into this
and then this
and finally...this (later covered in dark chocolate-yum!)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Candied Grapefruit Peel
Yesterday I turned this
into this
and then this
and finally...this (later covered in dark chocolate-yum!)
into this
and then this
and finally...this (later covered in dark chocolate-yum!)
The Nutcracker and the Grapefruits
I've been back to my family home in Houston for the last week and it has been awesome. Relaxing in the suburbs is so different from living in downtown Austin. First of all, its QUIET! There is no construction, nightlife, or activity on my parent's block ... ever. Its pure heaven for those on vacation. Secondly, there are many of my high school friends who still live in close proximity to my parents' house. Despite time and distance, late game nights and shopping trips with said friends make me feel as though our friendship has not skipped a beat. Its good to be home.
First fun activity: The Nutcracker at the Houston Ballet with the entire family. My mom surprised us with a day show and orchestra seats. I was thrilled. We dressed up, sipped wine and oh-ed and ah-ed at the dancer's performance. And we hung out with a mouse. (I was also a mouse in the Nutcracker in my elementary school days)
In between some brunches, a couple of fires in the fireplace, presents, delicious homemade dinners, and trips to see Christmas lights, we settled one of my dad's favorite activities. Many years ago, my parents gardened and had a thriving compost area. As my brother and I got older, less of my parents' attention was paid to gardening and more to rearing children (us). The compost pile was neglected until one day--the day they saw a tree sprouting up. The parents decided to let it grow--and how it has! It is currently a 25ft + tree that yields hundreds of fruits every fall/winter. So, every holiday season we spend many a mornings harvesting this tree with its bounty.
First fun activity: The Nutcracker at the Houston Ballet with the entire family. My mom surprised us with a day show and orchestra seats. I was thrilled. We dressed up, sipped wine and oh-ed and ah-ed at the dancer's performance. And we hung out with a mouse. (I was also a mouse in the Nutcracker in my elementary school days)
In between some brunches, a couple of fires in the fireplace, presents, delicious homemade dinners, and trips to see Christmas lights, we settled one of my dad's favorite activities. Many years ago, my parents gardened and had a thriving compost area. As my brother and I got older, less of my parents' attention was paid to gardening and more to rearing children (us). The compost pile was neglected until one day--the day they saw a tree sprouting up. The parents decided to let it grow--and how it has! It is currently a 25ft + tree that yields hundreds of fruits every fall/winter. So, every holiday season we spend many a mornings harvesting this tree with its bounty.
The art of blogging and the extended holiday vacation
So my blog is back here and I am the process of I merging my posts from the website neeshathakkar.com to here. I love the new customizable features here on blogspot, so I'm back.
You can see 2006-2009 and current posts on this blog
You can see 2009-2010 posts at neeshathakkar.com/section/blog
Happy hunting and let me know if you have questions!
You can see 2006-2009 and current posts on this blog
You can see 2009-2010 posts at neeshathakkar.com/section/blog
Happy hunting and let me know if you have questions!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Blog has moved!
Please update your bookmarks:
New blog at: http://www.neeshathakkar.com/section/blog/
Website: www.neeshathakkar.com
New blog at: http://www.neeshathakkar.com/section/blog/
Website: www.neeshathakkar.com
Friday, December 12, 2008
NPR needs your help...
I got this email today:
Dear Neesha,
You may have heard recently that NPR expects a budget shortfall of $23M this fiscal year. This is a staggering $21M more than the $2M deficit they projected in July. This substantial and precipitous drop clearly has us concerned.
While we have serious questions for the NPR board and management regarding their budget planning and forecasting, we have complete confidence in NPR as a news organization that is critical to our understanding of our community and world.
KUT Is Helping
KUT is one of NPR’s largest member stations paying about $575,000 a year in membership dues and program fees. We have the option to pay these fees in semi-annual or quarterly payments, but we have chosen to send NPR our entire annual fee payment in return for an interest rebate on the amounts that would be due later in the year. As some stations may not be able to make their entire fee payment, our move provides NPR with a small measure of predictability while they concentrate on addressing their budget issues and delivering the news we expect.
Because You Have Been Generous
KUT is able to do this because of the support you have provided the station and our belief that you and other listeners will continue to contribute to our efforts. So far, our fundraising and revenue efforts are on track.
We want you to know that we are not taking your support for granted. Over the past few months, simply as a precaution, KUT managers have helped us scrub about $120,000 out of our current budget. As always, we evaluate expenses and operational costs with an eye on our bottom line and our service to the community.
Please Share Your Thoughts
Thank you very much for your confidence and support. Our listeners are generous, smart and experienced. I’d be pleased to hear your thoughts and ideas regarding our efforts. And, it would also be good to know if we can continue to count on your support.
Sincerely,
Stewart Vanderwilt
KUT General Manager
Think of how meaningful a charity donation can be this christmas. Give your loved ones the gift of public radio.
Dear Neesha,
You may have heard recently that NPR expects a budget shortfall of $23M this fiscal year. This is a staggering $21M more than the $2M deficit they projected in July. This substantial and precipitous drop clearly has us concerned.
While we have serious questions for the NPR board and management regarding their budget planning and forecasting, we have complete confidence in NPR as a news organization that is critical to our understanding of our community and world.
KUT Is Helping
KUT is one of NPR’s largest member stations paying about $575,000 a year in membership dues and program fees. We have the option to pay these fees in semi-annual or quarterly payments, but we have chosen to send NPR our entire annual fee payment in return for an interest rebate on the amounts that would be due later in the year. As some stations may not be able to make their entire fee payment, our move provides NPR with a small measure of predictability while they concentrate on addressing their budget issues and delivering the news we expect.
Because You Have Been Generous
KUT is able to do this because of the support you have provided the station and our belief that you and other listeners will continue to contribute to our efforts. So far, our fundraising and revenue efforts are on track.
We want you to know that we are not taking your support for granted. Over the past few months, simply as a precaution, KUT managers have helped us scrub about $120,000 out of our current budget. As always, we evaluate expenses and operational costs with an eye on our bottom line and our service to the community.
Please Share Your Thoughts
Thank you very much for your confidence and support. Our listeners are generous, smart and experienced. I’d be pleased to hear your thoughts and ideas regarding our efforts. And, it would also be good to know if we can continue to count on your support.
Sincerely,
Stewart Vanderwilt
KUT General Manager
Think of how meaningful a charity donation can be this christmas. Give your loved ones the gift of public radio.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
3 months since I last posted.
That must be some sort of record. Yes, so life has been busy as usual. In between July and October quite a bit of art related stuff has happened.
Women and Thier Work, an organization I keep close to my heart has had two wonderful exhibits and events. Red Hot Red Dot was a success. I photographed the event, noshed on some delicious food, and even purchased some artwork by Christine Simon. I had my eye on Eric Uhlir's piece which I saw later in the evening. I'm keeping it in mind for a birthday present. :)
Right now, rush down to see The Activist Impulse. It is a fabulous show curated by Regine Basha (independent curator who formerly was affiliated with the Blanton). It features work by Emily Jacir, Andrea Geyer, Kristin Lucas, Judi Werthein, and Valerie Tevere & Angel Nevarez. I'm working on a more thorough review of the show to post at a later date.
Some other art that you may find interesting:
Liliana Porter
Cao Fei
Women and Thier Work, an organization I keep close to my heart has had two wonderful exhibits and events. Red Hot Red Dot was a success. I photographed the event, noshed on some delicious food, and even purchased some artwork by Christine Simon. I had my eye on Eric Uhlir's piece which I saw later in the evening. I'm keeping it in mind for a birthday present. :)
Right now, rush down to see The Activist Impulse. It is a fabulous show curated by Regine Basha (independent curator who formerly was affiliated with the Blanton). It features work by Emily Jacir, Andrea Geyer, Kristin Lucas, Judi Werthein, and Valerie Tevere & Angel Nevarez. I'm working on a more thorough review of the show to post at a later date.
Some other art that you may find interesting:
Liliana Porter
Cao Fei
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Getting Ready!
More details: Austin Figurative Gallery is having a show of my work Saturday, August 2nd. The opening is from 7 pm - onwards at 315 Congress at the Austin Art Alliance (Above the Elephant Room and below Kyoto). So come, bring your friends, and be prepared for a good time.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Whoop whoop
Justin's put up the beginnings of the website: www.neeshathakkar.com
If anyone is looking for a creative, experienced, and efficient web developer, here's your man:
http://mr.tatiandjustin.com/
If anyone is looking for a creative, experienced, and efficient web developer, here's your man:
http://mr.tatiandjustin.com/
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Official.
Summer has been good.
Something interesting to ponder:
Last night we watched The Ballad of Esequiel Hernandez on PBS, a documentary created by an Austin filmmaker. The work tracked the history of US Military forces operating on US soil against the war on drugs. In 1997, marines accidentally shot and killed an 18 year old in the process. A US citizen, Esequiel Hernandez, was tending to his goats at the time. Neither he, nor the town's residents were aware of the military presence.
A summary courtesy of pbs.org
The Ballad of Esequiel Hernández tells a frightening and cautionary tale about the dangers of using military as domestic law enforcement — a role that the military, under the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, had been prohibited from taking. That changed when, in 1989, the George H.W. Bush administration declared drug trafficking a "threat to national security" and authorized the deployment of thousands of troops to the U.S.-Mexican border. In 1997, during the Clinton administration, Esequiel Hernández became the first American killed by U.S. military forces on native soil since the 1970 Kent State shootings. Shortly afterward, the administration suspended all military operations along the border. Nearly 10 years later, the military returned to the border, this time as part of the war on terror and the George W. Bush administration's effort to stem illegal immigration.
Something interesting to ponder:
Last night we watched The Ballad of Esequiel Hernandez on PBS, a documentary created by an Austin filmmaker. The work tracked the history of US Military forces operating on US soil against the war on drugs. In 1997, marines accidentally shot and killed an 18 year old in the process. A US citizen, Esequiel Hernandez, was tending to his goats at the time. Neither he, nor the town's residents were aware of the military presence.
A summary courtesy of pbs.org
The Ballad of Esequiel Hernández tells a frightening and cautionary tale about the dangers of using military as domestic law enforcement — a role that the military, under the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, had been prohibited from taking. That changed when, in 1989, the George H.W. Bush administration declared drug trafficking a "threat to national security" and authorized the deployment of thousands of troops to the U.S.-Mexican border. In 1997, during the Clinton administration, Esequiel Hernández became the first American killed by U.S. military forces on native soil since the 1970 Kent State shootings. Shortly afterward, the administration suspended all military operations along the border. Nearly 10 years later, the military returned to the border, this time as part of the war on terror and the George W. Bush administration's effort to stem illegal immigration.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Success!
I finished the Danskin Triathlon-1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike (hills!) and a 3.1 mile run. I clocked in at 2:33. Had it not been for an 11 and 6 minute Transition 1 and 2, I could have shaved a bunch of time, but this year I was more concerned with completion and surviving in the record-breaking hot weather. It was so much fun, I can't wait till next year!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
I'm fashioning a paper
on the writings of the late art critic Clement Greenberg, whose texts I have a love/hate relationship with. Greenberg touts modernism, and targets abstract expressionism as the art that will save your soul. Or something like that. Although he does not indicate that all art should follow these defined rules, he does believe that to be a painting, the picture prepared must adhere to these rules:
1. flatness- appear, reference, or convey flatness, 2-d not 3-d. Illusionism and realism are bad and try to make painting sculpture, straining the medium.
2. reference the frame- square canvases have a square shape or convey the idea of framing, this one is a bit tricky. It doesn't mean circle canvases must contain circles, but merely demonstrate an awareness of the frame
3. color/pigment- its good, use it, think Monet and the Impressionists and their use of color for optics. Greenberg liked optics and an interest in all-over color and the relationship of one color to another
So, in a general summary, Greenberg liked: Cezanne, Newman, de Kooning, Olitski (loved him), Pollock, among others
He abhorred: realism, photography, anything that attempted 3-d on a 2-d surface.
I wonder what his thoughts were on film...?
Okay, off to write my papers.
1. flatness- appear, reference, or convey flatness, 2-d not 3-d. Illusionism and realism are bad and try to make painting sculpture, straining the medium.
2. reference the frame- square canvases have a square shape or convey the idea of framing, this one is a bit tricky. It doesn't mean circle canvases must contain circles, but merely demonstrate an awareness of the frame
3. color/pigment- its good, use it, think Monet and the Impressionists and their use of color for optics. Greenberg liked optics and an interest in all-over color and the relationship of one color to another
So, in a general summary, Greenberg liked: Cezanne, Newman, de Kooning, Olitski (loved him), Pollock, among others
He abhorred: realism, photography, anything that attempted 3-d on a 2-d surface.
I wonder what his thoughts were on film...?
Okay, off to write my papers.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
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