I'm excited to announce that my hip-hop dance crew FreePlay is doing a special performance this Saturday November 12, as a fundraiser for a great cause: the YMCA Youth Chance High School. Youth Chance is a special school for teens who have dropped out of other schools and are given special help and attention so that they…
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Thousands take to the street for Occupy Oakland General Strike (pics)
I just spent about an hour at the Occupy Oakland General Strike today near Frank Ogawa Plaza in downtown Oakland. It was a beautiful day as thousands turned out to peacefully express their various political and economic views. Most were calling for some kind of economic reforms — greater taxes on the rich, curbing…
My Kokeshi Papercraft Mobile
You know how some things just call to you, whether or not it is practical or reasonable for you to want them? In December of last year, I was at a holiday craft fair in Brooklyn and I found myself at this vintage toy stall. Above it was hanging this lovely Japanese papercraft mobile. I…
Sunday Confession: The Underemployment Blues
It's been almost 10 months that I've been back in California, making a somewhat illogical move away from a city that I love, many dear friends, and a fulfilling and steady paying job. I moved here with no promise that I would find another position in my field, during a terrible recession when employment is…
“Swing Dance Memes” : My New Favorite Thread on Yehoodi
The always funny Capt Morgan started an inspired discussion thread on Yehoodi last week called "Swing Dance Memes," combining various meme-arific pictures with inspired, swing-related slogans. Since then, many, many others have chimed in with their own memes, using memegenerator.net and www.quickmeme.com, among other services. Here are some of my faves….
My Updated Work Portfolio: Virtual Fossil Digs, Kofi Annan, and Lindy Hop, oh my!
I updated my Work Portfolio to make it easier for people to see my most recent professional accomplishments in one place. Like this blog (and my life!), it covers a wide range of projects and disciplines, from virtual worlds to public speaking. And there's of course a lot I didn't include, since I've had such…
Arbor Cafe: Straight Up Coffee and a Smile in Temescal
One of my "must haves" for a neighborhood is being able to go out and get decent coffee. It's one of the snobbiest things about me that I'll admit. Luckily, I have lots of great options nearby, including the tiny but potent Sub Rosa on 40th, the too popular Remedy Cafe on Telegraph, and the Mixing Bowl a couple…
Rik Panganiban’s Work Portfolio
The following is a select sample of the many different professional projects that I have led and implemented over the course of my career. Please contact me if you want more information about any of these or other samples of my work. Youth Programs “I Dig Science” Program (2008-2010) Conceived of, planned, and executed “I…
The Oakland Museum of California: The Best Bay Area Museum You Never Heard Of
Today I managed a first, too-short visit to the Oakland Museum of California, a science, art and history museum dedicated to "telling the story of California." It was a quiet Wednesday afternoon, so I had much of the museum to myself, which was really nice for a first visit. The museum is divided into 3…
Amazing Metal Sculptures in West Oakland!
My sister and I were randomly driving around West Oakland, looking for the onramp to the freeway, when we encountered some truly stunning metal artwork in two different spots. The first was Alliance Recycling on Peralta Street (Google map) , which features several really neat metal sculptures on their storefront. This junk metal C3PO is…