incarcerated, not inhuman

Naomi and I attended the PCAP prisoner art show on north campus today. The art was amazing, and so expressive and sad all at the same time - once the pieces are created, they are taken from the prison and cannot be returned. Most of the works had been purchased (but were still on display) by the time I got there, although I did find and buy one I really liked. The show runs until wednesday! Here are some pictures of the other pieces (taken with permission of the organizers):


The one with the garments was an offering called "clothing the children"; the artist had created a child-sized prison uniform.

























The pieces depicting scenes from classic hollywood horror movies are really incredible. The artist used only pen on matchbook covers to create his works. There was a large display of his work - maybe twenty pieces in all - but none for sale.

Tancredi-ble! (Ugh, seriously?)

Every so often I will step out on the town, and this past Saturday I was invited by my friend and fellow "shakespeare in the arb" alum Virginia to attend a concert performance of Rossi's opera Tancredi at Hill. Though the second act dragged, the first act was fabulous. And at just about 3 hours in length, the demand on the leads would be obvious. I was astounded by the actresses playing Tancredi and the female lead, who kept up very beautiful and suitably loud performances all that time. I always greatly enjoy seeing people who are really good at something practice their art.

And speaking of being "really" good and practicing one's art, perhaps this opera has given me the final inspiration I need to being working on Donkey Kong: An APEra of Love and Barrels.

Supplies! He wasn't kidding. Red Snapper IS very tasty.

Now that I live life mostly on the solo tip, I have been trying to find new ways to entertain myself. One is cooking new foods. I prepared foods for myself (albeit simple stuff) in Brooklyn all the time, and now I'm branching out to try new things. Recent highlights include Red Snapper, White Bass, Lance Bass, a bevy* of vegetable side dishes, and a cut of discount meat so large it could only be called El Gigante. Still simple stuff, but fun to make nonetheless.

*in keeping up the carnivocentrism of this post, I used "bevy" - primarily used in english to describe a group of animals - when listing the vegetables. Also, you may have discerned that I now maintain the hobby of terribly bad jokes, funny only to me.

My dad could blow up your dad

This is a selection from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms website for kids, where the children of ATF agents were asked to depict what their parents do at work. What is so undeniably awesome about this particular picture is that it really makes you think about what this kid actually believes his parents do. Like, if you asked him, you know the answer you'd get would be a thousand times more interesting than the truth. I like knowing that some young artist has this amazing idea floating around in his head of a world where his daddy gleefully and shirtlessly blows things up all day.

Wait, this thing doesn't update itself?

Although that's probably a good thing, because I certainly can't think of that many ways of saying "yeah, so, I worked, and then walked around some by myself."

Thankful am I, therefore, for the smattering of recent highlights. First, Sarah came to town to see me (and yes, also, presumably, her family and her long-term boyfriend). She introduced me to the fabulous Kerrytown market, we enjoyed the warm weather, and we boldly investigated the very top of the "Bert and Ernie" clocktower. It's always so good for me to spend time with Sarah.

And then, this weekend. Athena came to visit! It was my mom's birthday! There was a new play at Matrix! Really, you'd do well by yourself to just read about the weekend here. To further assist in characterizing this weekend, I adduce the following cutest photographic evidence ever. Behold!

So that was pretty awesome. In other news, well... all the other news from the world seems to be bad and getting worse, no? I spend a LOT of time watching and reading the news, like I'm looking for the part where it all turns out to be a joke. After watching the Bush Q&A sessions both yesterday in Cleveland and today in Washington (the latter was said to arise directly from a WaPo article challenging Bush's example of "progress" in Iraq while speaking in Cleveland), it's clear we're into a whole new level of doublespeak here. It's no longer a matter of Bush ignoring the voices of dissent - he now claims to "understand the concerns" being raised by Americans, but his rhetoric is now marked with a visible irritation at our being displeased - as though our concerns are silly and we need to stop bothering him so he can do his job. Could we please stop complaining about financial and national security, the quagmire in Iraq, and the crumbling education system and just go to war and/or jail already? Thanks, that'd be great.

I think I just wet my pants

This is so tremendously hilarious and must be watched.

Make sure you've got sound on. Some of the best stuff is toward the end.

NYC Spring Break 4: So, anyways...

I tried alcohol for the first time! That stuff is GREAT!

No, no, just kidding - I was born a teetotaller, and I'll die a teetotaller. We thought this would make a good picture. Think I can get an endorsement contract for beer?

I figure I should spend at least one post describing what I actually did while in New York*. I got to spend time with some very dear friends and my eldest sister. I was able to enjoy NYC nightlife - including a Detroit-themed bar (?) and a 1960's living-room-themed bar - and walks around the city, both with the lovely Athena. I just plain had a wonderful time in a place of great fun and culture.

*When in New York City, Dr. Science stays at the Royal Regency Funthena Arms Hotel. The Regency Funthena: It's where you stay, because you're me. You most certainly miss it a lot already.

NYC Spring Break 3: There'll be no one to blog to about this

There ought to be a law, such that the three kids pictured here cannot be in the same place at the same time; if a plane hit Coffee Shop in Union Square while we were having lunch, the internet would collapse. Or something.

Really, though, how did I get such amazing friends as these two? Beautiful, brilliantly creative, fabulously cultured and altogether captivating - they're the best of the good ones, y'all.

NYC Spring Break 2: The Creepiest of All Time

It was many long days and nights before our intrepid traveler reached his destination. There, on Avenue B between 5th and 6th streets, with trusty camera clutched in hand, he beheld the object of his fascination: the Tower of Children's Nightmares. (look closely)

NYC Spring Break 1: Follow the white rabbit

This white rabbit, for instance. Follow it to the wonderful world of New York City, where wonders abound! Behold!
Regular towns have regular pants. Here, it's only special pants!
Tired of boring old present-day ice cream?

How about a...um...winky sale?


Or dogs in sweaters!


That dog's sweater matches my hat. New York is magic!