January 2009
32 posts
pi, etc.
Today is the 30th birthday of the man who holds the European record for reciting pi from memory, Daniel Paul Tammet. It took him five hours and nine minutes to recite 22,514 digits of pi (the number that begins 3.14).
He was born in London in 1979, and he grew up autistic, epileptic, and with synesthesia, a rare condition in which a person has unique sensory experiences. He wrote a memoir...
No Headphones, No Problem?
jamesnord:
I left my headphones at home and braved the morning rush hour subway sans music. It was interesting to hear all of the things I block out ever morning: offers for free health insurance, Celine Dion played on various wind instruments, the frantic clicking of a young professional’s heels and the mechanical buzz of a New York morning.
As I said, it was interesting, but I am bringing my...
Iron and Wine:
Our Endless Numbered Days
Route 22, Keswick, Virginia (between Barboursville and Shadwell)
On Lafayette b/t Bleecker and Bond Streets
whatsupstairs:
jamesnord:
erintapscott:
I was listening to M. Ward (Poor Boy, Minor Key) and it occured to me that it was absolutely the perfect song for that stretch of road. I’ve created a map on which on I will label a fitting song for a street, series of streets or interstate. If you have shared this experience please send me your pick and I will include it on the map. Right now all I have...
This is how we regularly communicate:
me: copy cat
Ryan: *hiss*swat, swat *HISS
me: *hiss HISS HISS Spit
Ryan: *deep, gutteral meow, hiss, HISSSSSS, SWAT
On Lafayette b/t Bleecker and Bond Streets
I was listening to M. Ward (Poor Boy, Minor Key) and it occured to me that it was absolutely the perfect song for that stretch of road. I’ve created a map on which on I will label a fitting song for a street, series of streets or interstate. If you have shared this experience please send me your pick and I will include it on the map. Right now all I have is an actual paper map. Once...
I don’t care what anyone says, it is impossible not to smile at someone carrying 30 balloons.
Finally some good news:
Today the House Appropriations Committee released an $825 billion economic recovery package. Included in the proposed bill is an infusion of $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (in addition to its annual appropriations) to specifically preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support. The House plan proposes additional ...
It's a different kind of day in New York
it’s the kind of day when the thought of reaching into my pocket to change the song on my ipod while walking to the train seems so unpleasant that I don’t, when my pants feel like aluminum foil against my skin, when I’m not bothered by the two sprawl-legged, large men between whom I am sitting on the train (I want to ask them to move closer), when each breath in the outdoors, if...
From Our Endless Numbered Days
Will you say when I’m gone away ‘Your father’s body was judgement day We both dove and rose to the riverside” Will you say to me when I’m gone “Your face has faded but lingers on Because light strikes a deal with each coming night”
This album by Iron and Wine is still one of my favorites. It reminds me of many things, but mostly of being home. This song...
lists
It’s worth considering what you would include (and exclude) from a list of your daily activities: the places you go, your thoughts, things that you buy, conversations you have, etc. A segment on This American Life featured a man who had maintained a list of his daily activities for over 50 years, since he was 10. He colored coded the items: black = normal, blue = very good, red = bad, and...
yesterday:
woke up to the sound of my cell phone alarm clock
fed cricket
turned on the coffee pot
washed a few dishes
woke up ryan
meditated for 13 minutes
checked email, blogs, etc. fro 45 minutes
showered, dressed
walked to 6 train, at 110th street, took train to Spring Street (listened to last week’s This American Life, which was all about numbers and quantifying things, was inspired to give...
Even when I feel like I've done nothing...
I’ve actually done quite a lot. Last night Ryan was recounting parts of his latest immunobiology lecture and explained to me that the immune system is composed of two parts: the innate and adaptive. The adaptive immune system consists of T-Cells, antibodies and the like. The compliment system is one component of the innate immune system. Essentially, it is a “death by default...
Gross oversight:
The Pointer Sisters released “I’m so excited” in 1982—not Whitney Houston. In my mind’s eye, I was thinking of the Whitney Houston music video, “I just wanna dance with somebody (who loves me)”—the one where she is wearing white overalls and throwing paint around a room. While the energy of the video encompasses that certain je ne sais quoi...
NY Mag's Reasons to Love NY:
Because of that crazy man who owns the Doughnut Plant. I love that guy.
Because our mayor works for $1 a year.
Because people get emotional if you offer up your seat in the subway.
Because of Fairway in the late afternoon. Central Park in the morning. Times Square at 4 a.m. Hudson River Park nearing sunset. Downtown on Friday night. Koreatown. Michael Musto. Union Square.
Because Bleecker...
