I Heart Cool Stuff

Why Is My Principal/Former Boss Sleeping Outdoors?!

2010-08-25T06:00:15Z

I rarely take the time to ask for personal favors, and seeing as how I rarely do it, I hope you’ll sense my urgency when I outright ask for your help and support. In a former life (less than a year ago), I used to be a full-time Dean of Students. My primary age group were 6th graders, but the school [East Side Community High School] is a 6-12th grade school, therefore I assisted with the older grades when needed. The job was stressful and very gruesome sometimes, but ultimately, very satisfying. Sadly, due to this crummy economy, I got laid off in December, but I have so many ties to this school and the community that I never quite left.

Six years ago, I graduated from this school. That same year, my younger brother commenced his journey there. When I went off to college and things went downhill, this community re-opened its doors to me and hooked me up with a job as a program director for an afterschool program. When I was ready to move on from there, the school once again, opened a new door and offered me a job as an office manager– and finally as a dean. This year, although I got laid off, the principal and college counselor took my family’s situation into consideration and worked their asses off with my brother to get him a full scholarship to Skidmore College. What I’m trying to say here, is that this school does so many amazing things for its students and community. And every year there is less and less money to work with.

Currently, Kohls is hosting a giveaway. They’re giving away $500,000 to 20 schools! East Side is a school that is in great need of this money. The goal is to be one of the top 20 schools and take the money and put it towards a strong arts program. We’re all fans of art, aren’t we? So, I’m asking you to please visit the Facebook page and vote for East Side Community High School. You can vote a maximum of 5 times and believe me when I say– I, along with an entire community, will be eternally grateful if you just took 2 minutes to give us those votes.

P.S. My principal/former boss, is sleeping outside the school in order to round up as many votes as possible. That’s a picture of him taken in front of the school, in the tent he’s crashing in. I mean, really, what other principal in NYC does that?

Music: Kim Boekbinder’s The Impossible Girl- Chapter 1

2010-08-24T15:10:07Z

Back in January, when Jon Burgerman and Jim Avignon were playing multiple locations in New York,Anxieteam was the opening act for Kim Boekbinder. I’d sort of encountered her name through tweet exchanges with Molly Crabapple, but really had no idea the talent I was missing out on in NYC. Meg and I made our way to Bushwick to Goodbye, Blue Monday and cheered as I always do, for Jon and Jim– and then Kim graced the stage with her presence and I was mesmerized by the woman’s ability to create music with random objects and her voice.

Meg and I immediately purchased our Kim Boekbinder Believes in Me tees, and have since impatiently waited for her album. Well, as of last week, she has officially released Chapter 1 of her The Impossible Girl album. The album, which is available for digital download, comes packed with 4 songs; Impossible Girl #1, Open/Avocado, Gypsy, and Big Easy– and also features an original work of art per song. I’m officially loving the mellow sounds of Big Easy, it makes me feel melancholy in the best possible way.

So, now I’m impatiently waiting for Chapter 2 to be released, but until then, I have the need to get you to her site to download the album for yourself. She, similar to Radiohead and their latest album release, has set it up so that you can donate whatever amount you’re able to afford or think the album is worth to make The Impossible Girl yours. So, click this very long link, and let her music invade your soul. Below, I’ve shared one of the original works the album comes with.

Saki’s V-Blog: Happy Announcement!

2010-08-23T15:53:38Z

Keep watching until the end, pass the credits. =D

Wootini Art Tour: Meeting Oliver Jeffers

2010-08-21T17:43:31Z

To continue the Wootini Art Tour series, I’ll introduce you to Oliver Jeffers. I’d heard of Jeffers’ books before [How to Catch a Star, The Incredible Book-Eating Boy and many more]– but hadn’t ever been exposed to his art. I am incredibly grateful to Jess for having brought his work to my attention, as I find him to be insanely talented! His combination of impeccable brush strokes, stellar lighting effects; along with the addition of mathematical equations and scientific notations made for beautifully crafted works. I declare myself a fan of many artists on this site, but Jeffers is on a level I can’t quite compare to others– his works are just that stunning and I highly suggest you make a cup of jo’ or tea, and intently look through his online portfolio.

[Click to view set on flickr]

While we were in his studio, I got the chance to see his American Matter (Part 1) piece, I was going to post a screengrab, but honestly, I feel you really should pay a visit to Oliver’s site and therefore, leave you with some shots I took in his studio.

Scene: MPH Dunny 2010 Trading Party

2010-08-20T08:30:41Z

[click to view flickr set if slideshow doesn't work]

I went over to My Plastic Heart to check out their trading party. Here are a few photos I snapped, Enjoy.

Flickr Friday: domo-kun y hatsune miku

2010-08-20T08:29:53Z

domo-kun y hatsune miku by [alegna]

The Scooter&Jinx Shawnimals Giveaway!

2010-08-20T05:58:18Z

If you haven’t heard of it, then how about you pop on over to their blog and enter now? As part of Jinx’s birthday celebration, they’re giving away tons of goodies throughout the month. Seeing as how Shawnimals’ giveaway here on IHCS was a big hit, I’m sure many of you would love to enter. All you’ve got to do is leave a comment answering the following question: What is the name of the Ninjatown game for iPhone/iPod Touch ? Go to their blog to find out where to leave your answer, which I’m sure all of you know. Good Luck!

Wootini Invasion: Following the Tour

2010-08-17T15:37:51Z

It’s been ages since I’ve updated IHCS with any sort of news– so I figured I would start by sharing the week of fun I had with Jessica (better known as the gorgeous Team Sweet– remember her from a previous v-blog episode?!!). Jessica, who works at Wootini, set out to embark on an art tour. She drove and flew to several destinations including New York City where I met up with her and tagged along to Boston. So, I’ll do a couple teeny– who we spoke to while I was with them posts and then direct you to the Wootini website where you can see much more.

In New York City, Team Sweet (from here on out referred to as Jess), set up some time to hang and interview Leontine Greenberg. If I haven’t shoved it down your throat yet, I absolutely love Leontine– and therefore it was a pleasure to know that two awesome ladies whom I love would be meeting up, with the company of a tall gentlemen by the name of Davy.

Above you’ll find Leontine’s submission to the Love Conquers All: Art for Equality which is turning into an annual show put on by Thinkspace Gallery. Since breaking onto the scene, Leontine continues to develop sophisticated whimsical creatures with a subdued color pallet. My stereotypical thought of a watercolor piece changed when I was exposed to her work. Luckily for you– Leontine’s interview is already up on the Wootini Gallery website and you can check it out now. =D We had delicious brunch at Cafe Bar in Astoria, Queens NY. And at the end of the interview, Leontine left her mark on the travelling munny Jess brought along.

I have one of those birds in my black book. I am absolutely jealous of some people’s talent. If you haven’t checked out her works yet (as though I haven’t urged you many times before), go to her site, stalk her, buy her art.

Flickr Friday: Mountain ninja

2010-08-13T05:46:38Z

Mountain ninja by m4calliope

Flickr Friday: The Other Side

2010-08-06T22:04:35Z

The Other Side by JimmieFisher