Eclipses

I think a week or so ago there was a Lunar Eclipse. I don't really see what the big deal is about eclipses. You've seen one, you've seen them all right? And is it really that exciting? First of all it takes forever, the conditions have to be almost perfect, no clouds etc, and you have to remember it's even happening. Then what? It's like you can see the phases of the moon in one night instead of over a month? Oh wow, it's a full moon! Oh wow, now it's a crescent moon!Oh wow, now it's a full moon again! But it seems like every time an eclipse happens they always say that it's not going to happen again in our lifetime, or the next one will be 70 years from now. I think I have seen at least four or five since fifth grade with the homemade sunglasses. Not that exciting.

Feels Like the First time

I've probably been thinking about this particular blog for a long time and never felt like it was the right time to write about it. But since I have no girlfriend, and no real prospects on the horizon, I think I can finally do it. I think one of the funniest, (not funny while it's happening) moments in a new relationship is that first time you spend the night at a girl's house. Regardless of all the stress that goes along with that situation; the awkward moment when you realize it's a possibility to stay over, the awkward moment when you try to determine what is, and what isn't acceptable behavior in terms of what is an acceptable level of undress, etc etc. The list goes on. We've all been there, all done that. Well, hopefully we've all been there and done that. It's an important part of growing up. But on top of all that, the next morning is when the really embarrassing part happens. All the rest is normal stuff. But the embarrassing part is that I have my routine in the morning. Wink. And I wake up early, so that complicates things. I do the slow as humanly possible roll over as not to wake the sleeping beauty. But she inevitably is concerned that I am leaving without saying goodbye, or getting up to snoop around her house while she is asleep. You know, shuffle through her mail, go through her drawers, check her cell phone. Then, I tip-toe in the dark to the restroom, tripping over random shoes, and dirty laundry baskets along the way. Alright, I see this blog is going somewhere I don't want it to go. But as all this is happening I am stressing about the bathroom proximity, the elapsed time, the decibel level, just the thought of them knowing exactly what it is that I am doing in there. It's all very embarrassing and amusing to me all at once. But, it's all a part of growing up. Then there is that moment when you creep back into the bedroom... slide under the covers while trying carefully not to make much noise. "Everything alright?" "yeah, everything's fine, just had to go to the bathroom" "you were gone a while" "yeah..." No wonder I am single. I am a disgrace to myself. I gotta say I'm pretty happy with that sketch though. Looks more like my house than any girls house I've ever been in unfortunately. (protecting the innocent I guess)

Karate

There is a new karate place opening up down the street from my house. I noticed the other night that the perennially failing location was all lit up and noticed that a karate school was taking its place. I think it might actually work in that location. And by might actually work, I really mean last maybe a year. I feel like karate schools only really last a year or so anyway so that would be an eternity. But it has the right ingredients, my town is walkable for most little kids, and there are lots of little kids looking to expend some energy. The only ingredient it doesn't have that I think is necessary for karate places, is an Asian sounding name. It can't be Collingswood Karate or John Kelly's Karate. It's gotta be something like Yi's or Lee's. Also what's up with karate schools' obsession with trophies? No other business has so many trophies in the windows besides trophy stores.

But I think the real reason why karate schools are unsuccessful is you never see anyone beat anyone elses ass using karate. When I was in grade school I knew a few kids who took karate classes, but they would always say that if their sensei found out they used karate to beat someone up that they would be kicked out of the school. So what's the point of learning a skill that you will never be able to use? I guess a career in MMA is plausible but highly unlikely. What's Ralph Macchio up to these days?

get this kid a girlfriend

This poor kid hasn't been on a date in months. Talk him up. Forward this to your good-looking, fun, smart, funny, nice, and single, girl friends and get a reward. He's smart, funny, nice, fun, and good looking! He has a house, a job, a car, a masters degree, and a soft spot for brunettes. He can build things with his hands or with machines. He's an award winning architect. He's also very good at eating, and drinking and can probably bench press pretty close to his weight. Any takers out there? Apply within. I will take out all serious recommendations given by friends.

Publicity

It's getting to be old news at this point, but it's still news nonetheless. I'm actually getting tired of reading about the saga that is 401 Race Street; a project I worked on for the better part of the last three years. Check it out though, it's cool to see your projects in the news. Or it's cool that they at least use my renderings when talking about it still, even though those are 3 years old at this point and the design has changed http://planphilly.com/final-vote-controversial-race-street-hotel-project-wont-happen-until-next-week. And just for fun, I will throw one more rendering into the mix just to confuse everyone. A never before seen rendering of one of my first initial concept ideas for the building. A gigantic three story curtain protecting the rooftop courtyard space from the bridge. How badass would that be if you had these gigantic curtains flapping around in the wind against the bridge a la Shigeru Ban with cafe space in the cobblestone alley alongside the bridge? It was nixed by the office in our in house crit but I still think it'd be awesome. click on the image to enlarge.

Psychics

I was walking down Walnut St. this afternoon, (for those of you who don't know, it's the street where my office is located. A main drag of sorts in the city) and this woman was handing out little fliers. I took one out of curiosity like I always do. It was for a psychic reading. Naturally I crumpled it up after I read the word "Psychic". How come these psychics don't use their powers to know that I was going to just throw that away in 2 seconds? If they were smart they would have watched me walk away and come running up and be like "I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO CRUMPLE THAT UP!" At least then their powers might have some credibility.
I didn't do a very good job on that sketch either, I know. I think she's got two sets of elbows. But upon closer inspection, it looks like she sees a snowman in her snowglobe. Gonna be a cold winter!

Whole grains

I'm not really sure what whole grains actually are. Like most people I only know that they are good for me and I should eat them. But I'm not sure how many whole grains there really are. Oats? Wheat? Barely? Probably a dozen more, but what about half grains? You don't hear much about those.

Updates

Thanks to my good friend Erica Clymer, my website is now up to date and runs faster than ever! Got some new things on there too. My 1220 project has been updated and I have a bunch of new sketches loaded under the new "fun stuff" category. Some new photos and some new furniture shots are in the works. So hopefully in the next few weeks you'll see even more great stuff. Also the competition page has been updated with the latest Atlantic City Holocaust Memorial Submission. Enjoy! www.mikeizzo.com

Holidays

I try to not talk about controversial things in my blogs and I try to use appropriate language all of the time. But sometimes I can't resist. It annoys me when I hear stories like this one http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/cityhall/Mayor_Nutter_Lights_City_Hall_Christmas_Tree.html People taking the Christmas out of everything. I am all for inclusion, but I am also all for diversity. But it's especially annoying when we worry about the names of things. A Christmas tree has always been a Christmas tree. And it should always be a Christmas tree. There isn't even anything religious about a tree. No religious group or rights group should be mad that they don't have their own named tree. Nobody gets upset about Christmas Sales at the store. No one says, "i wish we had our own sale" To highlight the ridiculousness of all of this, I propose having a menorah renamed a Holiday Candelabra. The Star of David is going to be renamed the Star of Holidays.

Computer viruses

I always find it annoyingly amusing when I get a pop-up on my computer warning me that my PC is infected. Inevitably a bar slides across the page pretending to delete my hard-drive. Warnings pop up that my Windows is infected yadda yadda yadda. I don't even have a PC or Windows. But nonetheless I quickly try to close out of the window. But I first have to frantically determine whether I should press "ok" or "cancel" trying to decipher if it's a trick question or not. Do I click cancel and have it do nothing. Do I click ok and have it destroy my hard drive? Do I click the "X" to close the window? Is that a trick X?

Microwaves

I don't know about anybody else but if I stand in front of a microwave for more than ten seconds I get chills. I feel that breeze and automatically think radiation. Like when someone sneezes near you, you wait a second, hold your breath and then get the chills a little bit knowing that a whole load of bacteria just got in your general area. I feel the same way standing in front of the microwave as I count down the last 6 seconds of popcorn to pop.