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"Journey" at La Galleria

Tonight, I am attending an art exhibit hosted by my new friend Lisa Finch.  She has named the exhibit "Journey" and states that the collection of 10 works she plans to show is  "a series of abstract paintings inspired by Dante Alrighieri's poetry.  His words have depth and visual meaning that inspire me to create imagery spaces and moments".

The Details:

Venue:

Umbira

10-11pm:

Artist reception with complimentary champagne and hors d'oeuvres.  Featuring Patrick and Jon performing Bossa Nova and Jazz Standards.

11pm-2am:

DJs Enrique, Francesco, B Dub, and Nickmatic will be performing eclectic DJ sets.

No cover but you must RSVP at http://galleriaboston.com/ to be on the guestlist to attend. The guestlist closes at 12:00am!!

First Tree Planted in Parcel 8 of the Boston Greenway

Today, as I was on my way to pick up may car to head up to New Hampshire for the weekend, I walked past what is currently referred to as Parcel 8 of  the future Boston  Greenway (the park that is to occupy the space where Boston's elevated 93 ran through the city-now located directly underground thanks to the "Big Dig"). 

For a second I thought that this was some type of early April Fool's joke.  I quickly snapped a picture with my Treo 700w so that I had proof I was not dreaming.  Alas, tangible progress to a park space that I have been anxiously awaiting since I bought my Condo five years ago (located less then a block away).  I have included an illustration to provide some sense of what the space is intended to look like when its complete (I even highlighted where the above tree is located).

Steelers Super Bowl Bound

Feels like the 70s again!    Accept this time I am not wearing footie pajamas.  By defeating Denver 34 to 17, Pittsburgh makes history by being the first NFL tram to defeat the #1, #2, and #3 ranked teams in the playoff allowing them to head to Detroit to play in the Super Bowl.   Furthermore, they avenge the Pats (living in New England, I had to sneak that one in).  Congrats to the Steel Curtain.

Stardust@home Project Brings Cosmic Dust to Your Desktop

NASA's Stardust spacecraft returned safely to Earth when the capsule carrying cometary and interstellar particles successfully touched down at 2:10 a.m. Pacific time this past Sunday in the desert salt flats of the U.S. Air Force Utah Test and Training Range. Launched in February 7th, 1999, Stardust rendezvoused with the Comet Wild2 in January 2004 and captured thousands of cometary dust grains in special aerogel collectors. 

This is the first sample return from a solid solar-system body beyond the Moon and the first ever samples of contemporary interstellar dust ever collected.  In order to search for the tiny dust samples embedded in the aerogel, scientists from the Nasa Jet Propulsion Lab at the California Institute of Technology are recruiting volunteers online to download a virtual microscope (VM) . The VM will automatically connect to a server and download so-called "focus movies" -- stacks of images that are collected from the spacecraft using an automated microscope at the Cosmic Dust Lab at Johnson Space Center.  Those interested may learn more and apply to participate at the following website: http://stardustathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/

Meeting Hurricane Wilma Survivors

  While traveling to Philadelphia yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet my first Hurricane Wilma survivors (I sat next to them on the flight).  This couple had arrived in Cancun the day before the Hurricane hit.  Talk about shit luck.  They said they spent the entire week trapped in their room (specifically the bathroom-since it was the safest place for them to be).  They had nothing but amazing things to say about Iberostar, the hotel where they stayed.  Every 4-6 hours, the hotel had staff go around to each room to distribute food; they were one of the only hotels who were able to restore electricity soon after the storm due to their on-site generator; and they allowed people to stay with them for free until they could get charter flights off the Island.    It goes without saying that they were both ear to ear smiles when we landed.

9/11 (4 Years Later)

  Its so hard to believe that its been 4 years since the attacks of 9/11/01.  I remember the event like it was yesterday.  I  cant believe that any amount of time will take away the overwhelming sadness that is associated with this day (nor should it).  I think its important for people to remember, especially now, why our troops overseas continue to fight and sacrifice on our behalf.  A comprehensive resource I found on the web that has collected a number of digital artifacts of 9/11 is 911digitalarchive.org.  I urge anyone who reads this to check it out.

Post-Katrina Chaos

Its hard for me to listen to the news these days regarding the events surrounding the Katrina Hurricane disaster.  I am especially disturbed about how INEPT  this country's government has been in responding to the survivors.  It took until yesterday to evacuate the remaining 300 people stranded at the Superdome.  It took until yesterday for President Bush to order an additional 7,000 active troops into the region. It took until yesterday for some law and order to be brought back to this devastated region.  This is almost a WEEK after the Hurricane hit.  President Bush, I blame you and your lack of leadership for the slow and pathetic response to help those effected in that region.  I have been a supporter of yours up to now.  These are AMERICAN citizens you turned your back on.  You are an ASS!

Electrical Fires Rock North End

Just returning back to my condo in the North End, Boston only to be greated by an army of fire trucks, ambulances, and police vehicles who were responding to an electrical fire that occured under Hanover street in a NStar service tunnel. 

This is the second electrical fire in 2 days in the North End. All power has been cut in this and surrounding neighborhoods. I am writting this post via my mobile phone.

I wonder what brainiac at NStar is responsible for this mess???