Google Wave...

I have no idea what to do... I think if I had more contacts it would be more fun! Anyone reading this what is your google email on the wave? Lets be social!

Precious/Push...

I just got home from Precious. I will not ruin the movie for the rest of you. But it was super good and stuck pretty close to the book. Which i really enjoyed. What I didnt like about the movie is the comedy aspect some of the audience got out of it. I was like "HER LIFE ISNT FUNNY, SHUT UP" That what really annoyed me. I dont think i had ever been to a movie about a book, so recently after I read the book. I pictured the book very similar to the movie. There was some things I was like...NO thats not what it should look like.

What is your opinions on movies based on books?

Awesome costume...

Todd had the best Halloween costume this year!


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And it gets better...

Feeling better after getting a 96 on my paper on Marx! Also getting amazing praise at work!

Class is almost overr and i survived it.

Home to tidy up for Mama and Papa and working on a little bit of hw. So excited to see my grandparents!

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Tears...

Sometimes it just feels good to cry. Let those tears roll down your cheeks in the privacy of your own room. Where no one can hear or see.

I love Chicago so much but sometimes I miss home and everyone I left behind. And the the thought of starting over from zero is so tiring. I wish i just could have one person here, that knows me. I dont have to tell them my history or give background, they just already know.

Time will wipe these tears dry. But for now, I let them roll listening to your voice sing.

Sporcle

Thanks Becca for this link! Now I am distracted!!!

My favorite so far

http://www.sporcle.com/games/demarcus/backwards_alphabet

post how fast you can do it!

CAD: Part 2

Becca and I showed our power point on CAD to the class a while ago, it went really well.

Nat the co-founder of CAD finally emailed me on Thursday of last week, asking if he was too late to respond to my email. A little bit, but we arranged an interview.

And this past Saturday we met with Nat and a Resident Artist and recorded an interview for 25 minutes. It was great and eventually it will become a podcast.

New Blog

For our group project on the AIC teen we have created a blog found at this link

AIC TEENS.

Enjoy

Lex Visits Chicago

Lex came to Chicago two weekends ago. She has been a close friend since kindergarten. We met the very first day. She still remembers what I was wearing on the september day. We have been close for about 18 years, of course we have had out ins and outs but we have stuck it out though college when we went to school out of state. Now we are both in graduate programs, hers is in Phili.

There is a quote that we both like and describes us well...

Maybe our mistakes are what make our fate. Without them, what would shape our lives? Perhaps if we never veered off course, we wouldn't fall in love, or have babies, or be who we are. After all, seasons change. So do cities. People come into your life and people go. But it's comforting to know the ones you love are always in your heart. And if you're very lucky, a plane ride away."
~Sex and the City

We had a great time here in Chicago, catching up and exploring.

Highlight; Making funny faces in the Bean's reflection

Video of some pictures we took::

Come back soon Lexi Loo!

Parents Came to Visit

This past weekend my parents came to Chicago. They also stayed in my one bedroom apartment. It wasn't too bad because my couch pulls out to a queen size bed. But still my parents were under the same roof for a weekend. It was weird yet nice at the same time. My mom cooked my food for the next week and such and my dad vacuumed my apartment while I was at work.

They had a nice time but between school work and actual work, I did not get to spend too much time with them.

They will be back in November for Thanksgiving. So we will see how that goes.

the art teacher's guide to the internet

So it is my week to present on a blog mine is http://artjunction.org/blog/

the art teacher's

guide to the internet

ideas, tools, and resources for teaching art and design in a post-digital age

First Page:::

There are is a lot of videos...

with brief explanations... one of my favorites: is “Crayola Doesn’t Make A Color For Your Eyes.”

http://www.youtube.com/watchv=EELEjeY

zfjM&feature=player_embedded

"Here are ten October treats:"

gives some top links on what to check out, some educational ideas, contest, and just some things to read that he finds interesting.

100 Web Tools & Resources:

-Broken down into topics

-links to other helpful sites

-Everything from How to Twitter to Inspiring kids to create art

Does this every month

About this Blog:

-Began blog in 2005

-Extension of his book

-"In recent years, we’ve witnessed the emergence of new ways to experience the World Wide Web. The term “Web 2.0” has been coined to describe the Web’s transition from a collection of static Web sites containing information to a more dynamic, interactive, social,

and content-sharing environment. Web 2.0 tools and services like blogs, wikis, podcasts, photo- and video-sharing sites, social networks, and virtual worlds are now being used daily by millions of people around the globe to connect, communicate, collaborate, create, care, and share with others. I was first introduced to the Web 2.0 landscape and its implications for education in 2006, while attending the Building Le

arning Communities conference in Boston. The three-day conference had such an impact on my thinking that I knew I couldn’t continue to teach in the same way I did before going to Boston."

ArtEd Online

-PDFs of his articles from a monthly column he writes for SchoolArts Magazine

Other fun post:

I like when he comments on his own work like "Look at What We Found"

First Project of the Year: Students were given a large ziploc bag and asked to collect 10 interesting found papers to bring to the next class. Next, they were instructed to cut the papers they found into

20 or more small rectangles (2.5 x 4 inch). Last, they were asked to work as a group to arrange all of these found paper samples into a large wall pattern that “looks good.” This assignment was inspired by Keri Smith’s book How to be an Explorer in the World and the importance she places on collecting and documenting as ways of gathering source material for artistic expression."

I love how well he uses tags

"Tags

activism advocacyanimationarted art ed 2.0 art history artinter activartists atcsbest practices blogs book artscomics contemporary copyright creativitycurriculum design digital natives digital storiesdrawing ecoart flickrgoogle internet mapsmuseum resourcesmuseums naea paintingpbs photographysculpture street art surveytechnology TED Try Thistwitter video visual culture

voicethread Web 2.0 web sightingsyoutube"

Personas

"seems to me to be an example of the “Real-Time Web.” It comes from Aaron Zinman at the MIT Media Lab and takes your name and searches the Web for some context around it. It then uses the words and sites it finds to build a visual profile of your Web presence. Here is the “persona” that it created for me, which, btw, is not that accurate in that it doesn’t distinguish from different “craig rolands” on the Web."

It was cool to see everything I have done pop up on the screen as it created this!

So now my blog is being weird about line spacing, so I apologize

Sorry...

Sorry i have been super busy with so much! I will be updating on Tuesday Night, Wednesday Morning

here are some hints of new posts

CAD update

Lex Visits Chicago

Kim Koins Interview about Chicago Children's Museum

Lucas' Interview about Millennium Park

AIC Teen Project

Parents Visit

etc

So posting soon!

Becca Agrees...

"I think the museum should make better use of the technology it already has, but I also think that many people like to walk into a museum, pick up a paper guide/map, ask guards questions, and then explore the space. Maybe they prefer this because it is all they know and more comfortable than new technology. I think it would be interesting if there were a way to have an interactive map that could be downloaded to iphones or ipods that visitors could use as they walk around, instead of paper and instead of searching for the touch screens. Or audio tours and podcasts should be downloadable to itunes and then visitors can bring their ipods to the museum and already have the tours and lectures with them. This would make the information much more accessible and available."
~Chicago By Becca


She formulated a similar idea how to approve the museum experience. Maybe we have something here...

11:11...

Make a wish!

It is not even 11:11 and I have finished everything I need to do tonight!!! This is amazing, much needed rest is coming my way. Work 12 hours from now then class. Then weekend. My best friend from Kindergarten is coming this weekend, there will be pictures eventually!

Okay no more words on my blog...TV and bed time!

Homless...

When you relate that bum on the street expressing your own lack of food, they seem to be more compassionate. Sure I may be dressed nice and school books in hand but what that bum doesn't know is there is nothing in my fridge till next pay check. But when I said "I can barely feed myself" he appeciated the honesty and was very sincere. Many whoso brush him off could off his change from lunch, that will most likely end up in his couch cushins anyway.


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The Modern Wing...Is it Up to Date?

The Modern Wing

Two days ago, I went to The Modern Wing at The Art Institute of Chicago, with my class. We were there to observe the technology used within the new wing and also the museum as a whole.

Overall, for the modern wing being modern and all, I was disappointed with the lack of technology. The coolest part of the new wing is the Education Center:Ryan Education Center. There is a kids discovery zone in the "Family Room" which supports four computers with interactive games for the kids. Also in the education wing is poorley planned studios and classrooms that have technology like big screen TVs, projectors, DVD players, etc. The blinds themselves are technology and controlled by remote control. The Space is used by kids, families, teachers, and educators. The space is still up and coming and I dont think it has fully discovered it's full potential.

On the website for the education center there are introduction videos, podcasts,and Musecasts. These videos can help prepare an individual or group to coming to the museum.

A cool piece of technology in the Museum is a thing called Pathfinder, which can be accesed on the website of ARTIC under Visit on the top of the web page. The Pathfinder will show you where all the collections are, how to get them from where you are, closets bathrooms, audio guides, and information is located among other things.

Some negative sides of the Pathfinder is the signs leading to them or even explaining what they do. People have the thought "that things in museums should not be touched or played with" and the Pathfinders need to break that thought!

Audio Tours are also available to the visitor, they are located within a few places of the museum. The tours come in two languages and have about two different codes to plug in each exhibit. You can play the tour at any time...by playing the correct numbers.

There are four different tours as well

"Four tours are available:

Director's Tour
Join Art Institute Director and President James Cuno as he discusses a selection of the most significant works in the collection. This tour has 40 stops.

American Arts Tour
Explore American painting, sculpture, and decorative arts from the colonial period to the 20th century.

Lions Trail Family TourThe Lions Trail tour is designed for children ages 5 to 10 for an informative, dramatic, and fun tour of the collection. Listen in English or Spanish. This tour has 32 stops.

Collection Highlights
Listen to informative commentary on works representing 5,000 years of human artistic achievement. Collection highlights include art from the following areas: China, Japan, Korea, India, the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, Ancient Egypt and the Near East, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and Europe (Renaissance to Modern). In the Modern Wing, hear about 20th century and contemporary works–in some cases, from the voices of the artists themselves.

One of the employees who was stationed at the Audio Guides booth said that people do use the guides and explained briefly how they are used to me, since I have never used one myself.

To refer back to my mention of Podcasts the link is

http://www.artic.edu/aic/visitor_info/podcasts/index.html

Musecasts are

http://www.artic.edu/aic/visitor_info/podcasts/musecast/index.html

Videos are

http://www.artic.edu/aic/visitor_info/podcasts/video/index.html

Educational Videos etc.. are

http://www.artic.edu/aic/visitor_info/podcasts/video/education_videos/index.html

If I Was to Design a Museum...

I would create an application for and iPod Touch. The application and program would have audio tours similar to the ones you offer now but you can choose to play them by clicking the picture of the piece of art work you wanted to hear about. Also the pathfinder would integrated so you can have the directions to your next location in the palm of your hands:

Also I would have more things for people to touch and play with like the interactive spiderweb in one of the exhibits in the Modern Wing. The iPod touch would also have information stocked in it. As well as updates on lectures, events, and tours that may be happening while that visitor is in the museum, sorta like text messages.

I just wish museums were more hands on.

Who Am I?

I was very excited about my Keynote on Who I am. So here is my keynote, of course dosn't have me explaining what is going on in all the slides, but enjoy!!

Quick Rant...

Why do people on the L think they can sit on the aisle seat blocking the inside seat from standing passengers? Do they think they deserve two seats? If no one is standing than you can sit where you like and place a bag on a seat. BUT not when people are standing and there are no other open seats. In the words of Stephanie Tanner "HOW RUDE!!"

CAD: Part 1

On Wednesday "Chicago by Becca" and I went to the Chicago Art Department. To our demise it was closed. Also the phone number has been disconnected. So we sent an email, haven't heard back from CAD yet. However, there is an art walk tonight hosted by CAD. "Chicago by Becca" and I will be going, and hopefully learning more about CAD. Also, I am killing two birds by one stone by supporting a fellow SAIC student and seeing her artwork.

Here is the information on the Art Walk:

"

Friday, September 25th 2009, 6-10pm
Saturday & Sunday, September 26th & 27th 2009, 12-7pm

The 39th Annual Pilsen East Artists Open House will feature the work of both established and emerging artists in Chicago's oldest art community. Some neighborhood favorites include, Floyd Davis at Artpentry, Jeremy Ehly, Lindsay Grote, Bridget Bolger & Scott Multer at South Halsted Gallery, Debbie White, Vespine Gallery and Studio, Logsdon 1909, Matt Barber Kennedy, Brian Mancl, Ron Reason, EP Theater, Studio 101, and Chicago Art Department.

This event is a self guided walking tour of the intimate world of the working artist. This neighborhood of creatives welcomes you to experience art at its source as you visit their home, studio, theater, dance space, gallery. More than 50 artists will participate and be on hand to discuss their work and share their creative process, don't miss this unique perspective.

This is a multi-location event and spans approximately 6 blocks. The central location of the event is South Halsted and 18th Streets in Chicago. Please visit the info center at 1821 South Halsted for maps and event details."

The smell...

I love how the boarding platforms of the L smells of the Ocean City boardwalk. All it needs is the curly fries and Carmel popcorn.


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ABC's

Assignment Number One: Look for the letters of the alphabet in nature and indrustrial design. It is much harder than one would expect. Especially K, Q, N, P, F, and the perfect O.

A week in...

So it has almost been a week since I posted and a lot has happened. But mainly it has been job training 9-6 Saturday-Tuesday. One more day of that left to go and I will then start actually working on the floor. I also have been to all my classes once and tonight's twice.

My social theory class, which originally scared me because I was afraid I would not know what was going, is turning out okay. Besides the endless reading he assigns, I am actually looking forward to the class. I made conversation today in class and related it back to the film The Fever.

Now I am a bit afraid of my Museum class. Everyone in the class seems to have museum experience or a lot of teaching experience. We will see, seems like a lot of good projects.

But without fear you can not move forward.

On a side note: why do some people think they are the center of attention at all times? I am talking about these people who always talk, interrupt, ask stupid questions...

Am I one of these people and not even know it...do these people know they do it. What is the best way to attack the problem to find a solution?

Unfortunately, don't I have much to say. I am exhausted my tank is on empty but I think things will be looking up from here.

The start...yet again

Okay so I have tried to blog before. I have failed...I may keep up with it for one or two weeks, then forget and then be good again for a week. But since I am being forced for a grade to blog, I will have to be better. But if anything, this is a perfect time to start a blog because I just moved to Chicago a little over a month ago.

I came to Chicago to go to Grad school at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I will be getting my masters in Art Education. I hope to work in a museum after I graduate. Coming from New Jersey where I grew up and after spending four years in upstate NY, I am completely starting a new life here. New place on my own, new friends, new job, new school, new life. I am excited, so far so good. Have a place, have some friends (but always want more), have a job at Apple, got accepted to SAIC, and my new life is on it's way.

So one of my classes (out of three) is forcing me to create this blog. I use the word forcing because the blog is needed for my grade, but in reality I am excited. The blog will have bits from my life and antics, my school work, my art work, and anything else that jives my brain.