Findings: 008 November 19, 2009
Posted by Anthony Closkey in Boxes.Tags: architecture, learning, questions
6 comments
I just don’t understand learning without asking questions.
I really don’t learn much from lectures, webinars, and just hate step-by-step tutorials.
I think this is why I have so much trouble reading. By “trouble reading” I mean reading anything. Text books, news, fiction, whatever. If information is presented to me one way, I really have to ask a question to get it presented to me another way, that way I’ll understand the information as, like, the “space between” the two. Does that make sense? You want me to say that another way?
I also like diagrams and physical models I can turn around, flip over, squint my eyes at, and look at from ground level. (If you think your kid will go to graduate school anyway, you should send them to architecture school for their bachelors degree. It’s the best!)
I’ve been struggling lately with how much I talk at every meeting I attend. I’ve tried to keep my mouth shut, and I can’t understand how anyone does it. How can you listen to anyone make a point, or instruct you to do a thing, and yet not ask a question or further the discussion? It’s impossible!
Alternatively, I’m thinking meditation will help. Your thoughts?
Wonderful photos of raised hands not included as Flickr and WordPress are not getting along today!
Findings: 007 November 18, 2009
Posted by Anthony Closkey in Boxes.Tags: lists, Music
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In addition to the music we own, the way we think to subdivide our music gives a number of clues into our perspective of language, gender, race, and emotion, as well as our work habits.
What do you see here? What do you see in your own playlists?
List Title: artists
Britty: Arctic Monkeys, Ballboy, Blur, Frightened Rabbit, Kate Nash, Keane, The Kooks, Lilly Allen, a few various compilation artists
Necessary Hip Hop: Black Star, K’naan, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Organized Konfusion, Restiform Bodies, The Roots, Talib Kweli, a few various compilation artists
Not-English: Aaron Copland, Antonio Vivaldi, Billy Novick, Bucky Pizzarelli, Django Reibhardt, Francoise Hardy, Bella Fleck, Gipsy Kings, Sigur Ros, Paco Capero, Thom Yorke, a few various compilation artists
Quirky: Amanda Palmer, Carpenters, Nellie McKay, Pomplamoose, She & Him, St. Vincent, Amiee Mann
Sleater Clinic Dolls: Sleater Kinney, Clinic, The Dresden Dolls
The Slimmest Brothers On Earth: The Avett Brothers, The Everybodyfields, John Denver, Justin Townes Earle, Langhorne Slim, Paul Clayton, The Tallest Man On Earth, Johnny Cash, Loudon Wainwright III, Lyle Lovett, a few various compilation artists
We’re Just A Minute Lizard: Fugazi, The Jesus Lizard, Minor Threat, Minutemen
Also…
Josh Sager – Brown eyed girl
Findings: 006 November 15, 2009
Posted by Anthony Closkey in Boxes.Tags: lessons, Music, tuck andress
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I wish the internet was 15 to 20 years ahead of schedule.
If I’d known more music as a teenager I’d have better picked up what my very jazzy guitar teacher was puttin’ down. Sadly, growing up under a musical rock, I knew mostly Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Beatles, and Clapton. Somehow I think Tuck Andress would have kept my head in the game.
Tuck Andress – Man in the Mirror
A Better Flash Mob November 12, 2009
Posted by Anthony Closkey in Boxes.Tags: flash mobs, musicals
1 comment so far
I don’t like musicals. The dancing is pretty silly and never moves me. The stories are ok, but not worth it becasue the lyrics drive me nuts! For similar reasons, I don’t enjoy the all-singing all-dancing flash mobs of the world.
This, however, is totally awesome! (Sure, it’s a movie and music video, but this is what those flash mobs think they look like, isn’t it?)
Best Coast | When I’m With You
via I Prefer Your Earlier Work
I Want Magnets November 12, 2009
Posted by Anthony Closkey in Boxes.Tags: bucky balls, fun, games, in this economy, loving, magnets
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It’s been ten years since I began developing my theories on piles of teeny tiny parts magnetically arranging and rearranging themselves from building scaffolding, to structure, to skin and mechanical systems. It seems someone has generously produced a visual aid to help explain. Thanks!
This begins as one of the more annoying videos you’ll ever see, so skip ahead to just the game.
If you didn’t skip ahead, I’d like to share a couple reactions to the first part of that video. Can we please stop all the “in this economy” stuff? If we’re interested in really connecting with folks and family, we’re always willing to do it better and cheaper, no matter what your bank is calling you about. And along with this, please stop describing anyone as “fun-loving.” Everyone loves fun.
Findings: 005 November 12, 2009
Posted by Anthony Closkey in Boxes.Tags: babies, diapers, mom, technology
4 comments
A majority of the people I know were diapered with cloth!
I had this revelation a couple days ago and called my mother to confirm when she, a mother of 5 diapering kids from the mid sixties to the early eighties, made the switch. She happened to be at her bridge club, so she could consult a roomful of peers to recall when they’d made the switch. Apparently, even as late as the early seventies mothers would still use the cloth as the disposables were expensive, and did not absorb well.
Amazing.
I was recently admiring the baskets, car seats, and carriages that transport all the babies I know. It’s hard to imagine how people handled their kids without these plastic Jetsons pods and the sport-utility spaceships to tow them home. Of course, back when I was watching Hannah Barbara, I was pushed about in what seamed like a hammock made from blue jeans and umbrella parts.
The Baseball Post November 6, 2009
Posted by Anthony Closkey in Boxes.Tags: baseball, bobbleheadshrink, jack wilson, pirates
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I don’t talk about baseball much anymore. After several years, I determined my enthusiasm for and thoughts on the game would never align with other Pirates fans. Besides, while the game is great, the discussion hardly changes over time. I said my peace years ago.
Jack Wilson was one of the reasons I became obsessed with baseball starting in 2001. In 2009 I’m still apologizing for every single move the Pirates make. Jack Flash, as he’s called was able to make even a bad team (because of bad pitchers) enjoyable at their worst (when pitching) with his amazing defense. Every night he delivers a play in the field more magical than any three-run home run.
So it was pretty sad when the Bucs traded him at the trade deadline. Worse yet, they traded him from the National League to the American League, in his best year of work, defensively, thus removing him from Gold Glove cosideration.
Shortstop – Jack Wilson, Pittsburgh and Seattle
Wilson won’t win a Gold Glove this year. Just like Mark Teixeira didn’t win one last year. He split time between leagues, and the Gold Glove voters don’t know which league to put him in. Not so with The Fielding Bible Awards. Jack Wilson was the best shortstop in baseball last year. Period. We don’t care which league he played in. He led all shortstops in Run Saved by a wide margin (27 runs saved to Brendan Ryan’s 19) and has taken over the MLB lead for most Runs Saved over the last three years (51). Mr. Wilson is the Fielding Bible Award winner at shortstop for 2009.
It’s’ a fact. This was his most amazing year.
Field Bible Award was found via the excellent Bucs Dugout
Findings: 004 November 5, 2009
Posted by Anthony Closkey in Boxes.Tags: College Basketball, Langhorne Slim, NFL
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The NFL season is way too long. In my opinion it’s drags worse than baseball and hockey, even. College Basketball is perfect little package, both in length of game and season.
My frustration may have something to do with my six game losing streak in fantasy football.
I named my team the War Eagles, for the sole purpose of using this picture as my team avatar.
Hey, another Blogfest is coming up. Remember last year when I sang? Here’s the video…
Kung Fu Grippe November 4, 2009
Posted by Anthony Closkey in Boxes.Tags: Captain Beefheart, gijoe, merlin mann, ylnt
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A couple weeks ago I turned a friend’s email asking “What is knowledge and how do you know when you’ve acquired it?” into some of the most unwieldy cocktail chatter in history. I found a great cure for this epidemic in Merlin Mann’s description of the how people progress from beginner to expert to master (NSFW), which is where much of my knowledge chatter ended up, inevitably. He also includes a great explanation of why creative people have to “waste time” as part of their “work.” (If you have 40+ minutes, it’s a video anyone can appreciate.)
I’m overwhelmed by his tumblr feed, but lately I’ve worked through it because of how closely his musical interests align with my own. Specifically, I direct you to today’s post about Paul McCartney impersonating Ron Mael from Sparks. Merlin also co-hosts the podcast You Look Nice Today. I’m listening to the back catalog as therapy to overcome my anxiety with constantly interrupting and talking over other people. But Merlin is funny and smart when he interrupts, so it’s a lovely podcast, and you should consider subscribing.
There’s also this Captain Beefheart video, which you know I cannot resist posting.
Captain Beefheart – Bat Chain Puller
An aside: This is called Kung Fu Grippe because that’s the name of Merlin’s blog, but it reminded me of the G.I. Joe movie I finally saw. The movie was so awesomely bad, in part because it forced mentions of the G.I. Joe toys (like the “kung fu grip”) and incorporated impractical technology only because they were iconic vehicles in the toy series. This absurdity made the movie an overall better experience than Transformers, save for Megan Fox.
