BERLIN, BERLIN

i live in a neighborhood called mitte now. "mitte" means - middle in German, so therefore, I am in the middle of the city, the middle of the action, the middle of a sentence...

There is so much to explore, and such a lack of crime, that you can feel comfortable pretty much anywhere anytime. Its the feeling you get in the subburbs of a city, that sense of safety and security- but all the while being amidst a super interesting urban center.

There is a sense of magic here- a feeling that will fade as i experience the city, meet more people, and learn more german words. But for now, Berlin is my own private society where I cant possibly see a familiar face, hear a familiar word, or not have a question about something new that i come across, constantly finding things that inpire me.

And besides that mystery and excitement, i think that berlin is at a moment right now that wont last forever, a moment in music and art history that will be influencing others in the near future, noted, quoted and recorded in the future, and referenced in the more distant future still.

Im lucky to be here-

BERLIN GRAF

so. graffiti's everywhere here- and with a new city comes new styles and new names to get attuned to- theres so much, that i haven't even begun to document it, but here are some flicks to get a preview.

S IS FOR SUNDAYS, AND SUNDAYS ARE FOR SKATING.

Because 75 percent of the city fails to open, i'm constantly looking for things to do on a sunday... and its always a scramble on saturday night- to get groceries for sunday, or buy this or that to keep you occupied for the next day. Thankfully the Art museums and Galleries are open, and yesterday i went to an indoor skatepark called Skatehalle who also realizes that people are alive on sundays. There are 2 outdoor parks in berlin, but berlin is not a city you would exactly come to for its perfect weather... actually- i am pretty positive that there hasnt been a day with no precipitation since ive arrived.

SO Berlin Skatehalle is massive, with a redbull half-that has to be 12 feet tall or somthing- 4 foot bowl, and mini, and various street courses-i have video of it, but ill have to post it later- so here are a few flicks.


i brought the only friends i have here in berlin: jasper (10), louie (8) and Autur (11)-

CTM- Club Transmediale 2k9

"festival for adventurous -music and related visual arts"

heres the website: http://www.clubtransmediale.de/festival-09.html

We went to the opening night of this fest yesterday, and arrived just in-time for the second half of a Dub documentary entitled: dub echos-i think they start the fest with dub- because it was the beginning of the 'dj' - thus the beginning of electronic music.

so anyway-- we wait in the guestlist line for the show (ikes work is sponsoring the event) and this line was easily 4 times longer than the regular line. When we finally enter, it felt like stepping into the interworkings of a futuristic/ cosmic 3-d version of a flash website. Lights flashing everywhere, projections on everywall, and crazy visual illusions above the bar to display the drink list. The space, decor, and overall atmosphere was really amazing- check out a short clip and photos:

(sushi room, fully equipt with zen painting, and pebbles for a floor...)
Lounge-
1 of 2 stages - w/ projections surrounding the whole area


(stage)
another lounge- those letters were really coming off the wall! like styrophome installation or something!



- dancefloor- before dj went on stage.

MORE G-10 PHOTOS

Richard Avadon Exhibition - Martin Gropius Bau- Potsdamer Platz, Berlin. -

*' the chicago 7' - didnt know much about this group before the exhibition. But pretty interesting poltical pranksters. - funny how their style looks like what is back in fashion now-

'the factory'- really impressive larger-than-life portraits of Andy Warhol and the other 'factory' inhabitants/workers/artists

(no cameras were allowed, so sorry for the slanted/ not quite composed- photos ;)

2009 ACHIEVEMENTS THUS FAR...

1: I learned how to whistle.  I finally pulled myself aside, and said- this week I will learn to whistle.  I put my mind to it... and wow. At 23 years old, I can finally whistle (Although it is only on an inhale) 

2. I made money without having to work!!!  I found 20 euro on the street on my way home!  

3. I have finally spotted wild boar- I have been looking, searching, asking, and waiting... and then one winter day heading out to babysit by train- I saw them!  Take a look :)

making cookies.

So I really would like everyone to have cookies. And only about 5 years ago, I discovered that they are one of my favorite things to eat. I mean . . . they were always good, but- never something i craved. Of course I mainly just eat the cookie dough, and if someone wasnt always there, asking if I was planning on just eating the whole bowl of dough, making me think twice about it, I would probably never cook a cookie ever. So heres a recipe that you should try, to make everyone ( or atleast a large piece of your community) happy with some cookies.


CRISPY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

40, 000 lbs. sugar
30, 000 lbs. butter
192, 000 eggs (yolks only)
1, 000 lbs. molasses
120 lbs. vanilla
500 lbs. baking soda
700 lbs. salt
42, 000 lbs. flour
32, 000 lbs. chocolate chips

Bake at 340 degrees for 7 to 9 minutes. Makes 200 million (45 to 50, 000 pounds) chocolate chip morsels. No preservatives.

NEW YEARS EVE II

It was like a war-zone out there, on the streets around Brandenburg gate- explosions everywhere, small fires on the street, people scattered around- but everyone was in great spirits! It was new years! The strange thing was- when the clock struck 12- there were counting down, and cheers, but no stranger-to-stranger contact...no hugging left and right, and definatly no confetti. It was strange amongst a mass of a half-a-million, you still felt like you were alone.

NEW YEARS

MOVED IN

Neues Wohnzimmer (New Livingroom)
Neues Kuchen (New Kitchen)

Neues Badezimmer (New Bathroom)

Neues Schlafenzimmer (New Bedroom)

G10 PHOTOS

NEW FLAT: BERLIN MITTE

Finally. after days of searching, emailing and visiting wg's, We found our dream spot :) http://www.wg-gesucht.de/1401636.html Check out the photos. This is the site we had to look on, translate, and navigate! I will say, I now know many words in german that have to do with house amenities. haha

We move in on the First, or second. And Our roommates said that Visitors are always welcome! so! See you in berlin, stay with me for free.

NEW DIGI :)

Two days ago my new camera arrived after a long journey beginning at B&H photo in Newyork to Jenny's new place in Chicago and then all the way to Berlin Germany, where I thought I was going to get charged 17.5 percent because of Duty fees! To my surprise, being a student granted me a 100 discount from this duty/tax charge! So happy birthday to me! That is the best student discount ive seen. So here it is: The lastest, the Greatest, and by far, the most expensive birthday gift I bought for myself: the Canon G10:

THE REAL PINOCHIO

I cant be sure, but I think- my nose is getting bigger. I don't exactly have evidence- but i mean- look at this! i mean i know its not a close up, but just use your imagination... thankfully- there is a solution!

And if this doesnt work, Rudolph is in season!

1. • Understand cartilage: Cartilage is malleable connective tissue that protects bones from rubbing together too much so whatever you do to it will not move.
   • Cartilage is also used by the body to shape and support other structures, including the nose.
   • Over a lifespan cartilage can be replaced by bone in certain areas, including the nose.
   • Cartilage can be manipulated because it is made principally of water, about 70% of cartilage is water.
   • Cartilage can be redistributed with movement, but cannot be made smaller with pressure.
   • Other components of cartilage include collagen, proteoglycans, and chondrocytes, proteins and cells that help support and build the cartilage.
2. Understand that to make your nose temporarily smaller using this method you are doing home surgery by manipulating the cartilage in your nose.
3. Wash or moisten your nose area. This isn't compulsory, but it's a little easier to do this on smooth skin.
4. Hold the top of your nose with your thumb and index finger.
5. Slowly bring your fingers to the sides of your nose. Don't press or pull because this might make the nose bloat up a little bigger and can damage the cartilage.
6. Do this for two to three minutes, starting at the top of your nose each time.
7. Repeat about 50 times a day or even more.
8. The results may be visible in 2-3 months time.
9. As soon as you stop, and if you have not permanently disfigured your nose, your nose will return to its normal shape.

wow looks like i found a new hobbie!!! hahaha

more on noses:

http://dienekes.110mb.com/texts/greekmorphological/

http://www.angelfire.com/hi/Azgaser/p3.html

http://www.jstor.org/pss/984657

http://www.enotalone.com/article/3988.html