nickbiscardi

50 States: Tennessee (12/50)  |  March 2011

Another shot from the March mini tour with Calm Palm Vapor, but this one is kind of faked.  It’s actually the other side of the bridge from THIS photo.

Before I started the 50 States project, I’d been to Tennessee before.  However, I had such a miserable time once in Nashville that I didn’t really want to go back (Sorry to any pro-Volunteers).  On our drive from Chicago to Little Rock, I hijacked the van on I-40 for a brief loop through Memphis so I could grab my shot.

Don’t judge me.  You’d have done the same.  12 down, 38 to go.

It’s another lazy Sunday, for him at least…

50 States: Wisconsin (11/50)  |  July 2011

The award for “Most Unique Welcome Sign So Far” would have to go to the Badger State.

Pilot Cloud drove up for a mini-pilgrimage to Franks Diner in Kenosha while recording our split EP over the summer.  We’d stopped there on tour back in 2009 and been craving their insanely-tasty, artery-cloggingest breakfast platters ever since. 

Unfortunately, however, this was the morning after a giant storm had passed through, knocking out power through almost the entire Kenosha area.  Upon arriving at Franks, a despondent member of the staff came out to tell us they’d be closed until the power came back on—and there was no estimated timetable for when that would be.

Next time I’ll be sure to have a contingency plan to work-around Mother Nature ruining my breakfasts.

Last weekend I went on a “nature walk” at the Field Museum.

I really should take better advantage of the multiple museums, exhibits, and other cultural things in town.  It’s hard to believe that I’ve been living here for almost a year and a half, and this is the first time I’d been in that South Loop Museum Campus area.

Then again, more things should be easier to get to and free to attend…like the Chicago Cultural Center is.

Mixing session last Wednesday at CRC.

The team of Tribeca Flashpoint students finished our mix for entry into Shure Inc’s “Fantastic Scholastic 8” competition.  The final submissions are due next month, and winners will be announced in late April.

This experience has been one of a kind, and it’s been a lot of fun to be involved.

50 States: Arkansas (10/50)  |  March 2011

This trip with the Calm Palm Vapor boys was my favorite part of last winter (…because I wasn’t in Chicago).  Heading south and getting a reprieve from 4 feet of snow and frigid temperatures was one of the most zen (for lack of a better word) times I’ve ever had.

Everyone in town was super friendly.  Sipping mimosas at brunch with strangers and walking around in early March without a coat through downtown Little Rock can’t be beat.  If that town were an eBay merchant, I am rating it as “would definitely buy again”.

• Terwood Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA
• Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, NJ/PA
• I-95 Southbound, Philadelphia, PA
• PA Turnpike Eastbound

Okay, this is my last post waxing poetic about the trip home for the holidays.  Promise.

Back in Chicago, indefinitely, and it’s time to get back to work.  There’s lots on the docket—both socially and professionally—to look forward to between now and summer.

Hip hip motivation.

corwinprescott:

Today I’ll be going to…celebrate the life of one of the greatest photography teachers that has ever lived, Robert Golding.

He pushed his best students to be better, and managed to push students that I myself would have given up on to succeed.  I don’t know how he did it.

The stories this man had are legendary, as was his knowledge.  He’s one of my heroes and true friends.

You’ll be missed Bob.

This.

When I studied at Antonelli Institute, I sometimes secretly thought of Bob Golding as a real-life version of the Professor from “Futurama”.  Quips, knowledge, zingers, and more knowledge spouted daily from the guy also known as The Dirty Bird.

I haven’t seen 98% of my classmates since graduation, and I missed being able to attend this memorial celebration by just 4 days.  Hands down, he is one of my favorite people ever.  We’re gonna miss him.

Happy birthday to me!

This trip home has been the best ever so far.  Why did I wait so long to do it?

Chicago had better get it together in 2012.  Or else.