First full day back in Portland, Oregon.
Return to Portland
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Category Archives: Travel
Return to NYC Part II
Just a small set of pictures from the return. Some are from the rooftop on Sept. 11th and the rest are from my day at the MET.
NYC: The Return
It’s great to be back! Like last time, it’s going to be way too short and crazy busy, but I’m at least going to visit some of the museums this time. I’m in Brooklyn this time and it’s been great. I ran around Prospect Park twice this morning with my iPod on Vampire Weekend (who I see Thursday!) and I was once again reminded why I love this city. It’s a totally different experience than staying in Manhattan in a 10th floor Upper East Side apartment with a Central Park view, but I like the view here better.
Well, last night the September 11th lights were on. We decided to fire up the grill, enjoy the early fall weather, and watch the lights until the wee hours of the morning. It’s a hauntingly beautiful display.
Launch Space Shuttles not Bombs
I recently had the chance to go down to Florida, stay with a former NASA Engineer, and watch Atlantis’ final launch. It was a great experience and if you want to see the shuttle launch, you currently have 2 more opportunities. After that, the shuttle program appears to be done. Thanks to the US government neglecting NASA’s funding since the original development of the shuttle, NASA does not have a replacement for the now ancient shuttle, nor does NASA have the funds to continue the shuttle program as is. NASA had been set to start a new program, but the recent economic problems have resulted in Congress cutting funding. Don’t get me wrong, we are still firing things off: they just tend to have warheads on them and they aren’t exactly progressing humanity. Personally I rather focus our limited resources to more productive and less destructive uses… Just take a look at some of the technology humanity has developed from the space program
Even from 12 miles away in Titusville, watching the shuttle launch is impressive. Considering the shuttle moves the same distance as my party drove (roughly 600 miles in 10 hours) in just under 5 minutes… it makes the 30 year old shuttle that much more impressive. It’s jaw dropping: the fire, the sound, the crowd, the feeling of human accomplishment. The shuttle represents what humanity should strive for. It’s not just a vehicle, it’s the physical result of international co-operation formed around the simple idea that we should never stop learning and exploring. I can’t imagine seeing something like the Apollo 11 launch.
And speaking of the Apollo Program, the shuttle is weak/quiet compared to the Saturn V Rocket. I learned that and so much more from my host. The stories my ears have absorbed from a retired NASA Engineer… I don’t think this trip is ever going to be forgotten.
The day after, we decided to check out the Kennedy Space Center. It’s a great experience and I highly recommend it.
Noticing the New in Something Old Part II
Along with stumbling upon the key wall mentioned earlier, downtown Wilmington is filled with empty buildings currently being gutted and refitted for modern use. It looks like the city is following its cousins Charleston and Savannah in re-connecting with its rich architectural history and fixing the architectural jewels it possesses instead of tearing them down. Score one for history! I don’t know a huge amount about Charleston’s historical preservation foundations and societies (other than they are long standing influential groups), but Savannah has been at least partly saved by SCAD’s Department of Historical Preservation.
During a visit there last October, I ran into a few members of the department and asked them about their thoughts on SCAD’s roll in re-vitalizing Savannah. After a brief, but enjoyable conversation, they summed up the school’s role in one sentence: “SCAD is Savannah, and Savannah is SCAD.” As a Chapel Hillian, that hit home. UNC isn’t just a part of Chapel Hill, it’s the reason the city exist. And just if you didn’t know, Savannah is a rough and raw city. It’s not all live oaks, picturesque squares, and antebellum mansions. A lot of the city is screaming for preservation/restoration. Luckily, the city is taking steps to reclaim its history.
Ellis Square Timelapse Savannah, Georgia from andy young on Vimeo.
Boarded up Building in Wilmington, NC
Thanks to having an architect/urban planner as a sister, I’ve developed some basic knowledge about what makes a city work and how cities can take the buildings of yesterday and convert them into sustainable buildings for the future. Wilmington is taking the right steps forward and looks to have a bright future. And on a side note as an advertising/marketing person, I love the idea of painting a shop on the boarded up entrance of this building. I wonder what’s going to take up this space?!? I really wanted to grab some shop lights/scaffolding, attempt to look legit, and add some color to the paintings!
All good things must come to an end… We will meet again NYC.
I love cities… I haven’t always loved them, but as I get older, I find myself loving the idea of city dwelling more and more. There is just something about cities that does it for me. I’m not sure if I can pin it to one thing specifically, but I’ll put it on my list of things “not to rationalize.” Those of you who know me well know exactly what is on that list. It is pretty small. Of course some cities are just something else…
New York has always been a little different in my eyes. I’ve always known the second I set foot in the city, I would either hate the place totally or fall headfirst in love with the uniqueness of the city. I loved it.
My first experience in the city defies anything I could of expected. Like all my trips, I winged it. When I arrived, I expected to visit a few schools, see some museums, and just try and get a sense of the place. If I end up going to school in the city, I need to know I can survive. For me, there is no better test than just run around the city and see what happens. I visited the schools I had arranged to see, but other than that, I totally ran with the opportunities as they popped up.
I could not have asked for a better or more inspiring experience. Thanks to a friend, I got a very close look at the fashion world during the opening days of NYC’s famed Fashion Week. I can not say I know a huge amount about the industry, but I know I got to see something very special. I quickly realized I was surrounded by total class acts and that was an opportunity I was most definitely not going to pass. Even if you know absolutely nothing about an industry, it is awe inspiring to see creative minds at the top of their game. That is something very special to experience and I am very thankful to have been offered the chance to meet and hopefully befriend some very cool people. I may have been as slept deprived as I have been in a long time, but I would not trade my first experiences in New York City for anything.
Take a look at Cesar Galindo‘s work… pictures really don’t do his designs justice!
I’d also like to personally thank the show’s PR master, Gregory Triana of Blue Cashew Events. I honestly think you have one of the most amazing jobs I have ever seen!
I smell like Salmon… and Coffee
Inspired by way too much Coffee…
Ah the Pacific North West… rain, fir trees, and salmon. It’s a beautiful place and I’ve always enjoyed visiting. These are from my latest trip to go see my sister graduate from the University of Oregon. Most of these come from in and around Portland.
Bucherberg International Scout Camp
Over the summer of 2008 I spent the summer once again in Europe. After taking a little over a month to travel solo from Lisbon, Portugal to Munich, Germany, I spent the rest of the summer working as an international scout member at Bucherberg International Scout Camp. While there, I captured my experiences with the help of my trusty DSLR.
Europe 2008
Lisbon to Munich
The summer of 2008 was perhaps one of the most exhausting and adventurous summers of my life. Starting in late May I ventured from Lisbon, Portugal to Munich, Germany solo with just two pair of cloths and my trusty DSLR. Over the trip I experienced countless setbacks, acts of pure kindness, and a little of everything in between. By the end of the trip I had captured somewhere in the range of 2000 frames included some from my experience as a camp staff member at Bucherberg International Scout Camp.
Welcome to NYC and site update
Well, I finally broke one of my cardinal rules and to be honest… it was time. I finally visited the city I’ve always suspected would capture my heart and be the one… New York. It also happens to be the capital of the advertisement and design world in general and well… that is what I love to do! I will give one piece of advice… don’t plan a major trip 3 days ahead.
Also… site update. Lately I’ve spent an absorbent amount of time learning about wordpress and the fundamentals of how the program (if you want to call it that) works. It’s been frustrating at times, but I like a challenge. Expect to see a real functioning site soon!
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