There are a lot of nice examples out there, that I can't think of at the moment... I'm sure the one or two people reading this probably won't find this post very interesting anyway....and I doubt the concrete aesthetic would be to their liking (I'm referring to Stan here, who's more of a farmhouse/Irish countryside kinda gal).
m
P.S. this is cool. I felt like a boss when I saw it because I could identify 5/6 of them.
Today Stan invited herself over (that said she's welcome any time). She was a horrible house guest (I was terribly offended when she wouldn't accept any of my food offerings - especially considering that when I go to her house I eat like a mad dawg). She cut my hair (nothing too dramatic, just a nice trim)...Zooey Deschanel bangs were considered but the internet informed us it might not be appropriate for my face shape. (maybe something I would try out at the beginning of a uni break so, if disastrous it could grow out before human interaction was necessary) If I ever get Z-Deschanel bangs, I will pose like bottom left. To be honest, I probably couldn't pull it off. I love Zooey though (Stan secretly always has too) ...500 days of Summer, She&Him, New Girl, etc rank among my favourites... Watched re-runs of New Girl after dinner tonight... at my wedding I would like to do the modified chicken dance, with pecking included.
Whilst she cut my hair, I wore a makeshift hair-dresser's cape/robe (?) i.e. a garbage bag with a head hole. It was attractive. Afterwards we had microwave-steamed red bean buns for lunch and watched 'Let me in'.
'I'M SORY ABBY'
I actually enjoyed it. As the DVD cover said, Stephen King called it the best horror film in 20 yrs (or something to that effect)...I don't necessarily agree with this, however I found it to be an enjoyable/interesting film to watch. The friendship between the boy and girl was sweet, and there was plenty of suspenseful music, etc typical of this genre. As someone who rarely watches scary movies/horror, I would say it was suitable... hasn't left me scared to venture to the hallway alone in the dark or anything, it was more interesting in a dark sort of way, than terrifying...kind of like Stephen King's novels, in that sense. I liked it. (especially the leading kid's sense of rhythm...tappin to the beat yo, gotta get that ambience right)... Afterwards we got our UNO on, went through old photos, and played some pool. Stan was surprisingly good for someone who never plays...that said hitting the right ball was considered an accomplishment. Naturally I won. (chyeah) Had a nice day. Highlights: when Stan bumped her head on one of my bed poles while trying to acquire chewing gum from her bag, her 'spear-fishing-type' grasp of the pool stick and one of the times when she totally missed the white ball. Anyway, was more enjoyable than how I otherwise would have spent my day... for future reference though, if I offer you my food, I LEGIT want you to eat it. (otherwise I wouldn't offer it and would eat it all by myself)
Today Stan, Big Michelle, Kid Kavi and I went for a walk (albeit a walk to browse stationery and acquire food, but a walk nonetheless) After much deliberation in the chair section of our local office supplies store we decided to lunch at the local Vietnamese restaurant. Initially I was unsure if I'd be able to get anything decent there (the reason why I suggest we dine at the Indian restaurant instead, as I only recalled there being one or two vegetarian options at the Viet one) but I ended up finding something and enjoyed it.
Big Michelle's (a pork chop or something of that nature)
Stan and Kid Kavi opted for the traditional phở (though I don't think they enjoyed the fattiness of the beef very much) It looked pretty legit though (like how my family would make it, except it had more chives and less coriander, and lacked suspicious animal parts).
I had Vegetable Phad Thai. Was nice.
I appreciated the two pieces of broccoli on the plate. (broccoli being the unanimous favourite vegetable of our group)
My only regret was being too full for fried ice cream afterwards (if only a vegetarian companion had been there/someone willing to split my meat free dish - in which case I could have had room for this dessert). That said, I respect that the portions were quite generous for the price, and from a health perspective it's better that I didn't indulge. On that note, Kid Kavi and Big Michelle went for soft serves immediately after lunch (I LOVE dessert, but I've never been able to understand how people can have it immediately after the main meal...I need at least 30-60 minutes to clense my palette and let my food settle, alternatively, I prefer to go for dessert first - prioritise, yo) So we sat and chilled under a tree, was nice. (despite a moderate fear of the cars driving by)
High point of the day was when Big Michelle looked away and Kid Kavi literally ate half of her soft serve in one mouthful. (knew there was a reason I approved of this kid)
...However when Big M was taking a photo of us, he did note the 'littlemishelle face', which apparently is an angry smile, thus confirming my theory that, like Tina Fey, I have 'shark eyes', whereby I look angry/stoned unless I open my eyes really wide (in which case I look spazzy/psychotic). Guess that's just my natural face, yo.
I appreciate how this program is addressing/exploring social and cultural issues within Australia that the majority of the population are apparently oblivious of, or choose to disregard. Racism towards Indians and Muslims, the persecution of refugees, crime, the conditions of Indigenous Australians, 'Bogan' culture and same-sex relationships are all topics of discussion, that should all be afforded more consideration by the average Australian. (well, the human rights related issues, at least) The issues are complex and generally lack a clear solution, however I can make no sense of racism, *commence rant* how we can stand by idly while innocent men, women and children are being locked in detention centres (without any of the legal rights afforded to criminals), how the government (still) is not adequately addressing problems of housing, education and health for indigenous australians (and NO the Northern Intervention policy does NOT qualify as a viable solution) ... and seriously. How, in the 21st century are we still not recognising same sex relationships as legitimate?
A while ago I casually mentioned to my two best friends that I wouldn't get married until marriage equality was achieved. They were actually shocked. (which I was REALLY surprised by... wouldn't this seem typical of littlemishelle the hippy?) Anyway, of all the injustices that this great nation boasts (and don't get me wrong, while I'm far from a Nationalist, I am grateful to live here and recognise that things could be a lot worse) the issue of marriage equality seems to be the easiest to address. (just legally permit it - duh?) While homophobia and discrimination against LGBTI individuals may not be eliminated by this, it would be a major stepping stone, and an action that would speak louder than empty words, that suggest Australia is the 'land of a fair go', where people of all descriptions are accepted and tolerance prevails.
I may not have the knowledge base that some of my friends possess on human rights issues, but I do feel that I have a fairly good grasp of 'right and wrong'. While I generally maintain the view that everyone has a reason for acting as they do, and holding certain beliefs and convictions (context/nurture and all that tabula rasa/social conditioning shiz that we studied in lit - Frankenstein anyone?) I find it so difficult to understand how some people feel that just because of the position that they (by chance) were born into; the race, gender, sexual orientation, class, etc that they were dealt somehow puts them above another. It just doesn't make sense. There are so many things about the human race that I cannot understand.
*end rant* sorry about that...
Anyway, the initial intention of this post was to recommend this show to you. I think Little S and a few others (actually have no idea if anyone reads this) would appreciate it.
...don't be concerned...I'm sure my next post will be food photos/architecture/music related...
Here is a photo (for some comic relief) I took a while ago of some clothing tags I found amusing.
Had a nice picnic lunch with some homies today (Stan, Little s, Meg, Big Michelle). I always eat too much at these things though. (when I hang with friends it's as if all the self control/health-consciousness that I usually possess disappears)
The menu comprised of:
- a dip quad (really a dip trio as the french onion had already been consumed and became home to an ant)
- finely chopped carrot sticks
- jatz original biscuits
- homebrand pretzels (guess who brought these - they were leftovers too - represent.)
- asian 'nine layered cake'
- Bánh Khoai Mì Nướng (Cassava
Cake) (is what the label told me, but I think this is incorrect?...lets just refer to it as coconut worms)
- homemade oatmeal and 'raisin' (sultana) cookies (a favourite of my dear friend, Meg, who LOVES sultanas, so much so that she has been known to store them in her jumper sleaves for easy access)
- cashew cookies
- jackfruit chips
FOOD.
COOKIES.
Why is this photo not the same size as the others?? This is bothering me.
So we ate, talked and enjoyed the lovely weather. (one of the local residents/by-passers even admired our picnic and noted the nice weather) Big M was fashionably late as usual. (can depend on this as much as I can depend on Stan's admirable punctuality) After Meg's departure, some local youths/hooligans were hanging around. Poor lil s looked quite intimidated (I insisted that us 4 little asian girls were highly intimidating and capable of defending ourselves against some dodgy looking 5 yr olds, if it came to that) Then after eating all this food, I came home and sat down in front of my computer (obviously to burn off all the calories/fat/whatever I just consumed)
Was a nice day...gonna miss these chill catch ups once uni goes back. Only have a week or so left. Sigh.
I others news, after much deliberation, I decided to participate in this architecture event that's happening in a few weeks, where teams comprising of 3 students and 3 professionals are put together, given a brief and are to use a set of recycled materials, to design/build (at 1:1 scale) elements of a bar. (in a day) It sounds really interesting. I'll probably be super intimidated (don't think I'll know anyone else there) but I've decided it would be good to open myself up to new experiences....and who knows, I could meet my future employer there! I'm becoming increasingly concerned about my lack of connections, and as much as I hate this idea, I know it is important to network, in this profession. I'm only 2nd year, so I think I have plenty of time...but regardless I think it sounds pretty cool/fun.
ALSO yesterday I purchased tickets for Lil S and I to see Regina Spektor at the end of the year. Am SO EXCITED for this.
'All the Rowboats', single from her new album, 'What we saw from the cheap seats'. (might be what my friend Wynn was refering to when she said she wasn't keen on her new stuff, but I feel like RSpekt can do no wrong)
As I was telling Stan the other day, my cousins and the kids at my workplace are a constant source of amusement. The things kids come out with can be quite hilar... to fully appreciate most of these conversations you would have had to be there, however I thought I'd share them anyway...
Babysitting my cousins; Bella (about 4 yrs old) and Lily (5 yrs old).
*Bella reaches into a bag that my Aunty had packed for them. Pulls out drink bottle and goes to take a sip.*
Bella: MUMMY FORGETS ME WATER!!! DDDD':
Me: Don't worry it will be alright. We have water at our house too! I'll fill it up for you.
She sounded absolutely terrified. (like her mother had let her down) The tone of desperation/sadness/disappointment (as if she were going to die, from dehydration) was highly amusing.
Moving from one game/toy to another...
Me: Bella, do you wanna help me pack these up? (read: help me pack this up, kid)
Bella: No, thankyou :)
Her response sounded so sweet and innocent, as if she were grateful for the offer, but would prefer to decline.
Watching the Lion King, stampede scene when Simba goes down to find Mufasa dead. (don't let the children see me cry!!) We were all sitting on the floor.
*Lily looks sad and comes and sits with me, Bella is already on my lap*
Lily: I don't like this part :( (in a soft voice)
Bella: I like this part. (matter of factly)
LOL.
Bella is an adorable dag. When they dropped by yesterday Bella was really tired and insisted on keeping her Dumbo blanket over her head the whole time. She was sitting on my Aunty's lap and would randomly giggle under the blanket. She also does this thing when she's tired, where if my Aunty asks her if she wants to go walk to the car she will claim 'My legs don't work!' :O. She's cheeky, but so darn cute she can sometimes get away with it. My Aunty recently got her a new pair of shoes (her 'special shoes') and Bella would carry the shoebox around with her, and put them in there when she takes them off ('so I don't lose them').
That is all for now. I'm sure there are many other amusing moments that I can't think of right now, but I'm pretty sure no one, besides myself, would be very amused by these anyway.
For my most recent studio/folio project I was looking at light filtration/quality and one of the projects that I stumbled upon was this. Something about this project was really appealing to me. Here light has been used to reflect colour into a space...something about Holl's use of form and the spatial qualities of his buildings is really nice. IN CONCLUSION, STEVEN HOLL IS A BOSS.
D.E. SHAW & CO. OFFICES
New York, NY, United States, 1991-1992
PROGRAM: reception area, offices, conference rooms, and trading area for digital trading company
CLIENT: DE Shaw
SIZE: 10,561 sf
STATUS: completed
The top two floors of a midtown Manhattan skyscraper are the site of an experimental project exploring the phenomena of spatial color reflection or "projected color". D.E. Shaw & Co., a financial trading firm works with the miniscule drift of prices for financial instruments measured over short intervals of time. This curious and intangible business program has a parallel in the design concept of the interior. The metal framing and sheet - rock with skim - coat plaster was carved and notched at precise points around the central 31 - foot cube of space at the entry. Color has been applied to the back or bottom surfaces of these notches, invisible to the viewer within the space. Natural and artificial lights project this color back into the space around walls and fissures.
'Holl first shaped architecture to give substance to light in the unlikely confines of an office interior within an anonymous New York City office building, the headquarters for D.E. Shaw. Apertures with layered, back-painted surrounds split daylight into its constituent colors and refracted it into glowing beams'. -James S. Russell, Architectural Record, January, 2001
PROGRAM: temporary exhibition galleries, 150 seat auditorium, music rehearsal rooms, restaurant, media library and administrative offices
CLIENT: Herning Center of the Arts
SIZE: 5600 sm
STATUS: completed
The Herning Center of the Arts unites, for the first time, three distinct cultural institutions: the Herning Art Museum, the MidWest Ensemble and the Socle du Monde. The new Center is intended to be an innovative forum combining visual art and music. The design fuses landscape and architecture in a one-level building that will include permanent and temporary exhibition galleries, a 150-seat auditorium, music rehearsal rooms, a restaurant, a media library, administrative offices and an active landscape. The design for the center aims at "building the site". In transforming the flat field, a new 40,000 sf. landscape of grass mounds and pools conceals all the parking and service areas while shaping inspiring bermed landscape spaces focused on reflecting pools positioned in the south sun. Herning's prominent relationship with textiles and art formed the inspiration for the design concept. Steven Holl states: 'Part of the current art collection is housed in an old shirt factory in Herning. This 1960s building was designed in the form of a shirt collar and is across the street from the site. It was the interaction between the factory owner and Arte Povera artists such as Piero Manzoni that enabled such a special collection of art to exist in Herning." A fabric theme is carried throughout the project from the shape of the building which resembles a collection of shirtsleeves viewed from above, through the wall finishes. Fabric tarps were inserted into the formwork to yield a fabric texture to the buildings exterior walls of white concrete.
"Steven Holl's newest museum building is a complex spatial composition in harmony with its location, inspired by the art inside and replete with references to textiles. […] Embedded in a newly formed topography, the museum is married with its setting: the four "arms" of the structure spread out into the surroundings, while grass-covered berms extend the building's geometry, connecting architecture and landscape. A walk around the structure reveals surprising changes in view, sight line, and arrangement. Its sculptural quality is intensified by the play of light and shadow. ... What has been created here is a sculptural architecture rich in metaphor, which nevertheless cedes pre-eminence to the showroom exhibits." -Claudia Fuchs, Detail
