2012-07-31
2012-07-30
Urban Spelunk: The Quester Wreck (Episode 3)
Return expedition to the wreck of the Quester I submarine to attempt to drain the main hull of water and oil.
The Quester I is a 45-foot submarine built by Jerry Bianco, a shipyard worker in Brooklyn, NY in 1967. Using salvaged metal, Bianco built the submarine in order to raise the wreck of the passenger ship SS Andrea Doria. It was painted yellow since that color paint was the cheapest available to Bianco, and is known colloquially as the Yellow Submarine; but a connection to the Beatles' song of the same name can not be verified. The submarine was launched unsuccessfully in 1970 when it tipped sideways (listed,) became stuck in the mud, and could not be relaunched. After that financial backing dried up and the salvage mission could not continue. In 1981 bad weather broke the sub free of its moorings and marooned it in the mud in Coney Island Creek where it remains abandoned and in ruin to this day.
The hull appears to be flooded with sea water and, in places, a layer of oil; perhaps hydraulic. The water makes the hull impassable (without diving equipment) so in order to get in to take a look we are attempting, over the course of several visits, to drain the hull to the point where we can enter and investigate with simple snorkel equipment.
Previous episode: http://saomsdangledthreads.blogspot.com/2012/05/urban-spelunk-quester-wreck-episode-2.html.
The Quester I is a 45-foot submarine built by Jerry Bianco, a shipyard worker in Brooklyn, NY in 1967. Using salvaged metal, Bianco built the submarine in order to raise the wreck of the passenger ship SS Andrea Doria. It was painted yellow since that color paint was the cheapest available to Bianco, and is known colloquially as the Yellow Submarine; but a connection to the Beatles' song of the same name can not be verified. The submarine was launched unsuccessfully in 1970 when it tipped sideways (listed,) became stuck in the mud, and could not be relaunched. After that financial backing dried up and the salvage mission could not continue. In 1981 bad weather broke the sub free of its moorings and marooned it in the mud in Coney Island Creek where it remains abandoned and in ruin to this day.
The hull appears to be flooded with sea water and, in places, a layer of oil; perhaps hydraulic. The water makes the hull impassable (without diving equipment) so in order to get in to take a look we are attempting, over the course of several visits, to drain the hull to the point where we can enter and investigate with simple snorkel equipment.
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| Shortcut to launch point |
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| New propulsion system |
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| Intrepid crab |
Previous episode: http://saomsdangledthreads.blogspot.com/2012/05/urban-spelunk-quester-wreck-episode-2.html.
2012-07-24
2012-07-20
Ze Feuer Fellowes' Follies - Primer
Ze Feuer Fellowes' Follies is a series of thematic satirical contests and exhibitions--very similar in concept to the Chap Olympiad in the UK. They may be thought of as games that evoke the Jazz- and Guilded Ages, as interpreted by Monty Python, and curated by fanboys of the late great Alan Z. Feuer. They consist variously of satirical or whimsical open challenges, exhibitions, and activities framed as sporting events, for participants dressed and/or acting fancifully.
Typically the Follies are conducted at (or adjunct to) the Jazz-Age Lawn Party of New York City, held on Governor's Island over 2 weekends each summer, but may occur independently if the opportunity arises.
Many of the contests are ongoing throughout the day. They are designed so that they can be conducted independently and disparately, and will be evaluated from their resulting social media trace. I.e. competitors can do their thing on their own time, even their own place, then post photos (or photos will be posted on their behalf.) The (self-selected) judges will then determine "winners" based on the criteria chosen in committee. Competitions can also be conducted head-to-head in the fray if they so happen.
EVENTS:
Explanation of Ze Feuer Fellowes: http://saomsdangledthreads.blogspot.com/2012/07/ze-feuer-fellowes-primer.html
Typically the Follies are conducted at (or adjunct to) the Jazz-Age Lawn Party of New York City, held on Governor's Island over 2 weekends each summer, but may occur independently if the opportunity arises.
Many of the contests are ongoing throughout the day. They are designed so that they can be conducted independently and disparately, and will be evaluated from their resulting social media trace. I.e. competitors can do their thing on their own time, even their own place, then post photos (or photos will be posted on their behalf.) The (self-selected) judges will then determine "winners" based on the criteria chosen in committee. Competitions can also be conducted head-to-head in the fray if they so happen.
EVENTS:
- Dressage. An exhibition of sartorial superbness (or caricature)
- NAEPDS Ballerball. A competition of picnicking prowess
- The Hef / Marilyn. A demonstration of social gregariousness
- The Pick-Up Line. A challenge of strength, endurance, and virility
- Fellowes' Fauxlo: The sport of kings... for peasants
- Betting on the Phonies: (In development)
Explanation of Ze Feuer Fellowes: http://saomsdangledthreads.blogspot.com/2012/07/ze-feuer-fellowes-primer.html
2012-07-19
Ze Feuer Fellowes - Primer
Ze Feuer Fellowes is a group of enthusiasts of sartorial and behavioral eccentricity, with a flair for the antiquated, or classic archetypes of the wealthy, refined, and connected. The group is named after the late Alan Z. Feuer, a fellow of non-privileged origins who, in spite of his actual means and heritage, adopted the customs, manners, and appearances of the social elite of New York City of the late 20th Century; and some might say epitomized and extended them... like a boss! Taking cue from his example Ze Feuer Fellowes' M.O. is to appear and act similarly for the general humor, subversity, and plain aesthetics of it. Eccentricity without the economics, if you will.
In spite of the name and appearances, Ze Feuer Fellowes does not preclude women. Any lady who dresses and acts the part and self-identifies is by definition Ze Feuer Fellowe.
In spite of the name and appearances, Ze Feuer Fellowes does not preclude women. Any lady who dresses and acts the part and self-identifies is by definition Ze Feuer Fellowe.
2012-07-18
2012-07-17
2012-07-16
2012-07-15
2012-07-11
Self-Inflicted Participation
A modus operandi (way of doing things) whereby individuals involve themselves in a communal activity or group by offering ideas, contributing resources, or otherwise injecting influence of their own volition and by their own willful actions. It is predicated on the notion that people who choose a course of action are unlikely to complain about or be defeated by obstacles and disappointments. People who participate unsolicitedly tend also to be more capable than average, and usually provide a net positive contribution. As such S.I.P. is suited for vanguard initiatives, start-up projects, and any endeavor wherein you alone are the agent of your own good times.
With S.I.P. projects generally there will be no gestures of invitation (e.g. solicitation, electronic invitations, etc.) Oftentimes there is no central authority, governance, nor management from which for such invitations to come. This also means often participants must be so-called self-starters, i.e. be able to identify and digest the concept(s) and end goal(s) of the project and figure out logistics as needed on their own or with less than hand-holding guidance.
Self-infliction does not mean no assistance or no cooperation. By the very nature of groups and communal activities, participants should interact, support others, and ask for/accept assistance. Often it is only the desire and willingness to participate that needs to be self-inficted, with other tangible tasks being selected or assigned by others. People participating in this manner should make their availability explicitly known to others.
2012-07-10
2012-07-04
New Amsterdam Exterior Portable Dining Society - Primer
The New Amsterdam Exterior Portable Dining Society (NAEPDS) is a meta-organization of picnicking enthusiasts based in and around the New York metropolitan area, and as such exists wherever people invoke its name and enact its principles and protocols. Candidly it is just a pompous-sounding name for an unspecific loose affiliation of fans of outdoor social events involving BYO food, that purports to lend an aire of refinement and significance to these activities.
Functionally the NAEPDS, with its mandate, collective knowledge base, and techniques, provides a framework for an ad-hoc assemblage of contributors, where there is no formal authority, to produce a better-than-average picnic. Recognizing that people have differing quotients of expertise, time, and resources per instance, NAEPDS protocol offers a framework for the distribution of effort in supplying the consumables.
There are 3 broad roles which participants will, for the most part, fall into automatically:
Feature.
These are people who can and will make and bring something that could be thought of as a main dish, or basis, or killer app. that will be shared by the entire group. Deviled eggs, chicken salad sandwiches, homemade cupcakes, St. Germaine cocktails, strawberry daiquiris, etc. They are usually homemade, on-site-assembled items that have been developed and vetted over many occasions of exterior portable dining. These contributors should broadcast their plans to the group so that others can plan around them. Perhaps by posting to whatever medium is used for coordination (e.g. the FB event wall or e-mail chain.)
Utility.
These are people who will provide something that is necessary for any picnic, so that people bringing Feature items don't have to (as well.) E.g. Ice, plates, cups, flatware, napkins, paper towels, blankets, water/juice/soda, also in some cases, where necessary, the staking of territory. This role is usually assigned to people who either can not put in the time/expertise to make something, or attend at the last minute, or are uniquely suited to the particular contribution (e.g. can get to a limited-space first-come-first-serve event early.)
Ancillary.
These are people who will make and bring something that compliments or supports one or more of the Feature items. e.g. Alcohol for cocktails, fruit, crudites, bread, crackers, spreads, and anything specifically requested. In general these are generic, versatile items that the event can survive without if one or two don't make it.
For Utility and Ancillary items a technique has been developed to aide in the optimization of provision, known as Coordinated Crowdsource Protocol (CCP).
Functionally the NAEPDS, with its mandate, collective knowledge base, and techniques, provides a framework for an ad-hoc assemblage of contributors, where there is no formal authority, to produce a better-than-average picnic. Recognizing that people have differing quotients of expertise, time, and resources per instance, NAEPDS protocol offers a framework for the distribution of effort in supplying the consumables.
There are 3 broad roles which participants will, for the most part, fall into automatically:
Feature.
These are people who can and will make and bring something that could be thought of as a main dish, or basis, or killer app. that will be shared by the entire group. Deviled eggs, chicken salad sandwiches, homemade cupcakes, St. Germaine cocktails, strawberry daiquiris, etc. They are usually homemade, on-site-assembled items that have been developed and vetted over many occasions of exterior portable dining. These contributors should broadcast their plans to the group so that others can plan around them. Perhaps by posting to whatever medium is used for coordination (e.g. the FB event wall or e-mail chain.)
Utility.
These are people who will provide something that is necessary for any picnic, so that people bringing Feature items don't have to (as well.) E.g. Ice, plates, cups, flatware, napkins, paper towels, blankets, water/juice/soda, also in some cases, where necessary, the staking of territory. This role is usually assigned to people who either can not put in the time/expertise to make something, or attend at the last minute, or are uniquely suited to the particular contribution (e.g. can get to a limited-space first-come-first-serve event early.)
Ancillary.
These are people who will make and bring something that compliments or supports one or more of the Feature items. e.g. Alcohol for cocktails, fruit, crudites, bread, crackers, spreads, and anything specifically requested. In general these are generic, versatile items that the event can survive without if one or two don't make it.
For Utility and Ancillary items a technique has been developed to aide in the optimization of provision, known as Coordinated Crowdsource Protocol (CCP).
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