tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169714462024-03-14T09:12:35.743-04:00The Walking ArchitectA blog from Portland, Maine on design and community, by Evan Carroll.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-20129662839468700812024-03-14T09:11:00.001-04:002024-03-14T09:11:41.536-04:00Jerome's! Another chapter.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.jeromesofportland.com" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1822" data-original-width="3208" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdJu-J_UtL8YSa9gIHLVFxZWm7kJby73ulFL60pUtaaO6QXe9XqBiCMPUwKUjZBoJYiXM7HgMBfGn_kFij5hVgzK2_5vzZZjReGD4GQbMWtEraixUDdtZS1ynqdpSr3R_-joJ8veHJZnuAmt1SWS-93dZ-Vkmw9tnd2DHDzWA6oGqvXZJBwAm/w200-h114/Jerome's%20Logo%20Raster.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>This blog performed its most important function 18 years ago when Sasha read parts of it before our blind date. She decided it would be good to get to know me. . . :) Compared to that there's not much to say, except that we're still finding ways to keep our adventure interesting.<p></p><p>The boys are 9 and 11 now and much more independent than they used to be. That's why it has been a good time to open a bar!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8CWw95Nf25EMRhG1ORitwgWza_SzsjXYLzJr6Cv8zn2xad3do18OJFdEYkI52kvDeUvMBy1U5D-FSH2G_vhADHY8Tgv-ADYosA0vl5s-Ck_jbJvx5_zWwOiL8UbTd4NgV6ET_aRlxhwodQo1pIYstA7AUiqyHpCE3Gy5K5iY-FcWlxrftrmU/s4080/PXL_20240211_212427079~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8CWw95Nf25EMRhG1ORitwgWza_SzsjXYLzJr6Cv8zn2xad3do18OJFdEYkI52kvDeUvMBy1U5D-FSH2G_vhADHY8Tgv-ADYosA0vl5s-Ck_jbJvx5_zWwOiL8UbTd4NgV6ET_aRlxhwodQo1pIYstA7AUiqyHpCE3Gy5K5iY-FcWlxrftrmU/w400-h301/PXL_20240211_212427079~2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We are partnered with Ian Daly, who Sasha worked with at the House of Music. Jerome's is a casual sports bar with a slant towards board sports, New England pro sports teams, and a healthy dose of music. It's such a comfortable place, and we're having a great time!</p><p>Thanks to all our friends and family who have helped us to get this done! C'mon by and say "hi"!</p><p><a href="http://www.instagram.com/jeromesofportland">www.instagram.com/jeromesofportland</a></p><p><a href="http://www.jeromesofportland.com">www.jeromesofportland.com</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6XKpR8Iep4HmatkQmHfu9VkK5hZGnnwIG3xwOuNiOQ-EvvmtmIcfteSNcyKhr-bb5he_hsr33otZDcnUJ61uU8UoeG5lj1me6B30VKMwU_QbfiBRe4o7dVCZF3jtPSAM3MpmxvsQgrrgGnnBoQkSdKbCaR4hZuGJ0D9jJVLdjCAaS9tZpF-1/s3280/2024-02-11%2016.15.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2464" data-original-width="3280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6XKpR8Iep4HmatkQmHfu9VkK5hZGnnwIG3xwOuNiOQ-EvvmtmIcfteSNcyKhr-bb5he_hsr33otZDcnUJ61uU8UoeG5lj1me6B30VKMwU_QbfiBRe4o7dVCZF3jtPSAM3MpmxvsQgrrgGnnBoQkSdKbCaR4hZuGJ0D9jJVLdjCAaS9tZpF-1/w400-h300/2024-02-11%2016.15.23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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In my last blog I posted, "I'm a father!" Two years after J was born, S was born. Now J is four and S is nearly two. It's probably safe to say that I'm a different person now, though I couldn't tell you how. I'm fairly certain that I'm also very much the same person. Having a family has been affirming, creating more clarity than conflict. We have set up our life intentionally.<br>
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The family is not all. . . Bild Architecture is now over five-years-old with two others working with us, another family to nurture. It's certainly hard to find a balance, if there is one, but I think we're finding it.<br>
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While there's no question that I must be an adult now, I still think about what I want to be when I grow up. I find myself thinking about music more and more often. This is a funny thing because I have both a stable, productive career, and minimal instrumental skill. Still, music continues to play a major role in our family. Many of our outings involve listening to live music, which the boys love, and plenty of our time at home is spent listening and dancing. The boys both enjoy mucking around on the keyboard and drum-set that we have, and it seems at least possible that they share some of the joy that I find in melodies, harmonies, beats, rhythms, lyrics and syncopations.<br>
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I'm finding I have much to put down here, and I'll just have to tie it together later. This past spring my grandmother, my brother-in-law and my best-friend's father passed away. It hurt, and it still hurts unexpectedly, but the boys and the firm didn't go away. They still need me. When I think of them (that we lost) I feel responsible. . . for making the best of my life.<br>
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I'd like to get back to doing this. (blogging) This blog is part of how Sasha "found" me, reading it before our first blind "date"; a meet up to consider being roommates. After that meeting we started dating. If taking the time to write did that once, maybe there's more yet to come.<br>
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I should mention that I probably wouldn't making the post if it were not for the new Bon Iver album, 22, A Million. It seems to have captured that part of my mind that was yearning to be thoughtful and reflective. The songs on 22, A Million seems to capture the feelings of nervousness, fear, and uncertainty in a way that is resolved, not hopeless. To me, that feels a lot like life: sketches of unexpected feelings that (when we're lucky) contribute to the notion of hopefulness. Not hopefulness for a certain outcome, but hopefulness that we will find a way, persevere and make something of it all.<br>
<br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-68084412172649893142012-10-21T07:20:00.000-04:002012-10-21T07:20:06.920-04:00I'm a father!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This changes everything. My last post, a year ago, was about my friends incredible band, and now I have a son named after that friend.<br />
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As I type, he is here in my arms, this little person who is half me. He is beautiful, adorable, cute, handsome, and a treasure to be able to watch grow every day. He has changed my perspective: I look back at life before him and wonder if I might not have been a mechanical trick, only to become a real man on the day of his birth.<br />
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He inspires me to be more than I've ever been and to see the world through his eyes. I now see the future not only through my own perspective, but through his, whatever that may be. I look at him and see that my every action will be something for this little man to learn from.<br />
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Perhaps all of this is rather commonplace for new fathers, but it's the biggest thing that has happened in my life; how am I supposed to think of my actions in the same way? Well here's how: if I can make the world just a little bit of a better place, than I know at least one person who will benefit from my efforts for longer than I am able to do so.<br />
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It's not just that I'm inspired to make the world better for him, but also the hope that if my son sees me full of hope for a better world, for change; if he sees me with a faith in humanity, perhaps he will be able to make more of it all than I have been able. I hope that I am able to pass on at least a little of my naive optimism that that one person CAN make a difference, and each member of humanity IS in their heart trying to make a better place for those they love.<br />
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I now get to see the world through my son's eyes. What a gift this is, to have a glimpse into innocence again. Innocence is where our hopes and dreams are born. They are born in a place without fact, fiction, right or wrong, in a place where raw experience allows us to imagine new experiences. Our inspiration comes not from KNOWING for sure what is true, but from learning of a possibility and then imagining the step after that.<br />
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Now as I experience the world anew with my son I see every moment as one in which he may find new inspiration. My home, my city, my friends and family are now going to work their way into each of my son's senses and into his understanding.<br />
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Here's where I want to express gratitude. Gratitude for the life that our family has, that we now get to share together. There has been outpouring of love from our friends and family towards us and our new son. We've had visitors, phone calls, gifts, cards and home cooked meals showered upon us. So many people we love and care about, weaving a web of love and support around our son. Our neighborhood, and our city provide this family with acceptance, tolerance, diversity, and community. We are not a lone family with our own web of support, but one among many here in Portland.<br />
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I now understand why we've made our life in the way we have. We've done it for our son.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3Portland, ME43.6629964 -70.256877543.6400229 -70.296359500000008 43.685969899999996 -70.2173955tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-7714639631024865522011-10-02T10:36:00.000-04:002011-10-02T10:37:00.598-04:00Sunset Hearts New Album: Haunted Cloud<div style="text-align: right;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmBywhYYCU2YfxjpZzQ_gr5p62E2VOVzoCf6RF_kuMri9mJfO_G8JRIOq0DfNZ0KeRfRL1hrqLrpf8RxjUBEkUxAYI6HfI0-p4crW86KpF5Hg50TmYal_Hit4L2uTbOHAet-O/s1600/318634_2315508719848_1013363492_2690266_1099388372_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmBywhYYCU2YfxjpZzQ_gr5p62E2VOVzoCf6RF_kuMri9mJfO_G8JRIOq0DfNZ0KeRfRL1hrqLrpf8RxjUBEkUxAYI6HfI0-p4crW86KpF5Hg50TmYal_Hit4L2uTbOHAet-O/s200/318634_2315508719848_1013363492_2690266_1099388372_n.jpg" width="148" /></a>My good friend, Jesse, has been in a band for a YEAR now called Sunset Hearts. Sasha and I first saw them at Slainte sometime last year, and we were immediately won over and excited! This is good music that is very well put together!<br />
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Last night was the CD release party of the first Sunset Hearts CD, and they put on a great show!<br />
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They are also on the front of this weeks <a href="http://portland.thephoenix.com/music/127526-sunset-hearts-bright-laments/">Portland Phoenix</a>, in a article that reviews the new album. <a href="http://portland.thephoenix.com/music/127526-sunset-hearts-bright-laments/">(see article)</a><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="410" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=2829617892/size=grande3/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" style="display: block; height: 410px; position: relative; width: 300px;" width="300">&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://sunsethearts.bandcamp.com/album/haunted-cloud"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Haunted Cloud by Sunset Hearts&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</iframe>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-63545165825731191602011-09-08T16:12:00.000-04:002011-09-08T16:12:34.470-04:00World Dance Class (by my mom!)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>My mom is going to be teaching this International Folk Dancing Class. She is a great teacher, and the dances are athletic and fun to learn. You can expect to learn a bit about the culture surrounding each dance as well!</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>WORLD DANCE/WORLD MUSIC</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Enjoy the fun, exercise, and challenge of learning traditional dances from diverse world cultures. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVMa5-OMM2oiLOgtE0lqMKRBOhSI0JBoA9TmyYpHFtN8ZP29jbgSVSipTcAxWjO1U1G68b7sAEpGOtEcrIQi5gLDAf7cMJdpgajRweUnE5bo8XDxxWTAw5DIIV5nFnc9NIVXM/s1600/dance+circle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVMa5-OMM2oiLOgtE0lqMKRBOhSI0JBoA9TmyYpHFtN8ZP29jbgSVSipTcAxWjO1U1G68b7sAEpGOtEcrIQi5gLDAf7cMJdpgajRweUnE5bo8XDxxWTAw5DIIV5nFnc9NIVXM/s320/dance+circle.png" width="285" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Learn dances from Greece, Croatia, Armenia, Israel, Bolivia and more!
Experience unique rhythms, engaging music, and a wide variety of
dance styles, and formations. Dances range from energetic to calming;
contemporary to ancient. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Each week you'll learn new dances, step-by-step, and review dances already learned. These traditional dances are for both men and women, are multi-generational (ages 14 and up), and do not require a partner or prior dance experience. Dress comfortably (you will sweat) and bring non-street shoes to change into. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">WHERE: Avant Dance Event Center, 865 Spring St, Westbrook, ME</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(easy access from Rts 95 & 295)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">WHEN: Thursdays 7:00-8:00 PM for 4 weeks, starting 9-15-11, Second 4 week session starts 10-20-11</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">COST: $35 for 4 classes (if paid at first class) OR $10 drop-in</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">CONTACTS: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">WEB: www.avantmaine.com</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">E-MAIL: kcarroll2@gmail.com</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">PHONE: Kathleen Carroll, instructor, at 856-6415</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-33773506039409970942011-08-17T15:41:00.000-04:002011-08-17T15:41:49.756-04:00Information Overload!I just was shown three very interesting things all at once!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTpyQOyCeACvPoxGGhjPiQk9j9sIao5PkWDqqmBhku5yiNvzJPp2tIdqF-NqGrGr_GpAAHiDDbUu9aWi4yfgn2k7Q8GTnVl_f-zECJUHXaTy5bxqXWcHzpMsd4ou8-XjvRk-E/s1600/master-porch.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTpyQOyCeACvPoxGGhjPiQk9j9sIao5PkWDqqmBhku5yiNvzJPp2tIdqF-NqGrGr_GpAAHiDDbUu9aWi4yfgn2k7Q8GTnVl_f-zECJUHXaTy5bxqXWcHzpMsd4ou8-XjvRk-E/s320/master-porch.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.originalgreen.org/blog/porches-walkability-and.html?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150248279256688_17503706_10150257226121688#f3255c1194">The proportions of Porches!</a> Walking and socially interacting with people spontaneously is just the kind of thing that helps us to trust the world around us. Trusting our world decreases anxiety, fear and suspicion. that's my take on it anyway.</li>
</ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.terrybisson.com/page6/page6.html">MEAT</a> Just read it. You'll enjoy it.</li>
</ul><ul><li><a href="http://federatedcompanies.com/brochures/508944_Maritime%20Landing%20sell%20sheet.pdf">Federated Properties</a> This is a HUGE project planned for Portland. I'm curious to see if it happens. I'll save my commentary for another day.</li>
</ul>-Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-46287070569755319182011-06-21T12:33:00.003-04:002011-06-21T12:38:16.823-04:00What do I live for?<i>I wrote this on May 12th but didn't feel comfortable posting it. Please consider reading the<a href="http://mybraincancerdiary.com/"> blog of my brother-in-law, Bogart.</a> He inspired this entry.</i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On my most motivated days I live for a chance to make the world a better place where humanity can coexist with nature.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On my least motivated days I live for a home cooked meal and a cold beer in the back yard.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I'm feeling loved I live for the chance to have and raise my own children with Sasha.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I'm feeling unloved I live for moment when I can sag into loving arms and just belong.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every day I live for the change of the seasons.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I live to experience the brisk wind and the warm sun in the Fall.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I live for the warm Summer nights that smell like an amusement park.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I live for the blooming of lilacs, peonies and lillys-of-the-valley in Spring.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I live clear snowy nights under a full moon.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live for every family member, every person and everything that has made me who I am.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However much time I have, I hope that I'm making the most of what has made me.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am too specific to be an accident, as we all are.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live for the chance to do something better today than I did yesterday.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I don't succeed at this, I live because I'll have another chance tomorrow.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live for those exquisite moments of bliss in listening to music.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live for the chance to create something beautiful.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live for the adrenaline of competition.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live for the comradery of being on a team.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live for the confidence that being married has given me.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live for the chance to be the boost that Sasha needs.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live to make my place in the world, however I do it.</span></i><br />
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</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hope that by my living I can be an example.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I aspire to live like those I most respect.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live because I can overcome all.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live because I am nothing, and yet by living I can become something.</span></i><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live because I cannot wait.</span></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live because I must let it be.</span></i></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I live because then there will be a story to tell.</span></i><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-43877615613848104822011-05-03T09:39:00.001-04:002011-05-03T09:40:16.771-04:00Portland Mayor: Questions from an Architect<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">As Portland moves closer to the <i>"Portland Mayoral Choose-Fest"</i> I'm putting on my professional hat and thinking about questions that need answering.</span></div><div><ul><li style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">Do you believe that increased regional planning can benefit the business climate or health and wellbeing for the businesses and residents of Portland? Why or why not?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">As mayor, how much power will you have to increase efficiencies in the many permitting processes that new and existing businesses face in Portland? How will you use your given powers for the maximum effect?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">Portland is a city that depends heavily on its image to attract a complex group of tourists from art critics to foodies to leaf peepers. How does the built environment contribute to this image? Does the city benefit from contemporary architecture?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">What can architects and contractors do to help you and your goals for Portland?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">Are there creative solutions for filling all the empty commercial lease spaces in Portland?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">What is one way that the city and the creative economy can work together TODAY to help promote Portland to the world at large?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">Portland is a mixed use city. Where is this working well and where is it NOT working well?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">How does Portland continue on a path of economic development without making the city too expensive for its residents?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">What is your vision for how the streets of Portland might look different in 20 years? In 50 years?</span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">Do you have any questions for our future mayor? Post them here!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-79031349844877020202011-04-03T17:16:00.002-04:002011-04-05T09:55:28.953-04:00Killer Joe and ArchitalxLast Thursday Sasha and I went to two great events, and YOU all still have a chance to experience them!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUs779uZ8c1f-7ogMjFY5yQ5AlTUFU3X9286vL611x4PwYK8knaDHROIyexjvdfLuNz6pD1jNRrRYdyy-PmkvN0fIYrKXdBPBmDYVM4V3T4aSAJQhs1PlvX5dLJmgEoBNweCa/s1600/firehs12_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUs779uZ8c1f-7ogMjFY5yQ5AlTUFU3X9286vL611x4PwYK8knaDHROIyexjvdfLuNz6pD1jNRrRYdyy-PmkvN0fIYrKXdBPBmDYVM4V3T4aSAJQhs1PlvX5dLJmgEoBNweCa/s320/firehs12_02.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>First, we went to Architalx. If you've never been, it happens on Thursdays all April, and it's likely to be our only chance (in Portland) to hear "famous" architects talk about their work each year.<br />
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On Thursday we heard from Alan Organschi, who does fantastically fluid work with wood. I loved the <a href="http://grayorganschi.com/index.php/projects/details/firehouse_12_music_studio">Firehouse</a>. It was a tough program with a wonderful solution that transcends the word "solution."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O_pOXaKyKIbfYz84N6HLe6ZUuldBsxqRPtP0xGenY1Tgl8bAyRnW57QPgVidbLw3bOsIhCrVCvRmvt0OhdIJbrjnEvoTa1Y5JvVAlMZb1QWDo_IAiU_hv5rAjZeV5Cg3EHja/s1600/KJwebPoster_4_410x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O_pOXaKyKIbfYz84N6HLe6ZUuldBsxqRPtP0xGenY1Tgl8bAyRnW57QPgVidbLw3bOsIhCrVCvRmvt0OhdIJbrjnEvoTa1Y5JvVAlMZb1QWDo_IAiU_hv5rAjZeV5Cg3EHja/s320/KJwebPoster_4_410x0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Our second event of the evening was <i><a href="http://www.space538.org/event_details.php?id=682">Killer Joe</a></i>, a play that is showing at Space during April. If I see no other theater this year, I will be happy that I saw <i>Killer Joe</i>. Space is an intimate venue that has led me to feel quite spoiled about seeing live theater. No audience member is more than 20 feet from the stage.<br />
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The script is a black comedy that takes no mercy. Watch what a "desperate" family will do for extra cash and how wrong it can all go.<br />
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The cast did an excellent job, with a return to Portland acting by Christopher Reiling, who was last seen on the Space stage for <i>Speech and Debate</i>. Chris's brings another character to life with a caricature that is too human to be dismissed as JUST a caricature. I was also excited to see a performance by Brian Chamberlain again. I last saw him on the screen in <i>A Very Careful Man</i> done by my friends David Miller and Charlie Simmons. Brian, the villain, is riveting. It's hard to hate him, and yet, he is evil.<br />
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I would encourage anyone who thinks they have perspective on humanity to see this play!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-14176946410879826432011-03-09T14:59:00.002-05:002011-04-15T08:22:09.573-04:00MAST, the ZOOM Bus, and LD 673I've been working with other members of MAST to promote LD 673, submitted by Representative Bradley Moulton of the York, Maine area. This bill would offer a significant improvement to the regional transportation infrastructure of Southern Maine.<br />
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In a nutshell, this bill would: (<a href="http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/billpdfs/HP050301.pdf">click here to read the bill</a>)<br />
<ul><li>Expand the existing ZOOM Bus route to go from York, to Augusta.</li>
<li>Require the MTA to turn over 3% of its operating revenue for use on non-turnpike Maine roads.</li>
<li>Fund the installation of wifi on all ZOOM buses to encourage transit use as a more productive way to travel.</li>
</ul>I made this poster to be used to promote the bill:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKaHLqPOoEkslM7mNhES30LxvfaEiBT55Vw0xyWT8jRx5f-jYmU3JWg-hrYVsXKoVFAhgriyAaJcK-8CfvZzjJqEw6EDgZLf0-jpIKaNF4nr31dVwyqx4FHEA0FlvpeXq_Xs_/s1600/Poster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKaHLqPOoEkslM7mNhES30LxvfaEiBT55Vw0xyWT8jRx5f-jYmU3JWg-hrYVsXKoVFAhgriyAaJcK-8CfvZzjJqEw6EDgZLf0-jpIKaNF4nr31dVwyqx4FHEA0FlvpeXq_Xs_/s320/Poster.JPG" width="207" /></a></div><br />
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You can download the poster <a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/933510/Blog%20Files/Zoom%20Poster.pdf">here</a>.<br />
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Some thoughts from others on LD 673:<br />
<ul><li>Tux Terkel of the Portland Press Herald wrote <a href="http://www.pressherald.com/news/bill-seeks-piece-of-turnpike-revenue-pie_2011-02-10.html?searchterm=zoom">this</a> on the proposal.</li>
<li>Christian Milneil wrote <a href="http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/dont-widen-more-of-the-turnpike-expand-commuter-bus-service_2010-10-04.html?searchterm=milneil">this great op.ed.</a> on the subject</li>
<li>The Conservation Law Foundation has posted <a href="http://www.clf.org/blog/uncategorized/heavy-weight-growth-cities-should-be-linked-through-zoom-bus/">this blog</a> on the proposal.</li>
</ul>Please consider telling your Maine legislator to support this bill!<br />
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-Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-76642784542680248182011-03-09T14:02:00.001-05:002011-03-09T14:09:52.796-05:00PSA Featured MemberI have been enjoying my involvement on the <a href="http://www.portlandarchitects.org/">Portland Society of Architects</a> Advocacy Committee. Recently as part of being on that committee I was able to be the facilitator for an informal chat on contracts and project delivery methods used in the construction industry. It was a great experience and I learned quite a bit.<br />
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Even more recently than that, I was chosen to be the PSA featured member. Here's the write-up:<br />
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<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MlB33DtRBaw/TWQQVVSMUuI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/xF-fk4Pv8bI/s1600/EAC_2201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MlB33DtRBaw/TWQQVVSMUuI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/xF-fk4Pv8bI/s200/EAC_2201.JPG" width="136" /></a><i>Evan Carroll grew up in Westbrook, Maine and attended Roger Williams University, receiving a BArch in 2006. At RWU Evan was a radio DJ, ultimate (Frizbee) player and a capella singer. Evan minored in music, studied abroad in Florence, and worked with professors as a tutor and on a statewide wind energy study.</i></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"><i>While attending RWU Evan summered at home in Westbrook and took the bus into Portland for jobs with Pizzagalli Construction, the Portland Museum of Art, and Port City Architecture. The positive experiences with summer jobs and desire to be near family brought Evan back to Maine after graduation.</i></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"><i>Evan is now married to Sasha Salzberg, and they live with their two cats and a dog in a house they own in East Bayside. To entertain themselves Evan and Sasha write, make art, do photography, dance, enjoy the outdoors, are music scenesters, and interfere with local politics.</i></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"><i>Recently, Evan has been on the Westbrook Planning Board, the Executive Board for Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Maine (HOBY Maine), the Steering Committee for the Maine Alliance for Sustainable Transportation (MAST), the Pecha Kucha Board, and the PSA Advocacy Committee. Evan has just completed his AREs and is now officially a Maine Licensed Architect.</i></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"><i>Evan and Sasha have high hopes for their involvement in the future of Portland. They love the creative, collaborative atmosphere fostered in Portland and see many opportunities for the city as a creative Mecca in the future.</i></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"><i>Evan hopes to help Portland become a more livable city by continuing to advocate for thoughtful transportation planning on all scales as an integral part of the built environment. Evan believes that his role as an architect is to look inward at how spaces shape peoples’ lives and outward at how the built environment shapes society.</i></div>You can see the write-up on the PSA website <a href="http://www.portlandarchitects.org/featured/featured-members/stay-tuned-for-our-featured-member/">here.</a><br />
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-Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-70330762112191450862011-03-09T11:11:00.001-05:002011-03-09T11:14:36.718-05:00Pecha KuchaSasha and I have now been on the <a href="http://www.pechakuchaportland.org/portland/portland_events.html">Pecha Kucha Portland</a> Board for a few months, and I have to say that Pecha Kucha is one of the best creative forums that there IS right now. If you're not in the Portland area, look Pecha Kucha up, as there is probably one near you.<br />
<br />
The goal of Pecha Kucha is to get a lot of creative people together to share their ideas and images. Its set up in a super condensed format where there are TEN presenters in an evening, and each only gets 6 minutes and 40 seconds (20 slides for 20s each).<br />
<br />
The event is truly a blast and its been an honor for us to help with the curating process. Below are the images that Sasha and I presented when we were emcees for the Portland Pecha Kucha this past Fall. There is no audio for this one, so it might not make a lot of sense.<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fecarroll963%2Falbumid%2F5582106260049119793%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="333" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500"></embed><br />
<br />
Sasha and I also presented at PK last winter about <a href="http://evancarroll.blogspot.com/2010/03/finally-foodart.html">Food Art!</a> (This one has audio!)<br />
<br />
-Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-55014969093089202282011-03-09T10:29:00.001-05:002011-03-09T10:55:24.862-05:00Flowers. . . in review.I recently was talking to a friend about flower pictures, and thought I would show some!<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fecarroll963%2Falbumid%2F5567995061848444609%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="333" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500"></embed>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-10517458009905151132011-01-23T22:29:00.001-05:002011-01-23T22:31:22.871-05:00Maine Music and Humor<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br />
There are two sites that I'm pretty psyched about:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_292998183"><img alt="Maine.fm logo" src="http://maine.fm/wp-content/themes/mainefm/images/logo-streamingplayer.png" /></a></span></div><a href="http://maine.fm/listen/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maine.fm is excellent! </span></a><br />
This site is all Music from Maine recording artists all the time! I was skeptical at first, but there really IS enough music to do this! I've heard some great new artists and recognized plenty of my local favorites.<br />
I have high hopes for this site as a place that organizes the Maine music scene, and ultimately results in the first Portland Music festival! Yes all roads lead to the Portland Music Festival!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_292998187"><img alt="Hyperbole and a Half" border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrwTp9dtTda_m_LRu5y2XQpotYgg_anFOfK8SiEfxmBnjWLkXQ0O2m_kt73fbq0EPQcxmw4wfBBOQDoEOIyp74oovYgr-hWB91KA26_2vgrITPIurgQMZBRkiyC5U9onTRaW4/s1600-r/blogheadernewnewblue.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><a href="http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hyperbole and a Half is a riot!</span></a><br />
That's what I think. . . go see for yourself.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-38196603035694728492011-01-15T09:37:00.001-05:002011-01-15T09:46:35.868-05:00Maine Licensed Architect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just received a letter with this crest on it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNrqS-pZjErTrAnhWG60lFFM_3AIxFHWpow_3hy0xhZLMxIUmujyY-axdzEA97mT7oA-4-yvnWKvMhhra5dH-3X7oYwh8adKtT06sDd2SF2BlUDgX6By65KlckZvQSlhMyvMM/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNrqS-pZjErTrAnhWG60lFFM_3AIxFHWpow_3hy0xhZLMxIUmujyY-axdzEA97mT7oA-4-yvnWKvMhhra5dH-3X7oYwh8adKtT06sDd2SF2BlUDgX6By65KlckZvQSlhMyvMM/s200/photo.JPG" width="193" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It also contained this table.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81fBPFT_bE78W2M2AkKr_I4O3VizBLYP4m5Xcrgm3jOuomlYF0FkiGy2K11E65BHfw1ghP_sKEdalGiOWshmkrBClewPlxbH6-mhajF2HWryAg2MvS59HUQAN9Kf03Yhg26g3/s1600/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81fBPFT_bE78W2M2AkKr_I4O3VizBLYP4m5Xcrgm3jOuomlYF0FkiGy2K11E65BHfw1ghP_sKEdalGiOWshmkrBClewPlxbH6-mhajF2HWryAg2MvS59HUQAN9Kf03Yhg26g3/s400/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The end result. . . I am licensed to practice architecture in Maine!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The ten years of hazing are over, and I'm now in the fraternity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-33577206273986844002011-01-12T10:35:00.000-05:002011-01-12T10:35:20.511-05:00Seeing Italy. . . . finally<iframe frameborder="0" height="331" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/18705671?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=86907a" width="500"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/18705671">Seeing Italy</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user575064">Evan Carroll</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
I made this narrated slideshow in the winter of 2005 after spending a semester in Florence Italy during the fall of 2004.<br />
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All photography is mine except for a small number of images of the Iraq war.<br />
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The music is not mine but is credited at the end.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-7417456407553487792011-01-10T21:09:00.004-05:002011-01-12T10:37:18.465-05:00A Mayor for Portland!<div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next year, Portland will have an elected mayor for the first time in eighty years. The Mayor will be granted limited political powers allowing him or her to lead and organize the City Council, hire the City Manager, veto the municipal budget, and represent the city to the world beyond.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While the new Mayor will certainly face the serious logistical challenges of educating our children, maintaining services, and balancing the budget, the Mayor must also be expected to be kind of person who can bring Portland </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">forward</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The “first” Mayor of Portland should be a person with the optimism to inspire pride and motivation within the city, the charisma to sell Portland’s image to vacationers and prospective businesses, and the dexterity to negotiate stronger regional agreements between the municipalities of Greater Portland.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The way in which the new Mayor performs his or her duties will set a precedent for how a mayor in Portland should act and what a mayor’s responsibilities will </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">be </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for decades to come. The “first” elected mayor of Portland should look beyond written policy to provide an atmosphere of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">collaboration </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and consider these suggestions:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Thank local organizations. Portland is a diverse city and will benefit from the continued diversity of services. The new Mayor should be prepared to work with, promote, and support local non-profits already providing civic services that the city does </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have to supply.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Enable local businesses. The movement to keep business local is strong, but survival for a small business in Portland is always precarious. The new Mayor must review city procedures to ensure that permitting and licensing processes are prompt and predictable for all business ventures.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Support local farmers. The farmers’ markets in Portland have been very successful. The new Mayor will need to be part of a regional dialogue about land use to ensure that local food and natural resources are both available for years to come.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Praise local artists. Portland will continue to be a vacation destination, and the presence of street art vendors, galleries, and an artistic culture create the kind of excitement that tourists expect. A strong relationship between the city and all artists will help Portland continue to be a tourist destination.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Encourage local music venues and musicians. Portland is a hotbed for original music and musical performance, but has the venue infrastructure of a much larger city. The new Mayor should consider ways to create events or festivals that would bring new attention to Portland as a musical destination.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Recognize Portland’s residents. Portland rests on the shoulders of its residents who choose to live here. A mayor for Portland must be a community organizer who will encourage neighborhood, community and city-wide events such as clean-up days, crime watch meetings, and neighborhood meet-and-greets.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The “first” elected Mayor of Portland must have the discipline to handle the daily challenges of running the city, but must also recognize that Portland is a city of willpower that continues to thrive because it is something to believe in. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-12432830860797108072010-12-03T15:09:00.000-05:002010-12-08T09:17:21.180-05:00GIFs!!!!Last year when in Somerville we made these silly GIF files. I never figured out how to put GIFs on my blog, so i remade the images into this video.<br />
<br />
It is what it is. . .<br />
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<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YSvhCdTNwZY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YSvhCdTNwZY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="401"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-66731705126253379342010-11-29T07:12:00.002-05:002010-11-29T07:16:21.384-05:00Fall Photography 2010I had the opportunity to take some great pictures this fall.<br />
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<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fecarroll963%2Falbumid%2F5544939948193106113%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="333" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500"></embed><br />
<br />
It feels good to be back in to it for a change.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-19678479869698258162010-11-28T23:07:00.002-05:002010-12-01T20:35:10.678-05:00Chilili - Folk Dance (. . . LEGOS!)My fantastic wedding and marriage to Sasha did not receive quite enough blog attention.<br />
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One of the best parts of our reception was doing a few international folk dances with all the guests, led by my mom. More recently than the wedding Sasha, my sister, Jesse and I recreated one of the dances with Legos.<br />
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<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/20iip8G3kuo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/20iip8G3kuo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="333"></embed></object><br />
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International folk dance is a great mix of history, anthropology and (you guessed it) DANCING.<br />
I intended to include a picture of the dancing from the wedding reception but we don't have one that really captures it.<br />
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Here's what the dance really looks like:<br />
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<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JYBHnOkiPW4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JYBHnOkiPW4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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And here's how to do it yourself:<br />
<a href="http://www.folkdancecamp.org/07syllabus/Chilili%20(2007SFDC)%20E.pdf">http://www.folkdancecamp.org/07syllabus/Chilili%20(2007SFDC)%20E.pdf</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-35864557565617678172010-11-03T18:03:00.000-04:002010-11-03T18:03:23.227-04:00Election Fall-outI would like to draw attention to a previous post of mine:<br />
<a href="http://evancarroll.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-will-i-think-of-next.html">http://evancarroll.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-will-i-think-of-next.html</a><br />
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I think of our government system as on a continuum of evolution. It will either flourish, or become extinct.<br />
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Our national government is really quite young and there is no reason that it won't become extinct. Monarchies have lasted much longer. Dictatorships have lasted much longer. Smaller, social governing or self ruling methods of indigenous peoples have lasted the longest.<br />
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The reason we like (the U.S. of) America is because of its aspirations. It's an amazing concept. . . give every person the same chance at life, liberty and happiness. The question of course is how to deliver on this promise. . .<br />
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I am officially fed up with the crucifixion of the incumbent. . . unless of course you see the two major parties collectively as the incumbent. If you see it that way then I'm with you. . . let's get out our torches and pitchforks!<br />
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It's becoming more and more obvious that we are in a bi-partisan stagnation. Whatever happens in elections two years from now will surely be reversed in four years.<br />
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(This has officially been a rant.)All that I am trying to say is that unless we find a way to alter the two party system then I'm not going to expect much.<br />
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Right now<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant-runoff_voting"> instant-runoff voting</a> sounds pretty good to me. It would allow people to vote for their favorite candidate without concern for political strategy. Americans have become too political. Politics - literally - are about maneuvering and manipulating, and that is simply not a positive way of thinking about things.<br />
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That is my stance: I'm not interested in politics; i'm interested in DOING things. I (perhaps naively) think that a country could be run this way. Give me my instant-runoff voting, and let us all vote for what we believe in.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-34570532924114801262010-10-20T12:41:00.000-04:002010-10-20T12:41:34.364-04:00Thank you hillytown!!!!!The more I visit <a href="http://hillytown.com/">hillytown.com</a> the more I wonder how I ever did without it. If you want to see local bands in Portland, it's the place to go and learn your $hit.<br />
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I also want to share my love for the phrase "Hilly Town." It's a great song by the Ponys (now Phantom Buffalo) and here's the story of how I first heard it.<br />
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My good friend Toph and I were in our first year of college, and home from school for some holiday. Our typical gig was to wander around Portland until something happened to us. This method generally worked out and this particular eve was no exception. I had never even heard of Space Gallery, as I think they were in their first year.<br />
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As we walked down the best part of Congress, some kickin' music spilled out of a shop-front I had never noticed before. We went inside Space for the first time, and heard the Pony's for the first time. They were fantastic. I still love to hear the medley from the beginning of Shishimumu played live. It gives me chills and sends me back to that moment. We danced like crazy (we may have even started the dancing) and I even bought the vinyl EP with the Necktie song.<br />
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Here's where the story gets good. When the lights came up, we realized that we were at a wedding reception. We crashed a wedding to see the Ponys! I can't think of a more bad-ass way to be introduced to the Space or the Ponys. I would love to know who's wedding this was. It was in 2001 or 2002. Anyone have any info on this one?<br />
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Once again, thanks to everyone who makes seeing live music in this hilly town so awesome.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-28186922754318207752010-10-10T15:28:00.003-04:002010-10-17T18:51:51.538-04:00The "Transportation Issue"My friend and fellow <a href="http://www.mainesustainabletransport.com/">MAST </a>memeber <a href="http://www.vigorousnorth.com/">Christian Milneil</a> wrote a great Op-Ed for the Press Herald about <a href="http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/dont-widen-more-of-the-turnpike-expand-commuter-bus-service_2010-10-04.html">MAST's new Zoom Proposal</a>. The Press Herald wrote <a href="http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/editorials/zoom-bus-expansion-worth-exploring-by-legislature_2010-10-02.html">short editorial</a> in support of the idea. Christian did a great job outlining a path to improved public transportation.<br /><br />I think that building a stronger public transportation system must be a top priority in the future, and while strong proposals are important, so is a strong rational. I would like to share my own rational for promoting public transportation.<br /><br />The reason we need public transportation is simply that not everyone can get around by car. For the last 70 years we (as Americans) have primarily been promoting car-centric development, but these development patterns leave out those too young to drive, those who can't afford to drive, and those who have disabilities that prevent them from driving.<br /><br />Our communities invested in public transportation in that past but as cars grew in popularity, support for public transportation wained. In the 50s my mom and her brothers would take a bus from Main Street Cumberland into Portland to go to the movies. Now, my grandmother still lives in the same family house but cannot drive or take a bus anywhere. We <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">need to get the o</span>ld transportation systems back.<br /><br />We all know the regular reasons to improve public transportation: reduced car emissions, reduced congestion in cities, improved health (if people walk or bike) and even reduced sprawl as development centralizes around transportation systems, but I see <i>personal independence</i> as the reason at the heart of the need for better public transportation. People need to feel self sufficient and able to meet their basic needs on their own, but it is hard to feel that way if there is no alternative to driving.<br /><br />As the baby-boomers age more and more people will be prevented from driving because of age related disabilities. As my parents get older (and believe me, they are not there yet) they will at some point have to decide not to drive. The prospect of losing such an integral mode of independence can be paralyzing to even think about. We need to start thinking about how they will be getting around now.<br /><br />In the Portland area we currently have a system to address this issue called <a href="http://www.rtprides.org/ride.html">RTP</a>. This is a by-request-only pick-up service and people must apply to receive the service. While the RTP clearly helps many people, it does not not offer it's services to teens who are too young to drive, and it does not provide the personal independence that a frequent and dependable public transit system could provide.<br /><br />It is time again to make public transportation improvements as an investment in our communities, just as the interstate system was made an investment in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal-Aid_Highway_Act_of_1956">Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956</a> and the railway system was made an investment in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Railway_Act">Pacific Railway Act of 1862</a>.<br /><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;">The car has played out its course as the "only way" to travel, and it is time for us to reintroduce the kinds of public transportation that used to be essential to our cities. </span>Our current road infrastructure will be sufficient for a long time </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">if we just focus on not having SO many cars.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The needs of our diverse populations are many, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and we need a diverse transportation infrastructure to allow all of us personal independence in our modern world.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16971446.post-85085962544794090222010-10-08T09:16:00.000-04:002011-01-07T14:16:33.658-05:00Toni's Writing CottageThis is a great short documentary about my friend Toni Buzzeo's new writing cottage.<br />
Photo and production help by Toph and Sasha.<br />
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I think the idea of the "story" can explain all our constructs. When we learn history in school we are really learning the narrative of time that we tell ourselves as a society and that we feel best explains our society.<br />
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The reason we can understand abstract concepts like LOVE is because we connect a whole life's catalog of experiences, memories and feelings to the word. We create very complex narratives to explain all sorts of things in our lives and then somehow, we condense them into this gut feeling or image or moment that can be recalled almost instantaneously. That instantaneous recollection becomes meaning, but it's really just a super condensed narrative.<br />
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Why am I thinking about all of this at 2:30 in the morning? Well it has something to do with how I don't seem to have the stomach for politics. I think that for me at least, the pace of politics, policy, and advocacy etc. is faster than I can form meaningful stories to justify my involvement.<br />
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I am beginning to think for me to satisfy my desire to make the world a better place I should create and export my own narratives. Choosing this path would couple well with my naive optimism that most people out there are just trying to do the best that they can with the information that they have. It would then follow that if I could create a narrative about an issue that was important to me, say as a video or slide-show, I could then help others understand how it was important.<br />
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The aspiration to teach and communicate, condense and reformulate, and shape concepts into a pearl of meaning has been a passion of mine for quite some time. But it has not been part of my identity lately.<br />
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How do we make our mark on the world? In my personal narrative I will be making a mark somehow, and I just keep rewriting the details.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2