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…
Catch Teatro Zinzanni’s newest and last(?) show “On the Air” by December 31
A couple of weeks ago, Miss Jeskat and I had the pleasure of watching Teatro Zinzanni, a long-running cabaret / circus dinner show in San Francisco. For those that don't know, for many years, Teatro Zinzanni has been putting on lavish three-hour shows complete with singing, magic, trapeze, juggling and more. It's very much an…
Joseph Gordon Levitt’s homage to Donald O’Conner: “Make ’em Laugh!”
Not long ago, Joseph Gordon Levitt on Saturday Night Live did an admirable homage to the great dancer / performer Donald O'Conner. Of course O'Conner's "Make em Laugh!" is revered as one of the finest comic dance performances ever captured on film. I really liked the JGL version though, particularly the awesome stunt at the end….