saturday / October 10, 2009
Good Times in ATL
Megan, Amanda, and Breanne headed east for the weekend to visit with fellow Project M'ers Reena and Melissa. We roamed the streets, ate delicious food, and perused some great shops. Oh... and Amanda ran 13.1 miles to complete her very first half marathon!
friday / October 5, 2009
Death by Sander
The floor sander from 1912 (pictured here) gave Megan and Amanda a real run for their money. It sparked. It growled. It spit in their face. But rest assured, in no time PieLab will have the smoothest floors east of the Mississippi.
thursday / October 1, 2009
Once in a lifetime.
Christapher found himself behind the wheel of a large automobile and on the road to RISD (with Mark).
wednesday / September 30, 2009
As per usual.
Things never seem to work out as planned. After an unsuccessful early-morning-mad-rush to find the license and registration for the ambulance and trailer, Christapher was stuck in Greensboro.
Johnny Parker would have "driven the goddamn thing all the way to California," but Christapher didn't share his confidence or enthusiasm and so that night we worked to move the (blank)LAB to a new trailer.
Johnny helped signal Greg as he pushed the container onto the new trailer with a tractor. After some welding and light bulb replacement, the trailer was ready to go.
Christapher was pleased. Then we all crossed our fingers for a successful launch the next morning.
Johnny Parker would have "driven the goddamn thing all the way to California," but Christapher didn't share his confidence or enthusiasm and so that night we worked to move the (blank)LAB to a new trailer.
Johnny helped signal Greg as he pushed the container onto the new trailer with a tractor. After some welding and light bulb replacement, the trailer was ready to go.
Christapher was pleased. Then we all crossed our fingers for a successful launch the next morning.
tuesday / September 29, 2009
So, it was Monday.
Ryan had just returned from a quick visit home (to see his brother off to Manchester).
Christapher and Dan were hard at work on (blank)LAB for its departure the next day. After we swept, mopped, and cleared out the entire shipping container, Johnny Parker and Pop came by to load it onto our trailer. After all sorts of industrial pushing and pulling, the container rested perfectly on the back of the (truck) ambulance.
Because we knew Christapher was leaving early the next morning, we said our goodbyes and hoped for the best.
Christapher and Dan were hard at work on (blank)LAB for its departure the next day. After we swept, mopped, and cleared out the entire shipping container, Johnny Parker and Pop came by to load it onto our trailer. After all sorts of industrial pushing and pulling, the container rested perfectly on the back of the (truck) ambulance.
Because we knew Christapher was leaving early the next morning, we said our goodbyes and hoped for the best.
monday / September 28, 2009
monday / September 28, 2009
California calling Birmingham. Birmingham calling Greensboro.
Amanda and Megan dropped Ryan off at the airport this morning. Taking advantage of this trip to Birmingham, Amandegan ventured to Urban Standard to exploit their free internet and sip expensive caffeinated beverages. While surfing the interwebs, Megan, Serah, Corinne, and Amanda decided it'd be a great idea to take photos of themselves and send them to one another.
A stellar idea indeed. And so another Saturday begins.
A stellar idea indeed. And so another Saturday begins.
saturday / September 26, 2009
During John's visit to Greensboro this week, we spent a lot of time working to get (blank)LAB ready for the road. (blank)LAB will act as a mobile Project M Studio as it embarks on a college-tour this spring. Next week, the (blank)LAB will travel from Alabama to Providence, RI to be a part of the Better World by Design Conference being held at RISD.
Ryan and Dan developed a newsprint piece that will be used to encourage participation from conference goers.
Marc and Christapher, two Project M'ers from the June 2009 M session, will be driving the LAB as it embarks on this first leg of the tour, making stops in Memphis and then in St. Louis. before heading further west.
Ryan and Dan developed a newsprint piece that will be used to encourage participation from conference goers.
Marc and Christapher, two Project M'ers from the June 2009 M session, will be driving the LAB as it embarks on this first leg of the tour, making stops in Memphis and then in St. Louis. before heading further west.
friday / September 25, 2009
Brian W. Jones took this photo.
Brian W. Jones has an iphone. His iphone allows Brian to rapidly snap pictures at the most paramount of times. Brian W. Jones is from Virginia. The fact that Brian is from Virginia has little to do with this photo and what it depicts. If you'd like to learn more about what you see in this photo please send Brian an email, or post your request on his Facebook wall. Suffice it to say, we are important people who meet over coffee and discuss important things.
thursday / September 24, 2009
A Model for PieLab?
This week we've been developing a business plan for PieLab. Through a series of charts and graphs, we detail how PieLab is funded, who it employs, and how we keep it afloat.
wednesday / September 23, 2009
Greensboro Finds Itself Star-Studded
Oliver Munday, Joseph Shipp, and John Bielenberg all in town at once? You had better believe it.
Oliver has been helping us through the renovations (tearing apart) of PieLab on Main Street. He also designed up a poster for PieLab's grand opening. Joseph brought some friends to see the area, but also to help our Kickstarter reward selection out (coming soon). John is going to help us think wrong about (blank)Lab and to help plan our upcoming Blitz with Auburn... among many other things.
Oliver has been helping us through the renovations (tearing apart) of PieLab on Main Street. He also designed up a poster for PieLab's grand opening. Joseph brought some friends to see the area, but also to help our Kickstarter reward selection out (coming soon). John is going to help us think wrong about (blank)Lab and to help plan our upcoming Blitz with Auburn... among many other things.
monday / September 21, 2009
friday / September 18, 2009
Today...we built a 10 ft. wall.
Tomorrow...we'll build two more.
wednesday / September 16, 2009
The Pie Lab Contractor
tuesday / September 15, 2009
Pie Lab labor resumes
Meg/Ryan: Now working 18 hour days.
monday / September 14, 2009
and then...it was done.
Detroit Metro Airport: Possibly the weirdest terminal tunnel known to man. Far too much to handle at 5:30 am.
sunday / September 13, 2009
M Detroit made Fox.
Totally. Awesome.
Totally. Awesome.
saturday / September 12, 2009
Day-Twa: Day 5
Though our young helpers did a great job painting, we spent much of thursday morning re-painting the horseshoe pits into a more cohesive scheme. Once again, Megan's craving for good Detroit food took precedence, so she and a few others headed to Motor City Brewery for lunch, while a dedicated Ryan continued to pick-axe the solid ground in an effort to securely fasten the horseshoe pits and stakes. A bunch of devoted M'ers then hopped in a jeep, drove to Old Tiger Stadium, and filled the back of the SUV with piles of gravel. Shhhh.
The afternoon flew by (as we're told it does in Detroit) and before long, residents were showing up at the Plot ready to throw some ringers! The event was a great success. Local vendors offered fresh fruit, hot dogs, and Faygo pop, (yes pop) a Detroit original. We played horseshoes until dusk, then headed to Northern Lights, another Detroit hotspot, for some great food, drink and conversation. Success for Project M.
The afternoon flew by (as we're told it does in Detroit) and before long, residents were showing up at the Plot ready to throw some ringers! The event was a great success. Local vendors offered fresh fruit, hot dogs, and Faygo pop, (yes pop) a Detroit original. We played horseshoes until dusk, then headed to Northern Lights, another Detroit hotspot, for some great food, drink and conversation. Success for Project M.
thursday / September 10, 2009
Day-Twa: Day 4
We started yet another morning right, with Avalon Bakery and their (as I am told) fantastic coffee and a cup of skim milk for the not so caffeine inclined. Megan, finding herself back in her college stomping grounds, had much catching up to do and as a result went and drank with former professors all afternoon. Ryan stayed back with Mark (M'er), Brian, and Amanda to start building horseshoe pits for Plot 63.
Later that day, a tipsy Megan met back up with Ryan and the rest of the crew to head over to Plot 63 and begin burying the horseshoe pits for Thursday. As we all got to work painting the horseshoe pits and digging holes to place them in, a group of children approached us and inquired as to what we were working on. A minute later we had three volunteers helping us paint.
Night, a large swarm of mosquitoes, and warnings of safety were all upon us and so we decided to call it a day.
Later that day, a tipsy Megan met back up with Ryan and the rest of the crew to head over to Plot 63 and begin burying the horseshoe pits for Thursday. As we all got to work painting the horseshoe pits and digging holes to place them in, a group of children approached us and inquired as to what we were working on. A minute later we had three volunteers helping us paint.
Night, a large swarm of mosquitoes, and warnings of safety were all upon us and so we decided to call it a day.
wednesday / September 9, 2009
Day-Twa: Day 3: in five lines
1. Good Coffee
2. John B.
3. Horseshoes
4. BBQ (& Fantastic Beer)
5. Whoppers
2. John B.
3. Horseshoes
4. BBQ (& Fantastic Beer)
5. Whoppers
tuesday / September 8, 2009
Day-Twa: Day 2
After a good night's sleep at Jeff's sister's boyfriend's house, Meg/Ryan hit a Royal Oak Starbucks, where Megan enjoyed the first $4 hot mocha beverage she's had in 3 months. Once back at the M house in Corktown, we had a good back-porch discussion about the project. It's all about the ringers and leaners (more on all that later).
Soon after the backyard talk, we found ourselves driving around the city looking for salvageable wood. Before we knew it, we were standing on Michigan Avenue, dismantling a few wooden bed frames that were conveniently leaning against a nearby business. It was like we never left Alabama.
With our findings packed neatly in the jeep and the film crew toting close behind, we made our way uptown to Traffic Jam, a great local restaurant w/ a sizable beer list. After a delicious lunch, we drove through Eastern Market and up Gratiot to see the Heidelberg Project. From there, we made a brief stop at the Jazz Fest then back to the house to relax. After much waiting around and deliberating about our next move, we decided to head out to the burbs, to Ferndale's great Woodward Avenue Brewery. Megan's friend Rachael met up w/ the group, and together we enjoyed some delicious craft beer(s).
Our night ended at Jeff's brother Steve's friend Diane's house. Bed. Couch. Dog. Sleep. Phew.
Soon after the backyard talk, we found ourselves driving around the city looking for salvageable wood. Before we knew it, we were standing on Michigan Avenue, dismantling a few wooden bed frames that were conveniently leaning against a nearby business. It was like we never left Alabama.
With our findings packed neatly in the jeep and the film crew toting close behind, we made our way uptown to Traffic Jam, a great local restaurant w/ a sizable beer list. After a delicious lunch, we drove through Eastern Market and up Gratiot to see the Heidelberg Project. From there, we made a brief stop at the Jazz Fest then back to the house to relax. After much waiting around and deliberating about our next move, we decided to head out to the burbs, to Ferndale's great Woodward Avenue Brewery. Megan's friend Rachael met up w/ the group, and together we enjoyed some delicious craft beer(s).
Our night ended at Jeff's brother Steve's friend Diane's house. Bed. Couch. Dog. Sleep. Phew.
monday / September 7, 2009
Day-Twa: Day 1
Megan and Ryan were dropped off at BHM by Dan and Breanne after a not so delicious lunch at Hardee's. We rushed through security and then to our gate, where we were greeted by our miniature sized (but well priced) plane. Ryan trembled at the thought of sitting cramped inside of such small a vehicle for the extended period of time that he was about to have to endure.
In between dozing off, staring at the back of Megan's head, and shifting uncomfortably, Ryan had a chance to notice a most fantastic display of clouds in the sky. After landing, we rushed to our connecting flight in the middle of the Houston airport. This flight was much more comfortable (except for the man seated next to Ryan who felt that he was entitled to at least half of Ryan's leg and arm room at all times) and Meg/Ryan were finally reunited side by side. Whole once again, Meg/Ryan were able to enjoy a Kit-Kat, but also possibly the most important conversation of their Americorps lives (more on that... eventually).
Once landing in Detroit, Ryan was astounded by the Disney/Seaworld inspired tunnel way blaring Brian Eno-esque ambience that he was forced to travel through to get to his and Megan's ride. After meeting up with Brian W. Jones and two of the Detroit M'ers, we headed to Big Boy for a bite to eat, and then to the Detroit M home base to meet the rest of the crew.
A quick conversation and a shot of Seagram's was our introduction and conclusion to the first night in Detroit.
In between dozing off, staring at the back of Megan's head, and shifting uncomfortably, Ryan had a chance to notice a most fantastic display of clouds in the sky. After landing, we rushed to our connecting flight in the middle of the Houston airport. This flight was much more comfortable (except for the man seated next to Ryan who felt that he was entitled to at least half of Ryan's leg and arm room at all times) and Meg/Ryan were finally reunited side by side. Whole once again, Meg/Ryan were able to enjoy a Kit-Kat, but also possibly the most important conversation of their Americorps lives (more on that... eventually).
Once landing in Detroit, Ryan was astounded by the Disney/Seaworld inspired tunnel way blaring Brian Eno-esque ambience that he was forced to travel through to get to his and Megan's ride. After meeting up with Brian W. Jones and two of the Detroit M'ers, we headed to Big Boy for a bite to eat, and then to the Detroit M home base to meet the rest of the crew.
A quick conversation and a shot of Seagram's was our introduction and conclusion to the first night in Detroit.
sunday / September 6, 2009
sunday / September 6, 2009
Happy birthday Breanne Kostyk!
A wonderful breakfast cooked by the birthday girl herself, an afternoon of relaxing, and then who knows what tonight in Tuscaloosa.
saturday / September 5, 2009
PieLab on Main Street: Episode 2
It Rained (Moldy) Plaster
Dan and Breanne have been working away at renovating the new space on Main Street. Youth Build has also lent an extremely helpful hand. Using their help, we were able to take down a half wall, a pantry, a bathroom, three plaster walls, a quarter of ceiling, and a forest behind the building all in one day.
The giddiness of actually opening up in such a visible location is setting in...
friday / September 4, 2009
Megan & Ryan lectured at Southern Academy*
For questions or comments please contact Jillian Perez Dudziak at 321-438-4812 or jilliandudziak@mac.com.
*Immediately after tearing down a plaster wall.
*Immediately after tearing down a plaster wall.
friday / September 4, 2009
Invest in Pie*
*And get a free slice of Pie!
thursday / September 3, 2009
Megan Deal and Ryan LeCluyse:
are two graphic designers living and working in Greensboro, Alabama. They each found themselves in the rural south after taking their Americorps vows, and then swearing a year of their life to service. Megan, who hails from Detroit, and Ryan, who comes from Baltimore, will work together over the next year to operate the very first Project M Lab.
The M Lab was born out of the 2008 Project M session and has since been used to station passionate young individuals interested in the possibilities of meaningful graphic design. For the remainder of this year M Lab will be the design studio (whatever that means) of the combined forces of Meg/Ryan.
Copyright © 2009 Meg/Ryan,
All Rights Reserved
About Meg/Ryan