SIMULCAM!

Thanks Mace!

Too cool!

StroMotion

is really cool too, but has been around a while ever since that guy photographed the milk drop or bullet through the apple!

Musical joy!

Stevie Wonder!

I have rediscovered Stevie Wonder and I am a little embarrased to say it is because of American Idol! One of the contestants sang "If You Really Love Me" which made me go to iTunes and download it. I dare anyone not to clap their hands and bounce even a wee bit while listening to the three minutes of joy!

And then "As"! How could I have forgotten that one, and the list goes on!

Stevie Wonder!

Dual replay

I cannot find an image of this!

But it is the coolest thing, and it aint new but every time I see it, it is just too cool!

When you watch a sports event, like the Olympics, and they replay and overlap the two competitors so you can see them side by side or even on top of each other to see the slight differences in their performances. That replay thing, whatever they call it, is just the coolest thing.

If anyone finds an image of it let me know so I can add it to this post!

Cougars and poodles

As I recently learned, a cougar is slang for an older woman who preys on younger men. Just think Mrs. Robinson, a classic cougar.

Well, a poodle. as a family pet, is a fine friendly dog. However, they are notoriously easy in the procreative way! A poodle will essentially bed done with nearly any other breed. And it should come as no surprise that there are so many different sized poodles to be able to be matched up with so many breeds. Calling someone a slut, tramp. easy, whorish, or even slatterly, not so kind. But calling them a poodle, they may even think it is a compliment!

Here is a shortlist of the many partnerings of a poodle!

Aussiedoodle - Australian Shepherd
Bich-poo - Bichon Frise
Boxerdoodle - Boxer
Broodle Griffon - Brussels Griffon
Cairnoodle - Cairn Terrier
Cavapoo - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Chi-Poo - Chihuahua
Chinese Crestepoo- Chinese Crested
Cockapoo - Cocker Spaniel
Daisy Dog - Bichon/ Poodle/Shih-Tzu mix
Doodleman Pinscher - Doberman
Doxiepoo - Dachshund
Eskapoo - American Eskimo Dog
English Boodle - English Bulldog
Foodle - Poodle / Toy Fox Terrier mix
Goldendoodle - Golden Retriever
Labradoodle - Labrador Retriever
Lhasapoo - Lhasa Apso
Malti-Poo - Maltese
Miniature Goldendoodle - Golden Retriever / Toy or Miniature Poodle
Papi-poo - Papillion
Pekepoo - Pekingese
Pomapoo - Pomeranian
Poo-Shi - Poodle / Shiba Inu mix
Poochin - Japanese Chin
Pugapoo - Pug
Saint Berdoodle - Saint Bernard
Schnoodle - Schnauzer
Scoodle - Scottish Terrier
Sheltidoodle - Sheltie
Shepadoodle - German Shepherd
Shih-Poo - Shih-Tzu
Weimardoodle - Weimaraner
Westiepoo - Westie
Whoodles - Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier
Yorkipoo - Yorkie

Home Sweet Home!

This is where I live, according to Google Earth. My place is actually the third building north of where they have it plotted. Regardless, GOOGLE EARTH IS AWESOME!

It is a free download at Google and you can check out anything, anywhere, anytime. Some of the images are old but many are rather current.

Hot Dogs!

Nothing beats a classic Chicago Hot Dog. I do not care what anyone says! And no one does it with more style than Superdawg on the Northwest side. I have brought many an out of towner there to enjoy the tubular delicacies!

And they are actually a drive in complete with car hops! They used to be on skates but have since abandoned the wheels.

Pictures and words

This is the work of Matt Siber. A friend, Mace, turned me on to the work through her website.

Here is what he has to say about this project.

"The Untitled Project is rooted in a base interest in the nature of power. With the removal of all traces of text from the photographs, the project explores the manifestation of power between large groups of people in the form of public and semi-public language. The absence of the printed word not only draws attention to the role text plays in the modern landscape but also simultaneously emphasizes alternative forms of communication such as symbols, colors, architecture and corporate branding. In doing this, it serves to point out the growing number of ways in which public voices communicate without using traditional forms of written language.

The reintroduction of the text takes written language out of the context of its intended viewing environment. The composition of the layouts remain true to the composition of their corresponding photographs in order to draw attention to relative size, location and orientation. The isolation of the text from its original graphic design and accompanying logos, photographs and icons helps to further explore the nature of communication in the urban landscape as a combination of visual and literal signifiers."

See more of this project at Untitled Project

Who cares about medals!

I love the Olympics. Not as a sports fan, but as a designer. What a freakin' awesome project that would be, to design the Olympics!

I visited the Olymic Museum in Laussane, Switzerland, where to this day I swear I saw Fidel Castro! But that is another story! They have wonderful exhibits of mascots, logos, torches, medals, everything Olympic!

This year's Olympic design, by Elise Thomason of Iconologic, for Torino, Italy, are visually really cool. And the pictograms just kept nagging at me for their familiar look. And sure enough, it was the pictograms from the 1968 games in Grenoble, France designed by Roger Excoffon.

Thanks to the computer and the designer's ability to play with transparency, we have the active set from Torino. There is even a nod to the fashion of Italy with the flared legs of the pants! But nothing beats the magic of the line to create the kinetic movement of the pictograms from Grenoble.


See and read more in the current January/February CA

My funny valentine!

This gave me a great big laugh today. Read it, you'll see!


Well at least now we know!

Music Pick of The Week!

Doesn't Hollywood know it is the year of the dog?! First King Kong, as in King Bomb! And now Curious George! did they not look at the charm of the original books and cartoons and wonder if the run of the mill animation was the right approach?

Anyhow. .

I always liked the mischevious monkey named George, Curious George! Although the movie looks like a travesty in animation, the soundtrack by Jack Johnson is really nice. Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies is the soundtrack album.

Do fish pee?

I am at a party. Conversation somehow turns to someone talking about how while in Cancun at the pool bar, the one IN the pool, there was a large group all drinking. One person was getting out often to relieve themselves in the proper way while in a pool (excusing oneself to the restroom). Upon returning they asked "Doesn't anyone else need to go to the bathroom?"

Everyone nodded and said "Yeah. We have!"

That is why I, when in a warm climate near the ocean, I prefer to swim in the ocean. Hotel pools and jacuzzis are little more than germ soup as far as I am concerned.

Of course someone quickly chimed in that fish poop in the ocean. I acknowledged that and said with the volume of water in the ocean, the concentration is considerably less than in a pool.

After the fish pooping, which we all know they do, everything poops, I asked if fish pee? Do fish drink water?

Do they? Do you care? Why should I care? If they do pee, do male fish stand up when they do so? And most importantly for the lady-fish, do they leave the seat up or put it down?

Something to fall back on!

NoPattern is the work of artist Chuck Anderson.

Chuck began freelancing professionally at the age of 18 - less than a year after he graduated high school. Almost two years later, Chuck, now 20, has worked for clients such as Microsoft, Reebok, Nike, KR3W, Burton, Warner Bros., Crispin Porter + Bogusky, ESPN, and more. In addition to freelancing, Chuck speaks at events and universities, is half of the popular online culture blog The Brilliance, and has opened an online store - NP&CO. Chuck will also be on the panel of judges for the 2006 Art Director's Club 85th Annual Design Awards in NYC.

And I am sure his parents are hoping he one day goes back and finishes school so he has something to fall back on!

Lunch spot in H'burg

I do not know what I like more. The bison burrito (no beef on the menu)? The name of the place? or their neon sign!

Confession

I collect hotel shampoos!

It is not really a collection. I do not have them all displayed on some hand carved shelf or in a curio cabinet, but I do have quite a collection in a bag in my bathroom linen closet.

Typically, I only take the shampoo, conditioner and bar soap, daily, as they are kind enough to replace them daily. But being a designer, I sometimes have to take everything, right down to the bath hat and boot buffer, both names which make me chuckle! Sometimes the private label packaging design is really nice.

This collection of bath treats is from the Renaissance Ilikai Hotel in Oahu where I recently stayed. The back row has mint thyme hair wash, yuzu bergamot body wash, yuzu bergamot moisturizer, mint thyme creme rinse, the bath hat and boot buffer. In the front is lemongrass bar soap and lavender facial soap.

Funny thing, I am not alone in this collecting. And when I find myself staying with someone who too has this affliction, there is a moment of horror as to who will take the amenities as a keepsake!

Stunned Silence

Have you ever been to a movie where something happens and the audience is stunned silent? I mean pin-drop silent?

See Brokeback Mountain. It is a relationship movie beyond everything you have read and heard. A deeply touching relationship movie. One could even say a love story. Ang Lee did not pull many punches. He told the story beautifully as it should have been told. The accolades it has received are all well deserved.

Where have you been?

One day I hope to make it to all 50 states. Why not?

I keep track of the states I have been to and some friend started to as well. The rules are simple.

First, you have to actually stop in the state and spend some time. Does not have to be a lot of time but you must be there. You cannot just drive through the state to say you were there even if it takes you hours to drive through.

Second, you must stimulate the economy. Have lunch there, buy a souvenier as evidence, spend the night.

And lastly, a photograph is good to have as proof, though not an absolute!

How many states have you been to?

New Rich

Mass products meet luxury

In their latest collection, Big-game questions the meaning of accessories and offers new alternatives to jewelry. This series of objects entitled “NEW RICH" results from the confrontation between mass products and luxury.

When gold replaces plastic, democratic and functional objects become exclusive in a subtle way.

“We’ve picked standard, universal products, and replaced a part of each object by an equivalent in gold," explains Elric Petit. “We love the shrewd blend between the down-to-earth functionalism of mass-products and the ultimate precious material: gold."

The scenography of Big-game's exhibition in Köln reflects this ambiguity as it is inspired by black-market peddlers. The black suitcase that serves as a display stand for the objects is regularly carried around the fair grounds to meet visitors.

"Why buy a luxury lighter when you can have a deluxe BIC lighter?” asks Adrien Rovero.

Pimp your Bic pen, Apple headphones, Bic lighter, Swatch watch, jewelry and drawing pins with the "New Rich" collection!

Groundhog Day

Everything you ever wanted to know about Groundhog Day!

Yes! Punxsutawney Phil is the only true weather forecasting groundhog. The others are just impostors.

How often is Phil's prediction correct? 100% of the time, of course!

How many "Phils" have there been over the years? There has only been one Punxsutawney Phil. He has been making predictions for over 120 years!

Punxsutawney Phil gets his longevity from drinking "groundhog punch," a secret recipe. Phil takes one sip every summer at the Groundhog Picnic and it magically gives him seven more years of life.

On February 2, Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler's Knob - in front of thousands of followers from all over the world - to predict the weather for the rest of winter.

According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.

No! Phil's forecasts are not made in advance by the Inner Circle. After Phil emerges from his burrow on February 2, he speaks to the Groundhog Club president in "Groundhogese"(a language only understood by the current president of the Inner Circle). His proclamation is then translated for the world.

The celebration of Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvania's earliest settlers. They brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day, which states, "For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May..."

Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler's Knob was made on February 2, 1887.

So the story goes, Punxsutawney Phil was named after King Phillip. Prior to being called Phil, he was called Br'er Groundhog.

TMI

Too Much Information? No! Three Mile Island or TMI as the locals refer to the legendary locale in Harrisburg.

You fly right into Harrisburg past one of their most infamous landmark. It is on its own island, although a stones throw as the crow flies away are farms and homes. It is not in some remote far away site at all.