"It's just a jump to the left..."

I feel myself shifting further to the left lately. Funny thing: my opinions haven't changed at all. I'm just noticing different things around me.

'been Reading

From Russia with Hate [ref: snarkmarket]
The Archipelago of Arrogance [ref: phaedras & friends]

'been Listening

Giant Pool of Money - This American Life
Former JAG weighs in on the torture question - MPR Midmorning
A giant step toward manmade life - MPR Midmorning

Buh-rilliant Coke Commercial

I just came across this on Street Anatomy. It's so wonderfully twisted.

Street Art Saturation

The more thoroughly I watch the street art world, the more fascinated I become. I've always enjoyed graffiti, but I must say that the art form has definitely matured in the past few years. It's inspiring to be reminded how far one can go in the quest to re-imagine and re-purpose the urban landscape.

My favorite street art feeds: Wooster Collective and Streetsy (Jake Dobkin's flickr photostream). Wooster Collective has been particularly good lately. Today's posting of a wall animation by blu is absolutely stellar. Here's the video:

Online worlds collide: Wooster Collective and EveryBlock

I want to figure out where these photos were taken so I can see if the works show up as graffiti incidents on everyblock.

[Re-Post from Wooster Collective]:

Nick Walker Hits New York

Ran into Nick Walker the other day here in Manhattan. Good to see that he's bringing a bit of life back to the streets of New York (which as of late have been pretty dormant of new work.) He tells us that there's lots more to come...

On mom's balcony, reflecting.

There's nothing quite like being cooped up in your mom's place after 5 months of solo travel. I returned to Minneapolis on the 10th of April. It didn't make sense to get an apartment of my own until June, so I've been staying with my mother in her downtown condo. Between old habits and the cable TV, I've been completely out of sorts. I don't feel like myself here. The late spring hasn't helped either.

During my first week back in the USA, I spent half my time freaking about business development logistics and spent the other half of my time figuring out how to leave Minneapolis.

My second week back, the biz dev logistics freakout got the best of me, I celebrated my birthday, reconnected with some friends and discovered (again) why I love this city.

On week three I was bowled over by the JA-SIG conference, which happened to be in St Paul this year. I gave presentations on three days out of four. The info was good and the conversations were great, but my presentations could have been better.

It's now week four and I've finally started meditating again. I think this is my first moment of reflection since leaving London. As I sit here and look at the midnight skyline, I'm trying to call up a bit of perspective. These past month's travels are like a dream. This moment is like a dream. Why do I always forget to pay attention?