short notes:
will brady's ruminations
will brady's ruminations
2008-06-06
in memorium
Mitch Deighan lost his partner, Mike Anderson on Saturday, May 24th, 2008. They were together for 30 years
Mitch showed me Northern Liberties, a section of Philadelphia no far from Independence Hall, some years back and I marveled at the transformation of an area that I remembered from childhood as an all-but-lost slums. That brick wall was made by Mike and Mitch Deighan. The doorway was patterned after one of the portals on Independence Hall, a few blocks south.
I know that Mike had to have had a lot to say with Mitch for them to have been so committed to being part of the diligent re-colonizers that have revitalized the area over the decades.
Mitch showed me Northern Liberties, a section of Philadelphia no far from Independence Hall, some years back and I marveled at the transformation of an area that I remembered from childhood as an all-but-lost slums. That brick wall was made by Mike and Mitch Deighan. The doorway was patterned after one of the portals on Independence Hall, a few blocks south.
I know that Mike had to have had a lot to say with Mitch for them to have been so committed to being part of the diligent re-colonizers that have revitalized the area over the decades.
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE NORTHERN LIBERTIES AREA SEE: Wikipedia's NL link, northern liberties.org's community bulletin board or thw Northerm Liberties Neighborhood Association.
Labels: Mike Anderson, Mitch Deighan, Northern Liberties, Orkney Street
¶ 06:54 0 comments
2008-06-04
websurfing
Sites I've stumbled across recently
From We Make Money Not Art an essay by Juan Freire about The use [or lack of use] of public spaces. "The Commons" often referred to places shared by mutual ownership by everyone. Oft-times left unmanaged [and poorly taken care of] capitalists have been quick to advocate the privatization of publicly held lands, selling off to the highest bidder and taking them out of the public domain. Yet such can be the worst thing to happen...
Street art exhibitions at the Tate Modern as captured on Flickr. Taggers and other graffiti artists get their fifteen minutes of fame and use some eight storey wallscapes for canvas. Neat! [see the image to the left]
Wood Gas gets promoted at Green Trust and Woodgas.net, which links to a Yahoo discussion group that is nice enough to host the FEMA Wood Gas Manual. This is not high-technology. A person with some basic skills in mechanics, engine maintenance; with a knowledge of welding and puttering around could do this. The use of supplying fuel from wood may certainly help some, but not everyone will be able or interested... and I'm certain the 21st century Yuppies will object to the idea. The subject is fraught with misconceptions, and it just won't seem aesthetically pleasing to some. For the rest of us... have at it, I say.
Have troubles with friends and family? Imagine getting along with others while living on Mars. Forget about running down to the store for a litre of milk. Out in space, you are really on your own.
"Abnormal radiation occurances" involving nuclear waste materials in 2007. I can't recall how frequently I schedule accidents myself, but it's nice to know the Nuclear Regulatory Commission keeps track of those that, apparently, had not been planned. Courtesy of Cryptome [whose web owner periodically receives visits from the FBI, CIA and NSA unannounced] who found it published in the Federal Register.
Sites I've stumbled across recently From We Make Money Not Art an essay by Juan Freire about The use [or lack of use] of public spaces. "The Commons" often referred to places shared by mutual ownership by everyone. Oft-times left unmanaged [and poorly taken care of] capitalists have been quick to advocate the privatization of publicly held lands, selling off to the highest bidder and taking them out of the public domain. Yet such can be the worst thing to happen... Street art exhibitions at the Tate Modern as captured on Flickr. Taggers and other graffiti artists get their fifteen minutes of fame and use some eight storey wallscapes for canvas. Neat! [see the image to the left] Wood Gas gets promoted at Green Trust and Woodgas.net, which links to a Yahoo discussion group that is nice enough to host the FEMA Wood Gas Manual. This is not high-technology. A person with some basic skills in mechanics, engine maintenance; with a knowledge of welding and puttering around could do this. The use of supplying fuel from wood may certainly help some, but not everyone will be able or interested... and I'm certain the 21st century Yuppies will object to the idea. The subject is fraught with misconceptions, and it just won't seem aesthetically pleasing to some. For the rest of us... have at it, I say. Have troubles with friends and family? Imagine getting along with others while living on Mars. Forget about running down to the store for a litre of milk. Out in space, you are really on your own. "Abnormal radiation occurances" involving nuclear waste materials in 2007. I can't recall how frequently I schedule accidents myself, but it's nice to know the Nuclear Regulatory Commission keeps track of those that, apparently, had not been planned. Courtesy of Cryptome [whose web owner periodically receives visits from the FBI, CIA and NSA unannounced] who found it published in the Federal Register.Labels: alternative fuels, public ownership, public spaces, street art, web surfing, wood gas
¶ 23:22 0 comments
cell phone photography
Cell phone pictures seem to be a bit like having a trusty Eastman Kodak Brownie available to snap an image whenever one pleases. Here's a few samples:
at the gas station
tchotskes
paperwork
the wrestler
soap
cocks and boxing
at the gas station
tchotskes
paperwork
the wrestler
soap
cocks and boxing
Labels: brownie cameras, cell phones, photography
¶ 22:43 0 comments
overcoming prejudice
Coming soon, he is awaiting a shipment of bumper stickers but can likely produce t-shirts individually. This summer he and a friend hope to get either the y-hate site or his own web log to evolve to a bona-fide website complete with product and shopping cart to sell his original wares. Watch for it.
My son, Gareth, maintains a site called Y Hate. It's kind of a hobby, but the site also provides him an outlet for showing off his creative sidelines. He has plans in the works to start promoting a whole line of t-shirts, stamps, decals, bumper stickers and... [you'll probably never guess this] custom made lunch bags.
Coming soon, he is awaiting a shipment of bumper stickers but can likely produce t-shirts individually. This summer he and a friend hope to get either the y-hate site or his own web log to evolve to a bona-fide website complete with product and shopping cart to sell his original wares. Watch for it.
Labels: diversity, gareth brady, human rights, tolerance
¶ 22:18 0 comments
holocaust memories
The bicycle has a note on it that says "Jews must hand in their bicycles". Provided by Darrel English, who is a collector of memorabilia from the World War II era. 
One of the visitors to the exhibit, in front of a display about Oskar Schindler. This was one of the displays created by one of Mr. Little's 8th grade students.
The Final Solution [above + below] is another eight grader's project on the subject.
The Zyklon gas container label was part of MANY artifacts provided by Darrel English of North Adams.
"Gestapo" is an eighth grade student project making use of artifacts from Darrel English's collection.
"The Klansman" [also put together by one of the students] was part of a display about current day prejudice, hatred and Nazi support.
In the tiny hamlet of Clarksburg, Massachusetts a Holocaust Remembrance was held. This is put on annually by an eighth grade school teacher, Michael Little, and his 8th grade students. He has received national attention/recognition from this.
My friend and photo mentor Ian Grey took pictures of this year's one-day presentation at Clarksburg school last May 21st. Ian has consented to let me show his photos of this year's exhibit.
My friend and photo mentor Ian Grey took pictures of this year's one-day presentation at Clarksburg school last May 21st. Ian has consented to let me show his photos of this year's exhibit.
The bicycle has a note on it that says "Jews must hand in their bicycles". Provided by Darrel English, who is a collector of memorabilia from the World War II era. 
One of the visitors to the exhibit, in front of a display about Oskar Schindler. This was one of the displays created by one of Mr. Little's 8th grade students.
The Final Solution [above + below] is another eight grader's project on the subject.
The Zyklon gas container label was part of MANY artifacts provided by Darrel English of North Adams.
"Gestapo" is an eighth grade student project making use of artifacts from Darrel English's collection.
"The Klansman" [also put together by one of the students] was part of a display about current day prejudice, hatred and Nazi support. While it is generally accepted that the WWII Holocaust was about Hitler's zeal at committing genocide against the Jews. Such may be. But it is never lost on me that before the Jews were exterminated, it was people who were living in asylums as mentally ill, or with physical disabilities, who were first gassed to death; a prelude, perhaps, to gauging public acceptance to mass extinctions.
Humanity cannot forget, ever, atrocities such as the Holocaust, as well as more recent genocidal acts, be it the citizens of Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge; or Slobodan Milosevic's actions against Bosnian Muslims; to the genocide in Darfur; even of the almost totally ignored mistreatment, torture and murder by neglect of countless immigrants in American containment camps.
War crimes should be unacceptable regardless of who the perpetrators may be. Tribunals to hold those so implicated accountable, while at times as jarring as the awareness of the acts themselves, must also continue to be held, whether the venue be in Nuremberg, the Hague, Pretoria, Washington, DC, Bejing or Dubai.
Humanity cannot forget, ever, atrocities such as the Holocaust, as well as more recent genocidal acts, be it the citizens of Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge; or Slobodan Milosevic's actions against Bosnian Muslims; to the genocide in Darfur; even of the almost totally ignored mistreatment, torture and murder by neglect of countless immigrants in American containment camps.
War crimes should be unacceptable regardless of who the perpetrators may be. Tribunals to hold those so implicated accountable, while at times as jarring as the awareness of the acts themselves, must also continue to be held, whether the venue be in Nuremberg, the Hague, Pretoria, Washington, DC, Bejing or Dubai.
Labels: atrocities, genocide, holocaust, war crimes, world history
¶ 16:27 0 comments
water
We are in the middle of getting a new well drilled. We hired John Sima from Cheshire. The rig displayed here goes up above the tree tops, and I'm told is one of Sima's smaller rigs.
Don't yet know how far down we have to go before hooking into an acceptable aquifer but we'll find out. A neighbor a quarter mile north had to go down 320 feet but got a good supply.
The yard is in chaos but I don't know how that could have been avoided. Our property is on a series of narrow terraces, and abutted with a 200 ft hight cliff on the eastern side. A road cuts through the property with s concrete and stone retaining wall limited access from the east side of the land. There is, quite literally, only one place where the drilling rig can make it on to the property, and even that location required prep work before the drilling could get started.
The well drilling process is messy but as long as we get the desired result, namely a fresh continuous flow of water, I'll be happy.
When the project is completed, we'll have two working wells; the shallow dug well [that is no deeper than 11 feet] and the drilled well. Both shall be hooked up together but will be able to be run separately. We'll likely use the dug well for yard and garden needs.
We are in the middle of getting a new well drilled. We hired John Sima from Cheshire. The rig displayed here goes up above the tree tops, and I'm told is one of Sima's smaller rigs.Don't yet know how far down we have to go before hooking into an acceptable aquifer but we'll find out. A neighbor a quarter mile north had to go down 320 feet but got a good supply.
The yard is in chaos but I don't know how that could have been avoided. Our property is on a series of narrow terraces, and abutted with a 200 ft hight cliff on the eastern side. A road cuts through the property with s concrete and stone retaining wall limited access from the east side of the land. There is, quite literally, only one place where the drilling rig can make it on to the property, and even that location required prep work before the drilling could get started.
The well drilling process is messy but as long as we get the desired result, namely a fresh continuous flow of water, I'll be happy.
When the project is completed, we'll have two working wells; the shallow dug well [that is no deeper than 11 feet] and the drilled well. Both shall be hooked up together but will be able to be run separately. We'll likely use the dug well for yard and garden needs.
Labels: home life, water, water supply, well drilling
¶ 13:41 0 comments
The Moodus Sportsmans' Club Shad Bake
Part of the view from the Sportsman's Club
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 food begins to be served at noon. Come early and visit with friends and neighbors. Meet new people in town. Enjoy the view.
If fish is not your favorite, not to worry. We'll have plenty to eat in addition, including chowder, chicken, smoked turkey, coleslaw, venison chili and much more! You won't be going away hungry.
Tickets are $20 adults; $17 seniors; $6 for kids under 12 or stop at the Moodus Package Store for tickets. Contact any MSC member in advance and get a [slightly] reduced price.
Getting to the Sportsman's Club
Click on this link for directions from the Connecticut River. For directions from Colchester, CT and East Hampton, CT [or anywhere from Route 2] check this mapquest directional guide.
Once you get to the club we ask you follow the directions of our parking crew when you get there. The shad bake is our best attended event and we plan the parking accordingly. Don't park in senior / handicapped parking without speaking with the parking crew.
Part of the view from the Sportsman's Club
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 food begins to be served at noon. Come early and visit with friends and neighbors. Meet new people in town. Enjoy the view. If fish is not your favorite, not to worry. We'll have plenty to eat in addition, including chowder, chicken, smoked turkey, coleslaw, venison chili and much more! You won't be going away hungry.
Tickets are $20 adults; $17 seniors; $6 for kids under 12 or stop at the Moodus Package Store for tickets. Contact any MSC member in advance and get a [slightly] reduced price.
Getting to the Sportsman's Club
Click on this link for directions from the Connecticut River. For directions from Colchester, CT and East Hampton, CT [or anywhere from Route 2] check this mapquest directional guide.
Once you get to the club we ask you follow the directions of our parking crew when you get there. The shad bake is our best attended event and we plan the parking accordingly. Don't park in senior / handicapped parking without speaking with the parking crew.
Labels: connecticut, fesitvals, june, moodus sportsmans club, shad bake
¶ 08:57 0 comments
