86 down 279 to go

I realize there’s been a dearth of posts. I apologize to any recent participants who were hoping to see photos sooner. With November comes the holiday season, application deadlines, visiting family and a lack of time. I’ve been shooting religiously- however post processing is a continual hassle given the need to clear hard drive space any time there are pictures to upload. The backlog has gotten to the point where in order to shoot more photos I’m buying more CF cards because I’ve not had time to clear the other half dozen. This is not meant to sound like a complaint, it’s an explanation for the delay. I’m actually glad that things are busy enough that there’s always something new to shoot. It definitely keeps me occupied, and I’d rather be busy than bored. Though a side effect is the delay on the web end. Thus far, I’ve completed 86 days, which probably doesn’t sound like much given how much more is ahead- but that’s dozens of people I’ve spoken to and interacted with so to me it’s a lot.

(Insert shameless plug here: I do update another blog of mine on a daily basis. I can do that because that one does not require typing an interview or maintaining chronological order. That blog can be found HERE)

This week was interesting because many people who are normally not here, were in town for the holiday. And thus I found myself explaining the project to many friends and family members; which is something I haven’t had to do since the first weeks when I was just starting up. I guess I’ve been taking it for granted that since a large portion of my time has been spent on this, others I know will already know of it. Which is a somewhat absurd assumption given that many days the time allotted for finding a face is about the same as if I were to go out and run errands such as grocery shopping. There’s no moral to this mini story- it just made me think about what projects, commitments and interests my friends have that I have no clue about. I’m sure there are many.

Song of the Week
Where the White Boys Dance by The Killers

70 Days In

November 10th
Personal Reflection

This project has thus far been a daily adventure, though some days are certainly less exciting than others. Some days finding a face means multiple hours of visiting different locations before someone is interested and willing to participate. Other days I’ll be at an event with mutual friends, and I can easily meet someone new without deviating from my day’s plans. I prefer the later not only because of the more relaxed nature of the interviews which follow, but also because when at events, no one is planning on leaving suddenly so you have time to have a conversation before and after the interview. Whereas attempting to stop someone on the street or in a coffee shop, you never know where they’re coming from, where they’re going, and how long they’ll be around. I try not to stop people who look very busy, in the middle of a book or conversation- because personally it irks me when people do that. Which of course also limits the pool of available individuals in a given setting. I also find myself settling into ruts to make it easier to balance the combination of school, work, this project and a social life. Meeting friends of friends, visiting certain coffee shops where I know people will linger, lingering after events, taking my camera everywhere, and mixing in random friends and acquaintances to the project on the busier weeks. I’m actually surprised at some of the things I’ve learnt about friends while doing this project. More evidence to the fact that there’s always more to learn. Plus the hodgepodge of questions is such that I do find myself learning or at least being interested by everyone who’s answered. In addition I’ve found the best part is not the interviews or the photographs, it’s the conversations immediately afterwards. Anyway, that’s my two cents for now.

And I’ve decided any time I post updates about my end of the project, I will now include the song of the week.
Song of the Week: Hopeless by KT Tunstall.

Day 43 - Mo

Day 43 - October 13th 2007
Location: San Francisco, Ca
Setting: A home in West Portal

1. Preferred nickname?
Mo
2. Birthplace?
Evanston, Illinois
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper Of course

5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I was sleeping at home.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Wow urv. No stop that (In reference to my writing everything down) *laughs* Okay. The best piece of advise I could give. Ooo it doesn’t matter whether you’re right, it just matters that you’re happy and peaceful.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
That’s a good one *laughs* Outside in my neighborhood in the sun, drinking some wine in great company.
8. Song of the week?
Uh that timberland song.

10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
I would think (interruption) this is my interview! I liked Eat, Love and Pray but not as a handbook for how to live life, but as a book to enjoy and read.
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oprah, cuz I would help her

Day 42 - Ah-nold

Day 42 - October 12th 2007
Location: Berkeley, Ca
Setting: Apartment

1. Preferred nickname?
Ah-nold No wait Long dong silver
2. Birthplace?
Womb
3. Paper or plastic?
Burlap sack

5. Where were you on 9 -11?
It was in the car on the way to school
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Uh hmmm.. Give Urvi good advice
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
No comment on that one... Punching the munchkin.
8. Song of the week?
Macho Macho Man by the Village People
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Oh I do I do
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Hmm.. Last movie I saw? Blood Diamond. It was a good one.
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oprah. She’d shank Rosie O’Donnell.

Day 41 - Lulu

Day 41 - October 11th 2007
Location: Stanford, Ca
Setting: Stanford Spoken Word Collective Workshop

1. Preferred nickname?
Lulu
2. Birthplace?
Kuwait
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper

5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I was in school in Kuwait. I was in my bedroom and my parents were in the living room watching TV.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Uh don’t beat yourself up.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Uh *pause* With friends in a car with windows down with my feet out of the window and flowers in the car.
8. Song of the week?
I’m really just bad at music
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Yeah. (Tells a joke)
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
I also hate movies. Book Sophie’s World and Guerilla Girls Bedside Companion
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Uh I think Rosie O’Donnell would just start attacking Oprah with sexual favors and Oprah would start crying.

Day 40 - Ali

Day 40 - October 10th 2007
Location: Palo Alto, California
Setting: Stanford Avenue Starbucks

1. Preferred nickname?
Ali
2. Birthplace?
New York City
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
I had this stuffed dragon I really liked. It was a puppet.
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I was in PE class at my school.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Umm you don’t discover yourself, you create yourself.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Umm oh gosh. I’d say playing field hockey or listening to music. Hanging out with friends.
8. Song of the week?
No More I Love You’s Annie Lennox
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
*laugh* yes
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Umm book, it’s called Why Beautiful People Have More Daughters. It’s about developmental psychology
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Rosie I think. Depends on what they’re fighting for. (My reply: Their lives) Oh Oprah.

Day 39 - Chesca

Day 39 - October 9th 2007
Location: Palo Alto, Ca
Setting: Middlefield Campus, Foothill College

1. Preferred nickname?
Umm wow. *Laughs* I don’t have one ... chesca
2. Birthplace?
Lima, Peru
3. Paper or plastic?
Plastic
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Oooh... umm.*long pause* rainbow bright
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I was at my aunt’s house and it was the day of her birthday actually.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Don’t ever live someone else’s life.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Depends on the season... I really like this thing called Body Works. It’s a cadaver exhibit.
8. Song of the week?
Money by Pink Floyd
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Yes I do.
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
*pause* That’s a hard one. Transformers
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Whoa *laughs* Rosie O’Donnell, just cuz she’s scary.

Day 38 - Kiki

Day 38 - October 8th 2007
Location: Santa Clara, Ca
Setting: Mission College

1. Preferred nickname?
Kiki
2. Birthplace?
San Jose
3. Paper or plastic?
Plastic
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Didn’t have one
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
In school
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Umm don’t take anything to heart. Leave the past in the past.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Hanging out with friends
8. Song of the week?
Umm I don’t even know. Cha cha for now.
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
No, multiculturaled
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Good Luck Chuck
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Rosie O’Donnell. Hands down.

Day 37 - Jae

Day 37 - October 7th 2007
Location: Stanford, Ca
Setting: Dorm room

1. Preferred nickname?
Jae
2. Birthplace?
Seoul, Korea
3. Paper or plastic?
In terms of shopping material? Plastic if groceries. Paper if it’s clothes
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Legos Hands down.
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
In school. In particular I was in Spanish class, second period when I heard.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Whatever you do, be the best at it.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Damn, that’s difficult. Hmm. Chatting with friends, or video games, or sleep.
8. Song of the week?
I recently saw this band The Starting Line on MTV. And I really like their song Island. I guess I’m enchanted by it. In fact let’s hear it now...
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Yeah Definitely.
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Uh what have I seen? I don’t remember. *pause* Book I’d recommend How to Change the World. Movie: Transformers. Robots and hot girls
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
*long pause* I think Oprah but by a slim margin, because if she lost the girls in her book club would smack Rosie down so fast.

Day 36 - Nico

Day 36 - October 6th 2007
Location: Stanford, Ca
Setting: Light Lab in the basement of the Theatre

1. Preferred nickname?
Nico
2. Birthplace?
Massachusetts
3. Paper or plastic?
Neither, renewable green bag
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Uh I think... sure I’m gonna say that. ... marble track thingy
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I’m gonna sneeze. I was in my house, in my family room.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Uh I know that’s obvious... oh do what you love.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
That would be in rehearsal
8. Song of the week?
That would be... um I’m gonna cheat. (Checks on his iPhone) These Hard Times by Matchbox Twenty
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
No, I don’t actually know any off hand. Actually I do but I couldn’t tell it.
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Winning Our Energy Independence by S. David Freeman
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Rosie O’Donnell just cuz she’s crazy.

Day 35 - J

Day 35 - October 5th 2007
Location: Palo Alto
Setting: Z Gallery

1. Preferred nickname?
J
2. Birthplace?
Menlo Park
3. Paper or plastic?
Canvas. Screw Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Tinker toys or legos
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I stayed home from school that day, I think I was sick.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Be a duck
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Sleeping or eating.
8. Song of the week?
Umm. God I don’t know the artist. (Pause)
Becoming Insane by Infected Mushrooms actually, make that Salmon Dance by Chemical Brothers
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Yes, though I can’t remember any off the top of my head.
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Oh snap, it’s been a long time since I’ve read a book or seen a movie
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
*pause* Go with Oprah. I think she gained some weight again.

Day 34 - Fu

Day 34 - October 4th 2007
Location: Los Altos Hills, CA
Setting: Foothill College Ceramics room

1. Preferred nickname?
Fu
2. Birthplace?
China
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
(Word I can’t read) seat bike
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
At home sleeping
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Always eat a great meal
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Reading a great book with my cat sleeping by my side
8. Song of the week?
He Love (Rachael Yamagata)
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Yes
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Chocolate
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Rosie

Day 33 - Roth

Day 33 - October 3rd 2007
Location: Los Altos Hills, Ca
Setting: Foothill College Photo Lab

1. Preferred nickname?
Roth or Tred Longwell
2. Birthplace?
Hawaii
3. Paper or plastic?
I’m paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Uh wow. There were so many. I love radio control airplanes
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I was working at Sun Microsystems (story followed)
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Go after what you want. Jump on it
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Uh shoot. I guess black and white photography with red filter at the beach with a beer. ... I dunno
8. Song of the week?
I listen to too much hip hop, Jay Z
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Mmm... no I don’t mind em, but not at the time. Maybe I should learn ‘em
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Probably Wuthering Heights
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
I’d probably have to go with Oprah.

Day 32 - Chocolate

Day 32 - October 2nd 2007
Location: Palo Alto, Ca
Setting: Foothill College Middlefield campus

1. Preferred nickname?
Chocolate
2. Birthplace?
East Palo Alto
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Superman
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
At home watching it on TV. Then I went to school.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Get Money
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Chilling with my son.
8. Song of the week?
Shorty
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Yeah
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Homer Simpson, or the Simpsons
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oprah

Day 31 - Valeria

Day 31 - October 1st 2007
Location: Los Altos Hills, CA
Setting: Foothill College

1. Preferred nickname?
Valeria. Lera.
2. Birthplace?
St. Petersburg
3. Paper or plastic?
You can’t ask me questions like that I’m as decisive as a fat man in a buffet
4. Favorite childhood toy?
I came from Russia! My favorite toy was like, “Here’s a rock! Play with it”
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
In my 8th grade English class with my teacher Miss Elmore who was like the spawn of Satan.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Russians lie 11 times out of 10.
As long as you’re breathing you have every reason to be happy.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
*laughs* Dancing, eating, laughing, living and getting away with something I shouldn’t
8. Song of the week?
Hold on, I have one California by Mylene Farmer
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Excuse me. I’m Russian! We know too many. And I’m a Jew, I know them by default. I’m the target of ‘em.
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Oh my god I’ve read so many. Look ay you- you write everything! Beach Music.
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
*long pause* Oprah because of affirmative action.

Day 30 - Em

Day 30 - September 30th 2007
Location: Stanford, CA
Setting: Dorm room

1. Preferred nickname?
Em
2. Birthplace?
Torrance, CA
3. Paper or plastic?
Umm... plastic
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Umm.. Probably stuffed dog.
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
School. Home. I went to school. San Diego, CA. I was in 8th grade.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Um. Don’t take everything seriously.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Reading
8. Song of the week?
Curve of the Earth by Matt Nathanson
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Yeah
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Um. Probably Against the Day.
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oprah Clearly.

Day 29 - Nesh

Day 29 - September 29th 2007
Location: Mountain View, California
Setting: In a car on the way to a DMB concert

1. Preferred nickname?
Nesh
2. Birthplace?
Durgapur
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Gosh. Uh... I don’t know I don’t remember any, I don’t think I had any favorites.
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
Uh I was in Blacksburg, Virginia.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Be yourself.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Lazing and reading a book.
8. Song of the week?
Proudest Monkey
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
I know sardar jokes
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Um.. I think Constant Gardner was what I liked. It’s not recent, does it matter? And book ... Jonathan Livingston Single
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Rosie O’Donnell.

Day 28 - Judie

Day 28 - September 28th 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Setting: Intermission for a play at the San Jose Rep

1. Preferred nickname?
Judie
2. Birthplace?
Brooklyn, New York
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
I still have it. A Monopoly game from 1949
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
Not so funny story. At my house. (Story followed...)
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Live everyday to it’s fullest
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
That’s a tough one. Probably with good friends doing something meaningful.
8. Song of the week?
Oh my goodness I don’t have one.
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Yes but I refuse to tell them.
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Um. Hmm... Sweet November
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oh please... Oprah has such power. But I like Rosie I think she’s real.

Day 27 - Ama

Day 27 - September 27th 2007
Location: San Francisco, Ca
Setting: Blue Danube Coffee House

1. Preferred nickname?
Ama
2. Birthplace?
Reno Nevada
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Oh... I don’t know if it’s a toy.. A stuffed racoon named Tim
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
Um I was, during the actual event I was sleeping. Then I went to school that day, college.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Wow. That’s difficult. Be yourself. Later I’ll probably go that’s not it, something else.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Um. Well currently its reading. But I have to. Probably hanging out with a friend or loved one in a park drinking coffee.
8. Song of the week?
Good by Morphine
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Um. Yeah. Racist jokes. Yes.
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
The latest book would be Sex and the Body and the movie would be Happyness
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Rosie O’Donnell

Day 26 - Lady C

Day 26 - September 26th 2007
Location: Los Altos Hills, California
Setting: Foothill College

1. Preferred nickname?
I don’t have a nickname. Actually I take that back: Lady C
2. Birthplace?
4th generation Californian
3. Paper or plastic?
Cuz of the cat box, plastic.
4. Favorite childhood toy?
My fishing rod.
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I was home sick from work and I had the news on.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Plan your future.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
*pause* Probably shooting photos at a car show, though I’d do that in the morning.
8. Song of the week?
*laughs* Tonight. It was written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim from the West Side Story.
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Of course. Everybody does, and anyone who says they don’t is lying. The key is I refuse to repeat them.
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Wow. Mostly text related books. Okay, for general reading pleasure... stardust.
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Umm, I’m gonna say Rosie. She looks like she’s got more street cred.

Day 25 - Ralph

Day 25 - September 25th 2007
Location: Palo Alto, California
Setting: Foothill College Middlefield Campus - Sociology Classroom

1. Preferred nickname?
Ralph
2. Birthplace?
Brazil
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
G.I. Joes
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
Sleeping
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Oh wow. umm. Live. Simple
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Uh... That’s kinda hard. So many things. Family
8. Song of the week?
*long pause* Song of the week... I can’t think of one now.
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Yeah.
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Tipping Point
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oprah

The gaps in some interviews...

I’m sure some of you will notice the gaps in some interviews, thus I’m going to explain why they’re there in advance so I don’t get oodles of questions about it. When doing the daily interviews I have a tendency to focus on the person I’m talking to (logically). And thus even though I generally know the questions when I’m not occupied, I have a tendency to forget questions when asking them. My solution is just to cheat and look at the proceeding day’s interview and copy the question. Sometimes if the person the day before talked for a longer or shorter amount, or my handwriting was more of a scrawl - the spacing sometimes differs by day. And if I look just across the lines of one page to the next, sometimes a question can get missed. Then most likely the question will be missed for several interviews until I notice the number has changed. Which is the reason you will see several interviews without the favorite childhood toy and racist joke questions. For some of those people I do have their contact information as it was exchanged during the interview, however I feel it’s best to leave it as is: with all the information for the day being acquired on the day itself. If this irks any readers/viewers, I’m sorry. I hope I’ll be a bit more focused so you won’t see the mistake again.

Day 24 - Alek

Day 24 - September 24th 2007
Location: Foothill College
Setting: Honors History Seminar

1. Preferred nickname?
Alek
2. Birthplace?
Boston
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
My dogs. I did have toys but I like my dogs more.
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
Johannesburg, South Africa
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Umm.. You’ll get over anything eventually. Try not to be cynical.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Umm, I guess reading a book at a lake. Realistically if I had my way it’d be an island in the Maldives and snorkeling
8. Song of the week?
Girl From Panama. The Frank Sinatra Version.
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
I guess I know them. I’m trying to think of one.
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Arlene Blum’s autobiography.
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oprah, always Oprah

Day 23 - Chris

Day 23 - September 23rd 2007
Location: Tiburon, California
Setting: Goodbye Party for a friend

1. Preferred nickname?
Chris
2. Birthplace?
Des Plaines, Illinois
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Oh wow... hmmm depends on when my childhood ends. I used to love fischertechnik. It was a construction kit.
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
Yeah- you know I woke up that morning to the radio. I had a moment of panic cuz one of tthe guys on my team was there. (There = New York. Story continued faster than I could write but in the end, the guy was okay)
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
I guess uh... go with the flow. Enjoy life as you go.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Probably hiking. I like doing hikes with my friends and my dog.
8. Song of the week?
I can give a group of the week: Grateful Dead
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Umm hmm.. I’m from near Chicago so I know a lot of Polish jokes.
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Book: Freakonomics
Movie, I guess I’d say Crash
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oh my goodness. ...gosh
I guess I’d say Oprah