1.29.09/14:16  the mazist movement                      

It started when I was in 4th grade.  I do and have always loved mazes and the making thereof.  Not so much the idea of wending my way through labyrinths, but the aesthetic of mazes when viewed from above.  Five or six years ago, I got the idea to use this aesthetic to make pictures, but my execution has always been a little less-than-ideal.  See the picture below:

Now, though, I think I'm ready to give it another shot.  The above picture (a girl you might recognize if you were so cosmically-inclined) is a sample of what I'd eventually like this new batch of sketches to look like.  Still, there are a few kinks to work out.  Let me explain the rules for Mazism as I see them:

1. Only solid black (pen) lines may be used.  No shading.

2. To get the effect of shading, the lines get closer together as areas get darker.

3. Mazes must be functional and possible to complete.

4. Mazes should ideally have two nodes which double as beginnings/ends.

The 4th rule was something I worked out a long time ago when I realized that most mazes were easy to complete if one worked backwards.  The above pictures do not represent a realization of the aforementioned rules because I used a pencil and a piece of printer paper.  My plan for my first real Mazist work is to draw the outlines in pencil, fill it in with pen, and erase the original guidelines.

1.23.09/18:54  1/4 of a century                         

That's how old I am today.  It's been quite a year since the last time we upheld this traditional ritualistic hazing ceremony.  Last year, Marc bought me a beer (actually, 3 Long Island Iced Teas...) and Yoshiko brought me a cake.  This year, I think the plan is to drink some wine at the Stronghold with my mikata-tachi.

The last few weeks have been intense.  I've been translating documents like a madman, barely taking time to eat or sleep while still going to that full-time nuisance I call a job.  Meh.  I guess having money to pay rent is a noble enough endeavor.

Anyway, I finished that project (60 technical pages of charts and annoying handwritten notes) and I took the day off to relax, play a little guitar, and read Chabon's newest book.

My plans for the rest of the evening include updating my resume, cleaning up all the Christmas stuff, and rigging the Iron Gym so it doesn't fall down.  I love it, though.  Freaking awesome to be able to do pull-ups...I recommend it to people with normal door frames and a desire to rise above.

Oh...the pictures.  Last week I fell down the icy steps to the parking lot and managed to injure my back, my ass, my shoulder, and my elbow in one fell swoop.  It took me out of commission for about a day, but I'm okay now.  The second one is this rockin' kanji program called Kanji no sonomama that Nick introduced me to.  That's all for today...cheers.

1.6.09/19:27  monsters                                  

I wrote an essay the other day.  It's not a brilliant enough piece of awesomeness to go into the article archive, but it's decent enough to be tossed up here and forgotten after a few weeks, something small to hold the masses over until I do something worthwhile. 

So I give you...

1.1.09/xx:xx  rabbit rabbit happy new year              

And an akemashite omedetou to all my favorite gozaimasses and gozaimisses out there.  The picture above is a tribute to the games I've spent the past month playing.  But that's not all...I've been working on music as well...

[second-rate] mp3 file (right-click to download)

Should you have some strange desire to return to December or to any of those other abominations that have occurred in the past, you can do so by visiting the archives.

It's been a busy few weeks.  It was me and the girl's first Christmas together, and a good time with the family.  Lots of great presents and fun times...thanks to everyone who helped to make this a great holiday season!

Also, the girl has beaten me at Othello about a dozen times.  If anyone is interested in purchasing a gently-used Othello game board, please send me an e-mail at jbaugher [at] rocketmail.com.

                                                                                (c) 2003-2008 jordan baugher

                                      send comments or questions to jbaugher[at]rocketmail.com