Archives by Subject: Personal
I Got a New Digital Camera!
Two weeks ago, I purchased a refurbished Nikon D50 from the infamous (and impressive) B&H Photo and Video.
I look forward to learning a lot more about photography, and hopefully taking some decent photos along the way.
Keep your eyes on my Flickr!
Posted in on March 08, 2007, 11:36 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Academia is Consuming My Soul
Assuming everything goes according to plan, this May (!!!) I'll be graduating from NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study.
The idea behind Gallatin is simple -- instead of declaring a major and taking certain classes in a certain order, we choose a topic of study and take classes we want. The requirements are minimal when compared to other schools -- a math or a science -- but the other schools extract their revenge when we have our colloquium in the final semester of our senior year.
What is this mysterious colloquium you ask? Gallatin's helpful little website defines it thusly:
The colloquium is an intellectual conversation among four people—the student, the student’s adviser, and two other members of the faculty—about a selection of books representing several academic disciplines and historical periods.
Sounds like a blast! Alas, the Gallatin Colloquium is the final hurdle we have to clear before the graduation at the end of the tunnel.
Basically, we have a list of books -- of which there must be a certain number from certain time periods -- and the panel gets to ask us any question they want related to our topic and those books.
While I'm comfortable discussing my topic -- in a sentence, how new media is bringing back the voice of the little guy (clichés abound!) -- relating it to Plato and Homer is a bit scarier.
And so I will be having this marvelous discussion on Monday, March 19 -- the first day back from Spring Break.
So, if you're having trouble getting a hold of me, that's probably why. Find me on the 20th!
Posted in on March 05, 2007, 01:13 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Spring Break: From Austin to Pearlington
My hair still smells like wood smoke from the campfire I spent the previous two nights in front of. And that's just fine.
It will take my a while to organize my thoughts into anything resembling coherency, but first, some thoughts. I will never forget:
· Standing outside the shell of a house entirely devastated by Hurricane Katrina listening to all the Americorps volunteers belt out "Red Neck Woman." Somehow the locals preserved their marvelous karaoke system. Though I have to say that this woman [click for video] did a perfect impression of Macy Gray.
· Watching a small dog house sized shed burn as "Burning Down the House" blared from the sound system in Pearlington's Burning Man camp. Don't worry -- it was art.
· My first crawfish bake. They are delicious!
· Driving from New Orleans to Pearlington [click for video].
· Stumbling into an apparently weekly open mic night filled with locals expressing their views [click for video].
Be sure you visit my Pearlington photoset on Flickr.
One House at a Time
The whole reason I found myself in Pearlington was to visit my good friend Jake who is a coordinator on the ground for One House at a Time. I hope to make their website more dynamic and less boring sometime this week.
The Rest of Spring Break
I should also note that I had a mostly wonderful time in New Orleans [click for photos] and Austin [click for my few photos], but some things are more memorable than others. I'll fill you in on the happier parts of my spring break eventually.
Posted in on March 21, 2006, 12:16 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Barcamp New York
This weekend will be my first back in New York City for over four months, in addition to the last weekend of winter break before beginning my Spring semester. So, it's obvious what I'll be doing: spending Saturday and Sunday talking and learning about new technology at BarCampNYC.
BarCamp is an ad-hoc un-conference born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos and interaction from attendees. All attendees must give a demo, a session, or help with one.
Posted in on January 13, 2006, 02:09 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
From Florence to Baltimore
On Saturday evening, I arrived at Baltimore's Penn Station. Over 48 hours earlier, I had left Florence's airport. Quite an adventure, indeed.
Some of my friends were bumped off of the flight in Florence because too many girls had too many shoes -- so many shoes that there was a weight problem, and they had to bump people to make room for luggage. Other highlights included waiting in lines, waiting in lines, and waiting in lines.
Be on the look out for all that I've been meaning to post, but just haven't had time to.
Posted in on December 19, 2005, 11:43 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Travelogue: Thoughts on Rome
My first month in Florence has unfortunately not consisted of much travel. I went on a day trip to Lucca, and last weekend was supposed to travel to Perugia, but that fell through. So, this weekend, I decided to go to Rome. I originally was going to travel and stay with some friends, but they had to cancel because they were sick. They also cancelled the hostel reservations.
But none of this deterred me, so at 11am on Friday I walked the five blocks to Florence’s Santa Maria Novella train station, without a place to stay, people to travel with, or even a map.
It just so happened that sitting across from me were two students from Pepperdine University in California that were studying abroad for the year in Germany. Unlike me, they have traveled extensively, and had decided just the night before to travel the many hours (somewhere around 13) to Rome on the train.
They, too, had no where to stay in Rome, and immediately upon entering Rome’s giant “Termini” (train station), someone with a nametag that said “Tourist Information” came up to us and asked if we were looking for a room. He then walked us several blocks to a hostel (or, as he called it, a “bed and breakfast”) that was only €23 for one night. (And for the record, the “breakfast” aspect of the hostel consisted of orange juice and a stale croissant.)
This was actually my first time in a hostel, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. We were placed in a room with six beds (including two bunk beds). Everything seemed okay to me (they even had maps for me!), so we paid our money, showed them our passports, and went to explore Rome.
I just followed the seasoned travelers, and we saw dozens of sites, one after another. I had little knowledge of what Rome had to offer, and some of the coolest things I saw were things I didn’t even know existed!
Unfortunately, I didn’t keep track of where we went, so using my map, I’ve tried to piece together photos, memories, and names.
A few highlights, thoughts, etc:
The Vatican
I’m actually going to be spending a lot more time here when I go back to Rome this weekend for a class field trip. Somehow, our professor has gained special access to a normally restricted portion of the Vatican Museum. Regardless, I spent Saturday morning in the area near the Vatican. The plaza near St. Peter's Basilica was beautiful. The lines for the Sistine Chapel and other major tourist destinations were much too long for me to wait in, especially since I'd be going back the following week. I was surprised by the large amount of advertising in the plaza.
I tried to enter the Vatican proper, but was denied entrance by the clown-like Swiss Guards. As I approached, he made some gesture resembling a salute. I obviously didn't know the correct response, and he told me I couldn't come in. It's also possible I wasn't let in because of the bag I was carrying. I'm going to try and figure out what I need to do to get in next week.
Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II
This was one of the most incredible structures I've ever seen in my life. We first saw it while looking at the ruins of the Roman Forum, and it was one of the few buildings where we could go anywhere. It is difficult to communicate its size through words or photographs. It was apparently constructed between 1895 and 1911, in honor of King Victor Emmanuel II. It was heavily secured with Roman police, and every so often one would start blowing their whistle at someone doing something you weren't supposed to.
Fontana di Trevi
They say that you're supposed to supposed to throw a coin over your right shoulder, but I'm not sure how I could have pulled that off without hitting anyone! We were walking down a street, turned a corner, and all of the sudden, there it was.
One of the most shocking things was that as soon as you turned around, you saw a giant advertisement for a cell phone. I guess that's capitalism for you.
Changing of the Guard at the President's House
I saw a surprising amount of heavily armed authority figures throughout Rome. While standing outside of what later I learned was the President's house, I witnessed a changing of the guard. Like something out of a movie, a guy comes out and starts chanting instructions. I managed to capture some of it on video.
I go back to Rome next week, so I'll have lots more to say then!
· Rome Photoset [Flickr]
Posted in on October 02, 2005, 04:01 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Gothamist Music Interviews... Ashlee Simpson?
Is this for real? Is the most recent "Gothamist Band Interview" really with lip-syncing pop sensation Ashlee Simpson?
Did she really answer a question like this?
Q: "You know you've made it when..." you feel proud of yourself for working hard and doing the best you could do
Come on, Dobkin!
(Though, in other Gothamist news, Gothamist LLC seems to have launched a corporate site.)
Posted in on September 27, 2005, 06:46 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
What's In a Name?
Hopefully not that much.
I've always been awful at remembering names, but it's not often as embarrassing as it is now. Since arriving in Florence a little over ten days ago, I've met dozens and dozens of people. I've had trouble with almost all of their names.
Even the fifteen other people that I live with had to be patient for a few days until I finally figured out who they are. There are always those days when you pretend you know somebody else's name and you really don't. The key is to avoid embarrassment.
This problem continues to manifest itself on a daily basis. Plenty of people seem to know my name, yet I struggle to remember theirs. I’ve tried the same old suggestions: associate their name with an article of clothing, or use their name in a sentence out loud. No such luck.
So, if I forget your name, no hard feelings?
Posted in on September 13, 2005, 11:52 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
More Thoughts on San Francisco
"The coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco." -- Mark Twain
Despite San Francisco's suprising chill, I continue to have a good time exploring the west coast. Instead of stopping by the Blog Business Summit, today I played tourist and took a bunch of neat pictures.
In more useful news, WorkHappy.net, self-described "killer resources for entrepreneurs," is an excellent read for all entrepreneurs and wanna-be entrepreneurs.
Posted in on August 20, 2005, 03:05 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
ABC's Peter Jennings Tribute
I just finished watching the second half of the 2 hour, commercial-free Peter Jennings: Reporter ABC aired tonight. It was incredible. Even more surreal was hearing some of the people I worked with this past Spring talk about Peter and all he meant to them.
At the end, TV-3 (the World News Tonight/Main Studio) had its lights dimmed. A spotlight was on the anchor chair. A trumpet played the World News Tonight theme song as the camera zoomed in to the empty chair. Trying to describe this using words is such a futile attempt at communication, but it was worth a try. I hope they put parts of what aired tonight online.
I can't imagine how much work it's taken ABC News to put together a 2 hour special in just three days. I only wish I could have been one of the people that helped.
Previously: Rest in Peace, Peter Jennings
· Peter Jennings [ABC News]
· Remembering Peter: "The Most Beautiful Tribute I Have Ever Seen" [TV Newser]
Posted in on August 11, 2005, 01:04 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Terrorism in London
A friend of a friend in London was on the bus that exploded yesterday. I've highlighted him in the photo above. If he had sat several rows back...
An important reminder that everything is relative.
(click here to see a larger image)
Posted in on July 08, 2005, 03:38 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Praise The West Wing Week on Bravo!
I had my wisdom teeth removed yesterday, and I only have one thing to say: praise whomever scheduled the West Wing Week on Bravo for May 16 through May 20.
All day, every day: West Wing. Perfect.
Now if I can just get the throbbing pain out of my mouth...
Posted in on May 17, 2005, 02:18 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink
Unrealistic Expectations and Bob Jones University
I usually try and avoid having unrealistic expectations. Apparently, the good folks at Bob Jones University don't feel the same way.
They made news a few years ago for dropping a ban on interracial dating on the heels of a visit by then-newly-minted President George Bush. President Bob Jones (I wonder if there's any relation...) called it a "rule we never talk about" and besides, they "can't back it up with a verse in the Bible."
Founded in 1927, approximately 5000 (very sheltered) students attend this unaccredited institution of higher learning in South Carolina. They offer 125 majors, but the five most popular are Bible, Counseling, Elementary Education, Humanities, and Nursing. They even have an elementary school. This school is certainly a tad different than the school I currently attend. But none of this actually bothers me.
Their unrealistic "student expectations" do. Some highlights:
- From their Student Expectations page: "Dishonesty, lewdness, sensual behavior, adultery, homosexuality, sexual perversion of any kind, pornography, illegal use of drugs, and drunkenness all are clearly condemned by God's Word and prohibited here." One of those things doesn't belong with the others... (Note: Personally, I don't think many of these things are "condemned by God's word," but...)
- Students can have jobs, but they may only work in town until 10:25pm (or midnight on weekends). Freshman must have a prayer captain, assistant prayer captain, or upperclassman with them. They can't serve alcoholic beverages, and have to be home by the nightly prayer meetings. Try meeting these constraints in the real world.
- "Abercrombie & Fitch and its subsidiary Hollister have shown an unusual degree of antagonism to the name of Christ and an unusual display of wickedness in their promotions. In protest, we will not allow articles displaying their logos to be worn, carried, or displayed (even if covered or masked in some way)." (from Dress Code)
- Don't even think about using an unfiltered internet connection or e-mail account. Luckily, the big brothers at BJU will remove everything objectionable from your internet feed so you don't have to!
My buddy Mike Rundle has much more on all this. As he says:
"Listen up BJU students, this is the real world talking. There is more to life than G-rated movies and lollipops, and if you get fooled into thinking the real world will hold your hand after college then you're living on a fantasy planet. Homophobia is stupid, hateful, and wrong, and by going to school at BJU you're perpetuating an ugly part of human nature. Life is more than white people sitting around campfires singing kumbayah and practicing abstinence, and the faster you figure that out the better a world citizen you'll be."
Posted in on April 18, 2005, 11:26 PM | Comments (4) | Permalink
Live from South by Southwest Interactive
I'm currently sitting in Humor on the Web at SXSW in beautiful Austin, Texas. While this panel isn't shaping to be one of my favorites, I'm having a great time and meeting some great people.
A little later Gawker's own Ana Marie Cox (A.K.A. Wonkette) is speaking at the keynote. I've never met or seen her in real life, so that should be interesting.
Hopefully later this week I'll have some time to get my newly minted blog in shape. I suppose that means I'll have to start writing insightful things, too.
Posted in on March 14, 2005, 12:51 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
I'm a Chronic Yak Shaver
Okay, I admit it. I'm a chronic yak shaver.
You're probably a chronic yak shaver too. Here's how Seth Godin describes it:
Yak Shaving is the last step of a series of steps that occurs when you find something you need to do. "I want to wax the car today."
"Oops, the hose is still broken from the winter. I'll need to buy a new one at Home Depot."
"But Home Depot is on the other side of the Tappan Zee bridge and getting there without my EZPass is miserable because of the tolls."
"But, wait! I could borrow my neighbor's EZPass..."
"Bob won't lend me his EZPass until I return the mooshi pillow my son borrowed, though."
"And we haven't returned it because some of the stuffing fell out and we need to get some yak hair to restuff it."
And the next thing you know, you're at the zoo, shaving a yak, all so you can wax your car.
In fact, I've convinced myself that by writing this post I'll be able to close the window that had Seth's blog open and let me focus on my real task at hand. So much for that.
Posted in on March 06, 2005, 10:19 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink
