Kestrachern » Goals

Learning French

kestrachern — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:52:40 +0000

Parlez-vous français ? Je ne parle français. A few nights after I returned from Paris I woke up and remembers how to count to ten in French, except for 5 and 7. I have hopes of fluency in the language and have trying to find the time to practice… at least now I have some books to help me through.

Any tips or tricks to how I can increase my vocabulary and grammar? I’ve a few people with whom I am corresponding in French, but the lack of vocab is hampering my expression… (and I am always open to more conversations… do you skype?)

Speaking of expression, one thing that struck me on the return from Paris was that my hearing had adjusted to pick out good vs not so good pronunciation. The flight attendant on the plane leaving France had a terrible French accent compared to what I had been enjoying the previous week.

Ok.. back to the writing and the books.

Au revoir :-)

Tesla Motors Model S

kestrachern — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:43:37 +0000

I found my next car. Its the Tesla Motors Model S.
It has an impressive list of features:

300 mile range
45 minute QuickCharge
0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds
Seats 7 people
More cargo space than sedans
2X as efficient as hybrids
All-wheel-drive available
5 minute battery swap
0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds
120 mph top speed
All-wheel-drive available

Production begins in 2011 and deposits are being taken now.

Artistic Mailboxes of Gulfport

kestrachern — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:46:41 +0000

Moving to Gulfport I was amazed at the density of really cool, decorative, and intricate mailboxes and began a project to locate and document any artistic artistic expression that went beyond the stock USPS regulated box.

I’ve not made any additional progress since last fall and realized that completing the project dovetails nicely with my theme of Production. I’ve completed my survey in only one small portion of the city nearer the waterfront. I’m also curious how the artistic expression changes with geography.

In addition to placing them here on this site I am also adding them to Google maps and you can find them here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Gulfport,+FL&sll=37.649034,-95.712891&sspn=33.747171,66.533203&ie=UTF8&ll=27.742188,-82.689457&spn=0.037071,0.064974&z=14&lci=com.panoramio.all

Here are a few photos from the existing set:

Clothing Design and Deconstruction

kestrachern — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:34:14 +0000

Not being able to find the quirky and unique styles I had loved finding in San Francisco, I have begun visiting clothing swaps to gather some raw materials for creating my own outfits. So next in my year of production is clothing design and deconstruction.

My wardrobe at present contains one pair of shorts and generally to heavy fabrics for the warmer and more humid climate of Tampa Bay. It is my goal to alter the items I’ve found so far to fill in the gaps and then expand my wardrobe.

Next up my search for a sewing machine.

5-29-09 update
Capri pants for me. Lightweight good for biking! Pinstripes and suspenders…

Bonsai Beginnings

kestrachern — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:00:22 +0000

The ingredients for my bonsai empire are coming together. I’ve had visions of a more tropical feeling bonsai and have been growing lemon trees for the last year. Having reached the point for transplant I wanted to place them into a more artistic/growing container. Keeping my eyes open for interested vessels I came across two coconuts and some driftwood that will be the first new forms.

I’m hoping to find some larger shells, conch or clam, perhaps some other distinctive beach refuse, (A whale bone wold be the most awesome) for the remaining lemon trees.

Time to start the next round sprouting… cherry trees I think.

Uniting States

kestrachern — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:51:51 +0000

I am so happy to share with you the finished version of the short film “Uniting States” for which I was able to provide the score! The two artists responsible for the creation of the concept are Isabel Czerwenka-Wenkstetten and Leslie Fry (More info on them below) I’ll be listing the places & dates where you can see the full exhibition of their collaborative work as soon as they are finalized.

Isabel Czerwenka-Wenkstetten
The USA is attractive and inspiring. Especially right now. So Isabel Czerwenka-Wenkstetten, visiting visual artist from Vienna, Austria recently decided to spend time in the US. She is instigating a collaborative project with St. Petersburg, Florida artist Leslie Fry, whose lively and energetic work engaged her interest through the internet. With no preconceived plan, the two worked together intensively for ten days starting March 2, 2009. The resulting artwork will be exhibited at an event in St. Petersburg at studio@620 on May 5, and at Windspiel Galerie in Vienna this October, 2009.

Ms. Czerwenka-Wenkstetten has taken her project, Foreign Affairs, to Nigeria, Thailand, and Mexico. In each country she has arranged collaborations with other artists. Because they have no common language or culture, communication takes place through the process of creating art. This European artist wanted to come to the U.S. at this particular time to focus on themes of Hope, Change and Communication. She began her U.S. visit in Washington D.C. during the inauguration.

Leslie Fry

The images in my art are inspired by these basic human needs: shelter, food, clothing, work, and intimacy. They take the form of the human body, human artifacts and architecture, and vegetable and animal life. In my sculpture, prints, and drawings, the natural world connects with the human-made world. Reality and fantasy meld. Public commissions have been specific responses to architecture, history, and landscape, and often the site is the inspiration for my work.

Uniting States Movie

Creating Ringtones

kestrachern — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:41:08 +0000

One of the areas I strongly desire to explore during me year of production is creating music.
I started off with a score to a short art film, Uniting States, and am now wanting to move into music. If you can get a Grammy for phone notifications then Ringtones are where I am going to start. 30 seconds of immortality here I come!

I’ll be hard at work and will list the completed ones here – but if let me know if you would something custom and I’ll get right on it!

Massage practice

kestrachern — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:24:08 +0000

While in San Francisco I certified as a massage therapist. Since leaving the city and moving to Florida lack of opportunity has made me feel I’m rusty and out of practice.

I need to get my hands on bodies and get some on mine so I can return to flow. Let me know if you would like to trade bodywork or are willing to let me work out the kinks of my style by working out the kinks in your back.

Have table, can travel (some)

Project Jackrabbit

kestrachern — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 03:19:17 +0000

The moon has often been a focus of my attention. When I was in undergrad I had hope of doing planetary studies, but by the time I distilled the proper program I was too far advanced at my institution to change. I expected to enter into a Planetary Geology program for graduate school but marriage interfered.

I’d love to see people living and working on the moon in my lifetime. Even better would be the opportunity to spend my last moments of consciousness gazing back at the Earth and then past and on to the stars. Enter Project Jackrabbit. It is to become a repository for thoughts and concepts related to the leaving of Earth, transition from Earth to lunar orbit, landing on the moon, and survival thereafter.

Right now the domain http://projectjackrabbit.com exists and is waiting to be populated with information and discussion. I’ve got to set up a better framework and get moving on the project.

More to follow

The French Laundry

kestrachern — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:07:22 +0000

Located in Yountville, California is one of the country’s best restaurants. Not having had the opportunity to visit while I was living in California it is on my list of places to eat before I die. The food is mainly contemporary American with French influences.

One of the most notable alumni is Grant Achatz who went to found Alinea in Chicago.

Right now I don’t have much more to offer until I make the visit. Hopefully this will be in April of 2010 for Shelley’s birthday.

How to get a reservation:
THE FRENCH LAUNDRY 6640 Washington St., Yountville, Calif.; 707-944-2380 Tip Exactly two months before you want to visit, start speed-dialing at 10 a.m. Pacific time. FL gets 400 to 500 calls for reservations daily. Hours Lunch Friday-Sunday, dinner nightly Tab (without wine or tax) $240 (includes tip)