Megablog is a blog dedicated to the biggest, the largest, the most expansive, and superlatives as they shape the built environment. Can we even luxuriate to imagine such ambitious progress? A tunnel directly through the earth?

Stephen and Shelby have been discussing the starting of a recession garden in back of Stephen's humble abode. Yeah - things can go down the tubes and the price of food will go up quite a bit along with other common goods. Now you can be prepared for the worst or heck... if nothing happens you can at least get a green thumb and enjoy the wonders of growing things you can eat! 2008 is the time to start a recession garden! Start yours today and post photographs of what you do... more articles to come with gardening tips and more! Take that 'mercan money and buy some seeds and eat up! FULL STEAMPUNK AHEAD!!

More photos from comrades on flickr from our Feb 2008 weekend in NYC and Washington DC:

Photos by Dakota Fine (Flickr)

Photos By KT (Flickr)

Photos By Nicole Nonesuch (Flickr)

Photos by Nestor Diaz (Flickr)

Thanks to all the photo-documentarians for your great photos!!!

(Not pictured: Amazing coffee from 9th Street Espresso in Chelsea Market and French Breakfast from Café Henri!)

Murky Coffee, in Arlington Va. is a most unusual place—an oasis in a desert of corporate coffee destinations. Every time I go to Murky, I’m amazed anew when the Barista hands me a splendid cup, the hand-decorated shape on light froth of the hot beveridge a symbol of craftsmanship and dedication to quality. I’m never surprised however, with the extraordinary characters encountered at Murky.

There are at all times students of many varieties, some even studying and working on the crafting of documents no doubt destined to release never before expressed thoughts and revelations. There is the inevitable fugitive, clad in a dark blue suit, tie thrown over his shoulder so it doesn’t fall into his triple latte. He’s nervously shifting from a book to his Blackberry, and back, incessantly. Sunken deeply into the velour sofas, one can see the intellectual at work, allowing the caprices of their mind to wander freely, ensnaring, with words, their companion.

The outside of the building is not modest, as Murky inhabits two floors, and sits dangerously close to the edge of Wilson Blvd. Murky is a spectacular place to sit and watch the traffic go by—the oft favored activity of new lovers.

After a long train ride across the Tibetan Plateau, where our train ran roughshod over centuries of stories, battles, travels, and revelations, we arrived in Llasa, Tibet.

This morning we find ourselves enjoying a very good cup of coffee at the Summit Fine Art Cafe. I ordered an extra shot of espress in my latte, which I did not need, as the coffee is made correctly strong!

Our fellow travelers here appear to be gearing up for major expeditions and small accomplishments, the sign board advertising for travelers of all sorts to join together to seek EXPERIENCES.

The cafe itself is very modern, and feels oddly urban, but comfortable nonetheless. The people running the cafe are amazingly friendly and yet again possess a rather mesmorizing Tibetan voice.

I happened to be fortunate enough one day to meander through the East Village of the grand city of New York to a splendid small cafe which pleased immensely. A simple beverage of espresso and steamed milk, beautifully manufactured, and of the exact right temperate was accompanied by a delightful combination of chocolate and bread.

It’s easy to imagine whiling away an afternoon, on their the petite porch facing out into the street.

9th St. Espresso 700 East 9th St. Between Avenue C and Avenue D