Soundtrack: “Silencer” by In Our Failure
I am sure there is at least one or two people out there in internet-land who have noticed my absence. I apologize, but the well was dry and it was time for me to take a break and let my anger get the best of me.
And it has.
I have reason to be angry. Everyone does. The music industry is still being the greedy pen of pigs it has been for years. I know I have been saying that for as long as this blog has existed, just look at my last blog entry for cryin' out loud. So in lieu of repeating myself I would like to refer you to the best piece of writing I have read in a long time. Possibly ever. A dude named Rob Sheridan has a blog. He wrote an article about the changing face of the music industry. Please read it and follow his suggestions because it is the only way things will change.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Steal This Album
Soundtrack: “The Day The Whole World Went Away” by Nine Inch Nails
So it’s been a while, hasn’t it? I apologize for the downtown but I have been feeling largely uninspired lately. Life has revolved around searching for employment and video games but there is a light at the end of the tunnel friends.
I am of course a little depressed about the state of music and the music industry. It isn’t what it used to be back in the glory days. After watching great documentaries on stories like Stax Records makes me wish that it was still about the music any more. But it is not about the music for about 75% of the industry, or so says my egotistical opinion.
Nine Inch Nails has been touring Australia recently and last night they performed in Sydney at the Hordern Pavilion. He asked about the price of his CD. Now, for some background, in international markets it is often a practice of the record companies to hike up the prices for dubious economic reasons. Last time Trent was in Australia earlier this summer he discussed this practice and slammed it.
In his follow up last night he told the audience to steal his album, a practice that I am sure would give the greedy monkeys in Metallica a heart attack. “Steal away. Steal and steal and steal some more and give it to all your friends and keep on stealin'. Because one way or another these motherfuckers will get it through their head that they're ripping people off and that that's not right.”
This brings up a moral quandary. Is pulling a Robin Hood to bring down the big bad wolf of the music industry, an industry that peripherally employs hundreds of thousands, is that right? There is always going to be a need for certain jobs, so those who have some experience will be able to find new ones. At the same time, many of these people make spit in a bucket compared to what the executives make, and every year these executives raise the price of their product a little more so they can enjoy the latest Ferrari or Aston Martin or whatever it is that gets them off.
I've made my choice. I've worked in both sides of the industry, behind the scenes and retail, and I'm going to steal, steal, steal some more. But I am not going to steal for the sake of stealing. Along with that comes supporting the artist directly. If I download the new Nine Inch Nails album (an album that I purchased, actually), I will go to their concert and buy their merchandise and support the band through the concert ticket. I also buy music from the iTunes store in order to support alternative forms of distribution. So go out there and steal and shake things up. Just don't take down everyone. Some people still need to eat.
So it’s been a while, hasn’t it? I apologize for the downtown but I have been feeling largely uninspired lately. Life has revolved around searching for employment and video games but there is a light at the end of the tunnel friends.
I am of course a little depressed about the state of music and the music industry. It isn’t what it used to be back in the glory days. After watching great documentaries on stories like Stax Records makes me wish that it was still about the music any more. But it is not about the music for about 75% of the industry, or so says my egotistical opinion.
Nine Inch Nails has been touring Australia recently and last night they performed in Sydney at the Hordern Pavilion. He asked about the price of his CD. Now, for some background, in international markets it is often a practice of the record companies to hike up the prices for dubious economic reasons. Last time Trent was in Australia earlier this summer he discussed this practice and slammed it.
In his follow up last night he told the audience to steal his album, a practice that I am sure would give the greedy monkeys in Metallica a heart attack. “Steal away. Steal and steal and steal some more and give it to all your friends and keep on stealin'. Because one way or another these motherfuckers will get it through their head that they're ripping people off and that that's not right.”
This brings up a moral quandary. Is pulling a Robin Hood to bring down the big bad wolf of the music industry, an industry that peripherally employs hundreds of thousands, is that right? There is always going to be a need for certain jobs, so those who have some experience will be able to find new ones. At the same time, many of these people make spit in a bucket compared to what the executives make, and every year these executives raise the price of their product a little more so they can enjoy the latest Ferrari or Aston Martin or whatever it is that gets them off.
I've made my choice. I've worked in both sides of the industry, behind the scenes and retail, and I'm going to steal, steal, steal some more. But I am not going to steal for the sake of stealing. Along with that comes supporting the artist directly. If I download the new Nine Inch Nails album (an album that I purchased, actually), I will go to their concert and buy their merchandise and support the band through the concert ticket. I also buy music from the iTunes store in order to support alternative forms of distribution. So go out there and steal and shake things up. Just don't take down everyone. Some people still need to eat.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
The Top Ten Reasons To Not Have A Cell Phone
Soundtrack: The Fiance by The Chariot
I love Wired.com. Their Gadget Lab section ran this column today and I could not agree more.
I love Wired.com. Their Gadget Lab section ran this column today and I could not agree more.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Invisible Man Can Has Expanz
Soundtrack: “Sure Shot” by the Beastie Boys
Whilst doing my usual internet surfing I came upon the “lol bible”. And well, I lol’d.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
She’s Out Back Counting Stars
Soundtrack: “Stars” by Hum
Kids these days have no idea what they are talking about when they say “I listen to Emo.” What they call Emo these days is nothing more than poppy derivative bullshit. According to a bunch of online sources including Fourfa.com and Wikipedia, Emo and “Emocore” are terms used to describe a subgenre of hardcore punk which originated in the Washington, DC music scene of the mid-1980s. One of the bands that popped up in the early 90s and actually found a little more success than some of it’s peers is Hum. I remember hearing “Stars” in high school and falling in love with the song. It was heavy, it was beautiful, it was one of the best songs I had heard. In fact it is one of the songs that made me want to write music. So, when some 15-year-old kid wearing his girlfriend’s pants and a bad haircut tells you he listens to “Emo”, he's full of shit. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you some real Emo!
Kids these days have no idea what they are talking about when they say “I listen to Emo.” What they call Emo these days is nothing more than poppy derivative bullshit. According to a bunch of online sources including Fourfa.com and Wikipedia, Emo and “Emocore” are terms used to describe a subgenre of hardcore punk which originated in the Washington, DC music scene of the mid-1980s. One of the bands that popped up in the early 90s and actually found a little more success than some of it’s peers is Hum. I remember hearing “Stars” in high school and falling in love with the song. It was heavy, it was beautiful, it was one of the best songs I had heard. In fact it is one of the songs that made me want to write music. So, when some 15-year-old kid wearing his girlfriend’s pants and a bad haircut tells you he listens to “Emo”, he's full of shit. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you some real Emo!
Monday, July 16, 2007
“Reality” Television
Soundtrack: “Ain’t No Right” by Jane’s Addiction
Last week a huge controversy started when the BBC showed a promo clip from an upcoming documentary about Queen Elizabeth II. The documentary is a day-in-the-life type affair during which she has a photo shoot with famed photographer Annie Liebovitz. In the clip the Queen is portrayed as storming out on the photo shoot. But the incident never happened, and the BBC was forced to immediately apologize. After a little bit more investigation it turns out that the media firm who produced the documentary and the promo clip, RDF Media, is responsible for the whole mess. However, this does not mean that the BBC is completely innocent. They made the decision to air the piece and they now much live with the consequences. But I think the controversy behind this has raised a great point: “Reality” television is rarely real.
Let’s look at this. In an age of technology that allows us to create amazingly real hoaxes, and through the power of video editing, we can achieve any outcome we want to. Instances such as this makes me wonder just how much drama really exists in shows such as “Big Brother” and “The Real World”. First of all, the entire premise is not even reality, so already there is a strike against calling them “reality” shows. These people manufacture drama, and use fun things like multiple camera angles and more than one take to really bring out said drama. And producers have all kinds of post-production tools to help them squeeze even more drama out of situations. And people seem to love it.
Frankly, I think it is an insult to humanity and I think we as a society need to take a long hard look at what we package as reality. This is not real life, this is sensationalism. But hey, isn’t that what America is all about?
Last week a huge controversy started when the BBC showed a promo clip from an upcoming documentary about Queen Elizabeth II. The documentary is a day-in-the-life type affair during which she has a photo shoot with famed photographer Annie Liebovitz. In the clip the Queen is portrayed as storming out on the photo shoot. But the incident never happened, and the BBC was forced to immediately apologize. After a little bit more investigation it turns out that the media firm who produced the documentary and the promo clip, RDF Media, is responsible for the whole mess. However, this does not mean that the BBC is completely innocent. They made the decision to air the piece and they now much live with the consequences. But I think the controversy behind this has raised a great point: “Reality” television is rarely real.
Let’s look at this. In an age of technology that allows us to create amazingly real hoaxes, and through the power of video editing, we can achieve any outcome we want to. Instances such as this makes me wonder just how much drama really exists in shows such as “Big Brother” and “The Real World”. First of all, the entire premise is not even reality, so already there is a strike against calling them “reality” shows. These people manufacture drama, and use fun things like multiple camera angles and more than one take to really bring out said drama. And producers have all kinds of post-production tools to help them squeeze even more drama out of situations. And people seem to love it.
Frankly, I think it is an insult to humanity and I think we as a society need to take a long hard look at what we package as reality. This is not real life, this is sensationalism. But hey, isn’t that what America is all about?
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Building A Better Me
Soundtrack: “Dashboard” by Modest Mouse
Among other projects like prepping my parents’ house for painting, I have been working hard at getting a cohesive and well-put-together portfolio done. Of course I have grandiose plans for it, it wouldn’t be me otherwise, but I am also being realistic in my expectations for it. The most important of these expectations is to build a portfolio that not only shows what my technical and creative skills are but also shows every person who looks at it who I am. This is a feat that I have found takes a large amount of introspection and self-reflection. I do not always like what I see, but I am having to leave that behind that and focus on the good parts. I am an abstract analyzer and thus I tend to reflect on how something could be better. That especially applies to me and for so long I have been in this mode of living where guilt and regret over past mistakes has defined me. I make myself a tragic figure instead of someone who overcomes adversity to come out on top. It is a tough thing to change when it is all you know.
So instead of dwelling, of late I have been working to apply my positive attributes to the things I know I am not good at. For example, I am not good at managing my time but I am good at managing graphic matrices and how things fit in a space. So how then can I apply that to my time management? It is forcing me to be even more creative with how I do things. And anyone who knows me knows that being creative is my favorite thing.
Among other projects like prepping my parents’ house for painting, I have been working hard at getting a cohesive and well-put-together portfolio done. Of course I have grandiose plans for it, it wouldn’t be me otherwise, but I am also being realistic in my expectations for it. The most important of these expectations is to build a portfolio that not only shows what my technical and creative skills are but also shows every person who looks at it who I am. This is a feat that I have found takes a large amount of introspection and self-reflection. I do not always like what I see, but I am having to leave that behind that and focus on the good parts. I am an abstract analyzer and thus I tend to reflect on how something could be better. That especially applies to me and for so long I have been in this mode of living where guilt and regret over past mistakes has defined me. I make myself a tragic figure instead of someone who overcomes adversity to come out on top. It is a tough thing to change when it is all you know.
So instead of dwelling, of late I have been working to apply my positive attributes to the things I know I am not good at. For example, I am not good at managing my time but I am good at managing graphic matrices and how things fit in a space. So how then can I apply that to my time management? It is forcing me to be even more creative with how I do things. And anyone who knows me knows that being creative is my favorite thing.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
The Next Pat Benatar?
Soundtrack: “Never Again” by Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson has a new album and her detractors are busy right now eating their own words. It may not be as poppy and “commercially viable” as her last album, but that is what people said about her last album when they compared it to her first album. The album is not only #2 on the iTunes top album list, it debuted on the overall charts at #2. It is also #19 on the Billboard Pop chart. That is pretty damn good for only one day on the charts. Interestingly enough Disney sweetheart Hannah Montana has the #1 album on the iTunes store right now. How it got #1 in the first place is beyond me… I am guessing a lot of tween and teen girls with their parents’ credit cards.
While these teeny boppers are buying manufactured tripe like Hannah Montana, Kelly Clarkson is growing up. This album has outsold her last two, despite it clearly being a darker, more bitter, more edgy offering than in the past. In fact, Kelly reminds me a little of a certain rocker girl from Brooklyn who made it big. I grew up in the 80s and I remember Pat Benatar well. There are some similarities in their careers. Both have professional vocal training, Pat in opera and Kelly in choir. They were both discovered at singing contests. And they both have had management troubles. But one thing is clear: they are both extremely talented singers and songwriters who aren't just the flavor of the week. Of all the American Idol winners Kelly is the only one other than Carrie Underwood who is taken seriously at all. And like Carrie she is relying on her own talent and charm to make her career, not her American Idol win.
So what is the point of all this? Despite people who are saying otherwise, Kelly Clarkson is a strong and talented musician who may not take Pat Benatar’s title of “the most successful female rock vocalist of all time,” but I think her career is only getting started. The only thing that is lacking is truly epic songs. With some hard work she can change that. So rock out, Kelly. And hit us with your best shot.
Kelly Clarkson has a new album and her detractors are busy right now eating their own words. It may not be as poppy and “commercially viable” as her last album, but that is what people said about her last album when they compared it to her first album. The album is not only #2 on the iTunes top album list, it debuted on the overall charts at #2. It is also #19 on the Billboard Pop chart. That is pretty damn good for only one day on the charts. Interestingly enough Disney sweetheart Hannah Montana has the #1 album on the iTunes store right now. How it got #1 in the first place is beyond me… I am guessing a lot of tween and teen girls with their parents’ credit cards.
While these teeny boppers are buying manufactured tripe like Hannah Montana, Kelly Clarkson is growing up. This album has outsold her last two, despite it clearly being a darker, more bitter, more edgy offering than in the past. In fact, Kelly reminds me a little of a certain rocker girl from Brooklyn who made it big. I grew up in the 80s and I remember Pat Benatar well. There are some similarities in their careers. Both have professional vocal training, Pat in opera and Kelly in choir. They were both discovered at singing contests. And they both have had management troubles. But one thing is clear: they are both extremely talented singers and songwriters who aren't just the flavor of the week. Of all the American Idol winners Kelly is the only one other than Carrie Underwood who is taken seriously at all. And like Carrie she is relying on her own talent and charm to make her career, not her American Idol win.
So what is the point of all this? Despite people who are saying otherwise, Kelly Clarkson is a strong and talented musician who may not take Pat Benatar’s title of “the most successful female rock vocalist of all time,” but I think her career is only getting started. The only thing that is lacking is truly epic songs. With some hard work she can change that. So rock out, Kelly. And hit us with your best shot.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Elegant Sustainability
Soundtrack: “Frank Sinatra” by Cake
Sustainable technologies are starting to become all the rage right now in light of rising energy and traditional materials costs. These are technologies that have been around since the dawn of time but have been forgotten since the days of the Industrial Revolution in favor of mass-produced assembly-line products.
While mass-production itself is not a bad thing, it has allowed our culture to become lazy consumers. We throw things out at the drop of a hat without thinking about reusing or recycling. This means that more and more goes into the garbage can which means that manufacturers have to make more stuff. Which then goes into the garbage can. From the garbage can stuff goes into the landfill and that means that the natural cycle of things is broken. Resources are not allowed to return into the chain and future generations end up having less to work with. Not only that but the environment suffers. What sustainability does is provide the best outcomes for the human and natural environments both now and into the indefinite future. People within the sustainability community embrace balance. How can we use the resources we have now in a responsible way so that the earth doesn’t suffer and future generations will have what they need? It is definitely a much healthier outlook on conservation and the environment than the fanatical environmental groups who take on a reactionary attitude towards things. And with all of the controversy surrounding global warming and climate change, I feel that sustainability is the best answer to the polarizing questions swirling through our society.
The great thing about sustainability is that it can look good. There are quite a few companies out there that are deeply entrenched in utilizing sustainable technologies, and in fact many fall within the design community. One such player is a company called Moral Fervor. They make great clothing made from organic and recycled materials. Not only that, but their clothing has some awesome design going on. There's a video below that is a short blurb about what they are all about, it's pretty cool.
I would challenge everyone to get involved in the sustainability movement. You don’t have to make any huge life-altering changes, just changes in your attitude towards being a consumer. All it takes is paying attention to the little things. For more information about it, there are two great web sites here and here that offer some great explanations and resources.
Sustainable technologies are starting to become all the rage right now in light of rising energy and traditional materials costs. These are technologies that have been around since the dawn of time but have been forgotten since the days of the Industrial Revolution in favor of mass-produced assembly-line products.
While mass-production itself is not a bad thing, it has allowed our culture to become lazy consumers. We throw things out at the drop of a hat without thinking about reusing or recycling. This means that more and more goes into the garbage can which means that manufacturers have to make more stuff. Which then goes into the garbage can. From the garbage can stuff goes into the landfill and that means that the natural cycle of things is broken. Resources are not allowed to return into the chain and future generations end up having less to work with. Not only that but the environment suffers. What sustainability does is provide the best outcomes for the human and natural environments both now and into the indefinite future. People within the sustainability community embrace balance. How can we use the resources we have now in a responsible way so that the earth doesn’t suffer and future generations will have what they need? It is definitely a much healthier outlook on conservation and the environment than the fanatical environmental groups who take on a reactionary attitude towards things. And with all of the controversy surrounding global warming and climate change, I feel that sustainability is the best answer to the polarizing questions swirling through our society.
The great thing about sustainability is that it can look good. There are quite a few companies out there that are deeply entrenched in utilizing sustainable technologies, and in fact many fall within the design community. One such player is a company called Moral Fervor. They make great clothing made from organic and recycled materials. Not only that, but their clothing has some awesome design going on. There's a video below that is a short blurb about what they are all about, it's pretty cool.
I would challenge everyone to get involved in the sustainability movement. You don’t have to make any huge life-altering changes, just changes in your attitude towards being a consumer. All it takes is paying attention to the little things. For more information about it, there are two great web sites here and here that offer some great explanations and resources.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
This Is Your Brain...
Soundtrack: Siamese Dream by the Smashing Pumpkins
Black 20 has created some hilarious Star Wars-themed public service announcement spoofs. This one is my favorite. There are a few more of them out there, I only wish they had at least tried to get the Darth Vader voice right because this dude’s voice sounds like Groucho Marx with a chest cold.
Black 20 has created some hilarious Star Wars-themed public service announcement spoofs. This one is my favorite. There are a few more of them out there, I only wish they had at least tried to get the Darth Vader voice right because this dude’s voice sounds like Groucho Marx with a chest cold.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Tactile Design
Soundtrack: “Cyclical Code” by Bexarametric
Touch screen technology has been around for quite some time now and it has had it’s ups and downs. Even these days touch screen monitors are finicky, fickle creatures. They have dubious sensitivity and they only offer single-point input, so the user ends up angrily poking the screen for fifteen minutes. Nice.
But Microsoft is developing a computer system that uses a new multi-point touch screen that is quite frankly amazing. This touch screen technology was first built by Jeff Han’s Perceptive Pixel in order to create advanced touch screen solutions for the government as well as private sector companies who could benefit by using multi-point touchscreen technologies. Interestingly enough, these types of interfaces have been around since the 1980s. However, they tend to take a lot of processing power, much more than what was available previously. With dual core and even quad core processors making it possible to do an insane amount of calculations per second, now is the perfect time to harness this technology and make it shine.
I have to admit my mouth is watering. As a graphic designer who specializes in print design, I can see many things that this technology can add to the industry. I would much rather work on a table-top surface instead of a computer screen and keyboard. Not only that, but tablet technology right now is still limited by still being a single-point input device. No stylus, no tablet functionality. But with this technology available, I can only imagine what is possible. Think of taking a stylus shaped like a calligraphy pen and creating digital art that was not previously possible. Or using your fingers to arrange the elements of a composition, or to paint. The possibilities are staggering!
Touch screen technology has been around for quite some time now and it has had it’s ups and downs. Even these days touch screen monitors are finicky, fickle creatures. They have dubious sensitivity and they only offer single-point input, so the user ends up angrily poking the screen for fifteen minutes. Nice.
But Microsoft is developing a computer system that uses a new multi-point touch screen that is quite frankly amazing. This touch screen technology was first built by Jeff Han’s Perceptive Pixel in order to create advanced touch screen solutions for the government as well as private sector companies who could benefit by using multi-point touchscreen technologies. Interestingly enough, these types of interfaces have been around since the 1980s. However, they tend to take a lot of processing power, much more than what was available previously. With dual core and even quad core processors making it possible to do an insane amount of calculations per second, now is the perfect time to harness this technology and make it shine.
I have to admit my mouth is watering. As a graphic designer who specializes in print design, I can see many things that this technology can add to the industry. I would much rather work on a table-top surface instead of a computer screen and keyboard. Not only that, but tablet technology right now is still limited by still being a single-point input device. No stylus, no tablet functionality. But with this technology available, I can only imagine what is possible. Think of taking a stylus shaped like a calligraphy pen and creating digital art that was not previously possible. Or using your fingers to arrange the elements of a composition, or to paint. The possibilities are staggering!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Love And Marriage
Recommended Reading: Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk
I used to think that marriage is something that I'd like to do some day. But there are many days where I find myself saying "Marriage? Fuck that noise." I do not want my life to be a circus. I think having a kid would be awesome, kids are great and I like playing “Uncle Toph” but parenting is just not my thing right now. Not only that, but then there is the whole committing my life to another person thing. It's a little worrisome to me when I think about waking up next to the same person for the rest of my life. Probably 'cause I haven't found someone I'd want to wake up next to every day for the rest of my life. I really want to marry my best friend and as of right now, I have not found that woman yet.
In addition to that I have other responsibilities, better things to worry about/stress out over/have fun with. Like art school. That does not mean I have given up hope, however. I am sure it is in the cards. I am sure when my life has some sort of stability I will find Mrs. Christopher Short. But until then, fuck that noise. I like being independent, I like being single, and I really think I need to get my shit together before I even think about wedding cakes and tuxedos.
Friday, May 25, 2007
The Wonderful World Of Porn
Soundtrack: “Red Sky” by Thrice
I am putting this out here in hopes that someone can help. For a few months now an associate of mine has been fighting to get one of her images removed from the cover of a porn video.
Yes, you read that right.
Lara Jade, a young and amazingly talented fashion photographer from the UK, has been fighting TVX Studios over their use of a self portrait she took in 2004 at the age of 14. This is not only a copyright violation, but a violation of United States decency laws which state that nobody under the age of 18 may be associated with anything pornographic. That includes porn DVD covers. Not to mention the ethical quagmire this puts her in... being a porn covergirl might be fine with some people, but for someone like Lara who is trying to be a legitimate fashion photographer, this could be a big smear on her reputation.
The unfortunate thing is that she has been unable to do much about it since she lives in the UK. Which is too bad, because something definitely needs to be done about this. So I am passing this along in hopes that someone can help her out. You can find contact information as well as a ton of her awesome photography here.
I am putting this out here in hopes that someone can help. For a few months now an associate of mine has been fighting to get one of her images removed from the cover of a porn video.
Yes, you read that right.
Lara Jade, a young and amazingly talented fashion photographer from the UK, has been fighting TVX Studios over their use of a self portrait she took in 2004 at the age of 14. This is not only a copyright violation, but a violation of United States decency laws which state that nobody under the age of 18 may be associated with anything pornographic. That includes porn DVD covers. Not to mention the ethical quagmire this puts her in... being a porn covergirl might be fine with some people, but for someone like Lara who is trying to be a legitimate fashion photographer, this could be a big smear on her reputation.
The unfortunate thing is that she has been unable to do much about it since she lives in the UK. Which is too bad, because something definitely needs to be done about this. So I am passing this along in hopes that someone can help her out. You can find contact information as well as a ton of her awesome photography here.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Growing Relevance
Soundtrack: ...And Justice For All by Metallica
Metallica’s progressive thrash metal masterpiece is nearly twenty years old, yet it is eerily relevant to today’s uncomfortable and bloated political climate. The album, as the name sarcastically implies, is about injustice. From the victim of war in “One” to the scathing criticism of the American justice system in the title track, the album talks about the injustices of war, politics, and the fucked up state of the world in general. I find it interesting how much of the album alludes to the current war in Iraq. “Harvester Of Sorrow” is practically a social commentary about suicide bombers.
What is most interesting are the feelings of paranoia that wash throughout the album. 1988 was a volatile year in the United States. There was plenty to be paranoid about. Not only was it an election year, but there was growing turmoil globally with the first stages of the demise of the Soviet Union. Upon becoming the Soviet Premiere in 1985, Gorbachev worked to institute a series of economic reforms that were known as “perestroika”. One of the most dynamic of these reforms was the Law On Cooperatives. This law permitted private ownership of businesses in the services, manufacturing, and foreign-trade sectors. This was a huge thing for the Soviet Union. It was the first time since Lenin’s New Economic Policy that private business had been allowed. Along with Glasnost, led to a winding down of the Cold War. Even so, people were still unsure about the Soviets. After living with fifty years of paranoia it is hard to shake that feeling off.
It was around this period of time that I was starting to become aware as a person, especially politically aware. These events were a big deal to me. I remember my mom breaking down in tears when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. I have no doubt in my mind Metallica were just as influenced by world events while writing ... And Justice For All. The album still has Metallica’s trademark apocalyptic bent, but it is more focused. The topics are less abstract and much more real. This was also the period of time that music was really starting to have a huge affect on me. In years previous what I knew of music came from my parents’ record collection and the radio. My parents have awesome taste in music so I got lucky there. But as I was starting to become my own individual, I began to move beyond what their seemingly vast collection of vinyl offered. I never really liked the hair bands of the era. Groups like Poison and Warrant were too flashy, too over the top for my taste. But then I discovered Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, and soon afterwards Metallica and Iron Maiden and Megadeath. This was angry, brutal music that reflected my current distress over how things in the world were going. And today I find myself in almost the same place as I was twenty years ago: confused, angry, distressed. There is injustice in the world and I am pissed off about it. I still listen to loud and angry music. Thankfully my choices expanded greatly when I discovered punk as a freshman in high school, and then hardcore during my senior year. Punk was a great discovery because it was so much more snide and cynical than metal. Instead of pure aggression here was something that was smart and angry. And hardcore was even better because it had the aggression of metal combined with the intelligence of punk. And there was slam dancing... now it was OK to flail around like a lunatic!
Back to Metallica, this is by far not only one of my favorite Metallica albums, but one of my favorite metal albums of all time. I think as long as there is corruption and injustice and a reason to be paranoid, this album will be relevant. It is bold and grandiose and even arrogant, just like the society people in the United States are subjected to daily. But most of all, it is angry. It wants change. And it wants change now.
Metallica’s progressive thrash metal masterpiece is nearly twenty years old, yet it is eerily relevant to today’s uncomfortable and bloated political climate. The album, as the name sarcastically implies, is about injustice. From the victim of war in “One” to the scathing criticism of the American justice system in the title track, the album talks about the injustices of war, politics, and the fucked up state of the world in general. I find it interesting how much of the album alludes to the current war in Iraq. “Harvester Of Sorrow” is practically a social commentary about suicide bombers.
What is most interesting are the feelings of paranoia that wash throughout the album. 1988 was a volatile year in the United States. There was plenty to be paranoid about. Not only was it an election year, but there was growing turmoil globally with the first stages of the demise of the Soviet Union. Upon becoming the Soviet Premiere in 1985, Gorbachev worked to institute a series of economic reforms that were known as “perestroika”. One of the most dynamic of these reforms was the Law On Cooperatives. This law permitted private ownership of businesses in the services, manufacturing, and foreign-trade sectors. This was a huge thing for the Soviet Union. It was the first time since Lenin’s New Economic Policy that private business had been allowed. Along with Glasnost, led to a winding down of the Cold War. Even so, people were still unsure about the Soviets. After living with fifty years of paranoia it is hard to shake that feeling off.
It was around this period of time that I was starting to become aware as a person, especially politically aware. These events were a big deal to me. I remember my mom breaking down in tears when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. I have no doubt in my mind Metallica were just as influenced by world events while writing ... And Justice For All. The album still has Metallica’s trademark apocalyptic bent, but it is more focused. The topics are less abstract and much more real. This was also the period of time that music was really starting to have a huge affect on me. In years previous what I knew of music came from my parents’ record collection and the radio. My parents have awesome taste in music so I got lucky there. But as I was starting to become my own individual, I began to move beyond what their seemingly vast collection of vinyl offered. I never really liked the hair bands of the era. Groups like Poison and Warrant were too flashy, too over the top for my taste. But then I discovered Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, and soon afterwards Metallica and Iron Maiden and Megadeath. This was angry, brutal music that reflected my current distress over how things in the world were going. And today I find myself in almost the same place as I was twenty years ago: confused, angry, distressed. There is injustice in the world and I am pissed off about it. I still listen to loud and angry music. Thankfully my choices expanded greatly when I discovered punk as a freshman in high school, and then hardcore during my senior year. Punk was a great discovery because it was so much more snide and cynical than metal. Instead of pure aggression here was something that was smart and angry. And hardcore was even better because it had the aggression of metal combined with the intelligence of punk. And there was slam dancing... now it was OK to flail around like a lunatic!
Back to Metallica, this is by far not only one of my favorite Metallica albums, but one of my favorite metal albums of all time. I think as long as there is corruption and injustice and a reason to be paranoid, this album will be relevant. It is bold and grandiose and even arrogant, just like the society people in the United States are subjected to daily. But most of all, it is angry. It wants change. And it wants change now.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Office Space Style
Required Reading: Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk
There is an ink jet printer currently strewn in various pieces around my back yard.
Here's the story. My brother and I inherited an Epson Stylus 777 ink jet printer from our parents. For the last three or four years we've been toting it around to the various places we've lived at. Around nine months ago it finally gave up the ghost. The thing was about six or seven years old so it was just a matter of time. It's been sitting around various places and tonight, while packing up, my brother and I decided to have some fun.
So he threw it off the roof.
We then proceeded to beat the living shit out of this printer á la Office Space. The only thing missing was a baseball bat, but we got around that pretty quick. And now the printer looks like it was hit by a semi truck.
I'm going to love picking up all the little bits in the morning.
There is an ink jet printer currently strewn in various pieces around my back yard.
Here's the story. My brother and I inherited an Epson Stylus 777 ink jet printer from our parents. For the last three or four years we've been toting it around to the various places we've lived at. Around nine months ago it finally gave up the ghost. The thing was about six or seven years old so it was just a matter of time. It's been sitting around various places and tonight, while packing up, my brother and I decided to have some fun.
So he threw it off the roof.
We then proceeded to beat the living shit out of this printer á la Office Space. The only thing missing was a baseball bat, but we got around that pretty quick. And now the printer looks like it was hit by a semi truck.
I'm going to love picking up all the little bits in the morning.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
No More War And No More Soldiers
Soundtrack: “With Every Light” by The Smashing Pumpkins.
I apologize for the long stretch of time between posts. I've had a lot stewing on my stove, so to speak. There is stuff I want to talk about, but for the last two or three weeks I just have not had any creative drive whatsoever.
I am going to get personal again for just a little bit. I am making a compromise of sorts. I am laying down my weapons because I am tired of fighting. Being right is not worth the trouble I have gone through. I am no longer going to agonize over what is “good” or “right” or “just”. I do not care about things that do not concern me. From this point on I am simply going to live like every day is my last day.
I have always been a very competitive person, but mostly with myself. And I am sick of beating myself up over everything. It is going to take some work, I know, but I cannot justify being miserable and agonizing over the little things. It is time to not just look at the big picture, but obliterate anything that gets in the way of the big picture. That means killing a lot of darlings, as they say in the literary world. It also means focusing on my needs for once. I have been putting everyone before me and sacrificing so much, and people do not give back. So fuck 'em.
But I still love. I still have a love for people who inspire and give just as much, and sometimes more, than I. I still love what I do, but I am going to find a new catalyst a new outlet. No more doing penny jobs for friends, I am going to aim high. And I am going to work hard to form lasting relationships with people who are tied to the graphic design world. I am going to make the most of these relationships. And I am going to spread the work of my friends and colleagues because they deserve it.
I will start with Pete Harrison. Based in the UK, Pete is the mastermind behind Aeiko.net and Funkrush Clothing. And I would have to say that Pete is my favorite designer right now. Maybe ever. His typography work is amazing. He is constantly finding new and exciting ways to represent those pesky 26 letters of the alphabet. So do yourself a favor and go check his work out. It blew me away and I am a cynical designer who’s seen just about everything.
Look ma, the sun is shining on me.
I apologize for the long stretch of time between posts. I've had a lot stewing on my stove, so to speak. There is stuff I want to talk about, but for the last two or three weeks I just have not had any creative drive whatsoever.
I am going to get personal again for just a little bit. I am making a compromise of sorts. I am laying down my weapons because I am tired of fighting. Being right is not worth the trouble I have gone through. I am no longer going to agonize over what is “good” or “right” or “just”. I do not care about things that do not concern me. From this point on I am simply going to live like every day is my last day.
I have always been a very competitive person, but mostly with myself. And I am sick of beating myself up over everything. It is going to take some work, I know, but I cannot justify being miserable and agonizing over the little things. It is time to not just look at the big picture, but obliterate anything that gets in the way of the big picture. That means killing a lot of darlings, as they say in the literary world. It also means focusing on my needs for once. I have been putting everyone before me and sacrificing so much, and people do not give back. So fuck 'em.
But I still love. I still have a love for people who inspire and give just as much, and sometimes more, than I. I still love what I do, but I am going to find a new catalyst a new outlet. No more doing penny jobs for friends, I am going to aim high. And I am going to work hard to form lasting relationships with people who are tied to the graphic design world. I am going to make the most of these relationships. And I am going to spread the work of my friends and colleagues because they deserve it.
I will start with Pete Harrison. Based in the UK, Pete is the mastermind behind Aeiko.net and Funkrush Clothing. And I would have to say that Pete is my favorite designer right now. Maybe ever. His typography work is amazing. He is constantly finding new and exciting ways to represent those pesky 26 letters of the alphabet. So do yourself a favor and go check his work out. It blew me away and I am a cynical designer who’s seen just about everything.
Look ma, the sun is shining on me.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Good Night Kurt
Soundtrack: “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse
Writer Kurt Vonnegut died earlier tonight. He will be missed.
He was a man who was a free thinker and challenged our world in many ways. My favorite short story is one that Kurt wrote titled “Harrison Bergeron”. I remember reading it, and Slaughterhouse Five in high school and being left speechless.
I don't know if words can describe the loss we have suffered. He was one of the greatest minds who ever lived.
Writer Kurt Vonnegut died earlier tonight. He will be missed.
He was a man who was a free thinker and challenged our world in many ways. My favorite short story is one that Kurt wrote titled “Harrison Bergeron”. I remember reading it, and Slaughterhouse Five in high school and being left speechless.
I don't know if words can describe the loss we have suffered. He was one of the greatest minds who ever lived.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Smart = Sexy
“Hot Soft Light” by The Hold Steady
I have been noticing a trend that frankly makes me smile really big.
Smart girls are popular.
It may be that this trend is only within certain circles, because I have noticed that there is a similar and disturbing trend in the media. This trend is ditzy party girls. Paris Hilton, “The Bad Girls Club”, and celebrity cat fights are all the rage right now. And while Geekdom has held on to it’s hot girls for years, starting with Captain Kirk’s girls on the original Star Trek, these hot girls were not always a part of that community.
But now video games are cool, not something for geeks and nerds and losers. Star Wars has firmly entrenched into pop culture, and Kari Byron on Mythbusters makes being smart, well, sexy. All I have to say is it's about time.
I am proud of being a geek. I am proud of being smart now, but when I was a kid I was ridiculed for it. I read books instead of watching TV (although I had a few shows that I loved), I listened to music that wasn't the flavor of the month (something that I am still proud to do today), and I could draw like a motherfucker. I was the “wierd” kid. It took some time to come to terms with being a little bit different, but I have grown into it and now I openly embrace my geekiness. And the great thing is, so are all of the hot girls who were afraid to before. Plus, geeks are just plain fun in the sack... If you need solid proof, just check out Wired’s Sex Drive blog.
You know what this means? Me and some lucky geek girl out there are one day going to openly embrace our geekiness together. Bust out the Voltron DVD!
I have been noticing a trend that frankly makes me smile really big.
Smart girls are popular.
It may be that this trend is only within certain circles, because I have noticed that there is a similar and disturbing trend in the media. This trend is ditzy party girls. Paris Hilton, “The Bad Girls Club”, and celebrity cat fights are all the rage right now. And while Geekdom has held on to it’s hot girls for years, starting with Captain Kirk’s girls on the original Star Trek, these hot girls were not always a part of that community.
But now video games are cool, not something for geeks and nerds and losers. Star Wars has firmly entrenched into pop culture, and Kari Byron on Mythbusters makes being smart, well, sexy. All I have to say is it's about time.
I am proud of being a geek. I am proud of being smart now, but when I was a kid I was ridiculed for it. I read books instead of watching TV (although I had a few shows that I loved), I listened to music that wasn't the flavor of the month (something that I am still proud to do today), and I could draw like a motherfucker. I was the “wierd” kid. It took some time to come to terms with being a little bit different, but I have grown into it and now I openly embrace my geekiness. And the great thing is, so are all of the hot girls who were afraid to before. Plus, geeks are just plain fun in the sack... If you need solid proof, just check out Wired’s Sex Drive blog.
You know what this means? Me and some lucky geek girl out there are one day going to openly embrace our geekiness together. Bust out the Voltron DVD!
Resist Openly
Soundtrack: “Dream Brother” by Jeff Buckley
Remember that wiley Trent Reznor and the clever marketing strategy for his new Nine Inch Nails Album, Year Zero? While the album is a great collection of some killer songs and the concept behind it is intriguing and thought-provoking, he isn’t one to take an idea only half way. That is where OpenSourceResistance.com comes in. The idea is to gather the art and ideas of people who care enough about the world and what is going on around us that we do not want a Year Zero. Not through paranoia and destruction, but through activism. After all, if we have an opportunity to prevent the downfall of our society, if we have the opportunity to change the things that are wrong, wouldn’t not doing anything be the greatest sin of all?
Open Source Resistance is only one outlet for making your voice be heard. There are some great organizations out there such as Amnesty International and Save Darfur that are working to create an understanding of some important issues and change things. The people who complain about the world being fucked up but do not do anything about it are just as guilty, perhaps even moreso, than the people who are doing these atrocities. And it is only going to get worse the more people who use, abuse, and exploit realize that nobody cares enough to stop them.
So get out there. Be a voice. Be an activist. Be a dissident. Resist openly.
Remember that wiley Trent Reznor and the clever marketing strategy for his new Nine Inch Nails Album, Year Zero? While the album is a great collection of some killer songs and the concept behind it is intriguing and thought-provoking, he isn’t one to take an idea only half way. That is where OpenSourceResistance.com comes in. The idea is to gather the art and ideas of people who care enough about the world and what is going on around us that we do not want a Year Zero. Not through paranoia and destruction, but through activism. After all, if we have an opportunity to prevent the downfall of our society, if we have the opportunity to change the things that are wrong, wouldn’t not doing anything be the greatest sin of all?
Open Source Resistance is only one outlet for making your voice be heard. There are some great organizations out there such as Amnesty International and Save Darfur that are working to create an understanding of some important issues and change things. The people who complain about the world being fucked up but do not do anything about it are just as guilty, perhaps even moreso, than the people who are doing these atrocities. And it is only going to get worse the more people who use, abuse, and exploit realize that nobody cares enough to stop them.
So get out there. Be a voice. Be an activist. Be a dissident. Resist openly.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Disappointed
Soundtrack: “The Bends” by Radiohead
I am more than just a little disappointed at the moment. I would be frustrated, but some awesome acupuncture earlier today cleared that up. I have been making a conscious effort to not get stressed out or frustrated or angsty and simply keep doing what it is I do. And that is design.
But the disappointing this is that this aspect of my life, the thing that I feel I am best at, is not paying off. It should be, but my current employers, who promised me in contract that I would be paid biweekly for the services I render. At the least I should be paid at the end of each project and that is not even happening.
If you recall, some time ago I wrote a blog about being very excited to work for NeverAsk. I still love working for NeverAsk in many aspects, but things are going downhill very fast. To the point where I do not know how I am going to pay rent this month. And I owe money all over town, although not to known pornographers.
I just do not know what to do anymore. I am looking for a job that actually pays right now, but finding a job can take time and I am out of time. I cannot help feeling that I am responsible in some part for letting my friends walk all over me, but I can only take so much responsibility and that is what is frustrating about the situation... a lot of it is out of my hands. I do not like feeling helpless, but when things are out of my hands that is how I feel.
I know what most people are going to say the solution is. “Just have faith”. It’s a nice idea, but faith doesn't pay the bills. Working at my vocation, my calling, is what puts money in my pocket so I can pay rent and eat and do all those other fun things like drink beer. I know what happens when people go overboard with “trusting” faith with their needs... they end up hurting themselves, and usually many people around them. I am not going to renounce my faith and deny that I believe in God, or the tenants of Christianity, but I need to be realistic. And reality is telling me I need to rob a bank.
Just kidding. I am not going to be robbing any banks any time soon. But I am going to start working my ass off even harder than I have been. Instead of spreading myself thin as I have been, I need to focus on the one thing that will help me survive, and that is my career in design. I do not care where I start, I’m even willing to work crappy coffee shop jobs for a while, but I need to get my foot in the door, I need to get my portfolio all nice and shiny, and I need to work to convince the design world of Denver that I am what they need. It will not be easy, but I am always up for a challenge!
I am more than just a little disappointed at the moment. I would be frustrated, but some awesome acupuncture earlier today cleared that up. I have been making a conscious effort to not get stressed out or frustrated or angsty and simply keep doing what it is I do. And that is design.
But the disappointing this is that this aspect of my life, the thing that I feel I am best at, is not paying off. It should be, but my current employers, who promised me in contract that I would be paid biweekly for the services I render. At the least I should be paid at the end of each project and that is not even happening.
If you recall, some time ago I wrote a blog about being very excited to work for NeverAsk. I still love working for NeverAsk in many aspects, but things are going downhill very fast. To the point where I do not know how I am going to pay rent this month. And I owe money all over town, although not to known pornographers.
I just do not know what to do anymore. I am looking for a job that actually pays right now, but finding a job can take time and I am out of time. I cannot help feeling that I am responsible in some part for letting my friends walk all over me, but I can only take so much responsibility and that is what is frustrating about the situation... a lot of it is out of my hands. I do not like feeling helpless, but when things are out of my hands that is how I feel.
I know what most people are going to say the solution is. “Just have faith”. It’s a nice idea, but faith doesn't pay the bills. Working at my vocation, my calling, is what puts money in my pocket so I can pay rent and eat and do all those other fun things like drink beer. I know what happens when people go overboard with “trusting” faith with their needs... they end up hurting themselves, and usually many people around them. I am not going to renounce my faith and deny that I believe in God, or the tenants of Christianity, but I need to be realistic. And reality is telling me I need to rob a bank.
Just kidding. I am not going to be robbing any banks any time soon. But I am going to start working my ass off even harder than I have been. Instead of spreading myself thin as I have been, I need to focus on the one thing that will help me survive, and that is my career in design. I do not care where I start, I’m even willing to work crappy coffee shop jobs for a while, but I need to get my foot in the door, I need to get my portfolio all nice and shiny, and I need to work to convince the design world of Denver that I am what they need. It will not be easy, but I am always up for a challenge!
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Year Zero
The story about the hype behind the new Nine Inch Nails album Year Zero is not a new story. But there is so much going on that there is still plenty that is new.
If you have been living under a rock, Nine Inch Nails has a new record set to drop April 17th. It is a concept album about what the United States fifteen years from now would look like if fundamental religion, mind-altering drugs in the water, and overzealous government combined to create the world of Year Zero. It doesn’t stop there, though. Trent Reznor has always been good at not only selling the fans on his work but getting them involved as well. This time there is an Alternative Reality Game (ARG) that has everyone from the 16-year-old baby bat fangirl to the staff at Rolling Stone Magazine jonesing to find out more.
In fine fashion Trent Reznor has offered the album in streaming form for all of us to enjoy, and it is nothing short of impressive. I was disappointed with the overly-commercial With Teeth. It was good, but not good by Trent Reznor’s standards. I won’t hold it against him, though. It was the first album he's done since becoming sober. I am sure getting back into the groove of pure creativity can be hard after being around drugs and alcohol for so long. But he has done it very quickly. With Teeth came out in late 2005 and here it is, early 2007, with a new Nine Inch Nails album ready for our consumption. Usually fans have to wait a ridiculous amount of time between albums. And here we are with a new album just a year and a half after the last one.
If you are a Nine Inch Nails you will probably like this album. If you are a fan of electronic music you will probably like this album. In fact, if you are a fan of music at all you will most likely love this album. It's one of those works of music that leaves you breathless, shaking your head and wondering “how the hell did he do that?” He has taken the best ingredients from the entire body of his previous work and very carefully crafted them into the best music he has put out since 1999’s The Fragile. The simple sythpop of Pretty Hate Machine meets the noisy angst of The Downward Spiral in songs like “The Good Soldier”, “Vessel” and “Capital G”. The lilting melodies of the Fragile are sprinkled throughout the entire album, especially on instrumental numbers “Zero Sum” and “Another Version of the Truth”. And With Teeth’s neo electro-punk attitude has been refined, with noisy and loud guitars and quirky synth noise giving this album frenetic and immediate pace. You’re probably going to want to dance to it all night long, and if you have a special someone that is also a Nine Inch Nails fan this album is perfect for other, uh, nocturnal activities. If you catch my drift.
So go out there and get caught up in Year Zero. Go to anotherversionofthetruth.com and uncover the truth about Parepin and the Presence. Go to bethehammer.com and learn how the Angry Sniper went from being a tool of the government to one of the biggest keys in the resistance. Go to artisresistance.com and assault your town with the downloadable flyers, stickers, and other methods of spreading propaganda. Go to echoingthesound.org and learn about the other sites and other people who are caught up in this crazy thing. Go listen to the songs at yearzero.nin.com. And then go buy the album on April 17th. You will be glad you did.
If you have been living under a rock, Nine Inch Nails has a new record set to drop April 17th. It is a concept album about what the United States fifteen years from now would look like if fundamental religion, mind-altering drugs in the water, and overzealous government combined to create the world of Year Zero. It doesn’t stop there, though. Trent Reznor has always been good at not only selling the fans on his work but getting them involved as well. This time there is an Alternative Reality Game (ARG) that has everyone from the 16-year-old baby bat fangirl to the staff at Rolling Stone Magazine jonesing to find out more.
In fine fashion Trent Reznor has offered the album in streaming form for all of us to enjoy, and it is nothing short of impressive. I was disappointed with the overly-commercial With Teeth. It was good, but not good by Trent Reznor’s standards. I won’t hold it against him, though. It was the first album he's done since becoming sober. I am sure getting back into the groove of pure creativity can be hard after being around drugs and alcohol for so long. But he has done it very quickly. With Teeth came out in late 2005 and here it is, early 2007, with a new Nine Inch Nails album ready for our consumption. Usually fans have to wait a ridiculous amount of time between albums. And here we are with a new album just a year and a half after the last one.
If you are a Nine Inch Nails you will probably like this album. If you are a fan of electronic music you will probably like this album. In fact, if you are a fan of music at all you will most likely love this album. It's one of those works of music that leaves you breathless, shaking your head and wondering “how the hell did he do that?” He has taken the best ingredients from the entire body of his previous work and very carefully crafted them into the best music he has put out since 1999’s The Fragile. The simple sythpop of Pretty Hate Machine meets the noisy angst of The Downward Spiral in songs like “The Good Soldier”, “Vessel” and “Capital G”. The lilting melodies of the Fragile are sprinkled throughout the entire album, especially on instrumental numbers “Zero Sum” and “Another Version of the Truth”. And With Teeth’s neo electro-punk attitude has been refined, with noisy and loud guitars and quirky synth noise giving this album frenetic and immediate pace. You’re probably going to want to dance to it all night long, and if you have a special someone that is also a Nine Inch Nails fan this album is perfect for other, uh, nocturnal activities. If you catch my drift.
So go out there and get caught up in Year Zero. Go to anotherversionofthetruth.com and uncover the truth about Parepin and the Presence. Go to bethehammer.com and learn how the Angry Sniper went from being a tool of the government to one of the biggest keys in the resistance. Go to artisresistance.com and assault your town with the downloadable flyers, stickers, and other methods of spreading propaganda. Go to echoingthesound.org and learn about the other sites and other people who are caught up in this crazy thing. Go listen to the songs at yearzero.nin.com. And then go buy the album on April 17th. You will be glad you did.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Creating Creativity
The buzz right now in the creative community is the new Adobe Creative Suite that was officially announced yesterday via a live event and webcast. Let me tell you, it is a designer’s wet dream. As I have been watching this product rollout I am completely geeking out... this is the kind of stuff that designers go nuts over, but if I showed it to someone outside the industry they would simply smile and nod.
In a nutshell, not only does each element of CS3 have gobs of cool new features that allow ideas to be better implemented, but the entire suite of programs are better integrated to allow for a smoother, quicker workflow, not to mention the ability to do do things that were once either not possible or extremely difficult.
The big question is, can a software suite (a really damn expensive software suite at that) make a person more creative? Can Creative Suite’s new features make me a better designer?
In a way, yes, but despite having all of these features a designer has to have talent. These amazing graphics applications can help breed creativity, but in the end it doesn’t matter if a person knows the software back and forth... if they do not know how to apply the software, it is a moot point.
A great artist is a great artist no matter what tools he has available. Before Photoshop and Illustrator and Quark XPress and all of the other graphic design software out there in the world, there was letterpress. Before letterpress there was copperplate. And so on and so forth. If you look at pieces of art and design made before the advent of computer graphics, there are still some amazing works that were created with the kind of imagination that transcends technology. Toulouse-Lautrec, Frank Lloyd-Wright, Andy Warhol... these guys didn't have Adobe Creative Suite 3. In fact, it could be argued that not having these amazing innovations can be a good thing.
When I started drawing and painting and creating, I did not have a computer loaded with Photoshop. Actually, Photoshop didnt exist. I used the tools that I had to exercise my mind and become a better artist. I had a foundation of learning how art works that allowed me to expand upon that in my later years. In high school, when I picked up Photoshop for the first time I was able to use that foundation in art and design. Once I learned the tools and how they all worked, I could then take that knowledge and apply it to my process.
Chances are most of the people who will be able to afford this awesome new software suite will be people who have some sort of design or art background. And most likely this awesome new software suite will not make them more creative. Rather, it will allow them to harness the full potential of their creativity and allow them to make the ideas in their brains reality. I am one of these people, and I can’t even tell you how excited I am!
In a nutshell, not only does each element of CS3 have gobs of cool new features that allow ideas to be better implemented, but the entire suite of programs are better integrated to allow for a smoother, quicker workflow, not to mention the ability to do do things that were once either not possible or extremely difficult.
The big question is, can a software suite (a really damn expensive software suite at that) make a person more creative? Can Creative Suite’s new features make me a better designer?
In a way, yes, but despite having all of these features a designer has to have talent. These amazing graphics applications can help breed creativity, but in the end it doesn’t matter if a person knows the software back and forth... if they do not know how to apply the software, it is a moot point.
A great artist is a great artist no matter what tools he has available. Before Photoshop and Illustrator and Quark XPress and all of the other graphic design software out there in the world, there was letterpress. Before letterpress there was copperplate. And so on and so forth. If you look at pieces of art and design made before the advent of computer graphics, there are still some amazing works that were created with the kind of imagination that transcends technology. Toulouse-Lautrec, Frank Lloyd-Wright, Andy Warhol... these guys didn't have Adobe Creative Suite 3. In fact, it could be argued that not having these amazing innovations can be a good thing.
When I started drawing and painting and creating, I did not have a computer loaded with Photoshop. Actually, Photoshop didnt exist. I used the tools that I had to exercise my mind and become a better artist. I had a foundation of learning how art works that allowed me to expand upon that in my later years. In high school, when I picked up Photoshop for the first time I was able to use that foundation in art and design. Once I learned the tools and how they all worked, I could then take that knowledge and apply it to my process.
Chances are most of the people who will be able to afford this awesome new software suite will be people who have some sort of design or art background. And most likely this awesome new software suite will not make them more creative. Rather, it will allow them to harness the full potential of their creativity and allow them to make the ideas in their brains reality. I am one of these people, and I can’t even tell you how excited I am!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Be What You Are...
Soundtrack: Amélie by Yann Tiersen
Earlier this month David Carson spoke at the Colorado chapter of AIGA. I didn’t get a chance to go see him, which was a big bummer since those who know me can tell you that David is by far my favorite graphic designer. However, the AIGA Colorado podcast for this month features the Q & A he did as part of his presentation. It was very short but extremely inspiring.
At one point David fields the following question: “What is the difference between Art and Design”. That is a terrific question and he had a great answer for it. Carson said “I think the lines have blurred... I’m driven more towards the art side of it.” He went on to point out that most of his influences are fine artists (like Mark Rothko) instead of other designers (like Paul Rand). He also mentioned that AIGA stands for the American Institue of Graphic Artists. And he ended with "I think you have to make that decision. It has to be I think, what you’re passionate about. It's your choice.”
I don’t quite know why, probably because the man is a god among men, but that statement had a huge impact on me. It has made me think long and hard about where I stand in the world of design. After all, this is a huge field and the range of careers within it is enormous: from accountants to art directors to illustrators to photographers. In fact anyone who wants to get into design can, it doesn't make any difference whether you are artistic or not. Just don’t expect to be a production artist or designer or an art director if you are lacking in artistic ability.
David Carson is in a unique position. He didn’t start his career in the commercial arts the usual way, which is going to school and getting an internship and then getting a crappy job as a web monkey or production artist or whatever. Here is a man who loved to surf, he loved music, he loved skateboarding, he loved that whole culture. He graduated with a degree in sociology and the only training he had in design was a couple of graphic design workshops. Instead of learning about art an design from the outside, as many of us in this industry go through, he learned all he could from the inside by immersing himself in the beach culture of the mid 80s. Punk rock, skateboarding, surfing, bohemian attitudes and an emphasis on self-expression through art is what he found; a gig as the art director of Transworld Skateboarding is what he walked away with. In 1991 his success as a professional surfer (he was ranked 9th in the world in 1989) allowed him to become the art director for Beach Culture, and it was there that he solidified the unique style that he had been cultivating. At the time the style was revolutionary and it ushered in the grunge era of design... an era that helped give the grunge era of music it's identity.
Since then he's worked for HOW magazine, founded Ray Gun magazine, and started up his own design studio where he's worked with everyone from Nike to Nine Inch Nails. Not bad for a guy who didn't even go to design school. And it has me wondering if I need to go to school. I've been in school for way too long. I have learned a lot here, but I have learned even more on my own. It has been good for me because most of my teachers have pushed me hard, sometimes to the breaking point and sometimes even past the breaking point. But I have also pushed myself and I work for people who know that even though I am good I can be better, much better. I just finished what I think has been my greatest design achievement this weekend. It’s just a web site, nothing even that sophisticated. But every step of the way I've had plenty of solid constructive criticism of my work and I have generated something that I feel is some of the best work I have ever done.
David Carson’s words are still ringing in my ears... do what I’m passionate about. It’s my decision. If I am not passionate about learning through books and homework anymore, but rather passionate about learning through immersing myself in what I want to do, in becoming a part of the culture of design, maybe I should stop doing what I am not passionate about and just start doing. David Carson worked hard. He wasn’t lucky, he wasn’t just in the right place at the right time, he was the right person at the right place at the right time with the right mindset and a drive to do something new. Revolutionary thinking is not easy. It is not something anyone can do. I believe it is something that 80% of the people on this earth are just flat out not capable of.
And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am part of the other 20%. There is no ego, no simple arrogance, just fact. I know I am better than most people, and I think it is time for me to prove it.
I just have to decide what is the best way to accomplish that.
But I know I am going to be what I am and most of all be passionate about what I do. You should too.
Earlier this month David Carson spoke at the Colorado chapter of AIGA. I didn’t get a chance to go see him, which was a big bummer since those who know me can tell you that David is by far my favorite graphic designer. However, the AIGA Colorado podcast for this month features the Q & A he did as part of his presentation. It was very short but extremely inspiring.
At one point David fields the following question: “What is the difference between Art and Design”. That is a terrific question and he had a great answer for it. Carson said “I think the lines have blurred... I’m driven more towards the art side of it.” He went on to point out that most of his influences are fine artists (like Mark Rothko) instead of other designers (like Paul Rand). He also mentioned that AIGA stands for the American Institue of Graphic Artists. And he ended with "I think you have to make that decision. It has to be I think, what you’re passionate about. It's your choice.”
I don’t quite know why, probably because the man is a god among men, but that statement had a huge impact on me. It has made me think long and hard about where I stand in the world of design. After all, this is a huge field and the range of careers within it is enormous: from accountants to art directors to illustrators to photographers. In fact anyone who wants to get into design can, it doesn't make any difference whether you are artistic or not. Just don’t expect to be a production artist or designer or an art director if you are lacking in artistic ability.
David Carson is in a unique position. He didn’t start his career in the commercial arts the usual way, which is going to school and getting an internship and then getting a crappy job as a web monkey or production artist or whatever. Here is a man who loved to surf, he loved music, he loved skateboarding, he loved that whole culture. He graduated with a degree in sociology and the only training he had in design was a couple of graphic design workshops. Instead of learning about art an design from the outside, as many of us in this industry go through, he learned all he could from the inside by immersing himself in the beach culture of the mid 80s. Punk rock, skateboarding, surfing, bohemian attitudes and an emphasis on self-expression through art is what he found; a gig as the art director of Transworld Skateboarding is what he walked away with. In 1991 his success as a professional surfer (he was ranked 9th in the world in 1989) allowed him to become the art director for Beach Culture, and it was there that he solidified the unique style that he had been cultivating. At the time the style was revolutionary and it ushered in the grunge era of design... an era that helped give the grunge era of music it's identity.
Since then he's worked for HOW magazine, founded Ray Gun magazine, and started up his own design studio where he's worked with everyone from Nike to Nine Inch Nails. Not bad for a guy who didn't even go to design school. And it has me wondering if I need to go to school. I've been in school for way too long. I have learned a lot here, but I have learned even more on my own. It has been good for me because most of my teachers have pushed me hard, sometimes to the breaking point and sometimes even past the breaking point. But I have also pushed myself and I work for people who know that even though I am good I can be better, much better. I just finished what I think has been my greatest design achievement this weekend. It’s just a web site, nothing even that sophisticated. But every step of the way I've had plenty of solid constructive criticism of my work and I have generated something that I feel is some of the best work I have ever done.
David Carson’s words are still ringing in my ears... do what I’m passionate about. It’s my decision. If I am not passionate about learning through books and homework anymore, but rather passionate about learning through immersing myself in what I want to do, in becoming a part of the culture of design, maybe I should stop doing what I am not passionate about and just start doing. David Carson worked hard. He wasn’t lucky, he wasn’t just in the right place at the right time, he was the right person at the right place at the right time with the right mindset and a drive to do something new. Revolutionary thinking is not easy. It is not something anyone can do. I believe it is something that 80% of the people on this earth are just flat out not capable of.
And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am part of the other 20%. There is no ego, no simple arrogance, just fact. I know I am better than most people, and I think it is time for me to prove it.
I just have to decide what is the best way to accomplish that.
But I know I am going to be what I am and most of all be passionate about what I do. You should too.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Everybody Loves Wired
Soundtrack: It’s Crazy by Drag The River
Wired Magazine is a unique entity. Not only is it a successful print magazine, it is a wildly successful web site. Recently they underwent a design overhaul. A new identity combined with a new front page layout has given the stalwort media dispenser a fresh look, but not everyone who trolls the world wide web is a fan. Among the many negative comments are posts such as “To which middle school art class did you farm this out?” and “No. No. No. Bad Wired. Surely this is some cruel joke because you withheld pizza and caffeine from the html coders, yes?”.
It is not a cruel joke, and I am not quite sure what people are complaining about. Apparently it is hard to read, but when I view the site in both Firefox and Safari, I see a well designed site with great visual hierarchy. The designers do not need to tell you what parts are the most important with subheadlines. Everything speaks for itself. In fact, it almost reminds me of the way an actual print magazine table of contents might be laid out.
Here’s what I think has happened. People on the whole do not respond well to change in the area of things that they are familiar with. Wired had the same layout on their front page for years and years, and people were used to it. They could scan through it easily and find what it was they were looking for. And then the folks at wired had the audacity to overhaul their own front page... how dare they! Well the world changes, folks. All of you out there in hinternet land are going to need to get used to that. Sometimes it is hard.
On the other side of the coin, it is not necesarily a good thing for a buiness to alienate their customers, and especially not good for a magazine to alienate it’s readers. There are going to be the folks like me who continue to read Wired regardless of the change. There are going to be the readers like me who like the change better. There are going to be new readers, and there are going to be people who leave because they do not like the way the new front page looks. What remains to be seen is whether the people who leave outweigh the number of faithful as well as new readers. Here's looking at you, Wired. Good luck, you’re gonna need it.
Wired Magazine is a unique entity. Not only is it a successful print magazine, it is a wildly successful web site. Recently they underwent a design overhaul. A new identity combined with a new front page layout has given the stalwort media dispenser a fresh look, but not everyone who trolls the world wide web is a fan. Among the many negative comments are posts such as “To which middle school art class did you farm this out?” and “No. No. No. Bad Wired. Surely this is some cruel joke because you withheld pizza and caffeine from the html coders, yes?”.
It is not a cruel joke, and I am not quite sure what people are complaining about. Apparently it is hard to read, but when I view the site in both Firefox and Safari, I see a well designed site with great visual hierarchy. The designers do not need to tell you what parts are the most important with subheadlines. Everything speaks for itself. In fact, it almost reminds me of the way an actual print magazine table of contents might be laid out.
Here’s what I think has happened. People on the whole do not respond well to change in the area of things that they are familiar with. Wired had the same layout on their front page for years and years, and people were used to it. They could scan through it easily and find what it was they were looking for. And then the folks at wired had the audacity to overhaul their own front page... how dare they! Well the world changes, folks. All of you out there in hinternet land are going to need to get used to that. Sometimes it is hard.
On the other side of the coin, it is not necesarily a good thing for a buiness to alienate their customers, and especially not good for a magazine to alienate it’s readers. There are going to be the folks like me who continue to read Wired regardless of the change. There are going to be the readers like me who like the change better. There are going to be new readers, and there are going to be people who leave because they do not like the way the new front page looks. What remains to be seen is whether the people who leave outweigh the number of faithful as well as new readers. Here's looking at you, Wired. Good luck, you’re gonna need it.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Making A Future Out Of Things Of The Past
Soundtrack: “Outkast” by P.O.D.
Things are looking rather promising for multimedia design right now. In fact, for technologies such as web and multimedia design, the future is so bright they have to wear shades. But what about good old reliable print design? What about the technology that lets us have books, lithograph posters, compact disc inserts and most importantly, those cute little coffee cup sleeves that have trite advertisements all over them?
One would think that things in that realm are bleak. People have found other ways to advertise so there is less money being poured into print advertisement budgets. Five years ago Medialife magazine reported a “Dire future for print design.”Five years is a long time in the world of instant gratification, MTV, and fast moving interactive technologies. Unfortunately that is not the only grim forecast. There's everything from talk about major newspapers losing a ridiculous amount of earnings to the interesting observation that internet media may be replacing traditional PR methods.
Despite the doomsaying, print media is here to stay. I don’t think traditional methods will ever be replaced. When radio became the popular medium people said it would be the end of the newspaper. The newspaper stayed around. When television made it’s debut people said it was the end of of both radio and the poor, unloved newspaper. Yet what do we see today? They both still exist today. It should be noted, however, that the newspaper’s role has been constantly evolving. It will always be around in some form, but that form is continuously changing.
Here’s the deal folks. The newspaper is not that important in the world of modern print design. People in the graphic design community who are mourning it can stop because they do not need to. See, it is not about how interactive technologies are killing off traditional methods. It is about how these new technologies are causing traditional media to evolve. But most of all, it is about how designers and pre-press gurus push these time-tested and familiar technologies to change with the new world that is rapidly forming. Some companies such as Colour Innovations in Toronto Canada are doing just that. In addition to leading the way in FM printing and high-density inks, they are the primary licensee of a new technology called MetalFX. It is a new way of printing metallic colors that is starting to revolutionize the industry. Then there is stuff like “smart” paper, anaglyphic printing, synthetic paper, and various other fun technologies that make print a little more interactive. But the best innovation is something that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy to no end.
Just a couple of days ago Adobe, the fine folks who have faithfully brought us their flagship software Photoshop for nearly twenty years, announced the impending release of Photoshop CS3, of which a public beta is now available to users of the current Photoshop CS2. CS3 will be the tenth version of Photoshop. And Adobe is going to do something groundbreaking. For the first time in the history of technology, 3D support and motion graphics editing are being added to a 2D image editing computer program. Not just one, not just the other, both. For the layperson that means the Photoshop doesn’t just make your photos better, it doesn’t just give you the ability to create amazing print and web graphics. It means that from now on the game has changed and creative potential is limitless.
It is interesting to consider the options. Does this mean it is now possible to create a website alongside a short film? Is it possible to produce a feature-length Hollywood movie on a laptop that has Photoshop? I don’t know. What I do know is that I am excited about the creative possibilties. But most of all, I am excited for the future of design because this kind of integration means that designers are going to once again push the boundaries of convention and they are going to break out of the box. And thinking outside of the box is what makes the creative world go around.
Things are looking rather promising for multimedia design right now. In fact, for technologies such as web and multimedia design, the future is so bright they have to wear shades. But what about good old reliable print design? What about the technology that lets us have books, lithograph posters, compact disc inserts and most importantly, those cute little coffee cup sleeves that have trite advertisements all over them?
One would think that things in that realm are bleak. People have found other ways to advertise so there is less money being poured into print advertisement budgets. Five years ago Medialife magazine reported a “Dire future for print design.”Five years is a long time in the world of instant gratification, MTV, and fast moving interactive technologies. Unfortunately that is not the only grim forecast. There's everything from talk about major newspapers losing a ridiculous amount of earnings to the interesting observation that internet media may be replacing traditional PR methods.
Despite the doomsaying, print media is here to stay. I don’t think traditional methods will ever be replaced. When radio became the popular medium people said it would be the end of the newspaper. The newspaper stayed around. When television made it’s debut people said it was the end of of both radio and the poor, unloved newspaper. Yet what do we see today? They both still exist today. It should be noted, however, that the newspaper’s role has been constantly evolving. It will always be around in some form, but that form is continuously changing.
Here’s the deal folks. The newspaper is not that important in the world of modern print design. People in the graphic design community who are mourning it can stop because they do not need to. See, it is not about how interactive technologies are killing off traditional methods. It is about how these new technologies are causing traditional media to evolve. But most of all, it is about how designers and pre-press gurus push these time-tested and familiar technologies to change with the new world that is rapidly forming. Some companies such as Colour Innovations in Toronto Canada are doing just that. In addition to leading the way in FM printing and high-density inks, they are the primary licensee of a new technology called MetalFX. It is a new way of printing metallic colors that is starting to revolutionize the industry. Then there is stuff like “smart” paper, anaglyphic printing, synthetic paper, and various other fun technologies that make print a little more interactive. But the best innovation is something that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy to no end.
Just a couple of days ago Adobe, the fine folks who have faithfully brought us their flagship software Photoshop for nearly twenty years, announced the impending release of Photoshop CS3, of which a public beta is now available to users of the current Photoshop CS2. CS3 will be the tenth version of Photoshop. And Adobe is going to do something groundbreaking. For the first time in the history of technology, 3D support and motion graphics editing are being added to a 2D image editing computer program. Not just one, not just the other, both. For the layperson that means the Photoshop doesn’t just make your photos better, it doesn’t just give you the ability to create amazing print and web graphics. It means that from now on the game has changed and creative potential is limitless.
It is interesting to consider the options. Does this mean it is now possible to create a website alongside a short film? Is it possible to produce a feature-length Hollywood movie on a laptop that has Photoshop? I don’t know. What I do know is that I am excited about the creative possibilties. But most of all, I am excited for the future of design because this kind of integration means that designers are going to once again push the boundaries of convention and they are going to break out of the box. And thinking outside of the box is what makes the creative world go around.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Get Wet
Soundtrack: Redeemer by Norma Jean
Sex appeal goes a long way in advertising. It can be as alluring as the anti-aids campaign that features men and women getting fresh with various deadly and venomous creatures. Or it can be as cheap and obvious as those annoying Budweiser ads with beautiful models hanging out drinking cheap beer.
My favorite “sexy” ad campaign so far has to be the Radiator waterwear “Improve Your Flexibility” series of ads created by the Furnace agency. They are nothing new, but they are so cheeky and bare in their less-than-innocent stab at decency that you just have to smile. I posted what I think is my favorite example (just look at that dude's cheesy grin!), you can find the rest of them here.
Sex appeal goes a long way in advertising. It can be as alluring as the anti-aids campaign that features men and women getting fresh with various deadly and venomous creatures. Or it can be as cheap and obvious as those annoying Budweiser ads with beautiful models hanging out drinking cheap beer.
My favorite “sexy” ad campaign so far has to be the Radiator waterwear “Improve Your Flexibility” series of ads created by the Furnace agency. They are nothing new, but they are so cheeky and bare in their less-than-innocent stab at decency that you just have to smile. I posted what I think is my favorite example (just look at that dude's cheesy grin!), you can find the rest of them here.Wednesday, February 28, 2007
A Microsoft Type Thing
Soundtrack: “Identity Theft” by Vaux
I know I complain about Microsoft a lot, but I don't want people to get the impression that I indiscriminately hate them. On the contrary, in fact. I do enjoy many of their products and innovations. OpenType has to be my favorite of these innovations, but as someone who deals with web design daily, ClearType is a close second.
To be honest I am surprised that Microsoft came up with it and not someone else. I don't know, maybe I shouldn't be surprised, but ClearType is a literally a new way of looking typography in the way that it allows digital type to be more readable on the screen. Microsoft in the past has done some things for web design that have been innovative as well as some things that have been annoying. Microsoft FrontPage is one of the annoying things they've come up with, but on the Typography front they have been somewhat helpful. Since Windows 95 was first released Microsoft has been releasing a steady stream of web and screen friendly typefaces like Georgia and Verdana. I am not a huge fan of Verdana's clunky stature, but Georgia is perfect as a screen font. In fact, as you read this blog you are enjoying Georgia’s pleasant proportions and large x-height.
This brings me back to ClearType. Microsoft’s screen fonts were a great step forward in pushing design for the computer screen forward. But Microsoft’s typography division was not satisfied. So for several years now they have been working on a new of way of rendering screen fonts called ClearType.
The story goes like this: the main reason that Microsoft has been pushing forward in the area of digital typography is pretty simple. The majority of typefaces are designed for print. Helvetica and Arial, Times New Roman, Garamond, Futura, Optima, even Lucida... they are all designed for print. That means they look great on paper. Books, flyers and posters, packaging, and everything else you can print. And many of them translate well to the screen at larger weights. But once you get below about 10 point, the elegant figures of a typeface like Garmond become hard to read because of resolution. See, print has a high resolution. Your average laser printer prints at 300 dpi, or dots per inch. Your average screen resolution is 96 ppi, or pixels per inch. This means that a laser printer has over three times the resolution of your computer monitor. No, junior, not even your “high resolution” LCD screen can compare. And so Microsoft has invented ClearType, which uses what is called sub-pixel rendering to make typefaces look good. Now spindly script typefaces won’t look like pure crap. Elegant faces like Garamond will show up halfway decent on screen. But Microsoft didn’t stop there. They didn't just want a new way of rendering type, they wanted to show it off.
What do people who care about typography do so that the default typeface looks good in both print and web? Commission a whole slew of new fonts that do just that. And that is what Microsoft has done. And they developed these new typefaces in conjunction with ClearType, so they are guaranteed to look good. I have to say, as a typography nut they look really good. I was impressed. No clunky Verdana. No old and tired Courier. Just six really solid typefaces. Wanna see them? Sure you do.
The crazy thing about this is that ClearType has been around as long as Windows XP has. A few years back Mister Usability himself, Jakob Neilsen wrote about how ClearType has the potential to save a company an average of $2000 dollars per employee per year. But you have to turn in on.
I know I complain about Microsoft a lot, but I don't want people to get the impression that I indiscriminately hate them. On the contrary, in fact. I do enjoy many of their products and innovations. OpenType has to be my favorite of these innovations, but as someone who deals with web design daily, ClearType is a close second.
To be honest I am surprised that Microsoft came up with it and not someone else. I don't know, maybe I shouldn't be surprised, but ClearType is a literally a new way of looking typography in the way that it allows digital type to be more readable on the screen. Microsoft in the past has done some things for web design that have been innovative as well as some things that have been annoying. Microsoft FrontPage is one of the annoying things they've come up with, but on the Typography front they have been somewhat helpful. Since Windows 95 was first released Microsoft has been releasing a steady stream of web and screen friendly typefaces like Georgia and Verdana. I am not a huge fan of Verdana's clunky stature, but Georgia is perfect as a screen font. In fact, as you read this blog you are enjoying Georgia’s pleasant proportions and large x-height.
This brings me back to ClearType. Microsoft’s screen fonts were a great step forward in pushing design for the computer screen forward. But Microsoft’s typography division was not satisfied. So for several years now they have been working on a new of way of rendering screen fonts called ClearType.
The story goes like this: the main reason that Microsoft has been pushing forward in the area of digital typography is pretty simple. The majority of typefaces are designed for print. Helvetica and Arial, Times New Roman, Garamond, Futura, Optima, even Lucida... they are all designed for print. That means they look great on paper. Books, flyers and posters, packaging, and everything else you can print. And many of them translate well to the screen at larger weights. But once you get below about 10 point, the elegant figures of a typeface like Garmond become hard to read because of resolution. See, print has a high resolution. Your average laser printer prints at 300 dpi, or dots per inch. Your average screen resolution is 96 ppi, or pixels per inch. This means that a laser printer has over three times the resolution of your computer monitor. No, junior, not even your “high resolution” LCD screen can compare. And so Microsoft has invented ClearType, which uses what is called sub-pixel rendering to make typefaces look good. Now spindly script typefaces won’t look like pure crap. Elegant faces like Garamond will show up halfway decent on screen. But Microsoft didn’t stop there. They didn't just want a new way of rendering type, they wanted to show it off.
What do people who care about typography do so that the default typeface looks good in both print and web? Commission a whole slew of new fonts that do just that. And that is what Microsoft has done. And they developed these new typefaces in conjunction with ClearType, so they are guaranteed to look good. I have to say, as a typography nut they look really good. I was impressed. No clunky Verdana. No old and tired Courier. Just six really solid typefaces. Wanna see them? Sure you do.
The crazy thing about this is that ClearType has been around as long as Windows XP has. A few years back Mister Usability himself, Jakob Neilsen wrote about how ClearType has the potential to save a company an average of $2000 dollars per employee per year. But you have to turn in on.
Monday, February 26, 2007
So Beautiful...
Soundtrack: Aenima by Tool
So disturbing. Ah, Windows Vista... you seem like you are so far away, yet so close. Too bad I know all about your disgusting STDs, you sick and embarassing hooker.
No, I'm not biased. What makes you say that?
So disturbing. Ah, Windows Vista... you seem like you are so far away, yet so close. Too bad I know all about your disgusting STDs, you sick and embarassing hooker.
No, I'm not biased. What makes you say that?
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
I Just Want Something I Can Never... Had?
Soundtrack: “Something I Can Never Have” by Nine Inch Nails
“I have pretty much accepted the possibility that I will never be successful. My idea of success is just too fucked up and the bar too high.”
Ah yes, hopelessness and despair. Such an awesome and uplifting way of thinking. Beer and a crappy situation at work are responsible, but days later I recognize that all hope is not lost.
Setting the bar for success is always a tricky thing. Sure, it gives a person goals and ambitions to chase, but often we human beings set the bar according to our imaginations, and I have a pretty wild imagination. When I was eleven years old my brother and I would record these funny little interviews as us being rock stars. We were being half-serious, of course. Which means that there was, and still is, ambition towards that goal of being rock stars. Not so much for my brother, I don't think, but definitely for me.
I have been told from a young age that there are great things in store for me. Those kinds of statements can warp a young mind into an ego the size of Betelgeuse. Betelgeuse is thought to be at least 500 times larger than the sun. That’s pretty astronomically huge. And you wonder why I have a superiority complex.
“I have pretty much accepted the possibility that I will never be successful. My idea of success is just too fucked up and the bar too high.”
Ah yes, hopelessness and despair. Such an awesome and uplifting way of thinking. Beer and a crappy situation at work are responsible, but days later I recognize that all hope is not lost.
Setting the bar for success is always a tricky thing. Sure, it gives a person goals and ambitions to chase, but often we human beings set the bar according to our imaginations, and I have a pretty wild imagination. When I was eleven years old my brother and I would record these funny little interviews as us being rock stars. We were being half-serious, of course. Which means that there was, and still is, ambition towards that goal of being rock stars. Not so much for my brother, I don't think, but definitely for me.
I have been told from a young age that there are great things in store for me. Those kinds of statements can warp a young mind into an ego the size of Betelgeuse. Betelgeuse is thought to be at least 500 times larger than the sun. That’s pretty astronomically huge. And you wonder why I have a superiority complex.
Friday, February 16, 2007
I Like The Kind Of Labels That Come On Beer Bottles
Soundtrack: “Disconnectie: The Faithful Vampire” by Norma Jean
My, it's been a Norma Jean kind of day, hasn't it?
I just had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine. She's got this idea that religion isn't bad as long as people do not limit themselves by labeling themselves whatever that religion is. For example, as a Christian my beliefs are totally cool, but I should not call myself a Christian because I will be limiting myself. Which is a nice idea, sort of.
But I think she’s on the right track. I think where she is trying to go is this idea: do not define yourself by what you label yourself, i.e. nerd, jock, Christian, Muslim, graphic designer, theoretical analyst, etc. Instead, let your beliefs and who you are come out in the way you live your life. Are you a Jew? Work at a bank? Then don't live as a Jewish banker should, but as your belief dictates. That means studying scripture, giving to the poor and the widows, eating kosher foods, being responsible with money, taking care of the customer, fiscally sound, all that good stuff. After all, what good does it do to tattoo “philanthropist” on your forehead if all you are going to do is march around and point to it and say “I like to invest myself in people! Look at me!”
That seems to be what religion has turned into, though. In fact, it seems to be what American culture has turned into? Are you Republican or Democrat? Christian or Atheist? Black or White? Citizen or Illegal Immigrant? It's a culture of labels and extremes... no wonder we're so fucked up.
My, it's been a Norma Jean kind of day, hasn't it?
I just had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine. She's got this idea that religion isn't bad as long as people do not limit themselves by labeling themselves whatever that religion is. For example, as a Christian my beliefs are totally cool, but I should not call myself a Christian because I will be limiting myself. Which is a nice idea, sort of.
But I think she’s on the right track. I think where she is trying to go is this idea: do not define yourself by what you label yourself, i.e. nerd, jock, Christian, Muslim, graphic designer, theoretical analyst, etc. Instead, let your beliefs and who you are come out in the way you live your life. Are you a Jew? Work at a bank? Then don't live as a Jewish banker should, but as your belief dictates. That means studying scripture, giving to the poor and the widows, eating kosher foods, being responsible with money, taking care of the customer, fiscally sound, all that good stuff. After all, what good does it do to tattoo “philanthropist” on your forehead if all you are going to do is march around and point to it and say “I like to invest myself in people! Look at me!”
That seems to be what religion has turned into, though. In fact, it seems to be what American culture has turned into? Are you Republican or Democrat? Christian or Atheist? Black or White? Citizen or Illegal Immigrant? It's a culture of labels and extremes... no wonder we're so fucked up.
Who is Jerry?
Soundtrack: “Bayonetwork: Vultures In Vivid Color” by Norma Jean
I get that question all the time. You see, I have a lovely little Apple PowerBook adorned with many stickers. One of these stickers says [ this is jerry ].
So who is Jerry? This is Jerry. He's quite the internet celebrity.
I get that question all the time. You see, I have a lovely little Apple PowerBook adorned with many stickers. One of these stickers says [ this is jerry ].
So who is Jerry? This is Jerry. He's quite the internet celebrity.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
What A Wonderful World
Soundtrack: “Misirlou” by Dick Dale
Last week Steve Jobs posted an essay about the world of digital music on the Apple web site. In it he says the following: “Imagine a world where every online store sells DRM-free music encoded in open licensable formats. In such a world, any player can play music purchased from any store, and any store can sell music which is playable on all players. This is clearly the best alternative for consumers, and Apple would embrace it in a heartbeat. If the big four music companies would license Apple their music without the requirement that it be protected with a DRM, we would switch to selling only DRM-free music on our iTunes store. Every iPod ever made will play this DRM-free music."
The sounds of rejoicing would never cease if such a world existed. Think about it. The iTunes Store has been wildly successful, but people still don't like the FairPlay Digital Rights Management (DRM) software that restricts how a file is played. All digital music files acquired from the iTunes Store have the DRM, and people can authorize up to five computers to play that file on, but only iPods can play those files. That means that people who own an MP3 player made by another company such as Creative, Sony, or another manufacturer are out of luck if they want to listen to music they’ve bought from the iTunes Store. And people are already taking notice. Apple is facing an anti-trust lawsuit here in the United States, and last mothe a court in Norway ruled that the FairPlay DRM is illegal.
As Steve Jobs said in his essay, he would love to be able to sell DRM-free music on the iTunes Store. I am sure Microsoft would love to as well, and Yahoo, and... well, just about every major digital music store that sells music licensed by the Big Four. So who is this Big Four that Steve Jobs speaks about? The Big Four are the four major media companies that own most of the record labels in the world: Sony BMG, Warner Entertainment, Universal Entertainment, and EMI. They, along with the RIAA, are responsible for things like DRMs and anti-piracy software and other nonsense that makes life for the average consumer harder than it needs to be. Remember the fiasco with Sony BMG’s copy protection software? Or their payola settlement? Yeah, I do too. As compact disc sales drop the huge media conglomerates are scrambling to try to find a way to stop losing money. The problem is the money-grubbing executives running these companies. As we saw with Sony BMG, they will do anything to try to make a buck, including illegal activity.
So what is the solution? Either regulate the industry (a though that makes me want to throw up), or stop buying from these assholes. I like the second idea a lot, which is why I go out of my way to give my money to the independent labels like Abacus, Stones Throw, and Rykodisc. Once the majors figure out the money is not in the manufacture of CDs, they will instead put their resources into distribution. Most of the independent labels in the US have distro deals with a major label, so it works out for everyone. Until the independents become the majors, and then all of this bullshit starts over again.
It all comes down to this: if the Big Four want to survive in this new digital world, they need to adapt. And they are going to have to make some initial sacrifices in order to adapt. If they hold on to this DRM thing, they are going to piss enough people off that they will eventually fall. It would behoove them to license music without the ridiculous DRM requirement if they want to start making more money. It would also behoove them to ditch RIAA, although I don't believe that will happen any time soon. No matter what happens, they need to realize that the old way of doing things will no longer work, and it is time to look ahead. There is a reason why record labels like Trustkill and Victory are selling so many records, and it's not just the bands they sign.
Last week Steve Jobs posted an essay about the world of digital music on the Apple web site. In it he says the following: “Imagine a world where every online store sells DRM-free music encoded in open licensable formats. In such a world, any player can play music purchased from any store, and any store can sell music which is playable on all players. This is clearly the best alternative for consumers, and Apple would embrace it in a heartbeat. If the big four music companies would license Apple their music without the requirement that it be protected with a DRM, we would switch to selling only DRM-free music on our iTunes store. Every iPod ever made will play this DRM-free music."
The sounds of rejoicing would never cease if such a world existed. Think about it. The iTunes Store has been wildly successful, but people still don't like the FairPlay Digital Rights Management (DRM) software that restricts how a file is played. All digital music files acquired from the iTunes Store have the DRM, and people can authorize up to five computers to play that file on, but only iPods can play those files. That means that people who own an MP3 player made by another company such as Creative, Sony, or another manufacturer are out of luck if they want to listen to music they’ve bought from the iTunes Store. And people are already taking notice. Apple is facing an anti-trust lawsuit here in the United States, and last mothe a court in Norway ruled that the FairPlay DRM is illegal.
As Steve Jobs said in his essay, he would love to be able to sell DRM-free music on the iTunes Store. I am sure Microsoft would love to as well, and Yahoo, and... well, just about every major digital music store that sells music licensed by the Big Four. So who is this Big Four that Steve Jobs speaks about? The Big Four are the four major media companies that own most of the record labels in the world: Sony BMG, Warner Entertainment, Universal Entertainment, and EMI. They, along with the RIAA, are responsible for things like DRMs and anti-piracy software and other nonsense that makes life for the average consumer harder than it needs to be. Remember the fiasco with Sony BMG’s copy protection software? Or their payola settlement? Yeah, I do too. As compact disc sales drop the huge media conglomerates are scrambling to try to find a way to stop losing money. The problem is the money-grubbing executives running these companies. As we saw with Sony BMG, they will do anything to try to make a buck, including illegal activity.
So what is the solution? Either regulate the industry (a though that makes me want to throw up), or stop buying from these assholes. I like the second idea a lot, which is why I go out of my way to give my money to the independent labels like Abacus, Stones Throw, and Rykodisc. Once the majors figure out the money is not in the manufacture of CDs, they will instead put their resources into distribution. Most of the independent labels in the US have distro deals with a major label, so it works out for everyone. Until the independents become the majors, and then all of this bullshit starts over again.
It all comes down to this: if the Big Four want to survive in this new digital world, they need to adapt. And they are going to have to make some initial sacrifices in order to adapt. If they hold on to this DRM thing, they are going to piss enough people off that they will eventually fall. It would behoove them to license music without the ridiculous DRM requirement if they want to start making more money. It would also behoove them to ditch RIAA, although I don't believe that will happen any time soon. No matter what happens, they need to realize that the old way of doing things will no longer work, and it is time to look ahead. There is a reason why record labels like Trustkill and Victory are selling so many records, and it's not just the bands they sign.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Back To The Old School
Soundtrack: Public Warning by Lady Sovereign
As you know I love all aspects of typography, including studying it’s origins. I came across this wonderful example of turn-of-the-century typography while doing my usual surfing. For those not in the know, Frederic Goudy is the father of some of the most elegant typefaces ever seen. Have you used Copperplate Gothic lately? Then you know Goudy's work. Typographers used to create catalogs of their work, a practice that is still done today, only digitally. Another thing that is different is how typefaces are sold. These days it's by the face (or by the family), but it looks like back in the day type used to come by the pound. Kinda like fish!
As you know I love all aspects of typography, including studying it’s origins. I came across this wonderful example of turn-of-the-century typography while doing my usual surfing. For those not in the know, Frederic Goudy is the father of some of the most elegant typefaces ever seen. Have you used Copperplate Gothic lately? Then you know Goudy's work. Typographers used to create catalogs of their work, a practice that is still done today, only digitally. Another thing that is different is how typefaces are sold. These days it's by the face (or by the family), but it looks like back in the day type used to come by the pound. Kinda like fish!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Don't Ever Ask
Soundtrack: “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones
If anyone ever tells you that patience does not pay off, they are fools and you should probably not listen to them. Ever.
Case in point: my career in graphic design has been a point of contention for many people. I have had friends flat out tell me I will never be successful in this field so I should not even try.
And they were wrong.
Case in point: I now work for a multimedia and design firm that will most definitely make my career. In fact, there is more a 75% chance that this job will make my career. And here is why: it is different than any other design company on the planet. Sure, every design firm is “different”. But usually this difference is trivial and in the end the product is the same. The company I work for is called NeverAsk. I think that is a cool name, personally, and the idea behind it is just as cool, if not cooler. The company is dedicated to creating realities that are different than the norm. From interactive and game design to graphic design, NeverAsk does things differently. Everyone in this group of people have distinct and unique personalities. It is what makes this company so great, and it is what will make it so successful.
If I sound like a walking advertisement, I apologize. I am sure those of you who know how long I have waited to enter into this industry outside of the freelance work I have been doing are excited for me. And I have to say, I am excited for me as well.
Speaking of “this industry”, things are pretty exciting for the design world. While there are some big problems like bad typography, bad layout, and overall bad attitudes about design, these problems have caused the real designers in the world to push for stricter design guidelines across the board. And I think I echo many people when I say the following: if you are a bad designer, you aren't a real designer and you should just stop trying. Seriously. Stop fucking things up for those of us who actually have an ounce of talent. Stop exploiting your hobby, which you should probably stop doing as a hobby. And stop using god awful typefaces like Arial, Verdana, and Comic Sans. Arial is a poor bastardization of Helvetica (with some nods to Monotype Grotesque thrown in). Verdana was made strictly for screen, and it's not even very good for that application. And Comic Sans is just... wrong.
Anyway, enough of the tirade. What matters is that there are people like NeverAsk out there trying to put an innovative face on an industry that remained stagnant for so long.
If anyone ever tells you that patience does not pay off, they are fools and you should probably not listen to them. Ever.
Case in point: my career in graphic design has been a point of contention for many people. I have had friends flat out tell me I will never be successful in this field so I should not even try.
And they were wrong.
Case in point: I now work for a multimedia and design firm that will most definitely make my career. In fact, there is more a 75% chance that this job will make my career. And here is why: it is different than any other design company on the planet. Sure, every design firm is “different”. But usually this difference is trivial and in the end the product is the same. The company I work for is called NeverAsk. I think that is a cool name, personally, and the idea behind it is just as cool, if not cooler. The company is dedicated to creating realities that are different than the norm. From interactive and game design to graphic design, NeverAsk does things differently. Everyone in this group of people have distinct and unique personalities. It is what makes this company so great, and it is what will make it so successful.
If I sound like a walking advertisement, I apologize. I am sure those of you who know how long I have waited to enter into this industry outside of the freelance work I have been doing are excited for me. And I have to say, I am excited for me as well.
Speaking of “this industry”, things are pretty exciting for the design world. While there are some big problems like bad typography, bad layout, and overall bad attitudes about design, these problems have caused the real designers in the world to push for stricter design guidelines across the board. And I think I echo many people when I say the following: if you are a bad designer, you aren't a real designer and you should just stop trying. Seriously. Stop fucking things up for those of us who actually have an ounce of talent. Stop exploiting your hobby, which you should probably stop doing as a hobby. And stop using god awful typefaces like Arial, Verdana, and Comic Sans. Arial is a poor bastardization of Helvetica (with some nods to Monotype Grotesque thrown in). Verdana was made strictly for screen, and it's not even very good for that application. And Comic Sans is just... wrong.
Anyway, enough of the tirade. What matters is that there are people like NeverAsk out there trying to put an innovative face on an industry that remained stagnant for so long.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Almost There... Almost There...
Soundtrack: “Disquiet” by Stavesacre
I am pretty sure everything is going to be OK. Even though more bad shit happened to me in the first month of 2007 than the first six months of 2006.
But I think things are going to be OK. I don't know that for certain, but I'm taking that leap of faith and putting hope in this year. It's all taken shape so fast, without warning. I don't think everything that has happened in the last week has had a chance to completely sink it yet, but it will. And one thing is certain, and that thing is my career in graphic design.
It's funny in an odd way how things never quite happen how I imagine they will be. I was approached by some friends of mine I know from my favorite coffee shop haunt. They wanted me to be involved in a design venture they were cooking up. I said yes, but I didn't really take it seriously. They were persistent, though, and this past week deals were struck and contracts were put into place and now I have a job with an up and coming multimedia and design firm doing web design for a client who is willing to spend ridiculous amounts of money. I like that idea. And as I said before, it hasn't quite sunk in yet.
Especially after I get my first paycheck.
More on that at 10.
I am pretty sure everything is going to be OK. Even though more bad shit happened to me in the first month of 2007 than the first six months of 2006.
But I think things are going to be OK. I don't know that for certain, but I'm taking that leap of faith and putting hope in this year. It's all taken shape so fast, without warning. I don't think everything that has happened in the last week has had a chance to completely sink it yet, but it will. And one thing is certain, and that thing is my career in graphic design.
It's funny in an odd way how things never quite happen how I imagine they will be. I was approached by some friends of mine I know from my favorite coffee shop haunt. They wanted me to be involved in a design venture they were cooking up. I said yes, but I didn't really take it seriously. They were persistent, though, and this past week deals were struck and contracts were put into place and now I have a job with an up and coming multimedia and design firm doing web design for a client who is willing to spend ridiculous amounts of money. I like that idea. And as I said before, it hasn't quite sunk in yet.
Especially after I get my first paycheck.
More on that at 10.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Thinking About Type
Soundtrack: “Bayonetwork: Vultures In Vivid Color” by Norma Jean
Let’s talk about typography. Because it's important that we do.
Back some time ago Joe was giving me grief about being a typophile, and he said something along the lines of “I don't obsess about what font I use.” That statement has stayed with me for this entire time and in fact it has actually bothered me. And I think I now know why. Our world is filled with people who do not care about good typography, and that scares me because as a result it means they are saying they do not care about communication or language.
That’s why I am here, to once more make people care about these things.
First off we need to establish some proper terminology and vocabulary. The typeface that this blog is formatted with is not a font. Nor is a font another way of saying typeface. Do not tell me to change the font because I won’t. Instead tell me to try a different typeface. Because I can do that.
Now that we have some proper groundwork laid down, let’s talk about why typography is important. Typography is the way that words are visually communicated to the reader. In the old days people would write things like letters by hand. If you wanted something typeset you took it to a typesetter. The typesetter knew his trade and therefore you didn't have to know about typography. A little later typewriters came along, but nobody had to worry about typeface selection because there was one, and it was monospaced so nobody had to know about kerning or tracking or any of that. And then the personal computer was invented. So now we live in an age where everyone in some way is an author of communication and it is important that everyone be able to communicate properly.
What does this mean?
It means you have to learn something, Einstein. It means you need to become educated in how to properly communicate to the masses, and to do that you need to learn about typography. Why do you need to do that? Because you don't have the typesetter anymore. You have a computer. You have an available internet connection. You are ready to start bringing your ideas to the masses. So do it the right way.
I am not going to go through everything you need to know here. It would take far too long and I just don't have the time. But I will show you. There are many great web sites out there that can tell you about typography. Thinking With Type is one of them, and I think the best. It skips the history lesson and goes straight into the nuts and bolts. It tells you what you need to know about properly using typography. And it even has links. So go there. Drink in their wonderful knowledge. And use it, for goodness sake. You don't need to go overboard and make all of your emails works of design genius, but at least try to make your website look like it wasn't designed a five year old. Because I don't know if I told you this or not, but... it totally does.
Let’s talk about typography. Because it's important that we do.
Back some time ago Joe was giving me grief about being a typophile, and he said something along the lines of “I don't obsess about what font I use.” That statement has stayed with me for this entire time and in fact it has actually bothered me. And I think I now know why. Our world is filled with people who do not care about good typography, and that scares me because as a result it means they are saying they do not care about communication or language.
That’s why I am here, to once more make people care about these things.
First off we need to establish some proper terminology and vocabulary. The typeface that this blog is formatted with is not a font. Nor is a font another way of saying typeface. Do not tell me to change the font because I won’t. Instead tell me to try a different typeface. Because I can do that.
Now that we have some proper groundwork laid down, let’s talk about why typography is important. Typography is the way that words are visually communicated to the reader. In the old days people would write things like letters by hand. If you wanted something typeset you took it to a typesetter. The typesetter knew his trade and therefore you didn't have to know about typography. A little later typewriters came along, but nobody had to worry about typeface selection because there was one, and it was monospaced so nobody had to know about kerning or tracking or any of that. And then the personal computer was invented. So now we live in an age where everyone in some way is an author of communication and it is important that everyone be able to communicate properly.
What does this mean?
It means you have to learn something, Einstein. It means you need to become educated in how to properly communicate to the masses, and to do that you need to learn about typography. Why do you need to do that? Because you don't have the typesetter anymore. You have a computer. You have an available internet connection. You are ready to start bringing your ideas to the masses. So do it the right way.
I am not going to go through everything you need to know here. It would take far too long and I just don't have the time. But I will show you. There are many great web sites out there that can tell you about typography. Thinking With Type is one of them, and I think the best. It skips the history lesson and goes straight into the nuts and bolts. It tells you what you need to know about properly using typography. And it even has links. So go there. Drink in their wonderful knowledge. And use it, for goodness sake. You don't need to go overboard and make all of your emails works of design genius, but at least try to make your website look like it wasn't designed a five year old. Because I don't know if I told you this or not, but... it totally does.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Ah, L’Amour...
Soundtrack: “Autumn Cannibalist” by Die Manequin
Let’s talk about romance. Real romance.
People in our wonderful little American culture have a seriously skewed view of what romance is. Most American men think romance is being old-fashioned and doing “cute” things to make a woman think you care about her. And women... the average American woman’s view of romance is so varied that it's no wonder we men are left dazed and confused.
Here what I believe the true definition of what true romance is: it is demonstrating to the other person in a relationship that this relationship you are is meaningful. Which means that there is no right way to be romantic, but plenty of wrong ways.
One thing that many people seem to be confused about is the fundamental differences between men and women when it comes to our senses. Sexually speaking, men are turned on by sight and women are turned on more by touch. That doesn't mean there are exceptions or other variables involved, just that in general the sexes work that way. Back to romance, men are almost right on the “cute” things. Not so much cute, though, as little things that demonstrate how you care about a girl. You do care about her, right? Right?
The thing that I think is killing romance is that everyone wants to be single and have fun. That doesn’t work. Oh sure, it may work for a little while, but the second you see a girl walking around with another guy, you get jealous. Unless she’s a prostitute, but we won't get into that. Romance is supposed to work in a sense of being in a deeper relationship. A relationship that will lead to a life-long union, whatever that may be. Traditionally it is marriage, but some people never officially tie the knot and end up being “life partners” or whatever.
I am willing to bet you are asking “so if romance is doing something that shows I care about a woman, how do I know what to do?” That's the hard part. That is where you, mister, need to find out how you can properly demonstrate this. And that is called commitment. Oh yes, the dreaded “c-word”. Please don't ask me how commitment works, though. I seem to be attracted to women who are deathly afraid of commitment in any shape. Ah, woe is me.
Let’s talk about romance. Real romance.
People in our wonderful little American culture have a seriously skewed view of what romance is. Most American men think romance is being old-fashioned and doing “cute” things to make a woman think you care about her. And women... the average American woman’s view of romance is so varied that it's no wonder we men are left dazed and confused.
Here what I believe the true definition of what true romance is: it is demonstrating to the other person in a relationship that this relationship you are is meaningful. Which means that there is no right way to be romantic, but plenty of wrong ways.
One thing that many people seem to be confused about is the fundamental differences between men and women when it comes to our senses. Sexually speaking, men are turned on by sight and women are turned on more by touch. That doesn't mean there are exceptions or other variables involved, just that in general the sexes work that way. Back to romance, men are almost right on the “cute” things. Not so much cute, though, as little things that demonstrate how you care about a girl. You do care about her, right? Right?
The thing that I think is killing romance is that everyone wants to be single and have fun. That doesn’t work. Oh sure, it may work for a little while, but the second you see a girl walking around with another guy, you get jealous. Unless she’s a prostitute, but we won't get into that. Romance is supposed to work in a sense of being in a deeper relationship. A relationship that will lead to a life-long union, whatever that may be. Traditionally it is marriage, but some people never officially tie the knot and end up being “life partners” or whatever.
I am willing to bet you are asking “so if romance is doing something that shows I care about a woman, how do I know what to do?” That's the hard part. That is where you, mister, need to find out how you can properly demonstrate this. And that is called commitment. Oh yes, the dreaded “c-word”. Please don't ask me how commitment works, though. I seem to be attracted to women who are deathly afraid of commitment in any shape. Ah, woe is me.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Well Now.
Soundtrack: “Muzzle” by The Smashing Pumpkins
Well, I have realized very recently that I need to either win the lottery or to get a new job.
I'm not counting on the lottery.
This is so damn annoying.
Well, I have realized very recently that I need to either win the lottery or to get a new job.
I'm not counting on the lottery.
This is so damn annoying.
Monday, January 22, 2007
I Grow Old, I Grow Old...
Soundtrack: “Dirty Harry” by Gorillaz
Not physically old, but old in the sense that time is starting to creep up on me and I'm not certain if I'm going to be out of school by the age of 30, much less ever.
But whatever. I'm going to enjoy this next year of my life as much as I can. In a little more than two week I'll be 26, and I think that's a good age. I only want two things for my birthday: the love and adoration of my friends, and a tattoo. The love and adoration part is more important, though.
For quite some time now I have been wondering if pop culture's recent obsession with remakes, sequels, and retoolings will ever stop. From glib cover versions of classic songs to movies that are simply trite remakes of great films, the wonderful media machine that is Hollywood and the recording industry is churning out tired but familiar sights and sounds to the masses. And we are eating it up. All I have to say is, “What is wrong with you, people?!”
I think we are on the verge of seeing something new. People will only take the 80’s hair rock rehashes for so long before they discard that for something new and exciting. But will this new thing really be new? Grunge and alternative beat the hair bands before, but they fizzled out quickly. Now alternative describes performers like Hootie and the Blowfish and Jack Johnson, which is ironic since the Alternative tag represented the music underground.
Here's how I see it. Music, and other media for that matter, is like a funnel. There is a ton of stuff on the surface, far too much for anyone person to completely process. As the music industry processes everything, it's funneled towards the tip of the funnel, which represents the Consumer. Everything eventually becomes more pop-oriented as it passes through the funnel. The stuff that is most accessible to the largest common denominator is the stuff that makes it through the neck of the funnel.
So no matter how esoteric music gets, it will eventually become watered down more and more each year until it becomes pop drivel. There's nothing we can do about it, that is just the way it is. If you love music, you'll take it as it is and just grin and bear it. There's always the stuff on the other end of the funnel, after all. It just takes some sifting.
Not physically old, but old in the sense that time is starting to creep up on me and I'm not certain if I'm going to be out of school by the age of 30, much less ever.
But whatever. I'm going to enjoy this next year of my life as much as I can. In a little more than two week I'll be 26, and I think that's a good age. I only want two things for my birthday: the love and adoration of my friends, and a tattoo. The love and adoration part is more important, though.
For quite some time now I have been wondering if pop culture's recent obsession with remakes, sequels, and retoolings will ever stop. From glib cover versions of classic songs to movies that are simply trite remakes of great films, the wonderful media machine that is Hollywood and the recording industry is churning out tired but familiar sights and sounds to the masses. And we are eating it up. All I have to say is, “What is wrong with you, people?!”
I think we are on the verge of seeing something new. People will only take the 80’s hair rock rehashes for so long before they discard that for something new and exciting. But will this new thing really be new? Grunge and alternative beat the hair bands before, but they fizzled out quickly. Now alternative describes performers like Hootie and the Blowfish and Jack Johnson, which is ironic since the Alternative tag represented the music underground.
Here's how I see it. Music, and other media for that matter, is like a funnel. There is a ton of stuff on the surface, far too much for anyone person to completely process. As the music industry processes everything, it's funneled towards the tip of the funnel, which represents the Consumer. Everything eventually becomes more pop-oriented as it passes through the funnel. The stuff that is most accessible to the largest common denominator is the stuff that makes it through the neck of the funnel.
So no matter how esoteric music gets, it will eventually become watered down more and more each year until it becomes pop drivel. There's nothing we can do about it, that is just the way it is. If you love music, you'll take it as it is and just grin and bear it. There's always the stuff on the other end of the funnel, after all. It just takes some sifting.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Fifteen Blows To The Back Of Your Skull
Soundtrack: “No Surpises” by Radiohead
Among the many different projects I am working on is the resurrection of an old band. One of the songs we started working on but never really did anything with was a cool and laid back version of Radiohead's “Climbing Up The Walls”. I love that song, in fact it is probably my favorite Radiohead song. It's about a mental institution, but it really strikes a chord in my life. Yeah, I feel just a little insane, sure, but it's more of what Thom Yorke sings in the chorus:
And either way you turn
I'll be there
Open up your skull
I'll be there
Climbing up the walls
I am not sure why those four little lines mean so much, but they do. And once I figure it out I'll let you all know. But that might be a while.
In the meantime, enjoy an amazing live performance of the song from the Glastonbury Festival 2003.
Among the many different projects I am working on is the resurrection of an old band. One of the songs we started working on but never really did anything with was a cool and laid back version of Radiohead's “Climbing Up The Walls”. I love that song, in fact it is probably my favorite Radiohead song. It's about a mental institution, but it really strikes a chord in my life. Yeah, I feel just a little insane, sure, but it's more of what Thom Yorke sings in the chorus:
And either way you turn
I'll be there
Open up your skull
I'll be there
Climbing up the walls
I am not sure why those four little lines mean so much, but they do. And once I figure it out I'll let you all know. But that might be a while.
In the meantime, enjoy an amazing live performance of the song from the Glastonbury Festival 2003.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
In Memoriam
Soundtrack: The Art Of Drowning by AFI
Dedicated to the memory of Nathan George. Rest in peace, friend.
Darkness
Sunny disposition aside,
Black nail polish doesn't fool anyone
Melancholy eyes aside,
You don't need to become them to save them
Open up the cold
Open up your bottle
Open up your skull
Let the darkness in
Bootstomping aside,
You persuade towards the digital
Melancholy prayers aside,
This time it's become personal
Open up the cold
Open up your bottle
Open up your skull
Let the darkness in
Your quest aside,
How has it come to this demise?
Your smile aside,
Did you die alone and shivering?
Open up your heart
Let the light in
Dedicated to the memory of Nathan George. Rest in peace, friend.
Darkness
Sunny disposition aside,
Black nail polish doesn't fool anyone
Melancholy eyes aside,
You don't need to become them to save them
Open up the cold
Open up your bottle
Open up your skull
Let the darkness in
Bootstomping aside,
You persuade towards the digital
Melancholy prayers aside,
This time it's become personal
Open up the cold
Open up your bottle
Open up your skull
Let the darkness in
Your quest aside,
How has it come to this demise?
Your smile aside,
Did you die alone and shivering?
Open up your heart
Let the light in
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Public Warning
Soundtrack: “Love Me Or Hate Me” by Lady Sovereign
It was the first day of classes today and I almost started off on the right foot. Almost. First off, I slept through my alarm this morning and missed my first class. Then I figured out I registered for the wrong English class... after I went to the class. So I need to work on those two things and I'll be back in the swing of things. Cake.
One of my classes is Web Design I. It is sure to be a fun class despite the fact my teacher doesn't really know the software. Yes, you read right. He will be learning alongside the class. He's a cool guy, too, which means I get to do whatever the hell I want. Booyah. I think I am going to take the opportunity to make it an independent study type situation. I already know the ins and outs of CSS, I know HTML like the back of my hand, so why not learn something I don't know? I know that Flash is going to be covered, and I'm fine with that, but I want to learn something other than just Flash. Quite a few somethings.
One of these somethings is databases. Especially SQL and the like. I have come to a point in my web design career that is one of those brick wall points. I can see over the wall, and I know that there is a way over. But I have not yet acquired the information necessary to get over the wall, and that is where this class comes in. So I am naturally excited. Once I am up over that wall it is all over, bitches.
Another thing I have discovered is that the class I have on Mondays and Wednesdays is two blocks from my house. I live off of Bruce Randolph and Humboldt and the classroom is on Martin Luther King and Humboldt. The only thing that would make it better is if I did not have to work on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Or if the class was on the Auraria campus, because I would not have to trek all the way down to the Tivoli on campus and then trek all the way back “home”... before heading to my internship on 14th and Ogden. Too bad I don't have a car. Oh well.
It was the first day of classes today and I almost started off on the right foot. Almost. First off, I slept through my alarm this morning and missed my first class. Then I figured out I registered for the wrong English class... after I went to the class. So I need to work on those two things and I'll be back in the swing of things. Cake.
One of my classes is Web Design I. It is sure to be a fun class despite the fact my teacher doesn't really know the software. Yes, you read right. He will be learning alongside the class. He's a cool guy, too, which means I get to do whatever the hell I want. Booyah. I think I am going to take the opportunity to make it an independent study type situation. I already know the ins and outs of CSS, I know HTML like the back of my hand, so why not learn something I don't know? I know that Flash is going to be covered, and I'm fine with that, but I want to learn something other than just Flash. Quite a few somethings.
One of these somethings is databases. Especially SQL and the like. I have come to a point in my web design career that is one of those brick wall points. I can see over the wall, and I know that there is a way over. But I have not yet acquired the information necessary to get over the wall, and that is where this class comes in. So I am naturally excited. Once I am up over that wall it is all over, bitches.
Another thing I have discovered is that the class I have on Mondays and Wednesdays is two blocks from my house. I live off of Bruce Randolph and Humboldt and the classroom is on Martin Luther King and Humboldt. The only thing that would make it better is if I did not have to work on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Or if the class was on the Auraria campus, because I would not have to trek all the way down to the Tivoli on campus and then trek all the way back “home”... before heading to my internship on 14th and Ogden. Too bad I don't have a car. Oh well.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
I Give Up
Soundtrack: “Conditional” by Living Sacrifice
I am done with reaching out to people. It is far too exhausting, and I really need to take some time to focus on forging a better me. Plus, people suck. They just do. The only people I can trust are my close friends. They are the only people who give without a thought of return. Sorry if all of this sounds emo and whiny and Livejournal-ish. I'll stop now.
The internship has been going well. I am working on some fun projects at the moment. One in particular that I like the best is an internet radio station. I am currently developing an identity system for the station, once it is done I will post the end result.
The poem du jour is a bit of an anti-corporate rant. You'll see why when you read it... and props to those who can pick out the various literary references.
Death Of A Salesman
It’s five minutes past four in the morning
I can’t seem to sleep
So I’ll take some NyQuil and some Quaaludes
And in the morning we’ll kill Nanny
After all these years
We end up worth more dead than alive
After all these years
We realize that life is a lie
White shirt
Fancy shoes
What’s worse?
Life or death?
That girl over there is pretty cute
She’s snorting cocaine
From a diamond-studded pocket mirror
Walk into a jungle and come out rich
After all these years
We end up worth more dead than alive
After all these years
We realize that life is a lie
White Shirt
Fancy suit
Be careful
Watch your back
This party could be better
This party should be better
This party could be killer
This party is all filler
I am done with reaching out to people. It is far too exhausting, and I really need to take some time to focus on forging a better me. Plus, people suck. They just do. The only people I can trust are my close friends. They are the only people who give without a thought of return. Sorry if all of this sounds emo and whiny and Livejournal-ish. I'll stop now.
The internship has been going well. I am working on some fun projects at the moment. One in particular that I like the best is an internet radio station. I am currently developing an identity system for the station, once it is done I will post the end result.
The poem du jour is a bit of an anti-corporate rant. You'll see why when you read it... and props to those who can pick out the various literary references.
Death Of A Salesman
It’s five minutes past four in the morning
I can’t seem to sleep
So I’ll take some NyQuil and some Quaaludes
And in the morning we’ll kill Nanny
After all these years
We end up worth more dead than alive
After all these years
We realize that life is a lie
White shirt
Fancy shoes
What’s worse?
Life or death?
That girl over there is pretty cute
She’s snorting cocaine
From a diamond-studded pocket mirror
Walk into a jungle and come out rich
After all these years
We end up worth more dead than alive
After all these years
We realize that life is a lie
White Shirt
Fancy suit
Be careful
Watch your back
This party could be better
This party should be better
This party could be killer
This party is all filler
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Coin Slots Are For The Weak
Soundtrack: Donnie Darko
Two things that made yesterday awesome:
1. I drank enough coffee to kill a small horse.
2. I discovered that Pop Tarts are extremely flammable.
The reason for the extreme coffee consumption yesterday is simple. I started training for my new job yesterday. I'm working at the coffee shop in the Tivoli Student Union at the Auraria campus. It used to be called The Daily Grind, but that went out of business so now it's Cimarron Café. I like Daily Grind better.
Coin Slot
Don't go out tonight
The darkness is sharp knives
My soul is begging you
Don't leave your birdcage
They watch with cat's eyes
They mean to do you harm
They stare at your plumage
And lick their dry lips
The coin goes in the slot
Ring the bell and jackpot
You light up and go to sleep
Coin slots are for the weak
The coin goes in the slot
Wrap your tears in this loss
Light me up and go to sleep
Coin slots are for the weak
Don't be weak
Don't do the easy thing
Display your supple fur
Wrap your vines around him
Don't drag you down alone
They watch with bated breath
They mean to do you harm
They stare at tiger stripes
That wrap around you
The coin goes in the slot
Ring the bell and jackpot
You light up and go to sleep
Coin slots are for the weak
The coin goes in the slot
Wrap your tears in this loss
Light me up and go to sleep
Coin slots are for the weak
Don't be weak
Two things that made yesterday awesome:
1. I drank enough coffee to kill a small horse.
2. I discovered that Pop Tarts are extremely flammable.
The reason for the extreme coffee consumption yesterday is simple. I started training for my new job yesterday. I'm working at the coffee shop in the Tivoli Student Union at the Auraria campus. It used to be called The Daily Grind, but that went out of business so now it's Cimarron Café. I like Daily Grind better.
Coin Slot
Don't go out tonight
The darkness is sharp knives
My soul is begging you
Don't leave your birdcage
They watch with cat's eyes
They mean to do you harm
They stare at your plumage
And lick their dry lips
The coin goes in the slot
Ring the bell and jackpot
You light up and go to sleep
Coin slots are for the weak
The coin goes in the slot
Wrap your tears in this loss
Light me up and go to sleep
Coin slots are for the weak
Don't be weak
Don't do the easy thing
Display your supple fur
Wrap your vines around him
Don't drag you down alone
They watch with bated breath
They mean to do you harm
They stare at tiger stripes
That wrap around you
The coin goes in the slot
Ring the bell and jackpot
You light up and go to sleep
Coin slots are for the weak
The coin goes in the slot
Wrap your tears in this loss
Light me up and go to sleep
Coin slots are for the weak
Don't be weak
Monday, January 08, 2007
Well. Maybe Things Are Getting Better
Soundtrack: “She Bangs The Drum” by The Stone Roses
Yeah, I know there has been no activity on my end for quite some time. Apparently nobody really cares that much, which is fine with me. I don't care all that much either because all I am concerned about is getting my shit together. And, well, it is.
Today was the first full day of my internship and things went really well. I did three business card comps as well as a poster comp in a mere 6 hours. That's not half bad.
The main reason I haven't shown my face around here is that up until today there has been no reason to do so. Don't get me wrong, I have been doing things, but I would rather not report on stupid and uneventful situations in my life. Some people say that bad news is better than no news, and I suppose that is true to an extent, but on the other hand I'm getting tired of writing bitchy posts on how much the world sucks. There's already enough of that on MySpace.
Yeah, I know there has been no activity on my end for quite some time. Apparently nobody really cares that much, which is fine with me. I don't care all that much either because all I am concerned about is getting my shit together. And, well, it is.
Today was the first full day of my internship and things went really well. I did three business card comps as well as a poster comp in a mere 6 hours. That's not half bad.
The main reason I haven't shown my face around here is that up until today there has been no reason to do so. Don't get me wrong, I have been doing things, but I would rather not report on stupid and uneventful situations in my life. Some people say that bad news is better than no news, and I suppose that is true to an extent, but on the other hand I'm getting tired of writing bitchy posts on how much the world sucks. There's already enough of that on MySpace.
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