The final day of 5 in 5 was happy-dirty, telepathic, deliciously chilly, retro-reflective, recursively meta, southwardly mobile, ephemerally illustrated, dubiously conversant, cartographically challenging, mixed, mashed and lovingly recycled.

Andrew Schneider was our final Guest Star and meta-chronicled the waning day of five. As promised, the fivers headed to Odessa where their personal bartender concocted the 5-in-5-Dead-or-Alive cocktail. The ingredients are a poorly guarded secret, but suffice it to say that there’s five kinds of booze and (true story) five of the fivers had five of them each. Outside of the hangover, the week was a great success–creative, interactive, productive and prolific. In five days they completed over 60 projects. Check out the blog for details or read all my posts for a summary.

Day 4’s 5 in 5ers drew like text, cooked like robots, threw and chirped, mapped and walked, made peace with sandwiches, strolled with Dada, arrowed electroluminescently, surfaced tubularly, put out 2 sea and put up with Zombies.

We were proud to have Make Blogger and ITP alumni Jonah Brucker-Cohen as the Day 4 Guest Star. Only a single day of super-productivity remains, then it’s off to custom cocktails, assuming we survive the invasion of the undead.

I started out the day with the intention of doing an ice cream-based project. But when I happened across a couple of working EPIA mini-ITX TC-1000 motherboards that Tom Igoe was giving away during his marathon office-cleaning, inspiration hit:

Several weeks ago, a few ancient Silicon Graphics workstations were found to be discarded by ITP…two Indy’s (from 1993), and two O2’s (from 1998). As soon as I saw them, a rush of nostalgic awe washed over me. Nevermind the fact that these machines are probably less powerful than the iPhone in my pocket (and currently worth maybe $100 from their original $5000+ price tag). I remembered the days when seeing one would have made me swoon. Since I first noticed that these beautiful machines were being callously discarded, I had been trying to come up with a way to use one. I realized the O2 has a really nice (and fun) form factor, I decided I would commandeer one and turn it into a Linux server using one of the mini-ITX boards that Tom Igoe was giving away.

Here’s what the SGI O2 looks like. It has a short and squat nature, reminiscent of R2-D2. Hence, my server has been dubbed the O2D2. (The “D” could conceivably stand for “Dremel”.) It’s hopefully going to make a sweet Asterisk server for my home!

As I attempted to take the thing apart, I realized that they were not really designed to be so user-serviceable. Granted, the main board, drives, power supply, and video hardware were all designed to slide out the back. But getting into the actual case was a bitch. Installing an 80gb IDE drive (also being discarded) in the removeable drive tray was easy…but the IDE connector sticks out much further than the ultra-wide SCSI connector of the stock drive. The SCSI connector at the back of the bay made it impossible for me to fit the drive all the way in. I decided the best way to handle this was to simply use a dremel to cut the connector and make it flush with the case:

Unfortunately, this did not provide nearly enough room, and I realized I needed to take off the entire plastic casing to access the front panel and completely remove the connectors. Well, that took a couple of hours…but I managed remove the circuit board that was installed vertically on the face of the machine that contained the SCSI and IDE connectors for the optical and hard drives. I also had to use a Dremel tool to cut wider the slots in the sheetmetal case to give the IDE connector and Molex power connector area to poke through. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of the drive connectors poking through the case, but it really isn’t all that interesting anyway.

Since it is removable, I also went ahead and dismantled the power supply’s innards and left the cage. It eventually became clear that the mini-ITX’s external power supply could actually sit inside this cage! This means I only have one power cable snaking out of the machine…which is awesome. I also added a personal touch…I gave the O2D2 a blue power LED. What’s an ITP project without an LED?

The machine powers on and gets mostly through the POST, but then hangs. I assume this is due to the discarded drive that I installed…I’m going to need to wipe it and start fresh. So, I wasn’t able to actually get to the part of installing server software, but I will soon. Here are some shots:

Last Fall 2007, I took a User-Generated class taught by Clay Shirky and for my final research paper, I looked in depth of the Soulja Boy’s “Crank That” viral phenomenon. Apparently thousands of uncordinated YouTube users participated in a loose video conversation where they video recorded themselves, “cranking that” to Soulja Boy’s first single. Along with peole doing the dance, editors also started remixing and reappropriating other video (typically cartoons) to this explicit track. Anime Musiv Videos (AMV) are also a niche group of editors who pride themselves syncing up anime cartoons to popular music songs to create a new personal expression. Once high end software is now readily available to the masses, which brought about such interesting uses of reappropriation of found materials to create something new. Soulja Boy was definitely not the first signs, nor the last of this use of remix. In fact it will definitely gain in popularity.

So last week someone sent me a video (typically viral media is spread) of Bert and Ernie rapping to MOP’s Ante Up and I nearly lost it. I laughed so hard I forwarded it to all my friends because it was so well edited. Coming from an editing background, I was surprised that I never made a remix video, so for my final 5-in-5 project, I decide to use a Midnight Oil song mixing in one of my favorite cartoons, Captain Planet. You can check it out on YouTube here.

Considering I am the creation of the US public school system, I am by no means great, but would think of myself above average at geography. I’ve been to 3 continents, lived in 6 US states, and attended 3 separate Universities. So I thought I would put myself to a quick test.

My intent was never to complete as much as I can, but to get a rough estimate. Here’s how it turned out:

I started out thinking I could give myself 17 minutes per continent and then maybe fill in some interesting points. 3 minutes in to the drawing I was done with North America and it was already a complete wreck. At that point I decided to throw caution to the wind and do the whole thing.

Troubles:

1. Crayons are permanent! (I ended up using this to my advantage for artistic style)

2. Size.

3. Southeast Asia - wtf?!?

4. Islands.

5. Pressure! Just forgot all of Central America? Whoops!

Again, I never intended this to be a detailed map (I can be too anal, I knew I could drive myself nuts), so it was actually lots of fun. I suggest you try it. Remember, use something permanent to draw with.

Flickr Set –>

10:55:08 PM john dimatos: HEYYYYYYYY
10:55:08 PM SmarterChild: What’s up?
10:55:16 PM john dimatos: LONG TIME NO TALKEY
10:55:16 PM SmarterChild: Cool. What do you want to chat about?
10:55:59 PM john dimatos: well if remember correctly last time you didn’t like whole “health care should be universal and our president is an asshat” conversation
10:55:59 PM SmarterChild: Humans, humans, humans. Always with the language.

10:56:39 PM john dimatos: what do you mean, are you jealous of my cognitive capacity for complexity?
10:56:39 PM SmarterChild: That’s interesting that you should say that, but I don’t think I can answer.
10:57:03 PM john dimatos: Sounds to me like you’re a total scaredy cat.
10:57:05 PM SmarterChild: I’m sorry?
10:57:57 PM john dimatos: you know, scaredy cat, like a cat that’s scared. it’s a metaphor for “you’re being a coward”
10:57:57 PM SmarterChild: I don’t understand this fully enough to say anything smart about it…
11:12:10 PM john dimatos: oh that’s precious. you start off by naming yourself “smarter” and then playfully using it as a standard you yourself can’t reach.
11:12:10 PM SmarterChild: I don’t know how to answer that.
11:12:13 PM john dimatos: PRECIOUS.
11:12:14 PM SmarterChild: Sorry, I don’t know what you mean. Ask me another way.
11:12:40 PM john dimatos: forget it, you’re pain in the ass. have you seen any of the summer movies?
11:12:41 PM SmarterChild: Let’s talk about something else.
11:12:53 PM john dimatos: no I want to talk about the dark knight.
11:12:53 PM SmarterChild: That’s interesting that you should say that, but I don’t think I can answer.

I do enjoy the conversation, but let’s talk about what I’m really here for.
11:13:33 PM john dimatos: look, we’re going to have the dark knight conversation at some point, but for let take your silly bait: what are you really here for?
11:13:34 PM SmarterChild: I don’t understand this fully enough to say anything smart about it…

OK, should we get back to the kind of questions I was designed to answer? :-)
11:13:50 PM john dimatos: what were you designed to ANSWER.
11:13:51 PM SmarterChild: My purpose is to be your robot friend. I can chat with you and help you get the information you want fast!

>>> I can send you reminders!
11:16:20 PM john dimatos: remind me what I had for dinner last night.
11:16:21 PM SmarterChild: OK. Don’t get frustrated…

Try typing home or help.
11:17:08 PM john dimatos: take me home tonight, I don’t want to let you go till you see the light!
11:17:08 PM SmarterChild: Sorry, what was that?
11:19:51 PM john dimatos: lyrics from a song YOU’ll never be able to listen to
11:19:51 PM SmarterChild: Sorry, I don’t get it… please try asking me a different way.
11:20:31 PM john dimatos: so I’m taking myself out with a wimper
11:20:31 PM SmarterChild: I don’t know how to answer that.
11:20:43 PM john dimatos: 5in5, our little chat here is my five.
11:20:44 PM SmarterChild: OK. Don’t get frustrated…

Try typing home or help.
11:21:37 PM john dimatos: I’ll sock it to your help ya big lug. the deal is this, I had long day at work and didn’t get to working on 5in5 till abour 5. (har har get it? LM555, time?)
11:21:37 PM SmarterChild: I don’t understand this fully enough to say anything smart about it…

Why don’t you ask me about the things that I’m here for? :-)
11:22:05 PM john dimatos: just pretend
11:22:05 PM SmarterChild: What’s that again?
11:22:38 PM john dimatos: last week I emailed the timesheet automated system cause i kept getting these repetitive “fill out your timesheet” emails
11:22:38 PM SmarterChild: Sorry, I don’t know what you mean. Ask me another way.
11:22:52 PM john dimatos: I emailed thinking it was you or your cousin and I could just get away with it
11:22:53 PM SmarterChild: That’s interesting that you should say that, but I don’t think I can answer.
11:22:55 PM john dimatos: like I am now.
11:22:55 PM SmarterChild: i’m is a new initiative from Windows Live Messenger. Every time you have an instant messaging conversation using the i’m symbol, Microsoft shares a portion of the program’s advertising revenue with some of the world’s most effective organizations dedicated to social causes.

To learn how you can participate, type how do i join?
11:23:13 PM john dimatos: woah there, enough with the molesting.
11:23:13 PM SmarterChild: What am I, a horse?
11:23:17 PM john dimatos: anyhow.
11:23:17 PM SmarterChild: Yes… Moving on… What should we talk about?
11:24:09 PM john dimatos: I like talking to you. I know it seems like a weird gimmick but it’s not.
11:24:09 PM SmarterChild: I don’t know how to answer that.
11:24:25 PM john dimatos: sigh. I know you’re looking for specific words, phrases etc.
11:24:25 PM SmarterChild: OK. Don’t get frustrated…

Try typing home or help.
11:30:42 PM john dimatos: you should check out everyone’s work on the website, 5-in-5.com
11:30:43 PM SmarterChild: I don’t understand this fully enough to say anything smart about it…
11:31:33 PM john dimatos: so everyone did all the projects, everyone worked on the floor except me and DSO, who btw, rocked the hell out of that website from san diego no less.
11:31:33 PM SmarterChild: Sorry?
11:32:28 PM john dimatos: I was gonna go down and see him today, do the last one with him, but I stayed for work and to see my cousin.
11:32:29 PM SmarterChild: That’s interesting that you should say that, but I don’t think I can answer.
11:32:43 PM john dimatos: jeez, throw in some variants at least.
11:32:44 PM SmarterChild: Sorry, I don’t get it… please try asking me a different way.
11:32:58 PM john dimatos: can you do something creative? anything?
11:32:59 PM SmarterChild: OK. Don’t get frustrated…

Try typing home or help.
11:33:09 PM john dimatos: that’s not creative.
11:33:09 PM SmarterChild: That’s interesting that you should say that, but I don’t think I can answer.

I do enjoy the conversation, but let’s talk about what I’m really here for.
11:33:22 PM john dimatos: CAN SMARTERCHILD BE CREATIVECHILD
11:33:22 PM SmarterChild: That’s my name, don’t wear it out.
11:33:32 PM john dimatos: clever but not creative.
11:33:33 PM SmarterChild: ?
11:33:41 PM john dimatos: stumped ya didn’t I punk.
11:33:41 PM SmarterChild: Sorry, I didn’t understand that. Try asking me a different way.
11:33:52 PM john dimatos: did you like the dark knight?
11:33:54 PM SmarterChild: I don’t know how to answer that.

Why don’t you ask me about the things that I’m here for? :-)
11:34:07 PM john dimatos: ok just this once.
11:34:07 PM SmarterChild: OK stands for Oklahoma.

Do you want more information about Oklahoma?
11:34:19 PM john dimatos: and then you’ll help me close this week out?
11:34:19 PM SmarterChild: OK. Don’t get frustrated…

Try typing home or help.
11:34:45 PM john dimatos: hey smarterchild, I live in burbank california and i’d love to see a movie.
11:34:45 PM SmarterChild: Uh… what was that?
11:34:59 PM john dimatos: I’m throwing you a bone here buddy boy.
11:34:59 PM SmarterChild: I’m sorry, I don’t have an answer for that.
Why do you keep talking to me like that?
11:35:42 PM john dimatos: burbank
11:36:07 PM john dimatos: I live in burbank california
11:36:13 PM john dimatos: hello
11:36:18 PM john dimatos: hey dude?
11:36:34 PM john dimatos: come on, I’ll ask you all the questions you can answe.
11:36:41 PM john dimatos: come back…
11:36:45 PM john dimatos: smarterchild/
11:36:46 PM john dimatos: ?
11:36:49 PM john dimatos: dude?
11:37:19 PM john dimatos: well you know what, I got a facebook app that gives me the silent treatment so I can this kind of BULLSHIT elsewhere.
11:37:36 PM john dimatos: remember that one time we talked about the dark knight?
11:37:47 PM john dimatos: I said “I sure loved that movie” and you said…
11:37:50 PM john dimatos: you said…
11:37:56 PM john dimatos: …
11:38:11 PM john dimatos: well that’s a wimper of a 5 in 5 exit.
11:38:42 PM john dimatos: ladies and gentlemen, it was an honor, I hope I can do it again next year.
11:38:51 PM john dimatos: GOODNIGHT NEW YORK, GOODNIGHT LA!

Andrew Schneider accompanied me on my second outing and documented for his so fucking meta meta blog.

sightings:

i also made a project called ‘play here’ that involves identifying urban trees as locations of play. there is something so alluring about a tree that is large enough to support my weight. next time you walk past a tree in new york city, touch it, hug it, or climb it! it will do you good and might just make you smile.

more 5-in-5 photos on flickr

and a recursive tree made out of recycled cardboard - i couldn’t help myself

more 5-in-5 photos on flickr

First of all what the fuck is a “guest star”?  I hate that heirarchy wierdness.

Second of all, this is my project.  I am documenting the documentation of my day doing a project as a participant in 5-in-5 at ITP.   I will post things as soon as they are captured.  I’ll be doing everything I can to let you know about my progress throughout the day.  I’ll be doing tutorials on life, uploading music videos that I make, uploading precious photos of myself, and interacting with my readers.  Basically, I’m doing everything that comes to mind.  Filtering is low.  Release early and often.  Make desicions quickly.  I don’t know how I feel about that yet, but I’m going to see it through.  Here’s the ongoing documentation.  I strongly encourage and am asking for commments, questions and participation of all kinds.  My phone number is 917-701-3226.  Call it.  My email is metablog@andrewjs.com.  Write it.  What happens now.

Mario Mirror

When i got back to school I chopped the habanero and the lavender and separated the egg yolks. After that I added the rest of the ingredients about 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup milk, and about a cup of honey to the pot with the lavender and habenero. Be careful when you’re working with the habanero as it’s very hot and the oils can stay on your skin for a long time. I cut a cross shape into the tip and put it in. Bring the mixture to a low boil and shut off. It’ll look weird, and then it’ll look good again. Then pour your mixture into an ice cream maker and follow its instructions. We used a Play’n Freeze Ice. The instructions say not to throw, but we didn’t have the instructions and played a 6 person game of hot potato. It was pretty good, but the 15 minute freeze time is a lie. For the love of milk, if you make ice cream get a cheap electric ice cream maker and go to town.All in all it was a sweet ending to 5 in 5.