Design Nature

Entry #212: Programmed Cell death

2010-08-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

Entry #211: Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall

2010-06-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month, my apartment collapsed. sorta. Well, the fire escape and the back side fell and I suddenly found myself in a room with a view. The city said "no one was hurt? Phew." The landlord said, "Thank goodness no one was hurt."

But where does that leave me?

Entry #210: La Mode

2009-12-13T18:42:00.001-08:00

Entry #209: When it rains it pours

2009-10-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

Entry #208: Aurelia's Oratorio

2009-10-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

A scene from Aurelia's Oratorio makes it way to my brains often. The Lace Scene, for lack of a better title. Lace means to ensnare-- perfectly fitting although in the case of lace-- its much more fluid-- planned.

Lace deserves its spot in American history, with the founding of the The Quaker Lace Company of Philadelphia in 1911 (although its owners began shop in 1889). The company mass produced and marketed lace with a zeal, and even created the first lace tablecloth.. then it went bankrupt in the 90s (probably in a PE deal)... ta-da!

Entry #207

2009-07-23T12:55:00.001-07:00

Entry #206

2009-07-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

Tonight:
CONTEMPT FRANCE
1963, 102 mins. Directed by Jean-Luc Godard.
With Brigitte Bardot, Michel Piccoli, Jack Palance, Fritz Lang. With eye-popping widescreen photography, French New-Wave master Godard creates his most lavish and thoroughly enjoyable movie, an audacious meditation on modern moviemaking, literature, and marriage. (Not rated) Via

NYT Article

Entry #205

2009-07-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

Entry #204

2009-07-13T11:34:00.001-07:00

Entry #203: Ah, we meet again

2009-07-08T21:06:00.000-07:00

It may be a general principle that the transcriptional targets of a signaling pathway is repressed in the absence of its signal. I read that line in some chemistry book and tried to place it in a social context. My thesis is that estranging from people is an authentic example of a weakening social fabric which leads to an intense attraction with the self. Never mind the friends, school, work, domestic chores, and...

And in the absence of activity there is a revival of inner thought, self-observation, and self-analysis. This is not a good way of attaching oneself to another. In a sense, we consist of large movements of centrifugal like bodies who disperse existence beyond our limits.

So to sit and contemplate and reflect is personal and egotistical. His passions produce nothing and so they are futile imaginings. And what he states is love is not so. It's a meditation on his love (my brain is hurting).

Egotistical bastard that makes others worry and the mere push for change of some sort is swept aside as if though he is that one person who could reflect on his own consciousness. It is impossible to produce action in a purely undetermined state!

So lad, your own wretched misery has been antiqued and studied. And I am not to blame.

Entry #202

2009-07-05T14:42:00.001-07:00

22miles bike ride around the city yesterday culminating in a Midtown-based rooftop view of fireworks.

Entry #201:

2009-07-02T07:03:00.000-07:00

The High Line is one of those places that everyone at work is exclaiming glory, hallelujah over. I walked there and thought it strange that no one does exactly what we want. Relevant questions like these tend to occur at high places.

Entry #200: View International Space Station this weekend!

2009-07-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

This is why it pays to view NASA press releases:

Space Station Appearing Nationwide Over July 4 Weekend

As America celebrates its 233rd birthday this holiday weekend, there will be an extra light in the sky along with the fireworks. Across the country, Americans will be treated to spectacular views of the International Space Station as it orbits 220 miles above Earth.

Many locations will have unusually long sighting opportunities of as much as five minutes, weather permitting, as the station flies almost directly overhead.

View press release here

And New York schedule here

Interpreting the Data

Entry #199: housing

2009-06-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

tea parties.

Entry #198: Fooding

2009-06-30T08:56:00.000-07:00

Today is my bf's birthday and we're gonna get crazy phat on steak dinner.

(But I really want some oysters)

Entry #197: Eeek, Aaack, baaah

2009-06-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

MJ! Farrah! Iranians!

What is going on? "Things come in three."
Well I started counting a while back.

Entry #196: Economic Ties

2009-06-04T10:34:00.000-07:00

Somehow we got in the crowd and watched the candlelight vigil. I teared up (it couldn't be helped). We snapped photos and wondered aloud about US economic ties to mainland China. Currently, Hong Kong and Taipei are de facto democracies (they say).

but but but

they still suppress the media!
they still hold prisoners from that fateful June day
and women's rights? pfft!

but economically speaking (ahhh...)

le sigh.

top o the world

2009-03-10T23:16:00.001-07:00

great moments in aerial photography

Entry #195: Puppy Love

2008-12-26T22:35:00.001-08:00

Juka and I, today.

Earlier (she freaked out when geese came hawking at her).

Entry #194: Charles Anastase

2008-12-26T12:05:00.000-08:00

Reminds me of a mood board.

SOMA feature article!

2008-12-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

I wrote a feature article in SOMA magazine
on the Starlite in San Diego and it just got published in this months edition.
Check out the lounge at: http://www.starlitesandiego.com/

Entry #193: Tina Chow

2008-12-22T19:38:00.000-08:00

Raaad fashion icon.

Entry #192: X-mas list

2008-12-22T18:43:00.000-08:00

I ~~wanted~~ GOT these:

Ann Demeulemeester triple laced boots (mine are black)

So far I've been granted these:

Miu Miu boots (in black is mine)

And these:

Cynthia Vincent wedge sandals (same color)

Work has been busy so I havent been able to give thought as to what I wear on a daily basis-- now that I have that luxury I am going to start piecing together my clothes so that once work starts again-- I have things set :) I start "Haute Couture sewing techniques" at FIT in January= yippee!

Entry #191: The Youth Vote

2008-12-02T07:33:00.000-08:00

From Statistical Modeling, Causal Inference, and Social Science

Entry #190: TED

2008-11-30T21:16:00.000-08:00

I've been fascinated with TED and plan on spending some rainy days watching these speeches.

Entry #189: Museum of arts and design DIY Salon

2008-11-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

Thursday, November 6, 2008 = TODAY!

7:00 – 10:00 PM
The new Museum of Arts and Design at 2 Columbus Circle is now open to the public. Located at the southwest corner of Central Park, where four subway lines and seven bus lines intersect, the Museum's new home is well-positioned to serve over 500,000 visitors annually.

$10 ($7 members)
Advanced tickets on sale September 24, 2008

Join MAD and the Church of Craft for a night of hands-on art making, music, food, and drink in celebration of the Museum's current exhibition Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary. Local do-it-yourself artists will demonstrate their personal skills and help guide you in creating your own projects. Techniques will range from weaving with unconventional materials to making yarn out of old sweaters, among other contemporary twists on classic crafts. In addition to do-it-yourself workshops, the NIY Salon will include hand-decorated snacks, craft beer, and a live DJ. Guided tours of Second Lives will be available. Over 200 people did-it-themselves at this event last year, so don't miss out this time around!

Entry #188: Cha-cha-changes

2008-11-05T11:49:00.000-08:00

Little Alby done redone the store and it's pretty! Distressed wood = mmmm

Entry #187: That famous map

2008-11-03T05:07:00.000-08:00

Entry #186: Obama resoles his shoes

2008-10-22T13:29:00.001-07:00

Via Daily Kos

Entry #185: Buckminster Fuller, Renaissance Man

2008-08-20T00:26:00.000-07:00

A Unitarian Universalist at heart, Buckminster Fuller is one of those past characters of history that makes you realize that you can do a lot in life-- he was an inventor, scientist, engineer, mathematician, educator, philosopher, poet, speaker, author, consultant, economist, futurist, etc. Twice expelled from Harvard University, Fuller later went on the receive 47 honorary degrees.

Fuller, however, is best known for the invention of the geodesic dome –the lightest, strongest, and most cost-effective structure ever devised. Behind the dome's seemingly simple structure is a series of mathematical equations based on vector geometry.

"Typically the design of a geodesic dome begins by selecting one of the Platonic solids, such as an icosahedron inscribed in a sphere, conceptually filling up each triangular face with a set of smaller triangles, and then projecting each face onto the interior surface of the sphere. The endpoints of the links of the completed sphere would then be the projected endpoints on the sphere's surface."

Fuller also coined a number of terms including "Spaceship Earth."

He went on to develop a cartographic system that showed continents on a flat surface with minimal distortion. Additionally, the map had no correct orientation, as Fuller argued that "up" and down as well as North, South, East, and West didn't actually exist. Fuller believe that there were two things-- "in" and "out," with "in" being the pull of objects toward Earth because of gravity.

His map, also known as a "Dymaxion Map" was made for easy display of world resources and it "allows players to strategize solutions to global problems, matching human needs with the resources."

Fuller has written 28 books that explore how all of humanity could have high living standards. In addition to his many honorary degrees, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Ronald Reagan in 1981. Last but not least, the U.S. Postal Service has just released a commemorative stamp in his honor. My hero!

Entry #184: Mmmm Hmmmmm

2008-08-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Abandoned castles, windy roads, beautiful views, ancient cave paintings, the mission, good wine, n amazing friends! Santa Barbara was RRrrrrad.

Entry #183: Brooklyn

2008-08-14T09:01:00.001-07:00

Ahhh.. saw the following on a recent last minute New York jaunt. A cliche neatness, I suppose.

Entry #182: Desktop Cleaning

2008-08-14T08:14:00.001-07:00

I am cleaning my work computer. Below are images I have right click+save.

Entry #181: Cross Country

2008-08-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, I am going to meet him at the airport and we are going to share a very intense stare followed by a silly nuerotic dance where we clasp hands, shake fists, and smell each others pheremones.(1)

I cant wait.

Soon, I am going to fly across the country and attempt to live a frugal, fulfilling life as a journalist where, according to my sources, demand 30+ articles/month.

I cant wait!

(1) Awwww... retards in love!

Entry #180: The Wait

2008-08-02T23:47:00.000-07:00

Dear dear dear!
A nervous palpitation and gentle shocking of the system combine to make me feel quite desperate for you now. Let's sit so we can see eye-to-eye (she swoons).

"I am New York, tired and weak.
I try to write a book each time I speak."

Entry #179: Benjamin Bixby

2008-07-24T21:28:00.000-07:00

André Benjamin (a.k.a. André 3000) line called "Benjamin Bixby" comes out Fall 08. Sweeeet! NY Mag article here

Entry #178: For whom the bell tolls.

2008-07-17T21:03:00.001-07:00

Plaza Mayor in Salamanca, Spain (2005)

Entry #177: Ten Commandments, for the Modern Day or the ethics of genetic engineering

2008-07-17T19:55:00.000-07:00

From this week's Genome Biology on how to deal with genetic information:

1. All races are created equal
No genetic data has ever shown that one group of people is inherently superior to another. Equality is a moral value central to the idea of human rights; discrimination against any group should never be tolerated.

2. An Argentinian and an Australian are more likely to have differences in their DNA than two Argentinians
Groups of human beings have moved around throughout history. Those that share the same culture, language or location tend to have different genetic variations than other groups. This is becoming less true, though, as populations mix.

3. A person's history isn't written only in his or her genes
Everyone's genetic material carries a useful, though incomplete, map of his or her ancestors' travels. Studies looking for health disparities between individuals shouldn't rely solely on this identity. They should also consider a person's cultural background.

4: Members of the same race may have different underlying genetics
Social definitions of what it means to be "Hispanic" or "black" have changed over time. People who claim the same race may actually have very different genetic histories.

5. Both nature and nurture play important parts in our behaviors and abilities
Trying to use genetic differences between groups to show differences in intelligence, violent behaviors or the ability to throw a ball is an oversimplification of much more complicated interactions between genetics and environment.

6. Researchers should be careful about using racial groups when designing experiments
When scientists decide to divide their subjects into groups based on ethnicity, they need to be clear about why and how these divisions are made to avoid contributing to stereotypes.

7. Medicine should focus on the individual, not the race
Although some diseases are connected to genetic markers, these markers tend to be found in many different racial groups. Overemphasising genetics may promote racist views or focus attention on a group when it should be on the individual.

8. The study of genetics requires cooperation between experts in many different fields
Human disease is the product of a mishmash of factors: genetic, cultural, economic and behavioral. Interdisciplinary efforts that involve the social sciences are more likely to be successful.

9. Oversimplified science feeds popular misconceptions
Policy makers should be careful about simplifying and politicising scientific data. When presenting science to the public, the media should address the limitations of race-related research.

10. Genetics 101 should include a history of racism
Any high school or college student learning about genetics should also learn about misguided attempts in the past to use science to justify racism. New textbooks should be developed for this purpose.

Journal reference: Genome Biology (online, full text available here w/ abstract and everythang).

Above is an image from Hitler's foray into his ideal race.

Interesting paper (note: PDF) on Race Cleansing in America.

Entry #176: Oil & Urban Sprawl

2008-07-17T18:13:00.000-07:00

The origin of nearly every city in the Southern California area is result of petroleum discovery.

A brief history
The glitz and glamour that seem to define Los Angeles, Hollywood, and its beach cities find its roots in the discovery of oil in Los Angeles in 1892. This lead to the discovery of other fields in the basin—and by 1923, one out of every 5 barrel of oil produced in the United States was from the Los Angeles area, making it the most productive oil producer in the United States.

The population increased significantly—doubling between 1890 and 1900, and then tripling between 1900 and 1910. Each oil field discovery lead to a population boom which formed a city, and others around it. This includes Huntington Beach in 1920, Santa Fe Springs in 1921, and the biggest of them all, Signal Hill/Long Beach oil field, also in 1921.

Oil money financed the real estate development of nearby areas and, once gas powered cars were engineered, oil men became even richer. Oil money was used to encourage the building of the roads and highways as cars were now affordable, cheap, and a reliable form of transportation.

The film industry was financed by oil money and family dynasties resulted from oil:

The Ghettys, the Dohenys and Alphonzo Bell all became rich from their discovery of oil. They also became real estate developers, creating wealthy enclaves such as Bel-Air for themselves and other rich oil men.

Even palm trees became more abundant in California because of a proposition that voters made law which required oil companies to plant palm trees around Southern California.

Below are some images of the heyday of oil in Southern California:

Oil derricks in Belmont Shores, Long Beach.

Oil derricks in downtown Los Angeles, First Street.

Oil derricks in Signal Hill, Long Beach. Signal Hill was the richest city in the world during the boom of the 1920s.

Modern day oil derricks off of Long Beach are disguised.

More disguised oil derricks in Long Beach. Notice the palm trees.

Entry #175: The Intelligent Life, Aging Gracefully

2008-07-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

I mean,

the title is slightly egotistical. But The Intelligent Life is a lifestyle magazine put out by The Economist.

Breathe.

I was floored when I discovered they even had a lifestyle magazine and spent hours reading. I like the pictures and some of the articles are interesting.

From a response to Lori Gottlieb's Atlantic op-ed "Marry Him!"

But the series that won me over = "Bright Old Things"

LEO ABSE, 91
Life, he says, is inevitably tragic, because we are born to die. "If you want to live a long time, love and be loved. I married two women who loved me. And you can continue living productively if you follow the rule of the Roman stoics--carpe diem. Don't live expectantly, live for the day."

DIANA ATHILL, 90+
There's no point in worrying about the future because there's nothing to be done about it. "As Shakespeare says, ‘The coward dies many times before his death.'

Betty Stevens, 90
We shouldn't expect to be happy in old age, she says: contentment is enough. "I have an absurd sense of the ridiculous--I see life in a series of cartoons..."

Brian Power, 90
Ageing, he says, takes one by surprise. "There's no point at which I say I am old. I've always believed in relativity: you can feel incredibly old one moment, middle-aged in the afternoon, young again at tea-time to the point of being skittish, and then very old by 11..."

Entry #174: LIAR

2008-07-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

I am obsessed with the scientific study of the human mind, so when HE MENTIONED that someone wrote an op-ed on this, I went online in anticipation...

The op-ed entitled "The Luxurious Growth" appeared in the New York Times yesterday. In it, editor David Brooks writes that science has been slow to connect A to Z. This is because there are factors including B, C, D... Y.

This stuff was written about years ago by Matt Ridley in the book, "Nature Via Nurture: Genes, Experience, and what Makes Us Human." BOO. I thought it would be well thought out w/ new arguments n stufffffz!!

Entry #173: Topoanalysis vs Oeniric

2008-07-06T15:59:00.000-07:00

“Phenomenology” vs “Hermeneutics”

I love airports (still!) and

passion simmers in cadence.

Entry #172: Transformation

2008-06-28T04:03:00.000-07:00

The wind at dawn shakes trees bare and brings smells of salty ocean.

A woman and her dog step out onto the front yard. The dog yelps with excitement.

A cool breeze passes.

She is staring at her car, wanting so much to drive into the night, over the hill and across state lines. And then she will pull over and rest, only to drive again until she sees the view of a foreign city.

It would be a city that held in its possession every single one of her much beloved furniture that she had to throw out over the years. And, the library would be shelved with books that she had lost, and books she wanted to read, but never got around to. Her neighbors would be old friends- how she remembered them best. They would hug each other after being so distant and they would marvel at how great it felt to be together again.

Her memory, which was once so broken and hazy, is now lucid and solid. She feels its weight and the barren trees are now full of leaves, with faces of former lovers and friends poking out. Some are staring with sadness and accusations, while others have moved on. And still, there are the blank faces.

She stands feeling naked and cold, like the simple drawing of a woman's figurine in all that white space.

The dog, recognizing the state of her owner, says; let's go find a really Good Man, who will take care of the garden and will remember where you left your keys. He will buy you your favorite Mexican candy from the liquor store and will also remember your love for old leather and the Ballet.

Let's go inside, she said.

How is it that she can want such newness in her life and nothing at all?

She walks into the kitchen and opens the refrigerator door. Her husband walks in and she is still standing there, staring at its contents as if though somewhere inside, there was a map to that foreign city.

Entry #171: Donald Judd or Walmart?

2008-06-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

Quiz.

Entry #170: The Unrealized Gehry Building?

2008-06-11T13:11:00.000-07:00

Below is a conceptual model of the proposed Art Center building, as designed by Frank Gehry for a cool 9 million. Cost is projected at 20 million. The current milieu at Art Center makes this nearly impossible.

Dreams do die. hard.

It looks too messy and boxy as well as blocky and disordered. I get a sense of panic from it. Is this what they are going for? Get that project done kid! Or is the Gehry name suppose to remove the casual observer's sense of agitation?

Also, where will students gather and where is the sense of community and camaraderie that is so vital at any educational institution? I guess you can project movies on the boards to the side, but again, too much agitation to really pull it off. I'm totally over this guy.

LA Times article about Art Center's PR problem.

The petition

Entry #169: Enter Dwell for Design 08 Exhibition for FREE!

2008-06-06T07:02:00.000-07:00

This morning's sun managed to break through before 6am. Promise of a good weekend to come?

Dwell on Design 08 is happening in downtown LA and it should be a rad show! Dwell has reached their ticket sales goal for the Dwell on Design Exhibition, and has now extended their coupon code offer for a free Exhibition ticket to anyone that has not already purchased a ticket to this fantastic event. BDODEC is the code that you need. And the link is here. Tell them that Design Nature sent yooooou :)

Dwell on Design '08
June 5 - 8, 2008
Los Angeles Convention Center

And HERE you will find the show guide, which will not be printed this year, in a nod towards conservation, sustainability, and saving money. These things fit together like pinky swears between best friends?

Entry #168: You Didn't Hear it From Me

2008-06-05T07:27:00.000-07:00

June 4, 2008: AAMA proposes their own LEED version. It is AAMA's intent to have a more comprehensive program for Green product definition and credibility.

Goes all the way down to the actual product and code designation (something that LEED sorely lacks).

!!

Entry #167: EEG & brain artifacts.

2008-05-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

Microsoft patent
Filed: February 7, 2006

Notable from the above link:
"The EEG signals contain data and patterns of data associated with brain states, which can be used to infer the existence of thought processes. A problem with cognitive techniques is that EEG signals often contain artifacts, i.e., unwanted data, that may distort the brain state information. In the past, attempts have been made to overcome artifacts or "noise problems" by filtering EEG signals and by using neurofeedback. "

And here we have the beginnings of a Brave New World

Notable from the above link:
"By balancing and optimizing your brain you can train your brain to accomplish what it is you desire; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. With Brain State ConditioningTM you can overcome personal issues quickly and easily, and experience positive life changes in a matter of weeks."

Why this (the patent) is interesting and the implications that can arise:
This deals directly with the mind/body relationship. There are generally three theories about the mind/body- feelings and perceptions. The first is that feelings and perceptions are byproducts and spontaneous side effect of neural networks-- i.e. connectivism. Another is that there is a mental code on the orgin of the mind the same way that there is a genetic code for the origin of life. The third is something I forget but it's based on computations and is more similar to the first in that the mind is considered a spontaneous process.

Spontaneous processes cannot have rules of its own which makes it harder to study and it also means that the mind is not autonomous.

The mind as its own set of codes however implies that the mind is not dictated by chemicals and physical chemistry AND that the mind can have epigenetic properties! Thus there can be rules and additions that changes features and landscapes.

Eeeek! I wish I could just sit, read, and think about these lofty things all ze time.

Entry #166, Knitta PLEASE!

2008-05-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

Graffiti Knitting - or the wrapping of public objects in hand knit mufflers. Traffic signs, plumbing pipes, statues, door handles, lightpoles – no object of reasonable circumference is off limits. It is as if they were warming the cold modern world with colorful mufflers and mittens. In this month’s Statement we thought we would introduce you to two different groups of anonymous graffiti knitters.

Knitta is considered the original graffiti knitting crew. Founded in 2005 in Houston, Texas, their first tag was the door handle of a clothing and accessory boutique that one of them owned. Since then they have expanded their horizons to tagging other cities, and knitting sprees have ensued in El Salvador, Paris, New York City and the Great Wall of China. Even the Museum of Modern Art has begun collecting their pieces. Taking their clues from hip-hop culture, each anonymous member is known by a pseudonym: AKrylik and PolyCotN were the founders and other members include Purl Nekklas, P-Knitty, The Knotorious N.I.T., and MascuKnitity. The group has had 5 female members and one male, aged 21 to 73 and it is estimated that there are as many as twelve copycat crews in the world. The most proficient of which is Masquerade.

More at KNITTAPLEASE!

Entry #165: Moleskine notes

2008-05-03T20:33:00.001-07:00

I went to Tokyo and took notes galore. I like their architecture, patterns, and cuts.

Entry #164: Brain Science

2008-04-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

Memory Exercise #2:
"My memory isn't that great anymore."

"There are two things at work here. Your brain worked hard to block out A. Unfortunately, it is not so great at being selective, so gone also is B,C, and D. Another reason is that you haven't been sleeping."

Images by Simon

Entry #163: Writer's Block

2008-04-09T15:16:00.000-07:00

¿Nunca se han cansado de pensar? (But even in all that thinking, I couldn't FORM).

Painting by Melissa

Entry #162: Upper Echelon

2008-04-07T07:35:00.000-07:00

"Baby boomers are aging. Two bottles of wine a night is over for most of us, but a nice bottle of water or a nice glass gives us something to talk about and to learn about. Water provides topics for conversations and explorations in an epicurian content." -Michael Mascha

water sommelier- wtf! Fine Waters: A Connoisseur's Guide to the World's Most Distinctive Bottled Waters reviews 100 different brands of WATER.

Water? As in two hydros n oxy with a bent shape of 107.5 degrees??!

Urhm...you are the designated driver?

(sucka!!)

Entry #161: Poodle Puppy Party

2008-04-01T08:23:00.001-07:00

Juka turned 2 years old!

Entry #160: And Now I Have You.

2008-03-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

O joy!

N they look 100 times better in real life.

Most expensive shoes in my lifetime?

I've been waiting n eyeing these babies FOREVER.

Entry #159: How Rare is Earth?

2008-03-28T08:39:00.001-07:00

Lisa may enjoy this equation from Ward & Brownlee. You can also flip through the book on Google-- check it! Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe

Now, for the equation:

# Rare Earth Equation (revision of Drake Equation)

N = N* x fp x fpm x ne x ng x fi x fc x fl x fm x fj x fme

where N* = stars in Milky Way,
fp = fraction of stars with planets,
fpm = fraction of metal-rich planets,
ne = planets in star's habitable zone,
ng = stars in Galactic habitable zone,
fi = fraction of habitable planets where life arises,
fc = fraction of planets with life where complex life (eukaryotic-type cells) arises,
fl = percentage of a lifetime of planet that is marked by presence of complex life,
fm = fraction of planets with large Moon,
fj = fraction of planetary systems with Jupiter-sized planets,
fme = fraction of planets with critically low mass-extinction events

* as any term in equation approaches zero, so does final result

* Some of the terms may be interdependent -- a Moon may be necessary for the development of complex life, or the presence of a Jupiter may make mass extinctions less common. This form of the equation assumes no such connections exist!

* Remember that all our conclusions are based on one life-bearing planet; a Moon may turn out not to matter at all.

O yes, also the question is how rare versus how unique! Very different. I'm fascinated by this book because of the assumptions that are made that are necessary for the question to even be VALID.

Something to boggle your brains even further (on a Friday!): extremophiles

Gawd I hope I catch me a scientist sooner than later :)

Entry #158: New and Now @ The Academy

2008-03-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

Shades of Greige & Oak are now available at The Academy. I'm particularly thrilled with a cropped button up top that Oak has-- very chic and compliments galore (my sister and I each snatched one)!

Oak Denim in a new slouchy cut for all u skinnies out there.

The colors this season: baby blue, gray, n all the light fluffy colors you can think of.

But I like yellow.

Entry #157: My Dream Browser

2008-03-27T15:53:00.001-07:00

Yes, we've all done it. Dream about a better tomorrow w/ a better browser in order to hasten or simpify communique. I googled "dream browser" and came across the stuff above.

But right now

I want an endless supply of desktops. I save everything to a desktop and I seem to be able to find stuff when its spilled across like wildflowers or packed dirt n I think that my life would be easier if I had an endless amount of desktops I can scroll through and search by dates or something... for instance: I remember saving this picture that was next to THIS file and desktop for the file shows up...or Picture A while listening to song A... n all the things you worked on while listening to that song on this date shows up.

Do I even make sense?

Entry #156: Rabbit Tale (a wild prattling of a child)

2008-03-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

Choose your own adventure.

You are asked to feed the neighbor’s dog at 10am—you will be paid $400 to do this for one day. You arrive late (at 1pm) to find that the rabbit (which you don’t remember being told about) is dead—obviously the dog’s doing.

Do you:
a.) Tell the owner exactly what happened (including your late arrival).
b.) Wash the rabbit and place it back in its cage—acting like you knew nothing about it.
c.) Bury the rabbit and buy a new one to replace the dead one.

You must choose one.

Entry #155: The Blood of a Poet

2008-03-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

I had an immediate fascination to Jean Cocteau’s 1936 (? Not sure on date) “Blood of a Poet” because of the crazy imagery involved.

It is a long film and I was forced to stop at various intersections to get food or water. Because of the nonsensical storyline and the rather strange dialog between characters, I’d be hard press to try to explain it except that it mimics the art process. It’s also scary.

But I keep going back to it!

Thankfully,

I discovered that looking at snapshots of the film was slightly more interesting then watching the film because I was able to notice little oddities that were previously ignored.

Also, also—notice all the peculations in Spring 08 Fashion?

I adore the shoes! But I really should be thinking 19th century right now! We cut next week and I haven't made my pattern yet? BAH!

LA VELODROME

2008-03-08T22:40:00.001-08:00

we came
we saw
we conquered
... well not really we have to go back next month to get fully certified but
we're into track bike racing now!
sha-booty!

ART CENTER bullhaha (midterm death and lack of sleep)

2008-03-08T20:24:00.000-08:00

WEEK 8 at art center is a very dangerous week. its when kids who are hyped up on sugar and caffeine start playing with lazer cutters , exacto blades and box cutters staying up into the wee hours of the night to get their midterm projects done. Last term kids came into class with missing fingers, this term I lucked out, only a few flesh wounds , finger tip nicks and overall minimal blood loss.

THE START
PROCESS:
p.s. acrylic glue comes in heroin looking needles - heroin just isnt my thing I swear so thats what your seeing in the back.

THE FINAL:

Entry #152: Viktor & Rolf Missing Restraint & Knowledge?

2008-03-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

Ahh... a quote to live by for the young designer in training:

"[Designs]...would be more successful if the designers were a little less intent on having a good time. Just because a scheme's wacky and off-the-wall some of the young designers think it is FUN, in big letters, when in fact their very determination to be zany renders the result lifeless. What's missing is restraint and knowledge. What's missing is the Zen of seeing." -Albert Hadley

Viktor & Rolf's Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren placed the word "Dream" (in big letters) front and center. They did not think outside of their boxy letters? I wasn't moved.

Entry #151: Brain Food

2008-03-03T00:32:00.001-08:00

As Brain Awareness Week Nears (Next week)...

This weekend I watched "The Brain Fitness Program" on PBS and it was the most fascinating program I have seen in years.

Some things to keep in mind:

Thrive on Learning and Mental Challenges. The point of having a brain is precisely to learn and to adapt to challenging new environments. Once new neurons appear in your brain, where they stay in your brain and how long they survive depends on how you use them. "Use It or Lose It" does not mean "do crossword puzzle number 1,234,567". It means, "challenge your brain often with fundamentally new activities".

We are (as far as we know) the only self-directed organisms in this planet. Aim high. Once you graduate from college, keep learning. The brain keeps developing, no matter your age, and it reflects what you do with it.

Explore, travel. Adapting to new locations forces you to pay more attention to your environment. Make new decisions, use your brain.

Interesting Website:
Sharp Brains

Book to check out: The Mind and the Brain

Buy a copy of the PBS program

Entry #150: March of Balenciaga

2008-03-02T23:45:00.000-08:00

Yes, yes, I do I do Love with a capital L their Fall RTW. Fierce. maybe slightly too severe but I adore it! I am woman, hear me roar (and I can't be ignored!)

Entry #149: Peter Schiff

2008-02-26T10:16:00.000-08:00

"I forgot that I haven't yet told you the story of my one true love."

"Peter was the ideal boy: tall, slim and good-looking, with a serious, quiet and intelligent face." -Anne Frank

(I adore her).

Entry #148: Sew Cool

2008-02-25T14:29:00.001-08:00

My current sewing book is dated 1969:

And I like the font on this lil' number:

This book is coming out in April:

Entry #147: C-Code Contest

2008-02-25T09:54:00.000-08:00

Goals:
* To write the most Obscure/Obfuscated C program under the rules below.
* To show the importance of programming style, in an ironic way.
* To stress C compilers with unusual code.
* To illustrate some of the subtleties of the C language.
* To provide a safe forum for poor C code. :-)

Website

Past winner: THE CODE

The result:

Direct opposition to Colin Wheildon?

Who writes,

"...But should technology serve only the designer and headline writer, or should it also serve the reader? Are we, by distorting type, discomfiting the reader to such an extent that he and she will retaliate by the only means open to them—by refusing to read our message?
If this danger is real, how far down the primrose path can we go to before our use of the technology available to us becomes counter-productive?"

And who can forget Mark Danielewski's House of Leaves?

Is this a coming of the New Age in Type & Communication?

These are all very interesting questions-- but right now, all I care about is why I can't seem to find a proper dentist because I need some "...osseous recontouring to increase crown length, facial bone festooned and ramped, palatal bone gradualized--"

(based on a scientific Google search)

BOO.

Entry #146: Dear God

2008-02-22T00:26:00.000-08:00

I long for the days when all that mattered was what stood before me at any given time-- my mother's delicate fingers sifting through my hair, my siblings and I bursting with laughter, and our slight frames running with glorious oblivion to the march of time.

Everything was sharp and immediate.

Entry #145: President's Day

2008-02-18T07:16:00.000-08:00

In honor of the greatest President we've ever had (in my opinion):

Recently unseen photos of President Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration has been discovered at The Library of Congress-- the mistake was due to labeling errors.

A beautiful part of Lincoln's speech:

"...Fondly do we hope -- fervently do we pray -- that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether"

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan -- to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations." - President Lincoln, March 4, 1865

Via: NPR
Copy of Speech Here

The war ended April 9, 1865. Lincoln was assassinated April 14, 1865.

What a wonderful man eh?

Above photo by Mathew B. Brady, famed Civil War photographer.

Via Wiki.

Also, also, Lincoln's Cottage will open tomorrow. You can catch the ceremony on C-span (ok ok...so I watch this channel with my dad. I particularly enjoy June, when they show graduation speeches by political heavyweights-- I am a nerd with an ineptitude at putting my penchant for research to use).

Entry #144: O whaa? MORE TYPE

2008-02-17T22:32:00.000-08:00

AGH!!!: Historic American Sheet Music So pretty. I think I like type because... well, I can't draw but for some reason I can write letters? sorta. I mean NOT type student mode but

teachers always appreciated my neat writing when I was younger?

Entry #143: Rock Wall

2008-02-15T22:54:00.000-08:00

Pictures of the Rock Wall that Susan and I built a few months back.

It started out with a drawing.

I might post a how-to later but in the meantime, a quick how to build a rock wall via Google may yield some results.

Entry #142: Round and Round we go (we go)

2008-02-13T13:42:00.001-08:00

(My high school’s recently renovated velodrome).

Entry #141: Love Letters +2 fonts

2008-02-13T07:57:00.000-08:00

All via Typographica.

Let's not forget, Ames Guide to Self-Instruction in Practical and Artistic Penmanship

Entry #140: Goodbye to All That

2008-02-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

All Woman, no joy. Feminism needs a new leader. Can Chelsea Clinton be it? (She emailed the above to a friend, according to Slate.com)

This is a rather powerful treatise on the current state of what it means to be a woman in American society. We are still living in a Man-Made World.

Entry #139: Spring Curls

2008-02-05T08:13:00.000-08:00

Shy right young love.

Entry #138: The clicks and clacks

2008-02-04T15:12:00.001-08:00

This morning while eating breakfast I wondered if you had enough potassium.

The looking glass.

Entry #137: Highway to Heaven

2008-02-04T15:09:00.001-08:00

Jeffrey (we are on a first name basis).

Entry #136: That Song from that Apple Commercial

2008-02-04T08:47:00.000-08:00

New Soul by Yael Naim

(I have that exact coat! It's 4+ years old)

Entry #135: Border Crossing

2008-02-04T08:36:00.001-08:00

Entry #134: Typography

2008-02-01T14:30:00.001-08:00

Entry #133: La Casita de Wendy HAPPY

2008-02-01T11:56:00.001-08:00

So fresh and so lively, says I. The website.

Tambien, ellos tienen un blog!

Entry #132: U.S. opens FBI office in Cambodia

2008-02-01T11:54:00.001-08:00

Let the past bury its past. And the present look to the future.

Entry #131: Anne Sexton

2008-02-01T07:21:00.000-08:00

Confessional, unbalanced, and hopeless, Anne Sexton's poetry is pointedly relevant to our complicated times. The search for the meaning of Life, the absent of God, and the sadness of Love found and lost, Anne Sexton was a writer who wrote about abortion, infidelity, and motherhood.

...
Remember, big fish,
when you couldn't swim
and simply slipped under
like a stone frog?
The world wasn't yours.
It belonged to
the big people.
Under your bed
sat the wolf
and he made a shadow
when cars passed by
at night.
.... (excerpt from poem entitled, "The Fury of Overshoes")

Entry #170: Love you Live

2008-01-26T16:48:00.000-08:00

I feel like that coat you wear in the early Los Angeles morning-- by noon you are ready to shed shed shed it off because it clings and and sticks to your armpits and makes you conscious of the sweat, heat, and fever that is forming.

I am getting tired so I hope that made sense.

(I am currently people watching)

Entry #169: Printerrrr up

2008-01-24T10:59:00.000-08:00

* Over 1,100 sublimation prints to choose from.
* Ability to customize prints.
* Internationally recognized for designs and production capability.
* Direct and indirect Customers Liz Claiborne, Coach, Todd Oldham, Givenchy and Berkshire, and stores such as Neiman Marcus, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls.
* Runway Shows: Roberto Cavalli, Moschino, and Todd Oldham
* Celeste Stein Designs produces more than 2 million pairs of printed socks and tights each year.

Check out her website here.

Entry #168: You know, you know.

2008-01-24T09:19:00.000-08:00

Newspapers aren’t getting enough love these days with that other medium’s ability to report breaking news faster than your high-speed cable can keep up. The Death of the Paper is an often talked about event in newspaper circles and I too was almost ready to mourn the lost of an era but something telling started to happen.

Network cables’ ineptitude at verification of facts started to surface. Even conservative online versions of the newspaper made false, somewhat deceptive claims, including The Wall Street Journal (ok, the only conservative paper I actually like to read). This up to the second, in yo face homie, breaking news reporting is really made for readers who like the thrill of not really knowing, or readers who in their younger days picked at daisies and recited “loves me so” to “loves me not.”

The paper, on the other hand—is akin to the wise old man who takes a thoughtful look and deep breath before finally speaking deliberately. These are the facts, and I stick by them, he seems to be telling the readers (without a cowboy twang).

But I’m a news junkie. So I follow the thrill of the newsroom. And urhm, I pick at daisies!

And I think all of this yearning for the paper is really just me wishing wishing wishing for self actualization of some sort. If this makes sense, then we belong side by side, like two apples in a fruit basket “hoping for the best for each other.” 1

Today’s Headlines:
NYT: Killing of Sunni militia cause of consternation for America—the militia is a key component of their Plan to Decrease Violence in Iraq.

LA Times: Presidential polls- blaaaah. Good ol HillBill are leading nationwide and the GOP seems even more confused than them Dems.

Wall Street Journal: Influx at the Gaza (national headline) and the stock market

Washington Post: The swingin stock market and wtf are we to do?

USA Today: 76 colleges have over 1 billion in endowment so why aren’t they spending like they should on scholarships and other improvements?!

1. Anne Sexton

Entry #167: Charles Schultz

2008-01-23T08:04:00.000-08:00

"I suppose there’s a melancholy feeling in a lot of cartoonists, because cartooning, like all other humor, comes from bad things happening. People will say, “Well why don’t you have Charlie Brown kick the football?” And I say, “Well, that would be wonderful, it’s happy, but happiness is not funny.” I wish we could all be happy, but it isn’t funny." - Charles Schultz

Entry #166: Your tears!

2008-01-21T22:33:00.000-08:00

I'm sad for reasons that I cannot quite put into words. So, accordingly:

Postmodernism
1946-Present

Content:
people observe life as the media presents it, rather than experiencing life directly
popular culture saturates people's lives
absurdity and coincidence

Genre/Style:
mixing of fantasy with nonfiction; blurs lines of reality for reader
no heroes
concern with individual in isolation
detached, unemotional
usually humorless
narratives
metafiction
present tense
magic realism

Entry #165: Modette

2008-01-17T15:41:00.000-08:00

I totally adore her hair!

Entry # 165: Hey Pretty Baby.

2008-01-16T19:11:00.000-08:00

We love the French and I've been searching madly for my black&white scoop neck shirt. Where are yooou?

Inspiration and movies. Stylists are the designers of today and yesterday, it's true.

I did not win the bid below! $32!!! That's way too much and I just wanted the pattern for the top part. ARrrrGH. Well, I think 50+ patterns should do.

Entry #164: Gucci Mens

2008-01-15T21:37:00.000-08:00

Hrm. There's a whole Sweeney Todd element but it looks like it's the best of fall 08.

I am still into studs and want this bag just to tote overnightly articles around.

And those boots!!! *siiigh*

Entry #163: Classic Sundays

2008-01-11T11:52:00.000-08:00

I am adoring the photos (most from the Sunday Classic Collection) in this blog!

Entry #162: The Sound of Music by Lun*na Menoh @ The Academy

2008-01-10T22:59:00.000-08:00

Entry #161: Andrew Hem, Local LA Talent

2008-01-10T08:48:00.000-08:00

I am adoring his style.

Website.

Entry #160: Jackie O. Visit to Cambodia, 1967

2008-01-10T08:29:00.000-08:00

She's beautiful.

Entry #159: PreFab, I remember yoooou!!

2008-01-09T07:37:00.000-08:00

Is Prefab Fab? MoMA Plans a Show

An article in the NY Times talks about the rise of Prefab homes in the high end sector of the housing market...

Unfortunately, there is little data to back up this evidence as although there are shows that exhibit prefab homes, and many designers offer a wonderfully modern take on Prefab homes-- the actual building of it remains disappointingly low.**

** Santa Monica offers a tour of Prefab homes in the area.

Entry #158: Why Adults Cry, a scientific investigation.

2008-01-07T15:07:00.000-08:00

In a move that may be a case of too little, too late, presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has expressed an overwhelming sense of emotions regarding her bid for the White House. “This is very personal for me. It’s about our country, it’s about our kids’ future, it’s really about all of us together,” a misty eyed Clinton said.

With everyone getting sentimental and nostalgic (minus John Edwards) about the yesteryears and their love for their country, Design Nature decided to do a little investigation about tears and why it can sometimes feel so damn good to let it all out. See video of Clinton here

According to a number of sources, tears are the product of chemical reactions that occur in your body during moments of stress. Humans have a total of 21 tear duct glands. Various combinations work together to form three different types of tears that are composed of different elements.

The first type consists of the tears that form when particles including wind, force, and bugs enter your eye.

[more later... haha]

Entry #157: Flight through the ages

2008-01-04T07:32:00.000-08:00

According to a number of worker bees, I looked like a flight attendant yesterday with my scarf and dark blue wool suit.

Professional and polish, says I.

Entry #156: Africa, by Frank Leder

2007-12-28T23:31:00.000-08:00

Awesome! What a great designer.