• Typewriter Keys

    What kind of day are you having?

    In honor of this Tumblr, which I recently discovered, I’m going to share my own, slightly less profane “Of The Day” list. Enjoy:

    Tip of the day: Our future depends on libraries

    Person of the day: Meet the author of the new book “American Afterlife: Encounters in the Customs of Mourning”

    Educate yourself: Starting this week

    Mind-blowing book of the day: Really fascinating

    Useful item of the day: I want this, but can’t afford it

    Website of the day: How much will it snow?

    Awesomest video of the day: How to make an emergency candle out of butter

    Sweetest picture of the day: Fedorable

  • Giving always makes me happy

    As you probably guessed, I supported the “I Want My Nerd HQ 2014” campaign. Not because I adore Zachary Levi (though I really, really do). Not because I want to win a fun Indiegogo perk (none are being offered). And not because I can afford to attend Nerd HQ, an awesome — and free — gathering of nerds held each summer during Comic-Con in San Diego.

    I made a donation because giving always makes me happy. Also, I believe in Nerd HQ, and I want it to continue connecting fans with the artistic and talented people who create their favorite TV shows (“Chuck,” “Dr. Who,” “Supernatural,” “Haven,” “Sherlock,” “Robot Chicken”) and passions (superheroes, games, comic books, technology).

    As an extra karmic boost, Nerd HQ donates all event proceeds (collected from auctions, photos, etc.) to Operation Smile, an international medical charity that helps treat children born with a cleft. This condition not only deforms a child’s face, it can also be life-threatening. In fact, 1 in 10 children born with a cleft die before their first birthday. And those who survive are often unable to speak, eat or smile. To date, the Nerd Machine and Nerd HQ have raised over $415,000 for this worthy cause.

    I want this event to exist and to thrive. At least 5,000 of my fellow nerds do so as well. If you’re a nerd (or even if you’re not), and giving makes you happy, please consider joining the Nerd HQ Army. It only costs $5.

  • The beautiful music of birds

    Birds on the Wires from Jarbas Agnelli on Vimeo.

    Winner of the YouTube Play Guggenheim Biennial Festival.
    Soundtrack available here.

    Reading a newspaper, I saw a picture of birds on the electric wires. I cut out the photo and decided to make a song, using the exact location of the birds as notes (no Photoshop edit). I knew it wasn’t the most original idea in the universe. I was just curious to hear what melody the birds were creating.

    I sent the music to the photographer, Paulo Pinto, who I Googled on the internet. He told his editor, who told a reporter and the story ended up as an interview in the very same newspaper.

    Here I've posted a short video made with the photo, the music and the score (composed by the birds).

    Also check my live presentation of Birds on the Wires at TEDx São Paulo: http://www.tedxsaopaulo.com.br/jarbas-agnelli/

    Music made with Logic.
    Video made with After Effects.

    An interview about this and other works can be found here.

  • A letterboxing adventure, part 1

    Most of my adventures take place inside my house, my office, my books, my laptop or my mind. But I’m told there’s a whole wide world out there, and in order to stay healthy, I’m supposed to spend more time in it (if only to get the daily recommended dose of vitamin D). To accomplish this — and to experience another “first” — I’ve decided to try letterboxing.

    What is letterboxing? This is the official definition from letterboxing community Atlas Quest:

    “Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining artistic ability with delightful treasure-hunts in beautiful, scenic places.”

    Here’s the gist: Someone places a rubber-stamp and a journal inside a box and hides it somewhere in the world. Then, they post clues/directions to that box online, either on Atlas Quest or Letterboxing North America.

    Participants look up the clues and embark on a real world search for the box. Once a box is found, participants use the stamp inside to add the box owner’s mark to their journal. They also imprint their own unique stamp in the enclosed journal.

    Basically it’s a way to explore the world, find treasure and share art.

    Experienced letterboxers apparently create their own rubber stamps. But since I’m a newbie, I decided to purchase a few and choose one as my sigil. I ordered three that were custom-made on Etsy.

    This one represents my love of books.

    raven and books stamp

    This one represents my love of obits.

    skull and crossbones stamp

    This one represents my love of cemeteries.

    winged skull stamp

    Which one should I use? Vote in this poll:

    [socialpoll id=”2190781″]