The Ann Arbor Summer Festival starts tonight

Ann Arbor Summer Festival Strange Fruit
Originally uploaded by LCPhotog

It's a full month of free (and some paid for) entertainment played out under the warm skies of summer. which had me wondering why it was that students here huddle through bone chilling winters for school before flying home to miss the only thing that can erase the memory?

This town is cool when the weather isn't... weird then that it's only beardy professors and young Google execs that get to see that

Big Meeting today

Minty Meeting
Originally uploaded by Niffty

So today we have a "big meeting"... that means lots of people crammed into a small room concentrating hard on the face of one man in a bid to gauge his reactions before pressing a point hard.

Personally I'd be torn about being the "Big Guy" in the "Big Meeting". The spotlight would be good. Nothing wrong with having people write down your reactions... but the need for trust might be too much for me. You have to trust that the people that you're talking to actually know what they're doing, that the facts that they're showing you are the relevant facts and that they've genuinely done all of the things that they claim to have done. You have no time to dive into the data. You have no time to get a feel for things - it's all about "do I trust these people" and "does this make sense to me"?

And I'm just not sure I could do that. Instead I'd become the tricky, tough question, get 'em to admit to something that they don't know guy. Which would put people on edge. And mean that I get even less information.

Feeling good

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Originally uploaded by stevenjude

I like the people at my new gym. They talk to you. They tell you things. They ask you things. And they play great music while they're doing it. Workout two has me buzzing with endorphins and possibilities. I'm picking bodies out of magazines the way that people pick hairstyles from books - and while a whole new me is going to take longer to sculpt than a razor finished bob it's going to last longer.

Having finished my session today I was given some fresh chicken-feta burgers, an invitation to an evening dinner, a promise that I get 10% off everything in the Sparrow market and was asked if I was around for lunch "It gets a little quiet in here in the afternoons, so we tend to fire up the grill and cook up some stuff for people in the neighborhood."

As I said, I like them. A lot.

Compounding the good feeling is the return from pasport purgatory of my lovely wife. She's looking good, she's not in pain and it's good to have her company again. Fun.

Wow - endorphins are good. I've even promised to do cardio on the days that I'm not doing weights. "Shape" here I come.

Then came the rain

Spring Rain
Originally uploaded by ImageMD

After days and days of oppressive heat here suddenly all things have turned to rain. Moisture is falling from the sky faster than geriatric nonsense from the mouth of John McCain or 'senior moment' apologies from his aides.

I'm looking out at the lake that has formed on the flat roof that covers what I estimate to be my kitchen and wondering just how and where so much water will drain.

The dog is refusing to step outside, even to pee and I don't blame her - and the cats? Well they're looking to do what they always do - find food, escape, hunt down black clothing upon which they can shed. I swear people at work think that I have a thing for cat hair clothing.

Still Jude is on her way - as are some late night moments of weakness internet purchases (am I shopping myself happy or horny? I'm not sure)

Gonna try to get in a trip to NYC first - I miss the people and as Mike said "Kung Fu Panda!"

A realization

my dear enemy, am i killing you
Originally uploaded by .séverine

I realized today - well just a couple of minutes ago while filling in the "Please don't sue us" gym forms - that this morning I didn't mention cancer at all.

This is unusual. Cancer has been my excuse and a defining part of my history for a while now. The 'getting back into exercise post cancer' story has been so often repeated that I've started to believe that it was true. The truth is that I gave up on meaningful exercise after I left Australia, replacing it with bile and indifference. But 'Hi, I'm here to get back into shape post chemo' (always post chemo never post cancer) is an easier intro than 'hi, I'm a middle aged guy who's decided that he doesn't want to look like a middle aged guy' and yet without thought I took the second option.

It's weird not playing the role of 'recovering cancer patient (victim)' and for the first time in a long time it feels as though I'm doing something for myself and the future, rather than something to help mitigate the consequences of the past.

This whole kick is about being fitter, okay looking better, in the months to come. And nothing at all to do with the fact that at some point my body filled with tumors and my lungs with liquid.

A turning point after two years of treading water?

Back in a new routine

Ann-Marie and Angel accpeting new clients for Spring/Summer season!
Originally uploaded by Boxing Angel

So this morning I finally managed to hit the gym hard again. Having decided that you can't wish it into being I hauled my fat ass out of bed and headed down to Sparrow for a little personal training. And I was very pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is good, people talk. The Personal Trainer sets you circuits and then lets you go and the $200 a month fee covers 3 sessions a week as well as unlimited access to the gym itself. It's small, intimate, good natured and best of all it's owned by a butcher named Sparrow (!)

Better still was the fact that my basic levels of fitness aren't bad at all. I've been promised that the NUP is certainly realistic and that knocking me back into shape isn't going to take very long. Three sessions a week, 2 pilates sessions a week, a little swimming at the Y and a 'free' workout and I'm toned by Xmas.

So not the disaster that I thought I was going to be. Here's to saying hello to my abs again.

All go on the action front

Breaking God’s Heart....
Originally uploaded by American-Psycho-UK

I've had a bit of a cool weekend. Lots of stuff happening but most excitingly Project Naked Uganda is a go and I'm closer than ever to the premier of A2 Sketchy's.

The new motto is in place - "You can't wish yourself in shape" and the first one on one gym session is scheduled for 7am tomorrow. We're going hardcore here and while I may want to quit at times I'll be relying on the collective "Call Bullshit" power of you - my 3 readers - to help me out.

The before pictures are taken. The bank account primed for a hit. And I'm ready to roll.

A night at Sketchy's

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Originally uploaded by stevenjude

I have a franchise agreement for Dr Sketchy. I've had it for about 6 months now but a killer mixture of the weather, slow moving approvals, fear, lack of infrastructure and incompetence has stopped me actually getting ass into gear and getting the first one up and running. That's abt to change.

Last night I went out to Hammtramck to see The Art of Dr Sketchy and having talked to the people there I'm freshly inspired and raring to go. Sure the art wasn't anything to shout about (it's just a sketch class and poses are 20 mins max) but it was fun and I have a lot of ideas regarding what else we can do to make the sessions more fun.

Anyway here's a pic from a break in proceedings.

Stranded in London

Travel Misery
Originally uploaded by Jor'dan

I was expecting to have Jude home tomorrow
And really looking forward to it

But of course the Visa people are taking their own sweet time and her passport isn't back from the embassy in time... leaving her stranded in London.

I just feel sorry for her and sorry for myself. Will call her as soon as she's off the phone from rescheduling flights etc.

Just horrible

Life's a beach

P1050506.JPG
Originally uploaded by stevenjude

I'm finding it hard to shake the metaphorical sand out of my shoes. Being back at work somehow seems like a very odd thing - as though 'real life' is happening somewhere outside the window and I'm insulated for it.

That may just be that I'm not really sleeping at the moment (home alone, noisy cats) or it might be post vacation blues but it's very weird this life in limbo.

Last night was dinner and a movie with a couple of friends. Dinner at Eve was as lovely as ever; the movie ($5 Wednesdays) was a bit of a despressing affair in which Helen Hunt and Colin Firth get angsty and get together; against a backdrop of edgy misery. It was okay. And it was an evening away from So You Think You Can Dance

they say that travel broadens the mind... 'til you can't get your head on a plane

Just read the top ten destinations for design inspiration

Kampala, Uganda makes the list! Then again the author bio reads this way

Jon Gos is a designer, web developer and social entrepreneur living in Kampala, Uganda. He’s also the founder of the activist community for artists and designers



Here's the article... pompous but fun

When Leonardo Da Vinci attempted to build the world’s first robot in 1495, his inspiration had come from the ancient Greek texts of Ctesibus and Vitruvius. Likewise, Auguste Rodin cited Lorenzo Ghiberti’s “Gates of Paradise” as the inspiration for his famous sculpture “The Gates of Hell”. Designers and artists have traveled the world for centuries looking for those brilliant moments of inspiration.

Changing your surroundings is the easiest way to find new perspective on old ideas and common emotions. Sometimes you won’t even realize exactly how much you’ve absorbed until you return home. These ten locations from around the world offer a different type of travel experience than the more popular places most tourists are likely to visit nearby.

Fairbanks, Alaska


History. Fairbanks is the largest city in the interior region of Alaska, and second largest in the state. It is the northernmost Metropolitan Statistical Area in the United States. Traveling around Alaska can be a great treat. It’s the largest state there and has much to explore although most of that is wilderness and uninhabited land. The Stikine River features the largest springtime concentration of American Bald Eagles in the world.

Natural Inspiration. The Aurora Borealis. Auroras are caused by the collision of charged particles from the Earth’s magnetosphere with atoms and molecules of earths upper atmosphere. It’s long been one of the rarest sights on earth since it can only be seen from certain locations but due to the rise of digital photography, spectacular images of Auroras are quite common.

Why it will inspire? Color. The fantastic hues of the Aurora Borealis should be an inspiration to any designer. In fact, these days, simply snap a picture and upload it to colourlovers.com and instantly generate a color palette that might serve as the scheme for a website or design.


Split, Croatia


History. In 1991 Croatia proclaimed independence by holding the first democratic elections in the country but had to fight a long and bloody war against Yugoslavia until 1995.

Natural inspiration. The Adriatic Sea, which borders to the south and west is the home to many incredible islands, castles other relics of the past. There are many buildings still standing from Roman rule giving rise to the areas slogan “The Mediterranean As it Once Was”. The densely wooded mountains inland provide a completely different experience than the rest of the country will.

Why it will inspire? Anatomy. The nude beaches here are an excellent source for sketching people and studying the human form.


Oslo, Norway


History. Wikipedia cites it as the world’s most expensive city to live in! It was called Christiania from 1624 to 1878, and Kristiania from 1878 to 1924. Oslo’s Vigeland Sculpture Park is the home to many magnificent statues celebrating the cycle of life.

Natural inspiration. The Fjords along the coast offer some of the most breathtaking vistas on Earth. Parasailing, paragliding, skydiving, sailing, and diving are among many of the activities you can participate in while enjoying their beauty.

Why it will inspire? Tranquility. Sometimes to come up with new ideas you need to clear your mind. There are few places more tranquil than the icey, rocky Scandinavian coastline.


Darwin, Australia

History. Over time Darwin has grown from a pioneer outpost and small port into one of Australia’s most modern and multicultural cities. Its proximity to Asia makes it an important Australian gateway to countries such as Indonesia and East Timor. The Stuart Highway begins in Darwin, ending at Port Augusta in South Australia. In the new movie “AUSTRALIA” Nicole Kidman’s character must protect her property from thieves amidst the bombing of Darwin just prior to World War II.


Natural inspiration. The Australian Wilderness. You must experience the incredibly lonely and empty drive across Australia to truly appreciate how desolate much of the country is. Try the trip from Darwin to Melbourne….an estimated 3,755 km…one way!

Why it will inspire? Concentration. To drive across Australia you’ll build up the type of concentration and determination Michelangelo, Raphael, and Sandro Botticelli used to paint the Sistine Chapel….Maybe.


Kampala, Uganda


History. The city grew as the capital of the Buganda kingdom, from which several buildings survive, including the Kasubi Tombs (built in 1881), the Buganda Parliament, the Buganda Court of Justice and the Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site. If you saw the movie “The Last King of Scotland”, you know everything worst about Uganda. Well, the good news is, that was thirty years ago. Since then Uganda has rebounded to become one of the more stable and progressive regions of East Africa. The economy is healthy, the people are lovely and interesting and the equatorial climate is gorgeous! Careful getting around though, the highest cause of death here is automobile accidents!


Natural inspiration. Africa is the home to many wonders of the natural world and this is no different in the country of Uganda. Safaris, wildlife, camping with chimps, gorilla tracking, skiing (yes you can ski in Africa), whitewater rafting and the incredibly friendly people make it one of the most inviting destinations in the whole continent.

Why it will inspire? Flow and ingenuity. You have never found flow like you’ll find it in Africa. Local farmers get completely immersed in creating things out of limited resources, exemplifying two of the fundamental aspects of good design (focus and resourcefulness).


Chongqing, Sischuan, China


History. Chongqing is said to be the semi-mythical State of Ba that the Ba people supposedly established during the eleventh century BCE. By 316 BCE, however, it had been overrun by the State of Qin. The Qin emperor ordered a new city to be constructed, which was called Jiang and Chu Prefecture. In 2005 Chinese tourist authorities began development of an attraction to be known as “Ladies’ Town” in the Shuangqiao District. The town’s motto will be: “Ladies Can Never Be Wrong, and Gentlemen Should Never Refuse Ladies’ Requests.” The project is expected to be completed in 2008-2010. Deuce Bigalow would be proud.

Natural inspiration. Do the Bamboo Forests look familiar? That’s because they were used as the backdrop for key scenes in the movie House of Flying Daggers.

Why it will inspire? Fantasy. You know you want to do it…pretend you’re a great samurai warrior fighting off your enemies in a field of bamboo. If not come here and you’ll find plenty of other people whispering battle cries under their breath!


El Calafate, Patagonia, Argentina


History. Mostly located in Argentina (and partly in Chile), Patagonia comprises the Andes mountains to the west and south, and plateau and low plains to the east. The name Patagonia comes from the word patagon used by Magellan to describe the native people who his expedition thought to be giants. It used to be considered remote and exotic, now that a huge brand of clothing and gear bears it’s name, it’s anything but.

Natural inspiration. Ice. The Los Glaciares National Park (pictured above) draws a healthy stream of tourists to the area from around the world.

Why it will inspire? Negative Space. Let your imagination wander as you gaze upon the great ice formations jutting out against the spansive horizon and you’ll see all kinds of shapes that might

Rogaska Slatina, Slovenia


History. The municipality of RogaÅ¡ka Slatina was formed in 1995. As the name of the place indicates it, there is a fresh water source there. slatina means (fresh water) source, and is often found in toponyms in Slavic-speaking area. The RogaÅ¡ka spa is one of the most famous for its magnesium-rich mineral waters used in medical treatments. A native treat is Mosht, a warm cider-like drink that is actually warm fermented wine drunken just after it is made but days before it’s cooled. Two pints will put you under the table, guaranteed. This area is also well known for it’s natural hot springs.

Natural inspiration. Castles, Valleys and Vineyards. This place is like a living breathing fairy tale. Along the slopping valleys you’ll find that at least seemingly endless array of homesteads with their own family vineyards.

Why it will inspire? Texture. The rustic medieval feel will might serve as the inspiration for designs using woodgrains, grunge or stone textures.


Tallinn, Estonia


History. In 1219 Valdemar II of Denmark, leading the Danish Fleet in connection with the Livonian Crusade, landed in an Estonian town of Lindanisse at (Latin) Revelia (Estonian) Revala or Rävala, the adjacent ancient Estonian county. If you’re a fan of Medieval tales like Lord of the Rings or Record of Lodoss War, Tallinn’s Olde Town is one of the quintessential places to see history preserved.

Natural inspiration.Women. Many people will confirm that Estonia has some of the most beautiful women in the world and more blondes per capita than Sweden!! Fashion photographers, illustrators, painters and people interested in the female form will be in heaven here.

Why it will inspire? Lust. The curves of the female form have inspired male and female artists alike since the dawn of time. The remnants of the former Soviet Union may also serve to motivate feelings of tension and intrigue.


Garches, Paris, France


History. The northern part of the suburban city was marked by the combat of January 19, 1871 when the Parisians besieged and tried to force the German blockade to join the French troops of Versailles. The monuments that commemorate this event are two streets, Rue du 19 janvier and Rue du Colonel de Rochebrune. The south of France is often cited as being the most beautiful coastline in the world. After your architectural studies in Paris, head south to Montpellier, Nice, or Cannes for beautiful weather, savory wine and incredible beaches.

Natural inspiration. The Architectural designs of Le Corbusier are all over the world but they’re in higher concentration in France than anywhere in the world.

Why it will inspire? Divine Proportions. Le Corbusier was a huge fan of two things: Leonardo Da Vinci and math. How apt then, that he used Leonardo’s research of Devine Proportions and the Golden Ration to create his work. In addition to the golden ratio, Le Corbusier based the system on human measurements, Fibonacci numbers, and the double unit.

Back at work

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Originally uploaded by stevenjude

and finding it rather hard to accept that it's what I do here that allows me to do other things elsewhere. Somewhere in my mind the work and the paycheck have become divorced - and that has to be dangerous huh?

Anyway am working on an overall approach and strategy for one company, a process to extend a brand into new areas for another, at new product development for a third and at how and why Autoshows developed the way that they did over the last half century.

All good stuff, all with tight deadlines. And the coffee shop isn't open yet. Arrrrgggghhhh

Back in Ann Arbor

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Originally uploaded by stevenjude

Managed to get back to Ann Arbor in one piece and more than an hour early. Walked right into the food festival - which meant that lunch was a mixed bag of cucumber soups, salmon mousses and chocoolate covered strawberrys paid for with vouchers and chosen by length of wait rather than general appeal.

Weirdly being back felt fantastic. After the grayness and sticker shock of London it was good to be out in brilliant sunshine amongst people who seemed relaxed and happy. There was none of the tension of Cyprus either -- at least of Nicosia with the dividing line, the guns, the soldiers and the maps that show only half of the city labelling the other half 'occupied territory'/

The pic by the way is the daughter of the people in Turkish Nicosia who took us in, made us coffee and explained a little of what it's like to return from exile to a place. All very weird.

Not the greatest post this, I apologize. They'll get better. Just that mornings are busier with Jude in London.

Sex And The City

Sex And The City
Originally uploaded by ·BigGolf·

So leaving London this morning and thought that I'd write a quick blog as I wait for my ride to the airport to stir from bed and show signs of actually being a ride.

Cyprus Air arrived on time (again) and deposited us into a London that was warm, gray, threatening rain, crowded with the young, abuzz with the the low murmur of foreign languages and mercilessly expensive.

We went for a quick meal ($20 for my plate of Veggie noodles) then through a park where the dogs were off-leash but so well keen to attend their owners you'd swear they doubled up as Butlers in their spare time

After that it was a trip to the cinema to see Sex and the City ($20 a ticket) which was both long and predictable though somehow enjoyable. I loved that the whole thing seemed to be an exercise in humiliation for Kim Catrell (the weight jokes, the age references) and that they set up the bridge to the sequel by positioning themselves as the Manhattan Golden Girls. SJP should be expecting a call from Bea Arthur any day now.

Dinner followed by a trip to M&S where $50 secured us enough food for dinner... to be watched in front of the finals of Britain's Got Talent (if it does it wasn't on display here as a bunch of kids and broilers played classical music to an audience who pretended to care) and then I'll Do Anything - hosted by a man with a penchant for the single entendre and a gleeful relish for the the word "Nancy"(it's a casting show for Oliver, they're looking for a Nancy ---> you saw the jokes coming huh?)

And now it's off to Detroit with me, Leave at 9.15, lose 5 hrs, arrive at 1pm. Long flight. Ouch.

More from the other side

Famagusta

Bombed Out Hotel in Famagusta, Northern Cyprus
Originally uploaded by curreyuk

Getting to Famagusta from the south of the island is quite a feat. You go past the UN checkpoint. Then through the Turkish side... buying insurance on the way.

From there its on through the 'occupied zone' to Famagusta. Where hoards of Brits whinge blithely through 'occupied territory'... knowing only that 'the bus brought us' and little about the history.

Though you think that the bombed out hotels would give them a hint

Better a hairy man's bitch

ApeMen #2
Originally uploaded by sw19bynight

better a hairy man's bitch than a poor man's wife ---> as I'm sure Tammy Wynette sang on some opus or other during the 70s. Tammy was never one of the "I'll be a post feminist in the post-patriarchy' types.

Hamman was amazing. Very cool space. Stars cut through the stone to give illusion of a starlit sky and help heat the building. And a really gentle heat. You sweat almost without noticing.

Changing room was a curtained daybed - the kind that I'd imagine finding Cindy Gallup using during meetings; perfect for positioning yourself to receive grapes from a scantily clad and well oiled wench.

Body scrub was good - weirdly the people doing the scrubbing are all women. Most baths allow men only. They don't scrub your stomach - or maybe they just didn't scrub mine... that would have required overtime.

Which leads me with news anchor neatness to a new project.

The NUP

The NUP is the Naked Uganda Project.

I've realized on this trip that I am a bloated middle aged man showing all of the signs of a long commute, a fondness for wine and a partiality for the 'too cold for the gym' excuse.

I am flabby
I am saggy
I am ashamed

And I'm about to do something about it.

We head for Uganda in December.
I will be in shape by then.

Good enough shape to have Jude take a serious of hot but artistic nudes of me in remote outposts. Me nude being charged by a rhino (and boy do they charge through the nose - boom, Boom!) - that kind of thing.

Worry not - pics won't ever be posted. But I've already signed up for a personal trainer in a personal gym. 1 on 1. Just us. No excuses. Nowhere to hide. It's gonna be brutal and I'm gonna bitch and moan here. But I will be in shape by Xmas.

So NUP - the Naked Uganda Project starts here.

Back to the title though. Whilst in the bath a very elderly Greek Cypriot man asked whether I'd help scrub his hairy back. Being foreign and gullible I said "okay". I scrubbed. He said thank you. He left. I had massage. All was good. Except I think that I may now officially be his bitch. Isn't that a rule? You scrub a man in a Hamman and he owns you? I do hope not -- he was old enough to be Anna Nicole Smith husband material - and much as I loved the diet pill popping old trout I don't think I wanna be the new Anna Nicole yet.

Okay enough rambling. Back to the balcony.

Hammam

Hammam
Originally uploaded by roevin

I'm guessing that the Nicosia Hamman won't look like this. Though with the Greek / Turkish competition here it might

It's weird being in a divided city. You pass the blue hatted UN troops as you walk along th estreet and suddenly you're at a checkpoint; passports out, guns pointed in your direction and senses heightened as you hit a Turkish area.

Smiley on the Greek side, deadly serious on the Turkish. I guess that's what being an "Occupation Force" does for you.

Photos today and then (between feeding the meter on the car) on to the Hamman for a treatment.

Should be good.

Breaking a rule

Hotel Centrum, Nicosia Centre (Greek South)
Originally uploaded by reinholdbehringer

I've always said that it's a bad idea to stay in a hotel that has fewer stars than a General in the US army... but the Hotel Centrum (***) is very pleasant indeed.

We just arrived after a trip through the mountains that took just a little longer than we would have liked, included one detour to a very tight path sans tarmac and (alas for the Yellow Peril) into the mountain itself. Yup I reversed the rental car into a mountain. Oops. Still it's almost undamaged.

We found the centre of town remarkably quickly... called the elevator 'the lift' and generally felt at home immediately. Didn't want to leave the villa this morning - but we have some plans to buy which helped lessen the pain.

Talking of pain or room has a large stone step up to the bathroom - wonder how many late night broken toes that's been responsible for?

Ouch

Sun sets in our hearts
Originally uploaded by Crossing Sparks

So having been on Jude's broken back for the last couple of days (she's been in agony and popping ineffectual pills like Liza at a Studio 51 reunion) we finally headed for a doctor this morning. Better pills. An injection into her ass and the promise of a day at home to recover may do the trick. I'm hoping so - when she spends the night awake and in pain she starts to tidy and then to do laundry - as a result the only things that I can find today are stretched out on a washing line across the pool

alive and kicking

the baths of aphrodite
Originally uploaded by allyzally

the last couple of days has seen us driving towards so many ruins we could have been in Florida.

Lots to do here and Jude's penchant for off-roading in an 800cc car remains unmatched. By rights we should be dead at the bottom of some gorge - or huddled half way up a mountain waiting for salvation to come in the form of a friendly goat hunter --- but Hyundai and an unburstable AtoZ seem to be on the side of the righteous so far at least.

Nicosia is going to be ten degrees hotter and considerably less cool in terms of air quality and ability to just chill by the pool... so we're going to make the most of what we have here. Lots of lounging. Lots of monastry wine. Lots of alone time.

Which Jude needs ass her back is in spasm and she can barely move ---> still at least the painkillers and muscle relaxants are cheap and plentiful here