This week in Computational Media, Dan gave a talk about OOP (Object Oriented Programing). This is a concept I'm familiar with, but up until now, really haven't explored. I posted the results from this weeks assignment in the Computational Media section.

Also, if you look at the source code for the Processing examples, it seems when I post the code to the web server it runs the code onto one line. It only happens when I post the examples to the web server. Does anyone know why a web server would make the .pde file look like this? This only appears to be the case on my web server and no lone else's. Any ideas?

In celebration of the one year anniversary of publishing content, I decided to give the site a makeover. I've added new sections and created a modular navigation system that hopefully will give me some room to grow. New sections in the 'Work' area include the additions of Spatial Design, Physical Computing, and I've rolled some of the older Flash experiments into a larger umbrella of Computational Media. As always, feedback is always appreciated. Here's to one more year. Enjoy!

24th Street has a loose screw. Today, there were both a succeed, and, a fire. The jumper apparently couldn't take it anymore and took a swan dive off the balcony in the government assisted housing on 3rd avenue and 24th st. When I saw the body covered in the notorious dead body sheet, Law and Order plot lines Immediately ran thru my mind. Was a it murder? Were they pushed? Will I ever know? I doubt it.

Then, from our balcony, Tricia noticed the fire. A pile of recycling burned in the street below over by Baruch College. The blaze only lasted for a few minutes before the fire department came and put it out.

This week I installed Processing and started work for my Computational Media class. So far, things have been very basic, but that's to be expected. I haven't worked in Processing before. I've wanted to for some time, but, have never found the time between working and teaching last year. I'm working on a new section for my site which will document my projects and progress.

Everything at ITP is digital. The course syllabi, many of the readings. We still have some good old fashioned books. But even some of the electronic reference materials are now available for download.

I've been writing in Spatial Design blog. Almoast every class has a blog or a wiki. Later tonight I'll update with stills from our first 'Painting with light' assignment.

I wish I had time for shows.

Bill Maher's closing bit the other night on HBO:

"Mr. President, this job can't be fun for you any more. There's no more money to spend--you used up all of that. You can't start another war because you used up the army. And now, darn the luck, the rest of your term has become the Bush family nightmare: helping poor people. Listen to your Mom. The cupboard's bare, the credit cards maxed out. No one's speaking
to you. Mission accomplished."

"Now it's time to do what you've always done best: lose interest and walk away. Like you did with your military service and the oil company and the baseball team. It's time. Time to move on and try the next fantasy job. How about cowboy or space man? Now I know what you're saying: there's so many other things that you as President could involve yourself in. Please don't. I know, I know. There's a lot left to do. There's a war with Venezuela. Eliminating the sales tax on yachts. Turning the space program over to the church. And Social Security to Fannie Mae. Giving embryos the vote."

"But, Sir, none of that is going to happen now. Why? Because you govern like Billy Joel drives. You've performed so poorly I'm surprised that you haven't given yourself a medal. You're a catastrophe that walks like a man. Herbert Hoover was a shitty president, but even he never conceded an entire city to rising water and snakes."

"On your watch, we've lost almost all of our allies, the surplus, four airliners, two trade centers, a piece of the Pentagon and the City of New Orleans. Maybe you're just not lucky. I'm not saying you don't love this country. I'm just wondering how much worse it could be if you were on the other side."

"So, yes, God does speak to you. What he is saying is: 'Take a hint.' "

This week has been great. Classes started. I got in to Spatial Design which I'm excited about because I was wait listed. I'm also taking Applications of Interactivity, Introduction to Computational Media, and Introduction to Physical Computing. I'll write more about each of these when I have time.

I read the P-P-P-Powerbook story today, which is wildly funny until the very end. Freaky. I wonder what really happened to Jeff? Anything is possible, and, speculation always gets the best of me. What if he was being scammed by some Ukarianian mob operation running Internet scams from London. They may have been really pissed to get his fake and screwed out of a few hundred dollars. It wouldn't have been that hard to track him down. With a few calls, I'm some someone with the right connections could have taken him out quite easily.

On a lighter note, the Open Stitch event looks good. I'll have to check it out...

Yesterday, while walking around Chelsea, Tricia and I stumbled upon Karim Rashid's store front. Until recently, I never payed attention to Karim Rashid. I think all the hype turned me off. However, now I find myself captivated by the playful designs. I was expecting a Karim Rashid paperclip to cost a hundred dollars, but I was pleasantly surprised at how reasonable his products are. I had no idea how far reaching his work has become.

Some interesting links surfaced from the ITP list serve:

A clip of Kanye telling it how it is on live television.

And, a talking squirrel

Today, I put the Paper Envy web site into test. Any feedback would be appreciated.