A different kind of geoblogging

This multimedia project is a work-in-progress, as I struggle to figure out what it is and what it's about. Incorporating elements of this blog plus new audio and video, this map represents a bird's eye view of friends, strangers, and inanimate objects throughout Iowa City. Tentatively titled "Community," it's kind of a blog using a map rather than a map of blogs. It will premiere as an interactive site this Friday as part of the Open House presented by Intermedia, a program of the University of Iowa's Department of Art & Art History.

Please feel free to explore this project. Comments and (constructive) suggestions are appreciated. I know this project doesn't work in all browsers or platforms, but I've had the best luck using Firefox and a very high speed connection.

Thanks especially to the awesome Mapbuilder.net, without which I could never have built a map like this.

Infinite Chai is infinitely delicious

It might not be as cuddly as the Infinite Cat Project, but it's more tasty (I hope). It's the Infinite Chai Project, created by Bonita Sarita. Brew yourself some delicious homemade chai from this recipe, then take a photo of yourself enjoying it while observing the previous drinker's enjoyment online. It's a kind of virtual coffee--er, chai--klatch. It all started with this video. Who's next in the chain?

Chai recipe

Bonita Sarita suggested I post the recipe that accompanies my video, "Chai," which is an excellent idea. I received the recipe from the proprieter of an Indian grocery in Boulder, Colorado, and he assured me that once you make your own Chai, you will always insist it is the best. He's absolutely right. Here's the recipe, adapted to my liking (and I often approximate these amounts):

Pour 1 1/2 cups water and 1 1/2 cups soy milk in a pot and heat on medium-high heat
Add one tablespoon Jivraj 9 C.T.C. Leaf Tea* (or a black tea of your liking)
Add one tablespoon granulated sugar
Add two whole cardamom pods, crushed
Add about a tablespoon of fresh ginger, cut into small pieces with skins on
Add two fresh mint leaves

Stir to create a beautiful, rich brown color. Heat until boiling, being careful not to scald the milk or boil over the mixture. Boil down one cup's worth (about ten minutes). Strain the tea and enjoy. Makes two cups.

*I've had difficulty finding this particular brand of tea again. Perhaps you can find it at your local Indian grocery. It's a delicious, rich, flavorful tea that I find particularly lovely in this recipe.

Cha cha chai

Chai (3 min., 2005) A meditation on the making of homemade Chai tea. Made for Iowa City Microcinema's Video Race 2005, which required the inclusion of a plastic toy flute

somewhere in the movie. I'll let you figure out where it is.

Low Angles in Unrushed Time

Low Angles in Unrushed Time (5:30, 2005) A journey through the banalities of the everyday existence of a cat, from his point of view. Thanks to Mr. Petersen.

Anna wants to sing a song, Christmas Eve, 1984

"Kids Do Cartwheels," an original composition by Anna Proctor, age 7. A song that was the bane of my existence at age 10, but is now one of my very favorite sounds. I'll spare you the unbearable family rendition of "Jingle Bells," however. Audio only, 1:30.