cwangdom

Almost lost?

2007-08-21T23:34:00.000-04:00

Have you ever thought that perhaps you might be get lost while taking the bus? I had that feeling today. I was taking the bus and it veered in the wrong direction... and did a huge loop and the proceeded back on the correct path... which apparantly is its normal route. BUT hey! I didnt know... so i got worried that I was going to end up in some unknown place... AND my cell ran out of power. Oi! What a day!

A Little French Secret

2007-08-20T23:11:00.000-04:00

This past month has been pretty crazy with lots of different things going on, but the most memorable of them all was a day at South Granville. We strolled through some art galleries over there and it was so relaxing ... i should do these things more often. Some of my fave were Bau-Xi, Equinox Gallery, Diane Farris Gallery and one that I cant remember the name of but it is next to 18Karat.

All our gallery sightseeing, got us a bit hungry so we went to find somewhere to eat. While we were re-parking the car we saw in passing a little cafe that looked super packed. I didnt see a sign for the place but we thought... well hey its packed we should go try it. So, we enter the door and the cafe is overflowing from its little area into the lobby of the building its in. Luckly there was a table so we sat down immediately. So we get the menus and they are completely in french, and the servers are all speaking french... and im thinkin... whats going on here! Then, we realize that this cafe called Salade de Fruits is in the French Cultural Centre... and it all makes sense! French bistro in french cultural centre! There were buisness ppl busily eating a quick lunch, groups having a big get together, students, shoppers and just people from all walks of life. I ate the omlette of the day which was a salami and cheese omlette with salad ($7.99). Wow, it was good! The salad was good and super fresh too. My friend had the mushroom crepe which was delicious too. I spied others eating mussels and fries... i was tottally eyeing it. They also have poutine on the menu, man... i miss poutine from the little chip wagons in ontario!!!! So this seems like an amazing chill neighborhood secret where you could go every day. Im going to come again for sure and eat the mussels!

Salade de Fruits Cafe Bistro
1551 West 7th Avenue,
Vancouver BC V6J 1S1
Tel.: (604) 714-5987

Amour du Jour

2007-08-04T21:55:00.000-04:00

So, as always things catch my fancy and it kinda guides me for a couple months. Recent things that have been on my mind include:

Cooking utensils like: Huge pepper mills, heavy bottomed copper pots, Shun Knives, Salt cellar
French Bistro food (Bouchon, Jules)
Blueprint Magazine
Vivienne Westwood Anglomania
Stores: Oliver Barrett, Showoff! (for great dresses - 3712 Main St.), Moule (for cool - park royal and fourth ave), Holt Renfrew (the new vancouver store), H&M (supposedly is going to be taking over the old holt spot in pacific centre and a new store in coquitlam center)
Gift wrapping
Haruki Murakami
Knitting: Urban Yarns (store in van)

Where have I been?

2007-08-04T21:09:00.000-04:00

Its been a crazy month! I thought it was gonna be pretty chillax, but no it was not meant to be apparantly. The job prep proved to be a much larger task than I had thought and just finding a job was a job in itself. Well suffice it to say that ... yes I did find a job finally after a mess of interviews and lots of debating over offers and stuff. Which is great! Now all I need is a place to call my own.

I have been also getting this whole AIBC thing down. Which seemed pretty complicated in the beginning but acctually its pretty simple. They want money... you give them money... you work... you take some tests... and voila ure an architect. I am now getting my education certified. Whoohoo!

The rest of the month was mainly just getting things done, organizing things and wow... just never thought it would take so much time to get things done! lol

Rodney's Oyster House

2007-07-03T20:21:00.000-04:00

As I was looking for something on my desk, I found a bill for Rodney's that was from last summer when I went with a friend for a day of eating out... man that was a fun day. The oysters here were SUPER! I get so spoilt on seafood living in Vancouver. I loved how it was so relaxed and whatever. We sat upstairs where we could look down at the oyster bar... pretty nice. The huge windows at the front are pretty nice. Most of the people there were just relaxing after a day at work... having a beer and some oysters. It was a fun atmosphere not super slick, which is what you expect from Yaletown but the oysters were just good and most importantly fresh. They brought a huge tray with lots of different sauces to season our oysters with. The menu is basically the oysters of the day that you can see at the bar but their menu is pretty basic, with a quiet selection of clam chowder, fish, mussels, shrimp and some crab. I had a new england clam chowder which was pretty good too.... but aaaaaah the oysters! Our server was very laid back and let us take our time which is always a plus in my books.

What did I eat & drink?
12 Mac's Oysters @ 2.40
2 New England Clam Chowder @ 6.95
1 Manhattan Clam Chowder @ 6.95
1 Stella Artois @ 5.75

Rodney's Oyster House
405-1228 Hamilton Street,
Vancouver, BC V6B 6L2
(604) 609-0080

Other places in Vancouver for oysters? Joe Fortes is good and ive heard Blue Water is good too but never been for oysters.

Happy CANADA DAY!!

2007-07-01T13:31:00.000-04:00

Happy Canada Day to all you canadians out there. Have some beer, poutine and whatever else you may fancy. Im jealous of all of you that are currently partying it up in Ottawa honestly. Hope everyone has a fun day... oh and also a Happy Birthday to Ann! Hope you also have a great day!!

The Starbucks Insanity

2007-06-29T14:18:00.001-04:00

So, if you dont know Vancouver is very close to Seattle... the purveyors of starbucks coffee-ness. I have been trying to take as many pictures of starbucks and tim hortons as I see them whenever I can. Anyway, the other day I took 3 pictures of starbucks in various parts of town. Honestly I missed like 4 other starbucks during my travels. In Vancouver Starbucks is the Tim Hortons of Ontario.

Moving, shipping etc

2007-06-28T14:12:00.001-04:00

So, I moved back to Vancouver right? and well i had a bunch of stuff in Ottawa with me. People have been asking me did I drive back to Van? or what... well I shipped my stuff with Purolator. I had 8 boxes worth of stuff some were like 60lbs (books) others were 20lbs and in all it was 294lbs of stuff. Well it cost me with tax $214.42 ... for some reason i thought it was waaay less so applogies. It was on Extended Ground Service with a definite delivery day. I sent it on a monday and it got to vancouver on friday. Not bad eh? Just remember to get some sturdy boxes... some of mine were falling apart when i got them back... and make sure if you have ANYthing thats breakable to really wrap it. Anyway, if you have stuff to ship... definatly send it by purolator! they will either pick up from your place or you can bring it to them at one of their centers and they will deliver it right to ure destination... so no picking up etc.

There is also greyhound which you can try but its a bit more of a hassle.

Susur

2007-06-28T13:22:00.000-04:00

Alright, I blame portfolio and facebook for taking time away from blog... im sorry. I am happy to report that portfolio is going well. It could be better I figured out today that I need to fill up two more pages but itll get done. So on to the good stuff, why have I gathered you all here today on this blog of blogs? Well according to the title of this post its about Susur Lee... well i finally tracked down that menu from that dinner @ eighteen in ottawa I had a while ago. Here it is for all you food lovers.

Seared Digby Sea Scallops - crispy rice, wild leek, burnt butter
2004 Chardonnay, Closson Chase Winery, Niagara Peninsula, VQA
(this was a great first dish with a nicely matching wine for the scallops)

Chiang Mai Rack of Lamb - fresh ground peanut and yellow curry sauces, mango salad, chili mint chutney
2005 Alluvium Blanc, Beringer Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California
(I really liked the lamb, prob my fave of the night... wine not so much)

Combination #4 - air dried duck tart with aple, foie gras mousse, seared fois gras with chinese broad bean sauce, rhubarb and celery salad
2003 Rielsing Auslese, Hattenheim Nussbrunnen, Rheingau QMP, Germany
(love the name of this dish... the foie gras mousse wasnt a fave... but the others were great and the rielsing was nice with)

Oysters 3 Ways - one from west coast, two from the east
2005 Un-Oaked Chardonnay, Tohu Wines, Marlborough New Zealand
(maybe its the west coaster in me... but the oysters werent good)

Pounded Raw Tuna - wasabi mousse, saffron pickled vegetables, soya glaze, ume
2006 Tavel "Rose", Domaine Carteresses, Rhone Valley France
(again, its the mousse! i dont think im a fan of the mousse... but everything was great)

Local Green Asparagus and Morel Mushrooms - creamed with madiera
Muscat, Domaine Allimant-Augner, Alsace, France
(very yumm! although there was quite a lot of alcohol in me)

Clear Gin Gazpacho - fresh BC spot prawn, purple basil
2006 Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, "Savee", Mount Riley, Marlborough, New Zealand
(loved this wine with the bit of sparkling, the soup was good too)

Strawberry with white chocolate and passion fruit mousse - rasberry and lemon grass coulis
2005 Select late harvest cabernet, cave spring vineyards, niagara peninsula VQA
(this mousse was alright... acctually way more than alright yummyness)

Concert!!!

2007-06-15T13:46:00.000-04:00

I havent seen a concert for ages it seems... but tonight concerting shall be happenin'. Who am I seein? The Pipettes!

VAN vs. Otown

2007-06-12T22:23:00.000-04:00

Ive spent a good week chillin' here in Van so far and am seriously unimpressed by the weather situation. Its a chilly & gloomy 15 degrees here... and well... my yahoo widget tells me that it is gonna be rainy all week till sat. Yea. On the other side of the country in otown its my same widget says its 24 degrees on this slightly cloudy night with thundershowers... although it will be in the hi 20's all week and mostly sunny. What in the world am I doing over here?? Its FREEEEZING! Ugh, so other than this glaringly obvious difference what else do I miss about Ottawa?

Studio
Clear delineation between seasons
Living on ones own aka no nagging parents
Farmers Pick (such fresh veggies and fruit!)
Poutine (sunny side and bank... but also the one in the market next to dominion)
Tim Hortons on every corner
No Traffic
Transit system
Walkability of the city
Having favorite places (eg. Paper Papier, Tivoli florists, Nicastro in the Market, Morala, Brixton's, The French Baker, Sassy Bead, Metropolitain for dinner and drinks, Black Thorn for martinis, Brunch at the Manx)

There are other things I miss about ottawa but there are things about Van that really rock too

Food (the quality of food here is yumm!)
Shopping (the clothes and shoe selection in vancouver just ... cant be beat)
Asian stuff (including food) selection
Scenery/nature

Well, ya theres my quick and dirty first stab at likes for the two cities... im sure more things will pop up as time goes on.

Ahhh! New Music!

2007-06-11T18:36:00.000-04:00

So, just been cruisin' round for some new music and voila! I found something. They are called CSS (like cascading style sheets) but not... it stands for Cansei de Ser Sexy they're brazillian and they're cool. also check out their myspace. They were JUST in Vancouver and Toronto last week and I tottally didnt realized they existed. Well enjoy the music.

The Road Ahead

2007-06-07T14:13:00.001-04:00

So, I really havent blogged for a long time. Its been quite deserted here in the little cwangdom. Mainly because other things such as thesis took over my life... but now im back. There are tons of things to blog about... such as some new favorite things, things ill miss bout otown, things i wont miss about otown, an encounter with super uber chef susur lee, the toronto/vancouver debate... how to ship a 8 boxes accross the country and some ottawa restaurant reviews like the metropolitain brasserie, juniper and other such lovely things. Give me some time to collect my thoughts boys and girls! but... Im BACK!!!

ROFL!

2007-04-27T19:08:00.000-04:00

Meet Wang Wang an ass kicking woman loving dwarf who raps.

thx Brad

For the love of SUMMER

2007-04-22T19:45:00.000-04:00

Summer weather is here... and thus we need some Beach Boys.

Cartoon Sushi

2007-04-22T19:35:00.000-04:00

I was watching cbc while eating lunch on saturday and this strange cartoon was on. It stars various japanese food items... and the main character is called Yam Roll. I think the official name of the show is called The Very Good Adventures of Yam Roll in Happy Kingdom on CBC... and its hilarious! Like bizarre-strangeness funny!

Here's the blurb

"When’s the last time you saw a piece of Sushi wearing cowboy boots? Too long? Then it’s time you met Yam Roll. Not only does he wear some sweet cowboy boots, but he also stars in his own show and races around in a taxi. How’s that for fast food! Happy Kingdom is the happiest place on earth, and home to Yam Roll and his sushi buddies. Life couldn’t be sweeter, well, except for the occasional attack from hideous monsters that look to wreak havoc on the defenseless Happy Kingdom. To make matters worse, the monsters always seem to be after Minamiko, Yam Roll’s one and only true love. But fear not, Yam Roll can do a lot more than drive a cab. He’s always ready to rescue his darling from danger, even if it means a food-fight. "

Colonnade Pizza

2007-03-28T15:56:00.000-04:00

I dont know about you, but when I was younger... my parents and I would go to pizza places. Not pizza hut type chain restaurants but restaurants that would have pizza, lasagna, steak diane and baked alaska's. They were restaurants that have been around since the 60's and 70's. We would always go to this place called Andreas Restaurant in North Van. We still go there to this day. They have huge portions and its just a great neighborhood atmosphere.

Anyway, Colonnade Pizza on metcalfe is the first place in Ottawa that Ive gone to that is similar to that. Pizza served to you by people who have probably been working there for years. The manager is at the front of the restaurant walking around watching to see that everyone is having a good time. Making sure things are going smoothly. Its very family and large group friendly but but there were also lots of couples in for a nice relaxing evening. There were older people and younger people... although not really any teenagers unless they were with their parents. The menu is basic which is refreshing. Its one of those places that have been there forever and you know ure gonna get some good food, have a laugh with friends and be able to feel comfortable. The pizza is of course... EXCELLENT... none of this thin crust nonsense for these guys, only pizza with a good bite. I highly recommend it! Its my new fave pizza place.

Colonnade Pizza
280 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa, ON K2P 1R7
(613) 237-3179

Like... TOTTALLY!

2007-03-28T15:52:00.000-04:00

This little clip is in honor of like a tottally awesome person who has very recently moved to cali to work for his supreme architectness FOGA.

Sustainable Concrete

2007-03-15T18:53:00.000-04:00

Concrete that cleans the air and cleans itself?? Will wonders never cease!

Science News Online, Italcementi

Cest Bon

2007-03-13T16:33:00.000-04:00

Malajube, myspace

March, lions, lambs?

2007-03-11T17:22:00.000-04:00

"In like a lion it out like a lamb"

I heard this recently from various places and i was like "WHAAAA?" So if you would like to understand this quite simply from a childs perspective... with something to color... click here.

Oh and dont forget to change ure clocks forward

Architects are advertisements

2007-03-11T16:47:00.000-04:00

So it all started with the new Banana Republic ad campaign. They depict these ultra suave khaki clad archi lemmings in various stages of pensive thought while in the work environment. I dont know about you but must architects I know... arent of the khaki persuasion. I then started noticing the "trend" that seems to appear in advertising and marketing. Designers are always depicted in ads for quick and easy food like... campbells soup at hand tv ads. There is also an ad campaign for some kind of cosmetics with the model looking at drawings of a skyscraper on a construction site with construction workers. What profession would she be? hmm... an architect perchance? They also just dont dress us right... siiigh. There are also a bunch of movies and a few tv shows that have architects as the main characters such as The Pallbearer, The Lake House, The Brady Bunch, Belly of an Architect, The Architect, Three Men and a Baby, Mr. Ed, Click (thx sarah!) and you cant forget ... The Fountainhead. We seem to be portrait as either insane mental cases or strange passive non-descript types... where do these stereo types come from? I would be kinda happy with just cool black clad hipsters... or maybe thats just too boring in media land. What if there was a reality show about architecture students... would that make for good television? I dunno... perhaps we are more mundane than we think we are. Ack! Scratch that... that could NEVER be! hehe!

sources: BLDGBLOG, Gawker, Archinect, absolute arts, chicago tribune

Unrequited LOVE

2007-03-11T09:33:00.000-04:00

I do enjoy cool luggage and while i was in toronto the other week i saw some cool luggage while window shopping at a store called Taschen! and soooo... heres the link for u guys.

Samsonite Black Label

Other cool makers of bags, luggage, cases and such for you to peruse: Acme Made, Vaja, LeSportsac,

Tetris

2007-03-07T21:33:00.000-05:00

Check it out... two friends playing tetris... can you guess whoooo??

Forum Lecture Series

2007-03-05T16:46:00.000-05:00

The last lecture of the year is tonight Arthur Erickson 6pm at the National Gallery of Canada.

Just a few quick things

2007-03-01T16:09:00.000-05:00

I wanted to say happy birthday to my dearest Mariko and Sharon! Hope you had a LOVELY day!

A very BIG congrats to Allan on the huuuuuuuuge job offer with Gehry in the L of the A. Im soooooo excited for you! You're gonna be FAMOUS!!!

Cobrastyle

2007-02-25T20:53:00.000-05:00

Teddybears, myspace

Gladstone + studioEXIT = <3

2007-02-22T18:40:00.000-05:00

Well, in support of my friends the studioEXIT boys... support the Come Up To My Room design event at the gladstone this weekend!

VDAY

2007-02-14T21:37:00.000-05:00

Today is that day. The day couples love and single people despise... Valentines Day.

Dont sulk too much... cause i shall be.

Art Metropole

2007-02-11T14:35:00.000-05:00

There is an exhibit at the National Gallery of Canada called "Art Metropole: The Top 100" basically it was a collection of many different objects from a collection of over 13000 works. Most of the pieces come from 1974 and onwards.

"Established in Toronto, Ontario in 1974 by the three artists of the group General Idea (AA Bronson, Felix Partz and Jorge Zontal), Art Metropole was one of the first artist-run centres in Canada; it became, and continues to be, part of the international network of parallel galleries committed to conceptual art."

At first it seemed like a very random smattering of art from the 70's and onwards but as you moved through objects you could definatly see a coherant theme that translated into many different modes of expression. It was interesting to see so many different works from different artists of the same period. Most of the works are not the well known ones but they still carry that same important spirit of the era.

The exhibit shows the top 100 pieces from this collection, it runs from Dec 1 - April 1 2007 at the National Gallery of Canada.

Another one!

2007-02-10T17:44:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday to the nan of the pan!!

A Real Joke

2007-02-09T15:20:00.000-05:00

Q: How many graduate architecture students does it take to open a can of apple juice?

A: It takes 5! 1 to open it and 4 to stand around in astonishment

Happy Birthday!

2007-02-09T15:11:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to say happy birthday to Desmond all the way in the H of the K. Have a good one!

Dollarama

2007-02-09T14:57:00.001-05:00

I recently headed over to the Ottawa Art Gallery to see this exhibition called Dollar Store/ Dollarama. It was very small but i liked it. It was an exhibit on "ardent collecting and irrational consumerism". Every piece is an accumulation of items found in the dollar store. Each image has a "theme" . The archival feeling of the photographs give the items a kind of reverence we ussually save for historical artifacts. The style of the photographs and the subject matter are quite Douglas Coupland-like. It was an exploration on our obsession with stuff. Something that I've always been interested in also. Admission to the gallery is by donation and well art is always a great cause so check it out. If you didnt know already the Ottawa Art Gallery is located in the Arts Court.

Famous to be!

2007-02-04T17:38:00.000-05:00

An article on the Rem Koolhaus Casa da Música by our own Mark Baechler.

Power Pop?

2007-01-31T15:47:00.000-05:00

hellogoodbye Official Site, myspace

Happy Happy Happy

2007-01-29T16:00:00.000-05:00

Wanted to wish a happy birthday to a Ms. Linda and a VERY SUPER special congrats to a Ms. Cherry on a job well done!

Of interest...

2007-01-28T15:34:00.000-05:00

Interesting shows and stuff to take a look at if you are near them.

Conceptual Cartographies in MTL @ the Saidye Bronfman Centre for the Arts
November 24 to January 28 2007

Art Metropole the Top 100 in Ottawa @ the National Gallery of Canada
December 1 - April 1 2007

Colwyn Griffith: Dollar Store in Ottawa @ The Ottawa Art Gallery
January 19 to March 25 2007

Detours: Tactical Approaches to Urbanization in China in Toronto @ Eric Arthur Gallery University of Toronto
October 23 - March 10 2007

Guidebooks

2007-01-28T11:55:00.001-05:00

So most people who know me, know that I have a small obsession with travelling and more importantly guidebooks. The most recent apple of my eye in the guidebook world is the wallpaper magazine guidebook series. Yes, yes... they are a little posh and the places and things in them are a little unattainable but duuude its always nice to dream a little.

I got mail!

2007-01-24T16:57:00.000-05:00

Guess what? I got a Labbit!! Which will give me super powers to finish thesis!

Thank you!

La Bottega Nicastro

2007-01-23T19:55:00.000-05:00

So, one of my fave italian grocery stores in Ottawa got a facelift within the last 4 months. Basically its bigger with more room to move around. Not much really changed other than a sleeker color scheme, fancier coffee bar, a bigger deli/cheese counter and more freezers. It still has a great selection of everything italian for you... including yummy serrano ham and olives.

I've always noticed the quaint little cafe at the back of the store. There are always people milling about eating and talking. The smell of food and espresso... siiigh. Ive always been quite intrigued by it and monday was the day of my curiosity got the best of me.

We got there at about 12:30 when the lunch crowd was there... so we had to wait probably 10-15 mins. The place is absolutely tiny with an open air kitchen. I thought there would be more business types... but surprisingly there werent. There were families and groups of people that didnt seem like they were in a hurry to go anywhere. It was as if this was their daily ritual of lunch, shopping and wandering around downtown... which was what I was doing. There were also several lone people who seemed to be quite at ease here, they also have bar seating at the kitchen. I after we sat down, the lunch crowd just kinda died down... which was great. They had some yummy sounding daily specials but I decided to go with something on the menu (everything looked good)... which was a "club" sandwich with pancetta, chicken, pesto and cheese on a foccacia bread with salad. Huge, yummy, fast and hot... now I understsand why ive been hearing that this place is a great lunch place. Its got great atmosphere, good food and AWESOME coffee... and if ure in a hurry it works... but if you just wanna chill its good too.

Good god, I need to get myself to Italy stat.

What did I eat & drink?
Club Italia Pannini (Chicken breast and pancetta, spread with pesto and melted friulano cheese) $8.95
Cafe Latte $3 (artfully made ... with great flavor! might just rival Morala for my fave coffee in the city)

La Bottega Nicastro Fine Food Shop
64 George Street
Ottawa, ON K1N 5V9,
(613) 789-7575

In the pursuit of coool

2007-01-23T19:17:00.000-05:00

I've accumulated new excitement about stuff lately that I must share...

Tea (Monks Blend from The Tea Party in Ottawa)
ANTM (America's Next Top Model via nrxd on YouTube)
House (the TV show)
Tete a claques (crazy quebecois humor)
Kiehls Abyssine Eye Cream
The Skinny Jean (im diggin J Brand)
Value Village (for cool customizable chic)
Winners
I wish I was in Vancouver so I could shop for shoes @ Gravity Pope
Fuzzy furry warmth ... recycled fur from Harricana
Face a Face glasses
Anchovy stuffed olives & seranno ham... an addiction I caught in Spain
Farmers Pick a great spot to buy groceries in Ottawa, they have super fresh produce, an in house bakery and a huge deli/cheese section

Nutrition... sushi

2007-01-19T21:43:00.000-05:00

I recently had a conversation with a friend about sushi. I was saying that maybe I would eat something healthy like sushi, and she said i dont think of sushi as healthy. I was a tad flabergasted, maybe this is a product of growing up on the west coast I tend to think of sushi as a pretty healthy thing to eat. I asked her why is sushi not healthy... and she said that she thought that white rice wasnt healthy for you. Which was another blow! Maybe because im asian I assume rice isnt all that bad for you. Since asians eat it all the time. Well... any rice type of product. So! I decided to find some links for info about sushi and rice to see how healthy it is for you.

Here are some links.

Nigiri sushi nutrition chart
Rice nutrition chart

Ohhh kosmic...

2007-01-19T18:22:00.000-05:00

Well now, Kosmic came and went last week... without much hype or notice... it seemed just like another party night. Perhaps im a little blaze cause ive seen too many of them and honestly... since first year they have all kinda slid progressively furthur and furthur down the path of S.H.I.T. There were a couple of good ones since the infamous Kosmic Origin (which i went to when i was in first year) which was the beginning of the end for Kosmic. The great thing about kosmic has always been the hype. You walk through the school the few weeks before Kosmic and things are happening. Things are being built and you get excited because everyone else is getting excited. It just didnt happen this year. It was mostly because Kosmic was somewhere else... not at our school. It was at the Arts Court this year which kinda defeats the whole idea of Kosmic and makes it basically a glorified party so... I dont know. Practically half of 3rd year was gone too... so it kinda goes to show how much this meant something and well i must say they did well for a half class. It was good fun, there were a decent amount of people but the energy just wasnt there. Obviously the "transformation" of space was not really as dramatic as possible since it wasnt our space to transform but well... i dunno. Lots of things have changed since I was in undergrad. I remember there being live dj's at every csaas house party. I dunno... things have changed... and honestly i think kosmic needs a real change. Its been limping along for so long i think it needs a revamp. An extreme makeover... or perhaps better yet a make under. I think there should be better csaas parties... perhaps csaas parties collaborated at clubs... and some at houses. Live dj's/bands at these parties... change the name of Kosmic and make it way more low key. Bring interest back to the architecture students with the parties... and slowly gain that wild repuation of awesome kick ass parties that we used to have. That is my humble opinion... and well take what you will... perhaps you could also call this my Kosmic rant. I didnt even take pictures... cause well... just didnt have the inclination... there wasnt much to take.

Hope things change for the better.

Wooaaah!

2007-01-09T19:17:00.000-05:00

Apple finally did it! iPhone!!!!

source: apple, reuters india, the australian, zdnet

Competition

2007-01-06T00:22:00.000-05:00

An interesting thing i just read on BLDBLOG... a competition by princeton architectural press for their series called pamplet architecture. Give it a shot?!

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T11:26:00.000-05:00

Well, another year gone... wow! I must say that every new year I need a bit of time to get adjusted to what year it is. So, its... 2007?! I say that with a tinge of delight and a huge helping of... ickyness. I think the balance will probably change as the year progresses. After thesis is done. All I can say right now is that it is going. New Years resolution? I think that one is pretty obvious.

Well, I just wanna say happy new year! Hope this year brings some good times your way.

Joyjoy Happyhappy

2006-12-29T23:44:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to say...

Happy Anniversary!!

A McD's Moment

2006-12-29T23:43:00.000-05:00

Alas, I have returned! I have not forgotten about thee my dearest blog readers. I have been concentrating on the thesis-feces (which shall from hence forth become hyphenated to express the total pleasure of the experience). As a result of long hours of reading and writing … this little blogger hasn’t really been up to blogging lately. I thought I might take a minute here and write you a snappy pizzazz of an entry which in no way resembles my writing for thesis-feces.

Today, was cold! Finally some snow on the ground and some real winter weather. I think it something around –5 to –10? Something like that… it actually feels like winter! My god! It’s the end of December it should.

This evening when I decided to come home from school, I stopped by McDonalds. I was thinking on the bus… what should I eat? Maybe ill drop by the store and get something to make… and then I thought… hmm…. Mcdonalds! I haven’t had that stuff for soooooo long! So, I arrive at the McDonalds. There is something about walking into a McDonalds. The lurid red and yellow... a greasy smell in the air and horrid early 90's feel that crawls up ure spine. There are several characters that you are bound to see in one too. The punky teenagers being … obnoxious teenagers and the annoyance of the slightly older manager type… even though hes probably like… 21. There is usually a older person having coffee and a kinda homeless type person. Oh, and the teenage cashiers. I had a girl… who didn’t seem THAT young but probably was. Too bad I didn’t have the quintessential teenage puberty-going boy… that is envisioned on the Simpsons that would have been CLASSIC! So, either I haven’t been to McDonalds for a long time or… whatever… but they don’t have daily specials anymore. Now, they have an extra value menu that you can choose what you want for $1.39 or $3 something for a meal. So, I forgo that and decide im gonna go for the big guns and order a big mac, medium fries and an apple pie. All I really wanted were the fries… but for some bizarre reason I needed the McDonalds experience. To be totally honest, Ive never eaten a big mac… or an apple pie… alright, I can feel gasps coming from this end of the information super highway… and yes it is true. What can I say… it was alright. Its mcdonalds … I don’t expect the world. If I were to order a burger… I still say quarter pounder with cheese. BUT the most perfect mcdonalds experience… would probably be fish filet with fries and coke. It reminds me of Saturday’s as a kid. So, to break it down for you here is my bill.

1 Bigmac $3.49
1 Med Fry $1.39
1 Apple Pie $1.09

I gobbled it up… and so now I guess ill just have to wait for another year to indulge in Mcdonalds again.

Oh… I was just looking at my bill and it says… “We value your visit! I would like to hear any comments or concerns you might have. Please speak to Will @ 226-2261.” I kinda wonder who Will is? You think hes maybe imaginary? Haha… a trick phone number! That would be an evil prank.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

2006-12-25T23:25:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a merry xmas! Hope you had a good one with friends family and/or new friends and family! Be happy and safe this holiday season.

LOOOOOVE

Yours Truly!

Shout OUT!

2006-12-20T14:40:00.000-05:00

In this widly stressed out time for all of us... or maybe just me? I would like to send some shout outs to some boys and girls.

Happy Birthday Caroline, Christie & Mike
Congrats Tyler

and if everyone could send some magic typing skills my way that would be awesome too

Muuusak!

2006-12-16T18:41:00.000-05:00

Diggin' DJ Champion (myspace) a montreal based dj.

OMG im in LOVVVE

2006-12-14T03:47:00.000-05:00

Google Scholar
Google Book Search

Why did I never know these existed till today?? Tell me why!!!

HAHA!

2006-12-10T18:30:00.001-05:00

Snow!

2006-12-08T21:39:00.001-05:00

So, we finally got snow this week. I really dont know what is goin on... global warming i tell ya.

In Honor of World Aids Day

2006-12-06T13:22:00.000-05:00

Bristol-Myers is donating $1 to the National AIDS Fund every time someone goes to their website and moves the match to the candle and lights it.

Light To Unite

Procrastination??

2006-12-04T23:17:00.000-05:00

Just some stuff I found in my bookmark list.

Feric Studio (portfolio of Eric Feng)
0ll (database of photos on different arch works)
Archfarm: Non- fascicles on architecture (arch related mini essays)
Doors of Perception (blog and place of discussion of new media/design etc)
Trustfund (a clothing store here in Ottawa on Sussex)
Absolute Vodka (a very slick website)
Thyssen Krupp: Media (Thyssen Krupp makes elevators and escalators and this is their media section where you can watch videos of how they install and make escalators... the narration is brills. They somehow make installing escalators sound like the most engaging and life changing experience of your life)
gravestmor (subscribe to the feed and get updated on all things arch related)
Lothantique (a great bath and body store in Vancouver on Granville)
Alice in the Cities (a movie by Wim Wenders I have to watch)
Blue Velvet (another movie I must watch by David Lynch)

Is that enough procrastination for u?

Ring the Bells!

2006-12-03T14:27:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to congratulate Cindy and Robon on this very very special day!

Happy HAPPY Day!

2006-12-03T12:03:00.000-05:00

Itttt's your birthday!! Have a good one Allan!!!

Fidelity - Regina Spektor

2006-11-27T19:36:00.001-05:00

CD Trade Social

2006-11-27T03:46:00.000-05:00

Bring 5 CDs, 5 dollars and your bartering cap. This is an organized CD exchange put on by Carleton Architecture students to raise money for Kosmic, an annual event that promises to be the most surreal thing in town. Essentially, bring five CDs you’re willing to part with (No Burnt CDs or any other “bootleg” material), pay the 5 dollar cover and trade your spins with people on the inside. Think of it as getting 5 new CDs for 5 Dollars. What a deal! And while you’re at it, meet some new friends.

When? Monday Nov. 27

Avant-Garde Bar
135½ Besserer St.
Ottawa ,ON K1N 6A7
(613) 321-8908

Travel Guides

2006-11-26T01:54:00.000-05:00

I was just looking at the Wallpaper* city guides and I was just thinking about my own collection of travel guides. I am trying to get a collection of them for every city that I have visited. I have one for Barcelona, Vancouver and now Im looking for one for Ottawa. My BCN and VAN ones are both Rough Guides and I just realized they dont make one for Ottawa! Siiigh, I guess ill just have to find another one for Ottawa. Maybe a Lonely Planet? I love travel guides. The best and most interesting one that I ever bought was one for Barcelona called lecool. It is still my fave... with its bright red cover and embosed front. Its subtle and sleek without being too uberposh... examples of uber posh? Louis Vuitton City Guides... is where posh is at.

City of Angels

2006-11-26T01:36:00.000-05:00

If you happen to be visiting or living in LA, there is an interesting exhibit at the MOCA called Skin + Bones: Parallel Practices in Fashion and Architecture it's on until March 5th.

Oh, and another place that I have personally be dyin' to see is The Museum of Jurassic Technology in LA. Ever since I read Mr. Wilson's Cabinet of Wonder, I have wanted to visit this place.

Something fun?

2006-11-24T16:40:00.000-05:00

Tonight is the opening night for the SAW Gallery's silent auction/show Design Emporium + ITEM is tonight. I hear there are some Douglas Cardinal prints for auction too and some furniture donated by local businesses. It goes until dec 15. Sounds like a fun time and you might pick up something cool to boot!

"New this year, we are presenting the exhibition-sale Design Emporium alongside our notorious annual fundraiser ITEM. Looking at the intersections of contemporary art with design, architecture, fashion, photography and illustration, this exhibition-sale, featuring works by over 30 of Ottawa-Gatineau's most influential artists, is the first such spotlight on local production."

Design Emporium + ITEM
Opening party: Friday, November 24, 8PM - 2AM
Admission: $5 (participating artists get in for free).
Cash bar.

Galerie SAW Gallery
67 Nicholas Street
Ottawa ON
Canada K1N 7B9
613.236.6181

Fun Reading?

2006-11-22T14:45:00.000-05:00

I dont know if fun reading really exists right now... but I am reading (slowly but surely) The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton... the UK cover is so much cooler than the north american version... whats up with that?!

Note: Ok, so ive been informed that there is a CDN cover and a US cover no North American one... and both still cant compare to the UK cover.

RSS = <3

2006-11-22T13:58:00.000-05:00

Nothing has really been going on with me other than thesis. Really! I eat, breathe and sleep thesis. Its quite fun... I recommend it for everyone... ya...

siiiigh

BUT I have been keeping up with frivolous news from hollywood... art news and other random stuff. Oh, have I expressed my LOVE of rss feeds? Well here we go! Its true love.

Some of my fave daily reads

Beauty News

2006-11-21T14:19:00.000-05:00

I just got some new face cream by Linacare... ahhh siigh it rocks I love it. My skin loves it! The website says this about the product.

"Clinical studies confirm that our scientifically advanced formulation has superior moisturizing properties - it delivers optimal moisture to the skin and keeps it there longer than any other product. It also has the added benefits of being non-greasy, fragrance free, colour-free, hypoallergenic, fast absorbing and non-comedogenic."

It (according to the website) was developed by a Vancouver doctor who specialized in internal medicine and created the original formula while he was looking for a cream to help his patients who suffered from severely dry skin as a result of kidney problems. Support of local/canadian products, brands, artists is always a good thing (look at me! Im a veritable Martha Stewart)

Other good stuff that Ive been finding is Malin + Goetz I am currently using their rice bran eye moisturizer which seems to be making my eyes as happy as they can be right now. Their cream is definatly undergoing serious testing on an architecture students tired ol' eyes. I would say its doing a fairly good job keeping my eyes less poofy, wrinkly and dark. I love how its all-natural, fragrance free and color-less. Oh, and I really enjoy their packaging. Simple and to the point. Kinda reminds me of a funkier Kiehls.

I still love my Skoah face products too... which is a spa in Vancouver. That place is awesome! Sometimes a nice clean comfortable no-nonsense spa is just the kind of atmosphere you need. They are very chill and not pushy. I use their face wash, skin boost serum and their moisturizer.

Oh, and not to forget toner... Lush Tea Tree Water Toner which is also great!

Poetics of West Coast Modernism

2006-11-20T14:48:00.000-05:00

So, last wednesday I had the pleasure of introducing an architectural exhibit called The Poetics of West Coast Modernism that I worked on a couple of summers ago in West Vancouver to Carleton in the Azrieli Gallery. It seemed like people enjoyed it and I had fun doing it too. I was really nervous for the speech but I think it turned out relatively alright, even though I was reading off the paper. Anyway, it was such a fun experience! I felt very important! haha!

District of West Vancouver, Carleton, Gallery Catalogue

YouTube... a procrastinators dream!

2006-11-15T23:54:00.000-05:00

What do you do when you cant type? You need something to help you procrastinate right? Well, YouTube is perfect for catching up on all that lovely television programing. Such as...

Ugly Betty! OMG its friggin' fabu!

You want some trash thats just as good as Ricky Lake or Jerry Springer?? You have to watch the b&*$hyness that is Flavor of Love. Its tacky on steroids!

siiigh...

For all you archi geeks!

2006-11-12T00:55:00.000-05:00

A bridge building game!!! Click the second game in the list and download for some ultra-archi geek/geekette fun.

Wordy word!

2006-11-11T16:14:00.000-05:00

nomenclature v. : trans. To give a name to.

Remember...

2006-11-11T15:19:00.000-05:00

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Command Center

2006-11-09T02:32:00.001-05:00

This is my studio spot at school in Carleton. Its begining to look like a real archi students spot!!

Whoot!

2006-11-07T19:25:00.000-05:00

Guess what? Britney finally divorces Kevin!

Global Warming?

2006-11-07T19:23:00.000-05:00

Something is afoot when the temperature in Ottawa is 10 Degrees in November.

On to brighter and better things!

2006-11-04T17:58:00.000-05:00

Congrats to all the M.Arch graduates today!

Joyce, Allan, Chiara, Nic, Jordon, Patryk, Steve, Camille, Ana, Michelle, Eva and Luca!

Yeaaa! Celebration!

Naaasty!

2006-11-03T19:19:00.000-05:00

Open Letter to Students from the President

This morning, the Ottawa Citizen referred to Carleton as "Last Chance U" in its headline about the latest Macleans university rankings. Today, when I addressed the Kiwanis Club, I stated that the careless use of this term by local media must stop here and now. It is simply not true.

The Citizen's slight does not simply sully Carleton's reputation. It sullies the reputation of the over 1000 graduates who will proudly accept their hard earned degrees at tomorrow's Convocation. It sullies the reputation of over 3,000 people who work at Carleton and the 24,000 students that currently call Carleton home. And it sullies the reputation of the over 100,000 alumni spread across the globe.

I urge those of you who believe as passionately about Carleton as I do to let the Ottawa Citizen know that its characterization of Carleton is unacceptable and no longer relevant. It is time to retire the cliche. You can address your concerns directly to James Orban, Publisher, at jorban@thecitizen.canwest.com or Scott Anderson, Editor-in-Chief at sanderson@thecitizen.canwest.com.

We are Carleton University - Canada's Capital University.

David W. Atkinson President & Vice-Chancellor

Old school!

2006-11-03T18:12:00.000-05:00

A friend had an emoticon of the yellow puppet from Flat Beat and so I had to find the video. This tottally reminds me of undergrad! Dig it!

Carleton News

2006-11-02T23:59:00.000-05:00

Guess what? The library is now open till 2am! You need your student card to get in and there will be limited services but this is an interesting new development for students who want/need a place to study, photocopy etc.

Woooaah!

2006-11-02T22:10:00.000-05:00

Omg... very cool and cute music!

Forum Lecture Series

2006-11-01T12:59:00.000-05:00

So, the Forum 06/07 is back on this year. There is one tonight. Whos on? Janet Rosenberg a landscape and urban design firm from Toronto who has won various awards.

See you there?

Halloween is upon us

2006-10-31T13:18:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween. It was a good weekend... whole bunches of fun were had. Exhibit #1 ... James Bond makes a pact with the devil. More debaucherous activity from the Halloween Party? Why follow me!

Laughing Out Loud

2006-10-30T14:02:00.001-05:00

Here is an artists (ed's) impression of a lunch (udon) + shower combination... not such a good combo eh? doesnt look too... pleasant.

note: apprantly thats also me...

A thought?

2006-10-30T00:04:00.000-05:00

"Architects - All idiots, they always forget to put staircases in houses." pg. 79

Written by a man called Gustave Flaubert in his unfinished and unpublished work called Dictionary of Received Ideas which was a "satirical catalogue of the French bourgeouisie's most striking sheep-like prejudices".

De Botton, Alain. The Art of Travel. Penguin Books: London, 2002.

Good things

2006-10-28T16:50:00.000-04:00

What is hip in the cwangdom these days?

London Fog from Starbucks... its not on the menu but you can still order it... basically its an earl grey tea latte with a shot of vanilla
San Pellegrino (gaz? si vous plait!)
Pistachios
Brian Jungen
Vitamin D (a book on modern drawing)
The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton
Poutine from the chipwagon at sunnyside and bank
Blackberry Pearl

Brother Wu

2006-10-27T18:49:00.000-04:00

Well, honestly my inclination in Ottawa is not to eat chinese food. Its not that it is horrible or gross... its just I would rather wait it out until I go to Vancouver. I normally just dont eat dim sum until im back in Vancouver honestly. Which is tough... cause when im back weekend dim sum is a must! Yes, ok im a bit of a food snob, ill tottally admit to that. BUT I would like to clarify that I DO eat chinese food in Ottawa cause sometimes a chinese gal just needs to eat salted fish and diced chicken fried rice!

So, recently my parents were in town and no doubt the subject of dinner came about. "Where are we going to eat?" I ask... and a suggestion comes up from my aunt who lives here. "We could go to Brother Wu" Im thinking "Dear god, Brother Wu? This doesnt sound so good. Either its a super cool kitch new asian cuisine place or a western style chinese food joint and well the chances are not well stacked for cool." I obviously take my chances cause my aunt wouldnt lead us too far astray right?

Well my aunt took us to this little tiny place on St. Laurent. Its got a HUGE neon orange/red sign that says Brother Wu, in that really bad "chinese" font? I just though... aai... this is gonna be bad. We walk in and my bad thoughts just started to evaporate... the decor was nice, very clean, modern, bright and generally a very different picture from what i saw from the outside. Im thinking, things are looking up!

Small but good things started out with the tea, it was good and it tasted fresh! None of this sitting around for 10 hours business you normally get. The waiter acctually took our order... we didnt have to write our order ourselves on a little piece of paper.

What did we order? We got hot and sour soup, pot stickers, mushu chicken wrap, stir fried chinese veggies, ma po tofu, saute-ed eggplant with sliced pork and a kind of sweet and hot diced chicken. I think some of them were from the chinese only menu (note: if you go to a chinese restaurant and they have a part of the menu that doesnt have english... that is ussually the good stuff!)

I wont go through every dish with you but... suffice it to say I didnt have a single complaint. My faves were mushu chicken (im partial to wrapping food), the eggplant and the veggies were very well done and the pot stickers were EXCELLENT. I dont think ive had pot stickers this good... ever. This was way better than Mandarin Ogilvie or Yangtze... and well... definatly Imperial Palace. Apparantly their shanghainese dumplings (aka little dragon bun), green onion pancakes and Peking duck are really good too. I want to come here again for lunch. We were there on tuesday night... and there were very few people there. Which was sad... so I say, go! A good restaurant should be supported. Seriously, try it for yourself.

Brother Wu
1060 St Laurent Boulevard
Ottawa, ON K1K 3B4
(613) 745-1791

Whats up with CSAAS?

2006-10-26T19:58:00.000-04:00

So all you ex-carleton or current carleton archi students that read this blog... may I put out my suspicious feeling that things are going downhill with CSAAS... and generally with the school? I was at the HUB the other day and ... there is nothing in there... and its kinda gross! There are no popsicles, no drinks, no instant noodles or anything! The only good thing is the asian buns. Hello CSAAS!! I saw a paint tray in the fridge... uhh... ya. I remember the days when you could get Orangina in the HUB ... that was good. (Ok, so I just found out there might be some financial set backs ... but still) Also, whats up with the lack of CSAAS t-shirts? There arent even TGIF film nights! I was just reminising about when the school had a liquor license and we had beer on friday nights... and even when we didnt have the license... beer parties in the stairwells? Last year they forgot about the end of term studio deadline midnight donut snack. That was dissapointing! Talking about of screwing with tradition... whats up with Kosmic? Is it really off campus? Honestly... you should just scrap it and have something else instead. Do a couple really good parties! A halloween party! Or something... I think the good days of Kosmic are gone. We are just hanging on to something that just doesnt exist anymore cut it loose before it goes down the drain and it becomes something totally shitty. Oh and update the damn websites. These kids need a good kick in the ass.

ps. I tottally remembered I cant just blame the 3rd years cause CSAAS is no longer just third year... lucky ducks

Aiyaaah

2006-10-25T11:53:00.000-04:00

I havent posted anything for a while... and you can blame it on THESIS FECES. If you wanna know more about what is going on with that part of my life, go check out the blog. That one is getting updated many times a day. My brain HURTS! Its quite owwie. All that thinking... siiigh.

Well, for some something much less taxing on your brain let me refer you to a cool web music "thingy" called Pandora. You might have heard about it already. You give it some songs/artists that you like and it spits back out at you in the form of music a playlist based on your musical taste. You have the option of telling them that you liked the song that they picked or not and from there it continually updates and refines what they think you like. You can also make different playlists. So you can have an indie rock playlist and a seperate playlist for your pop music tendancies. Its pretty cool. Personalized streaming music is nice no matter which way you cut it.

Eeeeeeeee!

2006-10-19T12:57:00.001-04:00

So this is the mysterious magazine I worked for this summer. It comes in two lovely covers. Its finally on newsstands! I bought mine in Chapters. Its such an awesome feeling to see something you worked on actually out there. My name is even in it! Wow! If i designed a buildings... i would be beyond extatic! Cause right now im floating on cloud #9.

Go get ureself a copy!

Stairwells

2006-10-18T16:26:00.000-04:00

This afternoon I observed this woman eating alone in the stairwell while I was walking down the stair. Ive seen her do this a couple of times. I ask you (and perhaps this is a result of architectural training) would you eat your lunch in a windowless concrete fire stairway? There are nicer and more comfortable places to eat even when you are eating by yourself. I just dont understand.

le siiigh

Umm.. more cool?

2006-10-17T00:44:00.000-04:00

Alright, i know its a COKE ad and hes THE big bad MAN upstairs ... but damn he makes awesome ads.

Big Pimpin'

2006-10-16T16:39:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to give you all a heads up about this amazing book called Guide to Canadian Graduate Schools of Architecture designed, researched and thought up by the boys and girls at CASA (Canadian Architecture Students Association). It basically breaks down everything you would ever want to know about the 10 accredited schools of architecture in Canada. It covers everything from student work, school culture to research. Even if you are not currently looking into grad school, have no fear! The guide is pretty well rounded and if u are looking into undergrad its also a great resource for the basics of each school in a super comprehensive and of course aesthetically pleasing package.

Where can I buy this amazing book for a measly 10 dollars?

Well, you can buy directly from CASA who goes through Ballenford Books (which is located in Toronto) or online at their website, at the CCA (in Montreal) or at their online store AND you can buy it from any of the 10 accredited architecture schools just look for the CASA rep.

I also want to give a big shout out to Sean who has been working tirelessly on this publication. You rock socks!

Tottally cool

2006-10-16T00:03:00.000-04:00

I dont quite understand what the diagram is suppose to represent. It is too big for my little mind to comprehend but its very intriguing.

Lorentz Transformation of World Line

Sankai Juku - Kagemi

2006-10-12T18:34:00.001-04:00

I went to see Sankai Juku perform Kagemi - Beyond The Metaphors of Mirrors the other night and I have to say it was mind blowing. The work is contemporary or perhaps i should say its a new type of butoh that "expresses the language of the body".

"In his works, he presents an abstract vision of the infinite, evolutionary movement, of the relationship of the body to gravity, of relationship of gravity to the earth and the environment."

The show, the dance itself is very hard and complicated to explain let alone explain... i find it hard to define persay. There is no explanation other than a short poem type of prose in the program.

The Kage of Kagemi is shadow
The light of contrast, the image in mirror of water's surface
The mi is seeing and being seen
Some say Kagemi is the ancient origin of "mirror" (kagemi)
In light, the surface that reflects and is reflected, looked inot and looking back
Surface beginning in the horizontal water plane and transforming to the perpendicular face
From an ambiguous and transient state to one clearly outlined
The right hand asks, the left hand answers
Once an imaginary sur-face is defined

Which really baffles the mind even more.

The set is simple and somehow just so japanese. In that sense where simplicity rules yet also delivers maximum impact and elegance. There were white water lily leaves that were lowered from the ceiling and they sat right above a special white surface which revealed an upturned corner at the back right hand side.

The whole package is stark, austere, smooth and for some reason I want to say post-modern. There is no hierarchy of space and there is always this undercurrent of something more... something that is potentially volatile just bubbling below the surface. Their complete whiteness, makes everything so much more level and also at the same time it really somehow reinforces that idea that there is something lurking underneath the exterior. The white really makes them use their bodies to express themselves because their facial expressions are less notice-able. They can move their bodies with such elegance and precision. Although sometimes they do not move in unison I think that perhaps that was the cheorography not human error.

All in all it was fantastic and just gorgeous. If you see them get ready to have your mind in a bit of a beautiful confuzzled philosophical state.

Birthday Antics

2006-10-12T12:23:00.000-04:00

So, we have my first ever video debut right here and now!

Post-it POWER!!

2006-10-11T23:05:00.000-04:00

Thank you for all the awesome fun, presents, comments, well wishes, emails, ecards and the supreme awesome-ness from EVERYONE today! It was an awesome awesome day! Thank you from my very overwhelmed being!

Thank you for a SUPREME birthday!

Fall is Here

2006-10-10T12:37:00.000-04:00

Happy Thanksgiving

2006-10-09T14:10:00.000-04:00

Gobble gobble!

So Many People!!

2006-10-09T14:03:00.000-04:00

First, I want to say Happy Birthday to Janouque! and also to Mijanou! It was her birthday just recently also. So happy birthday to both.

AND

Congrats to Emira on a successful end to academia!

AND

Congratulations to Joe and Jessica!! This is the start of beautiful life together, congrats to both of you.

BAD Fashion

2006-10-05T21:40:00.000-04:00

Ive been wanting to write this post for a long time... but lately there has been an alarmingly large portion of the general population who just... are having problems with their choices in clothing.

The big no-no's

Ugg
Juicy Couture (they have the gall to call it couture)
Yoga wear as FASHION (ex. lululemon)
Crocs (plastic clogs as street wear)

If you wear any combination of these... well... you need some serious help. Please just wear some clothes... not some uber fad fashion.