Both my Beautiful Girlfriend and I are very busy people, but even we find make time to help wildlife. Last weekend, we took a quick jaunt up to our northern neighbor Canada, and paid a visit to some baby seals.
This shot was taken with "Sadie" a 3 week old Harp Seal, just before we clubbed that barking little bitch like a red-haired stepchild.
nudge 'cymatic' from nudge on Vimeo.
Check out this new Nudge song, Cymatic, with accompanying yeast infection time lapse video.
Jungle. Jungle. Jungle. Bigup Honkynation!
I was recently in Vegas for a bachelor party. I had never been there. It's a blast, and yes, 2 days is enough.
Between bachelor partying, I managed to take in the Cirque du Soleil Beatles Tribute, Love. It was absolutely fantastic, mostly because they picked all the cool Beatles songs to choreograph. Like these:
1. Because
2. Get Back
3. Glass Onion
4. Eleanor Rigby
Julia (Transition)
5. I Am The Walrus
6. I Want To Hold Your Hand
7. Drive My Car/ The Word/ What You're Doing
8. Gnik Nus
9. Something
Blue Jay Way (Transition)
10. Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite!/ I Want You (She's So Heavy)/ Helter Skelter
11. Help!
12. Blackbird/ Yesterday
13. Strawberry Fields Forever
14. Within You Without You/ Tomorrow Never Knows
15. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
16. Octopus's Garden
17. Lady Madonna
18. Here Comes The Sun
The Inner Light (Transition)
19. Come Together/ Dear Prudence/ Cry Baby Cry
(Transition)
20. Revolution
21. Back In The U.S.S.R.
22. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
23. A Day In The Life
24. Hey Jude
25. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
26. All You Need Is Love
More information about the recordings can be found here.
Of note are the transitions, which were surprising experimental. Like this:
Sir George Martin totally brought it when putting this show together, having access to the original reels. Also, each seat has it's own sound system, in conjunction with spectacular "3D" house sound — and, it's loud, perfect for deaf people like me.
...just look at this blingin front wheel!
Two very thoughtful friends bought me this crucial stationary.
My boy sent me this and it is pretty impressive. I can just hear a Frenchman saying; "Ve vil doit like ze Daf Punk, but vif le cube, not le peeramide..."
Etienne De Crecy Live 2007 Transmusicales de Rennes from Clement bournat on Vimeo.
My man pointed out that this is the best thing ever, and he is right. I feel that both Billy Ocean and Cocaine should be held accountable for this video. Some sort of explanation is in order.
I'm always somewhat on the fence about David Byrne, mostly because Talking Heads are about the squarest, whitest band ever and also because of shit like this. Anyone who attempts to further inundate contemporary society with PowerPoint surely deserves a beating.
Nonetheless, the man is pretty cool and has been pulling the wool over everyone's eyes hammering it out for so long.
So, if I were you, I would go to see his Playing The Building installation, which opens at beautifully restored Battery Maritime Building (aka Whitehall Terminal) this weekend.
I find this MIDI controller to be pretty "tits". In other words, I find this piece of gear to be a real jogger that can certainly go the distance, no problem. A husband and wife team make these in Philly.
Yuki Kokubo, a fellow Chicago to NYC transplant, has launched an online photo gallery of her work called Wanderlust Foto. There are 6 initial galleries, themed documentary-style by travel destination.
From the artist:
Traveling is a path to new discoveries as well as an escape from the past and present. It is a chance to remove yourself from your daily routine, which gives you the opportunity to evaluate your situation.
The Argentinian gallery, with it's amazing ice photos like the one above, is particularly excellent.
I've written about EcoSystems before, and since then, they've been hard at work.
They've developed a new chair called the Bamba, which is beautiful. If it's anything like the Tandem chair that I've experienced, the sitee is in for a well crafted and sturdy treat. Oh yeah, and you can proclaim you love for Gaia by basking in the greenery of your new seat. Tread lightly bitches!
Lastly, EcoSystems is included in a group furniture show of Brooklyn designers called BKLYN DESIGNS. The show is this weekend May 9-11.
My man is a carpenter amongst other things. We just had him build a desk/shelf in our bedroom. Perhaps you would like him to build something for you?
The West is where people rent city houses whose backyard trees bear fruit, are sensitive, and don't jaywalk. It's also a place where ideas blossom from mixing Chakras with sunshine, and adding a little touch of "sicky, brah".
Resultingly, my left coast friends just launched erockster.com.
It has something to do with "radio"/music, making friends and The WorldWide InterWeb. Oh, and Coachella too.
Me? I'm not down with a rotation of Tegan and Sara, Snow Patrol, or fucking Death Crap for Cutie — but I can't wait for the exclusive shit like hazy afterparty hot tub conversations, cocktail wieners and A.M. chorelist rollcall.
Today is an extra Red Letter Day because I just beat my BrickBreaker high score; my favorite pastime to do while serving.
Previously I was at 3680, Level 6. But this afternoon, when Mother Nature's Special Post Lunchtime Call came, I hunkered down and answered with a sizzling 3930, Level 8.
Recently, I designed a movie poster for this Indy film called Merci. I'm not really sure when or where or how you can see it, but I'll bet it's pretty cool as the Synthetic Conceptions guys are swell and from Jersey.
So that TRS-80 video that I posted was directed by Eric Fensler. So is Speical Effect, shown above. And, with a little more caffeine and sequential second hand "tick-tocking" movement, I remember that Fensler did all the G.I. Joe parodies, shown after the jump...
TRS-80 used to serve up steamy helpings of live, analog trip-hop and was one of my favorite Chicago bands. Then Deb and Kent split the band, and it got all fancy and moved to LA.
I found myself in tears today. And they weren't tears of joy because Jesus Christ (who decided to die three days prior for my sins) miraculously rose from the dead on this day 2008 years ago.
No. These were tears of sadness because a recent Software Update from Apple decided to crash on the Safari 3.1 install, and corrupt all of my applications that "talk" to The World Wide InterWeb. Which is basically all of them.
Look, I'm no Einstein, but you can read about the problem here, and here.
I found the solution here. Just follow the instructions. The problem? The Safari 3.1 install crash corrupts and Essential System Software Base System file called "WebKit.framework". Thanks Yzmotoxer807! You're the real Savior today.
Oh, and you'll need this shareware application called Pacifist.
Whatup Fisto?
Special prize to anyone that can answer this Masters of the Universe question:
"Who was the robot dude? He had interchangeable weapons for his arm...?"
THE EVIL HORDE HAS NO FRIENDS!
***UPDATE: The Answer is Trap Jaw. Thank you.***
My man (with sunglasses) recently shared these touching photos with me, taken during a recent Mac and Sleaze shoot. He explained to me that they "did the 2macs1cup." I'm not really sure what Mac and Sleaze or 2macs1cup is since the site is about as useful as a third nut. But I'm pretty sure it's something improper and perhaps criminal.
Oh, by the way, my man will soon be looking for a position as an account planner for a blue-chip, Fortune 500 company in the Advertising Industry. He is eager to provide 360 degree solutions for his clients both above and below the line. Specifically, he is seeking to specialize in Viral and Viral Video which come in under the radar to leverage the client's existing assets with new, out-of-the-box creative. He describes himself as a "people-person" who is young, and outgoing and has many hobbies and interests outside of the industry.
Continue reading "The Advertising of Tommorrow and Beyond." »
You may remember the misfortune my man endured recently.
Well, he's on the road to recovery, and, as this as always been an informative and constructive posting, I would like to offer The Top 9.667 New Career Choices For The Postpartum Digit Survivor. Here you go, Mr. 9.667, and Happy Birthday!
The Top 9.667 New Career Choices For The Postpartum Digit Survivor
1) Elevator Button Operator
2) Magic Finger Guillotine Volunteer
3) Finger Spinning Pioneer
4) Batter Taster
5) Semi-serious Acquisitor
6) Electric Socket Safety Demonstrator
7) Future "Fat-Key® Keyboard" Inventor
8) Suos-chef Special Teams: Chopper
9) Motivational Speaker for the Digitally Impaired
9.667) Ear and Nose Excavation Foreman
My friend turned me on to Imeem, which yet another social networking site. Imeem’s angle however is peer-to-peer file sharing, not swapping. Imeem’s angle is that it’s a rip of YouTube but for “authorized” audio.
Why should you care? Well, I've decided to upload an assload of mixes, some of which have been recently digitized from cassette. Yes.
Here’s one of my favorites:
(Psst. Rumor has it you can actually download it for your Zune, or Rio, or whatever kids listen to the music with these days.)
Actually, Imeem sucks because you can only listen to 30 seconds of each song unless you’re authorized to stream the whole thing. One becomes authorized by registering the song (or mix) with some ASCAP sort of shit. Lamo Lamenstein.
Actually, I don’t know what the fuck is going on. I guess you can stream the mix, but you can’t download it. Sometimes, The Future doesn’t work how we’d like it to work.
There may only be two people giving a shit about this, but I stumbled over this tutorial for the brilliant, Ableton Live 7.
I can’t believe how easy it is to MIDI map a sample now. More importantly, the drag and reorder MIDI note triggering seals the deal. Back in the day, you’d have to slice this shit up to grid and manually (read: destructively) re-order the samples, or dick around funky sampler mapping.
My man sent this Bubblegum Sequencer to me today, and while it may be about as useful as a third nut, it's still pretty cool. I'd write more, but I still feel like shit after being laid up with the Flu for the last week. So there.
I was fortunate enough to have a hook up to see Shadow last Saturday at Irving Plaza The Fillmore at Irving Plaza. Btw, fuck "The Fillmore." If you're gonna change the name of the venue, at least throw on a new coat of paint, and change the chandielers. I had heard nothing about this "new release" The Hard Sell, but I guess last Saturday's show was the kick-off of a big tour for it.
Look at this awesome car I saw by Tompkins today. What the fuck is this? I'm not sure, but it's small and cool like Iceman's weiner.
My man, who is a gearhead, should comment on this car and write something so that I can post it. You know who you are.
***UPDATE*** My man says, "It's a antique Citroen 2CV..." Holy shit!
My new thing may be getting drunk latenight, then going to the mechanical bull.
Inexplicably, someone opened up a "mechanical bull bar" in the LES. It's called Mason Dixon, and it seems pretty douchey. Thing is, the bar is huge and stumbling distance from home. Also, it features a mechanical bull (for $10 a ride, or included with some drink specials.) I passed it the other day, and it was empty save for a few suitish holiday parties.
My hope is that this bar never becomes hip, and only attracts suits. Seeing Linda from HR, or Hugo "Buddah" Ritzel from IT take a faceplant from the bull is pretty ok by me.
Oh, hey, and they "now have Deerhunter!"
(More High Resolution Photography after the jump...)
My Birthday was about 7 months ago. But it took that long to post what may have been the greatest gift of all time, and I wanted to share it with you.
This gift was from my lady, who is the best girl ever. She curated, designed, and constructed this herself. The content was polled from my closest friends.
It's called "The Hatebook". The question: What does Bob hate?
(Buckle-up for the wild ride, after the jump...)
Much to their credit, Ogilvy & Mather have coordinated an impressive rotation of street art shows within their own halls, no less. Usually when agencies try to do such things, it turns out gay and desperate, like The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
But O&M hires the real deal, and even drops some coin on good beer and pizza to kick it off.
(Why you should care, after the jump...)
I had a friend once who aspired to be an artist. He claimed that his ultimate masterpiece would be to stretch a huge canvass, sign it, lay it on the sidewalk outside of a tall building, then jump off the building onto the canvass.
Dark? Of course, but also brilliant. This video is sort of like that idea. Can you design the most engaging online experience? The next level beyond this would cause the user's head to explode or something...
Looks like another Firebelly Market in Chicago. Although don't take this edition's usless flyer's word for it. Remember this last one?
The official skinny:
Firebelly Holiday Art Market
11am–5pm
Saturday, December 15th
2701 W Thomas, 2nd Floor
Come to the FB Holiday Art Market from 11-5 on Saturday, December 15th and see what the Firebelly family makes in its free time: original + affordable art, prints, posters, journals, cards, t-shirts, plush toys, clothing, accessories, food + more.....including a whole wall devoted to 50 pieces of art under $50!
HANDMADE ONE OF A KIND GOODS FROM: Firebelly Design / Art School Girl / Good Night TV / Delicious Design League / Qylaar / Katie Hates Couture / Rick Valicenti / Nako Design / Will Miller + Nick Santore / Valicenti Vittles / Jeanie Kirk's Cooking / Sun Young Park / Ilsa Flanagan / Its A Tie / The Bungaloo / Spike Press / Anne Benjamin / Esther Ramirez / Brian Kelly (DJ)
* 50% of all sales will be donated to the 2007 Firebelly Design Grantee, The Illinois Safe Schools Alliance.
The real stars here are Qylaar. Too bad their site has been abandoned like the IUD and foam, but if you wait there long enough, you can get an idea of what they do.
My man and his lady have announced their new letterpress business. This is what they say:
Letterpress Love from Thunderwing Press
I'm excited to share with you the very first online mention of our letterpress venture, Thunderwing Press, on Lord Whimsy's fascinating blog:
This is also an announcement that we are officially open for business!
So remember us for all your custom letterpress, and bookbinding projects.
(Including wedding and party invitations, stationery, business and calling cards, journals, and whatever else you're dreaming of).
Lots of deeply debossed letterpress love,
Jennifer and Nic.
Contact us at: thunderwingpress@gmail.com
And as we add projects: Thunderwingpress.com
This is good or several reasons. First, Nic is an excellent designer. Second, good luck finding anyone will to do small run letterpressing for you these days. As an aside, I don't know his lady, but she seems pretty rad. As another aside, my man has a band named Thunderwing in Chicago. Bravo.
PDF's are a pain in the ass already, but now this?
Cheney-style...
Superphotographer Taku Onoda just had not one, but two spreads in shi-shi Own Magazine. And, he's about to have another in Blackbook Magazine.
If you don't feel like waiting an eon for Own's site to load, why not do to the source? You can see a good sampling of Taku's work here, at his site TAKUStudio.
This was going around on the InterWebs, and if it's true, it may be the best thing ever.
Oct 21, 2007 9:25 AMSubject:
Swervedriver reuniting!?Body:
Hey, if it's in Billboard, Punknews.org and NYC's the Daily Swarm, what are the possibilities of this actually going through?I'll find out from Adam the truth to these articles and will post info as it comes in. Go get those tour shirts cleaned up and ready! (Garff!)
Bret (yeah, get on it whomever the fuck this is)
Swervedriver Returning To Duty For 2008 Tour
October 19, 2007, 1:20 PM ET
Jonathan Cohen, N.Y. (another whomever the fuck this is)
"U.K. rock act Swervedriver will reunite for a worldwide 2008 tour after a nearly decade-long hiatus. Dates and other details have yet to be announced."
The group (vocalist/guitarist Adam Franklin, guitarist Jimmy Hartridge, bassist Steve George and drummer Jez) split on the heels of its 1998 album "99th Dream." Although it never enjoyed major commercial success in the U.S., Swervedriver was beloved by fans for its psychedelia-tinged rock sound, best heard on the 1993 album "Mezcal Head."
Of late, Franklin has recorded with his band Toshack Highway and as a solo artist. He's presently in the midst of a solo outing in support of his recent album, "Bolts of Melody," and will perform tonight (Oct. 19) in Milwaukee. (Yaaaay!)
Hey, check out my man's blog, People For The Ethical Treatment of Typography.
As you know, Type Abuse is a very serious and widespread problem. It happens all the time. Rosie "Barrel-head" O'Donnell's rosie.com is a perfect example. Nice logo, dickhead. Are you too busy trying to hawk your worthless shit, while writing confounding entries to even bother kerning the rosie.com logo?
Do you really think the space between "rosie" the "." and "com" is ok? Are you honestly too cheap to hire a decent designer to do this for you? I guess so, since no designer in their right mind would pair the font used for "rosie" with that used for "my blog." And by the way, isn't it obvious it's your fucking blog?
Worse, do you approve of yellow copy over white?
Please put a stop to these sorts of atrocities at once.
Campy makes awesome high end wheels, and other cycling components.
I was checking out their awesome Shamals, when I noticed their design contest. I tried my best, but didn't make the cut from some 587 submissions from 45 different countries.
I know you're disappointed with me and I'm very sorry. I've posted my failing design above for you. Since it was Campy's 75th anniversary, it's all about LXXV (Roman Numeral for 75) and elegance, and gold relief flame flourishes, or something.
Lots of things are wrong with this video, least of which is the middle dude acting as the "meat" part of a Pug-dude-dude sandwich.
But what's really interesting is the fisty-faced Pug itself. I had never known their mysterious origin, but my Japanese friend told me that the reason their faces are pushed in is because during the war, Japanese soldiers went over to China and kicked in the face of every Pug. After years of inbreeding, the physiology stuck. This history seems questionable to me, although it must be true because the Japanese invented singing toilets and pizza.
