Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Here the Nothing by gloobic
Here the Nothing from gloobic on Vimeo.
a beautiful integration of movement, sound, and visual photography juxtaposed atop a semi-aware city. Gloobic is a collaboration by my friend eric gunther (dancer), and jeff lieberman. Visit Gloobic.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Jonah in the Art Asia Pacific
I just heard that Jonah of Coin-Operated took some time off from running Scrapyard challenge workshops all over the world to write a piece for Art Asia Pacific magazine issue #64 and an article in a brazilian magazine about his WiFi Hog(21mb)
I definitely look forward to checking it out on my next foray to Barnes and Nobles.
In his copious spare time, he's been writing iPhone art apps (photo src: coin-operated.com).
I definitely look forward to checking it out on my next foray to Barnes and Nobles.
In his copious spare time, he's been writing iPhone art apps (photo src: coin-operated.com).
Monday, July 06, 2009
Happy birthday to Mrs. G, Roo, Chris, Cliff and Ying
It was great to see you for July 4th. Glad you had a great time! Happy birthday, the fireworks were wonderful this year. This cake, decorated by Mrs. G, was really spectacular. I am looking forward to finishing the rest of this beautiful cake. Also, welcome to America, Ying!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Taking off on my Saucony Grid Ignitions
Thanks to my friend Zahra's expert shoe shopping advice, I recently picked up a $35 pair of new Saucony Grid Ignitions. The effect, my feet are light as air and I literally flew around the bridge loop faster than I have in years. Of course, I had lots of help-- an encouraging running partner and a new running shirt (courtesy of Zahra) and having a regimen of weekly work-outs (dancing with Zahra and tae kwon do with Eric). I did the 2.82 mile loop in 27 minutes--- approximately a 9.5-minute mile. Not too shabby for this ole lady and the first time on these sneaks. The sneaks were a great price, too, got them at the Saucony outlet on Cambridge Street just a 10 minute walk from home. My "dogs" aren't even tired, though they are sweaty! ps. I'm not sponsored by Saucony but I welcome the proposition. :)
Friday, June 26, 2009
Five Ceramic Animal Whistles
I just ran across Marc's latest whistle creations. The detail on this set is amazing. I really like the soft lines on the whale, and the eyes are just too cute!
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Congrats to Wai for his GOLD award at iF || Hoberman's transformable design
iF - International Forum Design Hannover: Homepage > iF online exhibition > Entry Details: "Sonos". Wai's design is very clean and elegant, and its an exciting honor.Today, I also got to see Chuck Hoberman talk about transformable design. It was terrific, to think about buildings having animism. I really enjoyed the design language around transformation and building display. The parts that resonated with me most are the emotive aspects of such transformations and the ability of the building to become alive. His aesthetic of simple and clean and manufacturability was another aspect I enjoyed. He showed that with simple units, you can build very compelling structures that were more complex. His favorite piece, which was very delightful, was a spiraling shell. Reminds me of a folding razor I worked on once. It was an inspiring talk and makes you think about the way buildings could have this personality, a relationship with the inhabitants based on it caring for itself. Wonderful talk!
Monday, March 02, 2009
Go Zoz!
Our labmate, Zoz, who graduated from my research group, is featured in last Friday's Tech! Zoz is one of the stars of "Prototype This"-- one of the few shows that actually displays real engineering. Its always exciting to me to see someone soldering or coding-- and to show the real life excitement and frustrations that come with the job. The cool thing about this show is that it does try to expose the pace of engineering, how long it takes to make things and also the way engineers really think. There are always problems, brainstorming and solutions-- which is often glossed over in other shows, such as "Burn Notice." Burn Notice is not so realistic when it comes to engineering-- note, you cannot use a cellphone as a tracker as easily as they say. ( Oh but, I do love Burn Notice -- it is set in Miami! on SoBe!)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Media Lab creates Center for Future Storytelling - MIT News Office
Hollywood is moving East! Media Lab creates Center for Future Storytelling. This is an exciting time for rethinking the idea of storytelling and how people and objects may engage in creating and sharing stories. Another aspect that is interesting is the mutation of story through different people, as a method to promote and distribute academic/intellectual creativity within our society. Plymouth Rock Studios will be there to foster the next generation of movie creation. This story made the New York Times and also the Boston Globe.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Tad Toulis on Ugly Design
My buddy Tad wrote a treatise on Ugly Design. Ugly is a subjective term for the anti-mainstream embodiments of products. However, I aspire to accomplish more than a physical, visceral appearance, and visual reaction to my work. My goal is creative experience design, where ugly could be explored because it elicits something new in our experience of interacting with the product. I propose to answer the activity theorists question "what is the context of the purposeful action", through creating new contexts and new experiences for the user/customer.
Ugly is definitely a valid axis for design. Ugly in the visual sense could possess beauty in the other modalities, tactile and audio. Ugly can be beautiful if it is personalized. Ugly also embraces DIY culture, because the personal creation often possess an anti-professional aesthetic. Thanks to Tad for telling us "Ugly is the new 'cool kid'"
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Dan and Joyce's wedding invite
I just got my invitation to Dan & Joyce's
wedding in October in Miami. Looks like its a year of weddings. Jim and I just went to Lindsay and Dan's wedding last weekend in Methuen. The ceremony was followed by a gorgeous reception in Derry. There was a large robot turnout to celebrate the occasion.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Joyce's Girls Night Out
I just returned from a weekend of celebrating Joyce's recent engagement to Dan. We had a terrific dinner in South Beach, first at Tantra and then chilling at a lounge. The weather was perfect, and tropical storm made the weather exciting. The beach was wonderful, as always! It was nice meeting Joyce's friends, and also to hang out with her Dan, and my family as well. Everyone is very excited for the couple. I'm looking forward to the wedding in October.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Happy Birthday Professor!
Happy Birthday to the coolest, most exciting Prof I know. We know what you'll be doing for the next two weeks...Wii!
Octopus by Marc Mancuso
Jim and I started our clay class for the summer. It was fantastic to get our hands dirty again. My teacher, Marc, mentioned that he had been creating new whistles. I could not believe this one, it knocked my socks off. It looks like its moving, very seductively and the decoration is gorgeous! I think this one is quite large, so it probably has low melodic notes. I am looking forward to hearing this. WOW!!!!
WhiteWater Rafting on the Dead River
Whee Har, Jim and Rich riding shotgun down the Dead River. I'm buried in the foam behind Rich. It was category 4 rapids, and the wetsuits were put into heavy use. I think we're ready for category 5! It was a long trip up to Maine, but the weather was good and sunny. Hot diggity dog!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Congratulations MIT Class of 2008!
Here are the stickmen 08 in their regalia. Picture taken by Sharmin K. Don't they look great?
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Congrats to people with initials J, D, and L
I'm going to do a lot of celebrating the rest of this year! A hearty congratulations to the 1 L, 2 J's & 3 D's I know who are getting married. Go Dan(s)!!! If you play Mastermind, then I think all the pegs are in the right spot. One on the Miami side, is my beautiful cousin (above).
On the Boston side, a co-Robot. There's gonna be a lot of fancy dressing up when the robots go to town.
Another coworker friend on the West Coast. at Stanford, is finally settling down.
Congratulations All! This post brought to you by the letter D, J and L!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Nearing the end of the semester
This picture was taken after final project presentations of the 2.00b Toy Product Design Class. I'm exhausted, but it was a playful and terrific semester. Ahead of us is now end-of-term essays and wrapping up the year with lots of celebrations. Its a good time to have reunions and just enjoy being here. I'm looking forward to a summer full of building, creativity and intellectual play. (Photo credit to Barry Kudrowitz, the Toy Class Organizer, Instructor and Main Lecturer)
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Gongke's Baby Shower
Last weekend, Debbie hosted Gongke's baby shower. There were lovely treats and delicious delicacies. Many gifts were oooh-ed and ahh-ed at, and candy was consumed in copious amounts. Here are the pix of the lovely event. Afterward, Mrs. Shen, Gongke and the brothers (J, R, C), and I went to Penang to celebrate Mothers Day early.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Playsentations Today!
Final presentations are tonight for my Toy Design Class! I'm looking forward to seeing all the finished toys. I know my team, Emerald, has done a great job on their toy, so I know they will do well. :) It will be the exciting culmination to a semester of fun, hard work.
-UPDATE! My team rocked the house! We got the top marks in all the categories they were reviewed. whoooT!
Monday, April 21, 2008
back from Florence
Friday, January 25, 2008
News & Congratulations
There's a new kid in town! Congrats to A & Y! Go Reece!
Also, I got news yesterday that J & D are going to have a weeding soon. It was a terrific romantic story, and I'm looking forward to festivities.
Things are looking up!
Also, I got news yesterday that J & D are going to have a weeding soon. It was a terrific romantic story, and I'm looking forward to festivities.
Things are looking up!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Las Vegas Thanksgiving are up
Today we are recovering from Lots of Snow. For some reason, it gave me impetus to look at these Las Vegas Pictures, of the desert. I took these with an e398 camera, so the qualities not great, but it was good times.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
wedding photos from raymond
It was nice to go to both the UK and Miami for the holidays. A few of my friends have asked for a link to our wedding photos. The photos were taken by our official photographer, my cousin Raymond. Raymond is has a terrific eye for composition, so these pictures are very nice. Hope you enjoy them!
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Tech Talk
I recently came across a description of my sleeve garment in this Tech Talk Article. The project was for BodyWear, in the Visual Arts Program. It was one of the coolest classes I've taken at MIT. I enjoyed meeting the other students from VAP, Architecture, and Regina Moeller's lectures. We were exposed to many cool fashion perspectives, including Lucy Orta and Merritt Oppenheim. The culmination was a design showcase, and everyone made unique clothes and accessories to demonstrate their ideas about new ways for fashion and technology intersect.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Gaslight-- yummy cuban sandwiches
I got to hang out with Jim's friends for once. I haven't seen A & Y in a while, and it was very nice to go out and do something for Jim's friends. They were so happy and cool that I really enjoyed myself. Jim has really cool friends... :) I feel like I spend a lot of time concerned with my own issues (grad school) and it was nice to just step out for a while and enjoy the company of friends and food. We went to Gaslight, I had a Cuban sandwich. I really look forward to going to Miami at the end of the month and having my dose of Arroz con Pollo, Ropa Vieja and of course, Media Noches. Que Rico!
Snow fell on Thursday, and it was a lot of snow. It covered up the hacks around the school and the Tute closed early, a rare occurrence. I had a nice time, and it was picturesque. I really like the beautiful silent falling sounds of snow-- so quiet and serene. Nothing like a good cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows in times like these.
Snow fell on Thursday, and it was a lot of snow. It covered up the hacks around the school and the Tute closed early, a rare occurrence. I had a nice time, and it was picturesque. I really like the beautiful silent falling sounds of snow-- so quiet and serene. Nothing like a good cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows in times like these.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Apples & More
Dad's been sending me pix of the shindig in England. here's one of me and my college twin, julie. I promise I'll get around to posting pix from the event soon.
We recently had the apple bake-off at my dorm, and I was impressed! our students did great, the best tasting was an apple upside down cake. There was a 3D apple sculpture "Susan's apple house". There was even a giant eyeball "apple of my eye" by Kathy and Sarah. Apples & creativity go well together.
Other than that, life has been super busy. I'm working on my oral exam slides right now and hope to do a test run on Monday and later that week. eeks.
PS. I also heard that a certain fightin frog will be having another baby! What?! Congratulations and wow. Also, a congrats to my friend Tad & Isa for their new addition, FT. wow! Must be something in the water...
Friday, September 21, 2007
Sarah & Joyce
I am cleaning out my way-backlogged inbox, when I get this link to Sarah's pictures. It was from when
Joyce was visiting. These good times were filled with our newest friend, Violette! We had our trip to Hahvahd square, a nice little lunch at Shilla, and a terrific time hanging out. Here's to Sarah for becoming the first soccer mom of us Miami gals! :)
Saturday, September 08, 2007
First week of classes are over!
It's been a very busy week. Classes have just started, Jim and I are still getting used to the new lofted library he built, lots of new people on the hall. Its been exciting, and overwhelming at the same time. Meanwhile, I am working on a CHI paper and usability study. It will be the roxxor. I have started ta-ing the same class I TA every fall-- Tangible Interfaces with my advisor, Hiroshi Ishii. This year's class is oversubscribed, again, so it will be a challenge. Looks like a lot of good talent in the class, so it is exciting. I am looking forward to working with the new folks at the lab and building great things!
I was surrounded by consultants! We had a brief visit last week from alumni Paul Yarin, who was passing through town after finishing a documentary film project. It was very inspiring to meet and get his insight on my work. I am also pleased to have met his friend Eric, who was at the lab almost a decade ago. Those were the cool start-up times at the lab. I also got to try a nice restaurant, Cuchi-Cuchi, where we had tapas with Rich, it was entertaining and I would definitely go there again. Nonetheless, it has been a very very busy week. I have been designing my user study, and I hope that it will be a good one.... remains to be seen, no?
Anyway, I thought I'd put up a nice picture I found from our recent trip to England.
Its of my two cousins, Ray and Joyce, in Hereford. We're enjoying ice cream, and I have taken this picture with Ray's super camera. I'll be putting up more pix later of course, but there are just so many pictures.
I was surrounded by consultants! We had a brief visit last week from alumni Paul Yarin, who was passing through town after finishing a documentary film project. It was very inspiring to meet and get his insight on my work. I am also pleased to have met his friend Eric, who was at the lab almost a decade ago. Those were the cool start-up times at the lab. I also got to try a nice restaurant, Cuchi-Cuchi, where we had tapas with Rich, it was entertaining and I would definitely go there again. Nonetheless, it has been a very very busy week. I have been designing my user study, and I hope that it will be a good one.... remains to be seen, no?
Anyway, I thought I'd put up a nice picture I found from our recent trip to England.
Its of my two cousins, Ray and Joyce, in Hereford. We're enjoying ice cream, and I have taken this picture with Ray's super camera. I'll be putting up more pix later of course, but there are just so many pictures.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
back from england, in time for Rush 2007
Jim and I just got back from a terrific vacation with our families in England. There were tons of Castles and Cathedrals, and also lots of berry picking. The countryside was beautiful, and it was fun to spend time with my new family. There were also exciting fireworks and bonfires, to celebrate our new families! More pix soon!
Our students are back as well, and by the sound of the hammering outside, it looks like Rush this year will be fantastic. Already, I have heard people using a zipline across the courtyard, and the flume looks like it will be fun. Go EC!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Paul Rand
It is a rainy day today. Perfect reading day.Recently, Paul Rand's work has been on the forefront of my mind. Combined with thoughts from Marshall McLuhan, I believe that the tension between parts of media that are mutable with the intrinsic qualities that are immutable (things that can be perceived no matter what alterations have been made by the medium) gives us our experiences. The beauty of experience is that it is so subjective. Why can we make subjective assessments when presented with minimal information? Can we make quantitative assessments in the same circumstance? In general, reading the thoughts and philosophic ideas of those masters before me has been enlightening. I have a lot to learn from their wisdom and it is exciting to find new insights nestled in the pages of an old book. Writing is definitely a beautiful way to send a message through time.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Harry Potter and the order of the Pheonix Landing
An ideal Saturday. I woke up late (good sleep!), and Jim made me a sandwich. Then I hung out with my friend J, had a latte, and we saw Harry Potter's Order of the Phoenix. I was on the edge of my seat, it was goood!!! We then met up with V & R at Pheonix Landing. As usual, the food did not disappoint!! :) Then enjoyed the night (although a little cold) by visiting my old favorite 1369 Coffeehouse with V. Caught Minority Report back at home and ended the day on the ole compy. I had a full day! :)
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Determine your bandwith
Rock Band Stage Demo
My friend/student Matt works for Harmonix. He recently gave a live demo at E3 '07 for the release of their new video game, Rock Band. The game is awesome, and makes Guitar Hero even more cool. Now you and your friends can rock out together! Matt can be seen doing his thing (he's the cool guitar player on the right) GameSpot Rock Band Stage Demo
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Back from a beautiful Miami weekend
Jim and I are back from an exciting weekend in Miami. We met with tons of family friends and family, ate a delicious chinese banquet, and had a terrific time on the beach. Joyce helped me shop for my new dress. My friend Dan made it out from California to join us. Jim surprised me with a beautiful new ring, with all the things I like on it. It was quite a terrific getaway. We also got to stay on the beach and swim. I learned a ton of new swimming techniques, such as the prone float and prone float with glide, and we had a relaxing, sun-drenched time. (Maybe these techniques will be useful on my next big trip to an exotic locale.) There was even a small thunderstorm, which Jim really loves. Pix from Dinner Celebration event
