Scents in the City

Really like this article from the NYT.

For me, scent is the strongest sense linked to memory. On my grandma's last trip to Japan she brought back my great grandpa's Yashica camera for my mom. It's older than I am. The first thing I did when I saw it was take a wiff. I realize, totally weird, but I had an overwehlming urge to smell it. He passed away when I was pretty young, but the camera still smells exactly like he did. I got independent confirmation from my mom (who I encouraged to sniff the camera as well) that it indeed carried his scent.

The NYT map is also a great way to determine what areas to hit in the city. Yorkville, yes. Civic Center, no.

Don't Fear the Reaper

Is it me, or is the most annoying thing about the health care debate the irrational fear of a "Death Panel"? It infuriates me that people (viz Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich) are so irresponsibly trying to equate a productive end of life discussion into some type of death tribunal. I mean come on, Grandma has a better chance of getting run over by a reindeer than being euthanized by a "Death Panel". Frankly, if having "Death Panels" means better planning for end of life care, I am completely pro Death Panel. Yeah Death Panel!!

Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich, you have watched too much Logan's Run.

Courtroom Sketch Artists

I was watching NewsHour last night and they aired a piece on courtroom sketch artists, you can stream it here.

So I was thinking that this really is an awesome job, it's kind of where law, journalism and art intersect. If only I was a better artist this would be up my alley. I like that essentially you're just an observer on the sidelines who can catch the subtle facial changes and interactions between the parties. Kind of like a courtroom wallflower. I wish options like these came up in high school when I took those career guidance tests. I managed to get the strangest and the most impractical selection of job suggestions. Iron worker, Priest, Accountant, etc... If those jobs were people they would be a motley crew. Not helpful.

And on another note, sketch artist are so underutilized, we should find other ways to use their talents. I think it would be awesome if for a wedding you had one of these sketch artists chronicle your day in addition to a photographer. Or if I was like a promoter or something, I would totally have one of these guys at one of my events. It's such a unique and fascinating aesthetic.

p.s. I LOOOOVE NewsHour.

Thank you David Horowitz

So about 2 weeks ago one of my bosses brought in a Costco sized box of assorted 100 calorie snack packs for the office. About half way through the box we discovered an empty pack, a SEALED empty pack. A paid for SEALED empty pack at that. I could not let this injustice go and promptly wrote a letter to the good people at Nabisco. Well guess what I got in the mail today? That's right people, read it and weep, I got me a coupon good for no less than $4.49 worth of Nabisco goods AND an apology letter reassuring me that this will not happen again. Shout out to David Horowitz, I hope I made you proud.

Another letter may need to go out today though, seeing as how my morning cereal had far less than the 2 scoops or raisins advertised...