Matthew's blog

Another dream...

I could kick myself for not writing down the details but here's what I can still remember...9 hours later.

 

What I remember most is that I was in a school and I was looking for someone or something.  I think it's the former more than the latter.  It seemed to be a holiday time but I can't tell you which one.  There was some urgency in my search for the person or thing.  I was rounding a corner when I came across a "woman".  I assumed it was a woman because of the person's slight stature and small arms and hands.  I don't remember taking a good look at the clothing the individual was wearing.  I do remember some of it was black and some red.  This person had a white, porcelain mask on and white, porcelain gloves.  They were actually more like mittens.  The mittens were the first thing that I noticed.  Coming around the corner, the hand came up to indicate I needed to stop.  I thought to myself how odd to have a porcelain glove.  That's when I looked up and noticed the white mask.  It had only the most basic lines to delineate a face.  There were actually no holes for the eyes, nose and face.  Again, only extraordinarily basic (and nearly abstract) markings to define the face.  The mask was very thin and smooth.  What struck me about the mask is that it seemed more like an approximation of a face, rather than a true representation of a face. 

I looked up the meaning of schools in my dream deck and online.  At dreamsmoods.com, schools in dreams tend to mean: to dream you are in school signifies feelings of inadequacy and childhood insecurities that have never been resolved.  It may relate to anxieties about performance and abilities.  You may also be going through a "spiritual learning" experience.  Alternatively, a dream that takes place in school may be a metaphor for the lessons that you are learning from your waking life.

In the dream deck, schools have the following meaning: school experiences are among the most formative in life.  They leave a deep imprint on our subconscious.  School dreams can explore themes as diverse as relationships with figures of authority, yearning for public esteem or approval and feelings of nostalgia.  Could there be an aspect of your past you  are actively longing for now?

The mask, according to Dreammoods.com, means that I will battle against deceit, falsehood and jealousy.  This is quite curious to me as I can't begin to imagine where this would come from.  Another possible meaning about masks is suggesting I am concerned with the genuineness of someone.  Again, I can't fathom who this is. 

So, this occurred to me.  I looked up search (since I was searching urgently for someone or something) and read that searches represent feeling a void inside, looking for answers or seeking inner contentment.  I think this is the route to explore.  I'll let you know if I figure anything out. 

 

Late night run for batteries...

I'm not sure what got into me last night but I had an idea of a photo and I was hell-bent on getting it.  Of course, the batteries in my camera were dead so I ran to the UDF in ML Square to get some new ones.  I must get some rechargeable batteries!!!  Personally, I like the one titled Matthew.  You?

 

Wired - September 2006

Wired Sep 2006 edition

Wired is one of the magazines I subscribe to in an effort to stay current on what's going on in the "wired" (and increasingly wireless) world. It's help me rationalize new technology purchases as well. :-) I was so excited by the September issue that arrived on my desk today. You'll notice the main headline of The Rebirth of Music. It speaks volumes to what I'm trying to do with streaming, our web presence and the many other projects I'm working on. When I was talking with Dan today about the issue he made me feel great by saying that they're relying on me to stay current on what's going on in this arena. This is a facet I always believed to be pivotal to my position though I feel my previous boss did not. At any rate, I agree with the article (except the part about radio sucking. I think it's great). Music, and its many forms of distribution, are evolving and converging at an astounding pace. The technology that we have now and will have in the next few years allows for unbelievable things to happen! Personally, I'm very excited about the next few years. It's becoming easier and easier for new music to be distributed without necessarily being on the Billboard charts. I've found my own music tastes changing as well. I'm starting to dig rock more. My SLVR has some Nickelback, AFI, Three Days Grace and Taking Back Sunday (to name a few of the selections). This leads me to my next subject which is the UMD (universal media device). My SLVR can hold 100 songs, send e-mail, txts, pics and videos(take, store and send), browse the web, contain thousands of contacts and of course make calls. These devices are only going to get better, work faster, be more reliable and be able to do yet even more as yet unconceived tasks. It's a beautiful thing already!

Gorgeous Day!

It was a beautiful day in the Nati again today. So, I took a walk during lunch through the historic district in Covington and snapped some photos. Hope you enjoy.

 

Sidewalk in historic Covington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doorway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roebling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cirque de Soleil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction update 2 8-21-06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction update 8-21-06

Queers on the bus

Genius side view

A somewhat random title, I know, but ask Holly for the hilarious story behind it.

This is my last weekend for volunteering at the Cincinnati Art Museum for awhile. Today, Graydon, Head & Richey sponsored a farewell party for The Lady (the Genius of Water) that sits atop Fountain Square. I've said it many times and I'll say it again; it will be a sad day when The Lady is no longer at the museum. If you've seen her in person, you understand that she looks magnificent at the top of the double marble staircases. Alas, all good things must come to an end. Anyway, the museum was handing out cupcakes, cookies, punch, coffee, etc. and I helped hand them out. From what I was told, the cupcakes were especially delicious. I was able to resist them. Even though, there were what seemed to be thousands of them. I got to interact and talk with a lot of people, which really kind of made my day. This is interesting as I generally don't like to talk to people that I don't know. There was one lady I spoke with for some time. From what I gathered, they were in the Nati seeing the different sites. I of course told them they needed to go to Carew Tower. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that they had.

Nice cars...

Nice cars

In other news, there have been some pretty nice cars rollin' through Mt. Lookout. I was able to snap a photo of the new, red Ferrari with the SLVR. I found some shots on the web of the Bentley, Lotus and Lamborghini. I'm always surprised when I see these cars in the Nati but then quickly remember just how much money is in this town.

Herdin' Cats

Click on the cat picture to see a HILARIOUS video about cat herding. It's a commercial for a technology company but funny as shit!

I thought I'd take a moment and tell you about the different websites I look at to stay somewhat current on new technologies and cool things. There are three sites that I frequent (and in order of frequency of visits): Digg.com , Slashdot and NetworkWorld . Digg is basically a RSS aggregator that allows users to rate (or Digg) the particular content. It's a great concept and one that allows for an easier way of mining through the multitude of content that is available on the web. Slashdot works on the same concept as Digg but is pretty focused on technology news. Network World is not a RSS aggregator but still is a nice collection of tech news.

I've also been playing around with some new (new to me that is) web browsers, particularly Opera. In fact, Opera has a mini version that you can install on mobile devices (it even allows you to open our streaming player). But alas the sound doesn't come through. I imagine this is because my Blackberry doesn't have a codec to support the live stream. With browsers, I switch back and forth between IE and Firefox. I installed the latest version of IE (7.0) but immediately started having issues (java applet issues, latency, etc.). I loved IE 7 for the tabs, easy integration of RSS and pretty clutter-free nav bar. However, with the issues I was having, I removed it and went back to Firefox. Opera is similar to Firefox (with a neat preview function when you point at the different tabs). Shiira is another browser I would like to work with but it only works on MAC's. I'm anti-MAC if you didn't know that already.

the ants are back

Raid1

So, I'll not begrudge these little guys their existence...so long as they don't come in my apartment. Unfortunately (for them) they have made the choice to do so. There are lots of trees and ground cover outside of my apartment. This, I would imagine, is a natural habitat for the ants. They then scale the balcony posts to get up on my balcony. It's really amazing the lengths they'll go to just to find some food. They get a nasty surprise, however, when they get to the door and don't quite make the journey back to their home.

 

 

 

 

The Ants

Here are some of the final moments for these guys. I am sorry (somewhat) but when push comes to shove, it's going to me that wins.

Weekend Update

Cincinnati Art Museum

First of all, I can't believe that we're almost halfway through August already!

I sent in my availability to the museum today for September and October. I told them that I was not available. Truth be told, I'm pretty much over this place as far as volunteering is concerned. I've asked several times to do something other than just being a greeter. Add to that the fact that I've been there almost every weekend since Mid-April. I think it's time for a break, don't you? The Stakelins recently adopted a new cat from Save The Animal Foundation. They're completely volunteer-based. So, I think I'm going to check out what volunteer opportunities they have available. This would also help satisfy my desire for a pet. I really want to get a cat but I really don't have a place for the litter box and I'm really used to not having a pet too.

While at the museum today, they had another greeter from SUMA (an agency that focuses on resolving issues surrounding single-parent families and getting fathers more involved). While talking to this person, I asked him if he had noticed a common theme that was a basis for issues with the families he saw. He said that employment (or the lack thereof) was the biggest issue. Fathers were not able to make child-support payments and then many problems grew out of that. If for nothing else, it really made me appreciate my personal situation and all the things I have (and things I don't worry about). The conversation with him also spotlighted something else...the fact that most people don't understand what exactly I do. I think part of this stems from radio being in such a transition right now due to the convergence of almost every type of media. It's an amazing time but one with lots of challenges ahead.

 

From atop Carew

It was once again a GORGEOUS day in the Nati. Realizing that I did not take a picture of myself on top of the Carew Tower, I headed back downtown to once again enjoy the view (and snap a photo of me from on top). The Scripps Howard building is to the left of me in the picture. And once again, there were only a handful of people. I've never been a person that carries a camera everywhere I go. But lately, this seems to be the case. More often than not, I'll see something that I want to photograph and kick myself for not having the camera with me. Now, my SLVR does have a camera on it but the pictures just never come out looking right and/or good. Case in point, when I was walking back to my car from Carew Tower, there was a policeman on his horse. Luckily, I was able to snap a few shots (and even pet the horse). I did feel bad for the horse with all the rugrats massing around him.

 

 

Carew Tower

Last weekend, I was planning on taking Mom and Grandma to the top of the Carew Tower but Grandma didn't feel quite up to it. What's amazing is how unknown this place is in the Nati. Carew Tower is the tallest building in the city and has an observation deck from which you can see for miles. For $2 (TWO DOLLARS), you can experience this. So, I headed downtown. The weather is gorgeous today with very little haze/pollution in the air.

 

Observation deck sign

I swear I thought I was smiling when I took this pic, though it doesn't look like it. This is the only sign I saw indicating the existence of an observation deck. Incidentally, this sign is on the 45th floor. Once you get off the elevator on to the 45th floor, you take another one to the 48th floor (an experience in and of itself) and then climb two flights of stairs. You give your $2 to the person behind the tiny desk and out into the open you go! Aside from the two men working on the antennae, there were only four other people enjoying the view. I just couldn't believe it but was glad that I was able to enjoy it with few other people around.

 

 

PNC and RiverCenter

Here is the view directly across to Covington. The first tower directly to the right of the Roebling Bridge is where I work. In the foreground is the top of the PNC Bank building

 

 

 

 

 

PNC Bank

Here's a better picture of the PNC Bank building.  The Freedom Center is directly to the left of the bank in the picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scripps

The is the Scripps Howard building. I think it's one of the prettiest in the skyline. It certainly is a modern building and makes me feel somewhat like I'm in Manhattan with the smaller building reflecting off of it. If you look closely, you can see people walking to Great American Ballpark behind the Scripps building in this photo.

 

 

 

 

Fifth Third

This is the Fifth Third Bank building next to Fountain Square, which currently under renovation/construction.  This renovation/construction seems to happen about every 10 years. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...and here is Fountain Square.

 

 

Paul Brown Stadium

This is Paul Brown Stadium where the Bengals play.  I've noted 71N in the top left corner.  Driving in this way (The Cut In The Hill) is my favorite view of the Nati.  The skyline just pops out at you.  It's especially nice at night. 

 

 

 

 

CAC

This is the Contemporary Arts Center designed by Zaha Hadid.  You can see the side of the Fifth Third building on the right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Bank

Here's the US Bank building.  I've noted the Big Mac in the top of the picture.  Next to it is the Purple People Bridge (you can climb on the top of it now too).

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a picture of one of the workers working on the antennaes and some graffiti carved into the cement.