sweet of you Germany."
Then I opened it and inside was a picture of a German Sailor playing an accordion on a boat. What delight. Then I remembered... oh yeah I won this on ebay. This is by far the best surprise I have ever given myself.

it's all but a dream…

2009-07-01T06:19:00.001-07:00

Dream job?
Dream ride…
– dream lady to ride with

RIP MJ

2009-06-30T06:18:00.000-07:00

Do you remember when Michael was little and cute?
Oh.... do you remember that time that Michael had a great haircut?
Do you remember how Michael would go on dates with beautiful women?
OH... do you remember that one time when Michael had that chimpanzee as a best friend?
Oh... do you remember that time when Michael and Webster were buddies?
Oh do you remember how Michael's dancing was amazing? Oh and those white socks of his were amazing as well.
Do you remember the time when Michael hung out with people that we wish we could hang out with – like Slash of G'N'R?
and the Reagan's…

and the Bush's…

and the Lisa's, Washington's, Einstein's, T's, and Lincoln's?

Yeah... that was great.

Have you ever wondered?

2009-06-29T06:46:00.000-07:00

If you (like me) have ever wondered what I would look like flying First Class – this is the post to find out in.
“Do you want some warm nuts and a newspaper?“

"Yes I would. Thank you"

This is what it looks like when I get the Journal and warm nuts in first class.
This is what it looks like when I get silverware and cute salt and pepper shakers in first class
"Would you like an appetizer"

"Yes"

"Do you want the Spring Roll, Shrimp Bisque, or Chicken Shish Kabob?"

(noticeable perplexed look on my face)

"…do you want all three?"

"Yes"

This is what it looks like with I get appetizers in first class.

"Would you like a salad?"

"Yes"

This is what it looks like with I get a salad in first class.
This is what it looks like I get tracking info on the first class flight in first class.
This is what it looks like when I get a beverage and view Casa Blanca in first class.
"What main course would you like?"

"The Beef and Potatoes, thank you."

This is what it looks like when I get the main course in first class.
"Would you like a fruit plate or crackers and cheese?"

(noticeable perplexed look on my face)

"…would you like both?"

"Yes, thank you"

This is what it looks like when I get various fruits, cheeses, and crackers in first class.
This is what it looks like when I keep up with current events in first class.
This is what it looks like when I catch up on zzzzzz's in first class.
–hours later–

"Do you want a cheese burger before landing?"

"Yes... Yes I would, thank you."

This is what it looks like when I get a cheese burger before landing in first class.

Listen to me… first class is wonderful – not necessary, but delightful.

New Music

2009-06-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

New Music is in my life again. After seeing The New York Dolls and Iggy Pop and the Stooges play live a few years ago anything else just doesn't cut it. And if that wasn't enough, watching Jon Brion break his guitar neck and then proceed to play when doves cry on it really made me wonder 'where do I go next for musical kicks'?

Now for a moment of clarity. I wish I was so musically inclined as the above makes me appear. The truth is, my friend Paul moved from the city years ago and he was the one that brought me all the cool music. I'm starting to fend for myself.

I've diligently been taking notes of songs that my ears fancy. I've been listening to KCRL on the interweb and when I hear something that I like I scribble it down. Later I review the songs on itunes. Sometimes I think 'what was I thinking' other times I think 'oh yeah this was a good one'. The most helpful thing has been to see bands repeated on my list. This is a sure witness of two or three that it is true and correct music. Here are my cheat sheets... you know the crib sheets, front and back.

Some bands that have made an impression on me:

Talking Heads - - - as if there was ever a question

Fleet Foxes

Harlem Shakes

Bill Calahan

Sexton Blake (cover album with great covers of Daniel, Making Love Out of Nothing at All, etc.)

Camera Obscura - - - the new album is really making it happen

The Short Wave Set

Silver Jews

Deer Tick

The Magic Suit

2009-06-15T07:05:00.000-07:00

Dinner for a Man of Substance.

2009-06-13T06:28:00.000-07:00

Doesn't above just look like what one would eat in Denmark? Well... that's because it is.
This is what it looks like when your done eating in Denmark.
This... oh this... thin pancakes with ice cream, jam, chocolate, whipped cream, such a pleasure to eat.

Note: no after picture of the dessert plate due to the passing out from joy of the photographer.

Vor Frue Church

2009-06-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

This is the actual church that has the actual statue of...
Thorvaldsen's Christus. This is the statue used in many temple visitor centers.
Above is a peek at the construction of the walls.
This is the big league of hymn numbers.
The church has not only the statue of Christ but all the apostles. Above is Peter with his keys. Do you remember when President Packer told that wonderful story about President Kimball?

From President Packer's April '08 general conference talk The Twelve:

In 1976 an area general conference was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Following the closing session, President Spencer W. Kimball desired to visit the Vor Frue Church, where the Thorvaldsen statues of the Christus and of the Twelve Apostles stand. He had visited there some years earlier and wanted all of us to see it, to go there.

To the front of the church, behind the altar, stands the familiar statue of the Christus with His arms turned forward and somewhat outstretched, the hands showing the imprint of the nails, and the wound in His side very clearly visible. Along each side stand the statues of the Apostles, Peter at the front to the right and the other Apostles in order.

Most of our group was near the rear of the chapel with the custodian. I stood up front with President Kimball before the statue of Peter with Elder Rex D. Pinegar and Johan Helge Benthin, president of the Copenhagen stake.

In Peter’s hand, depicted in marble, is a set of heavy keys. President Kimball pointed to those keys and explained what they symbolized. Then, in an act I shall never forget, he turned to President Benthin and with unaccustomed firmness pointed his finger at him and said, “I want you to tell everyone in Denmark that I hold the keys! We hold the real keys, and we use them every day.”

I will never forget that declaration, that testimony from the prophet. The influence was spiritually powerful; the impression was physical in its impact.

We walked to the back of the chapel where the rest of the group was standing. Pointing to the statues, President Kimball said to the kind custodian, “These are the dead Apostles.” Pointing to me, he said, “Here we have the living Apostles. Elder Packer is an Apostle. Elder Thomas S. Monson and Elder L. Tom Perry are Apostles, and I am an Apostle. We are the living Apostles.

“You read about the Seventies in the New Testament, and here are two of the living Seventies, Elder Rex D. Pinegar and Elder Robert D. Hales.”

The custodian, who up to that time had shown no emotion, suddenly was in tears.

I felt I had had an experience of a lifetime.

I have found churches in Scandinavia so pleasant.
They are simple and clean.
The Domo in Milano was amazing, but a bit overwhelming. The Vor Frue church had a bright soothing spirit about it. This was one of the best sights on this trip to Europe.

It must be rain drops

2009-06-09T15:16:00.000-07:00

3:30 this morning was the second loudest thunder storm of my NYC career. I don't know what is more scary, listening to the thunder right above my head -or- the echo of the thunder between the buildings. All the while... wondering if the lightning can come through the open window. I think it can, but I was to tired to close it. I took the risk. That's how I live life - taking risks.

Copenhagen is next.

2009-06-08T17:13:00.000-07:00

Copenhagen is a lovely little town.
It has great buildings that sell roadside goodies. And more importantly...

Various types sausages... with the great mustard. Oh how I long for these dogs. They are nearly as good as the ones in Berlin.

The above was so good I ordered two more. I dream about these lovelies.

Summer Movie Reviews To Date.

2009-06-07T13:26:00.001-07:00

I've seen a few movies in the last few weeks and I'd like to review them with you:

Star Trek:

Super amazing.

So amazing that it's worth buying four value meals at Burger King to get the full set of collector cups.

My fears that it would be Star Trek 90210 were unfounded. I like how J.J. Adams didn't wimp out at the end.

Terminator Salvation:

Better then T3, not as good as T2. Worth matinee viewing. It's robots fighting humans, how could that go wrong?

Up:

Very charming, unique, and funny. Saw it in 3D. I don't like wearing two pairs of glasses. It like being a geek squared.

Next movie I'm planning on seeing is Moon.

Last Last Milano pictures

2009-06-06T05:26:00.000-07:00

In Italy they have specialty specialty stores. Here is the pipe shop. Other specialty stores I saw were, ladies gloves, masquerade stores (especially in Venice), and fountain pens.

This picture is of the saddest child in Milano. Can you see it?

(there's one lonely balloon up there)
I saw this picture and immediately realized that it's Collin, Jared, and myself if we were born in Italy. (Collin and Jared are sharing one bike... with Jared on the back. I'm historically a solo rider.) Don't they just look like they are having a whale of a time. Yes, Zegna... Great minds do think alike.

Last Milano Pictures

2009-06-05T16:32:00.000-07:00

This is the old gate into the city.

These are Roman Columns.

Fancy Milano Shopping Center.

2009-06-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

Right next to the Domo is a fancy shopping center.
It has a glass roof.
Looks great lit up at night
The floor plans form a t-shape. The corner stores are highly sought after.
Bernasconi's founded 1872
I think is is the first Prada store. (I could be wrong)
Ahhh Louis Vuitton Ahh Paris
And... McDonald's. America you beautiful.

CURRENTS

2009-06-03T20:55:00.000-07:00

Today the WSJ published this amazingly delightful photo. Next time someone asks me what type of girl I'm looking for I will take this photo out and show them in black and white exactly what I'm looking for. The way she is sitting side saddle just kills me. Question? What would be the theme song for this photograph?

A Lust For Conquest

2009-06-02T19:21:00.001-07:00

Tonight Stephen took Micheal and I to a play. Stephen was repaying me for alterations I did to a few pairs of his pants. His debt to me is now paid in full and I no longer have any claim on him.

The Norman Conquests is a delightful story of a man in England named Norman. The play was at the Old Vic in England previously. It's jumped the pond to New York with the English players with their English accents in tow.

This is the first play that I've seen with a "theater in the round" stage. We had seats right on the floor, second row. One of the cast members hid behind my chair during the performance. Watching the audience watching the actors on the opposite side of the stage was almost as enjoyable as watching the actors act.
Here are the actors. The top six were the ones that performed tonight. I was very impressed. I was also very impressed with the wardrobe. It looked period... but wasn't really. Kind of like a Time Burton movie. It has a feeling to it... and you want to assign it to a decade, but you just can't bring yourself to do it.

On a sad note... between paying for Mexican food and the end of the show Stephen lost his wallet. Don't worry he has called all his credit cards and has frozen his accounts.

****Update. Stephen found his wallet. It was being held at the box office of the theater and he has retrieved it.****

Milano Domo

2009-06-01T15:25:00.000-07:00

In the main center of Milan there is the biggest church I have ever seen! Look at the people, then look at the size of this beast!
On the inside hangs huge paintings between the columns.
Look how they stack one painting above the other. Compare the people below to see the scale of these giants.

This is the detail of the front doors. The out side of the church is very ornate

The doors and facade of exterior tell various bible stories.

I'm not going to bother to tell you to see this church if you ever go to Milan... because it is so big there is no way that you could miss it.

Prince Harry

2009-05-31T12:51:00.001-07:00

What could this fine fellow be dressed up for?

Here is a hint...
It's a Polo Match on Governor's Island.
With Prince Harry astride a pony. Prince Harry was in town doing some royal duties. It's his first solo visit on official royal business. He dedicated a monument to the British nationals that died on 9/11 at ground zero. Then he visited a school up in Harlem or the Bronx. He played some games with the kids there. Then he rushed down to Governor's Island. He was #1 on the white team.
This was my first polo match that I have ever attended. My interest in polo has gone up. I feel that it would be something that I could really get into. I just need a few ponies and a stick.

During half time the spectators are encouraged to fix the divots on the pitch and to mingle with others.
Everyone come out on the pitch. Many people were dress up real fine.
Everyone was taking pictures.
Carol got jealous and grabbed my camera so she could be in with all the other cool picture takers.

aaaah Venice

2009-05-30T05:46:00.001-07:00

First thing right off the bat... It's never been a strong desire of mine to visit Italy. It's always seemed to easy of a place to be amazed by. My train pulled into Venice literally as the sun was rising. It was astounding.

Below I've posted way too many photos. Here's the thing about Venice - You can't take a bad picture, but pictures don't do it justice.

The train pulls right into the city. Venice is located in the middle of a lagoon. I had only a few hours before I had to catch a train to Milan. My plan was to walk around. Since it was early morning all the shop keepers were opening their shops. All the school children were coming down from their apartments and heading off to class. The trash men were out collecting trash, and the FedEx deliverers were on their boats getting the packages to the right place. Seeing people living and working the city and not just the "Time Square" area made the city so much more. It also helped that it was January and early in the morning so there were few tourist. Venice must be packed during the summer with those yahoos.

Venice is ten times worse then a corn maze. I thought about turning back... but the city kept pulling me forward. Wondering where the next turn would take me I was soon lost. So I bought a map for 5 Euros. Got a croissant and continued on my way. I took pictures until my battery died. Then, even with the map, I barely made it back to the train station and got on board for Milan.
This picture is Venice to me. The door just slightly open, mystery pouring out from inside.I have one disappointing item to report. I could not find the church that Indiana Jones comes out of the sewer in front of. Had I, I would have been as giddy as a school boy. But the universe always balances itself out, above is the lagoon that James Bond ends up in his power boat at the end of From Russia With Love. Which is my favorite Bond movie. I came out even with movie sights

Okay I'm going to get out of the way and let you enjoy the pictures now.

In Summary... Venice is an ancient city that people still live and work in. It's a must see.

Laying Track

2009-05-29T16:26:00.000-07:00

It came time to leave Slovenia and travel to Italy. Doesn't this look like a Wes Anderson Movie?
My train left at 2:30 in the morning. That's really early. I appreciated the analog train board. Penn Station in NYC use to have a huge one of these until a few years ago. They broke my heart when they changed over to digital. Oh the sound of those plastic alphanumeric cards changing is the sound of adventure!
My Feet up and my bag next to my side... I carried on with my travel. I took a nap for most of the way.

We would stop now and again. People would get off and on. I kept my eyes closed. This stop I thought to myself... did someone bring a dog on board? Yes, it was some sort of police in Italy with a drug sniffing dog. I got so scared... because I was carrying drugs. HA! just joking. When I sat down in my seat 2 hours before I noticed that someone had left a plastic bag full of stuff on the ground. I didn't think anything about it until now. What if someone had left drugs in this bag! Oh my. Luckily the only thing left were some sort of sandwiches from I think Turkey and bottle water. The dog was not interested in either.

After checking all the passengers for illegal drugs the dog was rewarded with a game of fetch on the platform. I thought that would be a delightful job. Playing fetch with your drug K9 in between trains at 4 in the morning in Italy.

To the Opera James

2009-05-29T15:57:00.000-07:00

Rebekah lives in Slovenia and works as a ballet dancer. The Ballet was not performing that week but the dancers did have a part in the Opera that was showing. The Opera was in Russian with Slovenian subtitles. I do not understand Russian or Slovenian so I drew pictures in the dark of what I saw on stage. It turned out to be pretty fun.This is the orchestra pit. Some argue it is the strong piece in the set.
This Opera must have something to do with church. The opening scene had a lot of people carry all sorts and sizes of crosses. There was one giant one hanging from the back wall (detail in lower page above)This opera had lots of singing in it and very dramatic large stage scenes shown above.
This stage was great. As you can tell above it snowed on stage while people carried around more crosses in what appeared to be in a landscape devastated by a fire (it is Russia after all). Then below that there is a gong. With a Czar-type person with dancing ladies (Rebekah and her friends) reminded me of Jabba's palace.This was one of the more intimate scenes. One person was down on their knees singing to some other people.
Of course being a clothing designer I had to draw some detail sketches of the costuming.

It was a good thing that I drew these sketches. I rode with Rebekah and the other dancers back home. They didn't believe me that I had stayed awake during the Opera. I showed them the drawings and my name was cleared.

half price is the right price

2009-04-18T07:47:00.000-07:00

The following movie review is free of studio or advertiser sway.

Friday night under unique circumstances I went and saw 17 Again.

The circumstances are not relevant for this review.

Of course I had low low expectations going into this film. I think we would all expect that. I was pleasantly surprised with this film. I had a glimmer of hope that it might not cause internal bleeding when I was informed by an associate that Roger Ebert gave favorable reviews.

This film was entertaining and genuinely humorous. One character especially stood out and pulled off the "side kick steals the show" routine. I must admit... that Zac Efron is a good little actor. Besides being excessively handsome, he had some real heart. Unlike Leo Dicaprio, I don't mind admitting that he is good at his craft. The movie did not take itself to serious which worked greatly in its favor.

I would recommend this movie at a proper place and time. The place: Movie theater on 34th st. The time: before noon. The reason: the ticket is half the price. Half price is the right price.

Finish up slovenia pictures

2009-03-29T14:48:00.000-07:00

On a table of tourist trinkets I found the funniest thing. You'll notice refrigerator magnates. You'll notice all the pictures of socialists. Tito, Che, Putin, Yeltsin, Gorbachev.... and Obama.

The graffiti says, "Today Greece, tomorrow the rest of Europe." (You'll notice that the "a" is an anarchy sign. Love it.

This is the communist housing that Rebekah lived in. It's wasn't has dreary as it looks. Just kind of.

Slovenia has a castle.

2009-03-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

There are signs that lead to the Castle.
Slovenia has never had any royalty, but they have had quite a few overlords in their day. This Castle is set on top of the hill in the center of town. It's a great place to over look the city.
Here is the chapel. Currently the castle is being renovated so it's just kind of a walk around aimlessly checking out the grounds with no direction while wondering how it all used to work kind of place.
During the sixties and seventies Hippies took over the castle and lived there in a commune sort of way. It was probably ridiculous. Finally the city kicked them out. Now if you get married in Ljubljana you have to married by the mayor in the castle. It's the law.

Solvenia Food

2009-03-28T06:28:00.000-07:00

I have been to McDonald's multiple times in my life. Sometimes multiple times in one day. I have never seen these items offered.
Rebekah and I went to get some hot chocolate. She said that they have two kinds. One that is thick and one that was a more standard hot chocolate. She asked me which kind I wanted to get. I thought she was pulling my leg. Of course I want the thick version. She got the regular as pictured above.
Mine came out looking like this above. This is a simple case of someone made a good choice and someone made a bad choice. I love making good choices. Especially when they taste like warm chocolate pudding that you are meant to drink.
For kicks we got Mexican food. Very interesting sides. You can have mashed potatoes or you can get potato wedges. I'm not complaining... I love mashed potatoes. It's just interesting.
Unfortunately, I didn't have any "Slovenian" food. It just really wasn't around that I saw.

Slovenia (old Yugosloveia)

2009-03-28T06:07:00.000-07:00

Slovenia has one famous poet. This is him with his muse above him. When the statue was first made it caused a bit of a stir. His muse really is dressed properly for the cold Slovenian winters.
It turns out that this poet had a love affair with a lady in town. But she was unable to return his love because she was married. It was a bit of a scandal. I few years after this statue was made a statue of his secret love looking out a window towards the poet was installed on an adjacent building. Now everyone knows about it.
Basically Slovenia is small town USA European style. It has a cute little down town that is full of art nouveau buildings. Out side the downtown center it's mostly communist minimalist architecture. Which is interesting in it's own way. I prefer the art nouveau more though.
Love this color combo on this building.
See what I'm talking about. Isn't this just that perfect quaint euro town picture?

Then I went to Europe

2009-03-27T09:39:00.001-07:00

My previous apartment in NYC I paid the rent with my American Express card. I got a ton of frequent flier miles this way. Now without a job... I had some time to use some of them. Above is a shot of the sun setting over JFK. As I waited for my Air France flight to board.
After hours of flying I can see Paris over the horizon. Friends... I don't know how this happened but in the last year and a half I've been to Europe 4 times. I hope that I can keep the trend going. Turns out... Europe is a lot of fun to visit.
First sign that your not in JFK anymore? Extremely well-designed restrooms.
Oh Parisians.... must your need to smoke be so bad?
You might think that I was going to Paris. I've been there before... time to get on a smaller plane and head to Slovenia. It's part of the former Yugoslavia. (The really pretty part). I like planes with propellers on them. It makes me feel like I'm in an Indiana Jones film.

I had to work off my flight

2009-03-27T09:26:00.001-07:00

While in Indy the back deck was in need off sprucing up. Tracy, Brooke, and myself decided to clean the back yard up and get it ready for winter. Although winter had already been upon us. This included cleaning off the deck. Putting away the deck chair cushions. Taking down the hammock. Cleaning out the shed and reorganizing it. Then there was the small matter of breaking down unwanted chairs to fit in the garbage more efficiently. This was especially enjoying.
The wind up.
There there was the matter of the "frozen trash" As you can see the garbage to the right had filled with water. Then it froze. Encapsulating the trash inside of the ice. We couldn't break the ice even though we gave it our most ferocious war faces.
I thought the lid as a shield was a nice touch.
Our fearless leader... Queen of the trash... Trucker Tracy posses for memories.

First I got laid off...

2009-03-27T09:09:00.001-07:00

I got laid off the second week in December. I know classy... right before Christmas. When the Roddas found out they wouldn't allow me to spend Christmas by myself in NYC so they flew me out to Indianapolis. It was awesome. I sat in the same big chair and watched TV for a week straight. Watching world wildest police chases really helped me to deal with being laid off. It helped me realize that... "hey it could be worse".

Here is a picture of the Rodda women and myself, including Stephen. Tracy, Brooke, Mary-Ann, Myself, Stephen, and Erin. This was before the big Christmas Eve dinner and package opening. Great to be with such good friends after the bummer time of losing my job.
I was a little confused when I landed in Indy. I didn't recognize the airport. Turns out that they built a whole new airport next door to the old one. It's really nice and spacious. These really cool seats were made out of old suitcases. I thought of my friend Jared's art.
Above is what my bags look like on the bag seats. It's like they are haning out with grandpa.
Here is an extended couch version.

Gather around

2009-03-21T06:58:00.001-07:00

and I'll tell you story about the last four months.

I learned Photoshop and got a skateboard

2008-12-04T15:37:00.001-08:00

I got a new skateboard... It's been over five years since I owned one. My previous board was stolen when I moved to Indiana. I made this announcement in the same guise as a birth announcement. After all, this is a new addition to my family.
You might be thinking..."but wait Jeff that picture looks so cool... where did you get it?" Ha... I took a Photoshop class. I can double click, point and click, and right click my way to graphic excellence now. I took the class at FIT. It was eight hours a day for two Saturdays in a row. I only had one homework assignment.

Here it is below. I had to take these photos of various foods and turn them into some creature of my own imagination.

So I made flowers... but then realized that flowers do not qualify as a creature. Easy fixed! I just added some bees and the whole thing turned out lovely.
Yes I know it's not suppose to be that color. I don't know what happened... It's suppose to be the most lovely colors that you can imagine. Go and ahead and try... See? great right? Don't worry I'm still new at the Photoshop and I'm sure I'll get these things squared away.

2008-11-29T22:23:00.000-08:00

SAC International Airport Art

Jedi In Training

2008-11-25T15:41:00.000-08:00

Young Master Drew has learned the Force well. Very impressive.

Unbreakable

2008-11-21T20:12:00.000-08:00

You know in Unbreakable when life doesn't feel right for Bruce Willis because he is not doing what he should be, but then he does it and everything becomes better? I felt like that tonight. I went skateboarding for the first time in 5 years. It felt really good. I'm also reading Rousseau (translated into English, but I read it with a french accent). That has made me feel good too. Side note: Mike fell down and hurt his hand. But he doesn't have any regrets. Turns out neither do I.

Giant Rat.

2008-11-19T19:41:00.000-08:00

Sometimes for work I get to go shopping. Mostly to buy samples that Bonni wants to knock-off. On this day I was sent down to Well Built or whatever it is called to pick up some shirts. This is right by my old apartment on Crosby Street. It is clearly Banksy. It was huge. I walked past this same spot just a few days ago and it was gone. I can't imagine him being able to do such a huge work without permission... but I can't imagine why it would be taken down so soon.