You have probably seen Pen Spinning in one form or another. Perhaps it was a classmate who was spinning her pen effortlessly around her thumb, or a colleague hand twirling his pen in a meeting. Pen spinning is a form of contact juggling that uses a small writing tool, like a pen or a pencil, to perform different tricks that not only sharpen your skills, but also amaze people.
The Pen Spinning Association Japan was established last year and plans to gather pen spinners from around the country for a national competition this year. Hmmm.
Check out Pentrix.com for more info and/or watch this video to see what it’s all about.
A lifestyle trend that first started back in 1960s Denmark, co-housingmay be making a comeback among progressive Gen Xers and Ys. Similar to communes but with more personal space, co-housing communities are intentional communities—usually consisting of between 20 and 40 households—created with the aim of having close interaction with neighbors, sharing resources and living sustainably. While each family lives in a private home, all residents take an active role in planning, designing and managing the community and share common facilities such as a large kitchen and dining room for group meals, laundry facilities, childcare, and tool sheds. Homes are usually placed in close proximity to not only facilitate socializing, but to also conserve the utmost green space which is used for gardening, exercise and playgrounds. There are currently over 150 co-housing communities in the United States in urban, suburban and rural settings.
While co-housing used to be a fringe movement, it is now resonating with Xers and Ys who are starting families, searching for community and looking to pool resources. NY residents interested in becoming a part of such a community can join the recently formed Brooklyn Cohousing Groupwhich is hoping to create a housing complex in the kid-friendly Park Slope area. Unlike other planned communities, co-housing residents do not share a common economy, belief or religion, but are devoted to building a community support system. Turnover in co-housing communities is low and there are often waiting lists for new residents. As people become more strapped for both money and time, this will become a trend we’ll be hearing more about.
Most people would question the purpose of such a website and wonder what made this award-worthy. Well, just click the “next” button and be mesmerized as the patterns build on each other.
Experience the safety features of Mercedes-Benz on this site that embraces visual effects. This is a perfect example of how the web is changing and merging by using the skills of Hollywood-style special effects and 3D artists. The site plays out as a moving video but also has interactive hot spots so you can get more detail if you wish.
These men are installing and setting solid steel pillars in concrete to stop vehicles from parking on the pavement outside a sports bar in downtown Norman OK. They are cleaning up at the end of the day.
How long do you think it will be before they realize where their vehicle is parked?
Last weekend I went out looking for new place to live. I wanted something urban and wanted to own it so I headed north to some new lofts in Germantown. The Lofts at Werthan Mills. WOW!
They took an old mill and have refurbished it into luxury (of course) lofts and townhouses. Some units have great views of the city but they all come with a hefty price tag. Hefty as in $160k for a 600 sq ft condo…that’s roughly $283/sq ft. My house in the suburbs is $80/sq ft. A three story townhouse with a view of the Nashville Skyline will cost you $450k.
Directly across the street were income-limited apartments that looked very nice. Very contemporary and urban but you couldn’t make anymore than $25/k a year! So on one side of Rosa Parks Blvd you’ve got low income housing and directly across the street on the same block you’ve got luxury condos. What’s the deal?!
What about single 20 somethings that want something cool in the city, but can’t afford half a million dollars? What about the demographic that’s between the projects and luxury condos? Seems to me someone’s missing out on a good market. But everywhere you go it’s all luxury this and high end that.
So my search for cool/urban/artsy/hip/AFFORDABLE housing continues…
I was pleasantly surprised while I was food shopping at (of all places) Wal-Mart the other night. I was making my usual stroll down every isle to see if something sparked a need for an item (this is were making a list would come in handy, but then where’s the spontaneity in that?).
I had just made a turn down the cooking isle and glanced at the spices when a new brand caught me eye. The brand is Watkins and is 100% USDA Certified Organic. I loved everything about the packaging: how each spice has its own color and how it popped off the shelf. Be sure to keep your eyes out for them next time you’re out and about.
seblester.co.uk is the personal website of Seb Lester, a designer living and working in London. It’s a showcase for personal illustration, photography, animation and lettering projects. The type designer’s work is in high demand with companies like the Intel Corporation, Dell, American Airlines, The New York Times, and GQ all clamoring for the U.K. based type designers font work. Check out his stuff when you get a chance. It’s tasty.
I decided to give something a try: bartending. Why you ask? Well right now it’s out of necessity for more income, but it’s also just something I’ve always wanted to try. And no, I’ve never seen Cocktail, or Coyote Ugly. I’ve just always had a fascination with mixing things.
Plus there is potential to make major bank..so THAT’S appealing.
Nashville’s Professional Bartending School is a 40 hour program that provides you with hands-on experience your very first class. You graduate as a certified mixologist. What’s the difference between a bartender and a mixologist? The same difference that’s between a cook and chef: more schooling and better knowledge.
I’m on the night schedule so I have class from 6-10 M-F for two weeks. Each night there’s a written quiz over what you learned the class before with the final consisting of 20 questions, 20 recipes, and a time test. You have to make 12 drinks in 8 minutes. (on a practice run I made 13 in 8 minuets)
I’m not sure where I’ll end up bartending. Probably in a restaurant somewhere in Franklin…we’ll see. I’ll let you know.
If you’re interested in learning more about Nashville’s Professional Bartending School just call 1-800-BARTEND.
