The Columbia Center for Archaeology
I took the train into New York City (125th Street Station) yesterday to speak to faculty and students at The Columbia Center for Archaeology. One of the (newly tenured!) faculty, Zoe Crossland, had been an early supporter of the suitcases, and through her I was introduced to Brian Boyd, who directs the center. I spoke there two years ago and really enjoyed interacting with the whole group. When I present to organizations like this, I get so much positive feedback that it really fuels me to keep going. Yesterday, it was mostly grad students and faculty and I was thrilled to interact with folks who are so involved in their own projects. As the shooting begins to wind down, I hope to be able to spend a lot of time at colleges and universities talking about the collection. So thanks to Zoe and Brian. It was a great experience.
Recent
I haven’t been posting lately, and I suspect one of the reasons is above. I am remembering that it takes a ton of work to have a puppy in the house.
The good news is that I am spending a ton of time in the woods with her. Any help on what this lot is?
Cris and I flew out of Boston early yesterday on our way to Denver. Hard to believe the above shot was taken in the airport. Looks like something out of someone’s private home in South Boston. / On our way up to the mountains we stopped in Arvada to see the house where my aunt Leora and uncle Herald lived, a place I have been visiting since a young child.
We are in Colorado for the wedding of one of Cristine’s grad students. Laura was a favorite of ours, and the nuptials are in Beaver Creek. It is beautiful here. The aspens are so lovely at this time of the year.
Washington Nationals
I am in DC for the weekend visiting Peter. Last night we went to dinner to celebrate his new job and this afternoon we headed down to Nats Park. There was about an hour rain delay, but we walked up to the ticked office and got two $5.00 seats. We asked to be under the overhang in case the rain came back, and were totally excited when we saw our seats.
The end seats of the last row of section 401. I don’t think you could get farther from home plate anywhere in the park. We like to be up high at games because it gives a great feel for the whole park.
In these particular seats, one has a great view of the Capitol dome. And all this for $5.00. Amazing
The Nats beat the Giants 6-2. Jordan Zimmerman pitched a great game and the Nats are really on a roll. It seemed like old times when someone yelled “Hugo Chavez” when Wilson Ramos came up to bat.
Here are Ray Knight and Johnny Holliday about to start the post-game show.
TEDx Martha’s Vineyard
I’m back from the TEDx event at the Vineyard. It was an intense couple of days and was really interesting. Aside from my usual anxiety about presenting the project to people, my biggest concern was how to get 10 20 x 24 inch framed prints from my house to the venue. It all worked out, but it was a bit nerve wracking.
I was really happy that I was only showing prints, and not doing a formal presentation. I travel around and talk about the suitcases quite a lot, but mostly in give and take type of situations. The idea of standing up and delivering a 15 minute presentation still seems a bit intimidating. It was really helpful though to watch how others talk about their work in this type of format, and I learned a ton about how I want to refine my presentations.
Here’s Jon Ronson giving his talk. I had read “The Psychopath Test” and seen “The Men Who Stare at Goats” and was happy to get the chance to hang out with him. So many creative and stimulating people were a part of the event, and the organizers did a great job setting up time for the participants to relax and talk about our work. It was an honor to be asked to a part of it and I am really grateful to all involved, especially Katy Decker who is an amazing bundle of energy and sweetness. It was also fantastic that my dear friend Sue Jackson, her husband Rick, and their friend Joanie made the trip over from the Cape. It meant so much to me to have familiar faces there.
The Vineyard is a really lovely place and as I hadn’t been there in years, it was great to be back.
It was only slightly weird that since the President was in residence for his vacation, the Coast Guard was out in force. I would guess it was just for training purposes, but there were three chase boats that shadowed us back to Wood’s Hole and it felt a bit strange to see a manned 50 caliber machine gun so near to the ferry.
I am hoping to post more here over the next week. Thanks, as usual, for following.
Absence
Hi Everyone. Sorry I’ve been inactive here lately. There is a lot going on and the old karma congestion has set in. Tomorrow I am off to the TEDx event on the Vineyard, which has been consuming quite a bit of my energy. I won’t be speaking (which I am relieved about), but will be taking 10 framed prints to be exhibited at the venue. I’ll post from there.
And this little one has been keeping us busy. Please welcome Olive; you will see more of her from time to time.
Hydrangea
We have a bunch of different hydrangea(s?) growing around the house. I especially like the color of these ones.
I keep meaning to post a bunch of photographs covering what’s been going on in the past few weeks, but I don’t seem to get around to it. I have been trying to put up at least one new case on the Willard site each day for the past week. Check out Pearl B’s case, which I uploaded this evening.
Thanks for following, everyone. Wishing you all a great week.
Willard Suitcases / John H / News
Peggy and I are were back shooting last week, and found John H’s case to be really interesting. More cutlery and lots of tools and knives.
I wanted to mention that I have been asked to participate in a TEDx event on Martha’s Vineyard on the 19th of August. Details here. I am very excited about this as I will be showing prints and getting the chance to meet some very interesting people. If any of you are able to make it, I’d be happy to see you.
Also, there is some interesting action going on in regards to the cemetery which I posted about before. Here is a link to an online petition that is trying to memorialize Lawrence Mocha.
Flowers
I was addressing Kickstarter reward envelopes at Amherst Coffee this afternoon. When I came out to ride home, some sweet soul had put these flowers on the Vespa. They are now in a vase next to me as I write this.
It has been a hectic few weeks and I haven’t posted much. I’ll try to get something up in the next day or two.
Block Island Southeast Light
I took a long bike ride around the island this morning with the intention of stopping at the Southeast lighthouse.
It is now owned by a private foundation, and they offer brief tours for $10.00.
A very nice young woman by the name of Winter showed me around.
The building was built in the 1870s and shows signs of wear, but it is still a functioning lighthouse.
The lens is amazing and beautiful.
There are two bulbs; Winter thought the one on the left was a backup. It cycles on and off every 3.7 seconds. It is interesting how such a small bulb can produce so much illumination.
The hexagonal shapes in the floor are small glass skylights.
I usually photograph Nineteenth Century buildings that are not in use and are abandoned. It is lovely to be in one that is still used for its original purpose.
Block Island
We took the ferry to Block Island today. This evening we walked down to Mansion Beach. Cris has a knack for finding the most amazing things on beaches. She found an iPhone once in South Carolina.
Tonight she found this.
And then she found the box it came in.
It appears to be some kine of weather device that was attached to a balloon.
Here’s the code number.
It’s in the back of the car now.
Here’s a sand castle about to disappear.
Jon Crispin's Notebook 
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