bascove and hudson

I finally made it to Bascove's exhibition at the Arsenal in Central Park. In between errands on Wednesday afternoon, I stopped inside to check it out.

Her work was displayed on the same floor where I listened to Dr. Horenstein lecture about the history of the Harlem River Valley several months ago. This was the first time that I saw her sketches and paintings in person. I was not disappointed. Just like her images in Stone and Steel, Bascove captures a truly unique portrayal of these structures. In her work, these bridges are more than just structures. They are fine examples of both inspiring art and engineering. Her signature motifs - warm tones, electric moving sky, innovative perspectives - fuse to transport the viewer to a dreamy world that in my opinion seems more captivating than the real thing. Her scenes are pulsating with creative vitality. She's quite gifted.

I'm delighted to have a reservation for the exhibition's reception later this month in which she'll be in attendance. I hope to have the opportunity to introduce myself to her.

And this afternoon, I went to the Museum of the City of New York in El Barrio, where I saw the enthralling exhibition, Amsterdam/New Amsterdam: The Worlds of Henry Hudson. Of course, this year is the anniversary of a lot of historical events, such as Galileo focusing his telescope on the heavens, Robert Fulton's steamboat, and the Apollo 11 moon landing. NYC is celebrating another event: Henry Hudson's discovery of the river that bears his name. This river was obviously known by the Native Americans who were here originally, but Hudson gets the credit as the first European (of course). Nevertheless, this exhibit examines the European Age of Discovery and Hudson's place in it. It has some beautiful, fascinating maps from the 16th and 17th centuries. It goes on to look at the affairs in the Netherlands that led the Dutch to establish an outpost in the New World and the life of this new society once it was established. Issues such as trade, religion, slavery, immigration, domestic life, and relations with the Native American population are addressed. I thought it was superb. I probably will go back again next week and to check out the other exhibitions about Dutch New York that I didn't have time to see today.

checkup rescheduled

I was supposed to have had a 3 month follow-up appointment at Sloan yesterday morning, but I wasn't feeling too great. I went to bed with a bit of a knot in my stomach and woke up feeling a bit worse. Not sure really what happened, but the result was that I didn't feel up to making my appointment yesterday. So, I canceled it and it was rescheduled for next Thursday.

I feel better today.

cancer fighters award 2009

Great Nonprofits.org is running a campaign to identify the top non-profits across the country serving the cancer community.

People who have personal experiences with organizations (volunteers, clients, board members, donors) are encouraged to post reviews and stories on Great Nonprofits.org, and the nonprofit that receives the most positive reviews during July will win the contest. Individuals who participate also have a chance to win prizes.

I'm Too Young For This, Ulman Cancer Fund For Young Adults, and First Descents are just a few of the organizations nominated.

Visit Great Nonprofits.org for more information about these organizations and to post a review for the one that has made the most difference for you.

in the news

What Friends Are For is a very interesting article in Friday's Financial Times about the future of Facebook and similar networking sites.

Chestnut Wins NY Hot Dog Eating Match, 3rd in Row

he's barack obama

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Yesterday for the first time, I saw this funny, satirical JibJab video about President Obama's Herculean and multipronged efforts at resuscitating America's promise. In their usual JibJab kind of way, the producers did a wonderful job.

sincerely, lou

Sincerely, Lou is a short ESPN documentary that examines Yankee great Lou Gehrig's battle against ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. The most surprising element for me and I'm sure for others who know something about the Hall of Famer's career but little about his personal life is the reluctance of his physician and wife to tell him the truth about his illness.

Watching how they collaborated to prevent Gehrig from knowing the reality of what he was facing irritated and astonished me. Having gone through what I went through, I can't imagine being sheltered from the truth like Gehrig was despite whatever arguments may be made for the necessity to maintain my upbeat spirit.

in the news

Obama Enters Decisive Phase of Presidency

Iraqis Are Too Shrewd to Fall for an 'Invisible' Occupation

Arab Dissent Finds Voice in Cyberspace

Review: Firefox 3.5 Makes Browsing Faster, Easier, and More Fun

day +680

Yesterday afternoon, I stopped by the school where I'll be teaching this fall to pick up some helpful reading materials for the summer. As I prepare for my first professional teaching experience, these books should help.

Aside from these newly added books, I've been making some headway on the others on my seemingly infinite reading list. Very recently, I finished Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford. A gripping history of the life of the Great Khan and his descendants, Weatherford's text offers further insight and appreciation for the legacy of the Mongols on world culture. At the moment, I'm working on the last 60 or so pages of E.H. Gombrich's A Little History of the World. Though this book was written with children as the intended audience back in the 1930s, it has become a well-known favorite of people of all ages. A simple, general history, it's an interesting read as I'm reminded of some of the key people and events in human history. At the same time, however, Gombrich's analysis of the past is largely Eurocentric. Almost token attention is given to the peoples of the Americas, Asia, and so far in my readings, I haven't come across anything dealing seriously with Africa with the exception of ancient Egypt. Though concise and charming, Gombrich, in my opinion, does a big disservice to the richness of human civilization by avoiding these other areas.

In thinking about how I'd like to teach, I've been thinking increasingly about teaching history as a global, interdependent discipline. Reading Genghis Khan has reminded me of this. Moreover, my studies in Chicago as well as my Watson research were focused on this very belief in global interdependence and complexity.

Though I'll be teaching U.S. history, there are many ways in which I think I'll be able to shape the lessons within a global context.

Finally, I'm just one quarter shy of completing my collection of the 50 state commemorative quarter collection. In a bundle of change I received a couple of days ago, I found Alaska for the first time. And then, yesterday I stumbled upon Utah which had eluded me for a long time. So, what's the state that's holding out? It's Hawaii.

But interestingly, I've also found Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. So, there must be a commemorative set for territories as well. I need to look more into this. In addition to the states, I've been looking out for the commemorative one dollar presidential coins.

millionaire anniversary

The game show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, is preparing for its 10th anniversary celebration and I was invited to rejoin its other past contestants in the audience for a taping next month. My appearance on the show seems so long ago. It was back in 2004.

I emailed the show back telling them that I could attend one of the tapings in late July.

in the news

U.S. Leaves Iraqi District Where Anger Lingers

In a Coup in Honduras, Ghosts of Past U.S. Policies

Obama is Choosing to be Weak

There is More to City Life than Convenience

upcoming lymphoma forum

The Lymphoma Research Foundation and the Lymphoma Foundation Canada will co-host the 14th Annual North American Educational Forum on Lymphoma from October 23rd - 25th in Brooklyn, New York.

Click for more information.

in the news

E-Mail Surveillance Renews Concerns in Congress

Moving To and From New York City

To Improve Public Health, City Urges Use of Stairs

bascove @ the arsenal

One of my favorite contemporary artists, Bascove, has an exhibition of her Central Park bridges at the Arsenal Gallery on 64th and Fifth Avenue. Titled A Walk in the Park, this art exhibition will begin on Thursday, June 18th and run through August 13th. I look forward to checking it out soon.

In addition to capturing the bridges of Central Park in her signature dreamy style, she is perhaps most famous for painting New York City's other bridges - both the famous and marginalized (such as my Harlem River spans).







She's one of the most creative interpreters of this town's cityscape that I know. A true master.

Stone and Steel, which is a mesmerizing pictorial and literary journey that pays homage to New York City's bridges, remains one of my favorite and most inspiring art books. It's a gem. Anyone interested in New York City, I'm sure, will enjoy this book.

Tonight I found out that she'll be at an event in late July at the Arsenal. I hope to make it.

a new found hodgkin's blog

I just found the blog of fellow Hodger, Stuart, who is 170 days post-transplant. Check out his site called LymphBlog.