Despite a reasonable tenure in NY, including a substantial amount of time spent on or below 14th st., I still couldn’t explain the ever rolling digital numbers on the southern buildings of Union Square. Until now.

Today’s ventures online somehow pointed out that the fixture is called the Metronome Clock. I believe this includes the odd, steam puffing maroon wall to the right of the digital numbers as well (on a side note, the hand at the top of that fixture is said to be an exact replica of the statue that sits directly across from the wall of a man on a horse).

Now for the interesting part. Decoding the clock:

In addition, there are seemingly meaningless numbers which actually represent the time: if the clock reads 070437XXX235516 it means that it is 7:04 A.M and 37 seconds. (7 hours and 4 minutes since midnight) and that there are 16 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds remaining until midnight. The three middle digits are a blur and cannot be read.

Thank you Wikipedia.

I ventured over to 11 Spring yesterday because I wanted to check out the Wooster Collective goings-on. Of course, so did half the city. The line was literally all the way around the block, about 5 people deep across the side-walk. In fact, Wooster Collective noted a scrawl near the door that read “hour 5. almost in”.

I’m a little torn. This was an art/culture happening the likes of which haven’t been seen in years. And its unlikely to happen again for many more years. I really wanted to see the art inside the building. But, having arrived back from L.A. at 11 Saturday night, I just wasn’t up for a five hour wait.

I did manage to get some shot of the exterior and the crowds when I swung by. But the good stuff was inside. Check out the flickr pool to see it all. I’ll try to get a few shots up soon.

together we make chocolate chip.

You Are Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

You are kind, popular, and generous. You tend to be successful at anything you try. A social butterfly, you are great at entertaining a crowd.You are most compatible with strawberry ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Unlike Jaynie, however, I don’t have a problem with that.  It happens to be one of my faves.  On the other hand, if anyone called me a “social butterfly” I’d have to think they were insane.  The only place where I deliberately entertain a crowd is on a stage.

Oh, and if you’re strawberry ice cream, hit me up.  Apparently I have a shot with you.

Holy Crap:

I have no idea why this fascinates me so much (ok, having re-read that, “fascinates” is just creepy here; I just love the fact that it took researchers to come to the conclusion that’s listed below). Maybe its not a good thing. But The New Shelton Wet/Dry, one of my blog crushes of the moment, has a funny/interesting/weird article about the sexual habits of high school students.

A professor at Ohio State University set out to study high schooler’s sexual tendencies with the expectation that a few slutty girls would make up the majority of sexual encounters, basically forming “epicenters” of sexual activity. Only he was wrong. And he came up with a rule that defines his findings:

A girl is loath to date her old boyfriend’s new girlfriend’s old boyfriend.

I have no idea why, but I find that statement oddly humorous and yet somehow profound.

PS. The Helmut Newton shot is fantastic. Note to self to dig into his work more.