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We're all Duned

A talented young architecture student named Magnus Larsson has come up with a wonderful plan to very literally solidify the efforts of the Green Wall Sahara initiative. In his ingenious plan, microorganisms would be used to teraform the dunes on the southern border of the Sahara into a porous wall that shelter Sub-Saharan Africa from the ever expanding desert. I found it hard to believe that this could be even remotely possible at first, but after listening to him explain the project in a TED conference presentation and visiting his detailed website, I think that this could quite possibly the first of many Sand cities that the international community could build in "third world" countries across the globe.

Rocking chair that powers your reading

I really enjoy these newfangled human-powered designs. It's good to start thinking about alternate energy sources within the framework of our everyday lives and how we want to live, and not necessarily how we are living right now.

William Kwamkamba and the Wind

Unbelievable ingenuity and intelligence.

Didn't Choo know?

While we're on the subject of H&M. They have had the unbelievably brilliant idea to finally feature a well-known fashion accessory designer/label in their stores for a limited time starting this November 14th. But that's not all. Not only will there be a line of the obligatory women's accessories (bags, etc.) there will also be items available for the discerning, yet wallet conscious gentlemen.

Fashion-able

I really like this new user interface that international retail giant H&M is using to present it's fall collection. Usually the photos in an online 'catalogue' are static and designed to move or transition from one photo to the next in fun little ways, but they have actually embedded little videos that allow each look to be gently blown by a breeze. Unique and actually useful in getting an idea of how the fabrics will behave in real life. Good job corporate giant, spend that money on artwork and programing!

Random party pics

Got till he's gone

I believe this media frenzy around Michael Jackson's death is a
response to the memories and emotions that his music evoked. People
are realizing that the source of all that unique and powerful talent
is gone.

The air up there

Click on the title to view a slideshow of NYC's new Highline park. Wonderful design, great location and grand purpose. Say hello to my new lunch hangout.

The relief rush

Every day, about an hour after lunch, everyone in the office gets the
same feeling. This feeling can only be described as the, OMG I have to
go right now feeling. Maybe it's the coffee from breakfast colliding
with the vitamin water from lunch, maybe it's just that we've all
reached maximum capacity. Who knows. What we do know is that no one
wants their coworkers to catch them doing their serious business. What
to do? I propose that we stagger our lunches so that the inevitable
intestinal pile-up happens in a way that keeps us from embarassing
bathroom revelations. Done.

Time to learn

Why is it that every summer, we declare a season of change and newness for our social lives? Only to fall back into comfortable ways of sloth and missed opportunities. Even though I have a big project to complete this summer, I don't have the energy to visit museums and parks and shows like I would want. But, I plan to do something about it. Instead of allowing the important educational stuff to lose in the lottery for time against the important work stuff, I'm going to combine them. Done.

I can't tell you how disappointed I am at western union.

Lisp'n Here!

Is it just me or do a lot of tv personalities have very noticeable lisps and speech impediments. I just need to know two things. Number one, did they get hired becuase of their unique consonant expressions or in spite of them and, number two, do they even recognize or realize that they are not producing certain letters from the correct and agreed upon places on the tongue, teeth, and lips? Kevin Pereira is one of my favorite aural offenders. I really enjoy his presentation of gadget news and digi-globe cultural memes. I'm just not sure how much of his ths in place of s I can stand.

Have we reached a point where, certain things like perfect diction/pronunciation don't matter anymore? Maybe I'm being too harsh and people like Kevin are aware of their difference and simply aren't able to do anything about it. If that is the case, then I am truly sorry. If it's not, then I'd like someone to explain this whole thing to me. I used to have a horrible stutter, and it drove me mad to listen to it, so I worked hard to slow things down and get them out of my mouth right or not at all. Perhaps that's why I'm a little sensitive.

Modern Speak

So. I've noticed that a new way of constructing meaning has come about in pop culture lately. People talk differently than they used to. My best guess as to the origins of this new lexicon is that it is a direct descendent of ubiquitous technology use. Although I myself have a hard time figuring out the code, I thought I'd try and begin a little dictionary to help acquaint the public with the subtle nuances of modern speak. Here we go.

So = Listen, you may enjoy this

like = reminds me of, you know, obviously or perceived to be

Here's the thing = I beleive, the core concept is, I've noticed

Acronyms = easy ways to confuse others and avoid details

worst ever/ best ever = too lazy to describe with elaborate adjectives

I'm swamped = drowning a dirty mess

hot mess = a bad situation thats been festering for a bit

very _____ = resembles, can be compared to

There will be much more to come. I'm going to keep an ear out for new sayings.

Mommy was Right

In one of the first scenes in Mommy Dearest, Joan Crawford, played by the incomparable Faye Dunaway bathes in her ultra-luxurious bathroom. We see her wash her face in scalding hot water and then use ice water to rinse away the grime. Why would someone torture themselves like that everyday? I'll tell you why, because it works. I've recently taken to using the steam room at my gym after each workout. I sit in the steam room for as long as I can bear it and then I rinse in a super cold shower. The heat opens up my pores and encourages my body to sweat-out toxins while the cold water closes pores up again. My skin feels fresh, clean and tight. At first it was a little uncomfortable, now I look forward to it as part of my daily ritual.

From H to O

I'm very fortunate to work in the Chelsea Market, where there are a lot of opportunities to interact with the various communities of people that live and work in the area. Recently, I've been witnessing an amazing fundraising program and art exhibit inhabit the first floor of the building. It's called Charity Water and it's a non-profit organization that helps to provide clean water solutions to people in developing nations. In the fountain that serves as a sort of centerpiece for the Chelsea market, they've constructed a working wishing well to collect money for their cause. I think it's genius. Charity water brings heart and organizing together to make clean H2O a reality for men, women and children everywhere.Please help support them by visiting the photograpy exhibit in the main hall and making a donation online today. You have to, I've already put some coins in the fountain and made a wish.

Is Goth Green?

Latex, old lace, leather, found items, homemade and recyled, goth designers are really making a comeback with a wild assortment of new ideas about what erotic-wear, cos-play and everyday should look like. I'm really interested in finding out how green these creations can be.

Global Chicken Crisis

While grabbing a bite to eat at a small chicken joint in scenic Crown Heights Brooklyn, I snapped this pic which illustrates the new mentality of the American businessman or woman. What else can I say? I'm still learning about the minutia of the Global Economic Crisis through media majicians like NPR's This American Life. Check out episode #375 for a detailed explanation of the crisis from the perspective of failing banks.

Unboxing is Porn

Ok. Am I the only one that thinks this whole unboxing phenomenon is a little strange? Think about it. People buy new stuff as soon as it hits the streets, then they meticulously document taking it out of it's packaging and using it for the first time. I remember when reviews were just about how the product worked and whether consumers should fork over money now or wait until something better and cheaper came along. Now, "reviewers" unbox items and talk about the form of the product, the weight, how it feels in their hands and the sexiness of the design. (Yes, I've heard people use the word sexy) Current trends, and cache have begun to precede function and practicality in these matters. I'm not saying that I don't enjoy a litttle 'Gadget Pron' as G4 calls it. I just wonder what this means about our relationship with technology. Are we using technology to get to know each other and ourselves or are we actually beginning to have feelings for objects?

Thank Thick

Well, I think we've finally made it to the next bend on the winding road of body-type preferences. Glamorous A-list stars like Queen Latifah, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Salma Hayak and the Kardashian girls have made the media notice the benefits of having voluptuous curves. There was a time that anyone without a wiry thin silhouette was quickly reminded of our obsession with abnormal, ultra-ideal/stylized body types. Now, a little thickness can be regarded as a sign of beauty, substance and empowerment. How did that happen? 

I think it could be a shift in the way that women consume images themselves. For years, there was a sense of shame attached to the growing rates of obesity in America. When reports recently surfaced exposing adolescent obesity rates and prevalence of child diabetes, the American family took notice. More and more people are tuning into shows like The Biggest Loser and other health oriented media offerings that question notions of  body image and eating habits. It's a classic case of media saturation and awareness. Talking about something loud and long enough and people will begin to act on it. Instead of just being body-crazy we're finally body-conscious. Looking at ourselves truthfully and being able to say this is healthier than that because of these reasons is smart and a skill that we're being forced to learn so that we can teach it to our obese, diabetic kids. Lesson learned. Thank you thickness.