This is my first time attending the art fair. The number of gallery booths and pieces on display is staggering. The crowd was also on exhibit and full of great style.

This is THE way to see art. No dirty stares from security guards. No need to keep a distance from the piece as you take a picture of it. Yes, you can take a picture! Of course, the admission fee is higher than any museum I’ve been to.

I’m not a huge fan of contemporary art. The question “Who is Banksy?” doesn’t keep me up at night. I felt some pieces were created for shock value. Some galleries seemed to have a collection of the artist’s worst work. But that’s the beauty of art. There was something there for everyone to admire. Only none of it was affordable. If you absolutely have to have it, most everything can be purchased for a price equivalent to a down payment on a house or car. Those tulips by Remy Markowitsch are going for $24,000.

read on …

Navigating the Union Square subway platforms at rush hour?

If there is anything that can make this a little less painful, it’s taking a few minutes to watch these guys. They always draw a large crowd of onlookers. Check out why.

Friday
Sunday

and a winter slideshow

Years ago I read Tracy Kidder’s Mountains Beyond Mountains, about doctor (and amazing human being) Paul Farmer who founded the Partners in Health clinic in Haiti.

His story inspired me to go back to school, to want to design for the other 90% or help create tools that could be used to help victims like those of the latest disaster.

Read more about the book’s impact on others.

If you’re thinking of donating money, consider PIH or The Clinton Foundation.

UPDATE: Jan 14: Here is Kidder’s op-ed piece on PIH in today’s NYT.

The warm weather, leaves of fall, and MIT sailboats all made for some beautiful scenery. It was a much needed quick break from NYC but most of my leg muscles are still sore after a 10+ mile walk around the city.

I’m not a big fan of Halloween but the homes of Beacon Hill were some of the most creative I’ve seen. Top costume goes to two Harvard students dressed as pigs (snouts, pink fuzz and all) each with their own name tag – H1 and N1. I was into my third glass of wine so the picture was out of focus and not worth posting.