This mini-autobiography was written as a class assignment for Understanding Media Studies in the Media Studies MA program at The New School.

Perhaps unlike some of my colleagues and predecessors in this MA program, my intellectual story hasn’t been defined by distinct, earth-shattering moments of revelation.  In fact, very few people were involved in my scholarly formation in regards to this program.  But maybe that makes my story all the more unique.  Since childhood, my interests have always been shaped and informed by music, visual design, film, television and print.  In some ways it seems this course of study was inevitable. In any case, I know why I am pursuing this degree, and in this essay we’ll look at the progression of circumstances and choices that let me to this point.

In high school my interests always stood firmly grounded in the technical side of media.  As an audio technician I learned the skills of removing distraction to let whatever voice or message I was amplifying be understood as clearly as possible.  This philosophy was one I developed on my own and succinctly stated to as many people as would listen to my yammering.

I learned the basics of the art of video editing in an internship under Tony Mercado. His experience as both a cameraman and editor for various documentary films, along with his prowess for technical processes, further developed my love of multimedia.  At the same time, it definitely played up my computer geekiness. Read the rest of this entry »

Where can we dock this marine monster when she reaches the port of New York? (LOC), originally uploaded by The Library of Congress.

The Library of Congress has the absolute coolest Flickr photostream. They routinely archive old newspapers and photos. I saw this today and it got the history geek in me excited. It’s the New York Tribune with an article exploring where the city is going to store the Titanic when it docks…

So cool.

In America, this day is known for celebrating Irish culture–or at the very least getting heavy drunk and celebrating stereotypes. But St Patrick’s Day is an actual saint’s day; it’s a holy day in not only the Irish Catholic church but in the church at large.

It’s important to recognize the good that Patrick did for the nation of Ireland, no matter how big the stories about him have become. So today, on St Patrick’s Day, I am posting the translated text to St Patrick’s Breastplate, translated by Cecil Frances Alexander (1823–1895).

St Patrick’s Breastplate

I bind unto myself today
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever,
By power of faith, Christ’s Incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan River;
His death on cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of the Cherubim;
The sweet ‘Well done’ in judgment hour;
The service of the Seraphim,
Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word,
The Patriarchs’ prayers, the Prophets’ scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord,
And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the starlit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life-giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, his shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours
Against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death-wound and the burning
The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the name,
The strong name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Source

Currently Reading:

War has to become an instrument of policy, regardless of differences in culture, ideology, nationality, and personal morality, because with weapons that powerful the alternative could be annihilation.

- John Lewis Gaddis, The Cold War: A New History

On the Move

So this week (yeah, I know… it’s only Wednesday) has been SO long. And also so eventful. Above was one of the first images I saw on Tuesday as I headed up to fourth LaDue to start my time lapse video (which I have yet to watch). Nine or ten truck loads of dirt were brought out for the claw to climb up to Hogue Hall height.

I set up a time lapse camera (GL2… because our new hi-def Panasonic prosumer camera CANNOT DO TIMELAPSE?!?!?!) on the top of LaDue and let it run. I think I have a half hour of time lapse footage. Can’t wait to watch it tomorrow.

Pancho and I took photos the whole weekend as well. A lot of destruction. A 150 year old building.

Hogue Hall Before and After

And now they have to clear away the rubble.

Demolishing the Middle of the Building

I sat and watched a building get demolished. It was interesting.

Time Lapse Video

More pictures at the Hogue Hall blog. I’ll also be uploading to Flickr some of my better ones.