My FT Cup

Ok.  This song was written for the Fat Tuesdays club.  I think we should redo the video.  Anybody know anyone with a video camera?  I could just see us all grovin to this song at the dance with our FT cups.  We could send it in to FT's corporate and get ourselves that long-awaited sponsorship... Who's with me?

Woooooah, GEEK OUT!

We're living in exciting times, technologically.  Anything seems possible and indeed every year some new gadget is introduced into the marketplace that appears to be the next stepping stone towards cartographic nirvana.  Every few months, I find myself thumbing through webpages looking for the technical solution to our CRM (Cultural Resource Management) mapping problems.  I just keep thinking that there should already be some perfect device and the perfect software that combines sub-meter accuracy GPS technology (Trimble), High-Res Imagery (NAIP), and in-field GIS data management capability (ArcPad with bluetooth).  All of the pieces of the puzzle already exist, and have for quite sometime now.  It's really just a matter of some anthro-geek-goddess sitting down with a few geolocation, visualization and OS folks to develop our own private heaven... an instrument that would allow for in-field development and on-site verification of site maps, pushing productivity to levels only attainable in our dreams.

Zip Ties, Duct Tape & Bailing Wire

For the past 15 years, I have been asked the same question at least once every summer, “why do you work at music festivals,” and every year, the answer is difficult to capture.  I’ve watched a dozen friends volunteer at shows only to tell me, “Heids, I love you, but I’ll never do this again,” as was the case this past show with my brother-in-law.  It’s a valid question since the whole point of music festivals is to go listen to some good music and have some fun.  What’s so great about missing the music and working while everyone else is dancing and having fun?  (hint: it ain’t the money)

When passion meets profession

So a friend had requested that I post maps for her but as she well knows, most of my maps are not public information.  But, I remembered a map that I made about 5 years ago that I think she might appreciate.  It was my final project for my GIS class and I loved it.  I took four variables (vegetation, slope, proximity to rivers and ownership) and mapped the optimal site locations for producing a central coast reggae festival.  The map was given to a Santa Cruz promoter who was interested in throwing a festival in his neck of the woods.  This map was the result of that endeavor.  Enjoy!  :)

City Life Riddim

I just can't get enough of this riddim.  Top scores to Elephant Man & Queen Ifrica.  Keep your eyes peeled for Denyque, upcoming artist with mad skills, along the lines of Tami Chynn & Alaine.

Cups, Couches, Colonials... and the CHP

For the past few years, I have been contemplating writing a book on the South Campus Neighborhood in Chico.  (I thought up the snappy title of Cups, Couches and Colonials which no publishing company would ever sign off on)  This neighborhood is the study area for my thesis project and is made up of a roughly 5 by 5 block area and is Chico's first residential neighborhood.  It is also nearly entirely made up of Chico State students today.  One of the things that you'll notice in this neighborhood is thousands of little red cups and couches on just about every front porch.  See these old houses rarely have air conditioning (due to their age and lack of attention from absentee landlords who own them solely as a means of profitting off the migrational patterns of CSUC students) so the houses get hot, really hot, and sitting on the front porch is practically a citywide pastime.  Parents give their kids their old crappy couches and before you know it, they are adorning the front porches of the 100+ year old home in which their kid lives.  The neighborhood is always buzzing with wildlife, frequently quenching their thirst with kegs of Natty Ice and Keystone.  (The rich Sierra Nevada drinkers are on the other side of campus)  So little red cups and couches are the moving parts of this historic neighborhood.

Greetings friends

So this thing will be a work in progress here for a bit until I find the time to get all the settings exactly the way I want them (sorry in advance for interface changes).  In the meanwhile, this platform will double as my soapbox and journal to spare you all from the sometimes daily FB machinations I can't help but send out into the abyss.

As for what to expect... don't.  I just feel the need to read, listen, digest, process, create, write and learn and I'm trying this medium on for size.  My expectations are few, mostly gathered around the idea of keeping people up to speed with my life and thought process should anyone be interested enough to find a few extra minutes out of their week.  So here goes friends and please play along should a topic interest you.