What I Didn't Understand I'll Tell You Here

www.peterhalupka.tumblr.com

2011-03-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

1056th post and I'm switching over to what I feel is a much more user friendly, up-to-date Tumblr.

I also got a Canon G10.

www.peterhalupka.tumblr.com

What has sprouted:

2011-03-24T17:35:00.001-07:00

- Arugula

- Bok Choy

- Kale

- Lettuce

- Beets

Weatherdude

2011-02-23T17:47:00.001-08:00

Weatherdude's Flickr

2011-02-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

Allison Beonde's beauties

2011-02-19T11:01:00.001-08:00

site is still having trouble in chrome but is loading correctly in safari/firefox. not so good at this website/coding thing. dont you have to wait a while before it all rectifies itself in chrome/google? i dont know.

UPDATED WEBSITE

2011-02-19T10:36:00.001-08:00

www.peterhalupka.com

Special Deal! $3.99 for processing and 4x6's

2011-02-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

2011-02-07T13:58:00.001-08:00

john told me that he saw day gleeson in the hallway today and she winked at him.

2011-02-01T11:05:00.000-08:00

Source

I'm Still Here

2011-01-24T17:36:00.000-08:00

RIP ADIO FOOTWEAR

2011-01-19T09:20:00.001-08:00

2011-01-16T20:26:00.000-08:00

2008

2011-01-16T13:55:00.000-08:00

Fuzzy kitty/brain

2011-01-16T13:34:00.000-08:00

on a roll... not a film one

2011-01-15T14:53:00.001-08:00

fucking like this 5D. Thanks, Ben, for the loan.

2011-01-15T14:29:00.000-08:00

dip dicks

2011-01-15T09:39:00.000-08:00

2011-01-15T09:37:00.000-08:00

2011-01-09T16:50:00.000-08:00

2010-12-12T16:34:00.000-08:00

"Democracy without transparency is no democracy, it's just an empty word."

source

From Wiki Rebels

2010-12-12T15:21:00.000-08:00

I've been wondering for years who would fuck over the people who are fucking us... Looks like Wikileaks might be it.

2010-12-07T17:13:00.001-08:00

2009 tidbits

2010-12-04T17:30:00.000-08:00

In no particular order. Blogspot's uploader sucks.. I got tired half way through my folder I wanted to upload.

The Books - All You Need Is A Wall

2010-12-03T19:42:00.000-08:00

Overwhelmingly beautiful to me. If you have a second, take a listen.

2010-11-21T20:26:00.001-08:00

The List

2010-11-17T19:20:00.001-08:00

- Steak Burritos (2)

- Steak Quesadilla (1)

- Apples (2)

- Bananas (2)

- Buffalo Bleu chips (1)

- Ginger Ale (2)

- Italian Lemonade (1)

2010-11-16T19:51:00.000-08:00

Takin pictures, takin' pictures, takin' pictures. Roaming the city, takin' pictures.

My First Track, Brah

2010-11-16T17:30:00.000-08:00

YO HERE IS THE LINK TO SOME TUNAGE I MADE TONIGHT

...AND HERE WE GO

2010-11-14T10:29:00.001-08:00

SOMEONE ASKED ME ABOUT THEIR FUTURE EDUCATION:

MY STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS COMMENCE NOV 16TH. THE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE MADE ME RECONSIDER THE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION I/WE CONTINUE TO FUEL WITH OUR HALLUCINATIONS OF PLENTIFUL CAREERS AND FINANCIAL CONTENTMENT. I ADVOCATE TWO YEARS OF SELF DISCOVERY IN A LOCAL COMMUNITY OR CITY COLLEGE WHERE SCHOOL IS CHEAP. I FURTHER ADVOCATE PICKING A LOCATION YOU WANT TO BE, FIRSTLY, THEN FINDING A COMMUNITY OR CITY PROGRAM THERE, AND AFTER A YEAR THERE YOU CAN ATTEND THOSE PROGRAMS FOR HARDLY ANY MONEY. I ALSO SUPPORT SELF EDUCATION. I WISH I WOULD HAVE DISCOVERED/BEEN SHOWN MY POTENTIAL AND EMBRACED MY WEAKNESSES (TROUBLE IN READING BUT INTERESTED IN EXPERIENCES/HANDS ON LEARNING) IN TERMS OF SELF EDUCATION.

We are swimming in simple rhythm

2010-11-06T16:26:00.000-07:00

Aron Ralston

2010-11-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

In 2003, while he was on a hiking trip in Blue John Canyon (near Moab, Utah), a boulder became dislodged, crushing his right forearm and pinning it against the canyon wall. Ralston had not told anyone of his hiking plans and knew no one would be searching for him. Assuming that he would die, he spent five days slowly sipping his small amount of remaining water while trying to extricate his arm. His efforts were futile, however, and he could not dislodge his arm even slightly. He eventually ran out of water and began to drink his own urine, carved his name, date of birth and presumed date of death into the sandstone canyon wall, and videotaped his last goodbyes to his family.

After five days of trying to lift and break the boulder, the dehydrated and delirious Ralston prepared to amputate his trapped arm in order to escape. He forcibly levered his forearm against a chockstone until both the radius and ulnabones broke. Using the dull blade on his multiuse tool, he then cut the soft tissue around the break. He used the tool's pliers to tear at the tougher tendons. Although he never named the manufacturer of the tool other than to say it was not Leatherman, he did describe it as "what you'd get if you bought a $15 flashlight and got a free multi-use tool". After freeing himself, he was still eight miles from his stick shift truck, and he had no cellular phone. He had to rappeldown a 65-foot (20 m) sheer wall, then hike out of the canyon in the hot midday sun. While hiking out, he encountered a family of three on vacation from the Netherlands who gave him water and two Oreo cookies. They then alerted the authorities. He was ultimately rescued by a helicopter search team. His arm was retrieved by park authorities and removed from under the boulder. It was cremated and given to Ralston.

CUTE VIDEO

2010-11-02T18:46:00.000-07:00

Then My Dad Told Him To Walk To Fuckin' School

2010-11-02T18:37:00.000-07:00

I love whale sounds so much. So I was happy to find archive.org's audio section had some..

Whale Sounds, Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Humpback whale song is thought to be a male breeding display that is prominent in their wintering grounds, and previously thought to be quite rare in the feeding areas. It is called a song because it is a long, complex vocalization that repeats in a predictable pattern. Whale song recordings from Glacier Bay have been made only in the fall, when perhaps the hormonal changes that spur whales to migrate are beginning to occur.

Feeding call is a sterotyped vocalization typically used during humpback whale coordinated group feeding. In the Glacier Bay area, it typically occurs 15-20 seconds before a group of whales all surface together after a foraging dive. This specialized call is common in some localities but rare in others. It may be used for group coordination, (ready, set, go!) or to scare/concentrate the schooling fish that are their prey.

Listen to the sounds here

'high' search in itunes

2010-10-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

2010-10-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

List

2010-10-29T17:55:00.000-07:00

3 Ice Cream Sandwiches

4 Fudge Brownies

1 Bag of Chocolate Chip cookies

3 eggs with pico de gallo y queso

1 59 Oz Simply Lemonade

Ivan Besse - Britton, South Dakota 1938-39] (Part X) (1938)

2010-10-29T17:02:00.000-07:00

Ivan Besse - Britton, South Dakota 1938-39] (Part X) (1938)

Let's Make A Sandwich

2010-10-29T16:52:00.001-07:00

Let's Make A Sandwich

Parent To Child About Sex

2010-10-29T16:30:00.000-07:00

Parent To Child About Sex

L-U-V

2010-10-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

Chinese Circus School

2010-10-29T15:33:00.001-07:00

Lake Mead

2010-10-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

Great news to another rather banal and normal sandwich making day.

"Water levels dropped to 1,083 feet above sea level on Oct. 17, the lowest elevation since 1937, when the lake was first filled with the completion of the Hoover Dam. The dropping water level — which beats a previous record set in the 1950s — underscores the effects of drought and increased water demands on the Colorado River."

_________________________

I want to write a lot more about how irresponsible I feel for not putting forth more effort to document and raise awareness about this issue. It's just interesting you can get trapped in a location with bills and rent and other goals and watch these unbelievable events pass you by. It's an opportunity I see disappear into the distance with the day-to-day struggle just to enjoy living and existing while simultaneously confronting the struggle of finding a better job with better pay with better managers. But even with all of the free time in the world how can you understand, handle, participate and receive all of the information regarding world water issues? How do you contact and interact with the people who are experiencing the issues you are interesting in showing?

In a time in my life where I have basically rebirthed, my time is spread thin with a head full of ideas and nothing to show for them. Leaving school has left me empty handed but with all the potential in the world ahead of me. It's freeing, yes, but without homework you still a have personal responsibility to make sure that you remain challenged and stimulated.

Someone I knew had a list of goals for themselves. They were honest, they were really just raw and basic. "Make more friends" or "Race cyclocross" and I've realized that when you leave the comforts of the constructs of educational institutions (as well as other constructs and frameworks like religion or morality.. which I've also dealt with in the past) you start over. You have to regain your footing and find something to believe in.

It's funny this started with terrible news in the world water front.

A Percussion Discussion of The Asian Persuasion

2010-10-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

Going Places No One Can Know About Besides You

2010-10-17T19:37:00.000-07:00

Letter To:

2010-10-17T18:24:00.000-07:00

Hey there,

Funnily enough, at 21, without going to school, and just working day-to-day in NYC, I am searching for what will make my existence justified as well.

I moved here and got a job relatively quickly at this sandwich place off Wall Street. It was a good start but hardly paid for my rent. In the midst of me trying to find a job while I was still employed at the shop, they told us they were closing their doors. I was happy to have been semi-prepared and already started my search. After all, I couldn't stay at a place paying this little. It was merely a starting point. So on the day I was leaving, we had another meeting and they told us that they had made a mistake in judgement and they weren't actually closing. I left on Friday anyways.

On the next Monday I got on Craigslist and found a job at this organic restaurant as a sandwich maker (my resume has a lot of sandwich/deli experience...) It's a really weird place. The kitchen has legitimate chefs but the front of the house (outside of the kitchen, dealing with customers) where I am is full of an ecclectic mix of people from all backgrounds who do not want to be there. But the head chef, Greg, took a liking to me and told he wants me to run his second kitchen when he opens it there. What I don't think he understands is how crazy, weird, and unhappy the front of the house is. In contrast to the back of the house, where it is all trained chefs making incredible organic meals and hot dishes.

So even though Greg, the head chef, really, really sees something in me to where he wants me around the restaurant that is the last place I want to stay. I am going to seek as much guidance and advice as possible as he could possibly give me some good tips on the chef world.

I am still looking for jobs. My girlfriend's artist she interns for is putting in a good word for me at this really cool southern restaurant called Pie's N' Thighs in Williamsburg. I feel like I could contribute to the place just by being from Harvest, Alabama. I also just like biscuits and Monday through Friday shifts.

I haven't been riding hardly at all here in New York City. In Chicago all I did was manage a bike habit and ride for my work and commute. Here I've been spending more time focusing on drawing, making photographs, and skateboarding around rather than just riding my bike. I still want to put my Record 10 on my Waterford P. I just haven't had the money or tools to do it.

That leads me to ask a bike repair question. My chain slips when I put 100% in the peddles out of the saddle. I've replaced my Record cassette and chain and it still slips. I also have slippage on my Shimano 600 but I just swear that it's not because of the cassette.. I feel like they are built to last. But the Record is more important so... if the Record is still slipping after the proper repairs, what could it be?

Hope to hear from you soon. Erin's bike still looks great. Even better with her honey brooks.

Stills

2010-10-17T17:58:00.000-07:00

2010-10-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

2010-10-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

Mary Ellen Mark, F.I.T. Professor, and

1,005th post

2010-10-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

I saw something! I heard something! I went to search for something! I found it!

2010-10-03T17:41:00.000-07:00

2010-10-03T10:00:00.001-07:00

for john

2010-10-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

New Work On My Site!

2010-10-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

It's a video. My first. Check it out here.

Bruce Nauman

2010-10-02T21:30:00.001-07:00

Bruce Nauman

2010-10-02T21:28:00.000-07:00

Bruce Nauman - Flour

Whaling

2010-10-02T20:29:00.000-07:00

"When the commercial whaling moratorium was introduced by the IWC in 1982, Japan lodged an official objection. However, in response to US threats to cut Japan's fishing quota in US territorial waters under the terms of the Packwood-Magnuson Amendment, Japan withdrew its objection in 1987. However, according to the BBC, America went back on this promise, effectively destroying the deal. Since Japan could not resume commercial whaling, it began whaling on a scientific-research basis. Australia, Greenpeace, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and other groups dispute the Japanese claim of research "as a disguise for commercial whaling, which is banned."

2010-09-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

Northern Georgia when we went home and ate Chick-Fil-A eight days straight, sometimes twice a day.

Fuck You

2010-09-12T19:41:00.000-07:00

When I left home I stopped believing in God. I have crafted that basic moral structure to be a philosophy that influences how I see the world and how I operate in it. I have taken what I needed and moved on; leaving behind what I found worthless.

After that point, I converted to believing and investing myself 100% into photography and a photography career and the success, failures, and challenges it would provide me in the future. I stopped believing in photography and the photographic career (one more than the other) shortly after realizing that what I was trying to find was not there. I have crafted photography and its lessons and tribulations to be a philosophy that influences how I see the world and how I operate in it. I have taken what I needed and moved on; leaving behind what I found worthless.

In one of the most life-changing conversations I have had this year, Erin and I ungrounded the idea that my struggles are that I am in a constant pursuit of finding a structure or organization to wholeheartedly support and believe in. The issue is that I have yet to find it.

I'll keep trying.

Skate PE Mission Statement from Open Road NYC

2010-09-11T20:38:00.001-07:00

"Students understand and demonstrate movement concepts and principles in a variety of movement forms: Skateboarding requires self awareness, balance and physical control. Students learn to walk, push, glide, skate forward and backward, hop and jump (ollie), all of which demonstrate different movement concepts and principles. Momentum, inertia, friction, slope, incline and other concepts are learned naturally while skateboarding, in a fun, experiential and challenging atmosphere.

Students use interpersonal communication skills that respect differences and demonstrate responsible and social behavior: In Open Road skateboarding physical education classes students depend upon one another, learn from each other, work on skills in a group and work independently. Students learn to respect one another's physical capabilities and differences. Skateboarding as a group requires students to demonstrate responsible and social behavior by respecting one another's physical space, learning not to skateboard into one another, enjoying the achievements of others, and learning to assist one another in mastering the skills. In skateboarding culture when a skateboarder falls in public others show respect. Students in the class quickly adopt this standard.

Students exhibit a physically active way of life and understand that physical activity provides opportunities for enjoyment, challenge, self expression, stress reduction and employment: By participating in Open Road skateboarding classes and being encouraged to skateboard on their own after school, and at citywide skateboarding events with their families, students participate in a physically active way of life. Skateboarding is naturally enjoyable and fun for children. Learning the sport is challenging, and by increasing the skills learned, the skater is continually challenged to learn more. Skating encourages self-expression by teaching the students at their own pace and allowing them to create their own choreography. The physical and mental focus required to skate well, along with the sensation of freedom felt gliding, reduces stress. The career and employment opportunities provided by skating are evident from the sponsorship relationships associated with skateboarding events, and through exposure of students to skating instructors – professionals who earn a living by skating and teaching the sport.

Students demonstrate competency in physical skills with proficiency in several: Skateboarding requires competency in a variety of physical skills. At the conclusion of the school year, the students are able to demonstrate competency in numerous physical skills on the skateboard, including standing, pushing, gliding, skating forward and backward, balancing on one foot, hopping, jumping, turning forward and backward, and navigating safely through the playground.

Students demonstrate safe and responsible personal and social behavior in physical activity settings: In Open Road skateboarding classes, students learn and are able to demonstrate safe behavior while using a skateboard. This includes the proper way to wear and care for the equipment, the safe way to fall and get up, and how to distinguish between safe and unsafe skateboarding behavior. All of the skills learned will include the proper and safe way to execute each maneuver, with discussion of the possible consequences of not executing the maneuvers safely. Students learn safe ways to assist someone who has fallen, to avoid bumping into other skateboarders, and to respectfully alert other skaters who may not be aware of their proximity."

SOURCE

The Shelf

2010-09-08T12:54:00.001-07:00

One time Erin and I were unhappily shopping at Jewel-Osco on Ashland and Archer and I was discussing my plans for the future. Erin had decided to move back to NYC instead of staying in Chicago (good move) and I was out in the cold with everything in the world to do but without a plan or first move besides moving back to Alabama for a bit. After many minutes of bitching on my part and talking about the big world we lived in and all this shit I could be doing and my dreams and blah-blah she just told me to shut the fuck up and said "Why are you going home? You don't even like home!"

So in Aisle 5, the candy aisle where I stole all of my Cadbury bars from, I decided just to move to NYC.

I sold all of my bike things and spare possessions and dwindled my possessions down to three bags and three boxes and one bike.

So here I am. I am typing in our new apartment that we got one day after we arrived here. You did most of the work - you and Loretta. It's great. We were all nervous about it being a little farther away than we were used to but really it's been great. Sunset Park, from my observations, has a thriving Puerto Rican population mixed with a large Chinese population as well. Everyone is kind to the random white kids in the neighborhood (it's becoming less and less random) and it's wonderfully placed on the R/N train to Manhattan.

I skate with a pack of 20-30 Puerto Rican skaters in Sunset Park up on the hill on this ledge. They are there every day. They couldn't be kinder to me. They clap when each other fall and clap harder when you land a trick. It's sick.

I got a job at S'wich. It's this sandwich place no different than McAlister's back home. It will be ok, I suppose. One only knows how long I'll be there at $9 an hour. I could make the same amount messengering.

I wanted to say thanks to Erin for being a huge support for this move. You've been nothing but understanding about everything. I care about you a lot.

P.s. I fixed the shelf in our room.

The Shelf

2010-09-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

One time Erin and I were unhappily shopping at Jewel-Osco on Ashland and Archer and I was discussing my plans for the future. Erin had decided to move back to NYC instead of staying in Chicago (good move) and I was out in the cold with everything in the world to do but without a plan or first move. After many minutes of bitching on my part and talking about the big world we lived in and all this shit I could be doing and my dreams and blah-blah she just told me to shut the fuck up and said "Why are you going home? You don't even like home!"

So in Aisle 5, the candy aisle where I stole all of my Cadbury bars from, I decided just to move to NYC.

I sold all of my bike things and spare possessions and dwindled my possessions down to three bags and three boxes and one bike.

So here I am. I am typing in our new apartment that we got one day after we arrived here. You did most of the work - you and Loretta. It's great. We were all nervous about it being a little farther away than we were used to but really it's been great. Sunset Park, from my observations, has a thriving Puerto Rican population mixed with a large Chinese population as well. Everyone is kind to the random white kids in the neighborhood (it's becoming less and less random) and it's wonderfully placed on the R/N train to Manhattan.

I skate with a pack of 20-30 Puerto Rican skaters in Sunset Park up on the hill on this ledge. They are there every day. They couldn't be kinder to me. They clap when each other fall and clap harder when you land a trick. It's sick.

I got a job at S'wich. It's this sandwich place no different than McAlister's back home. It will be ok, I suppose. One only knows how long I'll be there at $9 an hour. I could make the same amount messengering.

I wanted to say thanks to Erin for being a huge support for this move. You've been nothing but understanding about everything. I care about you a lot.

P.s. I fixed the shelf in our room.

2010-08-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

landed in nyc, got an apartment, getting a mattress, buying new skate shoes

Do yourself a favor and watch Tommy Kneez shred

2010-08-20T17:19:00.001-07:00

Chris Wimer

2010-08-20T13:22:00.001-07:00

From Erin Jane Nelson Pertaining The ICM

2010-08-19T12:44:00.000-07:00

"THIS IS A PROJECT I'VE BEEN DREAMING ABOUT FOR YEARS. I FINALLY DECIDED TO PURSUE IT AND I NEED YOUR HELP.

The Institute for Cognitive Misfires (founded 2010) is a collection of artist researchers working to change the public perception of science, history, politics, and medicine as logically-minded fields controlled by the privileged and trained. These fields of knowledge--now more than ever--should be mutable and subjective rather than power-driven and bureaucratic. The I.C.M. intends to deliver artist-discovered research findings to you through publications, original artworks, texts, lectures, events, and ESP. We are currently in the process of building our database, complete with detailed documentation of staff research and a collective archive of relevant materials to the work we do here. We hope you enjoy your information experience here at The Institute.

NOW HIRING

I.C.M. is currently looking for faculty and projects. Please consider applying for any of the following positions:

*Senior Researcher- (2 positions available) Senior Researchers provide multiple ongoing projects for I.C.M. pertaining to both their personal endeavors and the functionality of The Institute as a whole. Senior researchers should have experience with both producing large scale projects and creating effective documentation of their work. Strong writing skills are necessary.

*Junior Researcher- (2 positions available) Junior Researchers are responsible for maintaining various smaller scale projects for the organization. Unlike Senior Researchers, Junior Researchers are given projects and tasks to carry out in addition to working on personal projects. Assigned tasks may include assisting Senior or Visiting Researchers in their projects, producing lectures and other educational events with the Educational Coordinator, writing weekly articles about current events within the organization, etc. We prefer someone who is interested in working collectively on some projects, but also able to conduct effective personal projects.

*Educational Coordinator- (1 position available) This position is for a sharer and not a researcher. The Educational Coordinator, in addition to being at the forefront of all periodicals (blog, newsletter) of The Institute, is also responsible for public programming including lectures, classes, workshops, and videos. Innovative approaches to pedagogy are strongly appreciated and welcomed

*Designer- (1 position available) Anyone with basic graphic and web design skills who is also interested in taking on publications and possibly building databases is more than welcome to apply for this position. Research-based design projects are also encouraged through this position.

*Intern- (1-3 positions available on an ongoing basis) Interns are responsible for assisting Researchers and the Educational Coordinator with their ongoing projects. Interns should be willing to juggle several projects at once. Interns are also responsible for maintaining and growing our database of resources and members. If someone is interested in interning for a particular part of the organization, this option is certainly open.

*Visiting Researchers- (multiple positions available on an ongoing basis) We welcome all kind of researchers and artists to contribute single bodies of work, or single projects to a juried, ongoing collection at The Institute. A wide range of projects and work are applicable. All projects should include a short abstract or text explaining your work.

In the early stages of The Institute, all positions are on a pro bono basis. Eventually we hope to establish honorariums and small salaries for our staff. If you are interested in applying for any of the positions, please send a letter of intent, visual samples of your work, and an optional resume to erinjanenelson[at]gmail.com. All applicants should title their e-mails "ICM-[position you're interested in]."

http://instituteforcognitivemisfires.org/

John Elio-Reitman

2010-08-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

*noted

I just like these.

UPDATED WEBSITE

2010-08-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

WWW.PETERHALUPKA.COM with three new sections

2010-08-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

India says fuck you to coca cola for a little bit in 2004

2010-08-02T17:45:00.000-07:00

"Meanwhile in India, a division bench of the Kerala state high court upheld a government order imposing a four-month ban on the Coca Cola bottling plant at Plachimada, from extracting groundwater till 15 Jun 2004. The court argued that the people's rights to drinking water during the current drought warranted a temporary shutdown of the factory. The next sitting of the court case is planned for 22 Mar 2004."

John Hopkins Global Water Program Magazine

2010-08-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

This theory on the private sector and franchise bidding reminds me of when my brother, when we were rather young, told me he was taught that communism is the only perfect government and society but that it is realistically unachievable.

p.s. Does anyone read these things?

2010-07-26T18:43:00.001-07:00

"Coming soon to I-65 will be 7 new E85 Ethanol and 8 new BioDiesel public refueling points as a part of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition and ADECA's participation in the Department of Energy's I-65 Clean Corridor from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Check back regularly for station location updates."

Source

2010-07-26T16:53:00.000-07:00

"60 billion gallons of rain fell on Cook County on Friday night, according to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s (MWRD) president Terrence O’Brien. The rain was too much for the Deep Tunnel – the underground network of water reservoirs. They hold water runoff during storms before it goes to the water treatment plant for cleaning, after which it will flow into one of the water channels in and around Chicago. But the storms on Friday were too much – the MWRD had to release sewage into Lake Michigan because the reservoirs were full. This in turn forced the Chicago Park District to close the beaches."

Source

Chicago River

2010-07-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

"Over 30 years, the river has been cleaned up to the point where 60 species of fish can live, where it used to be just five."

More Intentions

2010-07-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

I hope for this blog to become active again with research, photographs, visual aids, words, quotes, and the likes. It's going to be a place for me to take note of information and remain accountable for what I've started which I hope is a project for me to further pursue and educate myself about what I see as, not Illinois', not the nation's, but the world's most pertinent environmental issue to date - the fight for our greatest need.

Rough Draft Intentions

2010-07-22T16:35:00.000-07:00

Me: I have been researching freshwater conservation issues for months and months and I made a big decision to take a dive and start to photograph it all. It's interesting to push through this intense research process and then make tangible experiences with the people and places I've read so much about. If anyone has any leads or knows anyone across America that works in or around freshwater I would love to hear about it. I feel like beginning a project is the hardest so I need all the help I can get.

S.V.: What is your research angle?

Me: Well, it's rather broad at this point and I'm really interested in narrowing it down asap so I can sleep better.

I would say I'm really interested in how freshwater shortages and pollution affect industries and communities. A small town like Orme, Tennessee that ran dry in 2006 or the oyster industry downstream from Atlanta at the south of Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama that is caught up in a huge political battle - which is more important? Oysters? Or the water needed for human use up stream from that industry?

These situations are prevalent throughout the states as we start to feel more pressure from a finite freshwater source. In Chicago, I'm interested in people fishing from Chicago River, a.k.a. Bubbly Creek (famously written about in Upton Sinclair's, The Jungle). I'm also interested in the scientific perspective of water. I really want to go out with the EPA/IDNR when they inspect/test the water in the lake as well as the rivers around the city here. It's really interesting to me to think about people inhabiting a beach on the lakefront but not having the opportunity to swim because of E coli.

So my research angle is to photograph and photograph and photograph and over time my opportunities, connections, and knowledge will grow, I hope.

Thanks for asking. Helps to talk it out, G-money.

2010-07-22T16:34:00.000-07:00

2010-07-20T09:40:00.001-07:00

More news: Transformers is being filmed in the middle of my routes for work.

2010-07-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

The director of silence of the lambs, Johnathan Demme, is in my apartment. Good news, he's a nice dude.

Friends And Music Through Various Connections But Mainly Here At The Archer Ballroom

2010-06-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

I've never dabbled in music in my life. But like most people, I love good music, and I am lucky enough to live in a place where music and musicians are brought to me.

I knew of John and Maren, the folk duo, Photographers, through friends in their home of Traverse City, Michigan. After meeting them in person there at the end of 2009 through a random occurrence, I followed them on Flickr but never expected for it to move past that. That was until I was viewing the Ballroom to see if I wanted to move in. Never would I have guessed that Maren and John would walk down the stairs and tell me they lived here. I had heard they moved to Chicago but would have never guessed they would live in the same space I was about to move into with Erin. We are the best of friends now and I'm happy about that. They are generous and loving musicians who take beautiful photographs.

John and Maren have invited us to see a couple of shows since we moved in. Breathe Owl Breathe was the first band. J&M knew them from their home and had played some shows together. We saw them at Schuba's and they were nice enough to put us on the guest list. B.O.B. really captivated Erin and I and brought a northerly winter's inspiration to the both of our lives. It was incredible. They stayed on our floor for two nights and I enjoyed the time I spent with them. Micah told me about his children's book he is writing about a mole and an ostrich that meet underground. That's when I knew I really liked him.

Lastly, the other night John and Maren mentioned that this "...amazing band is playing at Schuba's and they have us on the guest list. Do you want to come?" So as we trust John and Maren, Erin and I followed. Once again, our minds were blown. Daredevil Christoper Wright were not only the kindest humans but play an absolutely stunning set of music. All three musicians, drums,vocals/guitar, vocals/etc are integrated into one gloriously organized, harmonious chant. They all smile throughout their set and I'm not sure they realize it. That's as important to me as them casually and unpretentiously discussing art theory on stage between songs . I didn't get to spend much time with them because of work hours but I look forward to having our Eau Claire friends back here in Chicago.

I think the web of overlapping friends will continue to spread and I learn of new connections every day. As a matter of fact, Zach Green, my best friend here in Chicago, recommended that his friend's band, Northern Howl, play here in the Ballroom. I went to go listen to their music and saw that Daredevil Christopher Wright was their top friend. Long story short, Northern Howl and recent Ballroom friends, Daredevil Christoper Wright are very close. By the way, check out Northern Howl. Algorithm is on repeat for me.

I feel like soon the inevitable will happen. Music will become a bigger priority in my life and something I need and desire. I have yet to figure out how to utilize these experiences and connections as more than amazing friendships and great concerts. But I am wondering if that is necessary. Yet, the egging feeling to create, enjoy, and love that is in my stomach will remain if as passionate and motivated individuals such as the above keep entering my life. I'm ok with that.

Step #1

2010-06-24T17:19:00.000-07:00

Ultegra triple crank grouppo

2010-06-21T13:21:00.001-07:00

THINKIN MY BRAIN OUT

2010-06-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

2010-06-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

2010-06-18T13:22:00.001-07:00

CAN YOU DO THIS WITH YOUR TAP WATER? from JOSHFOX on Vimeo.

2010-06-18T13:18:00.001-07:00

Damn

2010-06-15T09:31:00.001-07:00

2010-06-09T23:05:00.001-07:00

Northbrook Friday Nights

2010-06-06T17:27:00.000-07:00

The Hunter's - Huntsville, Alabama 2008

2010-06-06T17:09:00.001-07:00

When I was finishing up my first year of school in Nashville I heard news that I had to have surgery on two broken wrists I had had for four or more years.

So I moved home to not only have that done but settle at home base to regroup for a move to a new college/city. I moved into my house with my mom and got a car to commute for community college and work. Soon, though, as I came home to go bike riding with Jake Deshazo (pictured below) I drove into a ditch and totaled my car.

So without a car I had to figure something out for work and school. While hanging out with a new found old soccer friend, Tucker Hunter, I asked to stay with their family in their house. It was between work and school and I could ride a bike to either.

The Hunter's opened their home to me for several months and I slept beside Tucker's bed on a mattress. I ate all of their food and shit in their toilet but they never asked for anything.

Before I moved I photographed all of them in the basement where Diana was getting a dramatic haircut (the length below to very, very short). I didn't get to photograph younger brother Mitch or middle sister Audrey.

I really care about the Hunter's. I love them terribly for what they allowed me to do. I would have never been able to move to Chicago in January 2009 without their help through Fall 2008. I also thank Jake and Diana for contributing so largely to that part of my life.

I processed these sheets of film after all of this time:

Mrs. Hunter

Tucker Hunter

Mr. Hunter

Jake Deshazo

Diana Bowden

Last Days At West 21st PL

2010-06-05T00:17:00.000-07:00

2010-06-04T09:20:00.000-07:00

New place!

2010-06-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

Here is a view of the main space of a new place that Erin and I moved into at 3012 S Archer. The Archer Ballroom. Filled with 8 other amazing people. Our room is built on the rafters that we access via a ladder through a hole in the ceiling.

5_21

2010-05-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

Paul Halupka

2010-05-28T00:46:00.000-07:00

I had never heard of this...

2010-05-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

$$$

2010-05-26T23:45:00.000-07:00

Savannah, GA 2009

2010-05-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

I processed this film after a year.

The 20th of May

2010-05-26T22:06:00.001-07:00

I began to make photographs again.

2010-05-26T22:04:00.000-07:00

erin moved to chicago to lie in purple oregano

2010-05-19T15:23:00.001-07:00

click if you need it bigger!