I’m designing a photographic history exhibit for a prestigious university. The project requires a series of panels that each depict a different decade, from the 1930s to the present.

Client: “You know, this is all great, but it could use a little more diversity. Right now, there are a lot of photos of all white men, and we don’t want to send the wrong message.”

Me: “Okay, that’s a reasonable request. I could pull some photos of your black student organizations and women’s center and add those to the panels showing the school’s more recent history.”

Client: “Actually, we’d love more diversity in the early panels too.”

Me: “What do you mean?”

Client: “Like this panel depicting the university in the 30s. All the photos are of white men!”

The school did not admit black students until the 1970s.

Me: “Hey, I’m glad I caught you. I’m calling about that request that I made five weeks ago. You never responded to any of my emails or voice messages. I’m just wondering what the status on that is?”

Client: “Well, the reason I didn’t respond was because your first email about it was unprofessional. We’re all professionals here, and I expect to be treated professionally. You really need to work on your communication skills, and I expect better from you if we’re going to continue working together.”

Me: “I’m looking at the whole email chain right now, and it seems fine to me. What seems wrong with it?”

Client: “Well, for starters, you could ask how my day’s been. Or you could put a joke at the bottom of the email. And you should really get rid of that line with all your company information at the bottom, it looks so unprofessional.”

Plant walls, also known as green walls, vertical gardens, green facades or living walls are structures that allow for vertical plant growth on structures like walls or trellises. These can be found in various spaces, including commercial buildings, residences and public areas. Vertical gardens can be found in both interior and exterior environments. Based on the project's design requirements, different systems can be used to set up a plant wall. Besides the aesthetic appeal they provide, green walls also come with many benefits, particularly for those that inhabit the surrounding space.[...]

It sits on a flat stretch of green, surrounded by the rolling hills and pretty palm trees of Southern California. It's an amazing little oasis, a quiet getaway. And it's the first building in California to receive Zero Carbon Certification from the International Living Future Institute. It's only the fourth building in the entire world to reach this status. This home is called Zero One by MariSol Malibu and it's the first of its kind.[...]

RO54 is a split-level modern home perched on a Bel-Air hilltop. But this is not what your mind probably conjures when you think of a split-level home. RO54 by Arshia Architects is a dreamy façade of floating glass with view of the Pacific Ocean, designed in layers to allow a gradual ascent to the top of the roof with little effort.[...]

If you live in an urban area with cars, industry and unpleasant city smells, you might retreat to your house for safety from environmental pollutants. But how good is your air quality at home?[...]

Soapbox is a company dedicated to providing meticulously-crafted personal care products that focus on the health of humans and the environment. [...]

Global construction is one of the biggest consumers of resources and one of the biggest polluters. According to AI Magazine, construction is responsible for 38% of global energy consumption, and the building sector alone accounts for almost 55% of final energy use. Buildings also account for 40% of global final energy consumption and 33% of greenhouse gases. It's also well known that concrete and steel account for excessive emissions and material waste in building construction. [...]

San Francisco has long been a destination for those who enjoy natural wonders. The incredible bay and sandy beaches, the towering redwoods, the mountains, it all gives this city a look that no other place has. And now, finally, the Bay Area will have a sustainable hotel that celebrates the environment of San Francisco with 1 Hotel San Francisco.[...]

A new elevated wooden boardwalk in Fyresdal, Norway invites visitors to embrace a simultaneous expression of exceptional design and environmental sustainability. Traversing the natural landscape, the six-feet wide boardwalk gracefully snakes from the forest floor, skirting the picturesque Lake Fyresvatn. It ascends amidst the lofty treetops, culminating at the majestic summit of Klokkarhamaren, all while protecting the environment against unnecessary harm. [...]

In some ecosystems, such as high-latitude forests, wildfires are a natural occurrence. These help maintain healthy ecosystems by depositing nutrients into the soil and boosting seed dispersal. However, in recent years, fire seasons have become more extreme and widespread. This includes forest ecosystems where fires are uncommon, such as tropical rainforests. Consequently, this has led to devastating results for communities, flora, fauna and other organisms that live in and around these areas.[...]

Soil erosion is an age-long predicament that always shows up whenever humans embark on any land use activity. Whether it is agriculture, construction or gardening, the need to tame erosion is apparent, especially in regions that experience significant precipitation. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that 90% of the world’s topsoil risks erosion by 2050. It is, therefore, the responsibility of those who participate in land use activities to prevent such a mess. [...]

How do you find clean makeup when you have allergies? Truth is, cleaning your makeup routine can be pretty hit or miss. This is because a lot of people aren't aware of what their allergies are until they run into a problem. [...]

Sustainable construction and design have become a trendy topic in real estate, with homebuyers now proudly showing off their graywater systems and solar panels. But the new Mount Vernon Library Commons by HKP Architects in Mount Vernon, Washington proves that sustainable design can be used by any company, any government and anyone who wants to make an impression.[...]

Designed by Estudio Guto Requena, the Dolce Gusto Neo Flagship store is a temporary commercial space located in a public park in São Paulo, Brazil. The project was created for the launch of Nescafé's Dolce Gusto "Neo" coffee machines and pods, which feature recycled ocean plastics and biodegradable capsules.[...]

Nature speaks for itself, while art amplifies whatever nature has to say. Artist Luca Gnizio has cut a niche for himself in amplifying the communications of nature. His latest project, Forsoultree, speaks more than words could. Yet, it is a project that goes beyond the creation of an artist. It features more than a hundred years of nature’s work ingrained in a dead tree trunk.[...]

Vacations are an integral part of every person’s life. Following long seasons of hard work, it is well deserved to get away from busy schedules and enjoy nature. The tourism industry is fully built around the need for vacations. While tourism is good, it has its dark side. The entire industry thrives on the existence of nature, yet it tends to erode away what is left of natural resources.[...]

The dream of every gardener is to see endless fields of green grass in their backyard. With determination, most gardeners manage to attain this dream, but at a cost. Within no time, there is a need to mow and control weeds. After mowing, it needs watering to grow again. This cycle continues for as long as the gardener wants to enjoy the beauty of green turf.[...]

Flagstaff, Arizona draws outdoorsy folks and is known as one of Arizona’s more progressive and laidback towns — which bodes well for vegans. I spent a few days in Flagstaff and didn’t run out of delicious, plant-based places to eat. It’s an attractive town to visit in its own right, though many people find themselves here on their way to the Grand Canyon, which is an hour and a half away. Here are some of the top places for vegans to get a good meal.[...]

Our group sat in a circle at a 15th century Inca site. We each held three coca leaves glued together with llama fat and concentrated on protection, prosperity and a balanced life. A young shaman named Lucas alternately prayed in Quechua and explained things to us in Spanish, both translated by our guide Wilfredo Huillca. The shaman added quinoa, corn, confetti and other symbolic items to Pachamama, the Andean earth mother. Fortunately, modern rituals substitute animal cookies for alpaca sacrifices.[...]

Los Angeles, often hailed as the entertainment capital of the world, is not only a hub for the film and music industries but also a fascinating canvas of urban design. The city's architectural landscape reflects a rich tapestry woven with threads of history, culture, and innovation. As one navigates the vast expanse of Los Angeles, it becomes apparent that the city's design is a dynamic fusion of tradition and modernity.[...]

I'm dreading the day when I have to explain to my children what a LOLcat was.

On March 15, 44B.C. Julius Caesar, the "dictator for life" of the Roman Empire, was murdered by his own senators at a meeting in a hall next to Pompey's Theatre. The conspiracy against Caesar encompassed as many as sixty noblemen, including Caesar's own protege, Marcus Brutus.

Caesar was scheduled to leave Rome to fight in a war on March 18 and had appointed loyal members of his army to rule the Empire in his absence. The Republican senators, already chafing at having to abide by Caesar's dec

Shabbat Shalom yeah, since you've been gone we kinda moved away from that whole "Jewish" thing. But I was gone for like 3 days

In this episode of the Arsenal Women Arsecast, Tim is joined by ESPN’s Emily Keogh to compare notes on Arsenal Women’s tour of Washington DC. Emily and Tim were the only two UK based journalists to travel and they compare notes on the tour, the commercial and media benefits of it and Emily talks a little about interviews she conducted with Jonas Eidevall and Clare Wheatley in DC.

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In this episode I'm joined by Ryan Hunn, co-host of the Stadio podcast, for some Interlull chat. We discuss the start to Arsenal's season, the end of the transfer window, the arrival of Raheem Sterling and what we expect from him during his loan season from Chelsea. Then we answer some listener questions about Leandro Trossard and the midweek bid from a Saudi Arabian club, Arsenal's forward signings under Mikel Arteta, how clubs like Real Madrid build an expectation of winning and success, choosing players from today's era over some from the past, and lots more.

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In this episode of the Arsenal Women Arsecast, Tim and Jamie talk about Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Leicester at the King Power. Tim and Jamie discuss a rotated starting line-up, how much the packed early season schedule contributed to a leggy performance, whether the game can be taken in isolation or whether concerns about the attack in particular persist and the performances of Daphne van Domselaar, Alessia Russo, the midfield partnership of Lia Walti and Kyra Cooney-Cross, defensive injuries and a lack of creativity without Mariona and Kafaji starting the game.

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In this episode of the Arsenal Women Arsecast, Tim and Jamie dissect the 5-0 win over Brighton at Emirates Stadium on Friday evening. Tim and Jamie consider how far this was a vintage Arsenal performance and a bad Brighton one, whether trademark goals from Mead, Foord, Maanum and Hurtig suggest that Arsenal are back in the swing of things attacking wise and they consider Renee Slegers' willingness to make early substitutions. In the second half, they take listener questions on the new manager search, the decision to switch the Bayern Munich UWCL game away from the Emirates, the future of the midfield and a team featuring players who were largely signed several years ago.

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(Image credit: catcurio)

There exists a delightful subreddit called Council of Cats. This is where you'll find groups of cats having important discussions of matters both urgent and mundane. I have four cats, and I find it difficult to get all of them in one picture if they aren't asleep, so seeing many cats getting along is really nice. You can often guess what they are discussing at their council meeting, or they might be enjoying some group activity like birdwatching or annoying their human. They often get together to make demands on your time, or in other words, they gang up to get what they want.  

(Image source: reddit)

But there are also pictures that show cats just like each other's company. Bored Panda has collected 50 of the most amusing photographs from Council of Cats to give us a taste of a cat colony's strength in numbers, presented in a ranked list for your amusement.

You've certainly heard of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, but have you heard of the Nutty Narrows Bridge? Futility Closet introduces us to this bridge that was built in 1963 in Longview, Washington.

Workers in an office building near the R. A. Long Park noticed a number of squirrels that were killed crossing the street from the park to an area with abundant nut trees. They proposed that the city build a bridge for them. Two local architects and an engineer designed the bridge, and it was built by contractor Amos Peters. He built the bridge with recycled aluminum piping and a recycled fire hose, for a total cost of a thousand dollars. The bridge is 60 feet long and 22 feet high over the street. A city councilwoman named it the Nutty Narrows Bridge. The bridge has since been removed and repaired several times, and the location has been changed slightly a couple of times. The squirrels love it and use it regularly. The tourist attraction is known as "the world's narrowest bridge," and inspired the city to launch their annual Squirrel Fest in 2011. The bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. -via Nag on the Lake  

(Image credit: SounderBruce)

Prolific science fiction author Harlan Ellison wrote two episodes of the TV series The Outer Limits, "Soldier" and "Demon with a Glass Head." They both ran during the show's second season in 1964. In 1984, Ellison heard that James Cameron was working on a film that seemed quite similar to the plot of "Soldier," which you can watch in full. Hemdale Productions wouldn't let him see the script. When he saw The Terminator, Ellison was ready to sue.

The lawsuit never came about, because Hemdale Productions settled the case, for money, screen credit in subsequent releases of the film, and a gag order. To this day, people argue over whether The Terminator was at all plagiarized and if so, how much. Read what Ellison had to say about the case at the time and the reaction from James Cameron at Den of Geek. You've probably already seen The Terminator, and it's up to you to watch The Outer Limits episode if you want to form your own opinion.  

Monday Oct. 4

UNC Charlotte – Global Perspective Series
12:30pm – College of Health & Human Services, Room332
The 1st in this new lecture series titled “International Exchanges: Codex Aubin & the Influence of Early Printed Books”features Professor Rajagopalan who will discuss her experiences researching a 16th-century painted manuscript from Mexico and the European aesthetic and conceptual systems that helped to shape the work.
http://www.coaa.uncc.edu/Calendar/Detail/33507cc05eb6ea26fff147903e5574b98a22b153


Tuesday Oct. 5

François Furstenberg, Historian
7:00pm – Sykes Auditorium/Queens University. Free
Author of the critically lauded "In the Name of the Father: Washington's Legacy, Slavery, and the Making of a Nation" (2006), Furstenberg is the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation Chair of American Studies in the history department at the University of Montreal. His talk is titled “When the United States Spoke French: Trans-Atlantic Politics, Speculation, and Diplomacy in the Early American Republic.”
http://www.queens.edu/News-and-Events/College-of-Arts-and-Sciences-Events/Preyer-Lecture-Series/Francois-Furstenberg-Historian.html


Frontier Ruckus  @ The Evening Muse
10:00pm - $5
Don’t miss Ramseur Records’ recording act Frontier Ruckus as they pass through Charlotte on their East Coast tour and discover why Rolling Stone magazine exclaims this band has the “perfect recipe for Gothic Americana.”
http://www.frontierruckus.com/earshot


Wednesday Oct. 6

“Einstein’s Biggest Blunder: A Cosmic Mystery Story”
7:30-9:00pm – Davidson College/Duke family Performance Hall (Free)
Lawrence Krauss delivers the 2010 Smith Lecture. In his talk, he will describe the developments that have changed the picture of the past, present, and future of the Universe. Krauss is a theoretical physicist of international reputation. He is the Foundation Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and Physics Department, and Inaugural Director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University.
http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x41124.xml


Disney on Ice – Toy Story 3
7:00pm – Time Warner Cable Arena
An award-winning creative team and a cast of world-class skaters are bringing Woody, the pull-string cowboy; space ranger Buzz Lightyear; Jessie, the yodeling cowgirl; and the rest of the gang to fans and families around the country in this brand-new live ice spectacular! The show is in Charlotte through Sunday 10/10.
http://www.timewarnercablearena.com/page.aspx?section=events&pagetype=events&id=5283


Thursday Oct. 7

“Taste of The World” – Charlotte East Restaurant Preview Event
5:30-10:30pm – $30/person @ VanLandingham Estate Inn
Come share the flavor, uniqueness and vitality while experiencing the cosmopolitan flavor and the excitement of the people who call Charlotte East home! An opening reception at VanLandingham Estate begins your guided tour through eclectic Charlotte East to dine at three different culturally rich restaurants. Your evening's adventure will end with coffee and dessert back at the Estate.
http://www.charlotteeast.com/tasteofworld2010buy.htm

Friday Oct. 8


UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens – Annual Fall Plant Sale
9:00am-3:00pm (continues 10/9) – McMillan Greenhouse
Whether you are a seasoned gardener, a budding plant enthusiast, or a homeowner looking for just the right plant, you won't want to miss the yearly sales at the Botanical Gardens. Choose among shrubs, trees, wildflowers, ferns, and perennials at the fall sale.
All proceeds directly fund the operations of the greenhouse and gardens.
http://gardens.uncc.edu/calendar-of-events/events-at-mcmillan-greenhouse.html


Charlotte Symphony Orchestra– special guest: Natasha Paremski, piano
8:00pm – Belk Theatre. Tickets: $26.50 - $82.50
Christopher Warren-Green conducts his 2nd concert of the Classics series with a program that focuses on the “New World” and includes Bernstein’s Candide Overture, Rachmaninoff, & Dvorak.
http://www.carolinatix.org/default.asp?tix=59&objId=2196


The Diary of Anne Frank (opening night!)
8:00pm – Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts
In this gripping new adaptation by Wendy Kesselman, newly discovered writings from the diary of Anne Frank, as well as survivor accounts, are interwoven to create a contemporary impassioned story of the lives of people persecuted under Nazi rule. Set designed by Emmy Award winner John R. Bayless. A portion of the proceeds from this production will go to benefit the “Butterfly Project” at the Jewish Community Center. **Ages 12 and up**
http://www.matthewsplayhouse.com/mp2annefrank.htm


Saturday Oct. 9


CIAO, ITALIA! Festival
11:00 – 7:00pm – Wachovia Atrium, 301 S. Tryon - Adults/$5, Teens/$3, Children/Free
Join the Christopher Columbus Italian Club of Charlotte to celebrate Italian culture with a day filled with food, entertainment and more!
http://www.italian-club-charlotte.org/festivals.html

3rd Annual Charlotte Fine Art Show
10:00am-5:00pm – Park Expo & Conference Center
Admission $5, 12 & under Free
Juried by art professionals, this high quality art show brings approximately 100 world renowned & top notch local Carolina artists to sell their paintings, clay, glass, sculpture, wood, fiber, jewelry, photography and more. Continues Sunday 10/10.
http://www.hotworks.org/charlottefineartshow/index.php


The MET Live in HD – “Wagner’s Das Reingold”
1:00pm – Regal Stonecrest Cinemas @ Piper Glen + AMC Concord Mills 24-IMAX
The Metropolitan Opera’s Emmy and Peabody-award winning series of live and high definition performance transmissions returns for its fifth season with the 1st of (12) operas. This new production, with Maestro James Levine and directed by Robert Lepage, features Bryn Terfel singing the leading role of Wotan .
http://www.fathomevents.com/opera/series/themetropolitanopera.aspx


Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace
10:00am-5:30pm – Sat/Sun through November 21st - Huntersville, NC
The Renaissance Festival is a 16th century European style art and entertainment festival combining outdoor theater, circus entertainment, arts and crafts marketplace, a jousting tournament, a feast fit for royalty, and much, much more.
http://www.royalfaires.com/carolina/


“Dracula” by North Carolina Dance Theatre
7:30pm – Knight Theatre
NC Dance Theatre opens its 40th season with a full-length staging of “Dracula,” choreographed by Mark Godden. Originally created for Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1998, this contemporary interpretation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 horror classic has won critical acclaim for its storytelling, wit and theatricality.
http://www.blumenthalcenter.org/default.asp?blumenthal=59&objId=2003


Minneapolis Guitar Quartet
8:00pm Dana Auditorium/Queens University
Founded in 1986, the group has garnered unanimous international critical acclaim with its first four CDs on the Albany and GSP labels. Says Soundboard Magazine, "With 'Over Land and Sea,' the MGQ demonstrates that it is one of the major guitar ensembles in the world."
http://www.queens.edu/News-and-Events/Arts-and-Culture-Events/Performing-Arts/Minneapolis-Guitar-Quartet.html


Sunday Oct. 10

20th Annual Latin American Festival
12:00-7:00pm – Symphony Park, South Park Adults $5/Children $3 The Latin American Festival - one of Charlotte’s signature cultural events- attracts thousands of individuals from our multi-cultural community to enjoy local, nationally and internationally known musicians, handmade arts and crafts, authentic Latin American cuisine, traditional folkloric dance performances and children’s activities and performances- a true cultural experience for all.
http://www.festivallatinoamericano.org/home.html


OPERA CAROLINA’s “Cosi Fan Tutti” – FREE preview
2:00pm – Barnes & Noble/South Park
This hour-long preview, hosted by WDAV announcer Jennifer Foster, will feature music excerpts and in-depth discussion about the plot and composer before seeing the opera on the main stage.
http://www.operacarolina.org/events/321/



Living History Day: Weaving – Charlotte Museum of History
1:00-4:00pm - Free, with museum admission
Kenneth Webb, a weaver from New London, NC, will be visiting the museum to demonstrate different weaving techniques on his floor loom. He will also offer his wares for sale.
http://www.charlottemuseum.org/Calendar.asp#LHWeekends

So glad I live in the midwest! ...

It all starts with the anything-but-smooth introduction...

The clonal quaking aspen known as Pando is between 16,000 and 80,000 years old.