So it begins

If you follow me at all on social networks, you know I parted ways with my full-time job last month.  I've spent the last 4 weeks or so networking and talking to companies about other opportunities.  Today starts the process of in person "official" job interviews with places.  And boy, is this first one mega official.  I've usually worked in start ups or small companies, so rarely do i have to deal with 3-4 people on the recruitment staff to coordinate a trip to interview.  And I've never shown up at the hotel to be greeted as a recruit by the company and reminded that the in hotel dining can be deducted from my per diem.  So different times, but fun and interesting regardless.  The one thing the past month has shown me is that my industry is extremely busy right now and its a great time to be looking for the right role as there is plenty of opportunity out there.

Sideways-Shooting Photographer Turns Worlds on End

Sideways-Shooting Photographer Turns Worlds on End:

[ By Steph in Urban & Street Art. ]

Just looking at these optical illusions by conceptual artist Philippe Ramette might give you a bit of vertigo. Without the use of Photoshop or any other image manipulation, Ramette seems to shift the perspective of the earth, turning it sideways or upside down. In his photos, Ramette dangles from cliffs, walks up stone walls and stands on balconies that jut out, improbably, from the surface of the sea.

But as the artist himself points out, if you look closely, you will see signs that all is not as it appears. “You see a tension in my hands, my red face is far from serene as the blood rushes to it, my suit is ruffled.” Ramette explores themes of gravity and man’s relationship to the landscape in his works, turning the earth into a strange playground where virtually anything is possible.

Of course, it’s more fun to simply enjoy the images and not worry about how they were created, marveling instead at the way they shift us off balance, looking at the world in a new way. But if you just can’t stand not knowing how it’s done, read on.

The perspective of these photos is chosen very carefully for reasons other than aesthetics: the angle must hide Ramette’s metal supports, which he calls “sculpture-structures.” Attached to the surface upon which he appears to stand are bars, seats or metal rings hidden by his suit.

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[ By Steph in Urban & Street Art. ]

[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]

(Via WebUrbanist)

Driving Around With a Tied-Up Naked Woman is Apparently a Crime Even If She Agrees to Do It

Why doesn't this type of stuff happen while i'm shopping?  And yes, this is one of my local grocery stores.  Ah, young, crazy ass love...

Driving Around With a Tied-Up Naked Woman is Apparently a Crime Even If She Agrees to Do It:

Of course, nothing this interesting ever happens when I'm shopping at this New Seasons. But earlier today, cops report, a bunch of shoppers at the store up on North Interstate got an eyeful when a naked lady was spotted tied up—with her mouth duct-taped shut—in the back of a Subaru pulling out of the store's parking lot.

WTF, you might ask? No worries. It was just a couple of goo-goo-eyed lovebirds playing a harmless lover's game. You know. Valentine's Day and shit. And maybe Jackass.

But that didn't stop the law from sending out the cavalry just in case.

Today, Tuesday February 14, 2012, at 12:35 p.m., Portland Police officers from North Precinct responded to the New Seasons Market on North Interstate Avenue after the report of a vehicle seen leaving the parking lot with a naked female tied up in the back with duct tape over her mouth.

Officers flooded the area to look for the car, described as a blue Subaru Legacy. Washington law enforcement was also alerted to the vehicle description in case the car got onto I-5 North.

A witness told officers that the driver of the car was a white male in his 20s, with a goatee and sunglasses and that the female "seemed hazy." The witness told police that the male stated they "were just having some fun."

The witness provided the license plate to police and officers checked the registered owner's address, which is in the 4300 block of Northeast 11th Avenue. Not finding the vehicle there but learning that the registered owner does live there and does drive a blue Subaru Legacy, officers continued to check the area, concerned for the welfare of the bound and naked female.

At 12:56 p.m., the vehicle was spotted by an officer returning to the registered owner's address. An officer made contact with a male walking away from the car and noticed a bound and naked female in the back of the car.

The male, 31-year-old Nikolas Alexander Harbar, told officers that he and his girlfriend, 26-year-old Stephanie Morgan Pelzner, were doing some Valentine's Day role playing. Officers confirmed the information with Pelzner and that she was voluntarily bound and nude in the back of the Subaru.

At least nine Portland Police cars were tied up for approximately 20 minutes searching for the vehicle related to this call.

Was there a happy ending? Not quite. Because letting everyone go with a warning would have been the equivalent of legal blue balls, Harbar and Pelzer were booked into county jail on a pair of disorderly conduct charges.

Bullshit? TO THE POLLS!

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(Via Blogtown, PDX, Portland Mercury)

Moving right along

What is there to report? Plenty, of course. Davy is sick for the first time in any real way - lethargic, cranky, etc. We just had the 1 year anniversary of our referral which means we're days away from the 7 month mark of bringing her home.

Davy is still great, but has also become a toddler meaning emotions run high around our house.

Thanksgiving 2011

We had an amazing 13 day trip to the east coast for Thanksgiving (and for work for me).  I could try and describe it, but just enjoy the photos instead: