23.12.09




































THE ORIGINAL BADASS... NOTICE FIXED GEAR.

I'm getting pumped for operation "sweet ride": Photos and explanation to follow...



20.12.09





CIRCUMAMBULATE THE CITY
OF A DREAMY SABBATH AFTERNOON, GO FROM GORLEARS HOOK TO GOENTLES SLIP, AND FROM THENCE, BY WHITEHALL, NORTH-WARD. WHAT DO YOU SEE? - POSTED LIKE SILENT SENTINELS ALL AROUND THE TOWN, STAND THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF MORTAL MEN FIXED IN OCEAN REVERIES. SOME LEANING AGAINST THE SPILES; SOME SEATED UPON THE PIERHEADS; SOME LOOKING OVER THE BULWARKS OF SHIPS FROM CHINA; SOME HIGH ALOFT IN THE RIGGINGS, AS IF STRIVING TO GET A STILL BETTER SEAWARD PEEP.

HERMAN MELVILLE
MOBY DICK
































Snap shot of vanity this morning: party aftermath.
Flourite, Nars: jungle red, Erica Weiner creation, vintage Timex, creaturish piece of drift wood.

15.12.09

the hyperbolic crochet coral reef

This lusciously colorful and fuzzy exhibit, designed to bring awareness to global warming and the delicate predicament of the coral reef, landed in the gallery windows on the corner of 9th st. and Broadway last winter. I've thought about it periodically throughout the year, the concept of creating art that mimics the structure and patterns of nature itself in this benignly glorious way is so clever. I'm awe inspired on all sorts of levels and hope you are too.




























































Actually these hyperbolic forms can be glimpsed all around, in the ruffled edges of kale leaves, the ruching that “Project Runway” designers favor, rippling ballerina tutus and drugstore scrunchies that girls use to gather a ponytail.

Yet mathematicians hadn’t focused attention in their direction. It wasn’t until 1997 that Daina Taimina, a mathematics researcher at Cornell who had learned to crochet as a child in Latvia, realized that by continually adding stitches in a precise repeating pattern she could create three-dimensional models of hyperbolic geometry.

For the first time mathematicians could, as Ms. Wertheim said, “hold the theorems in their hands.”


Patricia Cohen. Want to Save A Coral Reef? Bring Along Your Crochet Hook. New York Times. March 4, 2008.


14.12.09






































Matador: a study on silhouette.
"Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don't bother concealing your thievery- celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean Luc Godard said: "It's not where you take things from, it's where you take them to."

- Jim Jarmusch

2.12.09

This morning's procrastination called for a little roasting, and a redo of Bittman's upside down pear tart which was most excellent when I made it last week, (if I do say so myself)... except I ran out of pears so I substituted sweet potatoes, a last minute decision that seems to be working out well. The purple cauliflower head got a little burnt, but actually, it has a purply crunchy texture that is intriguing. I quite like it. Sometimes I really feel so lucky, what with all the curious accidents that happen around here.

1.12.09

Town Bike: part I













































































































































1. CAD plan and revisions.

2. Torch and tips
3. Custom forks.
4. Custom top tube lugs.
5. How they work.
6. Board for hanging tools, taken off an antique lathe.


My cousin Spencer Wright of Traffic Cycle Design hand makes insane custom bicycles. He's currently undertaking a Town Bike experiment. These photos represent many hours of careful crafting and dedication to the refinement of detail and function. I'm eagerly anticipating the final product, replete with Brooks saddle, curved crossbar and custom handlebars, though I'm trying to convince Spencer to leave the steel unfinished (I have a thing for raw metal). I've been told on several occasions this would be impractical as the bike would rust if left in the rain (even better). I'll keep you updated on the progress of the Town Bike as the components take shape.

See more photos on Trafficbikes Flickr account.