Rocha-chatter

Another year and another completed Lilac Festival at Highland Park.

I managed to make it out a couple times, and I can report that the Lilac Festival draws all sorts of people.

Martha Stewart for instance. After speaking at the Rochester Ad Council luncheon, she got a tour of the lilacs and filmed a segment for her show. Yes... I followed her from the luncheon to the park and wandered around peeking at her from behind the fragrant bushes.

She seemed to really appreciate the flowers and already have a lot of knowledge about them. After the tour she hopped on a golf cart and zipped away.

I did not see her in the kettle korn line or eating a deep fried oreo.

And then there is the Dancing Festival Guy.

Whenever there is a band playing at the Lilac Festival chances are Dancing Festival Guy will be there dancing up a storm right in front of the stage.

At first sight you may think he is off his rocker, but I have to hand it to him. He doesn't care what everyone thinks and he is HAVING FUN. Maybe a few more of us could stand to get up and dance with wild abondon. Good for you Dancing Festival Guy.

He may want to invest in some sunblock though... and suspenders.

Labels: festival

One may ask... does it get any nerdier than Star Wars and stamps? Well....

For my birthday I went to see a film that was all about... hold onto your hats, a typeface.

"Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which is celebrating its 50th birthday this year) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives."

And Rochester was lucky enough to get a showing at RIT.

A movie centered around a typeface may sound like a snoozer, but it featured enough rabid fans of helvetica, vehement haters of helvetica and funny commentary to keep both designers and non designers engrossed the entire movie.

After the movie there was Q&A and a panel with the director Gary Hustwit and the word HELVETICA made out of rice crispy treat.

Hats off to the School of Design and Print Media.... the director wrote on his blog that...

"They put together the best collection of collateral material of any screening we've had so far... t-shirts, multiple posters, Vignelli-inspired subway signs, a musuem quality Helvetica exhibit, even a giant Helvetica rice crispy treat. RIT has officially set the bar in terms of attention to detail."

I am just glad a militant anti-Arial protest didn't break out... that would have gotten ugly.

Labels: movies

The two nerdling worlds of Star Wars and stamp collecting have collided in the City of Rochester at the corner of State and Main.

Hundreds of U.S. Postal Service blue collection boxes were transformed into R2-D2 look-alikes to promote the partnership between the Postal Service and Lucasfilm Ltd. Rochester got one downtown.

I have to admit it. My little geeky heart skipped a beat when I heard that they were coming out with Star Wars stamps this year. The Artoo mailboxes were gravy.

Of course I had to track down Rochester's Artoo. And have my picture take with him. And then send my picture to the Artoo Spotters gallery. (at least I didn't go in costume!)

I am reveling in my dorkiness.

Labels: downtown, stamps, star wars

Last Thursday my husband and I went to see Modest Mouse at the Main Street Armory. I had never been inside the Armory and was surprised to see that it is where the Rochester Raiders play indoor football.

It was a great concert by the way.

Until I went to use the ladies room.

When I first walked in I immediately noticed the quaint paneled stall doors. Charming! They appeared to be old cupboard doors repurposed for this restroom. What a great idea!

Then I noticed the big decorative cut outs in the doors. Hmmm. Sure enough they were used for the walls between the stalls also. They seem harmless enough, but I assure you... when one is seated within said stall one can see the bum bum of the stranger seated within the stall next to you. UNCOMFORTABLE!!!!

Who thought this was a good idea? Someone who uses restroom stalls standing up, I am guessing.

Heaven knows I am all for Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, but in terms of a bit of privacy during special restroom moments, this is probably not the best example I have encountered.

Labels: concert, green