Facing Fears, Etc.

I'm not very comfortable speaking in public.  But clearly expressing your ideas is a pivotal part of being a designer.  So yesterday I bit the bullet and was a guest speaker at an interior design course at Parsons!
All in all, it went well, and I'm really glad I decided to do it. 
As a reward, I'm spending the day working on my room some more and maybe the lighting project.  Here's some things that are inspiring it:

RB

A

Compact Cool

SHFT

 I. want. these.

Oh Goodness.

Something that's inspiring me for the latest project

And I've also made some new aquisitions:
1. An LCD monitor, for color clarity when editing.
2. A subscription to NY Mag, for cultural clarity when conversing.

So, henceforth on a budget.  Especially considering future aquisitions:
Marimekko's store (inside Crate & Barrel) on Broadway & Houston opens in nine days!

[UPDATE 10/6: I love my new monitor so bad. Vivid! Color! Giant! Screen! No more squinting!]

Mirror Trickery

My current obsession is mirrors that are lit from behind.  If clothing shops are smart, they have these in the changing rooms, as they are incredibly flattering.  They replicate the kind of evenly diffused light that you get when you use a light umbrella on a photo shoot.  Not harsh, but since there are no shadows (i.e. on your face, that your nose makes when the light comes from above) you can see a lot of detail.  You always appear to have a glow, due to the balance of light.  I stayed in a cool hotel this weekend that had one in the bathroom.  Nice choice!  A backlit mirror is on my list of things to build- that and eighty other projects.  I'd offset the mirror 2-3" from the wall with any kind of frame (prob plywood), and mount strip lights facing out from the frame.
Additionally, I'm working on a lighting fixture right now for a group show in November.  Using lots of chrome.  Am I in over my head?  Maybe. We'll see!

Fall Backwards

Wow, laggy laggy.  What a week!
Things are picking up at both works and I did a little freelancing on the side.  I had my aunt staying with me, as well as my dear friend, who was in town with her exhibition promoting health care reform.  I lent a wee hand in the beginning stages of design a few months ago, but the ball quickly started rolling, and it turned out wonderful.  You can follow her journey here.  
I built what can be considered my home office, after realizing that the hunchback (gobbo) situation of my previous workstation did not behoove productivity in any way.  I inherited a lovely old drafting desk that has its charm. Though I wish I was doing some hand drafting these days, just a little.  I regret tossing my t-square.  Anyways, a pic soon to come.  
A friend and I joined the NY chapter of Architecture for Humanity.  So far in the beginning stages of getting involved, but hopefully will jump in on a project soon.  It's a really great concept- a way to give back using project-specific talents.  I like the idea that I can give a service that also challenges me to think.  I don't want to count my chickens yet, so for now here's the link to their website.  
Now that the time changed, suddenly I feel like a night owl just walking home from work.  Since we're all busting out lamps lately, here's a neat one:

The Tribe by Ingo Maurer


...And my top favorite Halloween costumes that I saw:
1. Large man dressed as Julia Child (curly wig, rolling pin, voice suddenly booming "Hello dear!")
2. Double Dare contestant (tshirt, helmet with cup attached, determined expression)
3. Data from the Goonies (punching bag coming out of chest, dangling clippy teeth, weaving through crowd like an awkward sneak)