The Upcycle Diaries

Tom and Huck

2009-11-19T06:52:00.000-08:00

I read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer over my holiday and I found that it was quite quotable. Here are some of my favorite lines from the book! Some, I picked for the spirit that they carry, others for the beauty of the words. This book spoke to me, both in terms of Tom's curiosity and style and Huck's relentless grasp towards the simple life. They have a charm and power about them that I find

Walls

2009-11-17T07:31:00.001-08:00

Berlin just celebrated the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall. Here are some other walls.Great Wall of China.Hadrian's Wall.Mexico-United States Barrier. Antonio

VIDEO: WashU flashmob confronts Coal Executives

2009-11-04T08:44:00.000-08:00

Something loud is afoot on our sleepy campus in St. Louis. Washington University students are beginning to re-discover what connects them. Students that have never successfully worked together have just executed the largest direct action on our campus. The target: big coal’s influence on our institution.At the end of this summer, Washington University appointed two new members to its board of

Bourdain Ordained

2009-10-24T06:02:00.000-07:00

Some of you may or may not know that Anthony Bourdain is absolutely one of my heroes for his brazen lust for life, foul mouth, and traveling culinary adventures. Recently, I got a chance to read his book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly. I found his titillating expose of his experiences working in various kitchens across New York City to be absolutely enthralling both

Hello, Again.

2009-09-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

i am so introspective right now.So, I guess I haven't written on here in a long, long while. I am not sorry, because the break was much deserved, for both you and me, alike. But I am settled now; stable and connected to the world, so maybe it's time that I begin to share my thoughts again.I am not sure who reads this, I never have been. Whether its all friends or friends and random people, or if

Ayyyy

2009-05-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

lolololololol. ill post something real in a day or two.

Bed

2009-05-21T23:53:00.000-07:00

lol @ my bed.Upcycle, please

Los Angeles

2009-05-18T20:51:00.001-07:00

I just came back to St. Louis from a short stint at home, in Los Angeles. This trip home was particularly special for me because it is most likely the last time I will be home for about a year. But more importantly, It was my last time being in Los Angeles and seeing my family before my upcoming trip to europe.It was really nice to go home. I had forgotten the pleasures and joys that come along

More Sketches

2009-05-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

Here are more doodles. they're pretty similar to the ones i posted before. Idk. Idk.upcycle, please.Antonio Pacheco

Stress

2009-04-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

I like this video a lot.

Procrastination Nation

2009-04-27T20:54:00.000-07:00

Here are some drawings i've recently made.Well, theyre not really drawings. They're more like doodles.this one is on cardboard:post its:a city-mnt fuji-on trace:streetcars-another city-just streets-a chunk of earth in axonometric-from the sketchbook:a city in purple pen-circulation axon-quite possibly my favorite drawing? orthgraphic SET-upcycle, pleaseAntonio Pacheco

SOMething NEW for California

2009-04-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newson, officially entered the race for California Governor this afternoon. Even though I am not terribly well-versed in his policies, I think he is an interesting person and a good mayor. He has pushed to make San Francisco a much more sustainable city (something that other Mayors in California have failed to do). He has also unofficially lead the campaign for the

Grand Avenue Viaduct

2009-04-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was in the computer lab and I overheard this graddie talking about how he was interested in redesigning the Grand Avenue Metrolink Station in MidTown St. Louis. I immediately linked him to the old Grand Avenue Viaduct and told him about how awesome it was.The Grand Avenue Viaduct was this really cool suspension bridge built over the Mill Creek Valley way back. It was demolished in

Drop Knowledge

2009-04-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

Recently, I became interested in a new student publication we have on campus, Drop Knowledge. Theyre basically a rag tag group of cool kids who go around exploring St. Louis and reporting back on their adventures to those who are sheltered and timid. So far, they have published two issues, the latest of which was just released yesterday evening.They interest me for a few reasons:1) They like

Deets

2009-04-14T08:44:00.001-07:00

Forgive my long absence from the blogosphere, stuff has been crazy. I do this much too often. I accidentally posted this on the huglife blog, but maybe it makes more sense there. So many neglected blogs.Anyway, here is a ridiculous picture I found today in my building systems book. It's unintelligible, so i am appreciating it purely for its aesthetic value. It's a detail for a roof truss of some

Giant Pool of Money

2009-04-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

If, like me, you're still sitting around, trying to figure out how the economy got so messed up, you should listen to this. It's a bit dated now, but it's still very fascinating and more than a tad bit infuriating.Listening to everyone cry and complain about the economy has been kind of confusing for me because I'm... well, a student/unemployed anyway/dependent on my parents and the gov't for

Water

2009-03-31T19:29:00.000-07:00

lolz@ at a nervous will fischer. It sounds like he's reading from a textbook.

College and Reality

2009-03-31T05:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, it's hard finding meaning to the things I do here. I know that I'm supposed to be at college to learn and get an education-and I am doing a lot of both- but its hard for me to feel okay with myself doing that given my own provenance and the realities-and difficulties- of home. Life at college is incredibly detached from reality in a very troubling way. I know that this sort of

Clean Coal (NOT)

2009-03-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

"Clean" Coal has been a big topic of conversation on campus over the last few weeks. Last night, I attended a panel discussion on "clean" coal and carbon sequestration. Personally, I don't support so-called "clean coal" technologies, nor do I support using research money in support of developing said technologies. I believe that coal has been, is, and always will be a dirty fuel. You can make it

Orange Line

2009-03-25T09:10:00.001-07:00

Another public trans video. This one is near and dear to my heart.upcycle, pleaseAntonio Pacheco

Ride Your Bicycle on PubTrans

2009-03-24T13:55:00.000-07:00

This is probably the funniest/most amazing thing ive seen in a while.Upcycle, pleaseAntonio Pacheco

MSTRCLS

2009-03-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I wrote about Janine Benyus and her Biomimicry lecture at Wash U. This weekend, I was able to participate in a Biomimicry Masterclass offered here through the architecture school. It was a pretty amazing experience, in a variety of ways. Here are my thoughts on the class, Benyus, Biomimicry, and the sustainable movement, as a whole.Our class was charged with the task of taking a

Sonik Ninjas

2009-03-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

Last night, I went to the Ninjasonik/DeathSet show at the Gargoyle Club at Wash U. They're really silly, but they also had a very positive message that I found quite interesting. Between songs, they would talk to the crowd about how they shouldn't judge others, but instead feel comfortable expressing themselves and being be good people, in general.I'm not sure if they were joking or not (I don't

Friday Night

2009-03-20T07:09:00.000-07:00

There are so many amazing things to do today!!But I can't really do any of them! So you should go out and enjoy what St. Louis has to offer!First of all Drop K is holding a live art show at the Gargoyle. I don't really know much about the event itself, but the Drop Knowledge kids are pretty interesting. They publish a magazine devoted to, among other things, doing interesting and enriching

Lower East Side Tenement Museum

2009-03-19T08:32:00.001-07:00

Over spring break, I visited the Lower East Side Tenement Museum on Manhattan (on the same day I stumbled across the Storefront for Art and Architecture), it's a pretty amazing place (Here's their Flickr page, I took all the images for this post from there).The LESTM is part living museum and part public health campaign. They offer a set of guided tours throughout the various tenements they have

The Art and The Message

2009-03-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

Yes. Obama, ftw. He gets it. Holy shit, he gets it.Hope meets hip hop.Hope Hop. Hip Hope? Idk.Upcycle, please.Antonio Pacheco

Naughty By Nature

2009-03-18T21:31:00.000-07:00

I, along with several other students, had dinner tonight with Janine Benyus. Ms. Benyus is the author of Biomimicry: Inspired By Nature, an awesome book that advocates human examination of natural processes as a way of advancing our own inventions, products, and ways of thinking. She also runs the Biomimicry Institute, based out of Montana. She's awesome.I don't know that I have ever really come

Storefront for Art and Architecture

2009-03-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

While in New York, I literally stumbled across the Storefront for Art and Architecture, a tiny storefront on the lower part of Manhattan dedicated to showcasing small endeavors in art and architecture.It's a really sweet place with amazing programing. They are currently holding an exhibit about a Robert Venturi house that's being moved from one part of metro new york to another. Here's a link to

Density

2009-03-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about cities and density: what it means for a city to have such a thing, what the trade-offs might be, and if density is, overall, actually a better strategy for urban development. First and foremost, I obviously believe that a higher density is always better than a lower one, what I am attempting to figure out is which level of density is appropriate for the average

New York City

2009-03-16T17:33:00.000-07:00

I've been walking and talking, in and out of New York, over the last week. Here are some quick observations as I let my thoughts marinate (these are topics ive been thinking about, eventually, they'll turn into posts):Holy shit, this place is bigBut not really. I found New York oddly accessible, if not in a cultural sense, then at the very least in a physical sense. Manhattan is big, but it's not

Tweet, Tweet

2009-02-25T08:53:00.001-08:00

I started twittering today. I'm not really sure why, considering that I already keep a blog, text like mad, and update my facebook status practically on the hour. I'm not quite sure I do anything that's really interesting enough to be twittered about, but maybe. You can do it from your phone via text message. This concept really fascinates me. Blogging + texting!?I can hardly contain myself.We'll

Cindy Tower

2009-02-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

On friday night, I went to the opening for the Cindy Tower exhibit at the Sheldon Art Galleries here in St. Louis. Although the space is a little weird, it was a lot of fun. At one point, i was standing next to a handful of the most important arts patrons in St. Louis, listening to them talk about St. Louisy stuff. Cindy Tower's art work is really interesting. She paints abandoned factories and

Beautiful Things

2009-02-24T06:05:00.000-08:00

I don't really have anything of substance to report (still). Bed production has come to a screeching hault because *eye roll* school.but here is a beautiful videoAnd here's an image I wove of a friend of mine for her birthday (i hope she doesnt read this blog because I havent actually mailed it to her yet...)Upcycle, please Antonio Pacheco

Status Report

2009-02-17T14:38:00.000-08:00

The bed is running a little bit behind schedule, but not really. All the cardboard strips were cut earlier today and now, all four panels that will ultimately become my sleeping surface have been woven. I will post pictures maybe later tonight, maybe.But until then, check out this site (click on the "Installation Work" tab) It's pretty cool.Apparently, woven cardboard sleeping surfaces are not

Test Lap

2009-02-10T07:39:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from the first experiments regarding the cardboard bed. I took several cardboard sheets and cut them into 20"x1" and 39"x1" strips (a twin extra long bed is 80"x39". this panel is 1/4th of the entire bed.). Then, I wove these strips together. The resulting surface has an interesting texture and seems comfy.I hope to have the bed finished by this weekend.Upcycle,

More Sketchbooks

2009-02-10T05:45:00.000-08:00

Three more sketchbooks! Two are for people, one I made just because.Upcycle, pleaseAntonio Pacheco

Potluck Ubiquity

2009-02-09T15:12:00.000-08:00

I'm tired of potlucks.What is it about college and the overwhelming abundance and ubiquity of bad potlucks? Okay, so in theory, potlucks are a beautiful and poetic idea: gather up a group of your favorite people and have each of them bring a tasty dish to some sort of gathering. It's wonderful; diverse people get to share diverse culinary experiences with one another in a very intimate way. But

Bacon Explosion

2009-02-06T09:58:00.001-08:00

This is entirely unrelated (and maybe antithetical) to anything on this blog, but it's so so tasty. Last weekend, will fischer, deej, and I made the Bacon Explosion. Here is a chronicle of our journey.SO. GOOD.Upcycle, please

Cross/Row

2009-02-05T22:10:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite sketchbook I've made in a long while. The cover is a weave of a flyer from the justice concert in chicago for new years eve and the skid row history museum in la.upcycle, pleaseAntonio Pacheco

Hobo Chic

2009-02-04T13:36:00.000-08:00

So cardboard bed, kinda silly, right? Wrong. It actually makes a lot of sense. I'm slightly obsessed with cardboard as a building material, pass time, and all-around plaything. Its fun, its cheap, and easy to find. What's not to love!? And that's exactly what makes it perfect for my bed. I dont really mind dedicating time to desinging/building a bed, but I definitely do mind dropping a bill or

Weave Machine

2009-02-04T09:52:00.000-08:00

sketchbooks for some very special ladiesUpcycle, pleaseAntonio Pacheco

Design Build

2009-02-03T20:12:00.001-08:00

Originally, I set out not in a crusade against comfort, but in an attempt to challenge how we've manifested our desire for comfort. I believe that we need soft, warm, pleasant places upon which to rest our souls, but I do not believe that the beds we have today are quite the right solution. They're too much. Too big, too processed; too far removed from the simplicity and innateness that is sleep

A Bed of My Own

2009-02-03T20:00:00.000-08:00

Every since I moved into my apartment in St. Louis at the end of the summer, I have been sleeping without a bed (i.e., on the floor). I dont own a bed frame or even, a mattress. Instead, I sleep on an eggcrate mattress pad and a folded blanket or two. My reasons for this seemingly ridiculous and probably unhealthy decision have been very obvious to me and of course, pretty murky for almost

Inauguration Nation

2009-01-22T18:45:00.000-08:00

Change, far and wide, has come. Officially. And now, things are meant to get better.At least, hopefully.My personal journey with Barack Obama came full circle this week when, on another blisteringly cold day, I stood shoulder to shoulder with friends and strangers, waiting for him to speak. This time, however, we were not waiting for a speech about what the future might or should be, but what it

Inaugural

2009-01-18T20:48:00.000-08:00

What a badass.Laura saiz, kate merlie, and i are kickin it with this homeboy tomorrow and the day after in our nation's capital. It's my first time to dc and my third time to nyc. I've been shown a good time thus far, by far. Lets see where the weekend takes us. I'll report on the experience laters on.Yupcycle, pleaseAntonio pacheco

Triptych

2009-01-15T08:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I picked up these tree books. I'm reading them simultaneously while working on my next architecture project.I know, I know. I havent reviewed Omnivore's Dilemma yet, and I definitely haven't done so for Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, either. I'm thinking I might do a compare/contrast of those two books. Basically, OD and AVM were awesome in really different ways. They complimented each

Training Day

2009-01-09T10:22:00.000-08:00

I have many pictures to post. This break has been well chronicled, for all of its epicness.But today, after a short trip to MOCA and Little Tokyo with the fambam, i depart back for St. Louis and that lovely little place I like to call college. There, I have a way of uploading pictures from my camera and *gasp!* a slightly more stable internet connection. So hopefully, come sunday evening, when I

Tap That

2009-01-01T22:43:00.000-08:00

happy new year!So the Metro in LA is really pushing the TAP card. I'm considering getting one, but maybe not because I'm leaving here soon and wont be back for a long while.The animation in the video is really sweet.I know Chicago and NYC have similar cards.I'll keep y'allll posted. (i promise, a legit post is coming soon)Upcycle, please

Happy

2008-12-31T11:55:00.000-08:00

Who wants to come to the Rose Parade with me?? I'm pretty certain I'm going!Recently, I've gotten really into parades and other silly forms of american-ness(TG parades in Chi, for example). Okay, so maybe I'm just into parades? Anyway, the Rose Parade is probably the biggest tradition we have in LA and since I've never been, I figured I'd probably go! I'm not camping out, though. Funk that. I'm

New year

2008-12-31T09:12:00.001-08:00

For some reason, it's impossible to find something awesome to do tonight.I wish I could I could be in Montreal.Upcycle please,Antonio Pacheco

I Wish My Camera Worked

2008-12-29T18:19:00.000-08:00

My camera is dumb.but... I had a bus/walking adventure today!VEGAN DONUTS HAVE BEEN CONQUERED!!!! sososo good. Laura and I hit up the Intelligista and finally, found some of the much-desired vegan donuts. They were pretty yummy and glazy. Sticky fingers ensued. They have really strong espresso and tasty tonic water.Walking the streets of Los Angeles is fun except that it's been nice and warm and

Nourishing Traditions

2008-12-28T11:44:00.000-08:00

Santa gave me several great gifts this year, but my favorite so far has been this book. It looks like it could be a guide to Holistic Healing or Andrew Weil's newest manifesto. It speaks along those lines- an alternative approach to considering nutrition. Okay, all of my posts have been about food. I can't help it. But this book is really cool.When we think of contemporary nutritional guidelines,

Malibu

2008-12-28T11:19:00.000-08:00

And the Winner Is....

2008-12-28T10:40:00.000-08:00

After a multitude of bicycle-bound adventures around the StL metro, I've decided on my winner for best farmers' market of 2008. The pool was rather small- I visited the Maplewood market, the Tower Grove market, the Clayton market, Delmar market, the Soulard market, and Bon Appetit's very own mini-market which made its debut this fall. Of these places, two don't qualify as farmers' markets- at

San Diago

2008-12-27T11:52:00.000-08:00

So I missed my bus back to Los Angeles by like, thirty seconds? Per us. I managed to come up on some bandwidth at a local Coffee Bean. Do they have those in the Middle West? I'm not quite sure.Anyway, I've spent the last few days in the San Diego burbia, hanging out and getting retro with my dad. I finished Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I'm working on a review! but its not done. anyway,i dont know

We talking bout PRACTICE

2008-12-24T19:57:00.000-08:00

One of the problems I see in US food culture (if it exists) is the prevalance of rewarding mass eating. The most famous example is the Coney Island hot dog challenge, but any American city you go to, there are a million opportunities for you to try to eat an unreasonable amount of food to earn a pittance. I love the idea of a duo finishing up a Pointersaurus or a crazy person drinking 5 malts at

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

2008-12-19T14:54:00.001-08:00

Like the fool that I am, I mistakenly forgot my copy of Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan in my bedroom in St. Louis. After grieving for a few days and attempting to fill Mr. Pollan's void with some Benjamin Button, I decided it was time I end my pitty party and find a new read.So,yesterday, I bought a new book: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle- A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver at Portrait

Original Farmers

2008-12-19T10:47:00.001-08:00

I came upon this article just now on the LAT website that mentions the Los Angeles Farmers Market's recent efforts to increase the number of farmers who sell produce at this beloved FM. For those of your who don't know, the LA Farmer's Market, like most everything else that goes on around here, is kind of a farmers market in name only. It's first and foremost a place to get lunch, secondly, a

Angelic Travels

2008-12-18T18:54:00.000-08:00

I had an amazingly random day today out in and about in the city of angeles.I havent time to upload pictures, but I went here, bought a book here, and ran into her (we go way back).Took the metro here and ran into some hipsters.Slowly, I'm starting to actually appreciate home and what it's worth.Slowly.Upcycle, pleaseAntonio Pacheco

Let The Games Vegan!

2008-12-17T18:46:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon this cool vegan blog. I'm not vegan at all, but it's a neat site. Who wants to grab some vegan donuts!??!Upcycle, pleaseAntonio

Train Stations

2008-12-17T10:05:00.000-08:00

As you may or may not know, I am terribly interested in all forms of alternative/ lower-carbon modes of transportation. To me, the ways that we choose to move about and through our environments is tied irrevocably to our own personal relationship to all facets of the environment. There are walkable cities and drivable ones; places that love bikes and others that are just straight up scary. Of

The Max

2008-12-16T18:15:00.000-08:00

They say Kansas City is too sprawling to have a light rail system. It’s too vast, too spread out, too suburbanized. But this weekend, I saw something that was quite the contrary, that is, the Max. I’m not entirely sure how it works yet (I’ve only ridden it, I haven’t researched it), but I do know that it worked out pretty well for me. Essentially, the Max is a Bus Rapid Transit system, sort of

Not Writing Sucks

2008-12-16T18:14:00.000-08:00

Not having time to write really sucks. I think I’ve realized that I am generally happier and healthier when I am constantly putting out a stream of consciousness on this here blog. That becomes troubling when my time is sucked up by other aspects of my life and/or I am too mentally preoccupied with these other aspects that I don’t really have the energy to process critical thought. Of course,

Riles Files

2008-12-07T23:54:00.000-08:00

Richard Reilly is probably the coolest person I've met in a long, long time. He's a big deal around St. Louis, is involved with (among other things) Architecture for Humanity STL, and our grocery project. He keeps a blog. You have to read it.Ive found myself increasingly coming into contact with incredible, inspiring, and interesting people around this city. I think it's a sign of whats to come,

Publication

2008-12-06T11:54:00.000-08:00

I've always wanted to start a publication (magazine, newsletter, comic book?), but I've never been able to. I guess Upcycle Diaries is sort of a publication, but its not tangible enough.I want something that I can hand out and leave on the Metro or staple to telephone poles.Is there anyone one out there who'd like to help??I havent really thought of a theme yet, but it'd have to be something

Urbanity

2008-12-02T07:17:00.000-08:00

Chicago is a city with suburbs in three states: Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. It cuts a wide swath across the prairie, relentlessly crawling towards the horizon. Last week, I was able to spend time there, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the city and its surroundings. This time around, I traveled through many of these suburban areas, attempting to broaden my definition of what

Locks of Love Indubitably

2008-11-18T19:54:00.000-08:00

I chopped off my hair (probably around a foot of hair), and it was easy.These are the reasons for me why it was so:1. I usually can't donate blood because of iron deficiency.2. I don't really like my hair that much.3. I can grow it back while the kids with leukemia can't at this point in their lives.This is a gross generalization, as usual, but since my scalp is healthy, I think I'll keep

RAINY DAYS

2008-11-15T08:02:00.001-08:00

I've always wondered why people drive in the rain. I guess it sort of makes sense to, I mean, who wants to walk or bike in a downpour? I like walking in the rain, but I'm aware that doing so provides only momentary joy and is followed by prolonged soggyness. Why wouldnt they just stay home and drink hot chocolate or something?And yet, if I am ever really struck by the number of cars in a given

APPLE BREAK TONIGHT

2008-11-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

I dont think many of the peeps who read this blog are actually in St. Louis, but that's fine. We're holding an Apple Break tonight. Maybe you dont know what that means... I'm not sure its ever been entirely explained.Apple Break came out of a realization last semester that 1) architecture students are much too stressed and 2) there are too many unused, public spaces on campuses and in cities that

ELECTION DAY

2008-11-04T14:20:00.000-08:00

It only took 20 years, but today, I made my parents' dreams come true today. I voted. I waited in line, like so many others and did the damn thing.It rocked. Captain Elementary SchoolLong lines, Long GrassMore Long LinesLeaves of ChangeVotingUpcycle, pleaseAntonio Pacheco

BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

2008-11-02T14:58:00.001-08:00

So, it's probably not a huge shocker that we're pretty big fans of Barack Obama's candidacy for President, but I thought it might be nice to make it official. We're endorsing Barack Obama for President.The decision to endorse Barack Obama for President has not been a difficult one for me at all. I have been a Barack supporter since before he officially began his campaign. Never for any concrete

POLITICS

2008-11-01T10:08:00.001-07:00

This picture makes me really sad.This picture makes me laugh.So it evens out, I guess.Upcycle, pleaseAntonio

STUDS

2008-10-31T14:52:00.000-07:00

All the cool people need to stop dying.Upcycle, please.Antonio

METROLINK PROM

2008-10-30T20:40:00.000-07:00

We're throwing a Metrolink appreciation event this saturday in an attempt to get the word out about Proposition M and... to have lots of fun. EVERYONE'S talking about it and it's going to be a pretty amazing thing. I don't know what to wear. Various shades of beige, probably. With some sort of snazzy tie.No two things go better together than formalwear and public transportation, right!? So,

SCIENTISTS

2008-10-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

I read this article today on BBC:Now that gap in research has been plugged, according to scientists who carried out a detailed analysis of temperature variations at both poles. Their study indicates that humans have indeed contributed to warming in both regions.Whoa, really? This same study also discovered that: 1) gravity is indeed what makes stuff fall to the ground and 2)the egg came first (

BAGGU PART 2

2008-10-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I wrote a review of Baggu Bags,stating that although I thought the concept was great, the bags could be pushed further in terms of their overall sustainability. If you read the comment board for that post, you should have noticed the interesting post by Emily Sugihara, the Co-Founder of Baggu Bags:Hi Antonio,This is Emily from Baggu - I just wanted to address your concern about

WINDOW GARDEN

2008-10-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

In studio, we have a garden growing in a tin can and PVC pipes. We're growing black beans, mint, snap dragons, and basil. The black beans are getting bigbig. Mint smells good. And we got the Basil for a dolla from hitomi. Snapdragons need to be transplanted/DJ doesnt have a green thumb.I wonder if the black beans will bear fruit. That'd be really exciting. We're trying to have the mint spread its

PROP M Part 2

2008-10-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Public Transit is Upcycling (and as an Upcycler, you should vote yes on Proposition M) In St. Louis, we have the resource of a public transit system set to expand and become even more useful to our citizens. By using railroad right-of-ways, the MetroLink utilizes space that was otherwise unused. And most importantly, public transit allows users to reclaim lost time in their day. When they

CHICAGO'S BICYCLES PART 2 (REENNNNTALLLZZZ)

2008-10-26T23:12:00.000-07:00

When we were in Chi City a few weeks back, we ran into this really coool bicycle station in Millennium Park, the McDonald's Cycle Center. It's a bike station on the northern edge of the park where you can rent out bicycles for transportation about the city. It's a pretty cool concept, I think. According to their website, they provide shower facilities, bicycle parking, and repair services in

RIVERS V. DRAINAGE DITCHES

2008-10-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

These pictures are from out last metro adventure to the Value Village thrift store in MacKenzie. Apparently, it's a chain? Based out of HOTlanta? Who knew.Anyway, the pictures are from this drainage ditch that we had to cross to get from the street to the parking lot in front of the store. While we were crossing this ditch, we had a mini debate about its merits as an urban watershed. Melissa

PROP M

2008-10-24T22:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some Metrolink videos!

BAGGU

2008-10-24T15:14:00.001-07:00

These things are pretty cool. We all know how much I love totes, and even though these are made of plastic, I approve. Theres something interesting to me about the motivation to make an existing, wasteful product better and more sustainable. That spirit is pretty evident in the design philosophy of Baggu and I appreciate it. It's a business model that effectively tows the line between outright

THE BAMA BUS IS COMING

2008-10-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, I was in the middle of this here crowd. And it was an amazing experience. I'm pretty sure there havent been 100,000 people in Downtown St. Louis is over 50 years. Talk about change.I hear Obama saying the right things and I think people are listening. I think this is it? But lets not get too sure of ourselves, as my dad said last night, somewhat jokingly, "you know how white people

HIATUS

2008-10-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

So, No one (til last night!) has blogged on this rittle blog for weeks on end. Please forgive us! Midterms suck.I think we're back, though. I'm working on a few things right now that I'll hopefully post this week. We need to get back on our game.Topics yet to come:My BedRivers V. Drainage DitchesBicycle Programs in ChicagoProposition M in St. Louis; Measure R in Los AngelesAn update on our black

It's Un-American to call someone Un-American

2008-10-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

So how about that mudslinging? Since we are now well into October (2 weeks until Election day!), we are fully entrenched in the greatest of election year traditions, the good old-fashioned practice of destroying your opponent’s character, credibility, etc. Sure, the negativity has been there all along, but there is something truly exceptional to the ways in which politicians throw decency to the

FOLKSIES

2008-10-03T07:31:00.000-07:00

That's What She SaidThe debate was good? Interesting? Damn, why is Sarah Palin so charming? There's something about her "folksy" mannerisms/alaskan accent that I find really charming in a simple, false sort of way. It's obviously a ploy. It's totally fake. But its so false that it might be real, such an act that it could not be.

Life is better with bingo

2008-10-02T15:41:00.000-07:00

For your debate-watching enjoyment: Palin BingoYAY!With love, from St. Louis

JOE SIX-PACK AMERICAN

2008-10-02T06:19:00.000-07:00

"I think they're just not used to someone coming in from the outside saying, 'You know what? It's time that normal Joe Six-Pack American is finally represented in the position of vice presidency,' and I think that that's kind of taken some people off-guard," she said in a radio interview with conservative host Hugh Hewitt.I listened to this commentary on NPR last night about the concept mentioned

DANIELA

2008-10-02T05:20:00.000-07:00

The prior three posts were from this baller I know, Daniela. We go way back.She designs and draws circles freehand around all the architecture kids here, which I think is pretty evident. I found her project to be really amazing and interesting. There are so many communities around the world like Red Hook that are desperately waiting to be connected and bicycled into the future. I sincerely

RED HOOK!

2008-09-30T23:00:00.000-07:00