Tuesdays with Igor

#igor hiller #allison raskin #gaby dunn #jbu #just between us

Come for the polyamory, stay for the sweater.

the-half-elf-disaster

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#igor #igor hiller #bologna #jonny cruz #lucio

It’s me and Jonny.

sixmonthsandgone

We just saw extreme self-discovery in real time

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Emails from 2014JBU Email Forms

HI FRIENDS. Allison and I are going on tour and will be in your city to hug you. If you want updates on new cities, or updates on our book I HATE EVERYONE BUT YOU which you should pre-order right now, sign up for this very infrequent newsletter I made.

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As someone who has spent some time with these two, I recommend going out and spending some time with these two.

A plants root system can’t grow in the same pot forever and you expect good fruit every year.

So nothing can grow in comfort.

Reminder

splitsider

The Daily Show’s Donald J. Trump Presidential Twitter Library Opens Today in New York

Ohhhh this genius

in defense of carrying-on

walking listening to podcasts molly shannon reggae music being okay with your longing melancholy feeling because maybe its an old familiar friend taking your anxiety and hugging it and saying “shhhhh shhhhh shhhhhh” to it. cash exact change good night sleep that you don’t have kids amy poehlar when you know what you want to do and you do it biting the bullet seeing someone through their hard time not needing thanks but getting it anyway saying no saying yes when you don’t have to hide your feelings and your feelings are caught in the net that is the face of the person you are expressing them to empathy when you accidentally use a good word and its because you’ve been reading more language body language when you’ve been meditating and you can see someone’s shield or ego a movie that you don’t want to end santa barbara! ucsb “The womb room” in santa barbara drum circles when you do a little jig and you are by yourself sliding down the wall when you cry AA when you hear a love kinda song and you think that maybe someone thinks of you when they hear it potential acting on impulse driving someone else’s car mugs how bubbles in champagne just keep bubbling for infinity when you get stronger and more able than your personal trainer when you meet the one you want to be with the time 11:07 or 7:11 license plates that say things signs from the universe redheads good parenting balconies slick style on guys ken dolls how you don’t have to focus on what you don’t want to (tabloids, reality tv, Facebook, etc.) when you accidentally love nature the moon after a day of yoga or working out dancing on the sidewalk with your friend someone saying what you are to someone else healthy mouths horses being your own fountain of feel good the way dogs walk feeling healthy feeling vitality feeling inspired clay the thought that “everything is working out for you” abraham hicks when you get into the swing of things following your intuition cryotherapy dishwashers naps when you realize you were wrong new projects sentimental songs babies staring at you willpower singing karaoke on youtube alone when you realize you are copying the mannerisms or habits of your friends when your boyfriend likes it when you are your strongest, truest self you have a boyfriend when you wake up with a good song stuck in your head humming families having barbecues in the park cook books the sound when you press send an email from someone who usually doesn’t email someone cheering you on cheering someone else on getting to the root of the matter madonna

more reasons. to not want to die

matcha green tea following through hemp milk hippy shops that feel like the inside of a bears cave how everyone is obsessed with the warriors kids who dance around as a natural way of movement that feeling when you are around people finally who don’t require you to “hold yourself in place” as if you have made this mold for yourself and you must stay in it. that moment when you ooze out and become a banana. when someone feels your heartbeat and they are resting their head on your heart and they say its nice. and it’s like you didn’t do anything to make your heartbeat that way, it didn’t require any make up or planning. he’s basically saying. you. you being alive. it’s nice. when you know david byrne and that’s who they are playing in the coffee shop the thought that one day you might be a name that someone drops. the fact that you don’t need to wear glasses couch surfers who do it in a sheik way brazillian women who make you mad because they were made to be sexy and then you realize that sexy doesn’t mean winning there is no “human of the year award” (regina spector reference) really live present theatre or people who seem to sizzle the people humming to “talking heads” glamorous women in wheelchairs glamorous bald women tig notaro australian accents when you figure out your neurosis and feel yourself starting to let go of them when you police the police in yourself. when you show this list to the stranger who is couch surfing and she sort of gets it. but not like your friends do. when both choices you could make are good when you have enough money when you have enough time when the things you like to do are free when people cancel on you for something you didn’t want to do mojo austin powers when you can’t put a book down when you are doing things not for the look of them, but for the feel of them when you look so good because you feel so good when you feel so good because your friend feels so good blow jobs when its real. its actually real. you’re actually a real free spirit. not doing the yoga class thats down the street. instead you want to drink the green tea and write. knowing you are so much more than your body knowing you’ve created great work in the past, and it’s like a garden of work, and some of the rose bushes keep growing and some things you wrote as emails were weeds but its okay, it weeded out certain people who you didn’t like anyway. when you laugh out loud at a book when you think of something and you are alone and you laugh out loud when the kids you babysit are growing up and don’t need a babysitter anymore curly hair kids with their grandpa the way people with down syndrome show all of their emotions skinny men with long hair riding bikes stoned and feeling the air mix cd’s with sharpy words on them when you say something nice to yourself when you look in the mirror comfy soft clothes someone’s last name written in sharpy on the inside of your sweatshirt sharing the duty of folding up something, like a beach blanket. healthy old women exfoliating soap scones and the idea that one day you will eat one being the first one in a cafe real people named juliet maybe one day you will meet a romeo you know an oberon

reasons to want to be alive

ou don’t care about the calories in creamer anymore your boyfriend is a feminist therapy works you like your sunglasses you’re at the beach jack johnson is an oldie but goodie you don’t feel pressure to take off your shoes when you walk on the beach you realize you don’t need him to be a good conversationalist because he’s a good listener and you are a monologuist. there is a “runa” tea in the glove compartment for you sublime the way the sun sparkles on the water that your friend wanted more of this list of reasons to want to live humming to yourself “staying alive staying alive” as you walk off the beach to the coffee place the girl enjoying her burrito as she gives you your change calm beach couples sea lions when someone says you just need to relax and you can do it tarot cards good shampoo and conditioner dr bronners soap feeling hydrated coconut water you friend has a cloud book and looks up what kind of cloud the clouds are your friend lives on a boat you replaced infatuation with a relationship you don’t fear your “dislike” opinions or negative opinions your mom mediates your sister is getting married to her soul mate you believe in soul mates you feel smart skateboarders your boyfriend riding down your street on a squiggly wiggly skateboard he holds one of his hands in a mudra without noticing it. the “a-ok” sign with the fingers are all together r and b the way the sparkles on the water keep sparkling at the same vibrancy because nature doesn’t run out of battery explaining what the “middle way” is “zen” is in your vocabulary you’re ahead of the trends benches without plaques mornings a rotating bar boardwalks hard cider feeling fine about drinking because you rarely do it feeling fine about drinking loving your boobs small talk when you’re a little bit buzzed mentioning your “boyfriend” at the beginning of small talk about skateboards talking about his squiggly wiggly board skateboarders feeling fine that people are attracted to you, you can still get your point across. walking along with no sex drive at all. feeling like a human slug that simply digests and thinks. cotton candy- it’s so amazing. and forever young. people who wear crosses. socks with sloths on them. not living in new york. tight teeshirts people’s bodies how easy it is to talk to someone with a tattoo THE HORIZON knowing that you hate football and video games and honey bear don’t care. realizing you went so long without even thinking about your boyfriend. you’re so okay without him. how you’re hands get old first. how you aren’t a purell person trust. fading worry the word “embarcaderro” realizing “we are all together” (the beatles) realizing the skater you told you have a boyfriend to in the first few moments of conversations kindof wants you. the way he swings his arms. body language. good dreams. clean dishes other peoples’ stuff. like in their house. like the orbit gum on their counter. people who have done iowaska fucking ketchup and fries god. curly fries. “shimmer” when your best friends are freaking famous and stylish- even if its just on the stupid internet and not in the “big leagues” the way some people’s feet turn out when they walk shallow people who become mammas and then are not so shallow the act of dipping food into something. hummus, or salsa, or guac or ranch they you dip you dip we dip ceiling fans (the one in your brain, too) vape pens “boot cut” salt and pepper. so stupid.

reasons to want to live

your art gets better. you figure out how to poop right your friendships get deeper your sex gets better you realize confidence is hot and that’s all it takes you realize its not even that “instyle” to be “hot” sunsets are cool books vitamins coffee sushi if u are a little bit spiritual you become more spiritual because there is no explanation. someone might find you attractive you might find them attractive tv shows are so good laughter. laughter created by you because you are so funny wine and a cozy concert when you listen to the lyrics liana glazer pete holmes people you know from college have babies you figure out how to say goodbye on the phone you figure out how to not hang out you feel your body more text messages! kombucha stupid memories fade your conversations are less vague you realize who you are and you have friends that like you when you are that way you still believe in romance massages steam rooms/saunas/hot tubs/heaters/tea/ovens/ summer in new york city your dad who you don’t like might die sleeping bags? whatever! yoga. fucking yoga. jenny slate freckles benches with plaques electric toothbrushes perier holding your own hands together how its cooler to be calm than it is to be amped now adays you’re so cool looking because it might just be blankness on the “other side” you have your own home you might inherit a ton of money comfortable clothes apple cider vinegar sleep overs how your friends say the right thing how “playing games” with potential romantic partners or romantic partners is not in style anymore. folk music libraries pjs beaches dogs new york times working out you finally grow into your “wise” vibe you know how to wash your skin properly you figure out how to actually relax. you are not afraid of being alone you pick up the phone when you are feeling sad because you no longer believe in being “on” your friends say and think all the emotions are good you’re important to society kids look at you and want to be you you look at kids and are glad you had the childhood you had you have hope you trust yourself you no longer care about being famous, its more just about saying and doing what you need to say or do and you know that “need" is changing to “want" and then your life will be more fun and then you will be fun to be around and fun people will want to be around you because you need to see how it ends orgasms because you are strong enough to be embarrassed and strong enough to admit how you feeland sit in itfor a while because you know your friends are right there, not too far away and they are thinking about you and you are thinking about them because you care about the big stuff because you are finding out what the big stuff is toes the belief that one day you might enjoy pasta the understanding you have that you have no control the release of control the power of thought the power of prayer self help books that help quotes character actors the essence of relationships the essence of you candles flowers cacti penises vaginas other languages cracking yourself up stormy weather and you cozy up in a cliche way divine timing pubic hair mochi stars i’m not so into fireworks breathing over a steam pot peppermint

This is my dear friend Emily Scott. She is a gifted writer. I love her, and you will love her, too.

hi igor. i'm "iwannabewherethepeopleare" which is the beginning of the song in little mermaid. thanks for your encouragement to put up my lists. -emily scott

Yessssssss so excited

robertogreco

Walking and Learning

This post came about as a pair of comments that I made on “Being in the Middle: Learning Walks” by Mary Ann Reilly. For a great read and for context, start there. Don’t miss the comments. Note, also, that I’ve made a few corrections, but no significant changes here, where I am posting for my own future reference.

This is a wonderful post that beautifully articulates the need to let go, to stop trying to control everything our students do, and, for that matter, everything about our own lives and experiences. And, while in some ways it would seem to be the opposite of flow, I think these learning walks that you describe are the physical equivalent of being in flow on the web.

Your post has my head spinning, as it often does with topics that I am passionate about. In this case you cover something that I’ve worked on with students, but not exactly in the same way. (See the idea and one result.) So, please excuse me as I bombard you with a variety of resources related to the topics that come to mind, including tools that might help students learn to get the most out of learning walks like those that you describe. Note that some of the examples are more controlled, but they can either serve as a bridge and/or a model for more specialized walks that students might want to take to help them pursue individual interests or collect ideas for specific projects.

To start, I have tagged numerous bookmarks with ’noticing’ and ’observation’. Other sets of bookmarks that apply are those tagged ’flâneur’ (see also) and ’dérive’ (see also) and ’psychogeography’ (see also). I think those cover what you’re going after in the learning walks.

If there is a need for tools at all, maybe as students are first becoming accustomed to the idea of learning walks, there are several that might be helpful. Three iOS applications might be of interest, all from the Situationist tradition: Serendipitor, Situationist App, and the yet-to-be-released Drift Deck (more, including a non-digital version).

Hitotoki might be a great tool for documentation. (It uses Twitter. Update: Hitotoki has been changed to something similar called Hi, but it doesn’t use Twitter per se. The old link auto-redirects, so here’s a Wayback link to see what it used to be.) RjDj might be a fun way to filter the sounds, if there is a need for filtering at all. And Noticin.gs (now closed) might inspire someone to build something similar for collecting and sharing the photographs collected on learning walks.

There is also some value in giving students the opportunity to place their own constraints on what they are looking for. An example of such might be Sister Corita Kent (more), who used to go out looking at vernacular signage to use in her work. There’s a great documentary about her that includes some footage of her out on walks with students. Likewise, John Stilgoe (more) takes his university students out on walks to observe the landscape. 60 Minutes did a segment on him back in 2003. There’s no wonder (to me) why he’s one of the most popular professors at Harvard.

Another set of more constrained walks comes from Adam Greenfield and Nurri Kim. Their walks are concerned with how urban environments are being “transformed by the presence of networked computation.” They call these excursions “walkshops” and they’ve released a free guide to the concept.

There are many books that I could recommend. These might make a nice resource library to go along with the learning walks. First is Will Self’s Psychogeography (more here on his blog). Next are three Rebecca Solnit books: Wanderlust: A History of Walking, A Field Guide to Getting Lost, and, as an example of maps that could be made as a product of walks, Infinite City: A San Francisco Atlas.

Three other books related to the concept of seeing and/or exploring are Ways of Seeing, by John Berger, The Art of Looking Sideways, by Alan Fletcher, and How to Be an Explorer of the World, by Keri Smith. Actually, any of Keri Smith’s books would make a great addition to a resource library for learning walks.

And finally, to riff off your final line, I recommend the Lawrence Weschler biography of artist Robert Irwin, Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees. That is one of my favorite books.

Sorry to blather on so long. Leaving this sort of comment is really mostly for me, a way to sort through my thoughts that were inspired by yours. Thanks for sparking that and thanks for indulging me.

Update [25 Aug 2014]: Blake Keogh asked for some help on Twitter. He is “searching for advice/tools/curriculum for 7th grade experiential mapping project - urban setting.” I pointed him to this post, but also included a few things that didn’t exist when it was written, so I’m adding them here too.

Stereopublic:

How can you be alone in a city full of noise? Stereopublic finds calm within chaos as part of a TEDPrize-winning City 2.0 project to locate quiet places in our cities. A guide for those who crave a retreat from the crowds, Stereopublic allows you to become an earwitness to find places of accidental retreat in the built environment.

Use the app to explore your city and find its quiet spaces. Enjoy the compositions composed for each space, or simply experience the quiet. Do you have your own quiet space? Share it with others by adding it to the map, and request an original composition composed just for your space.

Stereopublic (Crowdsourcing the Quiet) is a participatory online, smartphone and on-site sound mapping of quiet spaces: an individual experience of silent seeking in the crowded circuit of everyday busyness, a sonic health project for built environments.

Ingress (noting that Paolo Pedercini reminds us this is a Google product and their use of it for data mining is unclear):

Ingress transforms the real world into the landscape for a global game of mystery, intrigue, and competition.

Field Trip (also a Google product, so note about Ingress applies):

Field Trip, your guide to the cool, hidden, and unique things in the world around you is now on the iPhone! Field Trip runs in the background on your phone. When you get close to something interesting, it will notify you and if you have a headset or bluetooth connected, it can even read the info to you.

Field Trip can help you learn about everything from local history to the latest and best places to shop, eat, and have fun. You select the local feeds you like and the information pops up on your phone automatically, as you walk next to those places.

Historic Earth App:

Drawing on the archives of Historic Map Works, the world’s largest online collection of geo-coded historic maps, Historic Earth allows you to virtually travel back through time in many U.S. cities and states. Geo-coding allows the maps to closely overlay a modern map, so that the same locations can be compared in various time periods.

Dark Sky:

Dark Sky uses state-of-the-art technology to predict when it will rain or snow — down to the minute — at your exact location, and presents it to you alongside the most beautiful weather visualizations you’ve ever seen.

Drift:

Drift helps you get lost in familiar places by guiding you on a walk using randomly assembled instructions. Each instruction will ask you to move in a specific direction and, using the compass, look for something normally hidden or unnoticed in our everyday experiences.

As you find these hidden or unnoticed things, you will be asked to document them with the camera, creating a photographic record of you walk. Drift also keeps track of where and when you took the photos and makes your documentation optionally available for others to view through the Drift website.

Crowsflight:

Crowsflight keeps you on track in the direction of your destination, but frees you to discover exciting distractions along the way. It is perfect for wandering around cities, especially without a data connection.

By combining location data (GPS) with the compass, Crowsflight provides mapless navigation in an intuitive, glance-at-it kind of way.

No instructions, maps to read or paths to follow. It’s a lot like asking for directions on the street. A friendly finger pointing in the right direction is often all the help you need.

Crowsflight uses only GPS to navigate. You can search for destinations on the fly if you have a data connection. If you don’t, load up all your destinations before you set out for the day. Once you’ve loaded all the places you want to go, you don’t need data anymore. It’s perfect for wandering around foreign cities.

Transit:

Why use a trip planner when you already know the way? With Transit, all nearby departures are just a tap away. Not sure which route to take? Don’t worry, our easy-to-use trip planner can still show you the way!

“SCVNGR is a game about doing challenges at places.”

“Project Noah is a tool to explore and document wildlife and a platform to harness the power of citizen scientists everywhere.”

Phantom City is “a public art project that allows individuals to browse visionary designs for the City of New York on their iPhones.”

Walking Papers:

Print maps, draw on them, scan them back in and help OpenStreetMap improve its coverage of local points of interests and street detail.

Trees Near You:

Trees Near You helps you learn about more than 500,000 trees that live on New York City sidewalks. For any area of the city, from block to borough, you can see the different species that live there, and measure the environmental (and monetary!) benefits that these trees provide.

Finally, The Portland Index documents to process and outcome of another urban exploration with middle school students.

Update [29 Sept 2014]:

Dérive App (via “Tech IRL: Apps to get lost in familiar places”)

Dérive app gets you lost in your city and lets you share that experience with others.

Dérive app is easily extendable so contribute today and begin adding your own decks and cards.