- jenny k -

How to be Safe-ish

2012-01-23T12:29:00.000-08:00

Is OTR diverse? Heck yes! Scary? Eh. (photo by 5chw4r7z)

Oh, you live in Over-the-Rhine?... *whisper* don't you feel safe? I get this question more often than you would think. I usually laugh it off. I'm not one given to fear my surroundings. I've learned over the last year to replace fear for understanding, empathy, and confidence - tempered with trusting my gut and common sense.

But. But!

It's so SCARY in Over-the-Rhine!

Is it?

I mostly find it quiet... especially in the winter. I find it interesting. I find it diverse. I find it impossible to avoid my fellow humans... but not particularly scary.

It sucks when people get shot, get hurt, when bad things happen in my neighborhood... it really does. It also sucks in Westwood, Fairfield, Avondale, Clifton Heights, and other neighborhoods in the area.

The people I interact with on a daily basis - my neighbors - are an eclectic bunch. I am surrounded on both sides of my apartment building by Mercy Housing - that is, Section 8. You know, THOSE people. What people? People who aren't like me? Yep. We're all co-existing in close quarters. It's what people do in cities.

I'm not saying bad things don't happen. I'm not naiive; they do. But for the last 20 years we have been conned into this self-important state of believing we are special enough to be singled out, that there is terrifying danger lurking around every corner.

FBI statistics show we are living in a time with the least amount of violent crime in the last 40 years. Increased isolationism through suburban living, a 24 hour news cycle and crime-based TV shows (don't even get me started on Criminal Minds!) inflate our fears to the point where we think that EVERY stranger is out to get us. Come on. You're just not that important.

There was an editorial the Enquirer ran about a man who went downtown and Over-the-Rhine one Saturday, and had a great time with his family. When he came home he found out someone had been shot hours after he had been through the neighborhood, and declared he would think twice before going down again.

That's like saying you will never ever set foot in a car again after that multi-car pile up on the Brent Spence Bridge (or any other of the hundreds of car accidents that happen in the area every year, many of them deadly.) We certainly don't see that happening. "Safe" is a pretty relative term; taking risks is an inevitable part of life.

Look. You can do what you want. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I refuse to let fear or intimidation keep me from living my life. I've been mugged. I've had my house broken into. Yet, I move forward; I won't let fear of the past prevent me from the future. There's too many amazing things going on downtown and Over-the-Rhine to let the remote possibility of something bad happening prevent me from participating.

just a few of the fun and ridiculous things I could have missed out on by avoiding the 45202

If you don't buy or sell drugs or engage in prostitution, your odds of being shot in Over-the-Rhine automatically decrease by about 95%. Thieves mostly strike when they see opportunity - leaving change in your car or absentmindedly counting your cash while walking down the street will increase your odds.

That being said, here are my tips for decreasing your chances of being a victim of crime, anywhere. Don't come crying to me if it doesn't work, or blame me the next time something happens (because it will.) I'm just telling you what I do. No guarantees. Okay.

******

How to Stay Safe(r) - Anywhere.

* Don't carry a purse/bag if you can help it.
Purses are easy to grab and run off with, and are shiny and inviting. Only carry what you absolutely need - card/cash/id, keys, phone, chapstick. Put them in your pockets or utilize a friend with pockets if necessary. Alternatively, wear a bag or purse that goes across your chest instead of over your shoulder.

* Be aware of your surroundings.
Only keep one headphone bud in. Know what and who's around you. Walking with your head buried in your smart phone is a great way to get punched in the face by someone wanting your phone (a friend of mine found this out the hard way)

* Protect your ish.
Lock your phone. Get renter's insurance. Set up a GPS locator phone app to see where it's gone if it gets taken.

* Don't walk into trouble if you see it.
Riding your bike up hill and see a bunch of teenagers at the top? Turn around. Have the option to walk down a deserted dark street or go one block over to the busy, well lit one? Duh. See a drug deal going down? Ignore it.

* Engage.
Even if the person walking down the street from you sounds/smells/acts/looks different than you, the odds of them actively wanting to hurt you/take advantage of you are small. Smile. Say hello. 9 times out of 10 they will... smile and say hello right back. It's crazy, really.

* Listen.
Panhandlers happen. I try to listen to people when they're talking to me without initially brushing them off. They may have an elaborate story. They may want your money. They may just be wanting to talk your ear off. They may need directions. Before you brush someone off, listen and understand what it is they're asking you for.

Nothing made me feel more like an jerk than when I cut a woman off once who was just wanting directions to a coffee shop. If they do ask you for money and you don't want to give them any, just a smile and "Sorry, I don't have any" will do.

* If you've got a gut feeling something's wrong, go with it.
If someone's getting in your physical space, if you have an uncomfortable feeling something's not right, there's nothing wrong with being abrupt and getting to where you need to go - inside your car, inside your apartment, inside a random bar/shop/restaurant/intersection where there are people and where it's well lit - do it. It's a balance.

* Other unconventional ways of guaranteeing people will give you your space:
Wearing ridiculous hats. Riding a pink bike. Sobbing loudly and uncontrollably while walking down the street in the middle of the night. Singing or dancing down the sidewalk. Not that I would know from experience...

I don't think guns solve any problems. I suppose a whistle or pepper spray or something might be useful, but then I'd have to go and get some and that sounds like work.

******

I made a choice to live in Over-the-Rhine because I wanted to be challenged with humanity, every day. I wanted to be caught up in the exhilaration that comes from being surrounded by people during a street fair or at Findlay Market. I enjoy being greeted every day by Marc Antony, one of the more outgoing homeless residents, or Ed the car washer guy, engaging friends and strangers as I walk or bike down the street.

I didn't want to live in a bubble, by myself, isolated in a non-descript housing complex, hemmed in by development I couldn't get to without driving, intentionally cooping myself up in the American dream. Being around people has its trade offs. I'll take the risk that comes with the overwhelming good, every time.

Intention > Resolution

2012-01-12T05:39:00.000-08:00

ohm shanti, ya'll (Yoga Bar)

At the beginning of every yoga class, my instructor asks us to set an intention for our practice. To decide, in that moment, what we want to focus on while we're twisting ourselves into interesting shapes. Intention helps guide and focus the practice, and it brings another element to the table - focusing with the mind makes yoga more than just exercise.

Rather than set a resolution or five that I will inevitably break, I decided to set an intention for 2012.

Discipline.

As in, starting to grow up a little and train myself to go through and do those things that sometimes I don't want to do. Wake up a little earlier. Dress a little nicer. Make my bed. Do those dishes. Answer that email. And so it goes.

Getting in the habit of just pushing through and getting things done will hopefully leave me more time to do things I actually want to do, instead of mucking about and putting off the things I'm dreading.

It's a mindset, I think. We'll see how it goes.

The flipside of the discipline coin is then to discover what it is that I really actually love doing in the free time I have after the other adult stuff is done. I'm a bit of a 'yes girl', and have a habit of over-promising to make people happy. The result is then doing way way way too much and not making myself happy.

I got pretty dang inspired late last year by the Holstee Manifesto. They made this great video (with bikes!!) that sums up my mindset.

Bikes, yoga, laughter, friends, cities, design, travel, love.

2012 looks to be pretty amazing. What's your intention?

Twinkle Toes, part deux

2011-11-23T06:54:00.001-08:00

Back in May I jotted down a few things that make my life a little better - the little things that bring me joy, no matter how trivial or mundane. They lift me up and brighten my spirits... I call them "Twinkle Toes."

This particular week in November is a popular one to publicly give thanks. It's definitely time for TT, part two. I'll go ahead and get the big ones out of the way: family, friends, beau, food, job, place to live. My gratitude for these staples are the drumbeat of my existence, pretty much every day.

Okay? Okay.

Twinkle Toes, Fall Edition:

* two of my old friends from long ago moved to Cincy and are now my new friends again.
* all 22 pairs of different colored tights hanging in my closet mean I hardly ever have to wear pants.
* the misadventures my cats are constantly having in exploring the new apartment.
* did I mention the new apartment? two words: CENTRAL. HEATING.
* Sunday mass at St. Francis Seraph - celebrating Jesus with my neighbors of every background.
* urban campfire nights at my friend's fire pit in Pendleton.
* Instagram
* Audrey Hepburn - I have something of an obsession...
* watching the Bengals not suck this year.
* fresh picked apples.
* my quest to find the best home-made biscuit in Cincinnati.
* roasted root veggies.
* making friends at work.
* the Broadway Blast exercise class I attend every week - learning dances to show tunes gives me confidence and is so much fun.
* landing my second-ever lead role in a show.
* all the ways that connections happen in Cincinnati - in this little big town it's amazing to hear the stories of how people meet and have known each other through the years. It's even better when two completely different parts of my social circle connect for the first time.
* silly or sweet text messages from loved ones.
* bacon-wrapped date pizza at A Tavola.
* listening to records.
* Tough Love: Miami and The New Girl - my new guilty pleasure Hulu sessions.
* watching through Mad Men and Dr. Who with my guy.
* getting to know my new neighbors in my apartment building and in the area.
* making my 'hood better in tiny, secret ways (if I told you what they were it wouldn't be a secret anymore!)
* spiked hot apple cider and hot chocolate.
* calling my family and catching up with them.

Naturally, I gotta know...

What gives you Twinkle Toes?

Video Roundup

2011-11-02T15:01:00.000-07:00

Here's some videos that are inspiring, or hilarious, or ridiculous, or all of the above. I like them, and you like me. You'll like em too!

My cat LadyBird... she's a talker.

short film "Chocolate Bunny" by Lernert & Sander that I saw at OFFFCincy last week. Simultaneously unique and terrifying.

The Marmoset Song. I've listened to this probably 50 times in the last week and a half. ~~Sometimes~~ Constantly I get stuck on silly songs or videos and overdose on them.

City Mouse, Country Mouse

2011-10-19T05:58:00.000-07:00

my hump, my hump my hump my hump

I got around to decorating the cast of my backside my friend Kara made as a sample for her senior sculpture project last year. In an effort to make it not so obviously butt-like (if that's even possible) - I got out my magazines (okay, I printed pictures from Flickr) and my Modge Podge and got to decoupaging.

It's representative of my life and personality - half of me is cool and confident in the big* city, the other half of me longs for the quiet and the stars out in the farmland of Indiana, from whence I came. It's been six years since I moved to Cincinnati, but there are parts of me that are still very much Country Mouse.

Naturally there's a lot of text, sayings I find inspiring, and it serves as a reminder of where I've been, where I'm going, and who I am.

Despite its camoflauged appearance, it was still a little disconcerting to have a crowd of people at the housewarming party in September standing around contemplating the art. Apparently there are some puns that were unintentional at the time...

Ah well. Check it out!

*yes, I'm aware that Cincinnati is not really a big city. It's in the top 25 metros... It's all relative.

There's no place like Home.

2011-10-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

I'm finally home!

It's been a little minute, chickens. I've gone through some changes in my life- good things. First and foremost - I moved! Not far - just around the corner - but it's definitely a move up. There's central heating and air, among other things.

It's a lovely place, and I'm sharing it with a lovely friend from high school... and the kittens, of course. Finally the things I've acquired are starting to match and become an aesthetic all their own. Does having a decorating style mean I'm starting to become a grown up?

I have a record player, and a dishwasher, and a view to wake up to in the mornings that is both green and urban landscape. It's not much, but I finally feel settled. The boxes are unpacked, the pictures are framed, it's clean and spacious and peaceful.

Best of all I'm still smack dab in the middle of my favorite neighborhood, surrounded on all sides (literally) by friends and neighbors that I'm getting to know better. It feels like home.

I'm who and where I want to be. No change of heart - a change in me.

CycleSEXY!

2011-07-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

You know I love riding my bike to work. Rain or shine, snow or sun - I'm hopping on Laverne ~~because I'm too lazy to walk in heels~~ for the exercise and joy of it. Yes, even in sub zero temperatures, with a scarf wrapped around my face, I've derived a great deal of joy from riding to work. My commute is shorter now than it was in December, but I'm still scooting around - I love riding down east using the trail the City has been working on, out to Lunken Airport and down by the river. I love going to Covington, Bellevue and Newport across the river. I'm still a pretty big weenie about hills, but it's a little at a time.

And in case you were wondering... yes. It's really not that hard to ride a bike in heels! I wouldn't do it for 20 miles, but to get to work, just use the balls of your feet (not the heel part) on the pedal, make sure your skirt keeps you modest (no one wants to see unmentionables flying about due to a short skirt!) and get out and ride.

I'm submitting one of the pictures that the AMAZING Nick Thomas took for me this past weekend to the "What Women Want" photo contest and survey - hopefully it will win me a new set of ergonomic pedals! Check out all the pics below, and let me know which one is your favorite. The crowd seems to be indicating #7 is the way to go.

What I did on my summer vacation.

2011-06-27T09:59:00.000-07:00

Within 20 minutes of my arrival, I was covered head to toe in creamy peanut butter. The stuff caked my pigtails and was smeared on my shirt. It was a voluntary ambush; a salty-sweet welcome to my late arrival as a counselor at summer camp. I showed up right in the middle of Yuck Night - a free for all cabin-bonding activity where peanut butter, oatmeal, jello and other foodstuffs are thrown about in various relay races.

This past week I spent 6 days and 5 nights in northern Indiana. It was mostly cold, rainy, and filled with 5th and 6th graders. There was a beach, but I didn't get much sun. It may not be many people's idea of a fabulous getaway, but I couldn't have asked for anything more.

I. love. camp.

Summer camp, at Tippecanoe Baptist Camp in North Webster, Indiana, was a tradition I participated from 1997-2007. From age 9 to 19, I trekked the three hours north from my home town to spend anywhere from a week as a camper or counselor to a whole summer as a lifeguard immersed at this modest summer retreat. The American Baptist Association of Indiana and Kentucky has rallied around this little camp for years - despite the distance, I chose to go here because my father and his family attended years ago.

From singing the camp song (Eye-I-kee-I-kus, nobody like us, we are the kids from the baptist camp!) to gathering around the campfire in the evenings, ~~yelling at~~ reminding campers to walk, not run down, the hill, and everything in between, so much of what I remember and cherish about this place is the same. Having counseled and even worked for several summers, it really warmed my heart to see that despite not having been there for several years, my presence and influence still lingered - in the music left on the chapel laptop, and even an old photograph from the camp I counseled in 2007 pinned to the bulletin board in the dining hall.

I know it sounds cheesy, but this place changed my life. I made friends, experienced leadership opportunities, and grew in my faith. Due to circumstances with school, I've missed out on camp for the last four years, but after a friend reached out needing female counselors, I grabbed my three vacation days and headed out. It was definitely a wake up call, as kids I watched over years ago were now employed at camp as lifeguards, or even volunteering alongside me as a fellow cabin leader. I felt so old!

Some elements have changed, but most are the same. There's something comforting about the cinderblock cabins, the seaweedy lake, and the quiet chapel, surrounded by woods, dappled with sunlight, inhabited with kids singing at the top of their lungs.

Enjoy the pictures from this week :)

an ode to typography.

2011-06-04T18:40:00.000-07:00

I love words. since the time I started "reading" (memorizing) Doctor Seuss books, up to now with my incessant habit of analyzing and collecting fonts for my personal use, typography - the shape and influence and sheer art of letters - has been an influence in my life and style.

Every piece of artwork I own is typographic in nature. my senior thesis project revolved around the positive and negative and in between space of language and letters. I can't get over the power of letters, combined into the perfect words, to communicate exactly what I mean.

The weight and context of the written language - the ability to exactly convey emotions, and thoughts- is the most precious gift.

It is art.

I am innately drawn towards art through words. the shapes and forms the letters in their different styles take - an f is an f is an f is an f - so many ways to make it depending on its font.

So many ways to paint a word depending on its size, slants, curves, negative and positive space.

Words! We are so lucky to have language with which to communicate! EXCLAMATION POINT! and so many of them.

Words are so important. They carry weight. emotion.

I love you.

you're fired.

I'm sorry.

Writing them down fixes them in space. Makes them important and memorable. Keeps them forever.

Even typing on this screen seems less permanent.

Typography takes the beauty of language and makes it visual art.

_____________________________________________________________

They say a picture's worth a thousand words.

I say the perfect word paints a thousand pictures.

New Shoes

2011-05-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

For a variety of reasons, I've given myself particularly heavy boots about life in general lately. And for a variety of reasons, I was recently reminded that I need to change my perspective.

Or perhaps, just my shoes...

So in the spirit of Paolo Nutini's fantastic song "New Shoes", I'm trading in my boots for something lighter - a small list of things that are currently making my heart really happy.

My twinkle toes, if you will.

* How excited my cats are to see me when I come home
* Perfectly cooked meat - shrimp, fish, salmon, chicken
* Caramelized sweet potatoes
* Getting to know some girlfriends a lot better
* Meeting my neighbors
* Riding my bike... in heels
* Sunsets over the skyline
* The ice machine at work (we have an ice machine! it's awesome!!)
* Singing and doing dishes
* The flowers in Melindy Park, around the corner from my house
* The fact the two plants I bought over a month ago aren't dead yet
* My shoe collection - I have pretty fantastic shoes.
* Nicole at Incredible Creations who makes my nails look pretty for a super affordable price
* Sitting in the courtyard at Neon's and knowing more or less everyone I see
* Sitting on my fire escape enjoying the weather
* Getting a great parking spot and not moving my car for two weeks
* Every time I see the Schwartz's
* great yoga classes at You do Yoga and the Yoga Bar
* the four minute bike ride from home to work
* seeing live concerts around town
* making delicious food for friends where it's so good, there's no leftovers
* grocery shopping at Findlay Market, Aldi, and Mayberry Foodstuffs
* my new bike lock that lives on my bike
* hearing from old friends out of the blue
* planning trips and adventures
* little flowers that are probably weeds but look like flowers to me anyway
* overhearing or seeing people be sweet to each other when they think no one is looking or listening

What gives you twinkle toes?

I has a clothesline.

2011-04-08T12:33:00.000-07:00

I am big on saving money, and I hate wasting extra energy if I can help it. I also happen to live in a small apartment that faces out onto an alley, and I know the owners of the building that faces my building. These serendipitous circumstances added up to me working with the owners of Venue222 to install a clothesline outside my apartment.

It was really easy, only cost me $15, and will save me $1.50 a load in dryer costs (raise your hand if you hate quarters!)

The Dents (who also gave me my kittens!) came over a few weeks ago and helped me (okay, Wade did most of the work) install. Naturally I documented the process.

Enjoy!

Dee Cee Weekend!

2011-04-04T21:28:00.000-07:00

I love and miss my DAAP friends - even the ones that live less than 10 minutes away! With everyone so busy in the Real World with Big Girl Jobs, sometimes you just have to stop and take time out to smell the cherry blossoms.

My girl Sarah (the one who lives 10 minutes away) and I drove out to visit Corrie in Washington DC, where she's working at an awesome design firm and living the dream!

Check it out!

this is Cincinnati.

this is Frederick, Maryland. They look very similar.

awesome beer bottle cuff links at Eastern Market.

ladyfriends looking all beautiful and urban.

great ad by Zipcar - when are you coming to Cincinnati?!

we stopped to smell the cherry blossoms.

and had fun photoshoots in the park (what?! we're designers!)

and ate awesome local food.

It was a really fun weekend. I love and miss my friends!

Dancin' Fool.

2011-03-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

Just a little funny to bring a smile to your day.

(Click on the pic for my sweet moves!)

some sweet moves from the CAC Keith Haring opening a couple weeks ago. My buddy David DeWitt shot this video and edited it to showcase some happy happy kids jamming out :)

You're a hipster. I'm a hipster. Let's be geeks instead.

2011-03-11T10:32:00.000-08:00

Maybe it was all the chatter about Grammer's closing this week, but I feel suddenly deluged by the term "hipster." Don't know where it came from or how it became such a popular, deragatory term, but I'm tired of it. Don't believe the hype. We've all got a little hipster inside us (even Disney!)... at least I know I do. I don't know when it suddenly became popular to hate and label "hipsters", or why the subject draws so much contempt.

I've embraced my hipster-ness, for the most part. I listen to obscure bands, I live in a tiny apartment downtown and ride my bike everywhere, I love design and have a unique style... yeah. I'm pretty freakin' hipster, and okay with it.

okay, okay, not my usual hairstyle... but look at that freakin' hipster!(from 2007)

However, there is something divisive about being a true hipster, and it's something that often grinds my gears. I think the thing that people really, truly hate about this stereotype is the arrogant attitude, the presumptiousness and sense of indifference and irony that seems to go along with the label.

I'm cooler than you because my interests are SO obscure, SO unique. It's nothing more than another way to separate and divide, to stand out, and to be kind of an asshole about it.

However, at my core, I like to think of myself as more of a geek than a hipster. The biggest difference?

Geeks get excited.

Isn't that where the term "geeking out" came from? I love learning more about the world around me and sharing it with everyone I know. My Google Reader and sites like Fast Company and BoingBoing keep me up to date on everything from the hottest new tech concepts to the next hilarious viral video sweeping across the internet.

My enthusiasm travels off-line as well. If there is a chance for me to capture the joy of a small detail or moment as I'm going through life, I'm going to take notice and share it with the world, or at least my immediate circle of friends.

So, here's my proposal. This is 2011. The reign of the hipster is over. Let's get over ourselves, our obscure bands, our "cooler-than-thou" attitudes, and embrace our inner geeks. Let's get super excited about the little things, and open up to the people around us, instead of limiting and staying in our silly cliques of ironic hipness. Let's evolve...

Be an early adopter... you can say you did it before it went mainstream.

Seitan isn't Satan, but tofu sure is.

2011-02-18T06:16:00.000-08:00

So I'm over halfway through my meat-free February!! It has been an uphill battle... I find myself craving things I don't normally crave - BBQ wings for example - but I've had some fun with new recipes and trying new things.

I gave tofu one shot out to eat last week, and it was terrible. I've had it prepared well before (namely at Thai Express in Clifton) - when they saute the tofu in a sauce so it's crispy and flavorful... but not so the last time I had it (at a different Thai restaurant that will remain nameless. There's gotta be better options than tofu! YUCK!

So my main new discovery has been this seitan stuff. Seitan is wheat gluten - wheat flour is rinsed until all the starch dissolves and what's left is this elastic mass that has a similar texture to ground beef. I got some to try at Park+Vine, and it worked out pretty well. I crumbled it and sauteed in in oil, and it was good both in a salad and later as a "phony coney" - cranberry walnut bread (locally made, also from P+V), seitan and cheddar cheese melted in the toaster oven. YUM.

(pics: Upton's Naturals Seitan and spinach salad with raspberries, oranges, honey sesame sticks and seitan)

I've also had good success with beans. For Super Bowl Sunday I made a really fantastic black bean and sweet potato chili adapted from Serious Eats (using Arrogant Bastard Ale), and tonight for dinner I just made the best freakin' black bean burgers of probably ever. Yes, seriously. Ever.

See? They were fantastic.

Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers

1 16 oz can black beans, rinsed and dried
1 8 oz can chopped carrots, rinsed and dried
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
4 TBS minced garlic
1/4 cup flax seeds (gotta get that protein!)
1 egg
3/4 cup Italian seasoned croutons, smashed
1 cup Italian bread crumbs
seasonings to taste: salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, cumin, garam masala

1. drain and rinse the beans and carrots, and squish them with a fork in a bowl until they're all mushed.

2. loosely chop the onion and red pepper with a knife, put the pieces into your food processor with the garlic and flax seed. (10 points if your food processor is with the immersion blender like mine). Chop it up until it's really fine, then strain out most of the liquid through a mesh colander or one with small holes.

3. Combine the pureed vegetable mixture into the bean bowl. Add egg, croutons and bread crumbs. Add the spices a little at a time until the mix tastes good. Stir to combine - the mixture should be easy to work with and not crazy sticky - if it is, add more bread crumbs. Use your hands, you know you want to.

4. Form into patties whatever size you like - I made 3 big ones and 4 sliders and some meatballs for later this week. It makes a good amount of food - probably enough for 3 or 4 guys. Bake the patties on a lightly greased cookie sheet at 375 for 15-20 minutes. Add a little mozzarella cheese 3 minutes before removing.

I served my sliders on toast with mango chutney and brown mustard.

No fat, all protein and vegetables and wonderfulness - and it was REALLY filling. Enjoy!!

My Mom is Awesome.

2011-02-11T11:15:00.000-08:00

No seriously. She's amazing. The woman raised two kids for 12 years, and regularly outdid herself in terms of domestic, family and school affairs. For example: Once long, long ago, if I had friends spend the night over the weekend, Mom would make pancakes for breakfast.

Not just pancakes, though, a special recipe from scratch.

And not just from scratch pancakes, but pancakes shaped into various shapes - initials, cats, christmas trees, flowers... you name it.

This is how us Kesslers operate: above and beyond. There is always a way.

So anyway, she came to visit me about a month ago while I was (and still am) in the throes of the Very Cold Apartment experience. And she decided I needed curtains for my many windows (7 windows for a 3 room apartment! Amazing... and cold.)

Not just curtains, though... handmade curtains.

And not just handmade curtains, but curtains with black out fabric attached, in order to block light and retain what little heat my poor pad may have.

So she took measurements, we figured out the colors (hey, that interior design degree still comes in handy sometimes!) and two weeks later, hey, presto! She also made a futon and ottoman cover. And some pillow covers. And they all look AWESOME.

Kitchen

Living room

Bedroom

Futon/Ottoman cover.

Hey... they seem to like it!

Meat-Free February

2011-02-02T06:21:00.000-08:00

My friends Janice and Andy did a vegetarian diet for the month of January, and it got me thinking. I don't eat much meat to begin with - the occasional slice of bacon/chicken broth to flavor my soups, shrimp, sushi and sometimes burgers when I go out to eat. People often ask me if I'm vegetarian and I say, "I eat what I want!" It makes them laugh, but it's true. I often eat vegetarian meals because they're tasty (and cheap!), but I will answer the siren song of a delicious burger without hesitation.

But we all know how good it is for you, for the planet, for humanity, for the future, to cut back on meat consumption. So I'm going to try it.

I have trouble sticking to resolutions, mainly due to forgetfulness and lack of interest. So I'm thinking I will try not eating meat for the month of February. It's only 28 days, and it will be fun finding new recipes to try out. Of course I'm taking you with me ;)

Yesterday I kicked off my meatless February with a grilled goat cheese and spinach (and Grippo's BBQ chips) sandwich from Tom + Chee. My friend Shannon gave me a recipe for that night's dinner - she calls them "Nom Wraps": tortillas with cream cheese, spinach, sauteed red onion, roasted butternut squash, and sliced green pepper.

They were REALLY nom!! Thanks lady!

A new adventure

2011-01-14T11:53:00.000-08:00

Today I accepted a job as a Communications Associate with local arts nonprofit ArtsWave.

(remember, they did Paint the Street!) I'll be working to promote their brand message through word and graphic design.

For six months I have held out for my trifecta:

A place I love

With people I love

Doing work I love

And I found it in this organization. Promoting the arts in Cincinnati doing marketing and graphic design with incredible, talented people. I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity.

Thanks to everyone who has supported my job search thus far - the proofreading, encouragement, support and love.

I am so excited for this opportunity!!!!!

Oh the weather inside is frightful

2010-12-28T12:43:00.000-08:00

Yeah, you heard me. The temperatures are frigid in Cincinnati, and my first winter on my own has been quite an adventure.

My lovely 3 room, 800 sq foot apartment finally exposed to me its big flaw after the temperatures began consistently dipping below freezing. It is poorly insulated, and has no central heating. When I saw and signed the lease for the place in August, heating my apartment for winter was not on my mind. Now, however, I'm trying to balance the astronomical costs associated with baseboard heaters with keeping myself and the kittens from turning into popsicles.

(my bill between October and November jumped from 120 kwH to 500 kwH.

I don't have data from December yet... and I'm a little scared to look.

The only difference between Oct and Nov? Heating costs.)

A note to apartment renters to be: If your new apartment to be is heated with electric baseboard heaters, turn around and walk away. It is not worth it.

After I got my November bill I turned mine completely off.

(Electric baseboard heaters look like this)

Now, before you ask... yes. Yes I have. If there's a seemingly simple cost-saving energy solution, I have tried it.

I'm working for an Energy Alliance! I have done as much as I know how to make my place more energy efficient.

* I've taped all the windows in my apartment with a sheeted plastic and doublestick tape (and taped over the holes that the kittens have poked in them)

* During a brief warm up, I caulked around the cracks in the windows and floorboards in an effort to stop up some of the air escaping/coming through.

* Sweaters, Snuggies, and slippers are all mandatory coverings while inside. Sometimes, I look like a homeless Yeti. There are 5 blankets (2 comforters) on my bed, and 2 kittens keep me warm (when they decide they want to cuddle!)

* I try and use the oven once a day so that it warms the place a little. I've been existing on home made soup and bread, and it has been wonderful! (Tea and cocoa help too)

* I have one space heater that my landlord gave me (after I complained about the amount of money I was paying to heat with electricity... too bad the space heater uses electricity...) and one oil-filled radiator that also uses electricty.

* My favorite new thing? Electric mattress pad! I keep it at level 9 for 10-15 minutes while I'm getting ready for bed, then turn it down to 2 for the rest of the night. With all the blankets I stay very warm at a low setting!

So which is more efficient? Two heaters used sometimes, or 3 baseboard heaters used sometimes? Or a combination of both? Hopefully I'll be able to figure this out in the coming months. I just got my December bill, and it was heartbreakingly high.

If you have any more ideas, let me know! Spring is almost here... and when the hot weather comes, I promise I will be keeping my mouth shut! No complaints here.

Balluminaria!

2010-11-24T11:36:00.000-08:00

One of my very favorite Cincinnati events of the entire year was last weekend. Every year the Parks Department and several local hot air balloon companies come together to present the public with a balloon glow over Mirror Lake at Eden Park.

The array of colorful balloons glowing and reflected in the water is a photographer's dream, and I used the opportunity to play with the settings on my camera. This is why some of the pictures are very dark and others have a visible backdrop.

My favorite balloon was the one on the very end. They all had names - that particular one was Socrates. He looks so cheerful!

***************

I picked up a part time retail job for the holidays, and my first shift is on Black Friday. It's not a ton of money, but working retail (this store especially) helps me learn more about design in a hands on way. They also said I can help with setting up displays and stuff! Plus, the employee discount is pretty sweet. I'm sure I'll have loads of harrowing tales to tell once the season is over.

Until then, here's hoping the rest of this week is full of thanks.

Landor 110: Day 7 - an end and a beginning

2010-11-11T11:38:00.000-08:00

My last day of Landor 110? How could it be?! I was definitely bummed when I saw that I had reached the end of my sketchbook.

Tuesday, 1.10 pm. The view from my office building, 9 stories up in the middle of downtown Cincinnati. Today I couldn't help but notice all the rooftops as I stared out across the cityscape. Rooftops that hide from view behind facades and up way out of sight from the walkers and the drivers of the street below.

So much is going on that we don't even see or realize.

Sketch:

Word:

I wanted to go outside and play in the beautiful sunshine, but instead sat wistfully inside, munching some leftovers and sketching for my 10 minutes or so, knowing that by the time the workday was done the sun would be setting. Damn you, November.

Photo:

rooftops!

Color:

Green, an overabundance of energy and new life.

This was such a great little exercise. I miss sketching more than I realized. I'm glad for the job I have, but my artsy nature is sometimes a bit squashed. I am definitely going to have to get a new sketchbook for myself!

I took out all my color swatches and viewed my emotions over the last week. Pretty beautiful.

Landor 110: Day 6 - emo edition

2010-11-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

Confession time: I was a total grumpy bunny on Day 6. A combination of personal stuff and a case of the Mondays made for a super-emo 110.

Oh me, oh my, I'm all alone! Thanks for indulging my angsty feelings. Not sure why I thought of "solidarity" as a word, seeing as how it means to be united. I guess the solo and I parts appealed to my nature.

Sketch:

Word:

Photo:

One of my favorite grumpy-cures is yoga. I happened to be wearing fun colors, and an upside down view of Pigeon Pose actually looks pretty neat. This is definitely one of my favorite shots from the entire series.

Color:

Landor 110: Day 5

2010-11-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

Saturday at 1.10 pm I was in the midst of the OTR Field Day, with friends in teams of four doing silly, fun, relay games. Quick, quick!

Sketch:

Word:

Photo:

Color:

This has been such a fun experiment. I hope you've enjoyed my random thoughts and feelings at 1.10 as much as I've enjoyed creating them. Only 2 days left!

Landor 110: Day 4

2010-11-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

Fountain Square/Streetcar edition!

On Friday I was down on Fountain Square around 1.10. I ate lunch at Via Vite and sketched the streetcar on display on the Square. It's pretty neat.

Sketch:

Word:

Photo:

Color:

Landor 110: Day 3

2010-11-08T08:04:00.000-08:00

Lunchtime edition:

Sketch:

Word:

Photo:

Color:

Landor 110: Day 2 (1am edition)

2010-11-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

I missed the afternoon 1.10 so I set my alarm this morning for 1.10 am...

I awoke and sketched for approximately 2 minutes. Apparently I was having some strange dreams. Don't judge my subconscious!

Sketch: Magenta from Rocky Horror (or maybe Lady Gaga?) wheeling a dolly full of suitcases

Word: Apparently my emotion at the time...

Photo:

Color:

Red, the color of Magenta's hair, who I was dreaming about (watched Rocky Horror Picture Show last night before bed)

Landor 110: Day 1

2010-11-02T10:48:00.000-07:00

My buddy Micah has teamed up with local branding and creative rockstars Landor Associates to allow some Cincinnati creatives to chance to let their juices flow.

I'm participating in this social experiment, called Landor 110. Every day (or night) at 1.10 pm (or am), I have four tasks that will express what I'm feeling, thinking, doing in that moment:

Sketch, Write a Word, Take a Photo, Pick a Color. Pretty easy, I guess. It's 8 days long, and I'll be cataloging my entries here as well as on Twitter. Eventually all of these thoughts and emotions will be displayed for all to see at the Landor Studios.

So. Here we go.

Day 1 - I'm feeling a little sicky today, but overwhelmingly grateful for a great job and co-workers, a pretty view of 6th street, and all the fun things I get to do with my life.

Sketch

Word

Photo

Color

Oh Hey There, Henry

2010-10-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

My kittens are ridiculous. I'm pretty certain they are a new hybrid of puppy-cat. They eat lettuce, chew up shoes, and chase their tails.

Henry in particular really enjoys hiding under small spaces and peeking out from under them. His expression says, "oh hey there, what's up?"

Oh hey there, Henry.

weirdo.

Lady peeks out from things as well.

I just found out I'll be interviewing with a prestigious design firm in Washington D.C. next week. I'm super excited and nervous all in one. Cincinnati, you know I don't want to leave you. I've stayed around when it wasn't convenient, always coming back and telling everyone how awesome you are.

I've given you as much as I can, Cincy. I've gotta go where I'm wanted, even if in some ways it breaks my heart.

Library Cafe

2010-10-07T19:30:00.000-07:00

I had a great day at TedxCincy, but a whole day at the conference means I neglected my Google Reader all day. Blasting through 150+ articles, and this gem from Fast Company Design grabbed me.

D'Espresso, a cafe in New York City, is opening a new location close to the public library. Designed by Nema Workshop, it looks like a library gone wonky... literally flipped on its side.

notmypitchers

The books are actually glazed tiles printed with photos of books taken at a travel store. Clearly I'm a huge fan of libraries, and the way the design forces its inhabitants to consider their perspective is great. Yeah, it's a gimmick... but this time, it really works. Apparently he's going to do more, which I think could get a little tired after a while. But who knows... sometimes novelty can be done right.

My other favorite detail about this project is the "baseboard" trim that can be seen in the first picture between the herringbone wood "floor" and the bookshelf "wall." Details like that really kick the design up a notch!

What Have You Been Doing Lately?

2010-09-29T21:05:00.000-07:00

September has been a happy, busy month for me. The hot days have gradually turned into cool nights, and I am keeping plenty busy between two jobs, writing, job searching, and experiencing all the neat things Cincinnati has to offer.

The RecycleBank bins have finally arrived on my street!! I have signed up and can't wait until I start cashing in my recyclables for sweet stuff. It's awesome to have the huge bins, and I really like that everybody keeps them outside. Being the recycle nerd I am, I'll sometimes pick recyclables up off the street and now instead of carrying it home, I can toss it in someone else's bin.

PARK(ing) Day 2010 came and went, and I got to spend a day hanging outside with the good peeps of downtown. This year we included real sod, and people were surprised and excited that I was chilling out on real grass!

Many of my friends have moved away from Cincinnati since graduation, but the few of us that remain still get together occasionally for Sunday Night Dinners. I got to host one in my new apartment - complete with a kitchen table! - and made crazy awesome Oktoberfest inspired food.

A dear friend from high school moved away after graduation to Portland Oregon, and now 5 years later she's back, got married and moving with her beloved to Pittsburgh. A beautiful wedding for a beautiful bride!

Lastly but not leastly I got to volunteer with ArtsWave's Paint the Street event this past Sunday. Over a thousand people showed up to beautify a section of Over the Rhine, and it made me bubble over with joy... I was seriously smiling all day! I carried paint, made sandwiches, and took lots and lots of pictures of this sweet experience. I couldn't believe how many people came together and how awesome it all looked when it was finished. Not only did this act of beauty affect the people who were working on it, but the entire neighborhood swelled with excitement and energy. Just another sign of the heartbeat of my fantastic neighborhood.

ScanPan!!

2010-09-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

I am gradually getting settled in to my own little apartment, but after having lived with 6 girls for three years, I did not start out with much in the way of apartment furnishings.

I got super lucky with my social network, and managed to collect several furniture pieces (futon, chairs, tables, bookcase, kitchen cart) for very little cost through my friends on Twitter.

A few weeks ago, I even got a free cooking pan! Savor the Thyme gave away a free ScanPan, which is a Danish cookware company. They have invented a new type of non-stick cookware that is completely PFOA free - aka no nonstick/Teflon gross chemicals trickling into your food and raising your cholesterol.

I'm an aspiring cook - my roomie once told me she didn't think I could make anything to eat with less than 3 ingredients (she's pretty much right) and so I was STOKED to get an awesome new pan to use. 2 weeks later, and let me tell you what, this is a great pan. It's made out of recycled cast aluminum, which heats evenly and is hey, recycled! Double win.

I initiated the pan with a simple enough task - caramelizing some veggies for a fancy grilled cheese (see, more than three ingredients!) and the pan did a great job. It's also stood up to eggs, gravy, and several other tasks. Check it out!

ready for action!

onions and shrooms are looking good.

mmmmm....

transferred veggies to a sandwich...

finished product!

SuperYUM, FTW!

So You Want to Create A recycleDbin...

2010-09-08T06:06:00.000-07:00

Today is your lucky day!

I am teaching a demonstration at the makerspace Hive13 tonight. Located at 2929 Spring Grove Avenue in the Anchor Building, Hive13 is a workspace that allows for creativity and creation in 3500 square feet of work room. Take things apart, put them back together, mash them up, see what happens... it's a great opportunity to get your hands dirty and come away with something awesome.

Myself and my plastic bags will be headed there to demonstrate the awesomeness of ironing plastic together to make something new. If you want to come by, bring an iron and some bags, and you can learn the joy... and maybe help contribute to Park+Vine's new space!

7pm. 2929 Spring Grove Avenue. Be there!!

Energy Game

2010-09-03T07:43:00.000-07:00

I started a new position at the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance at the beginning of August, and since then, energy efficiency has been on my mind quite a bit. This new job coupled with my new apartment (and subsequent new Duke Energy bill) has really given me pause as to how I use energy in my new abode.

For me right now energy efficiency is mostly about saving money, but in the long run, it's also about reducing my carbon footprint. The majority of electricity in Ohio is generated by burning coal, which is not so great.

I was super lucky to have moved at the end of August, and with the exception of a few warm days last week the climate inside the apartment has been really pleasant for myself and the kittens. I leave the windows open all the time (with screens in, so my kamikaze kittens don't fall to their deaths) and use the ceiling fans.

(image from Good.is - shows how much energy devices use in standby mode/plugged in)

Right now, I have a grand total of 4 items in my place plugged in: the fridge, my bedside clock, and two surge protectors (one that is always plugged in that houses the internet connection, the other housing a lamp and my laptop charger that will be turned off after I'm done for the evening.)

My challenge to myself (and to you!) - how cognicent can I be about my energy usage? It's so easy to leave stuff plugged in, but even if a gadget (even a cell phone charger!) isn't being used, if it's plugged in it will still draw energy out. Which blows, both for my wallet and for the planet.

There are some things (like my desktop computer setup) that I really don't want to unplug, so I've connected all those outlets to a surge protector, and when the protector is turned off it doesn't draw energy. Voila.

I'm going to start this month and see how low I can keep my energy bill. Of course, the course may change once winter comes along!

I'm a Big Girl Now

2010-08-20T09:37:00.000-07:00

My possessions in the house I've lived in for the last 3 years has been gradually boxed up over the last month. Teal and tan walls will be the only reminder that I occupied the space, and they'll be painted over during the weekend. It's bittersweet, but I'm ready to move forward.

In the fall of 2007 5 of my friends and I eagerly moved into the brick house above the tuxedo shop, certain that we were going to have the best time ever. We definitely had a pretty great time, but it was not without bumps along the way.

3 years later there have been 12 different girls who have lived with me. I've learned a lot about conflict resolution, sharing spaces, washing dishes, and learning to live with and love a wide variety of personalities - from loud, boisterous and random to quiet, reserved and shy. These girls have all helped shape me, and I'll definitely miss fun nights camped out watching trash tv and eating brownies, or 'family dinners' gathered around the table eating tons of delicious food.

There's something to be said for living with other people, especially a LOT of other people. My college experience was so much richer because of my roomies, and I highly recommend the experience to others.It definitely pushes you outside your comfort zone.

However, it's time to move on. Time to move (literally) forward - to my own place, with my own bills, own dishes, own responsibilities.

I've never lived on my own before. I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited to get to know my new neighborhood and neighbors more intimately, and carve out my own 3-room niche to relax, create, and live.

It's been fun, Tux DeLuxe.

Moving on Up...

2010-07-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

My transformation from DAAP kid to grown up (whatever that means) continues to march forward, slowly but surely. The lease to the house I've resided in for the last 3 years expires September 1st. That's 34 days. By that time I will have left the world of Clifton Heights, with its Tuesday night parties til 4 in the morning, student housing, and sharing a refrigerator with 3 other people.

Yes. I am going to have my OWN refrigerator!! And not only that, but my own refrigerator (along with my own rest of an apartment) is located on my favorite street in Cincinnati, in my favorite neighborhood in Cincinnati.

I am moving to Over the Rhine!

thanks ifmuth for a GREAT photo!

I'm just a little bit excited. Not only am I moving to an area that is easily bikeable and walkable, but on my new street alone I know 4 people that live there. Last night I attended a Safety Sector meeting for the part of OTR I am moving to, and 40 people came to the meeting. I was surrounded by friends and new neighbors, and the energy and excitement I felt surging through the room confirmed my decision all the more. I am moving to a community. Where I know people. And they know me. Amazing.

thanks taestell for a GREAT photo!

The sustainable side of me is also excited. Having stayed in one place for three years (granted, it's been a new room each time...), I've accumulated stuff that I am ready to purge. I only want to have possessions in my life that I truly need, want and appreciate.

That being said, I don't have a lot. I have bedroom furniture and a metal kitchen rack... and that's pretty much it. I will be hopefully be getting some hand me down appliances, dishware and the like from my grandparents who need to purge some stuff from their house. And of course there will be the obligatory trips to Goodwill, antique stores, and IKEA...

But this is where you come in! You, yes YOU, dear reader, can be sustainable as well. Are there household goods or furniture lying around that you just can't quite commit to donating or throwing out? Have you been eying that new Le Crueset pan that you would LOVE to have, except that you already have a pan that works just as well? Take the guilt off your chest, and give that stuff you don't want... to me!

It's a win win situation for everyone. I can't wait to upcycle old (perhaps ugly) furniture and make it into something beautiful. DesignSponge does an amazing job of posting before and after shots of crafty people who see possibility in old worn out furniture. See?

I'll be keeping you updated on my new apartment transformation. If you have old furniture or other household goods you'd love to get off your hands and into my new place, email me (JenLKessler (at) gmail (dot) com) or get at me on Twitter.

Google Reader - get inspired: DESIGN

2010-07-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

I love Google Reader. There. I said it. I wouldn't say I'm addicted, but with over 60 subscriptions to interesting blogs and websites all over the web, I can't help but get inspired in my personal and design life. I love it because it keeps me up to date on what's going on, it inspires me, and I can share things I like with friends and collegeagues (and they with me!)

What is it, you ask? Google Reader is an RSS feed streamer that pulls new content from all your favorite blogs and websites that update (like mine!) and puts them chronologically into one place, so you don't have to go looking for new content. You can share posts you like with friends, and tag specific posts for reference later. The best part: anyone with a Google/Gmail account has access!

You should check out my Google Reader - what's more amazing than sweet links and a sea creature header?

Every once in a while I want to share things that inspire me, make me think, or make me laugh. I keep a lot of different labels with posts I like and want to remember.

Today, it's all about DESIGN:

Wood Floors Made From Wine Barrels (via Boing Boing)

Fontenay Woods rolled out a new flooring line that utilizes wine barrels. They use the outsides of the barrels with distinctive markings as well as the insides which have different color tones from the wine.

LOVE IT.

Boing Boing is kind of a geeky Tumblr for those of us who don't have the time to create or maintain a Tumblr. They post a LOT, but every once in a while they'll turn up something (like this) that is really awesome. Also, they have the market on viral videos - so I'm always first to know about the next funny thing. Also, one of the main heads of BoingBoing, Cory Doctorow came, and spoke at they HYPE Cincinnati Bold Fusion thing I attended. He's pretty cool.

Pigeon Toe Ceramics Spring 2010 (via Cool Hunting)

There's a company in Portland that makes ceramics with local clay, and fires them using wind and solar energy. They're local, green, and use a gorgeous clean aesthetic that I love.

I have a special spot in my heart for Mason jars (we did a lot of canning when I was younger), and so I got pretty excited when I saw these turn up!

Cool Hunting keeps track of up and coming trends in fashion, design, food, art, architecture and more across the globe. It amazes me the awesome things they dig up!

Modern Art Movements to Inspire Your Logo Designs (via Smashing Magazine)

Smashing Mag is great because they post tons of tutorials and incredibly detailed write ups on various aspects of web design. I'm not a web developer, so I skip the posts that extrapolate about CSS and the like, but they also do informative posts that help me kick start my thinking by posting lots and lots of great examples. Like this:

Art Noveau logo styles

Art Deco logo styles

Look around, be informed, get inspired!

Some Good Advice

2010-07-19T12:50:00.000-07:00

I've been graduated for almost 6 weeks. Crazy, huh? Between several part time gigs and free lance opportunities, writing, and the Big Job Search, I've definitely been keeping busy.

Objective #1 has been to find myself some sort of gainful employment that, in theory, gives me new experiences and helps to develop and hone my skills. Oh yeah... and pays dem bills. Kittens aren't cheap!

I'm currently doing some design rendering work for a well known laminate company in the area. Add in a few other part time opportunities doing research and graphic design for some friends and their companies, and that adds up to enough income to squeak by.

(thanks, ebaumsworld)

Objective #2 is obviously one of those Big Girl Jobs. So far it's 0 for 3, but each "we'll keep your resume for future reference" email adds another layer to my resolve. I know it's going to take a while. In the mean time, I saw this video collaboration from a handful of some of America's most creative thinkers and individuals.

"If I knew Then What I Know Now: Advice for Young Creatives"

If I Knew Then What I Know Now: Advice for Young Creatives from 99% on Vimeo.

The 99 percent project brings articles and inspiration to creatives from all over the web. Some of the advice in the video (for those of you not waiting around to watch it) includes:

* The job is not about you. It's about the ideas, the client.
* Don't try to fit in - be brave, and find the right people to collaborate with
* Keep working.
* Go out and find something that matters.

And my favorite... "Find your own voice, and know your self, what you're passionate about."

It's really encouraging to hear advice from people who've been in my position and are now doing awesome, incredible projects.

Eco-Friendly Kitties

2010-07-06T10:49:00.000-07:00

With graduation and the current job search/ cobbling together of random part time work to pay rent, I'm feeling a little aimless and afloat until permanent employment settles me. Last week I heard about some kittens that were going to be sent to a shelter unless someone took them in. After working hard to try and find them homes, I decided to go have a look. Of course, after one glance my heart melted, and Lady Bird Johnson and William Henry Harrison packed up and came home with me as a source of stability in my life.

(b/w is Henry; black is Lady)

My research for the best kitten supplies led me to Pet Wants: The Urban Feed Market. Pet Wants recently located in the north end of Findlay Market, and they specialize in locally made pet food and distributed pet supplies. The moment I walked in the store (with Henry and Lady in hand) the owners behind the counter were incredibly helpful and knowledgeable with my needs.

I was able to purchase some locally made kitten feed, and they also carry the only approved compostable litter!! You KNOW I was excited about that!

Swheat Scoop is the only litter on the market that's certified flushable in sewer or septic systems by the SGS US Testing Company. It's wheat based instead of silica or clay, and is better for kitty's health, and you don't have to toss it away after it's used. AND when it's time to change, it can go straight into the compost pile! This works out perfectly for me as I was in need of some paper based product to balance out the food component to my compost bin.

hey, they seem to like it...

Next time you're down at Findlay Market, stop by Pet Wants and say hi. They carry local dog and cat food and jerky, as well as tons of great options for supplies. If they don't have it, they'll order it!

Carbonmade update

2010-06-17T22:51:00.000-07:00

I've updated my Carbonmade portfolio with my capstone project. It will have more process added later, but for now you can see a pretty complete project!

Check it out :)

Diary of a DAAP Kid: A New Beginning

2010-06-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

I suppose that I am no longer a DAAP Kid. I have officially graduated from UC, and now the real fun begins. The choices that I make put me on a path that dictates the next few years of my life. It's a little bit of pressure, and I am glad that I have the opportunity to slow down and take a breath before jumping in head first to a full time job.

I have enough to fill my days, between small consulting jobs for friends and acquaintances in the area, to a few part time positions to pay the bills. In between these things is the crux of the matter: the full time job hunt. I would be lying if I told you I wasn't nervous about landing a job. Fortunately, I'm prepared to flood the companies with awesomeness, and confident that the right position will line up when it's time.

There may no longer be new Diary of a DAAP Kid entries, but I'm not going anywhere. Here's to the rest of this crazy ride!

Diary of a DAAP Kid: Critique

2010-06-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

My heart begins to pound, and I take a deep breath as I survey the three well dressed men sitting before me. I have been up for over 24 hours straight, following a seemingly never ending week of sleepless nights and longer days, as I have worked and worked to finish my final presentation.

I have explained my project a hundred times to everyone from my grandmother to former employers, and now I glide through my talking points as the representatives from SOM, Miami University and FRCH stare impassively at my (thus far) life's work mounted before them on foamcore panels.

There is no expression on their faces, and my mind immediately begins racing: "am I talking too much? Have I not said enough? Do they get what I'm trying to do?" I explain the background of the project, the site and its history, the design and its connection to the neighborhood, and then walk them verbally through the space. There is nothing more. Now I wait for their judgement.

This is critique. A panel of professionals in the field are introduced to your project and then objectively survey your work, telling you the good, bad and ugly of what you have tried to accomplish and how it could be better. They are nerve wracking times, and many a DAAPer has been reduced to tears (this one included... only once!) after a verbal dressing down from a panelist.

I am an emotional person, and I wear my heart on my sleeve. It has taken me many years to divorce my self worth from my design projects. "They are not talking about YOU. They are talking about your project. Calm down." Today the sleep and stress has caught up with me, and I take deep breaths as the man from SOM wonders aloud about my materials palette and whether or not I should have considered digital media in my intentionally analog library.

The critique is not meant to wear the student down, or harangue them about what they did or didn't do. The point is to hear outside opinions and gain new perspective in order to improve one's project. These reviews have happened at least twice a quarter for the duration of this project, and each person's opinion has helped to shape my design for the better.

Today is different. Today there is nothing more (in theory) to be done with this project. This is it. I stand back and look at my physical model, my 15 foot printed poster before me. Hundreds of dollars and hundreds of hours poured into this project for a half-hour's worth of words and opinion. Is it worth it? I look at my work, and I am proud.

Yes. Yes, it is.

Diary of a DAAP Kid: "So, What are You Doing After Graduation?"

2010-05-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

(picture source)

That is the number 1 question I get when talking to friends, family and acquaintances anymore. It's a valid question and good conversation starter. Right now my answer is a cheery smile, a small laugh and... "well, I've gotta graduate first!" I may be laughing it off, but as the time ticks ever closer - and my bank account drops lower and lower - finding a job after graduation is on my mind.

Please indulge me in a small rant. As we are all well aware, the job market sucks right now. It has for the last two years. When I started college, recent graduates were turning DOWN job offers. As of now, only 2 of the 40 people in my class currently have full time jobs post graduation. That is 1/20th of my class - the soon to be graduates of one the one of the best programs in the country.

DesignIntelligence consistently ranks UC's program high because of the co-op program, which gives students paid professional experience working in the field, and helps to build resumes and occasionally turns into full time positions down the road. We're all graduating with 18 months of paid professional experience under our belts. In five years, I've worked at three well known and well respected architecture firms in the Cincinnati area. I've done free lance consulting and design work. I started the student chapter of IIDA at UC. I'm a writer. I volunteer. On top of all that, I've got the knowledge and skill set using cutting edge technology for my trade, and I'm good at it. I'm creative and passionate, and I am itching to use my experience and talents at a place that will help me to grow, where I can do amazing things.

Under normal circumstances, these qualifications would surely get my foot in the door somewhere. The one thing my classmates and I don't have right now is multiple years of experience. And unfortunately, with so many professionals in the architecture world being laid off, experience is the key that is opening doors. Nearly all the open positions I've researched are asking for registered designers with 5-8 years of experience or more. Employers know these people are out there, and they can afford to be picky.

This puts my class in a quandary. We can't get a job without experience, but we can't get experience without a job. It's a frustrating circle. These people who have been laid off, at least they have unemployment to fall back on. I am graduating with nothing but the promise of student loans coming due. Not only that, but there are professionals being laid off who don't want gaps in their resume, so they are applying for (and getting) unpaid internships. This sets a terrible example for firms, who then get the impression they can "hire" workers, have them do the same amount of work as a full time employee, and reap the benefits for free.

Everyone says that Gen Y suffers from a sense of entitlement, that we feel we don't have to work for what we're given, and that we don't know how to handle rejection. From March 2009 to September 2009, I applied to nearly 70 firms in the hopes of landing a co-op job for the summer and fall in locations all over the country. I got two interviews and one job.

My fall co-op experience was me doing part free-lance graphic design work and interior consulting, part contract work for a construction firm, and part designing for / managing a condo project in downtown Cincinnati. All of these opportunities I obtained through my personal network, not through the school's co-op program. Rejection and I are on a first name basis, and I'm prepared to face even more of it as I continue my search. This isn't a bad thing, and has made me more resilient and forced me to look way outside the box in terms of gaining experience and making money.

My graduating class has worked unbelievably hard to get where we are right now, and it's going to pay off eventually. I'm confident we're going to do amazing things, and just have to get through this rough time.

So, what AM I doing after graduation? The lease on my house isn't up til September, so hopefully I can get it figured out by then! I will be applying for a part time job in the area and continuing to free lance during the summer while I apply to jobs and continue making connections with potential employers. Every day and every person I meet and connect with is another new opportunity. So, if you hear of anything... please, send it my way!

Walking... er... Biking... the Walk

2010-05-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

I've been preaching the good news of safe and responsible bike riding for quite a while now, but in my heart of hearts I have felt I've been living a lie. How could I possibly rail about idiots riding the wrong way down the sidewalk when I didn't even own my own bike?!

But now... redemption. I purchased my own little bike last week from a lovely gal on Twitter, and now I am proud to say that Laverne is my very own. I know it's kind of late in the game, but hopefully wherever I end up, Laverne will be my new companion and help me explore my city in an energy burning kind of way.

So, I'll see YOU on the road (riding the right way on the road wearing a helmet, of course!)

Diary of a DAAP Kid: The Importance of Portfolio

2010-05-17T14:35:00.000-07:00

For most soon to be graduates, having a finely crafted Microsoft Word formatted resume crammed full with campus leadership positions and summer internship experience will be enough to land them in their desired post-college position.

Not so with the dedicated DAAP-er. Because the work we do is visual in nature, it is necessary to have a compiled selection of past school and paid work that is graphically pleasing. For those out of the loop, this is called a portfolio, and can be the bane of many student's existence. Now not only do the cover letters and resumes need to stand out, but the very way one's portfolio is arranged speaks volumes about one's design sensibilities, and yes... they will be judged.

I have successfully constructed a digital portfolio that is printed out into a booklet I can bring to interviews and discuss with potential employers, but it is also necessary to leave an impression upon meeting new design colleagues. I have been directing people to this blog, and today I am proud to say that it will be easy to access my online work as well as my writing and various outlets!!

Please, check it out and let me know what you think. I will eventually be adding my senior project work... as soon as it is complete!!

Hell Week, part 1

2010-05-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

So my "final" design is due on Wednesday. It doesn't have to be finished yet, just has to be on the way. I wanted to let you know I'm still alive.

Here's a pie.

32 days!

Sick Day

2010-04-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

I overdid it with the late nights... now have a lovely case of contagious bronchitis/conjuctivitis. Who wants a hug?

Late Night Rambles

2010-04-28T22:45:00.000-07:00

It is late. I am overbooked with things to do. I'm taking two midterms in the next two days, neither of which I've studied adequately for. I'm incredibly behind in studio..

This is mostly because I redid my design. AGAIN. We're talking the sixth or seventh complete and utter redesign over the span of 14 weeks or so. But... I'm really happy with it. It's actually working out this time.

Remember how before I had random meaningless shapes as cutouts in my nook? Cool concept, boring execution. It needed meaning.

Enter meaning:

It's an anagram poem by the lovely and OTR-centered VisualLingual. So now my random shapes are lettters, that harken back to the neighborhood the library is centered in...

Just a screenshot of my Sketchup model, but you can get the idea, right? You won't actually experience the space like this, but it's cool to look at overall.

Yes.

Okay. Back to work!

Diary of a DAAP Kid: Am I a Young Professional?

2010-04-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

With the thought of Real Life and the Real World looming so quickly over my head, I have continued to deepen my social networking roots as I test the waters of Cincinnati's potential hiring ground for June 2010. For me, this goes beyond brushing up my LinkedIn profile.

Over the last year I've been priviledged to gain access to the incredible network of bloggers and Twitter folk in the greater Cincinnati area, and across the country. Forging these connections has led me to great opportunites - I've gotten freelance work, office furniture, heck, today I even learned a little bit about the house I currently live in!

A lot of people my age do not understand or appreciate the value of social networking in a professional context. In fact, I get mocked regularly (in a loving way of course) by my friends who just don't get Twitter. It's okay guys. I love you too, and so do the aliens that live in my phone and tell me where the best places to eat in Lexington are.

The point is, all my tweeting has finally paid off! This Thursday I get to be a part of HYPE Cincinnati's social media team for their big Bold Fusion 2010 event.

It's a conference-style event for Young Professionals, by Young Professionals, designed to get us thinking in different ways about our life, professional and personal. So then the first obvious question is... am I (a college student getting ready to graduate) a Young Professional? Wikipedia says it generally refers to a young person not in school who is employed in a profession or white-collar occupation. Well, crap.

I'm still in school... barely. But in reality, between working 6 jobs over the last 5 years in my field of study as a paid professional intern, I've got more experience than many recent graduates who have started their first "real" job. So, yes. Pretty sure I've got the whole YP thing covered.... except for maybe the whole power suit thing. Obviously I don't have it all figured out yet, and I'm really excited for Bold Fusion to help show me the way and connect me with awesome people!

If you haven't registered yet, and you want to... you totally should! It's only $35 for college students!! You can register online now or by calling (513) 579-3111.

If you're coming to Bold Fusion on Thursday, or if you're not and want to follow along, be sure and use the hashtag #cincyhype and follow along with my thoughts and ramblings during the course of the afternoon. AND please come find me and say hi!!

Diary of a DAAP Kid: 50 DAYS! (+ photo project 1)

2010-04-23T07:52:00.000-07:00

The title says it all.

I. Am. Graduating. In. Fifty. Days.

Holy cow. One of my classmates got a job offer at a firm in Chicago. She's the first one to go, and it's very exciting stuff. The challenge right now is to balance and focus on my school work, enjoy the time with my friends while I can, and top it all off with some job hunting. So far so good.

My studio project has evolved yet again! I'm really excited. I'll fill you in with a post on Monday, when it's a little more developed.

In the meantime, my first assignment in my Intro to Photography class was due yesterday. We were to focus on landscapes. These are the two I had printed at a large scale.

Spring Grove Cemetery

Under the Bridge at Sawyer Point

I Just Gotta Be Me...

2010-04-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

The journey that has been this whole "recycledbin" thing has been a great experience. However, I am more than 300 plastic bags melted together. My design ideas are a part of me, but I have let them completely define my identity.

With graduation soon approaching, it's time to take control of my online destiny... so, I've got to make some changes.

I yam what I yam..

My goal is to roll out a new website that will be a venue for my writings about sustainability, Cincinnati, and design, as well as a venue to showcase my design work and experience. I don't have a handle on this yet, but look forward to it soon.

For now, the big thing that has changed is my Twitter handle. I've given up the recycledbin moniker in favor of my real name. Alex Shebar recently posted some great thoughts on hiding behind crazy names on the internet, and it really got me thinking.

So, don't freak out - it's still me! Just... me.

The Lorax Gives Yet Another Update.

2010-04-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

Faithful readers may remember that I live directly across from an empty lot straddling Calhoun and McMillan Streets in Clifton Heights. Last year people got the bright idea to park in the grass, ruining a potential green space for those of us without yards. It was a pretty lame situation, and I got a little fussy over the whole ordeal.

Well, almost a year later, the property owners have finally got the situation under control. They installed a permanent chain link fence around the existing gravel parking lot, which is quite an upgrade from caution tape and post and chains that were easily torn down by asshole Jeep drivers.

Before:

After:

And yesterday, I saw people hanging out under the single tree in the grass lot!! This is great news. If more people start using it as green space, there is potential for the developers to maybe someday use it as a park space.

This is your eternal optimist, signing off.

Compost Update

2010-04-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

It has now been over a year since I have been composting at my home in Clifton!! You may remember how excited I was to embark upon my smelly little journey of fermenting my food scraps.

My happy little bin, one year ago:

brand spankin' new!

Today:

well used and well loved!

I am extremely proud to report that I actually have something to show for all my hard work: crumbly black (only slightly smelly) composted food soil!! It needs to be mixed in with some regular dirt, but considering my house is all gravel and broken glass, it will have to come from another source. Back in the fall a friend helped me with some fill dirt and dry leaves, which definitely helped.

isn't it beeeeautiful?!?!

The 5chw4 r7z's have already laid claim to some of the dirt. I'm hoping to donate the rest to a community garden, or maybe YOUR backyard! Do ya want it? Let me know!!

*PS*

I just realized that I've now been doodling around in this thing for over a year! It's been an insanely awesome year. Thanks for coming along for the craziness. I'm hoping to transition to a big girl website before graduation. I hope you all follow me there!

Women Need To Ask: Salary Negotiation

2010-04-09T09:15:00.000-07:00

This past Thursday evening I attended a seminar sponsored by the UC Women's Center entitled "$tart $mart." It is a workshop teaching college age women about the need to benchmark and negotiating a starting salary. I have taken 20 weeks worth of classes on Professional Practice, and I learned more in Thursday's 3 hour session than I did during both of those classes. This information is too important NOT to share. So, here you have it:

(image link)
Start Smart originated by the group Women Are Getting Even (WAGE) and the AAUW. Their aim is to educate others about wage discrimination in the United States, (yes it still happens) and inform and empower women to stand up for the compensation we deserve.

Women make, on average, .77 to every $1 an equally qualified man makes in the workplace. That may not seem like a lot, but it adds up. Over a life time, a working woman will potentially make 1.2 MILLION dollars less than her male counterpart.

One. Point. Two. Million. Dollars. What the HELL??

If a man and woman start on the same career track in the same position, but the man negotiates to get a bigger salary, he will consistently make more across the board. His bonus will be bigger, pension will be bigger, and every raise will catapult his salary higher and higher. Add in deeply rooted stereotypes (albeit sometimes unintentional) and lower expectations on the woman's part ( "I don't need as much", "I'm not as well qualified", "I want to be liked so I won't make a fuss") and you have a formula that is unfair and needs to be changed.

It starts with the first salary after graduation. Oh hey, I'm graduating in June... so this is pretty flipping relevant to me.

The way to get what you deserve in the workplace is to know what you deserve to be making in the workplace. Wageproject.org is a website that catalogs salary and benefits for practically every job in the US, and lists high, low, and average salaries in a particular location. So for a beginning interior design position in Cincinnati, the average salary is about $38,000. This is good info to know, especially since in the workshop we calculated a basic budget coming out to approximately $32,000 a year. Eep!

When you know what the median salary for your potential position is, set that as your benchmark salary goal for the position. If you're qualified for the job, you deserve the money! Do not let the economy scare you into settling for a salary. It will hurt you in the long run.

It's also important to know about and negotiate your benefits. Sometimes a lower pay will be worth it if the benefits (health, life, disability insurance, 401K contibutions, paid time off, vacations) are good. But if you don't know, you can't negotiate!

After you benchmark your target salary, you know what you are worth in the marketplace. Be prepared to justify the reasons behind the salary you want. Employers admire someone who has a clear understanding of their worth and how to explain it.

We also learned how to negotiate a salary, with tips and tricks, do's and don'ts.

* If you are filling out a job application, do NOT fill in a desired salary if it is requested. Put something like "negotiable." If it's online and you can't proceed until filling it out, then put 2% above your midpoint salary. But only if you absolutely have to.

* You can only start negotiating your salary AFTER you have a job offer. Not a peep about it before they want you to work for them. After they've offered you the job, they are invested in you and will be willing to discuss your needs.

* It's all about your tone. Be positive - you're starting a professional relationship with this person, no need to get defensive. It's a conversation. Don't be emotional. Be persuasive - put all the research you've done to use and let them know why you deserve to be paid what you deserve to be paid. But also be flexible - Know what you want (your target), but know what you need (the absolute minimum you've decided you need to live on). Listen to your employer's needs and brainstorm ways to meet their needs and your goals.

* Tactics: Let them offer a number first. Don't be the first to offer. Aim high, but be realistic. If you've got the skills, you deserve the money, honey. Tell them why!! Do your homework on the company and organization, so you know how you can fufill your employer's needs from Day 1.

* Tips: Sell yourself! - Don't assume they've read your resume, so be prepared to go through it and highlight specifics. Anticipate any objections they may throw your way. Be prepared to listen, and respond with how you can help them. And seriously... don't get personal.

An employer is looking for an assessment of your ability to get their job done and how you fit within their organization. They don't need or want a sob story of how badly you need the job.

If you get an offer, don't accept it right away. Don't be afraid to have a discussion. If they refuse to budge on the money you need, be prepared to walk. It wasn't the right choice anyway. Be sure to ask hard questions.

The bottom line: If you don't ask, you won't get it. You are not a bitch for asking for the money you deserve. Be knowledgeable. Be honest. Be professional. You'll come out ahead.

The UC Women's Center is an amazing resource, and they are super helpful if you have any questions or want any more information on this and other women's issues. You can go to their website or check them out on campus at 571 Steger (right next to Subway.)

Plastic Bag Love: Josh Blackwell

2010-04-07T07:27:00.000-07:00

Major hat tip to the fabulous site Design Sponge who shared this great artist with her readers this morning. Josh Blackwell is an artist who celebrates the disposable by embellishing the lowly *my favorite* plastic bag.

He's been educated on both coasts and boasts a healthy resume of gallery shows, fellowships, and written work. I love how he's created beauty from something we consider ugly and easy to throw away.

My favorite thing is his studio. I can really relate.

Paper and Plastic
A Manifesto for Casual Use

Carelessness with carefulness
Soft-build not athletic
Vintage and future
Casual and formal
Mountains not beaches
Volume after flatness
Grace Jones and Leigh Bowery
Ballets before musicals
Demy and Tati
Trousers or sweaters
Oxford Bags and Nantucket Reds
Sandals instead of shoes
Booking versus tooling
Imi Knoebel and Donald Judd
Paper and plastic

- Josh Blackwell

all images copyright Josh Blackwell

Spring Quarter: Let's do this Thing!

2010-03-31T07:30:00.000-07:00

After the small hiatus that was Spring Break, I'm back with a bang. It's the third day of classes, and so far, so good. I'm down to 15 credit hours (a first for me... seriously) and the official countdown to graduation has begun (73 days.)

Yay Spring Quarter!! 73 Days til graduation!

Now is the final push. Now is my last quarter to truly do my best work. Now is my last quarter to sleep in, stay up late, take chances, and live my life out to the fullest. Many people have jokingly warned me that this is it, and I'll miss college after it's gone. They are probably right. Part of me is eager to move forward, but I know it's important to live in the moment and fully enjoy every second I'm here.

I'm taking Yoga for Stress Management (yes, a real class!) on Monday and Wednesday mornings, and it's one of the better decisions I've made this year. The first day of class our homework was to think about and decide upon an Intention for the quarter. My instructor explained that an Intention is sort of like a goal, but with more purpose (thus the Capital Letter.) I've put some thought into my Intention, and decided that the thing I need to focus on this quarter - especially in but not just in my yoga class - is to simply Be Me. Be Jenny. It's a concept expanded upon by Gretchen Rubin of the Happiness Project, and in a nutshell, it's accepting and realizing exactly who I am, likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses.

I'm kind of a nut. I get excited easily, and sometimes I speak up when I should shut up. It's who I am. I can work on it, but at the same time, I have to accept the flaws and reality that is me and stop projecting others' desires upon myself. I'll let you know how it works out.

***

One last thing - Today my professors have organized a Career Day of sorts for all the senior interior design students. Professionals from Cincy, Chicago, Louisville, Columbus and Indianapolis are coming in to critique our work and presumably suss out the graduating class of 2010 for future job opportunities. Jeff Reuschel, Global Design Director of Haworth is giving a lecture at 5 pm, and there is a reception after the lecture for friends and family to come check out the student work from 6-8.

I'd really love if you could come to the DAAPWorks at the beginning of June, but if you want to see my stuff in real life, you're welcome to stop by. Just wander into DAAP and ask someone to point you towards the Grand Stair.

If you can't make it, no big deal. Look at this - it's another perspective of my space I whipped up last night. My professors wanted to see what my library space looks like outside of the Nook. Pretty snazzy.

Final Quarter Work!

2010-03-17T05:03:00.000-07:00

So, exactly a week later, I am showing you my final quarter's work. There's still more to be done with it. This is more like a big midterm. I'm happy with what I've come up with, but I still want to push further.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...

Diary of a DAAP Kid: School / Life balance?

2010-03-06T09:12:00.000-08:00

Is there even such a thing? My first four years of DAAP involved way too many late nights, tears, and frustrated outcries. I turned down a lot of social events, conversations, and potential memories to focus on my school work. I wonder now if it was worth it.

Because I officially now only have 98 days until graduation, it's important to me to make every moment count. I'm a lot more involved with my friends and my city now, and there are many options available to me for various entertaining ways to spend my evenings and weekends.

My mom told me that I have an option: I can spend 80% of my time getting 20% of my work done (by distracting myself along the way, or I can spend 20% of my time getting 80% done, by focusing like a boss and Taking Care of Business. Due to my generational lack of focus I feel like it's more 30/70, but I like the idea and am looking forward to implementing it (ya know, after this blog post.)

So far this quarter I've done a great job with not turning down opportunities to make great memories. I've gone dancing, imbibed great beer, played broomball, taken yoga, eaten great food, and more. Up until this week it's been a good balance, and I've gotten my work done to a degree that satisfies me.

Now it is Project Week... the week before Finals week, in which the studio classes in DAAP require the final work in the class to be completed. Basically, I have two final weeks. This week for studio, next week for the rest of my elective classes.

I am presenting my final work this coming Wednesday (are you excited? I am!), and I have a ton of work to do before now and then. So this weekend (the best weather of the year so far) I am entombing myself within Eisenman's ~~four~~ many faceted walls and not coming out until I have a product I'm satisfied with. It sucks, but hey... graduating is important to me.

I got to participate in the Bockfest parade yesterday, which fulfilled my need to be social and not feel like I was completely missing out on the weekend's festivities.

Okay. Here we gooooooo!!

yaaay Bockfest!!

yeah, yeah, Shepard Fairey

2010-02-24T20:58:00.000-08:00

I'm in art school. It's practically required for me to take awkward self portraits in front of art.

He's a plagiarizing jerk. He's a bonafide genius. The point is, he came to Cincinnati and made it that much more awesome. Not only did he improve some already beautiful buildings, but he got the city excited and proud. That's an artist I can stand behind.

I went on an adventure to find all the buildings that Shepard Fairey pasted his propaganda. I love the closeup shots that people have been posting, but it's just as or more interesting to see the artwork in its context.

Check it out!

My favorite aspect about the whole trip were a series of white helium balloons that actually tied in with a different show at the CAC by Shilpa Gupta. They were tied flying close by several of the Fairey pieces. Beautiful, with a message I can really stand behind.

Midterms!

2010-02-12T07:48:00.000-08:00

I'm halfway through winter quarter. Instead of exams, students in my program put together a series of drawings to illustrate their design. It's definitely a halfway point, and I have a long way to go in my thoughts and ideas. I thought you might like to see what I've come up with so far.

The amorphous shapes in the middle of each floor represent the "nook" spaces developed for different groups of people. I think they're going to change, probably a lot.

Let me know what you think and if you have any ideas for improving my work!

Daddy's Girl

2010-02-05T06:22:00.000-08:00

It's a crazy busy day in a crazy busy set of days as I rush around preparing for my midterm presentation. College "midterms" usually include several tests and some papers for most students, but in design it's different. I present my entire set of ideas surrounding my senior project to a panel of critiquers, who then grill me for an hour, giving feedback on what I've done so far. To put it mildly, there's a lot of work and not much sleep ahead for me this weekend, but I'm excited about my ideas and take comfort in the fact that if I take my time, I will turn out an excellent project.

But anyway... today is the 11th anniversary of my father's death. He died of liver cancer on Feburary 5th, 1999, after living far longer than any doctor expected him to. He fought incredibly hard in order to be with my sister and I for as long as possible, and I'm grateful for that.

Eleven years is a long time. Yes, I am sad, but mostly I work hard to remember, good and bad, the man was Darrel Kessler. It's kind of awesome that I end up in design. He initially started a college career in architecture at Ball State University, but dropped out after a year because it wasn't exactly his bag. He went on to become an EMT, meet my mom, and eventually go to chiropractic college.

He worked incredibly hard and was a fierce learner. Even after he graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic, he still returned to St. Louis on weekends to complete continuing education credits in order to stay on top of the field. He was also really into technology, and I know that if he was around today, his mind would be totally blown from all the advances we've made (and he would be on every social network known to man!)

Keeping this in mind, I know I am a Daddy's girl. I'm finishing what he started with the whole architecture thing (and my sister, ironically enough, is attending Ball State!) I know he would be proud of me with the things I've accomplished thus far, and excited and okay with the choices I've made in my life. I keep the spirit of my dad in mind, especially today of all days.

So don't be super sad for me. It's been a hard thing to go through, but I'm stronger, my family is stronger, and I know he would be cheering me on 100%. (and if you're looking for a tearjerker, check my post from last year. Don't say I didn't warn you...)

Diary of a DAAP Kid: money in the bank, bank.

2010-02-02T15:11:00.000-08:00

money well spent.

So I'm kind of in between jobs right now. A few things here, a few things there, but I'm in school, not a working full time co-op job with full time pay. On top of that, school's expensive. And time consuming. Most college students spend their money right off the bat in the beginning of the quarter purchasing textbooks. Not only do I purchase textbooks for my elective classes (Hellooo "Sustainable Urban Development Reader, 2nd edition") but I also have to purchase art supplies and cover the cost of printing ($12 a linear foot for plots, anyone!?) periodically during the quarter. These costs are less predictable and can easily skyrocket, depending on my project and how many supplies I have to start with. Basically, being a design student in DAAP is expensive!

I'm okay with spending money that I need to, but my supply is dwindling. I've taken a look at the books, and I've really got to be careful about what I'm spending my money on, or get a more consistently paying job (with super flexible hours, that I don't have to spend too much time with... yeah...) I've picked the latter, and am attempting to curtail my weekend spending.

This weekend I gave myself a limit of $20. Seems like no big deal, but it goes quickly!! I basically blew my cash all on Friday night - and that was okay. Let's get the breakdown.

Wine tasting with studio gals at Ludlow Beer and Wine: $5
Cafe de Wheels chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries: $8.50
Crappy overly hoppy beer at Grammar's + tip: $5

so in less than 6 hours, I had spent $18.50 out of $20.00. Don't get me wrong, it was amazing (as was the Final Friday gallery walk with free food and beer that went with it!!!) However, it stifled the rest of my weekend. So Saturday night I stayed in with my roomies and made a delicious meal with ingredients I already had on hand. Free movie, free meal. A pretty great Saturday.

I'm thrifty and tenacious, so I don't imagine I'll have a hard time staying within whatever budget I set for myself. The point is being more thoughtful with my credit cards so that I don't blow through money... so, if I have food at home, I need to eat it and make it, not get take out. Thinking before purchasing. It's a good goal.

Nook.

2010-01-29T11:57:00.000-08:00

BAM - just got hit in the face with some inspiration. What do you think??

It's Easy Being Green... Just Not That Convenient

2010-01-29T08:03:00.000-08:00

(a "recycled" post from a blog I kept once upon a time... thought you might like to read it)

Saving the earth is a noble and necessary task. Marketing and media have taken the phrase “being green” to a whole new (rather sickening) level. Working in the design industry means I am subjected to these sometimes terrible marketing ploys as every manufacturer of paint, carpet, fabric, bricks, concrete, windows, sheet flooring, and ceiling tiles (etc) screams at me to see how sustainable they are!! How many LEED points their company can contribute (note: unless they are mechanical manufacturers, the odds of their company alone earning you LEED points is a fairy tale. Period.) This morning a paint manufacturer sent my firm a brochure that proudly displayed their newest color: EcoFriendly.

Can someone tell me what color EcoFriendly is? Green as in grass? Brown as in (poop) compost? Seriously. The best part was that their pretty, brightly colored brochure was not printed on recycled paper, non soy-based inks, and had a ridiculous amount of packaging. Sounds pretty EcoFriendly to me. Not.

Actually, since you’re dying to know… EcoFriendly is white. Yes. They take old base paint and mix it together to make a “new” paint… it technically contributes to using recycled materials, but because it’s an old paint, it lets off toxic fumes after you paint with it, which is detrimental to the whole “green” process – a big part of sustainable interiors is indoor air quality – because the average interior air is full of chemicals, vapors, and stale(air conditioned) air and can actually make you sick!

In some ways sustainable living is really not that difficult. It is not hard to rinse out milk jugs, to put things in the recycling bin, to walk and bike more, to use your own bags at the store, etc. The problem is that it is not convenient. It doesn’t take that much effort to walk two steps farther to the recycle bin, but it IS two steps. And for some people, that is enough to make them toss it in the trash. I do this occasionally as well.

But after a year of living with my good friends, I am the Green Nazi. I have planted a small herb garden (and harangue my roommates to water them when I am gone), and am the one in charge of rinsing out the smelly milk jugs that got tossed in, getting rid of the yogurt containers and removing the drink caps (non-recyclable plastic, sorry. Same goes with Styrofoam.) it never takes me more than 5 minutes, and I get a sort of self-righteous pleasure from it, it’s true.

I dunno, there’s just something enormously satisfying about fitting groceries for five hungry girls into 7 reusable/cloth bags as compared to 30 or so plastic ones. I grew up “green”. My family had a huge garden, as well as a berry patch, apple and apricot trees. We shopped at Aldi’s with reusable bags. We biked to the library and to the park. We composted. All these things that are such a big deal now were just a way of life, mostly because it was cheaper. So... it’s ingrained into my being.

The bottom line is that the US is finally going to be forced to adapt the way the rest of the world has, in terms of being careful with resources. We were big enough to ignore it for a long time, but now it’s just a change. Riding the bus (improving the public transportation.. don’t get me started!), ride sharing, growing and saving and conserving…

It’s not hard. Really. Everyone else has been doing it for hundreds of years. Hell, hundreds of years ago, AMERICA was doing it! Whether you embrace it or get dragged kicking and screaming, green is here to stay.

Senior Project: An Introduction

2010-01-24T20:12:00.000-08:00

This quarter and next quarter my main focus in school will be on my senior capstone project. It's a culmination of everything I've learned, and is a design project that I've done all the legwork on, solo.

I am designing a children's library/reading room in Over the Rhine. There is a tremendous need for kids in this area of Cincinnati to have a safe and comfortable environment to retreat to and develop a love of reading. Studies have shown that kids who are read aloud to do better in nearly every stage of their development. Kids in Over the Rhine more than likely do not have the resources or the environment in their own home to have a happy reading haven. When standing at the intersection of E. McMicken and Vine, it is nearly a mile's walk to the main branch of the Public Library. Not only is there a community need, but having an environment built exclusively for children is something that all Cincinnatians can embrace and come visit.

My "client" *this is merely an educational project, and is not likely to happen!!* is the Cincinnati Public Library. I contacted their PR rep and got permission to modify their logo. This is my rebranded take on their logo for my project:

The building I've chosen to use is the former French Bauer Dairy building located at 1315 Clay Street. It's got a wider span than the majority of the Italianate style buildings that make up the building stock of OTR, and it has a fantastic story behind it. The Bauer Dairy used this building as their garage. The milk carriages were stored on the bottom floor, and the horses lived on the second and third floors! There is an existing ramp that the horses used to get from floor to floor that I will be repurposing in the new space. The bricks even have hoof prints from where they were kicked by the horses.

The idea of the horse ramps carrying children up through the space is one of the driving factors behind my design. Children interact with books in different ways as they develop, and this is manifested in each of the three floors. The first floor is primarily for young children - passive readers. They interact with books in a very social way through activities and story time. The second floor is for smaller groups with children who are learning to recognize words and still need to be interacted with - cuddle spaces for parent and child. This floor has picture book stacks. The third floor is a world for the solitary reader, with spaces for a kid to be alone with her nose in a book.

This is my first set of drawings for my space:

Please let me know what you think!! I need as much help as I can get, and any and all critique is appreciated :)

Leftovers = Deliciousness.

2010-01-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

Being a greenie on a budget means that I a) don't have much cash to spend on groceries and b) I really hate throwing away food. It's that time of the month where my food stash is starting to dwindle and I have a little bit of a lot of things hanging out in the fridge. I'm in college, and so my mom feels the need to load me down with as much food as I can carry every time I make a visit home. What to do with all the little random bits of food that are on the brink of going bad? Time for some creativity in the kitchen! I'm posting this not only for you, but also for me, in case I ever want to make this recipe again - it was DAMN good.

Today's Iron Chef challenge: almost-soft pepper, half a shallot, end of the bag of baby spinach, 2 slices of pork roast, string cheese.

Carmalized Pork and Veggie Quesadillas!

(Please bear with me, as I am currently camera-less and I only have my Blackberry camera to keep me going for now)

1) chop half a yellow pepper and half a medium sized shallot into small pieces. Mix in a bowl with olive oil and salt and pepper, then saute in saucepan over medium-high heat.

2) chop 2 slices of pork roast into small pieces. Mix in a bowl with balsamic vinegar and let marinate while the pepper and onion is cooking.

3) when the veggies start to brown on both sides and the oil is reduced, add the pork. Mix thoroughly and turn the stove down to medium-low heat. Let simmer for 10 minutes or so until the sauce is reduced, it smells amazing, and the whole shebang looks all caramely and delicious.

4) take the veggies and pork out of the fry pan into a bowl. without draining or cleaning the pan place a tortilla shell into the pan. Spoon your veggies and pork evenly over the tortilla. Unwrap the cheese stick and shred over the pork mixture. Sprinkle with lime juice. Top with a small amount of baby spinach. Top all that with another tortilla, this one with a little honey drizzled on one side (so that it will stick to the rest of the yummyness)

5) brown the tortilla on both sides until the cheese is melted and you can no longer take the deliciousness. Remove from pan, quarter, and enjoy!

I suppose you could mix up the ingredients based on what you have in the fridge. I am excited to try this again... like maybe in an hour. It was that good.

Diary of a DAAP Kid: Outside my Comfort Zone?

2010-01-19T16:18:00.000-08:00

Classes have officially started for winter quarter, and it's starting to get a little crazy up in here. One of my electives is a fashion design class called Trend Forecasting. My professor is the VP of Trends at LPK, a branding and design firm located in downtown Cincinnati. Over the last year my interest in branding and how it relates to design has really peaked, and I jumped at the chance to try something new. So far, it's a lot of fun. This past week my assignment has been to learn to pick up on cultural cues by stepping outside of my comfort zone. For an entire week, I've been consciously having experiences both big and small that are not what I would usually do.

Below is a recap of my crazy week. Enjoy!

**********

Monday:

I turned right instead of left out of the classroom upon leaving Trends class, and wandered up to my studio on the 8th floor past the Industrial Design Transportation Studio, which is pretty freakin' sweet and also used to be the Interior Design Library. Funny how things change when there's outside money involved.

During studio I experimented with some different music types. This is a hard exercise because random is sort of my MO. I usually try and mix up my routine, so for my iTunes selection I picked music that I would never listen to. There's a reason I never listen to it, and that's cuz it sucks. Mostly I'm talking about Death Metal, which hurt my ears and freaked me out upon googling some lyrics ("Corpses awakened, awakened by nukes, Atomic power that brings back the dead, Humans living with melted off skin, Features mutated and rotting off bone"... mmm... zombie screaming music...delicious.)

Tuesday:

I mixed up my routine on the way to and from classes, taking my time and exploring parts of campus I generally avoid. I currently play on a broomball league downtown. I've never really excelled at sports, and broomball is especially different because there's ice, and it's slippery, and I'm clumsy. However, I screwed up my courage and decided to give it my all out on the ice. I ended up getting a two minute penalty for checking the shit out of some guy and throwing him over the boards interfering with a player. I slipped and slid all over the ice, and ended up with some bruises and even more memories.

Wednesday:

I'm as fashionable as the next interior design student, but I have a hard time with wearing heels without necessity. I'll pull out my pointy toed pumps the morning of a big critique, but you better believe that my trusty, comfy flats are tucked away in my bag, waiting to be slipped on for the long walk home. Today, however, I pulled on my highest-heeled boots paired with a cute outfit. No slip-on emergency shoes for me - I was going to walk all over creation with my head held 3.5" higher than usual. I managed to make it through the day, but my feet were positively aching by the time I got home that evening. Not only did I walk to and from home to DAAP, but I also went on a trek across campus to find some food. Walking up and down stairs was definitely the worst. On a positive note, I got a few catcalls, compliments, and definitely felt cuter than usual, but I don't know if the perks were worth the discomfort and pain my shoes brought me throughout the day. Someday I'll have the cash to get a really nice pair that fit well, but until then I'll be switching up my footwear, for sure.

Friday:

Friday was an epic night for trying new things that pushed me outside my comfort zone. I knew that my biggest challenge lay before me: 1) entering the establishment known as Cadillac Ranch and 2) riding the mechanical bull that lay within its godforsaken interior. I met up with some friends beforehand at Mynt Martini to kick things off and imbibe some liquid courage to get me through the evening. I ended up doing some never-done-before/out-of-the-ordinary things along the way whilst at Mynt. These include but are not limited to, drinking gin for the first time, requesting a song to the DJ, lying to said DJ and telling him it was my birthday, dancing up on the elevated VIP area, having 4 drinks in 1.5 hours (I'm a lush...) and getting a free shot from the bartender for it being my "birthday."

By the time I was ready to go to Cadillac Ranch I was quite belligerent but still able to stand on my own two feet. My date for the evening generally humoured my drunken state, but was getting tired of me citing both this class and my "birthday" (which had by this time become quite real to me) as reasons for my actions. Luckily a girl I had met back at Mynt happened to have free passes for entry into Cadillac Ranch as well as one for riding the bull. I stumbled up to the hostess and informed her that it was my birthday(!!!!) Without bothering to look at my ID, she stamped my hand, gave me a drink ticket and let me go on my merry way.

i'm a little long-legged for that dumb bull.

Even in my tipsiness, I was still a little nervous about riding the mechanical bull. I've never fully trusted carnival-type rides, and the thought of skeezy old men recording my ride from afar definitely creeped me out. I was in luck, for at 11pm on a Friday night, Caddy Ranch was only about 40% full. A couple girls and my date were the only witnesses to my bovine-riding experience. As for the ride itself, I actually managed to stay on almost an entire minute! I hung on with all my might, and only got flung off when things started getting really wild. It was a novel experience, but I would definitely not do it again. When all was said and done, both my date and I gained entry, I rode the bull and did yet another shot... all for one dollar. Not bad for my least favorite establishment in Cincinnati.

Saturday:

I slept in until 1pm and then laid around watching trash TV until approximately 4 pm. I watched my first episode of Jersey Shore, and managed to make it through the entire show without breaking down into tears or switching channels. All of the aforementioned activities are extremely unusual for me, as I am a 'get up around 8 am and get shit done' kind of girl. Deliberately taking both a brain and body break was a fun diversion from my usual schedule, but I felt guilty about it at the same time.

Monday:

The goal was to get up at 5.30 am and go for a run. I got one of these things accomplished. Kind of. Okay, I went for a run around 8am this morning. I am not a running kind of girl. I'm a yoga/pilates/group class kind of girl. Doing physical activity on my own and out in the elements is really not my bag, and I haven't gone running in God knows how long. Even though I slept through my alarm, when I did finally awake, I rushed around and put on my running outfit: a pair of shorts, running shoes, a faded yellow T-shirt from highschool reading "Have a Nice Day." This would have been a fine outfit for jogging outside if it was, say, July. Or I was in Florida. However, it is neither of those things, and the shock of cold that hit my body as I stepped outside should have been a warning sign. Stubborn fool that I am, I breezily brushed off my initial feelings, believing that surely the cold would wear off as I started running.

I am ashamed to say that I barely made it a mile. I would have gone for longer (honest!) but it was too damn cold. As I turned down Calhoun Street the icy wind whipped around my legs, and my hands began to ache from the chill of not wearing gloves. I passed two other runners who did not acknowledge my presence. However, they were both dressed in underarmour tights, wearing hats, and other such cold-weather gear. Maybe I'll try running again in the spring.

Tuesday:

I woke up and got up at 6am today. Initially, it was really great! By the time I got ready, ate breakfast, putzed around a little, it was only 7.30/8.00, and I could easily transition into working on schoolwork. However, I went to bed around 12.30, and as it nears 10.00 am, I am already starting to feel tired. I have a feeling getting through my 3 hour class later this afternoon is going to be a challenge this afternoon. Maybe I can get my work done early and take a nap...

The other unusual thing I am doing today is taking a 24 hour respite from Twitter. Twitter is a constant part of my life, and a resource I use to keep up to date on what's going on both in Cincinnati and nationally. It's a sizable part of my social life, and whipping out my Blackberry or having a client application run in the background of my laptop is a part of my normal routine. So today I'm not checking it at all. This is hard. What if a famous celebrity dies? I won't know about it until 3 hours after it happens, instead of 30 seconds. How will I know what the funniest/most interesting links are on teh Internets, and how else will I get into intellectual debate about Cincinnati politics if not for Twitter? Hopefully all the A-listers will keep breathing until tomorrow, and I will have to keep calm and carry on until then.

**Update** I made it from 11pm last night to 7 pm tonight Twitter-free. I managed to not check it on my phone OR the Internet. Instead I kept a running tally of things I wished I could've tweeted in my head. Then I texted my sister, just to have something to do. But... I did it!! Now, back to my 140-character limit!

the Font Fight

2010-01-07T16:10:00.000-08:00

my dear friend Stephen Bush made this little doodle just for me!

There has been a flurry of discussion across the internet and even in my personal life about James Cameron and his unfortunate choice of using a Papyrus-style font for his new film, Avatar.

photo via PapyrusWatch on Flickr

With a budget of 400 million dollars, I believe he could have chosen a better font, or even gotten a custom font designed for the movie.

The reason that designers get frustrated with font choices like Comic Sans and Papyrus is because often times they are used in the wrong context. Comic Sans is a font that wasn't even originally supposed to be released for public use. It conveys a childish and immature tone, and isn't appropriate for formal or business use because it looks unprofessional. Using it in kindergarten class is one thing, putting it on a tombstone is another.

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/doctorow/8238052/)

Papyrus is incredibly overused - it seems that any time a person wants to convey "natural" or "elegance" or "unique" in their signage, they turn to Papyrus. For a small business, or a wedding, or whatever - someone who might not know better, it's slightly more acceptable. It is less acceptable that a famous director with piles of money at his disposal and a team of incredibly talented artists chose something so generic and overused for his 10 year masterpiece.

I'm aware that it's "just" a font, and in the long run, it doesn't bring world peace, save malnourished babies, or solve health care reform in the US.

HOWEVER, it's something that's important to a lot of people, it's what I'm studying for my career, and I believe that good design makes the world better in its own small way. So don't knock it, or I'll never come over and pick out paint colors for you! ;)

So if you are a small business owner wanting to develop some personal business cards or a starry eyed bride-to-be dead set on designing her own wedding invites, please please please consider using another font before you run to Comic Sans or Papyrus!! In fact, you could just ask me and I will be happy to steer you in the right direction.

Two great downloadable font sites are www.dafont.com and www.1001fonts.com. I have been known to peruse these sites for hours, looking for a great font that is perfect for the mood I'm trying to convey. These fonts are created by newer designers and are usually available for free. They are divided up into different categories depending on whether you are looking for a script, a grunge font, or a sans serif (that is, without the little twirlies on the ends)

If you are just working with MS Word and want to mix it up from the default Times New Roman, try using Helvetica, Gill Sans, Cochin, or Book Antiqua.

CollegeHumor did a funny video about fonts. Check it out (and if you've been paying attention you'll understand why I was slightly disappointed at the ending)

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Diary of a DAAP Kid: Green Goal #3

2010-01-04T06:54:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of the next six months of my life. I have been on co-op (that is, paid-ish internship) since June 2009. Now I am entering the last two quarters of DAAP before I graduate and get kicked out into the wide, wild world.

I am simultaneously super excited and more than a little nervous. I've never been so ready to do the best work I can do. My senior design project is the culmination of the last 5 years of my education, and will show my development and skills that I've picked up.

My problem is that I want to do the best work I can do and go the extra mile, but I am also aware that it's six months before I graduate and it's supposedly the best time of my life. How do I balance creating kick-ass work and having a fan-FREAKING-tastic experience?

My third green goal for 2010 is this: Go for it.

I want to experience new things. I want to completely conquer my capstone project. I want to excel in my classes. I want to create new memories and jump outside my comfort zone with my friends. Yet simultaneously, I want to get sleep each night and not completely freak out over the amount of school work that will be in my life this quarter.

It is not sustainable to be a DAAP student, sometimes. I've done the whole "not sleep, eat or shower for three days in a row" thing... and it's not fun. It makes me grumpy and I don't even know if it's worth it in the long run.

I've gotta focus and TCB, that is, Take Care of Business. Get the school work done, and don't look back. I want to remember my last six months of school as some of the best times of my life!

KACHOW!

Green Goals for 2010, #2

2009-12-29T12:34:00.000-08:00

The second goal I've set for myself for 2010 is buying local. I already do quite a bit, and it's been a huge trend for 2009 (one that hopefully will continue and become a reality, and not a novelty.) However, I propose moving beyond getting my produce at Findlay Market (though it is awesome produce, meat, food, and more!)

p&g photo credit here

If I'm gonna buy a big name brand, and you know I'm going to do it eventually, I might as well consider buying a brand that is headquartered and employs people in Cincinnati? It's crazy when you think of how many headquarters are located in our fair city: P&G is the obvious one, but there's also hometown heroes Chiquita, KAO (Jergens), even Sunny Delight (ew) is headquartered somewhere near Blue Ash.

Do I need to get gas? Go to UDF. Need to do grocery shopping and can't get to Findlay? Go to Krogers. Fly Delta. These companies employ people and trickle money through our local economy. The rate of return is not as significant as buying locally through small businesses, but every little bit helps. (Check out the official wikipedia list of Cincinnati corporations here)

However, you know how attached I am to my beloved Aldi's... so I looked it up. Batavia, Illinois is only 331 miles away. The buy local movement recommends searching for food between 1 - 500 miles away from home, so.... jackpot!

It's just a way to stretch my dollar even further. I'm excited to see how far it goes.

Green Goals for 2010, #1

2009-12-29T08:31:00.000-08:00

It's been a hectic holiday season for me as I prepare to go back to school for the last six months of my undergrad career. However, I wanna kick off 2010 with three personal goals that will improve my life and hopefully reduce my footprint. I'll let you in on the others over the next few days, but here is the first:

# 1. Reduce my personal hygiene plastic consumption

I know a plastic loofah doesn't seem like a big deal, but the combination of the scrubby plastic and the plastic bottle of body wash (that I go through with astounding speed) makes me feel guilty every time I hop into the shower. I kicked off today by using a wash cloth and a brand new bar of yummy smelling soap (the same brand and scent as my body wash!). I got four 4 oz bars of soap for the same price as 12 oz of body wash. Score!

The other big part of my plastic pact is for ladies only (guys, go ahead and skip down, it may be too much for you to handle...)

Whatever your preference, be it cardboard or plastic, pads or tampons, let's face it, ladies: We create a heck of a lot of waste one week out of every month. Not only do I hate the idea of feminine products in general, but I am always forgetting to bring extras, or even worse facing the risk of TSS leaving that tampon in way past its due date. They're expensive, they're annoying, and they generally make me grumpy.

Thankfully the darlings over at Park and Vine clued me in to my lifesaver of 2009: the Diva Cup .

thanks A Green Spell for the fantastic picture!

Without going into too much detail, the Diva Cup eliminates the need for disposable pads or tampons. It's a silicone cup that catches all the girly grossness. You can leave it in for 12 hours, and it's reusable - just boil it in some water for 10 minutes after your cycle is done and voila! Ready for next month. I've been using the Diva Cup since July and it's been the best $30 I've spent all year, hands down.

If you're interested and want to learn more, check out their website, this blog post, or just shoot me a line and I'll talk your ear off about the awesomeness that is the Diva Cup.

****************

Just about everything having to do with girls and the ways we pretty ourselves up has to do with plastic, and it's a bummer. I'm still too poor/in college to really splurge on things like cosmetics in tins and really nice non-disposable razors, but I figure baby steps are always better than standing still.

It's A Wonderful Life - tonight!!

2009-12-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

If you haven't already heard, I am reprising my role as a Jingle Belle in this year's production of It's a Wonderful Life - the live radio broadcast! at the Falcon Theater. It runs Friday, Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm this weekend and next weekend. It's a fun show, and I'd love if you came and saw it. Check out more details over at UrbanCincy.

The Only Thing We Have to Fear...

2009-11-30T13:35:00.000-08:00

This quarter has brought with it two new experiences into my life... ones that I could've done without, but that have changed me and opened my eyes all the same. Earlier this quarter, someone broke into my house in Clifton. This past weekend, I got mugged at gunpoint.

The bad news is that the people who did these things made off with some personal items, and damaged our house. The good news is that physical objects can and are being replaced. It's a hassle, but it has renewed my sense of awe and gratitude for the things I can't replace - namely, being alive and well.

I am the type of person who looks first for the good in people, and I can't help but do that even in situations like these. The incidents have made me more aware of my surroundings (and have me investing in pepper spray) but I absolutely refuse to let these things stop me from embracing Cincinnati's center city.

I will NOT allow a spirit of intimidation or fear dictate where I go or what I do. For too many years there has been a wall of bogeymen - be they real or fake, racially or class status divided - built up around the Cincinnati metro. Every negative news story, stereotype and police report help to reinforce the wall. On the flip side, every person who chooses to inhabit spaces, innovate, preserve, and renew the people, buildings and business in Cincinnati tears down the wall, one ghostly brick at a time.

What happened to me sucked, but the real tragedy would be allowing my past to dictate what I do in the future. Keep your eyes open, but also take care not to close up your mind and heart.

Diary of a DAAP Kid: Work! PAID work!

2009-11-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

Despite this quarter's best efforts, I have managed to procure a random assortment of paid employment experiences, which definitely have affected my education in a positive way. Right now I am currently working with a local construction/development company on their impending office remodel, as well as project managing for a condo development. It's a completely differenet experience from any that I've had, and I think I'm definitely all the better for it.

There have been times this quarter when I have longed for a "typical" co-op experience, complete with redlines and lunch and learns. However, I've had to be resourceful and take a lot of initiative to make this quarter worth my while, and I am proud to say I have done just that.

So, without further ado, I present to you some things I have been working on this quarter. And have been paid in cold. hard. cash. Kachow!

Taste of Belgium

The most amazing Jean-Francois Fletchet was kind enough to offer me a graphic design gig to help him out with his fantastic waffle business. I designed a gift card and envelope, as well as a tag to go on the four pack of waffles he has been selling for the holiday season. JF has a sleek European sensibility, and I wanted the design to reflect the image that the Taste of Belgium brand is presenting.

I LOVE Cincinnati.

2009-11-02T19:51:00.000-08:00

You've probably seen these bumper stickers/signs floating around various people's cars, cubicles, and other locations over the last couple of months. And you know what? It's absolutely true. The vast majority of people who live here, claim to not just enjoy, but love Cincinnati. You know, that can't-eat, can't- sleep, reach-for-the-stars, over-the-fence, world-series kind of stuff. There's even a website where you can anonymously post the things that make citizens giddy about Cincy:

Its urban, suburban, and rural.
Shake It Records in Northside! The Comet, too!
Go Bengals!
everything
the four seasons and scenery
The City's Great History
The view as you drive into the city from the cut in the hill is amazing!
foliage
living in Clifton, with all its ridiculousness
A bustling happy crowd on a Saturday morning at Findlay Market (just to name a few things)

You can't claim to love Cincinnati and hope for its future... and vote "yes" on Issue 9. It doesn't make any sense. It has completely blown me away to see the massive outcry from people around the city, especially in the blogging community. Initially I was a little nervous, but you guys pulled through. I knew you would.

I don't know if anyone who is undecided on Issue 9 is going to read this, but it's my platform and I'll shout from it anyway. It all boils down to tomorrow. And frankly, I think it's going to work out.

(picture credits UrbanQueer )

Your Recycling Questions, Answered

2009-10-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to everyone who looked at and commented on the Rumpke recycling post from last week. I want to get you all the correct infomation, and there were quite a few questions that were generated. I emailed Sue Magness from the Office of Environmental Quality, and she got right back to me with the answers!

1. What are the options are for people who do NOT have curbside service. Does this announcement mean that even recycling drop off locations now accept all plastics too? If so, they definitely should update the signage to make that clear. Yes, the drop off are for people who are not eligible for curbside service (basically household who have private trash service dumpsters). Yes, the list of items on the drop off containers will be updated, but will take us a few weeks. HOWEVER it is not all plastics - it is all plastic BOTTLES and JARS #1-7. It does not include rigid plastic shells, shrink wrap, films, tubs, toys. JUST stuff that once had a cap or screw on lid. When recycling your bottles and jars, please remove the caps. Metal caps can be recycled at area scrap dealers who accept steel. http://www.hcdoes.org/SWMD/Businesses/IndCommRecy.html#metals
And plastics caps can be recycled at AVEDA stores. http://aveda.aveda.com/aboutaveda/caps.asp

2. how about "soft" plastic packaging...like that which is used to package toilet tissue??? No, that is called shrink wrap or film. There is not a facility that will accept from residents
(NOTE: The local plastic recyclers currently only accept in bulk from industrial and commercial sources http://www.hcdoes.org/SWMD/Businesses/IndCommRecy.html#plastic)

3. Does this count for those people in Northern Kentucky who also have Rumpke Recycling? I assumed so, but I wanted to be sure. NO, Rumpke has not expanded to the rest of the service area yet. Technically, the new sorting facility is still under construction and they are temporarily warehousing the materials. So Rumpke will expand as new contracts are established ( as in our case), or after the installation of the “state of the art” equipment is complete.

4. What about the people that have the city pick up there trash?? You can order a recycling bin (or two!) from the City of Cincinnati, and then just set your recycling bin out with your trash on trash day. They will come and take it away for free! Order your bin here.

Thanks again for all the questions and comments. If you're curious about anything else, let me know and I will do my best to find out!!

Diary of a DAAP Kid: What is this thing you call... Homecoming?

2009-10-27T10:12:00.000-07:00

photo credit University of Cincinnati

I have been in college for five years, and I have never once attended Homecoming festivities of any capacity, at any college. I vaguely remember something about a football game back in high school, but even then, as an aspiring little hipster, I couldn't be bothered with such mainstream trifles as football.

(I didn't bring my camera, so this crappy phone shot is the only one I got of tailgating festivities. )

However, it's my fifth year at DAAP and I realized that I would forever regret not living out my college experience to the fullest, even if it meant braving the cold, crowds and traffic patterns to truly live out all that is Homecoming. Slacker that I am, I didn't get out to the Homecoming parade in time - I was getting ready to tailgate! I knew it would be a perfect opportunity to use the Front Yard, and to my delight my small group of friends and I were not alone in utilizing the green space between McMillan and Calhoun. We fired up the grill down the way from different tents that had sprung up, as well as a fairly large pee-wee football game dominating the majority of the space. All the while people were cutting cross the grass to get closer to campus and the stadium from their parking spots.

Then of course there was the Game. And what a game it was! I've actually started to get involved with football, learning more about the game and cheering on my teams. UC has obviously been a fun team to watch this year, though I enjoy watching professional football more. I discovered I am MUCH too easily distracted to really appreciate a live game. I kept missing important plays because there were too many interesting people to watch, or the cheerleaders were leading us in cheers (ohhhhhh.... ohhhhhh.... ohhhhh! *clap clap clap clap* UC!), or I wanted to talk to my friends, or there was a balloon in the sky, or... yeah. You get the idea.

So now I feel a little more like a "regular" college kid now. And (don't tell the hipsters)... it was actually pretty fun.

the Bearcat band!

my crazy DAAP friends and I at the game! (note the architecture grad student wearing the pullover and button down shirt... totally appropriate for a football game. Hey... we're in DAAP.)

Recycling in Cincinnati - Just to Clarify

2009-10-23T12:15:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, I wanted to do another update just to let you know the rundown for recycling in Cincinnati.

Rumpke is now accepting ALL plastic bottles. Only plastic bottles and jugs (regardless of number) will be accepted in the program. To be classified as a bottle or a jug, the top of the container must be smaller than the bottom. These items include syrup containers, shampoo bottles, a water bottle, etc. Plastics not in the shape of a bottle (such as a butter tub or plastic bag or food tray) are not currently accepted.

So, it's not all plastics, as I said in my last post. I got really excited and must have misheard the announcement, and I feel terrible for garnering so much attention with something that wasn't completely true.

Pizza boxes and multiple bins of recycling are also accepted.

Don't forget, you can also recycle:

*ALL paper - magazines, newspapers, junk mail, post it notes
* cardboard
* aluminum

All the different types of bottles that can now be recycled!!

But, don't get too discouraged. This is a huge step forward for Cincinnati and our recycling system, and it's pretty darn exciting.

Improved Recycling in Cincinnati - Hooray!!

2009-10-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

The City of Cincinnati and Rumpke Recycling came together Thursday at the original La Rosa's pizza on Boudinot Avenue in the West Side to make a special announcement about changes to the recycling program in Cincinnati. City Council members Roxanne Qualls and Greg Harris were present, as well as Mayor Mark Mallory, the Rumpke Vice President, the director of the city's Office of Environmental Quality Larry Falkin, and director of recycling Sue Magness to make the announcements.

Rumpke and the City of Cincinnati have come together to offer more recycling options for the citizens of Cincinnati. Starting today, you can now put ALL plastic bottles and jugs (regardless of number) in your bin! To be classified as a bottle or a jug, the top of the container must be smaller than the bottom. These items include syrup containers, shampoo bottles, a water bottle, etc. Plastics not in the shape of a bottle (such as a butter tub or plastic bag or food tray) are not currently accepted.!!

It used to be that only plastics #s 1 and 2 were allowed, but Rumpke has spent 6 million dollars in new sorting technology that allows for all plastic bottles to be included. Here is a rundown of the all the currently accepted materials, from the City of Cincinnati website:

List of acceptable materials:

NOW Accepting all plastic bottles and jugs (no lids)
Glass jars and bottles of any color
Aluminum, steel and bi-metal cans
Empty aerosol cans with lids and tips removed
Brown grocery bags
Computer paper, and other mixed office paper
Corrugated cardboard, broken down to 3' X 3'
Envelopes, with or without windows
Junk mail
Magazines
Newspapers with inserts
Paperboard, such as cereal boxes
Telephone books
NOW Accepting pizza boxes (free of food residue)

Unacceptable Items:

Plastic that are not bottles or jugs, such as whipped topping containers, butter tubs, yogurt cups or food trays
Plastic bags
Motor oil jugs or other chemical containers
Styrofoam
Lids/caps - recycle plastic lids at Aveda , recycle metal lids at local scrap dealers who accept steel
Window or drinking glass
Light bulbs
Coat hangers or steel scrap
Paint cans
Light bulb

The city actually generates revenue and creates jobs by increasing the amount of material recycled. We save thousands of dollars in tipping fees, and for every 10,000 tons of material recycled, 35 jobs are created as opposed to 2 jobs for every 10,0000 tons of waste.

It may not come as a surprise, but the reason the conference was held at La Rosa's is that... CLEAN (that is, non-greasy and free of food-stuff) pizza boxes are also now accepted in your green recycling bin! Please make sure that all the items you place in your bin are clean and dry. Not only is it important for the machines to be able to process clean material, but can you imagine being a recycling worker opening a milk jug that hasn't been washed out and has sat for weeks and weeks?? Vomit.

Anyway, the conference was great, and there was free pizza afterwards (score!) And, in case you're curious, Mayor Mallory divulged his ideal pizza - that is, a small deep dish with bacon, pepperoni, mushrooms, pineapple, and green olives... well done. So if you're looking to get in good with the mayor... now you know a way to his heart!

So, to sum up:

ALL Plastic bottles can go in your bins! If it's not a bottle (and not #1, 2), you can't recycle it. (Just rinse them out first - don't be that guy)
CLEAN Pizza boxes can go in your bins!

If your little bin is overwhelmed with the amount of new stuff you can recycle, you can now put out 2 or more bins at the curb!! Call 513-591-6000 to order a recycling bin today, or order online here. I got one for the Tuxedo Shop... I'm pretty sure they now think I am certifiably insane... but, hey. Whatever works!

Yard Signs without the Yard...

2009-10-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't know, the house in which I reside used to be a typical Clifton house: front porch, small backyard, stained glass windows. However, my current landlord decided to remove the front porch and instead start up a tuxedo rental shop in the front (the windows and the backyard are gone as well.)

What this means is that I have no front yard. Front yards are pretty essential for, well, yard signs. However, my lack of yard has not stopped me from shouting to the world my various local political leanings:

So, yes. Now you know where my bedroom is. I better not get any random stalkers from this (though if you want to stop by for dinner sometime, I am a pretty good cook!)

Glad to see my little signs have been noticed. Let this be encouragement to you - don't let your lack of yard stop you from sharing your views!

(thank you, Queen City Discovery for the awesome graphic!!)

PS... while I was taking pictures of my signs, some jerk driving by rolled down his window and yelled "You don't want to live there!" ... thanks, buddy.

Plastic Bag Love: Fashion Edition

2009-10-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

The lowly plastic bag has so many fantastic alternative uses. Today we'll be exploring the phenomenon that is "Trashion," that is, turning trash into fashion. Designers and crafties alike are coming up with innovate (and beautiful!) ways to repurpose everything from my favorite plastic bags to trash found on the street into classy and interesting wearable designs.

Gary Harvey is a creative director from London who believes in an "ethical fashion revolution." In December of 2007 he created a collection that debuted at the Esthetica Exhibition during London Fashion Week. His dresses used materials like newspaper, chip bags (shown above), as well as iconic pieces of clothing - baseball jackets and even wedding dresses, for example.(all images copyright Gary Harvey)

Etsy offers plenty of crafters who have worked their magic repurposing items into beautiful work. This Plastic Bag Rain Jacket is one of the coolest plastic bag creations I've found to date. Unfortunately it sold out back in 2007, but I wanted to show you PenFelt's (that is, LeBrie Rich from Portland, OR) work, because it's so whimsy and fun.

Finally, for a last look at neat-o recycled fashion, I found this website called WearYourMusic.org . This organization collects used/broken guitar strings from popular artists and then makes them into bracelets and sells them to us. The proceeds go to a charity selected by the artist, and you have a fantastic story about a sweet new accessory. Anyone who is looking to get me a Christmas present, feel free to pick me up a bracelet from Jack Johnson, Eric Clapton, or Jason Mraz. The artists range from Moe to Toby Keith, so if there's a music lover in your life... this would be a sweet present.

PS - if your wallet can't handle the $500 price tag (it's only $75 for the guy from the String Cheese Incident!), they also sell regular guitar string bracelets - no artist attached for only $9.99.

What's your favorite type of Trashion?

Another Com-Post

2009-10-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

If you were intrigued by my Bokashi Com-Post (get it?... yeah, I went there.) but still weren't sure about getting into the whole urban composting thing, there's another chance for you to wrap your brain around it.

This coming Saturday morning Park + Vine will be hosting another composting class. This time the focus will exclusively be on Bokashi and how it works.

Check out the Facebook invite here. Today is the last day to sign up for the class. If you live in the city with no backyard (like me) and shed tears every time you dump your organic matter in the trash can (also like me), the Bokashi system is definitely worth a try. I've been using it since April, and it's worked out pretty well.

My only dilemma is where to put the compost when it's ready to go. I currently have a tub full of all this summer's food scraps. If there are any gardeners out there who need some deliciously organic matter to richen up their soil for next year's garden, PLEASE let me know. My room mates are starting to grumble and well, it's getting awkward.

thanks, bokashi australia!

My MPMF

2009-09-29T06:37:00.000-07:00

This is a little late, but I still had a blast on Friday Night at the Mid Point Music Festival.

it's a one eyed, one hatted puffy orange music lover...

Tracy Walker at Coffee Emporium

obviously these listeners are very impressed.

shake your grove thang, dancin' man. (at Segway)

the crowd is enthralled with Wake the Bear

croonin' (Wake the Bear)

Wake the Bear's shoes and beer.

the Sundresses! (kinda...)

It was awesome to celebrate great music in all the cool spots downtown.

(ya know, except for Cadillac Ranch...)

recycleDbin at Urban Cincy!

2009-09-25T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I wanted to let you know of a new venture I am embarking on. I am now a contributing writer for one of Cincinnati's more well known blogs, UrbanCincy . Not that I'm abandoning recycleDbin any time soon. This gives me a chance to meet new people and help cover all the exciting things happening in and around Cincinnati. So... yay!

Diary of a DAAP kid: home sweet home?

2009-09-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

picture credit

A couple weeks ago, I left home to do some traveling. Guess where I ended up? Home. Confused yet? Let me explain. As a college student, I feel like I have two places I call Home.

Back Home again, in Indiana...

The first of these is the area where I grew up (for me, this is small town Indiana.) I still have a bedroom there, full to the brim with memories from childhood and high school. When I go back to spend a weekend or a holiday, my mom cooks me dinner, and we go on bike rides and talk about how much Franklin is changing and growing as a city. Franklin-home is a comfortable haven, full of memories from friends and times past, reminiscing, and spending time with family and old friends.

However, it's been four years since I've spent any significant amount of time living in Franklin. It seems like every time I go back, there's something that's been built (or worse, torn down) that has changed the familiar landscape of my past into something new and unknown. My roots are in Indiana (and I will always swear my allegiance to Indiana tomatoes and corn over Ohio's!) but I don't know if my heart is there anymore.

old roomies and I outside our humble abode in Clifton.

Home #2, is obviously Cincinnati. I didn't grow up here, but I've done a lot of exploring and experiencing in this city over the last four years. People are usually surprised to find that I didn't actually grow up here. I feel really lucky that Cincy has so much to offer, and that I've been able to burst the Clifton bubble and get into the rest of the city. I feel connected here in a way that I didn't back in Indiana. Maybe it's the history, the architecture, the events, or even the people... but this city has a tangible hold on my heart.

Even so, it's not like I grew up here. So in a way, it's kind of strange to have two places that I feel quasi-connected to. Two Homes. I am certain that I am not alone in this feeling. I know when I graduate that I will want to get out of town and explore the rest of the country in a way that I haven't yet had the opportunity to. But will I ultimately end up in Cincinnati?

For now, the answer appears to be "yes."

Being green in Boston

2009-09-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

I had a fantastic time in Boston over Labor Day weekend. Great food, great friends... it was a wonderful all around experience. There was a lot to take in, and our hosts showed us around many of the different neighborhoods of good old Beantown.

Seeing as how Boston is such a progressive and well-established area, I was interested to see what sort of strides the city has taken to become more sustainable. Obviously the first huge thing was the public transportation. The MBTA is a really great system of rail, subway, bus... and boat! Yep. They have boats that take passengers from one side of the bay to the other. It's pretty awesome.

view from the ferry

They are also installing solar trash receptacles around the city center. We saw them over by Fenway park. They look kind of like green mailboxes, but they have icons of people throwing stuff away on them, so there wasn't too much confusion. They hold up to 150 gallons of trash, and the solar panels run a compactor. Hopefully they can also do this with recycling - cans, maybe?

too bad it's not a recycling bin!

My friends and I ended up spending an afternoon at Harvard, and I noticed that the campus has been making efforts to "green" their facilities. They had signs around the grounds inviting people to "sit down, it's organic!" The sign didn't elaborate on how the groundskeeping was organic, exactly. I didn't see any goats mowing the lawn, so I assume that they are no longer using chemicals to treat the grass.

cool public art installation on the very "green" grass

The good folks at Harvard have also "greened up" their bathrooms. While using their facilities at the Harvard Museum of Natural History (I highly recommend visiting, and not just for the bathrooms!), I noticed that they had installed low-flow toilets and solar powered, motion sensored faucets! Not only that, but even their foamy soap was eco-friendly.

My only disappointment was, even with all the fancy new equipment... the only means available to dry one's hands after washing up was with paper towels. Seriously? All this new fangled equipment and you couldn't install an air dryer?

So Harvard's Eco-Score Card gets a B from me. Good effort, but it doesn't make sense to have equipment that's been around for years (i.e. air dryers) in your bathrooms.

Overall, I had an amazing time. I highly recommend visiting. The whole time I was there, I couldn't help but wonder if someday Cincinnati could aspire to be as awesome as Boston. I think we are on our way!

Diary of a DAAP kid: another vacation??

2009-09-02T19:54:00.000-07:00

That's right, kiddies. I'm heading out of town to Boston over Labor Day weekend. Hopefully I will find some sweet recycled stuff... maybe even ride the local public transportation!

At any rate, may your Labor Days be filled with sunshine and not too much styrofoam. Cuz that stuff sucks.

Recycling in Cincinnati

2009-08-27T17:14:00.000-07:00

It is a bit of an understatement to say that recycling is important to me. I mean... you DID read the title of my blog, didn't you? It's an integral part of my life that was ingrained at an early age. There was never a question as to "hmm, should we recycle this plastic bottle, or just throw it away?" I thank my mom for this fantastic habit, and now filling up my green bin is as normal as brushing my teeth or washing my hands.

I know that recycling is slowly becoming more and more mainstream. Just last week I convinced the boys who run the tuxedo shop in front of my house (yep, Mr. Tuxedo's) that they could, in fact, RECYCLE the 3-5 bottles of soda they drink a day. Same with all the cardboard boxes that they toss. They were a bit skeptical until they realized it was just like throwing things away, except for in a different box. Instant converts.

Cincinnati has a recycling program, which is better than cities that don't. There is a proposal that has been developed by some of the members of Cincinnati City Council that will improve the efficiency of recycling in Cincy, as well as turn a profit for the city and create jobs.

Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls sent me an email earlier today, and she puts it like this:

"Back in May 2008, council asked the administration to review the recycling program and recommend how we could increase the rate of recycling, share to a greater extent in any revenue from sale of recyclables, and increase the amount of money the city saves by avoiding landfill tipping fees. The original motion was extensive, and also directed that workers receive a living wage for sorting recyclables."

Basically the city has to pay to dump all the trash that we, the citizens, produce. It's expensive (not to mention really gross)

at $27.25 per tonne of garbage, and over 88,437 tonnes of garbage estimated to be dumped... that's a lot of money to spend.

However, recycling waste ends up paying the city back money... about $28.30 per tonne (at the end of 2008)

The enhanced system will include a Recycle Bank program that records how much individual households recycle, and then rewards them for it. (uh, that's awesome.) They also want to replace the dinky green bins for 64 gallon recycling carts.

Yes, the carts and the new system is going to cost money. But, as we've seen above... it's going to MAKE money. As well as create new jobs.

Qualls says that "the plan, if it were approved and implemented this year, would actually save $20,000 in 2009 and $240,000 in 2010. It would increase the amount recycled by 300% and create 20 new jobs at sorting facilities and 36 new jobs at recycling manufacturing facilities. It also would decrease greenhouse gas emissions.he plan, if it were approved and implemented this year, would actually save $20,000 in 2009 and $240,000 in 2010. It would increase the amount recycled by 300% and create 20 new jobs at sorting facilities and 36 new jobs at recycling manufacturing facilities. It also would decrease greenhouse gas emissions."

These recycling initiatives would be a really great opportunity for Cincinnati, but it is being threatened to be cut off in order to save police jobs.

If you care about the possibility of great recycling in Cincinnati, please follow the link to the Park+Vine blog post about this topic, where you can copy a letter to send to our City Council, specifically Ghiz, Bortz, Berding, Monzel and Harris.

check out Roxanne Quall's website for more info on the proposed recycling plan.

Tell Mayor Mark Mallory and City Council that you care about recycling in Cincinnati!!

Plastic Bag Love: PLAG

2009-08-19T09:50:00.003-07:00

It's Friday. Time for some Plastic Bag Love!!

I used to work with an awesome chick named Nikki who is really into plastic bags. She was integral in helping me get up the courage to start recycleDbin, and she's probably one of my biggest fans. And I can't help but be one of hers, because she was the one who got me hooked on plastic bags in the first place!!

Nikki makes PLAGs. If you think that sounds like Plastic Bags... you're totally right. She is an avid knitter, and one day decided to make yarn out of plastic bags instead of the usual stuff. Here's the lowdown from her Etsy site:

"I heart the Earth. I want to keep living here. I want my great-great-grandkids to live here. And I try to do my part to leave a smaller "footprint." I use cloth bags when going to the store, but there are times I stop unexpectedly and inevitably I get a plastic bag. I don't want to put this plastic into the landfill because it NEVER breaks down. Not completely.

I saw this idea to cut up the plastic bags and use it as yarn to create a market bag. Great idea I thought. Practical, not so much. The plastic has a decent amount of give and can stretch out of place quickly with heavy groceries. I use mine more of tote bag. To carry the umbrella and lunch bag to the office. It's also perfect as a beach bag.

Each Plag is made using previously used plastic bags - approximately 50 of them. I change the pattern each time based on the materials. Pictured here is a striped version. I also have solid and pattern bags in process that can be held if you are interested."

so this is what the yarn looks like:

and here's another shot of the PLAG in all its handmade glory:

(all of the images come from her Etsy site, just FYI)

It's a really neat concept that is doing its part to keep plastic bags out of landfills. And that's what we love.

PS - check out the rest of Nikki's Etsy site for really adorable knitted items like this RoboBear. Shop Local!

Diary of A DAAP Kid: Parties

2009-08-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

When one thinks of college parties, beer pong, flip cup, kegs and flipped up collars may come to mind. Today I am here to distinguis the difference between the aformentioned college parties (aka Frat Parties) and the types of soirees us classy kids at DAAP like to throw.

In my four years at DAAP I've been to a number of shindigs ranging in scale from a few friends gathered for dinner and wine, to house-party madness a hundred costumed people strong.

The most important thing about DAAP parties is that there must be a theme. How else will you find the most ironic and creative outfit to wear?Yes, there's the usual themse, like Black and White, but how about Robots, Famous Couples, or Anything But Pants? Giving us crazy art students a chance to get creative AND drunk... now that's a match made in heaven.

Alas, many of my architect pals have graduated, and the number of parties has slowed to a trickle. This past Saturday night, however, I got a chance to attend the mother of all DAAP parties... ironically, not thrown by DAAP-ers, but by a group called Dance MF (you can fill in the abbreviation for yourself)

Dance MF traditionally hosts dance parties at the Northside Tavern on the first Saturday of every month. This month marked their one year anniversary (and the birthday of one of the creators)... so they threw themselves a big MF'n birthday party...

on a boat. ON A BOAT.

(image from It Probably Sucks)

I've been obsessed with this Lonely Island song (as have many other hipsters) since the first time someone else showed it to me on youtube. . Actually, I know all the words.

So when I heard the DANCE MF was going to be ON A BOAT, I was pretty darn excited. The tickets sold out quickly, but I managed to snag one via Craigslist about 5 hours before the ship set sail. I went with my friends Marco and Carrie and we had a blast.

The beer and wine and cake flowed, the DJ mixed some crazy beats, The Seedy Seeds totally rocked our faces, and I got to dance my tush off.

I would describe the mix and fashion of the people who attended, but I think pictures (none of them mine, all taken from MetroMix Cincy here:) will suffice. I'm pretty sure they were all DAAP graduates (or wannabes!)

check it out:

I'm on a boat and

it's going fast and

I got my nautical-themed pashmina afghan (Seedy Seeds!!)

Me, Marco and Carrie!