Fitz dreams of living in a dome-shaped house surrounded by a vast desert. Therein he would spend his days creating music, doing martial arts, and tinkering with computers.
Until then, he has this
Web site...
Fitz dreams of living in a dome-shaped house surrounded by a vast desert. Therein he would spend his days creating music, doing martial arts, and tinkering with computers.
Until then, he has this
Web site...
It seems even our illustrious President from the frozen burg of Chicago is impressed by the media-hyped "Snowpocalypse 2010".
It's a frosty Monday morning and with the Federal Government closed I've got the day to myself and can afford a bit of time to write down what I've been up to in this "chillageddon". It's actually been an incredibly social weekend. Hanging out with neighbors as we all shoveled snow, a trip to Freddie's on Friday, the Evening Star on Saturday, and then a venture all the way down into Old Town to visit my mom last night. Pronto went with me on that last trip and made it almost the whole way which is impressive for a 13+ year-old dog.
I know a lot of folks are tired of the snow but I have to say I love it. It brings wonder to the mundane, adventure to the routine, and even instills friendliness in our normally jaded DC-area population.
Here are some pix from the last few days but the most grabbing image I sadly didn't have time to get a shot of: As I was walking to my mom's house thru an upper-class neighborhood I saw the classic looking Washingtonian couple walking down the street - all dressed up - and carrying martini's replete with olives.
 Freddie's Frozen Fowl |
 Weighted Tree |
 Ghostly Snow Tree |
 Snow Cushions |
 Lamp |
 Bending Tree |
 Rt 1 |
 Amy and Jenny |
 Shoveled Out |
 Snowy Sunset |
 Ice Lights |
 Have dog will travel |
2/8/2010 | Permanent Link
I've come down with a nasty cold again this season and have been suffering from a fever. Last night I awoke burning hot, covered in sweat, and my mind afire with the strangest idea: a religion based on space aliens. No no, not Scientology, something far better. It all came careening out of my mind at 100-miles-an-hour and I was scarcely able to follow my thoughts. A kinder more benign religion to replace the current outdated and pernicious ones. A religion that has afterlife (cloned memories into computers), holds science and reason in the highest regard, and even dissuades people from believing in it:
The space aliens understand that reasonable people may reject the notion that they even exist. They consider this to be a virtue.
The aliens further understand that some people may choose to believe in the space aliens to cope with fears and troubles in their life. While this disappoints them, they are a compassionate race who understands life can be very difficult and will not hold it against these people.
It was such a, well, fevered brainstorm I'm still a bit shaken by how fast an furious it all arrived. It was so dreamlike that I'm not sure I was completely conscious. I'd wager I was conscious just enough to let my creative mind run amuck without my analytical one getting it the way. A very interesting experience. I've got to write the rest of this religion down and come up with some sort of crazy hat for a space-alien pope to wear! After some chicken soup that is...
1/21/2010 | Permanent Link
Thanks to James for forwarding me along this link to information about prefab Dome Homes made of styrofoam by Japan Dome House Co., Ltd.. They are very similar in appearance to Monolithic domes but I can't imagine they're as durable.
Pink Tentacles also has a write up on the houses and some nice picture as well.
1/17/2010 | Permanent Link
Big props to friend Rob Gutro on the publication of his first book "Ghosts and Spirits: Insights From a Medium"! According the the description:
If you're interested in the ghost hunting programs on television and want to know the who, what, where, when and whys of ghosts and spirits and how to understand them, this book will provide some insight and answers. There's much more to life than just the time people and animals spend on Earth. Rob Gutro is a medium who is still growing in his abilities to communicate with Earth-bound ghosts and spirits who have passed. In this book, you'll learn the difference between those entities and the ways they attempt to communicate with the living. Learn what they are and how to recognize signs they give us.
Of course, my reason-based mind would prefer to see a peer-reviewed scientific study conducted on the topic, but for those amenable to faith-based thinking I'm sure it's a good read. I've already ordered my copy and you can to:
Book details are: ISBN 978-1-60264-513-4, $12.95, 164 pages, and he's got a support blog as well: http://ghostsandspiritsinsights.blogspot.com/
Getting a book writing and on the market is an enviable accomplishment that I hope to garner for myself one day so again I say big congratulations to Rob!
1/7/2010 | Permanent Link
 Falling Water Afar |
 Falling Water Classic View |
 Down to Water |
 Balcony Detail |
 Balcony |
 Central Structure |
 Parallel Columns |
 Frozen Columns |
One of the many activities over our New Years Deep Creek getaway was a trip to Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water. It was an icy, snowy day which made it a bit of a challenging drive but rewarded us with very few other tourists at the spot.
Falling Water is considered on of Mr. Wright's premier structures and is an fascination experiment in design. It sits atop a waterfall and is literally crafted into the side of a rock hill. For all its modernist angular lines, the structure strives to blend and graft itself into the natural elements surrounding it - not stand in contrast to them.
The interiors (which we weren't allowed to photograph) were classic Wright and blended modernist, asian, and medieval castle elements into a unified feel thorough. Another notable point on the interiors is they occupy a mere 2500 square feet. Wright's rooms are small and spare - almost cloister-like. Most of the building is balconies and external spaces designed to connect the occupant with the outside world.
1/5/2010 | Permanent Link
We had a very fine time in the frozen wilds of Deep Creek for new years. Logs of fine company, some snow tubing, a march across a frozen lake, a trip to Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water, and the ever-essential hot tub. A far better way to ring in the new decade than hanging out in some bar.
 Hickory Ridge House |
 Living Room |
 Tree Entrance |
 Frozen lake 1 |
 Ice Patterns |
 Ice patterns 2 |
 Frozen Dawn |
 Blowing Snow |
 Dawn on Lake |
 Photographers |
1/4/2010 | Permanent Link
In which the US suffered its second worst economic downturn in history, lots of friend broke up, but my own life was excessively stable and productive.
2009 was many things. A new President, a sour economy, and a sense of realignment in the country in general. My own life was very routine. Productive, but routine. I worked hard on building Websites and even harder on my first solo album. Except for a great trip to Ireland most of this year was kind of dull. Nothing really scared or excited me too much. I suppose I'd call it a year of productivity if not personal growth.
Another great year of Television and an big resurgence of high-quality science fiction movies. I think Moon and District 9 were my favorites of year. I think I'm the only one who didn't like the new Star Trek movie. Maybe it was that whole faith speech by Spock at the end that left a bad taste in my mouth or maybe it was just the general silliness of so much of it.
Did I listen to a bit too much music? Well, yes...
12/31/2009 | Permanent Link
