Anthropomorphic gas meter
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Prepping to get a VA drivers license
Oh God, Virginia DMV, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to manage this drivers test. These questions are too hard!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
A Richmond Apology
For the VCU Brandcenter's annual magazine, I wrote an article about my experiences getting to know Richmond. For those who read this blog and have gotten a detailed view of my tourism, I've copied the text below.
To see the entire magazine, click this link. The article, with beautiful art direction by Leslie Buker, is on page 79.
-----
Dear Richmond,
As I write to you, I am stretched out on a rock at Pony Pasture rapids, enjoying the day. This moment and many others have led me to regret my attitude towards you in the early days of our relationship. I write to you today to apologize for the disdain that I showed you when we first met.
When friends told me that you were “the city that only looked like a city from across the river,” I took them at their word. I arrived in August of 2006 planning to get to know you only well enough to buy groceries, go out to dinner and take an occasional stroll along the nearby Canal Walk. For nine months, I ignored your many offerings while I sat holed up in my apartment or at the Adcenter, refusing to believe you could be an integral part of my life.
After finishing my first year of school, I stayed with you for the summer to intern at The Martin Agency. Because I had eight weekends to enjoy, I decided to spend them learning more about who you were. In order to kill two birds with one stone, I fulfilled a class assignment by starting a blog about the parts of you that I had seen. My blog, Living Richmond, started something like this: “Armed with a Dodge Neon, a map and a credit card, this Chicago native turned Richmonder expands her view of the area through weekend tourism.” Truth be told, I didn’t really plan on turning into a Richmonder. I also didn’t think that my tourist flirtation with you could last more than a summer. Once again, on both counts, I was wrong.
Since making the decision to get to know you better, every week has included at least one tourist activity within your borders. I have gotten to experience both your everyday and your extreme, visiting historic sites, museums, outdoor areas and festivals. My adventures have included taking a dip in the James River, tasting my first spoonful of Brunswick Stew and visiting a Tudor estate that was brought over from England and rebuilt piece by piece, among many others. I have heard the Byrd Theater’s mighty Wurlitzer play and have spent an afternoon at the botanical gardens looking at flowers that I could never grow myself. As I got braver, my tourist adventures expanded to neighboring areas such as Williamsburg, Washington D.C. and the James River Plantations. As a result of my Richmond tourism I have a new appreciation for you and your cultural offerings. I have gone from a student with no connection to you, the city I live in, to something much closer to a resident.
Please accept my heartfelt apology. I can truly say that I will be sad to leave you in May. You may look like a city only from across the river, but the proof is in the forty blog entries I’ve written which barely scratch the surface of who you are.
With Love,
Caitlin
PS, I hope it takes the new first years less time to figure out how interesting you are than it took me.
To see the entire magazine, click this link. The article, with beautiful art direction by Leslie Buker, is on page 79.
-----
Dear Richmond,
As I write to you, I am stretched out on a rock at Pony Pasture rapids, enjoying the day. This moment and many others have led me to regret my attitude towards you in the early days of our relationship. I write to you today to apologize for the disdain that I showed you when we first met.
When friends told me that you were “the city that only looked like a city from across the river,” I took them at their word. I arrived in August of 2006 planning to get to know you only well enough to buy groceries, go out to dinner and take an occasional stroll along the nearby Canal Walk. For nine months, I ignored your many offerings while I sat holed up in my apartment or at the Adcenter, refusing to believe you could be an integral part of my life.
After finishing my first year of school, I stayed with you for the summer to intern at The Martin Agency. Because I had eight weekends to enjoy, I decided to spend them learning more about who you were. In order to kill two birds with one stone, I fulfilled a class assignment by starting a blog about the parts of you that I had seen. My blog, Living Richmond, started something like this: “Armed with a Dodge Neon, a map and a credit card, this Chicago native turned Richmonder expands her view of the area through weekend tourism.” Truth be told, I didn’t really plan on turning into a Richmonder. I also didn’t think that my tourist flirtation with you could last more than a summer. Once again, on both counts, I was wrong.
Since making the decision to get to know you better, every week has included at least one tourist activity within your borders. I have gotten to experience both your everyday and your extreme, visiting historic sites, museums, outdoor areas and festivals. My adventures have included taking a dip in the James River, tasting my first spoonful of Brunswick Stew and visiting a Tudor estate that was brought over from England and rebuilt piece by piece, among many others. I have heard the Byrd Theater’s mighty Wurlitzer play and have spent an afternoon at the botanical gardens looking at flowers that I could never grow myself. As I got braver, my tourist adventures expanded to neighboring areas such as Williamsburg, Washington D.C. and the James River Plantations. As a result of my Richmond tourism I have a new appreciation for you and your cultural offerings. I have gone from a student with no connection to you, the city I live in, to something much closer to a resident.
Please accept my heartfelt apology. I can truly say that I will be sad to leave you in May. You may look like a city only from across the river, but the proof is in the forty blog entries I’ve written which barely scratch the surface of who you are.
With Love,
Caitlin
PS, I hope it takes the new first years less time to figure out how interesting you are than it took me.
Upper Mattaponi Tribal Pow-Wow
A few weeks ago I went with my friend Kelly to the Upper Mattaponi Tribal Pow-Wow. I meant to write about it at the time but between my job search, my recent graduation and my plans to move away from Richmond, the entry got put on the back burner.
So here I am, weeks later, trying to remember the things that I thought were most interesting. Looking at the tribe's website, I think that their words sum it up best. "Honor the past, Imagine the future." Both in dress and in feel, the Pow-Wow was a study in thoughtful evolution.
I heard people point out that regalia changes such as biker shorts and CDs tied to sleeves to catch the sunlight seemed a bit too modern for their taste. I disagree. Like everyone else, Native American people live in a modern world. A Pow-Wow is not a re-enactment of previous Indian culture, but a gathering for the present group. We were treated to prayers, thoughts, rallying cries and celebratory speeches -- all of which focused on keeping their heritage in today's world. If there were a gathering for descendants of white families who followed their Manifest Destiny West, I doubt they would wear the same clothing as the outfits worn on the Oregon trail.
I guess that however inarticulately I've said it, my points are these:
1. Tradition is not static
2. Adaptation allows for survival
3. We can remember and respect the past without repeating it
So here I am, weeks later, trying to remember the things that I thought were most interesting. Looking at the tribe's website, I think that their words sum it up best. "Honor the past, Imagine the future." Both in dress and in feel, the Pow-Wow was a study in thoughtful evolution.
I heard people point out that regalia changes such as biker shorts and CDs tied to sleeves to catch the sunlight seemed a bit too modern for their taste. I disagree. Like everyone else, Native American people live in a modern world. A Pow-Wow is not a re-enactment of previous Indian culture, but a gathering for the present group. We were treated to prayers, thoughts, rallying cries and celebratory speeches -- all of which focused on keeping their heritage in today's world. If there were a gathering for descendants of white families who followed their Manifest Destiny West, I doubt they would wear the same clothing as the outfits worn on the Oregon trail.
I guess that however inarticulately I've said it, my points are these:
1. Tradition is not static
2. Adaptation allows for survival
3. We can remember and respect the past without repeating it
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Welcome Back, Welcome Back, Welcome Back
Whew. Two days in Chicago made me a wimp - and it wasn't exactly cold in Chicago.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Richmond Recipes I Would LOVE To Have
As I start to pack up and move out of Richmond, I realize that while it may not be an internationally renown food capital, this city has some fabulous restaurants. Restaurants that I will miss very much, given their decidedly not-New York prices and ambiance.
If you know any of these recipes and let me in on your secret, you will be integral to my Richmond memories.
1. Curried Oysters with Cucumber Sauce from Six Burner
2. White Balsamic Dressing from Cafe Gutenberg
3. Squash Casserole from Comfort
If you know any of these recipes and let me in on your secret, you will be integral to my Richmond memories.
1. Curried Oysters with Cucumber Sauce from Six Burner
2. White Balsamic Dressing from Cafe Gutenberg
3. Squash Casserole from Comfort
Sunday, May 25, 2008
FOR SALE
I'm moving out of Richmond mid-June and can't fit everything in my car. If you need any of the following, check out the link below to see photos, descriptions and prices. You'll have to come pick it up but I'll help you bring anything to your car, so let me know if you're interested!
http://picasaweb.google.com/caitlin.cody/ForSale
26" TV
Shelves
Comforter + duvet cover (used once)
Sleeping bag (used once)
Rolling drawer unit
Trash cans
Alarm clock
3 tier bathroom cart
Desk Lamp
Hand Mixer
Oscillating Fan
I'll probably be adding more stuff as I figure out just how small my car really is.
http://picasaweb.google.com/caitlin.cody/ForSale
26" TV
Shelves
Comforter + duvet cover (used once)
Sleeping bag (used once)
Rolling drawer unit
Trash cans
Alarm clock
3 tier bathroom cart
Desk Lamp
Hand Mixer
Oscillating Fan
I'll probably be adding more stuff as I figure out just how small my car really is.
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