Posts

Posted on

Old students return

Earlier today a former LaGuardia New Media student, Miki Masuda, came in to speak to some of my capstone students about her experiences working in digital design, and transferring from LaGuardia to a senior college. Now just to give you some background, new media capstone students at LaGuardia are generally my most advanced designers. The have taken many of the required courses and are usually just a semester or so away from graduating. The capstone class, HUW 269 – New Media Project Lab, that I am teaching is designed to assist students in developing a final professional portfolio to facilitate transfer to a senior college or gain employment as a New Media designer.

Miki is an amazing designer. When I was looking for a guest speaker Continue reading “Old students return”

Posted on

Night out with my Boo

my boo

It has been too long since the wife and I have had a night out by ourselves. So I took her out on a “date night” at the Barrymore Theater to see Race. Race follows “three attorneys, two black and one white, offered a chance to defend a white man charged with a crime against a black woman.” The plot unfolds as the three lawyers and defendant grapple Continue reading “Night out with my Boo”

Posted on

Randori Roundup

Ken Freeman

Pete Muldoon’s seminar from the other day got me thinking about my first Judo lessons, and has me wondering why I ever stopped. From day one you learn how to jump and fall, all while wrestling your friends to the ground. No katas or forms, just controlled roughhousing. Randori, as judokas refer to it. As a kid I loved it. And while I have always gravitated more towards of the striking arts, Judo was one of the first martial arts that I was introduced to when I was younger. Alot of time has past since those days. In fact it had been so long that I was shocked when my mother told me that it had been more than twenty-five years since my last Judo tournament.

I  started taking Judo while I was a camper at Kutsher’s Sports Academy back in the late 70’s and early 80’s. The summers that I Continue reading “Randori Roundup”

Posted on

A judo chop, chop, chop!!

After a week of really crappy weather it was great to get out of the house and attend a combat Judo seminar taught by Peter Muldoon this weekend. Pete, is a 3rd Dan black belt and one of the senior instructors at the Krav Maga Federation headquarters in Manhattan. He was gracious enough take time out of his schedule and share some of his knowledge of throws and takedowns with a group of us on a cold Sunday afternoon.

I had been looking forward to this seminar ever since Continue reading “A judo chop, chop, chop!!”

Posted on

Meeting the Mayor…or “Yo, dat’s my cousin”!!!

Those that know me are well aware that I am not very political, or politically correct for that matter. So it was interesting that I was invited to spend the afternoon rubbing elbows with NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other important people within city politics. After years of her hard work and sacrifice, my cousin sworn in as NYC judge. Needless to Continue reading “Meeting the Mayor…or “Yo, dat’s my cousin”!!!”

Posted on

Y’all are Stressin’ me

I gotta chime back in and address some of the concerns my friends have recently voiced. I must at admit I am a bit shocked at some of their comments regarding me getting a motorcycle. I have thought long and hard about this. Getting a bike, i.e. Midlife crisis or whatever, for me isn’t about proving anything to anyone else. It is about doing some of the things that you always wanted to do….while you are able to do them and enjoy them safely. With that said, there are more than a few reasons why buying a bike at this point in my Continue reading “Y’all are Stressin’ me”

Posted on

Mr. Richardson, we’re ready for your closeup.

James Interview

One of the benefits of being a professor is that you get to see how your students grow and develop over time. You are able to watch them start off as raw and untrained media enthusiasts and hopefully evolve into polished digital artists. Today was one of those days for me. I was honored to be interviewed by students in the Media and Technology programs for the upcoming Web TV channel being created at LaGuardia Community College.

The interview focused Continue reading “Mr. Richardson, we’re ready for your closeup.”

Posted on

2010 NYC International Motorcycle Show

In order to dull the pain of getting rid of the Batmobile, and to hopefully head off any impeding mid-life crisis, I have decided to a buy a motorcycle. In researching cycle options I thought it would be prudent to check out the annual NYC International Motorcycle Show and see what was out there. The show is held every year at the Javits Center. I hadn’t gone to the show for a few years and was eager to see the new models.

I was shocked to see how many different brands and style of bikes are available today. The Javits center was packed with vendors from nearly every motorcycle maker and third party accessory company. I saw a bunch of attractive protective gear with reinforced Kevlar and Nomex material that looked straight out of the comic books. It caught me off guard because I remember when jeans and a leather jacket was considered sufficient gear.

Both my wife and my moms are opposed to me getting a cycle, as well Continue reading “2010 NYC International Motorcycle Show”

Posted on

Playing with the Christmas Presents

Despite the economic downturn, this Christmas was pretty good for me and the family. We had a set amount of money that we agreed not to go beyond for gifts this year. Then each of us placed on the family list one thing that we  really wanted. The one thing,or should I say the one gift, that would make our Christmas spectacular. I wanted a Kindle, Ski wanted a Northface jacket, Tita wanted a digital camera, and J wanted a motorcycle. Luckily, we were all able to get what we wanted. And most importantly, we had a great time playing and spending time together over the holidays.

I really love my wife and kids.