tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32226757033228260542023-11-16T07:53:50.224-05:00MapperyRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-3640969640837739022009-06-01T14:03:00.062-04:002009-08-06T15:34:33.144-04:00The Amazing Underappreciated Sense of Smell - Part 1The sense of smell is the most underestimated of all of the senses, especially in humans. We rarely consider how major some of the impacts of a sense of smell are, oftentimes because we aren't even aware of their effects, or the cause. For example ...<br /><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://deniscalnan.ca/images/janettoon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 284px;" src="http://deniscalnan.ca/images/janettoon.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span">Memory and Dreams</span></span><br /></div><div>There is a certain smell - a sort of combination of laundry detergent and freshly cut grass and fresh spring air - that any time I inhale, immediately transports me back to a bedroom in a small yellow house in a town in Indiana, decades in the past. I'm a little girl lying on a half-made bed of freshly washed and line-dried sheets. My mom is making the bed and playfully lifting the sheet and letting it float down around me, trapping me in a cocoon of spring-clean.<br /><br />This is just one example of how scents and memories (frequently from youth) are connected. Are there certain <a href="http://participatorybooks.net/?p=11">smells that bring up <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">memorie</span></a><a href="http://participatorybooks.net/?p=11">s</a> in you? More so than other triggers, smell memory is particularly adept at holding the various aspects of a moment remembered: sounds, sights, faces and thoughts.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">But why?</span> </div><div><ul><li>Apparently the olfactory bulb encompasses the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">limbic</span> system (an area very closely associated with memory and feelings), and also has intimate access to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">amygdala</span> (which processes emotion) and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hippocampus</span> (which is responsible for associative learning).<br /></li><li>Next, you must form a condition response by linking a new scent to a specific event, person, thing, or moment that you were experiencing at the time. Your brain forges a link between the smell and a memory so that when you encounter it again, the link is already there, ready to elicit a memory or a mood.<br /></li><li>Finally, because we encounter most new odors in our youth, smells often call up childhood memories. Find out more from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://health.howstuffworks.com/smell3.htm">How Stuff Works</a></span>.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>And not just our memories, as "the sense that never sleeps", it seems as though <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7628744.stm">smells can effect our dreams</a> as well. Smelling something you find appealing before going to sleep has been show to promote pleasant dreams.<br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ndn3.newsweek.com/media/96/070918_mansweat_wide-horizontal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 236px;" src="http://ndn3.newsweek.com/media/96/070918_mansweat_wide-horizontal.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span">Attraction and Arousal</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Passion, bottled.</span></span></div><div>I always giggle when I'm in the soap / body wash aisle and I see some of the names of toiletries marketed toward men. They have names (usually in big bold type), like GLACIAL SURGE ... ICE DIVE ... or TEAM FORCE. I mean seriously, I don't know what any of those things are supposed to even smell like, but then again, I'm not the one they're marketed to. But then, if I flip up a cap and take a whiff, I'm generally attracted to the smell - clean, spicy, musky ... It doesn't have the effect on me like some of the <a href="http://www.pheromoneman.com/">creepy pheromone sprays</a> claim to, but it's something I've been conditioned to be attracted to. Alternately, whenever I'm at a department store, I always make a dash through the perfume section as quickly as possible so as not to be sneak-attack-spritzed by (what I think are) one of those pungent perfumes. But I wonder if men actually like when women smell like some of those sickeningly sweet or floral scents ...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Pheromones</span></span></div><div>According to <a href="http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/14306">Mental_Floss Magazine</a>, millions of years ago, we could detect pheromones - the airborne chemicals helped people choose mates by enabling them to “smell” the genetic material of others. But after we evolved to have color vision, we were able to pick up on emotional changes, (like blushing). Our ability to perceive attraction via pheromones died out; there was simply no point in having two ways to do the same thing, but we do still have vestiges of such detectors in our DNA.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Some pheromone <a href="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/04/sexsmells/">researchers</a> suspect that mammalian olfactory systems evolved to detect chemical traces of genetic incompatibility in the odors of potential mates. Every person has unique markers on the surface of their cells that indicate immunities or susceptibilities to various diseases. Since in order to create the fittest offspring you need to mate with someone with strengths and weaknesses very different from your own, an enhanced pheromone detector could make that attraction stronger and more explicit—leading to healthier children. Research also supports this in suggesting that humans mate with people with different markers far more often than mere chance would dictate. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are other studies (conducted by making poor volunteers sniff armpit odor) that show that <a href="http://www.livescience.com/health/090109-sexual-sweat.html">women can sense whether a man is aroused</a> and that <a href="http://www.livescience.com/health/060118_armpit_odor.html">men find the scent of a woman to be more attractive</a> at times of the month when they are more fertile.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picture.sensitivelight.com/smoke2/coloured_smoke_art__25.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 260px;" src="http://picture.sensitivelight.com/smoke2/coloured_smoke_art__25.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Your Sense of Smell Can Alert You of Danger</span><br />Of course we all know that smell can be very important as a first warning signal (i.e. alerting us to the smoke of a fire, a natural gas leak, spoiled food, rot, mold, toxic substances, etc.). Smell (along with taste) is part of the chemical sensing system group, known as <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://www.enotes.com/science-experiments-projects/chemosenses#" class="def" onclick="return false;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">chemosenses</span><dfn></dfn></a>, which means that the sense is stimulated by specific chemicals. These chemicals trigger a nerve signal to the brain that then "reads" the signal.<br /><br />Problems with these senses have a big impact on our lives. Smell and taste contribute to our enjoyment of life by stimulating a desire to eat – which not only nourishes our bodies, but also enhances our social activities. When smell and taste become impaired, we eat poorly, socialize less, and feel worse.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hyposmia</span> (when the ability to detect odor is reduced), <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">anosmia</span> (when the sense of smell is gone), or the onset of distortions of smells (i.e. finding something that once smelled pleasant to smell foul), can also signal serious health problems. For example, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, malnutrition, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, or, at times, brain tumors, are all accompanied or signaled by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">chemosensory</span> problems like smell disorders.<br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Doctors have also started to trial "<a href="http://www.voodish.co.uk/articles/robot-nose-given-keen-smell-sense/">electronic nose</a>" sensors to detect odors specific to diseases.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Did you know ....</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Snot helps you smell!: </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Smells consist of a number of molecules, each of which has a specific size and shape. The human nose contains more than 100 million receptors which are able to dock with these molecules. A layer of mucus dissolves the arriving scents and separates out different odour molecules so that they arrive at the receptors at different speeds and times. The brain is able to interpret this pattern to distinguish a diverse range of smells. (</span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.voodish.co.uk/articles/robot-nose-given-keen-smell-sense/">Robot Nose Given Keen Sense of Smell</a><span style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfdCc8QrJrscDPdhDFiX4poEd6QtxC87VWJ4mMdWYquC8DXOaFvZFpm0qXHsHeqmyH85BIuDU-SdcFEehNYnPYABdHrfdRqz_VCihnNvCwt84iqMYodNLk__VYlF6Bet81I2actKEDC8Z/s1600-h/dude+smell+this.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfdCc8QrJrscDPdhDFiX4poEd6QtxC87VWJ4mMdWYquC8DXOaFvZFpm0qXHsHeqmyH85BIuDU-SdcFEehNYnPYABdHrfdRqz_VCihnNvCwt84iqMYodNLk__VYlF6Bet81I2actKEDC8Z/s320/dude+smell+this.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366645312484553650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-71191410152183614472009-05-26T13:53:00.029-04:002009-05-26T17:29:12.069-04:00Spy Gear, for the Ladies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://survivalanddefense.com/shop/images/knife_lipstick.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="http://survivalanddefense.com/shop/images/knife_lipstick.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Gents can appreciate a lot of this stuff too.<br /><br /><br /><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">tore your secret stash:<br /></span><ul><li><span>P</span>latform <a href="http://www.totallynecessary.com/hidden-compartment-black-p-902.html">shoes</a> with a hidden compartment pictured below<br /></li><li>A <a href="http://www.geekologie.com/2007/03/water_bottle_safe_uses_actual.php">water bottle safe</a> that actually has water in it</li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.totallynecessary.com/imagemagic.php?img=images/tresure-platform-609-blk.jpg&w=150&h=177&page=prod_info"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 177px;" src="http://www.totallynecessary.com/imagemagic.php?img=images/tresure-platform-609-blk.jpg&w=150&h=177&page=prod_info" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">cale walls:</span><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.tbotech.com/ninja-gear.htm">Ninja grappling hook or foot and hand claws</a></li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">M</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ulti-tool</span>:<br /><ul><li>Girly <a href="http://dainties.com/lingerie/products/Miss_Army_Knife_Kit-532-0.html?SSAID=204502">Miss Army Knife Kit</a></li><li>Or the more useful <a href="http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=everyday&product=53501&">Victorinox SwissChamp</a></li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Surveillance and data capture / storage gadgets:</span><span><br /></span><ul><li>World's Smallest Global Positioning (16 Satellite Real-Time) <a href="http://www.pentagondefense.com/worldtracker-sms-gps.html">Tracking System</a></li><li><a href="http://www.popgadget.net/2009/04/the_ripple_blue.php">"Ripple" Bluetooth Headset Earrings</a></li><li>A <a href="http://www.spyassociates.com/reverse-peep-hole-viewer-p-1175.html">reverse peep hole viewer</a></li><li>Stainless steel / crystal <a href="http://www.swarovski.com/Web_US/en/909820/product/Heart_Ware_USB_Memory_Key.html">Heartwear necklace</a> that's actually a really fancy USB drive </li><li>An over-the-top patriotic <a href="http://www.geekologie.com/2009/02/bond_would_be_ashamed_a_lighte.php">Lighter Spy Cam</a> that records sound and video</li><li>Camcorders hidden in packs of <a href="http://www.geekologie.com/2007/09/small_camcorder_hides_in_pack.php">gum</a> and <a href="http://www.spyassociates.com/2gb-pen-style-camcorder-p-3205.html">pens</a></li><li>Pens that are really <a href="http://www.mobilemag.com/2006/04/07/the-secret-pen-scanner/">scanners</a></li><li>A <a href="http://www.spyassociates.com/ladies-watch-digital-voice-recorder-9hr-p-1752.html">watch</a> that's really a Digital Recorder/MP3Player</li></ul><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ioffer.com/img/item/776/014/01/hzn2A2sRLPaBlDr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 233px;" src="http://www.ioffer.com/img/item/776/014/01/hzn2A2sRLPaBlDr.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sneaky <span style="font-weight: bold;">weapons:<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span><ul><li><a href="http://www.spyassociates.com/kubatons-pointed-end-p-3226.html">Kubatons keychain</a></li><li>A cell phone <a href="http://www.tbotech.com/cellphonestungun.htm">stun gun</a></li><li>Folding <a href="http://www.ioffer.com/i/Folding-Knuckle-knife-77601401">knuckle knife</a></li><li>Lipstick that is really a <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1536150/Alert-to-the-weapons-threatening-security.html">knife</a> or <a href="http://www.tbotech.com/lipstick-pepper-spray.htm">pepper spray</a></li><li>A pepper spray <a href="http://www.pentagondefense.com/stunring.html">ring</a></li><li>An easily concealable tiny <a href="http://www.geekologie.com/2007/10/swissminigun_is_tiny_will_put.php">Swiss Mini Gun</a></li><li>2.5" long Ruger LCP-380 <a href="http://www.discountgunsales.com/ruger-lcp-380-pr-972.html">Pocket Pistol </a></li><li>A <a href="http://www.geekologie.com/2008/11/italian_police_find_cellphone.php">cell phone gun</a></li></ul> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.geekologie.com/2008/11/26/cell-phone-gun.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 193px;" src="http://www.geekologie.com/2008/11/26/cell-phone-gun.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />If you want to MacGyver your own weapons, you could (but probably shouldn't) make one of these <a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_17127_5-deadly-sci-fi-gadgets-you-can-build-at-home.html">5 Deadly Sci-Fi Gadgets You Can Build At Home</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ind / detain</span> someone without lugging around hand-cuffs via these <a href="http://www.tbotech.com/thumbcuffs.htm">thumb cuffs</a> that could probably easily be stashed down a bra.<br /><br />For <span style="font-weight: bold;">c</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ounter surveillance</span>, this <a href="http://www.geekologie.com/2007/11/spy_pen_detects_wireless_and_r.php">Auto Detective pen</a> detects wireless and RF signals within a certain range and alerts you via a light that starts blinking - the faster the blinking the closer you are to the device you're detecting. It also supposedly has some sort of feature that helps detect counterfeit bills.<br /><br />Finally,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> if captured</span> by the enemy, be sure you know how to:<br /><ul><li>Unlock <a href="http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-unlock-handcuffs-with-a-bobby-pin">police-issue</a> and <a href="http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-unlock-plastic-handcuffs">plastic</a> handcuffs</li><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Cheat-a-Polygraph-Test-%28Lie-Detector%29">Beat a lie detector</a></li></ul>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-39187559253880025292009-05-06T03:59:00.001-04:002009-05-06T06:02:50.905-04:00Choose Your Own AdventureRemember those Choose Your Own Adventure books? I loved those books. I remember going to the library as a kid and checking out every one I could get my hands on. I never really thought about how bizarre some of the covers (and story lines in general) were. <span style="font-style: italic;">Something Awful</span> apparently did though. In "<a href="http://www.somethingawful.com/d/comedy-goldmine/choose-your-own.php">Choose Your Own Adventure Books That Never Quite Made It</a>", they take it upon themselves to photoshop in more appropriate titles for some of the crazier cover art.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.somethingawful.com/mjolnir/images/cg04052005/CosmoDNA2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 631px;" src="http://images.somethingawful.com/mjolnir/images/cg04052005/CosmoDNA2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Don't let anybody tell you that you can't still enjoy CYOA's just because you're an "adult". <a href="http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.06/adventure4.html">Wired</a> magazine says there's complex science there and stuff! Quantum physics, bitches! "Between the lines of each Choose adventure lies some complex science." (Told you) "The choice-and-effect format reflects the treelike structure used in game theory to chart possible outcomes based on initial circumstances..."<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Much like what is demonstrated by </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.seanmichaelragan.com/html/%5B2008-03-07%5D_Choose_Your_Own_Adventure_book_as_directed_graph.shtml">this</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> "Choose Your Own Adventure Book as Directed Graph" by Sean Michael Ragan.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FXx0Q1re7Kfr-h0V7Y2jqRx8nQKnBU5AgBGXBafmU3IwPjW2TV52O6lyK3jeLW7iYukaccE9HnbDYvqrFZR85KFvXBAcIS87K5sTaKXpEL-OlNQ72A1GqMQfdZe4UH5QrZWGZlvMfwl_/s1600-h/chimneyrockoutline_ChooseYourOwnAdventure+Book+Map.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 363px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FXx0Q1re7Kfr-h0V7Y2jqRx8nQKnBU5AgBGXBafmU3IwPjW2TV52O6lyK3jeLW7iYukaccE9HnbDYvqrFZR85KFvXBAcIS87K5sTaKXpEL-OlNQ72A1GqMQfdZe4UH5QrZWGZlvMfwl_/s400/chimneyrockoutline_ChooseYourOwnAdventure+Book+Map.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332565103114538354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />"... Every book contains different but simultaneous outcomes – something that quantum physics posits is the case in the real world, too. Chaos theory, string theory" – they all have something to do with what's being done in CYOA stories.<br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here are a few CYOA's for grown folks to check out online:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CYOA (on Drugs)</span><span> over at <a href="http://www.cracked.com/blog/choose-your-own-adventure-on-drugs/">Cracked</a></span>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.atrianglemorning.com/games//flash.php"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Triangle Morning: Games: Which Way Adventure</span></a><span> is a sweet little bizarre Flash take on CYOA.</span><br /><br />There are lots of stories over at the <a href="http://www.principiadiscordia.com/Adventure/index.php?title=CYOM:Community_Portal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Choose Your Own Misadventure Wiki</span></a>, created by <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://principiadiscordia.com/book/8.php" class="external text" title="http://principiadiscordia.com/book/8.php" rel="nofollow">Discordians</a> to "tell the Greatest Story Ever Told".<br /><br />If you're interested in more options, see <a href="http://www.editthis.info/Choose_Your_Own_Adventure/Main_Page"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Edit This Info</span>'s CYOA wiki</a>. It has the added bonus of letting you actually conbtribute your own content: "If you don't see an option that you would like to pursue, click the edit tab on the top of the page and add a new path to the page. Then you get to write in your own adventure for the hero. "<br /><br />You can even take <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://blogoscoped.com/googleadventure/">The Google Adventure</a> where you start a low-level job at Google and navigate your way through to <span class="qmlText">a " high-paying, fulfilling, challenging and creative" career at the Google. I heard a rumor that if you do so successfully, you'll actually get a job at Google. No, not really. I just made that up.</span><br /><span><span><br />If you want to put as little effort as possible in your adventure, check out the </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://weareorganizedchaos.com/index.php/2009/04/08/the-best-examples-of-choose-your-own-adventure-interactive-video/">The Best Examples of Choose Your Own Adventure Interactive Video</a></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span>over at </span><span><span> </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span>We Are Organized Chaos.</span></span><br /><br /><br />Finally, a little more on <a href="http://pl.atyp.us/wordpress/?p=587">game theory</a>, really just because I want to tell you <a href="http://www.webstrategyblog.ca/applying-game-theory-to-blogging-linking-bookmarking-and-commenting">why you should link here</a>.<br /></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-89500770727396894452009-04-30T22:41:00.033-04:002009-05-06T04:21:08.821-04:00Urban Gardening - Feed the GridAs I've mentioned <a href="http://mappery.blogspot.com/2009/04/layers-of-city.html">before</a>, I think the "parallel world" of metropolitan rooftops is fascinating, especially when it comes to the range of creative uses of space. For example, rooftop gardening is one way city-dwellers reclaim their space and create their own urban oases (and maybe even relieve stress, save money, eat more healthily, and help the environment) by incorporating a little nature. If you're interested in doing some urban gardening of your own, here are some resources.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/urbangardening-ed001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 537px; height: 347px;" src="http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/urbangardening-ed001.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CONTAINER GARDENING</span><br /><br /><a href="http://urbangardeninghelp.com/container.htm">Urban Gardening Help</a> - A pretty extensive site that aims to make urban gardening easy with simple instructions.<br /><a href="http://www.containergardeningtips.com/"><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>Container Gardening Tips</a> - a good overview of container gardening. It includes a <a href="http://www.containergardeningtips.com/plants_for_container_gardening.htm">list of plants well suited to container gardening</a>, which includes varieties of herbs, vegetables, fruits, flowers, shrubs and trees, and "odds and ends" (i.e. aloe, dwarf pomegranate, black bamboo).<br /><br /><a href="http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/vegetable/container.html">AZ: Master Garden Manual: Container Garden</a> - Starts out with an overview and ends with a chart of information on growing a variety of vegetables which includes:<br /><ul><li>light requirements<br /></li><li>minimum container size</li><li>inches required between plants in containers</li><li>number of days from planting seed to harvest<br /></li><li>tips for a variety of vegetables</li></ul><br /><a href="http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/HG-524.pdf">Herb Container Gardens</a> (Utah State University Cooperative Extension) - A PDF specific to <span style="font-weight: bold;">herbs</span> that covers the following:<br /><ul><li>container-friendly types<br /></li><li>container sizes<br /></li><li>potting media<br /></li><li>planting procedures</li><li>care and harvest methods</li><li>as well as a chart with information on herb: type (annual, perennial), height of growth, maintenance, and harvest / uses.<br /></li></ul><br /><a href="http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/lawn_garden/veg_fruit_nut.html">Home Fruit, Vegetable, and Nut Gardening</a> (Aggie Horticulture, Texas A & M) has a series of Gardening Fact Sheets and Guides which cover:<br /><ul><li>varieties </li><li>soil preparation </li><li>fertilizing </li><li>planting </li><li>watering </li><li>care during the season </li><li>insects and diseases </li><li>harvesting </li><li>fertilizing<br /></li><li>storing<br /></li></ul><br /><a href="http://urbanext.illinois.edu/veggies/directory.html">Watch Your Garden Grow</a> (University of Illinois Extension) has a directory of many popular fruits and vegetables that provides information on:<br /><ul><li>varieties </li><li>when to plant </li><li>spacing & depth </li><li>care </li><li>harvesting </li><li>common problems </li><li>growing </li><li>selection and storage </li><li>nutrition and health </li><li>preparing and serving </li><li>home preservation </li><li>recipes</li></ul><br />A post on <a href="http://twentysquarefeet.blogspot.com/2009/03/bonus-blog-financial-victory-garden.html">Raised Garden Beds</a> from <span style="font-style: italic;">Twenty Square Feet: Life as a Container Gardener (A Crash Course on Gardening in a Ridiculously Small Space)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">POTTING SOIL RECIPES</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.the-artistic-garden.com/potting-soil-recipes.html">Homemade Potting Soil Recipes for Container Gardens</a> (The Artistic Garden) - Potting soil recipes specific to type of plant (Basic, Acid-Loving, Bulbs, Cacti and Succulents, Alpines, Orchids and Bromeliads).<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">COMPANION PLANTING</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.geocities.com/green_cache/companion.html">Companion Planting</a> is the <span style="font-style: italic;">placement of various crops in close physical proximity to another so as to symbiotically compliment the progress of each other. Benefits can include flavor enhancement, hedged investment, level interaction, nitrogen fixation, pest suppression, positive hosting, protective shelter, and trap cropping. </span><br /><ul><li> Has a chart that covers "good neighbors", "bad neighbors", and miscellaneous notes for a wide variety of plants.</li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">INSTRUCTABLES</span> (<span style="font-weight: bold;">Build it Yourself</span>)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Urban-Homestead-Garden-squarefoot-gardening-abrid/">Urban Homestead Garden</a> - an adaption on Mel Bartholomew's Square Foot Gardening practices (build up, don't dig down and organize in sq. ft.).<br /><br />How to make high powered <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/high-power-LED-grow-lights-M.k2/">led grow lights</a><br /><br />Instructions for building a <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Self-Watering-Self-Regulating-Container-Garden/">Zero-Power Self-Watering Self-Regulating Container Garden</a><br /><br />If you prefer to have a lot of the work done for you, purchasing an <a href="http://www.earthbox.com/">Earth Box</a> is one way to go. You could also use <a href="http://www.green-trust.org/freebooks/Earthbox.pdf">this</a> or <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-your-own-Earth-Box/">this plan</a> for building one yourself.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't have adequate space or not ready to take up gardening on your own?</span> Visit "Just Food" to <a href="http://justfood.org/cityfarms/locate/">locate NYC farms</a> nearest to you.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-69470861434375258322009-04-29T12:30:00.010-04:002009-04-29T13:28:43.202-04:00Webware 100: who's the best of 2009?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.50012662.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 430px; height: 302px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.50012662.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />You are invited to vote for your favorites among CNET's <a href="http://www.cnet.com/html/ww/100/2009/categories.html?tag=snav">2009 Webware 100</a> finalists. Voting closes April 30th. These "cool Web 2.0 apps for everyone" are selected by CNET Webware readers and by the users of the products they cover.<br /><br />There are 10 categories of finalists:<br /><a href="http://www.cnet.com/html/ww/100/2009/about/audio.html?tag=mncol">Audio and Music</a><br /><a href="http://www.cnet.com/html/ww/100/2009/about/browsing.html?tag=mncol">Browsing</a><br /><a href="http://www.cnet.com/html/ww/100/2009/about/commerce.html?tag=mncol">Commerce</a><br /><a href="http://www.cnet.com/html/ww/100/2009/about/communication.html?tag=mncol">Communication</a><br /><a href="http://www.cnet.com/html/ww/100/2009/about/infrastructure.html?tag=mncol">Infrastructure and Storage</a><br /><a href="http://www.cnet.com/html/ww/100/2009/about/location.html?tag=mncol">Location-based services</a><br /><a href="http://www.cnet.com/html/ww/100/2009/about/photo_video.html?tag=mncol">Photo & Video</a><br /><a href="http://www.cnet.com/html/ww/100/2009/about/productivity.html?tag=mncol">Productivity</a><br /><a href="http://www.cnet.com/html/ww/100/2009/about/search.html?tag=mncol">Search & Reference</a><br /><a href="http://www.cnet.com/html/ww/100/2009/about/social.html?tag=mncol">Social Networking & Publishing</a><br /><br />Finalists range from the hangers-on, the old standbys, the currently trendy yet to prove their staying power, and a few up-and-comings. (These were <a href="http://www.webware.com/html/ww/100/2008/winners.html?tag=snav">last year's</a> winners.)<br /><br />So <a href="http://www.webware.com/100/">check it out</a> and vote for who you think should reign supreme, and while you're there, dig around a little bit to see if you can find something new to try out.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-42359336076987551232009-04-26T22:35:00.051-04:002009-04-27T18:10:07.954-04:00Open ArtPop over to <a href="http://www.artistswanted.org/index.php">Artists Wanted</a> to help them answer the question: "What shapes our world more, art or design?" You'll be presented with a series images, the work of an artist on the left, and that of a designer on the right, and asked to select the one you find more moving.<br /><br />The real goal of the competition, and Artist Wanted at large, is to to make the process of breaking in to the professional art world "more welcoming, dynamic and open-ended" by helping to build "new lasting opportunities for emerging talent".<br /><br />Here are some of the artists and designers I had the fortune of coming across thanks to the project:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Melissa Furness</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Throughout my life I have been very aware of myself in relation to environment ... how the places where I have resided have formed my identity, and how human presence forms a place as well. There is an internal sense of feeling either connected or disconnected to the places in which we reside that effects all of our interactions ... The concept of a hybrid reality can be seen throughout my work in painting through a complex layering of space."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Pre-figured</span><br />2006<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">24in x 24in</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKtPBkNV6n-D0iTdfde6a0LESPCCwDio7n-ZCidKuztm5rF6BudnoL8KaTcDeljvJeC2lzMWNcxcobDfq3BfcLYHw7TcLdF3xNQr25FukIpfEahsixPUakm9yJ9Jlc87xKad_aMzCmZbS/s1600-h/Ruin+Series+7+Melissa+Furness.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKtPBkNV6n-D0iTdfde6a0LESPCCwDio7n-ZCidKuztm5rF6BudnoL8KaTcDeljvJeC2lzMWNcxcobDfq3BfcLYHw7TcLdF3xNQr25FukIpfEahsixPUakm9yJ9Jlc87xKad_aMzCmZbS/s320/Ruin+Series+7+Melissa+Furness.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329479562823773298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Outlying Positions</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />2006<br />24in x 24in</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGwkWKDzr5Za7BE0NvPzDkl395GunwLjzoKjN_zNYGFfXWWzyEalsWjOmwPgwtIwmL6pJo8RkgUIgAZmIQrFtFsAPZVq2wydF3A5pE5Mp7ihsEsmvfBS3LVZDPWoqOB2a7M0_JBmex4X8/s1600-h/Outlying+Positions+24by24+2006+MelissaFurness.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGwkWKDzr5Za7BE0NvPzDkl395GunwLjzoKjN_zNYGFfXWWzyEalsWjOmwPgwtIwmL6pJo8RkgUIgAZmIQrFtFsAPZVq2wydF3A5pE5Mp7ihsEsmvfBS3LVZDPWoqOB2a7M0_JBmex4X8/s320/Outlying+Positions+24by24+2006+MelissaFurness.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329480248503238130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">For more of Melissa's work, visit: <a href="http://www.melissafurness.com/">http://www.melissafurness.com/</a><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Olga Nazarkina</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I searched the way to express the feeling of the infinite space being limited by the size of canvas" and to "create a sense of the abstract concept of endlessness."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Tree of Wisdom</span><br />2007, Color Paper<br />2X8"<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"This is the first art piece in my series of applique' works in colored paper. The thin branches are interlaced with one another, resembling A neuron pattern in the brain. Being dark and light they are life stories that comprise the tree of wisdom."</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.painting-olga.com/images/pictures_big/mixed/Tree.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 523px; height: 158px;" src="http://www.painting-olga.com/images/pictures_big/mixed/Tree.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"Storm"</span><br />Sangina/ Paper, 2006<br />30X40"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.painting-olga.com/images/pictures_big/drawing/picture8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 434px; height: 303px;" src="http://www.painting-olga.com/images/pictures_big/drawing/picture8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br /><br />"Dandelions"</span><br />Oil/Canvas, 2006<br />30X40"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.painting-olga.com/images/pictures_big/painting/Dandelions.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 287px;" src="http://www.painting-olga.com/images/pictures_big/painting/Dandelions.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rain</span></span><br /><div id="title">Color Paper, 2007<br />11X8"<br /></div> <span style="font-style: italic;">"The composition is created from thin strokes of colored paper. 3D quality helps to establish the mood of a poignant rain."</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.painting-olga.com/images/pictures_big/mixed/Rain.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 432px;" src="http://www.painting-olga.com/images/pictures_big/mixed/Rain.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />See more of Olga's work at: <a href="http://www.painting-olga.com/">http://www.painting-olga.com</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Mays Mayhew</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"In recent work, I am exploring two concepts; one the concept of memory and two the concept of love. Memory intrigues me because it is intangible and fleeting. Existentially recalling a memory is interesting because the more one actively concentrates on a past event, the more that is uncovered. In the brain, the memories look like tiny dendrites."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">No Umbrella 1</span><br /><!-- <p>An immature young girl holds onto a nylon wrapped heart with waxy emotion dripping over her body. </p> --> <!-- InstanceEndEditable --><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="details" --> Oil/Wax Gems/Nylon Thread, (2007)<br />14 x 11 x 1 in.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.maysmayhew.com/galleries/noUmbrella/nu-2007.01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 238px;" src="http://www.maysmayhew.com/galleries/noUmbrella/nu-2007.01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Free Fall 2</span></span><br />Oil, cheesecloth, (2009)<br />50 x 20 x 1.5 in.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.maysmayhew.com/galleries/noUmbrella/nu-2009.10.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 500px;" src="http://www.maysmayhew.com/galleries/noUmbrella/nu-2009.10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">SoulMate<br /></span></span>Oil, gems, glitter, (2009)<br />18 x 28 x 3 in.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.maysmayhew.com/galleries/noUmbrella/nu-2009.11.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 172px;" src="http://www.maysmayhew.com/galleries/noUmbrella/nu-2009.11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />For more of Mayhew's work, visit: <a href="http://www.maysmayhew.com/">http://www.maysmayhew.com</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Graham Slick</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"</span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="abo2text">I take pleasure in the physical process of image making, be it the discovery of a more precise way to apply wiggle eyes or a new way to drip ink. No matter how complex the construction of my images, my goal is to maintain a spirit of playfulness in my work that resonates with the viewer. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">"</span><br /><br /><span class="artInfo"><b style="font-style: italic;">"A new idea must not be judged by its immediate results." - Nikola Tesla</b><br />2009, mixed media on wood<br />12 x 12 inches</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.grahamslick.com/pages/GrahamSlick_Pages_Tesla.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 493px; height: 491px;" src="http://www.grahamslick.com/pages/GrahamSlick_Pages_Tesla.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="artInfo"><b><br />The Lonely Sasquatch</b><br />2008, mixed media on found book<br />12 x 8 inches</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.grahamslick.com/books/GrahamSlick_Books_Sasquatch.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 455px; height: 338px;" src="http://www.grahamslick.com/books/GrahamSlick_Books_Sasquatch.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />See more of Graham's work at: <a href="http://www.grahamslick.com/">http://www.grahamslick.com</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Ania Baran</span></span><br />Young, polish, new to photography<br /><br /><a href="http://www.usefilm.com/image/1508641.html" class="Photographer"></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Theatre of Dreams</span><br />Nikon D40<br />2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.usefilm.com/images/5/8/9/3/5893/1508641-medium.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://www.usefilm.com/images/5/8/9/3/5893/1508641-medium.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.usefilm.com/photographer/375473.html" class="Photographer"></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Cracow</span><br /> <span class="ImageTitle">Nikon D40</span><br />2009<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.usefilm.com/images/5/8/4/7/5847/1497004-medium.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://www.usefilm.com/images/5/8/4/7/5847/1497004-medium.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" class="ImageTitle" >The Morfeusz gifts</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span> <span class="ImageTitle" style="font-size:100%;">Nikon D40</span> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.usefilm.com/images/5/8/2/6/5826/1491503-medium.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://www.usefilm.com/images/5/8/2/6/5826/1491503-medium.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />For more of Ania's work, visit: <a href="http://www.usefilm.com/photographer.asp?ID=375473">http://www.usefilm.com/photographer.asp?ID=375473</a>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-8416146186824921302009-04-21T21:25:00.034-04:002009-04-24T22:51:52.726-04:00Teeny Stuff<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.martin-munoz.com/recent/2004/ColdFront.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 177px;" src="http://www.martin-munoz.com/recent/2004/ColdFront.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Structures and sculptures that are tiny in scale are engaging: dioramas, miniatures, dollhouses, models, snow globes, terrariums ... I think it's because of the range of responses they can create in the observer: on one hand, they can draw you in to a new miniature parallel world ... on the other, they can make you feel like an outside entity: completely removed and all-perceiving.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>Take the miniature dramatic art of <a href="http://paintalicious.org/2007/07/19/the-miniature-dramatic-art-of-lori-nix/">Lori Nix</a>,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lorinix.net/kateg/Accidentally_Kansas/10_th.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 187px;" src="http://www.lorinix.net/kateg/Accidentally_Kansas/10_th.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Jonah Samson's (Dark and Dirty) <a href="http://cyanatrendland.com/2008/10/30/jonah-samson-dioramas/">Dioramas</a>,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cyanatrendland.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/jonah-samson.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 561px; height: 449px;" src="http://cyanatrendland.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/jonah-samson.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />and the amazing works of <a href="http://www.martin-munoz.com/main.html"><small><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Walter Martin & Paloma Muñoz</span></small></a>. They include <a href="http://www.martin-munoz.com/recent/indexISLANDS.html">tiny islands</a>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://api.ning.com/files/SGjcDG6wlPiqHTBoIUCozB3ADAiOKqPt9FkosbXQaVRctZ6p9t1LqzhENmn5UY3MdX0hTRfoU0cINImyxNVB1-gKt2NHXjUz/Pantano720.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 560px; height: 272px;" src="http://api.ning.com/files/SGjcDG6wlPiqHTBoIUCozB3ADAiOKqPt9FkosbXQaVRctZ6p9t1LqzhENmn5UY3MdX0hTRfoU0cINImyxNVB1-gKt2NHXjUz/Pantano720.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />... and <a href="http://www.martin-munoz.com/recent/indexTRAVELERS.html">snow globes</a>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.martin-munoz.com/recent/night/Traveler63.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 454px; height: 550px;" src="http://www.martin-munoz.com/recent/night/Traveler63.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />When the sculptures / structures also have a tactile component, there is an added bonus of being able to engage both your senses of sight and touch. For example, it's hard to see a snow globe without wanting to pick it up and shake it, or look at this "Room Box" of a bake shop and candy <a href="http://www.inpayne.com/dollhouse/room016.html">store</a> and not want to hold one of the tiny cakes:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.inpayne.com/dollhouse/room016-01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 575px; height: 463px;" src="http://www.inpayne.com/dollhouse/room016-01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A closer look:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.inpayne.com/dollhouse/room016-03.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 547px; height: 410px;" src="http://www.inpayne.com/dollhouse/room016-03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.inpayne.com/dollhouse/room016-05.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 548px; height: 411px;" src="http://www.inpayne.com/dollhouse/room016-05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />In a lot of ways, the miniature arts are limited only by the imagination.<br /><br />Make the world's smallest <a href="http://www.hyd-masti.com/2008/06/smallest-man-made-orange.html">orange</a>,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/hydmastipics/SFKzrPxpIhI/AAAAAAAARMU/kHI62BNdHKA/s800/173130image031.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 406px; height: 340px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/hydmastipics/SFKzrPxpIhI/AAAAAAAARMU/kHI62BNdHKA/s800/173130image031.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />a <a href="http://www.stormthecastle.com/terrarium/tabasco-bottle-terrarium.htm">terrarium</a> in a mini Tabasco bottle,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.stormthecastle.com/terrarium/images/tabasco-bottle-terrariium-with-plants-sprouted.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 189px;" src="http://www.stormthecastle.com/terrarium/images/tabasco-bottle-terrariium-with-plants-sprouted.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />a castle inside a lightbulb <a href="http://www.stormthecastle.com/diorama/castle-in-a-lightbulb-diorama.htm">diorama</a>,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.stormthecastle.com/diorama/images/thumb-castle-diorama-in-a-bulb.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 233px;" src="http://www.stormthecastle.com/diorama/images/thumb-castle-diorama-in-a-bulb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />... or decorate your ceiling with a <a href="http://pleaseenjoy.com/project.php?cat=4&subcat=&pid=75#">parallel world</a>, like artist Ji Lee: <span style="font-style: italic;">"People decorate their walls and floors, but most of them overlook their ceilings. It's such a waste of vast space. So I started to install miniature parallel worlds on the ceilings."</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://pleaseenjoy.com/admin/uploadedpics/far.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 450px;" src="http://pleaseenjoy.com/admin/uploadedpics/far.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://pleaseenjoy.com/admin/uploadedpics/closeup_copy1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 450px;" src="http://pleaseenjoy.com/admin/uploadedpics/closeup_copy1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-13644256102548981992009-04-21T00:23:00.013-04:002009-04-21T13:05:43.399-04:00Layers of a City<span style="font-style: italic;">“Most people experience their life in the city in a two-dimensional way ... You know, they go from Point A to Point B along streets and don’t realize there are these multiple layers to the city. By going 20 feet below or 20 feet above, you can go to a place that is practically unvisited, that maybe 100 people get to see a year.” (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/nyregion/thecity/29shad.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1">NYTimes: "Children of Darkness"</a>)<br /><br /></span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Upper Level</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Any time I'm on a rooftop in the city, I'm struck by the feeling that I'm on another plain. <span>There's a whole other world going on up there. There are "rooftop neighbors", not just next door, but across the street, and way down the block ... From my roof, I can see how people create their own little havens on their slice of metropolitan rooftop real estate. My neighbors are so comfortable that they frequently come out on their porch in their underwear. When I peer down to the street below, sometimes it almost seems wrong to be looking down over the pedestrians as they pass by, completely oblivious to my gaze or anything beyond their more immediate surroundings.<br /><br />Truth is, most of us don't even consider some of the things that are actually going on up on those rooftops<span style="font-style: italic;">: </span><span>there are</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span><a href="http://www.230-fifth.com/vt/cityviewtop.html">amazing views</a>, </span><span><a href="http://newyorkdailyphoto.blogspot.com/2006/10/secret-rooftop-garden.html">secret gardens</a>, </span><span><a href="http://www.thecoolhunter.net/events/Mini-Rooftop-NYC---HWKN/">yoga classes, parties, film screenings</a> .... eh, <a href="http://www.drawger.com/zinasaunders/index.php?article_id=6518">beekeeping</a>?</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span>But we just shuffle by, unaware, on the sidewalk many stories below</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://hawtaction.com/2008/11/06/NYC%20Rooftop.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 716px; height: 496px;" src="http://hawtaction.com/2008/11/06/NYC%20Rooftop.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Rachel/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg" alt="" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lower Level</span><br />But it's not just what's above our heads that we often fail to notice, it's what's under our feet as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"New Yorkers go about unaware of what is happening just beneath their feet: Power pulses, information flies, and steam flows. The city’s infrastructure starts just below street level, but it doesn’t stop there. " (<a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/nyunderground/docs/nymain.html">National Geographic: NY Underground</a>)<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/nyunderground/docs/images/mainmen.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 924px;" src="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/nyunderground/docs/images/mainmen.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span>Go to the National Geographic "NY Underground" <a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/nyunderground/docs/nymain.html">site</a> where you can actually interact with the layers in the image above and get more information and (photo, text, and audio) tours.<br /><br />Also check out <a href="http://www.nyc24.org/2006/issue2/story01/">NYC24</a>'s feature on Exploring NYC's Underground.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hi2DQxyDc38weOn_P1GBXomSkdRCe_saYnmRSE7BJGp9oZTN_JV6laEtRRXAF7zXp99XiBQ4eWvNuTay2vwOhxfTHkjQj8ut8oREm3XIQY3TThPX6U-kdHIQyNLj6xY9r_a_5_k94EVK/s1600-h/Underground+NYC+Interactive+Map.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hi2DQxyDc38weOn_P1GBXomSkdRCe_saYnmRSE7BJGp9oZTN_JV6laEtRRXAF7zXp99XiBQ4eWvNuTay2vwOhxfTHkjQj8ut8oREm3XIQY3TThPX6U-kdHIQyNLj6xY9r_a_5_k94EVK/s400/Underground+NYC+Interactive+Map.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327014785275282386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />See stunning visuals captured by a "Guerrila Historian in Gotham" at <a href="http://www.undercity.org/photos/photos.htm">Undercity</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.undercity.org/photos/1Gallery/SubwayA002.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.undercity.org/photos/1Gallery/SubwayA002.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">W</span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ant to see some of this stuff in person? </span><br />In a post-9/11 world, much of what was once somewhat accessible is off-limits, so it can be challenging.<br /><br /></span><ul><li><span>For a more legal route, join in on the <a href="http://www.ohny.org/weekend/">annual openhousenewyork weekend</a>: "</span><span style="font-style: italic;">America's largest architect and design event ... </span><span style="font-style: italic;">discover new neighborhoods, explore with friends and family, and experience NYC's architecture and design in all five boroughs through special talks, tours, performances and family-friendly workshops – all free of charge...</span><span>"<span style="font-style: italic;">. </span>This next one will be </span>October 10 & 11, 2009.</li></ul><span><br /></span><ul><li><span>For the other route, check out what the <a href="http://ltvsquad.com/About/">LTVsquad</a> us up to.</span></li></ul>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-17535105678081453012009-04-20T17:03:00.025-04:002009-04-20T19:06:38.396-04:00Webby FavoritesYou have until April 30th to vote for "the best of the net" among the Webby People's Voice nominees. The <a href="http://www.webbyawards.com/index.php">Webby Awards</a> are a series of awards presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences and cover the categories of Web and Mobile Sites, Interactive Advertising and Online Film & Video.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrhxg1BENI0-s6UHkDeMuWM24xjqiHbPOVxdudYr3wNrLzFxwh_5ocWqT0I6d8y6Xht6zMtqF9MMRGJvRw444reP8Gh4rEinUQFEXbMod4TNo8yuZQbv2k8eRweF-LlDIDALqKMW4IV7n/s1600-h/Webby+Awards.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 96px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrhxg1BENI0-s6UHkDeMuWM24xjqiHbPOVxdudYr3wNrLzFxwh_5ocWqT0I6d8y6Xht6zMtqF9MMRGJvRw444reP8Gh4rEinUQFEXbMod4TNo8yuZQbv2k8eRweF-LlDIDALqKMW4IV7n/s400/Webby+Awards.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326907368567815682" border="0" /></a><br />Even if you don't want to vote, be sure to check out the nominees and honorees in some of the categories of interest to you among the Web contenders (i.e. Services & Applications, Lifestyle, Events, Guides/Ratings/Reviews, Weird, Travel, etc. ). There are lots of them, so you've probably missed out on <span style="font-style: italic;">something</span> new this year on the web that you'll find either useful or entertaining.<br /><br />Here are some of my personal favorites in the Web categories:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOOLS AND PRODUCTIVITY:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LMhiN2_68I9glEPDYi9_BDzQZ1FNztudMRv2EVZEn1D2BoJKVs10O0lQr68hbiD5FNmTyjRBEyPqwiVhn8UtOpp1YXeGmhBILOPmZVx8s8EU3XCmi_ifUXaFlOPijaAmAegLvi0ItkXn/s1600-h/picnik.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 76px; height: 37px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LMhiN2_68I9glEPDYi9_BDzQZ1FNztudMRv2EVZEn1D2BoJKVs10O0lQr68hbiD5FNmTyjRBEyPqwiVhn8UtOpp1YXeGmhBILOPmZVx8s8EU3XCmi_ifUXaFlOPijaAmAegLvi0ItkXn/s400/picnik.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326908097516431506" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.picnik.com/">Picnik</a> - "edit photos the easy way, online in your browser"<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="bookmark NOTHUMB"><div class="data"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K_IGmMW-MIgFKvVrmT1Vn3upThryVb-we18R3Ff9UlcAP98ItR8o77o_mKiIntwmvdEZ_zfxnPHPDdngetm7Jg2pJvYpF0YvDRhc2RgzrdMr5J7jOhazm1aQc28b3yhU6lpMyvJsAuDv/s1600-h/VSL.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K_IGmMW-MIgFKvVrmT1Vn3upThryVb-we18R3Ff9UlcAP98ItR8o77o_mKiIntwmvdEZ_zfxnPHPDdngetm7Jg2pJvYpF0YvDRhc2RgzrdMr5J7jOhazm1aQc28b3yhU6lpMyvJsAuDv/s320/VSL.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326908380458981506" border="0" /></a> The <a href="http://www.veryshortlist.com">Very Short List</a> - "Great discoveries + short, sweet e-mails + 5 days a week"<br /><br /><br /></div></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">PLAY AND SELF-EXPRESSION:</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1f7bB-8MLUnWDuNLkdtnfBtLDH29i74Ti6u3yCqMC8XAIHBAtY3zF8JItUVSJgW6bRluo5bRQTiCNQ31zGQt7MdNmJKCWiUbo3D54raLtMRSsMm7VT2v2DsfYdpI_UffIa_GvxlBOSOk-/s1600-h/Marvel+Superhero.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 41px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1f7bB-8MLUnWDuNLkdtnfBtLDH29i74Ti6u3yCqMC8XAIHBAtY3zF8JItUVSJgW6bRluo5bRQTiCNQ31zGQt7MdNmJKCWiUbo3D54raLtMRSsMm7VT2v2DsfYdpI_UffIa_GvxlBOSOk-/s320/Marvel+Superhero.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326908569601829666" border="0" /></a> Marvel's <a href="http://marvel.com/create_your_own_superhero">Create your own Superhero</a><div class="bookmark NOTHUMB"><div class="data"><div class="full-url"><a href="http://www.marvel.com/create_your_own_superhero" rel="nofollow" class="noplay"><strong></strong></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgXS1RqapSSQXR44h25HoulDDe7MjJIrk6j8msZUvbXMHCrmOY0aSrZLH-zob6SFqy7XwQ1yZizLZy6AXYRsITYzf4treuaaTXYiwr9UseeMpl9HfEZUoX3_wurN4LwFOnk3pmdIpaygq/s1600-h/Crappy+Cat.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgXS1RqapSSQXR44h25HoulDDe7MjJIrk6j8msZUvbXMHCrmOY0aSrZLH-zob6SFqy7XwQ1yZizLZy6AXYRsITYzf4treuaaTXYiwr9UseeMpl9HfEZUoX3_wurN4LwFOnk3pmdIpaygq/s320/Crappy+Cat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326908797529428994" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.crappycat.com/">Crappy Cat</a> (Join Crappy Cat in the Interactive Theater)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9RyyW0AQKsjAq29migdbX-MTdwe-SsLxBCS27Dk-mF7o5NnMQYM8ulO38U1yZakewKYkYz6TgR9AUZm6UbYqqYzJCOq7u3uzny_Zu8Kc8R2X7v2_LWkAKLw2kP2RqP1xP25RjDHQhyphenhyphenzO/s1600-h/Puma+Lift.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9RyyW0AQKsjAq29migdbX-MTdwe-SsLxBCS27Dk-mF7o5NnMQYM8ulO38U1yZakewKYkYz6TgR9AUZm6UbYqqYzJCOq7u3uzny_Zu8Kc8R2X7v2_LWkAKLw2kP2RqP1xP25RjDHQhyphenhyphenzO/s200/Puma+Lift.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326912565511275474" border="0" /></a> <a style="font-weight: normal;" rel="nofollow" class="taggedlink" href="http://lift.puma.com/">Puma Lift</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> (have fun with advertising)<br /><br /></span></div></div></div><div class="bookmark NOTHUMB"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6pfLRhS_FieTOhB8pbzZXHB8dxFNlB01eadODXpbqRkUFGWJGMXlr_ab5kRySIuiAnRCSNjcr4MiW3AF5h9loyJQEhSrXmgefuNrr59PHcEkFxiRjhJ1nA0_MucUCDMUHj3D-zqARhpQ/s1600-h/dream+grove+2+fruit.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6pfLRhS_FieTOhB8pbzZXHB8dxFNlB01eadODXpbqRkUFGWJGMXlr_ab5kRySIuiAnRCSNjcr4MiW3AF5h9loyJQEhSrXmgefuNrr59PHcEkFxiRjhJ1nA0_MucUCDMUHj3D-zqARhpQ/s320/dream+grove+2+fruit.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326909454411194290" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.dreamgrove.org/">Dream Grove</a><a href="http://www.dreamgrove.org/" rel="nofollow" class="noplay"><strong></strong></a> - "a database of dreams accessible in a webpage an an interactive garden ... Based on theories of memory and mental mapping, Dreamgrove merges the digital and the botanical, transforming text into public space."<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOr1xCt8afIQ_iguiC3e8rjWozMPfNBX1dVjlIp2Go2nQnNyG_M5qqbGEVIU1QPfwBGPktWsC-pz4ovUgXQhNwoNJlpKyxGb9TmHnNTjPipM37DurVCEr80yyy1K0LUCj17q86qtpmnIBr/s1600-h/20x200.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 159px; height: 83px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOr1xCt8afIQ_iguiC3e8rjWozMPfNBX1dVjlIp2Go2nQnNyG_M5qqbGEVIU1QPfwBGPktWsC-pz4ovUgXQhNwoNJlpKyxGb9TmHnNTjPipM37DurVCEr80yyy1K0LUCj17q86qtpmnIBr/s320/20x200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326909688864742146" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.20x200.com/">20x200</a> - " Find Art for $20 - Really"<div class="bookmark NOTHUMB"><h4></h4> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPl3qONou8YRYN6KSgkV8-D9goCczTrkLyTWSUfSiVCgx59EToGED_9FGVraXm3tP0YGWg_kSP2i9JmtqXLNFyNn9IUrB-OldmGCBbdbv35HrYJiPFkOxH541meCOlzNXC4AZKr9DA6t5K/s1600-h/rock+paper+scissors+extreme+death+match.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPl3qONou8YRYN6KSgkV8-D9goCczTrkLyTWSUfSiVCgx59EToGED_9FGVraXm3tP0YGWg_kSP2i9JmtqXLNFyNn9IUrB-OldmGCBbdbv35HrYJiPFkOxH541meCOlzNXC4AZKr9DA6t5K/s320/rock+paper+scissors+extreme+death+match.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326909903523078034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;" class="taggedlink"> [adult swim] Games: <a href="http://www.adultswim.com/games/game/index.html?game=rockpaperscissors">Rock Paper Scissors Extreme Deathmatch</a></span><h4><br /></h4><h4><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGFNlDPvruyFAJ9owq051MOXeICPtzUGAS8vXk_JuK56jkSjeIed7tIP49WsW1OunOhdanYSwy3rLnZPv32IxuqFUopq47yGh01M8OJ24AADNfgXQ0nS3S5yb8IisvZH4UXs55QA2Z-27/s1600-h/Indexed+1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGFNlDPvruyFAJ9owq051MOXeICPtzUGAS8vXk_JuK56jkSjeIed7tIP49WsW1OunOhdanYSwy3rLnZPv32IxuqFUopq47yGh01M8OJ24AADNfgXQ0nS3S5yb8IisvZH4UXs55QA2Z-27/s320/Indexed+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326910076268851522" border="0" /></a> <a style="font-weight: normal;" rel="nofollow" class="taggedlink" href="http://thisisindexed.com/">Indexed</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> - (personal blog) described as "a little project that allows me to make fun of some things and sense of others without resorting to doing actual math.”</span><br /></h4><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfAH2hsrM5lvpwCO0uWjEjpbGwCx7SUmluXPAsxEpqNnKTZm4RtrP_p4cB10YrW1d26JElgap1ufX3PcY6hu3mBCUwEmuhS25ZAHFjBSrBxFFcbxQkSWX5xJy5jN5vIelRO6f4kbvdY05/s1600-h/Coraline+1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfAH2hsrM5lvpwCO0uWjEjpbGwCx7SUmluXPAsxEpqNnKTZm4RtrP_p4cB10YrW1d26JElgap1ufX3PcY6hu3mBCUwEmuhS25ZAHFjBSrBxFFcbxQkSWX5xJy5jN5vIelRO6f4kbvdY05/s200/Coraline+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326910403166750466" border="0" /></a> <span class="taggedlink"><a href="http://coraline.com/">Coraline</a>: </span><span class="taggedlink">Explore a Hand-Made World. </span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div class="bookmark NOTHUMB"></div><div class="bookmark NOTHUMB"><div class="data"><h4><span style="font-weight: bold;">GUIDES / RATINGS/ EVENTS</span>:</h4><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xxcv0U4aaJ2Sw1Ah6x5FBppysOHxv_8Gyi9Oyt3OMRKaagxFMYnhPNOvr2wv9_j1AvLSOHAxVfW74ZYmlrQ2lzhztBq-nCYr9c1D-dRQMOpia0yWHndog1Uv2D9v2-KvFRyLwQjOxWZE/s1600-h/Thrillist.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xxcv0U4aaJ2Sw1Ah6x5FBppysOHxv_8Gyi9Oyt3OMRKaagxFMYnhPNOvr2wv9_j1AvLSOHAxVfW74ZYmlrQ2lzhztBq-nCYr9c1D-dRQMOpia0yWHndog1Uv2D9v2-KvFRyLwQjOxWZE/s200/Thrillist.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326910725071180866" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.thrillist.com/">Thrillist</a> "Do you like eating, drinking, doing things, or going places? Really? You do? Then you'll love Thrillist ... "<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6geK6QXppMUGzcxqFe2lQLnY03Pbu8LQcPNMJrP0HPjbz5NoXTB9JmEzQku9KMorltGDyZvGqZ-dtCWF6bVB_fVBSye7mBG24KpOXiRxhQqzmgzF4oSfz0yXT_Zl_CCpljAxn3JvEmN4b/s1600-h/peoples+voice.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 94px; height: 76px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6geK6QXppMUGzcxqFe2lQLnY03Pbu8LQcPNMJrP0HPjbz5NoXTB9JmEzQku9KMorltGDyZvGqZ-dtCWF6bVB_fVBSye7mBG24KpOXiRxhQqzmgzF4oSfz0yXT_Zl_CCpljAxn3JvEmN4b/s200/peoples+voice.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326910879797036274" border="0" /></a> VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES ON THE "PEOPLE'S VOICE" SITE, <a href="http://pv.webbyawards.com/">HERE</a>.</div></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-30336351657574570282009-04-14T12:56:00.021-04:002009-04-14T19:52:13.202-04:00Omniscient NYC<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibds_zg6CJzmYopmAIwwn1R-rum3LWuPdqHEmQ66ZwjCyP1oTYsW5c9Eu7tMwvNkCgIF7E2Fp28C5T7V6Y6GI6oQaPuoac8pH5gNaOsVL3rJHQ15mTMKiyX7b5_C8WeMIJGUhhG_Gbdv2z/s1600-h/ACLU+PI+surveillance+societies+map.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibds_zg6CJzmYopmAIwwn1R-rum3LWuPdqHEmQ66ZwjCyP1oTYsW5c9Eu7tMwvNkCgIF7E2Fp28C5T7V6Y6GI6oQaPuoac8pH5gNaOsVL3rJHQ15mTMKiyX7b5_C8WeMIJGUhhG_Gbdv2z/s400/ACLU+PI+surveillance+societies+map.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324599283902057202" border="0" /></a>As one of the "World's Worst", it was no surprise that the U.S. was labeled as an "Endemic Surveillance Society" by <a href="http://www.privacyinternational.org/article.shtml?cmd%5B347%5D=x-347-559597">Privacy International</a> (an ACLU London-based partner) when its State of Privacy Map was released a couple years ago.<br /><br />Some of this surveillance is imposed upon us by authority figures and some of it is self-imposed. Some of it is helpful and some of it is potentially harmful. Here are a few tools that can be beneficial in letting you know what's going in your world on a very local level (and in many cases contribute content). There are also a few resources here to arm you with a little more information about surveillance and your rights.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5IXHm6pKvMBUl-Y-eMvngk6ebOP4G6B1l-iYoREK34ERKg82v9MTgkI1Y2HVSLW6h5fLvb9DvLnu35DgK4T4iuDeG-jLRwHKcz88D2FYXVEorV2JTjlSVoJGKvMDMbNKfQQDLROsHhDI/s1600-h/EveryBlock+logo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 43px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5IXHm6pKvMBUl-Y-eMvngk6ebOP4G6B1l-iYoREK34ERKg82v9MTgkI1Y2HVSLW6h5fLvb9DvLnu35DgK4T4iuDeG-jLRwHKcz88D2FYXVEorV2JTjlSVoJGKvMDMbNKfQQDLROsHhDI/s400/EveryBlock+logo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324598623292933490" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://nyc.everyblock.com/">EveryBlock</a>, which aims to answer the question "What's happening in my neighborhood?" is a pretty comprehensive resource. It's "a new experiment in online journalism", and "the most granular approach to local news ever attempted."<br /><br />EveryBlock currently offer a news feed for every city block in Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami-Dade, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and Washington, DC — with more cities to come.<br /><br />Info is provided from public records, news articles and other geographically relevant content.<br /><br />As an example of what kind of information it can provide, by inputting my address, it gave me relevant information (organized by date) on media, street conditions, geotagged photos (from Flickr, Yelp, and Craigslist), crimes, political news, business reviews, restaurant inspection ratings, newly granted liquor licenses, and places where graffiti was recently cleaned.<br /><br />See <a href="http://nyc.everyblock.com/news/">here</a> for a full list of content covered and resources of information for NYC.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWEgHv2tl4cZVx1mfM3qrXGfMBOnjLyvuiTIs9LqJ5GhHrg_WUcFp2r1qiTE4Py1gDWM-2gj5hEdBvRemsDIPd_rzO2GpV4AAUu9374rXDM5T_jVbX1aQSvat48Vvp_Ke8w9sYJAGbtg6/s1600-h/Gothamist+Latest+Incidents+map.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWEgHv2tl4cZVx1mfM3qrXGfMBOnjLyvuiTIs9LqJ5GhHrg_WUcFp2r1qiTE4Py1gDWM-2gj5hEdBvRemsDIPd_rzO2GpV4AAUu9374rXDM5T_jVbX1aQSvat48Vvp_Ke8w9sYJAGbtg6/s400/Gothamist+Latest+Incidents+map.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324599754672755426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Gothamist</span> has a <a href="http://gothamist.com/map/">map of "incidents"</a> (crimes, missing persons, accidents, arrests, fires, etc.) to show you "whats going on and where right now".<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJptui0SYRYOXH9ykg0ggF8TUZGnKdHNQJ0LFu733aDySoIJKFgAQ5o4cV2IYw8iABaPW7IjDpes9mbEOYTvgpl8U-6HwSukbAjpbuLmASL82d6D8iCkFBBPEsMHe6DXgryr6Ett_niSV/s1600-h/Overplot+NYC+logo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 89px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJptui0SYRYOXH9ykg0ggF8TUZGnKdHNQJ0LFu733aDySoIJKFgAQ5o4cV2IYw8iABaPW7IjDpes9mbEOYTvgpl8U-6HwSukbAjpbuLmASL82d6D8iCkFBBPEsMHe6DXgryr6Ett_niSV/s400/Overplot+NYC+logo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324600281795756770" border="0" /></a><br />You can hear what's being said in your neighborhood with the Google Maps mashup of "Overheard in New York", "<a href="http://persistent.info/overplot/">Overplot</a>". Who knows ... maybe you said something so incredibly asinine that someone felt it warranted repeating.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGyvz-R2Te-tdOMZ1eHP8MPxTUvItYlL5wOgvBYrgFSQAZ3W-cNccGyKJX8rp-OEFLqMEhm44UnvW9guFNdf8QWzEcg74j3uD3leED7aoGKZw2Vmwx6ozemvr5SH-h8aN5TD3C4oPy8eQ/s1600-h/Represent+beta+NYTimes.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 34px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGyvz-R2Te-tdOMZ1eHP8MPxTUvItYlL5wOgvBYrgFSQAZ3W-cNccGyKJX8rp-OEFLqMEhm44UnvW9guFNdf8QWzEcg74j3uD3leED7aoGKZw2Vmwx6ozemvr5SH-h8aN5TD3C4oPy8eQ/s400/Represent+beta+NYTimes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324601323512203362" border="0" /></a><br />Find the political districts you live in, who represents you, and what they're up to via NYTimes.com "<a href="http://prototype.nytimes.com/represent/">Represent</a>", still in beta.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 366px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRf8f2mzvkElbQWHgO0w9_GgGdaQ0GurZUdc2opAd2tEwPrWm89WjO0Hs1laVTQ8GXQScGQ7i8ZVCgQUn7tbghww13l-skEDkoUJU9AXnTCij5AT96-yx1GUUQD3g0gTqpqB7m7FDoOPY/s400/America+All+Night+map.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324602985183989202" border="0" /><br />The "City that Never Sleeps" does, in fact, switch to power-save mode, so if you want to know what's open 24-hours a day in your neighborhood, hit up "<a href="http://maps.fiftythreedegrees.com/">America All Night</a>".<br /><br />Put in your location to get a map with plotted points and details for the restaurants, delis / markets / grocery stores, convenience / drug stores, and "everything else" that's always open for business.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IFW_CgEl24lkhnnUhaQU8W1l34oWAKuOWZ48QKkB0hv6kXp_IimW7puI6rAOHYrQD6y1AUzVYFgGAr6LcHX6D7dona8S1Q8IIRYlJawuUBI4nVYC0nrWxVd9kJ9K6MNuhRgu9x20e1JS/s1600-h/iSEE.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 347px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IFW_CgEl24lkhnnUhaQU8W1l34oWAKuOWZ48QKkB0hv6kXp_IimW7puI6rAOHYrQD6y1AUzVYFgGAr6LcHX6D7dona8S1Q8IIRYlJawuUBI4nVYC0nrWxVd9kJ9K6MNuhRgu9x20e1JS/s400/iSEE.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324604344399798818" border="0" /></a><br />Freaked out by all the info available on the web? Use <a href="http://66.93.183.118:8080/isee/s1">iSEE</a> to plot a surveillance-free walk from one point to another. iSEE, from the <a href="http://www.appliedautonomy.com/isee.html">Institute for Applied Autonomy</a>, is a web-based application charting the locations of closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance cameras in urban environments that helps you find "paths of least surveillance".<br /><br /><br />The <a href="http://www.mediaeater.com/cameras/locations.html">NYC Surveillance Camera Project</a> provides a map and breakout lists by community board.<br /><br /><br />For more information on surveillance in NYC, see news and resources at <a href="http://www.nyclu.org/node/933">New York Civil Liberties Union's Surveillance Camera Project</a>.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-84490940885484652292009-04-12T13:59:00.017-04:002009-04-14T01:06:08.802-04:00Make the most of your information (Part 1)Today, we have an unprecedented accessibility to information relevant to how we live our lives. However, sometimes this information is not available to us in the most user-friendly way. Sometimes we need help capturing it, sifting through it, or understanding it.<br /><br />Here are some tools that tap into your data in just these ways and make it more meaningful to you by creating visualizations of what's important.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">TRACK YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a5TnuiXcYQmTISQb1S8jiyBHsZRhOga1x6G2PPecD5oV1rbb-JtD_NZwEpt5ZXXAVzB2a7WFf1kSlxJEZ8kv_EF-cW344uDkJHpGfhPsriLOsFfHMKHkSR2IoUU8NHGHHdBcor0NqJ8N/s1600-h/TheCarrotdotcom.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a5TnuiXcYQmTISQb1S8jiyBHsZRhOga1x6G2PPecD5oV1rbb-JtD_NZwEpt5ZXXAVzB2a7WFf1kSlxJEZ8kv_EF-cW344uDkJHpGfhPsriLOsFfHMKHkSR2IoUU8NHGHHdBcor0NqJ8N/s200/TheCarrotdotcom.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323868411801820898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Over at <a href="http://thecarrot.com/">TheCarrot</a>, you can "Track your life" by accessing their "free, easy, and anonymous tools for tracking your health". It tracks some of the most "common health questions including diet, weight, exercise, and medicines ... and allows you to track vital statistics such as temperature, heart rate and blood pressure." It also tracks less common things like job satisfaction, mood, time spent watching TV, and various symptoms. Click <a href="http://thecarrot.com/index.php?m=trac&a=tracIndex&modMode=list">here</a> for a full list of all of the trackers offered.<br /><br />After you track what you want, TheCarrot can instantly provide you with clear, comprehensive reports. The reports can come in two forms:<br /><ul><li>Self-designed reports can be tailored as you "choose what factors you want to see more clearly—one or several. Then select the type of report you want—choose a journal view, a bar graph or a line graph—and choose the time frame."</li><li>Pre-designed reports are also very useful, particularly when tracking medical conditions that require monitoring of multiple factors. These reports can then be shared with your physician.<br /></li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">TRACK YOUR CELL PHONE</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> USAGE</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVpvePnIXdE_QSzotgHodzm1naNvwAEvV82wWU54zWVwPzngSv6p5L9hdMo9IKpvUZGAy9jvotA-k8XHCzdDeg7PxzUeUr8WhQ9iiJXlPnpzRkKD9PmqJpO5faKmMOc26X9oTfp2izP_T/s1600-h/skydeck+logo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 69px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVpvePnIXdE_QSzotgHodzm1naNvwAEvV82wWU54zWVwPzngSv6p5L9hdMo9IKpvUZGAy9jvotA-k8XHCzdDeg7PxzUeUr8WhQ9iiJXlPnpzRkKD9PmqJpO5faKmMOc26X9oTfp2izP_T/s400/skydeck+logo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323876074262003346" border="0" /></a></div>Use <a href="www.skydeck.com">Skydeck</a>,"your phone, on the web" to tap into information about your mobile usage and utilize tools.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.crunchbase.com/company/skydeck">TechCrunch</a> says that "Skydeck turns your cell phone bill into something useful. You give Skydeck the login for your mobile phone account. It scrapes the page and matches the calls with your address book, turning each phone number into a name so that you can sort your phone bill like e-mail."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNYRXcqfqHoSyDrbHE3cKwSwTB4dJDnfRy1wMJcHrhcHL-zs3G8GdljQGM6ThpQ-rjbiXVfeKUqwMUoonY0i-kITMlhc1wz7Xnpzdkz6IIP33LqJdPQ3fDquteinSpwXWkRa1dCiT6zid/s1600-h/skydeck+preview.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNYRXcqfqHoSyDrbHE3cKwSwTB4dJDnfRy1wMJcHrhcHL-zs3G8GdljQGM6ThpQ-rjbiXVfeKUqwMUoonY0i-kITMlhc1wz7Xnpzdkz6IIP33LqJdPQ3fDquteinSpwXWkRa1dCiT6zid/s400/skydeck+preview.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323871860986970386" border="0" /></a><br />“All of your cell phone calls, text messages, voicemails, and contacts are mirrored on Skydeck.com, and you can search, read, and reply to those messages online as if you were calling or texting from your cell phone.” For more on Skydeck's features, click <a href="http://skydeck.com/home/features">here.</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">TRACK YOUR MONEY</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8K2v_HJOOTUiEXS3cZOhnQGcNUXPS5ny8XyO9QalowDE8Pl41Vh9qSAjNRtwUL-cswQ-LT2YP8XO51APPnVf4eMnOxEFGLkchfOoCHoeG3U4hqI9JWN4vqUvLfvgaoxhP3BV3K6vK9vm/s1600-h/mintdotcom.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 91px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8K2v_HJOOTUiEXS3cZOhnQGcNUXPS5ny8XyO9QalowDE8Pl41Vh9qSAjNRtwUL-cswQ-LT2YP8XO51APPnVf4eMnOxEFGLkchfOoCHoeG3U4hqI9JWN4vqUvLfvgaoxhP3BV3K6vK9vm/s320/mintdotcom.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323872376665545346" border="0" /></a><br />Use <a href="http://www.mint.com/">Mint</a> to get a more meaningful picture of where your money goes. Touting itself as "the best free way to manage your money", its features include easy setup and budgeting, mobile access (including an iPhone app), and helping you find ways to save, reduce your debt, and see where you are spending.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.mint.com/images/home/understand.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 144px;" src="http://www.mint.com/images/home/understand.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />It also provides timely alerts and helpful graphs, uncovers hidden fees, and helps you track your investments.<br /><br />Mint says it is safe and secure with 24/7 protection. If you need a little more convincing before you hand over your account and credit card numbers, watch <a href="http://www.mint.com/privacy/">this video</a> by Mint founder and CEO on "How Mint keeps you safe".<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">TRACK YOUR .... BUSINESS TIME</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlosaZ1Zdg7GIGZXLAOTr2ozr_qS4xc2udT7_eu_T_WIsRrSnjK3eGuxPPYnuq8a08eA-aoIZCfCTjuEce5biOMywiHZhowtO554YQyUjKTfJp84iaoE_BfH3zrucUQT1cy3w1wHWeKEww/s1600-h/bedpost+beta+logo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 57px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlosaZ1Zdg7GIGZXLAOTr2ozr_qS4xc2udT7_eu_T_WIsRrSnjK3eGuxPPYnuq8a08eA-aoIZCfCTjuEce5biOMywiHZhowtO554YQyUjKTfJp84iaoE_BfH3zrucUQT1cy3w1wHWeKEww/s320/bedpost+beta+logo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323873438034105810" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, why stop there? "Ever wonder how often you get busy?", <a href="http://www.bedposted.com/">Bedpost beta</a> will help you figure it out. The tool has no social networking features (other than a soon-to-be-launched 'partner login' feature), so it's not a dating site and is free.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0D7OwNk53vpjO3DThXqVdU7zaKRg1yHS1KaRhOJX1X44So5LJgmtO3ghSHbjvdNi2FMh2EvQ9h6rM9puufmQI8idam808ZjP3S0C7YhlQ0SLdHfUfh8PzZkSdtCd1Tlfhv8RcU7X1TboU/s1600-h/bedpost+preview.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0D7OwNk53vpjO3DThXqVdU7zaKRg1yHS1KaRhOJX1X44So5LJgmtO3ghSHbjvdNi2FMh2EvQ9h6rM9puufmQI8idam808ZjP3S0C7YhlQ0SLdHfUfh8PzZkSdtCd1Tlfhv8RcU7X1TboU/s400/bedpost+preview.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323874355484612274" border="0" /></a><br />You can log things like the date, time, duration, rating (out of 5 stars), who it was with, and input "descriptive tags". Bedpost will then provide you with charts and reports on all the data you provide.<br /><br />Worried about the privacy of this data? Bedpost makes sure that your 'business time' stays your business. They realize that many people may be more comfortable handing over bank account numbers than the details of their sex lives. "We understand that this is potentially the most personal of data-sets you will ever keep outside of financial records," they say, so they have a very strict privacy policy: "The records you save here will never be viewed by us nor will it ever be sold or provided to a third party. This information is permanently delete-able by you, should you deem it necessary."Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-2698400208914810382009-04-11T18:34:00.006-04:002009-04-11T20:43:09.714-04:00"Feel" betterWe all have a unique place in this world. Take a look at "<a href="http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/">Secret Worlds: The Universe Within</a>" to increase your understanding of both the vastness and connectedness of the universe, and be humbled by your place in it.<br /><br />Human beings use many different cues to determine our location, and all of our senses can be involved. Consider sitting in a lawn chair on the beach - you <span style="font-style: italic;">feel </span>sand on your toes, <span style="font-style: italic;">taste</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">smell </span>the salt of the ocean in the air, <span style="font-style: italic;">hear</span> the waves crashing, and see <span style="font-style: italic;">see</span> the sun directly overhead as you squint through your sunglasses and realize it's about lunch time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1a4jBUENFF-OR7JkXpzWpVHcKrwXBmLal_HqEQMzP-2u-i6QN2tqPopMJ2_9vu6qoUJw6YYCojkr04qsYaCiS8V6IXFVvULJ6RsQxxyBpNPNEm0wFZfWp9BHyvU3fMMAgUHX5YK0YET0/s400/Funny_Sign_Boards_24.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1a4jBUENFF-OR7JkXpzWpVHcKrwXBmLal_HqEQMzP-2u-i6QN2tqPopMJ2_9vu6qoUJw6YYCojkr04qsYaCiS8V6IXFVvULJ6RsQxxyBpNPNEm0wFZfWp9BHyvU3fMMAgUHX5YK0YET0/s400/Funny_Sign_Boards_24.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />All of our sense are very important in helping us determine our place in the world. Here, I focus on our sense of touch and how it can be used to expand an awareness of our surroundings.<br /><br />Consider the "<a href="http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/15.04/esp.html">feelSpace belt</a>", which can help you "develop an unerring sense of direction". It deepens your awareness of your location by constantly alerting you which direction is north. The belt has sensors all around it, and no matter which direction you're facing, the northernmost facing sensor will vibrate against your skin. Test subjects reported a lasting increase in spatial intelligence, because, even after they took the belt off, they were still able to sense which direction was north and had general feeling of always being able to find their way.<br /><br />Over at the <a href="http://ririanproject.com/2006/11/15/how-to-sharpen-your-senses/">Ririan Project</a> there's an article that talks about how to sharpen your senses. It provides the following examples of ways to keep your sense of touch from dulling:<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><p>If you usually barehand it when batting, putting, or serving, go gloved for your practice swings. <em>“Placing material between your skin and what you’re gripping will force the receptors to work harder as they try to feel through the barrier,”</em> says Tiffany Field, Ph.D., founder of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami school of medicine. </p> <p>Take the gloves off for the game and you’ll get a boost in sensitivity that will give you greater control. </p> <p>In the wrong hands, skin can be a blunt instrument. <em>“Without regular stimulation, your skin receptors become less sensitive,”</em> says Dr. Field. Sex is one source of stimulation, especially if body oil enters the equation. </p> <p>But you can also get a hot-stone massage, go for a swim in bracingly cold water, or use a long-handled bristle brush instead of a wimpy washcloth. Then have more sex.</p></blockquote> Speaking of sex, <a href="http://www.brainmysteries.com/research/Playing_Video_Games_Reduces_Sex_Differences_In_Spatial_Skills.asp">aparently</a>, by playing video games with a lot of action, women can close the gap between the sexes in spatial skills. "On average, women are not quite as good at rapidly switching attention among different objects", say researchers at the University of Toronto. This is a suspected reason for why women (<span style="font-style: italic;">debatably</span>) don't do as well as men on spatial tasks (i.e. reading a map, driving a car, assembling a grill). This study found that after only 10 hours of play, women caught up to men in spatial skills and the change was still present 5 months later.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sciencefiend.com/journal/2009/2/19/thoughts-on-fingerprints.html"></a>We can also expand our sense of touch by using it in place of other senses, (i.e. "see with your hands") as with <a href="http://www.jamespatten.com/tactilephoto/index.html">this</a> art exhibition of "tactile photography".<br /><br />Our sense of touch, like all of our senses is elastic and can be expanded upon more than we know. Never underestimate the <a href="http://www.itstime.com/rescue.htm">power</a> it can hold.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-83615605489716440802009-04-09T15:27:00.010-04:002009-04-09T18:33:42.129-04:00Hack your sense of hearing<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://files.myopera.com/darkpony/blog/Shhh.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 277px;" src="http://files.myopera.com/darkpony/blog/Shhh.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our sense of hearing is one of our main tools for gathering information about the world around us. And, like all of our senses, it is easy to trick. Listening to binaural recordings demonstrates this. Over at <a href="http://www.quietamerican.org/links.html#binaural">Quiet American</a>, "Binaural Theory" is described as follows:<br /><p style="font-style: italic;"><span style=";font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:130%;" >"T</span><span style=";font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >he binaural recording concept is elegant: place closely-matched microphones near the ears, and record what the ears actually hear. The details may be fascinating and esoteric, but the results speak for themselves ...Consider how we are able to locate sound sources ... differences between what each ear hears provide the clues our brains need to locate sound sources in space ... Binaural recordings (are) designed to capture ('commit to tape') these differences ... The result is a subjective three-dimensional soundscape that cannot yet be equaled with conventional speaker playback."</span></p>So test out some of these 'three-dimensional soundscapes':<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't even bother listening to any of these if you aren't going to both WEAR HEADPHONES and CLOSE YOUR EYES (no peeking!).</span><br /><br />Nothing like a little hacking of the senses to remind us of the plasticity of the brain ...<br /><ul><li>Get a hair cut over at the <a href="http://ccgi.bluerabbit.plus.com/virtualbarbershop/">Virtual Barbershop</a></li><li>Never again will you have to spend countless nights wondering what it would sound like <a href="http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=33773">if someone was writing on the inside of your skull<br /></a></li><li>Sometimes it's OK to <a href="http://members.shaw.ca/sandrin/holphonic.mp3">play with matches</a></li><li>And take a <a href="http://www.terzoorecchio.com/barca.html">ride in a boat</a></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Want to go somewhere specific?</span><br /><ul><li>Go on a audio vacation, like maybe to Spain near Seville's Cathedral where you can hear <a href="http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=62851">this</a> flamenco dancer's street performance</li><li>Want to go somewhere else? Check out all the geotagged sounds from around the world at<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://www.freesound.org/geotagsView.php">the freesound project</a>.<br /></li></ul></div></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-53830711414259029532009-04-08T04:51:00.000-04:002009-04-08T04:51:37.609-04:00The Interactive World of Pop-ups<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.mikehulsebus.com/album120/11.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 499px;" src="http://www.mikehulsebus.com/album120/11.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I love pop-up books. There are so many things to love: whether it be the childhood nostalgia, their hacking of space through manipulation of scale and perception, an ability to transport you to another world, or their simple interactivity. Pop-ups encompass a realm of creativity and tactile awareness that is irresistible.<br /><br />Take this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egXg0gkKvwM">Alice and Wonderland</a> pop-up for example. Looking at this, I can't help but be transported to both a different time and a different world.<br /><br />Something seemingly simple, like reciting the alphabet or a light can become wonderfully complex, like with the book <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnZr0wiG1Hg">ABC3D</a> or Ken Ishiguro's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvsfXnCe8qs&feature=related">pop-up light</a>.<br /><br />They can be a fantastic creative outlet, like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXM5LGfpmrE&feature=related">this</a> band tapped into for its music video. Or, they can increase your depth of understanding, as with these pop-ups about <a href="http://www.yankodesign.com/2008/03/26/really-big-pop-up-book/">habitat and space</a> or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIOJVDeXt3M">classic</a> and <a href="http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2008/07/the_modern_arch.php">modern</a> architecture.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2008/03/26/space_book3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 468px; height: 352px;" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2008/03/26/space_book3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />You can also use them to safely explore your fears (whether common <a href="http://www.balvis.com/NewFiles/pop_up_book_of_phobias.html">phobias</a> ... or specific to <a href="http://www.vonshollywood.com/zombiepopup.html">zombies</a>, perhaps?). Or you can learn more about <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D27icjWNGc4&feature=related">human anatomy</a>, the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgVlr19xKiE&NR=1">facts of life</a>, or <a href="http://www.artybees.co.nz/bizarre-book-pages/popup-kama-sutra.htm">sexuality</a>.<br /><br />There seem to be endless possibilities. For more examples, just check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvcEvj3yiCA&feature=related">The Fellowship of Pop-up Books</a>, the <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/imageviewer.asp?ean=9781595910127&MICTID=38">Pop-Up Book of Celebrity Meltdowns</a>, and the fun they had with a <a href="http://www.somethingawful.com/d/photoshop-phriday/pop-up-books.php">pop-up Photoshop contest</a> over at Something Awful.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://wingnutsunited.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/popup-pacino.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 437px; height: 326px;" src="http://wingnutsunited.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/popup-pacino.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-18074549755748536492009-03-30T07:08:00.010-04:002009-03-30T11:33:54.373-04:00Get some Quamut ("how to")In case you missed it, about a year ago Barnes and Noble launched the how-to website, Quamut.com. From <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS80915+24-Mar-2008+BW20080324">Reuters Business Wire</a>: "In an age where people can go online and look up how to do just about anything, authored by just about anyone, consumers are often faced with inaccurate, poorly presented information surrounded by ads<span style="font-family:monospace;"> </span>virtually indistinguishable from content and from sources they are not sure they can trust. But now, Quamut.com (www.quamut.com) introduces how-to guides that offer credible information in a concise, user-friendly format."<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:monospace;"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/790/quamutbh1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 209px;" src="http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/790/quamutbh1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:monospace;"><br /></span>The </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://quamut.com/">website</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, offers this definition for Quamut (pronounced kwah-mutt):</span><span style="font-family:monospace;"><br /></span>1. Latin for "how to",<span style="font-family:monospace;"><br /></span>2. Authoritative guides published by Barnes and Noble<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:monospace;"><br /><br /><br /></span>There are 3 formats:</span> <span style="font-family:monospace;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Quamut Online</span> - the guides in their "entirity, free online ... hyperlinked throughout"</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Quamut to Go</span> - the complete and fully searchable PDF that you can download for $2.95. Most are 2-8 pages long. Print at will.</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Quamut Chart</span> - many are also available as laminated durable foldouts for $5.95.</li></ul><span style="font-family:monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Worth checking out?</span><br />Lessee, do I like ... Concise, accurate, easily referenced guides? Check. Being able to find information on the web that can be trusted? Check. Tangible "manna-from-heaven"-like laminated foldouts? Check. The ability to just download a PDF when tree-murder-guilt or impulse control are an issue? Check. That it's brought to you by Barnes and Nobel, Inc., the world's largest bookseller? .... eh ....<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Be sure to take advantage of:</span><br /><ul><li>The weekly featured PDF for free download: this week it is <a href="http://quamut.com/quamut/starting_a_business">"Starting Your Own Business"</a>.</li><li>The <a href="http://wiki.quamut.com/">Q-Wiki</a> if you're looking for something a little more participatory. Currently popular there is how to "<a href="http://wiki.quamut.com/view/find_a_job_in_a_recession.html">Find a Job in a Recession</a>".</li></ul>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-55711134936818934502009-03-29T16:12:00.008-04:002009-04-12T17:02:50.343-04:00Resources to make (looking for) work and play a little easierThis post covers just a few of the many online resources that can make life a little easier in our current economy. Though written with job-seekers in mind, most of the things found here could be useful to just about anyone living or working in NYC (and in some cases, beyond).<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Stuff to help you (find) work ...</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://virtaflaneurazine.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/laptop-addiction.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 256px;" src="http://virtaflaneurazine.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/laptop-addiction.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Free WiFi:</span><br /><ul><li>For listings of places with free Wifi, check out <a href="http://www.cupofnyc.com/search/feature/1">Cup of NYC</a> and <a href="http://manhattan.about.com/od/citylife1/a/freewifihotspot_2.htm">this article</a> from About.com.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></li><li><a href="http://www.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm#tools">JiWire</a> also lists free WiFi locations, many of which you can utilize without freeling like you have to buy something (like public parks). I find this one particularly useful for it's map view feature.</li></ul> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Because you shouldn't have to pay to go to the bathroom:</span><br />If, while out around the town on your job search, you need a bathroom (but don't want to have to pay for a small soda at McDonalds to use one), <a href="http://www.nyrestroom.com/">NY Restrooms</a> will help you find the nearest spot that's open to the public.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Coworking and Networking:</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.onefloorup.com/uploaded_images/May07/0507-hello_my_name_is.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 165px;" src="http://www.onefloorup.com/uploaded_images/May07/0507-hello_my_name_is.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Coworking:</span><br />If you think you could benefit from the camaraderie, motivation, or possible inspiration and collaboration that could result from working in a shared space with others in a similar field or situation, try finding or starting a coworking group with the help of any of these resources: this <a href="http://coworking.pbwiki.com/">Coworking wiki</a>, the Google Groups <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?pli=1&auth=DQAAAH4AAACueW5obehUpTFx_Ydkx_d4ryWBNqcqfym0O60cxvzeTEzA4F9Z52uT_YeY5Tfw-S_yKN6jujfLysTe9v0T6a0knKIYU6RwcsO6pgsAS4swQ5hcbkyRAK1UWY5hWk4yVbxce8keTcOf_xzLh745Vhz4wYkznc22kGVNUgxPDZlj_g">Coworking</a> group, <a href="http://www.workatjelly.com/">Jelly</a>, Meetup's <a href="http://www.meetup.com/coworking-nyc/">Coworking NYC</a> Group, or <a href="http://www.nwcny.com/">New Work City</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">(Social) Networking:</span><br />There are plenty of networking events to be found online as well. Freelancer's Union has lots to offer, including a <a href="http://www.freelancersunion.org/events/2009/spring/networking-party.html">Networking Party</a> coming up on April 15th (costs $10 and includes a drink). Meetup also lists many networking <a href="http://www.meetup.com/search/?keywords=network&radius=25&country=us&locationPickerRef=0&dbCo=us&dbOutsideUsLink=&zip=&submitButton=Search">events</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Also, be sure to maximize</span> </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.linkedintelligence.com/smart-ways-to-use-linkedin/">LinkedIn</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">and</span> </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.secretsofthejobhunt.com/profiles/blogs/use-twitter-to-find-job">Twitter</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">in your job search.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other resources ...</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bearotic.com/img/2009/02/beard-head-beard-cap-giveaway.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 215px;" src="http://www.bearotic.com/img/2009/02/beard-head-beard-cap-giveaway.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><ul><li>One merchant is offering <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/03/24/dry_cleaner_offers_free_dry_cleanin.php">free dry cleaning</a> for the unemployed with an upcoming interview.</li><li>Be on the lookout for free coffee at giveaways like <a href="http://www.yelp.com/events/new-york-free-coffee">this one</a> from 8am-10am on Tuesday, March 31st at Toasties Union Square location.</li><li>It never hurts to search the <a href="http://newyork.craigslist.org/zip/">New York City Craigslist</a> "free stuff classifieds", especially since you can find things useful to your job search, like a free haircut.<br /></li><li>And don't be too proud to clip coupons. If it was good enough for grandma, it's good enough for you. Find vendors in your neighborhood at <a href="http://www.8coupons.com/dir/neighborhood">8 Coupons</a>, and even have them sent to your phone weekly.<br /></li></ul><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">When it's time to reward yourself for all that hard work . . .</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cowizm.com/pict/cookie_monster.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 243px;" src="http://www.cowizm.com/pict/cookie_monster.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><ul><li>Find cheap (and sometimes free) drinks with <a href="http://nymag.com/urban/guides/nyonthecheap/pleasures/bars.htm">NY Mag's Cheap Guide</a>, <a href="http://www.coovents.com/">Coovents</a>, and <a href="http://nyc.myopenbar.com/">My Open Bar</a>.</li><li>See the upcoming art opening listed on <a href="http://calendar.artcat.com//openings/week">Art Cat</a> and <a href="http://artcards.cc/">Art Cards</a>, many of which also provide free finger foods and beverages.</li><li>For free events, be sure to check out the listings on <a href="http://flavorpill.com/newyork/events/free">Flavorpill</a>, <a href="http://www.freenyc.net/">Free NYC</a>, and <a href="http://www.brooklynvegan.com/events.html">Brooklyn Vegan</a>.</li><li>For a little less than $3/mo., you can join <a href="http://clubfreetime.com/new_york.asp">Club freeTime</a> for listings of free events (though by viewing as a guest you can often get enough info to figure out the rest on your own).</li><li>And then of course you can always <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/condoms/condoms-where.shtml">"Get Some"</a> for free (condoms, that is) . . . Good lookin' out, City of New York.</li></ul><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">Got other resources? Please share them!</span>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-59679149708948927612009-03-13T19:11:00.004-04:002009-03-26T15:07:21.785-04:00I went to Google and all I got was this mug ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiENxe70K9HK8KTTj13zlhefk8Qq7owpvwf-vwxCjw6YnEjVYRM5FbVDj1PurtiPZuDMeTJ-kjT3L6dFos_pmdgjN2cYztssHnrbNbW1TzuRgyiqacTEnVF8W9x4eWbDjuT9GHRuSSS8P/s1600-h/Google+Women.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiENxe70K9HK8KTTj13zlhefk8Qq7owpvwf-vwxCjw6YnEjVYRM5FbVDj1PurtiPZuDMeTJ-kjT3L6dFos_pmdgjN2cYztssHnrbNbW1TzuRgyiqacTEnVF8W9x4eWbDjuT9GHRuSSS8P/s400/Google+Women.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317220852768551730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I happily stumbled upon the group <a href="http://www.ggdnyc.com/">Geek Girl Dinners NYC</a> just in time for the first meeting they had last December sponsored by <a href="http://www.thoughtworks.com/">Thoughtworks</a> (if you watch the video on their website for it, I'm the one in the last picture in the montage looking suspiciously to the side while protecting my chicken wing). It was fun, there were some very cool ladies to be met, and there were interesting speakers including Ana Radovanovic - Research Scientist for Google, and Valerie D’Orazio (aka “<a href="http://occasionalsuperheroine.blogspot.com/">Occasional Superheroine</a>“) - Writer, Blogger & Social Media Specialist.<br /><br />Earlier this month, I attended the second Geek Girl Dinner (NYC Edition). This one was sponsored by Google and held at the NYC Google complex. I had high hopes for a full tour of the facility, but instead had to settle for the cafeteria:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfreJt9-M8dis9b4fhPDpnwuMMVqaNaSSlpEVQFVN-58zbOS_aVEKt_KsyKWO4MarEGZC5dXTDshs7fzVdHIhxyr9vJWwVsKogtDRKGxLv8Hc_bFziYu7udXws7bHjsq8Ta8YejEeary9H/s1600-h/Google+Cafeteria.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfreJt9-M8dis9b4fhPDpnwuMMVqaNaSSlpEVQFVN-58zbOS_aVEKt_KsyKWO4MarEGZC5dXTDshs7fzVdHIhxyr9vJWwVsKogtDRKGxLv8Hc_bFziYu7udXws7bHjsq8Ta8YejEeary9H/s400/Google+Cafeteria.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317220425421410658" border="0" /></a><br /><br />... <span style="font-style: italic;">which</span> (don't get me wrong), was <span style="font-style: italic;">damn</span> nice for a cafeteria - with a great view of the Manhattan skyline, a large outdoor deck, and pictures of world renowned chefs along the hall leading in who'd all cooked there (it's right across the street from Chelsea Market and the Food Network headquarters). Rumor had it that one of the staff perks is a free lunch.<br /><br />The only other thing I got to see (which I had to be escorted to by a very large security guard), was your average bathroom. The hallway leading to it, however, was about a block long (Big Wheel races, anyone?) and white from floor-to-ceiling with (unmarked, closed) doors. It was very (almost disconcertingly) nondescript, leading me to wonder what lurked behind those doors.<br /><br />Back in the cafeteria (and the real world), the dinner's speakers were fantastic - intelligent, successful, work/life balanced, funny, and level-headed: <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/corinnacortes/">Corinna Cortes</a>, Head of Google Research NY, and Katrin Verclas, Co-Founder and Editor of <a href="http://mobileactive.org/">MobileActive.org</a>.<br /><br />They were followed by a raffle, by which I was slightly downtrodden since a disappointing number of the prizes went to men (Really. Really?!?!) ... I can't complain though, because after all was said and done, I <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">did</span></span> get to go home with this lovely thermos:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKBzk5-5Y7inlewJFVO-2iwqQetbS4UNr3NGfbv7wQZ4rEwftQS9sjeAXBllyGh4FNLJg2LoQnIuLi0LlQqUDYakdAp6GEkf4evcJZDgJVfXdvx1odjgRNe1dXIG7fzUoVxrdefHULPAB/s1600-h/Google+Mug.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKBzk5-5Y7inlewJFVO-2iwqQetbS4UNr3NGfbv7wQZ4rEwftQS9sjeAXBllyGh4FNLJg2LoQnIuLi0LlQqUDYakdAp6GEkf4evcJZDgJVfXdvx1odjgRNe1dXIG7fzUoVxrdefHULPAB/s320/Google+Mug.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317225766566802850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />. . . ooh, and managed to snap a picture of this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlt76kuQtRzcU6S8Oia6GbNaW37mCaGKBscV2NkTP2oIPX6PEcKuRa50CLQ_C1QAca9IoP4gSdAudVcLK6fj72fdPk7PG4kgOQs2XXrGw90yN7SQiUYgOQoaFMrb-aUQXY7KY_-WjfnY1/s1600-h/Google+Bear.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlt76kuQtRzcU6S8Oia6GbNaW37mCaGKBscV2NkTP2oIPX6PEcKuRa50CLQ_C1QAca9IoP4gSdAudVcLK6fj72fdPk7PG4kgOQs2XXrGw90yN7SQiUYgOQoaFMrb-aUQXY7KY_-WjfnY1/s400/Google+Bear.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317227679146689794" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(For the visually, challenged, his belt says "DON'T BE EVIL")</span><br /><br />... which, I-shit-you-not, I was told I was "not actually supposed to take a picture of". What - does it have some top-secret, controversial significance? ... like serving as a constant reminder to keep the Google-folks in-check, lest they be tempted to use their all-present, all-knowing, and all-powerful pervasiveness for evil? HAHAHA! Ha, ha ... oh, man ... ... heh ... ... eh? ... Ah, whatever.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-83586367745537551452009-03-12T15:31:00.014-04:002009-03-12T16:05:07.458-04:00Gaming Imitates LifeThe first time I saw <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTfJDZKvThA&feature=hd">this teaser</a> for the game <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Mirror's Edge</span>, I'm not entirely ashamed to admit it brought tears to my eyes. It was a first-person shooter with so many of my favorite things wrapped into one game<b>: </b> simulated <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FECdrpICg7o&feature=hd">parkour</a> (as you maneuver through urban obstacles with gravity-defying fluidity, grace, and ease), combat, and keeping under the radar. And it didn't hurt that it touches on themes such as information as a commodity, the right to privacy / freedom from surveillance, self-empowerment, and fighting back to reclaim what's rightfully yours.<br /><br />Oh … AND it is purdy to look at.<br /><br />With such stunning visuals, I had to wonder about the real life inspiration for the various settings.<br /><br />Another thing attractive about the game and parkour in general is the practice of <i>infiltration</i> or “urban exploration” - examining the normally unseen or off-limits parts of urban areas or industrial facilities.<br /><br />My curiosity in urban exploration across the world led me to discover what undoubtedly has to be the real life inspiration for the storm drains level in Mirror’s Edge:<span style=""> </span>Japan’s “Underground Temple for People” (the G-Cans Project, AKA <a href="http://www.ktr.mlit.go.jp/edogawa/works/saigai/sonae/gaikaku/frame_index.html">Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel</a>).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Check out these comparisons:</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLdHMD1wc2GQVhs8LXtRiroDUUJIyJ9iFfcgyNL8VCma18cOVl6Rbu-9GE0P6UhxdbmV5nOQxy1QRbj8QPr4Rmi47UWj2RrKCPgtpg0MrB1TJ68spDNUbFkYmP-L4iXrLtFSjiCqNnHUp/s1600-h/tokyo-flood-tunnels_above+ground.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLdHMD1wc2GQVhs8LXtRiroDUUJIyJ9iFfcgyNL8VCma18cOVl6Rbu-9GE0P6UhxdbmV5nOQxy1QRbj8QPr4Rmi47UWj2RrKCPgtpg0MrB1TJ68spDNUbFkYmP-L4iXrLtFSjiCqNnHUp/s400/tokyo-flood-tunnels_above+ground.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312389984441252034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VZm_jYLfERjSiurzxbpebvWmflQP656fSEUc31l0XoqPZ97Q6v3tZ5HB1-1Ef-DnyS4uKqyEbBwO4CjMCaOz5X4pJYeycHx-6bO6Lps_BY8CnwAKlXqRm8pGaE-rALbvwLa4q8TPr4Fo/s1600-h/ME_silo+4.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VZm_jYLfERjSiurzxbpebvWmflQP656fSEUc31l0XoqPZ97Q6v3tZ5HB1-1Ef-DnyS4uKqyEbBwO4CjMCaOz5X4pJYeycHx-6bO6Lps_BY8CnwAKlXqRm8pGaE-rALbvwLa4q8TPr4Fo/s400/ME_silo+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312389980883989506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3MKa0Oy0CYEpbNx0Sq9z2ObFeUfBlTgmW35z6FFORF2c3vcwRisEHSc0auKdpnHresbIZvBTrJNiXSe3sz0OERI7le8MjT7J1hS2z1VylDPwjIMEFuHOtBfdlV4aJ7DPMlpZY39_rXox/s1600-h/tokyo_storm+drain_down+the+rabbit+hole.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3MKa0Oy0CYEpbNx0Sq9z2ObFeUfBlTgmW35z6FFORF2c3vcwRisEHSc0auKdpnHresbIZvBTrJNiXSe3sz0OERI7le8MjT7J1hS2z1VylDPwjIMEFuHOtBfdlV4aJ7DPMlpZY39_rXox/s400/tokyo_storm+drain_down+the+rabbit+hole.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312389169305778530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoXsNO_O0jY1R5T1UaqMm3E-s5SCdDx0xNiwsIFjnND3OF6XPdE-lmZkK-K8sQ01UwnugwnmqdS8eq6msPDGJSSffcPs6mCotMfEEHE3eyASHZ6N5l8BdU3p4TXv3RD6LgOmS9-O967ux/s1600-h/me-drop.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoXsNO_O0jY1R5T1UaqMm3E-s5SCdDx0xNiwsIFjnND3OF6XPdE-lmZkK-K8sQ01UwnugwnmqdS8eq6msPDGJSSffcPs6mCotMfEEHE3eyASHZ6N5l8BdU3p4TXv3RD6LgOmS9-O967ux/s400/me-drop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312389170132758834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CAnLIhJNw_bPPlAlqVmIQE0PWtwyo7dFkNCvgsjAK_GLBfcJmbh99W77BgpCUBJBsTDcLbPUB-YMuaILZREk-7i_hb3NBstXfcerxu2Izx3DgA3Hrwc_ZKHU3HBCF4SwBD5HY7isiILy/s1600-h/tokyo_storm+drain_looking+up+w+plank.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CAnLIhJNw_bPPlAlqVmIQE0PWtwyo7dFkNCvgsjAK_GLBfcJmbh99W77BgpCUBJBsTDcLbPUB-YMuaILZREk-7i_hb3NBstXfcerxu2Izx3DgA3Hrwc_ZKHU3HBCF4SwBD5HY7isiILy/s400/tokyo_storm+drain_looking+up+w+plank.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312389163769695330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhufQkAAf0GPhwcyA9Tb6WH5l8tykoaJ0dy8v830cxYregxqGh1DwbyFJ6S8pDvCTmeB-tsy4UB_ouDJ4ChBHHT0nAfO0RDfr7KiMEb0y2bFaRU8eKrwq5x3bjgpJwkxz3UFtr2FNqHBR/s1600-h/ME_looking+up+drain+toward+plank+and+sky.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhufQkAAf0GPhwcyA9Tb6WH5l8tykoaJ0dy8v830cxYregxqGh1DwbyFJ6S8pDvCTmeB-tsy4UB_ouDJ4ChBHHT0nAfO0RDfr7KiMEb0y2bFaRU8eKrwq5x3bjgpJwkxz3UFtr2FNqHBR/s400/ME_looking+up+drain+toward+plank+and+sky.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312389156783962434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGLbNZpW0ersyRe6Vr-8wKl4hzWC9yglvNx-5Ji6GNmAndKrhurSVuycVRsrWLLUjHPz21JsH3qB-RemwKHxUJBfI2o8iRrIdHqIIihqxR3xeMg9wEwA86OWeazoqtgEdbXYLXvEbUcR3/s1600-h/tokyosewer_door.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGLbNZpW0ersyRe6Vr-8wKl4hzWC9yglvNx-5Ji6GNmAndKrhurSVuycVRsrWLLUjHPz21JsH3qB-RemwKHxUJBfI2o8iRrIdHqIIihqxR3xeMg9wEwA86OWeazoqtgEdbXYLXvEbUcR3/s400/tokyosewer_door.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312388491509826146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3MJLd18879SuXzql4RQybqLen_sbLFnOCgTCkoDMOYdwjjJJ8QHmTMnSjwb73ykhy5S_HopqsF4UXlfvCMxTg_HC1N1rwTpI9q9YuQoLZp5LupPQB7smrIO-bHU8tYjKThQt1eUFaxiT/s1600-h/ME_tokyo+sewer+door.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3MJLd18879SuXzql4RQybqLen_sbLFnOCgTCkoDMOYdwjjJJ8QHmTMnSjwb73ykhy5S_HopqsF4UXlfvCMxTg_HC1N1rwTpI9q9YuQoLZp5LupPQB7smrIO-bHU8tYjKThQt1eUFaxiT/s400/ME_tokyo+sewer+door.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312388487996234258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0GGeZMvR1j7h7rI1noLVitwuywr4ffWYxVlLVI4UGcThtJ0JJuPBV6GROp0izYJg1aNjjNoos_JrL6KtSsnrnSJJA2bjla7T9_vBPpWTspk6rCD4aKBC_XMEZsoI2yuLqkuMPJnytLvf/s1600-h/Columns.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0GGeZMvR1j7h7rI1noLVitwuywr4ffWYxVlLVI4UGcThtJ0JJuPBV6GROp0izYJg1aNjjNoos_JrL6KtSsnrnSJJA2bjla7T9_vBPpWTspk6rCD4aKBC_XMEZsoI2yuLqkuMPJnytLvf/s400/Columns.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312388484736003378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlMx2H84JMrrOJedlqBV25P7wUwgsYyJZpXvPo7j7V5DjDKQtAIZecCnKWcxwOc59Q-y0hM3o8DQMlQLvKhrycfSn7W8LOfnfGKtZdRf1SbChaxJdivQep0sEzugD4YebB2EWs6_eXhfb/s1600-h/ME_columns.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlMx2H84JMrrOJedlqBV25P7wUwgsYyJZpXvPo7j7V5DjDKQtAIZecCnKWcxwOc59Q-y0hM3o8DQMlQLvKhrycfSn7W8LOfnfGKtZdRf1SbChaxJdivQep0sEzugD4YebB2EWs6_eXhfb/s400/ME_columns.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312388480539629810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp72nksgDSFluGDeL5tGxyKCN3-K0dhpge68Nh3CZIhDgeUOx59fhxsBMsc2UrgjzdW92IXpZhh0365L5kPkl1KGGxAQjmy-xenYx1CZ36NfBr0VrxCvmajPvJZF5IUMlK7PzdcSOnNez/s1600-h/side+columns.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp72nksgDSFluGDeL5tGxyKCN3-K0dhpge68Nh3CZIhDgeUOx59fhxsBMsc2UrgjzdW92IXpZhh0365L5kPkl1KGGxAQjmy-xenYx1CZ36NfBr0VrxCvmajPvJZF5IUMlK7PzdcSOnNez/s400/side+columns.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312387924711769522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNjVI9cO6R6V_wo48nCsrJ5w1EUfCI13AJc3YxayHIr9yMF2BSz3-m-OIvrhhPEoo0M8cZCAOVBG-58HsieB3zqYNVRuUow9lqYhpsCt0T8wOV-M_PqwOPLWE3JfQ6g_m4SmzXHdOsABt/s1600-h/ME_columns+catwalk+etc.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNjVI9cO6R6V_wo48nCsrJ5w1EUfCI13AJc3YxayHIr9yMF2BSz3-m-OIvrhhPEoo0M8cZCAOVBG-58HsieB3zqYNVRuUow9lqYhpsCt0T8wOV-M_PqwOPLWE3JfQ6g_m4SmzXHdOsABt/s400/ME_columns+catwalk+etc.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312387569645107186" border="0" /></a>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-27943352485779539992009-02-27T19:11:00.013-05:002009-03-13T13:42:30.955-04:00Maps<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0THOf8C626uIi77okqh1l5EwGR2tIIBZ3iHwB6uy3-KPhyphenhyphenTOpplnjUAvnAxU87GB_YdtKhlUIqVZT7hlX-GVuWU18V4gx-IbqwdMMuYqZjiSYFVAmyDaFzFUgG1b1JC0hSL0LNLHNE5m/s1600-h/Glue_small.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0THOf8C626uIi77okqh1l5EwGR2tIIBZ3iHwB6uy3-KPhyphenhyphenTOpplnjUAvnAxU87GB_YdtKhlUIqVZT7hlX-GVuWU18V4gx-IbqwdMMuYqZjiSYFVAmyDaFzFUgG1b1JC0hSL0LNLHNE5m/s320/Glue_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307635926521353506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is this?</span><br />Some sort of rare fossil formed in glass or crystal? Seaweed or ferns imprinted into ice? No, this is something you could make. It is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glue1_800x600.jpg">natural fractal pattern</a> formed by air displacing a vacuum that resulted from pulling two glue-covered acrylic sheets apart.<br /><br />And you thought that any sort of (productive) play with glue ended after Kindergarten ...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Welcome to this blog.</span><br />The header of this page includes images representing different types of maps - some of which are fractals and some that are not.<br /><br />If you're curious, these images are:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Top Row (from left to right):</span><br />Snow on top of cracking masonry (first), the structural formula of dopamine (below masonry), a power grid, a cast of the human lungs and circulatory system, lightning, a hand (palm), the universe, a family tree<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E7k4YnjzfQe2OCUNdX2NmQpsDBZ4sdWC_5uBx_lrl98aTW_eymcxT-PIfC3P_ksEWp9DK9tWDpeljvGCPbrCA2GsbQoLA0JBEoe0bRIfH_3Yi3ec4Z2Reben4Sw61QPz2cd_cSaZf0I_/s1600-h/Mappery5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E7k4YnjzfQe2OCUNdX2NmQpsDBZ4sdWC_5uBx_lrl98aTW_eymcxT-PIfC3P_ksEWp9DK9tWDpeljvGCPbrCA2GsbQoLA0JBEoe0bRIfH_3Yi3ec4Z2Reben4Sw61QPz2cd_cSaZf0I_/s400/Mappery5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307637925833487714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Bottom Row (from left to right):</span><br />DNA, neural networks, a mindmap, a tree with bare branches, Seoul's subway system, a mountain range<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Want to make your own fractals, sans paste?</span><br /><ul><li>Make fractal cookies with the help of <a href="http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/fractalcookies">Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories</a></li><li>Be inspired to make your own <a href="http://www.3dfiction.com/">3D Fiction</a></li><li>Or make music with fractals at <a href="http://www.fractal-vibes.com/">Fractal Vibes</a> or <a href="http://www.reglos.de/musinum/">Music in the Numbers</a></li></ul><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Have any other online examples or tools to share for making fractals? Please share them!</span>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222675703322826054.post-44830688567937064322009-02-25T15:53:00.000-05:002009-02-25T16:13:07.701-05:00"Mappery" - the ConceptI've been trying to flesh out the common thread running through all the things that intrigue me that I'd like to make this blog about. I decided the word <span style="font-weight: bold;">"<span style="font-style: italic;">mappery</span>"</span> pretty much conjures it up for me. I'll define it very loosely as exploring and understanding our (internal and external) worlds in order to improve our lives.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">External World:</span><br />I love the gamut of exploring / manipulating / hacking space. I.E. exploring “virtual worlds”, an appreciation for miniature versions of things, urban exploration (on and off the radar – discovering hidden nooks and crannies of cities, abandoned buildings, rooftops, underground, etc.), panoramas / 360 degree pictures, parkour / free running (finding the most efficient way to get from point a to point b which just so happens to look really freaking awesome), etc.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Internal World:</span><br />I’m fascinated by how the brain works / why we think the way we do – more specifically, how to change the way we think to improve our lives – i.e. “mind hacking” and cognitive reconditioning.<br />I find mind maps to be fascinating: they can be illuminating, insightful, revealing, and more-often-than-not really beautiful to look at.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09690944145180322178noreply@blogger.com0