James' Notebook

This is a test Post to Posterous

jamesbedell — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:43:11 +0000

Just trying this crazy thing out!

CMH Testing

jamesbedell — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:45:04 +0000

Yikes! check out the color variation between these two lamp manufacturers. I won’t mention the manufacturers (non-disclosure) but these lamps will both physically work in the same fixture. Both are CMH PAR30 lamps. Now imagine if your maintanence guy puts in one from brand A then replaces it a year later with brand B…

Happy Columbus Day-the view from my office window

jamesbedell — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:44:17 +0000

The view out my window. Everyone loves a good marching band, right?

Where the Wild Things Aren’t

jamesbedell — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:28:46 +0000

Here’s a little diversion this morning. I really want to see Where the Wild Thing Are. But my friend and comedian Reid Levin, had his own take on a sequel…

PS-Guys my sister is an amazing baker

jamesbedell — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:32:36 +0000

My last post was a little upsetting so I thought I’d lighten the mood. My sister is an incredibly skilled baker…don’t believe me? Check out this cake she made for my other sister’s recent baby shower…

Racism Right in Front of Me

jamesbedell — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:55:02 +0000

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For those of you connected to me on Facebook and Twitter you’ll know I alluded to overt racism earlier today. A few people have asked what I saw so I thought I’d share here.

Walking across town on 57th I came to the corner of 57th street and 5th avenue. This is always a busy intersection, especially at a the morning rush. This particular morning there was a traffic cop posted at the intersection. As I apporached the intersection the light changed. However, not surprisingly, the cop continued to wave crosstown traffic thru and held the downtown traffic to increase the flow of cars moving west. Out of nowhere a biker, clearly not paying attention goes thru the interesection, ignoring the officer’s orders. Not only does he make all ofthe oncoming traffic stop as he goes thru the intersection he nearly collides with cop.

At this point the office, who’s black, tells the biker, who’s white,

“listen buddy, I need you out of the intersection.”

To which the biker replies,

“yeah well I need you to get the f*** out of my way you stupid f****** n****!!”

I was stunned, as this clearly upper middle class elitist biker pedaled away. The officer stood stock still a look of rage and disbelief on his face. What made the incident particularly stunning wasn’t just the language, it was how he said it. It was said with a definitive air. The way you would state a fact. He might as well have yelled “the sky is blue!” he was so sure of it.

The whole moment was so short but so incredibly jarring. I know racism exists everywhere, but there was something about seeing it in front of me on 5th avenue that really shocked me.

Racism is disgusting and ugly. Have any of you witnessed or experienced it? How do you deal with injustice hitting you right in the face?

LightNOW | AMA Supports Reduction of Outdoor Lighting Glare and Pollution

jamesbedell — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:13:57 +0000

Sometimes sustainability and smart design is advocated by surprising corners of our society. Case in point from lightnow blog:

American Medical Association Adopts Resolution Supporting Energy-Efficient Outdoor Lighting That Reduces Glare And Light Pollution | LightNOW.

In summary for health related reasons the AMA. Believe that outdoor lighting should be energy effiecent to reduce green house gas emissions and the harm they cause to Americans’ health, they further believe outdoor lighting should not produce glare to protect the vision of all Americans, but specifically those with visual impairments. Very interesting to see this kind of commentary coming from the American Medical Association.

Sunset in Queens

jamesbedell — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:36:54 +0000

Sometimes you remember bigger things.

Did the NEA attempt to push Obama’s agenda through Artists?

jamesbedell — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:53:37 +0000

If you’re interested in the state of public and private arts in this country, then this is a story you should check out. Some have argued the NEA is a whithering organization that should be gotten rid of all together. But here we see the story of a forced resignation over the idea the NEA could be too powerful in coercing artists to spread messages favorable to the administration’s lobbying agenda.

NEA communications director resigns – Ben Smith – POLITICO.com.

Glenn Beck Killed a Frog on Live Air?

jamesbedell — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:44:03 +0000

I mean do I really even have to comment…this guy is a lunatic and is getting 2 million viewers a night?