I got some Silk brand soy creamer for my coffee yesterday, and noticed the story on the side of the package explaning the origins of the London Stock Exchange as well as the word ‘tips’. Knowing that the acronymic origin story is false, I decided to look up the history of the London Stock Exchange. Turns out that it was started in the coffeehouses in London.

But I feel like I should point out that the word ‘tips’ is not an acronym for ‘To Insure Prompt Service’. Now why would Silk decide to spread this well-known story around if they knew it wasn’t true? And if they didn’t know it was an urban legend, why hasn’t someone alerted them to the fact already? I have since sent them an e-mail alerting them to the dilemma.

This morning I got a call from my bank to check in with their loyal customers (aka a chance to offer me a mortgage loan, or whatever the hell it’s called). So, the woman was reading her scripted dialogue, and said:

“We’re contacting our loyal customers to see what they think of our services, and I see here that you’ve been a customer since… slight pause while she looks from her script to my records …2005. Congratulations!”

To which I reply, “You know it’s still 2005, right?” She kind of stammers and says something about welcoming me to the bank.

Well, I found it funny anyway.

I’ve been collecting envelopes, mail, and paper with one blank side since somewhere around 8th grade (with varying degrees of voracity, and the occasional trashing). It took about 7 years before I came up with the idea to fold the ‘one-sided’ papers in half and bind them to make sketchbooks. Eariler this year (what would be about 15 years), I finally came up with the idea to turn the envelopes inside-out to make pretty patterned envelopes. I like the idea that I’m exposing the security for everyone to see as well as the recycling aspect.

This is the stack so far. I ran out of tape again with about 10-15 envelopes left.

I’ll be putting together a collection of the security patterns if I get a scanner. For now, see this collection of envelope security patterns, or this photographic survey of envelope security patterns.

Phidgets - Gallery

Collection of videos (WMV) showing tech projects and experiments.

Yesterday at the Director’s Day dinner, I was the recipient of one of 10 random “free money” scholarships. I can only hope that the universe’s laziness (you could call it inertia I guess) continues to work in my favor.

Haven’t made an update to the Daily Photo Project in much too long, but I have now.

I got a new digital camera for the upcoming Italy trip. Here’s a grid of the images I’ve taken so far. Why? Just to get some stuff up here.

Because I can.

So, first things first. I arrived at Cranbrook on 2005 September 01 after yet another hellish move. Pittsburgh treated me well though, and I’m a little sad to see it go for the next couple years. Had to donate/throw out quite a bit of stuff to successfully complete the move, but it’s done and now I’m here.

If you don’t already know by now, I am enrolled in the 2D Design department here, under the tutelage of Elliott Earls. I’m very much looking forward to getting underway so that I’ll have things to add to this project blog thing. I can only hope that there’ll be something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Go.

Arthur Ganson’s Machines / Kinetic Sculpture

Too amazing for my words. Definitely check out the Nova video.

Woman #1: “She’s supposed to be the new Billie Holiday.”

Woman #2: “Well, I hope she doesn’t kill herself!”