Thursday, April 30, 2009

DEATH AND TAXES AND MILITARY SPENDING




I'm a firm believer that pages and pages of text information can get tedious and down right boring (as someone who regularly read mass quantities of said info) and so is Jess Bachman and her info-design company Wallstats. In her recurring piece, "Death and Taxes" (in big detail here) she uses effective, stylish graphics to illustrate where our tax dollars go (view 08' poster here in detail). Not surprisingly, the vast majority (about 68%) goes to military/defense spending at the expense of our schools, health care and science/technology development (I'm not alone). I'm not saying I don't support national defense, but the United States spends more on our military than all other developed nations COMBINED. Since this is the largest part of the budget, it also accounts for the most wasted government spending, yet you never hear conservatives call for better efficiency from the military or its development. This is especially relevant during this recession as I'm quite sure that the budget cuts we will need in coming years could come from this area without any difference in our national security or safety of our military personnel. Just saying.

Anyway, The site does a great job explaining the work as well as displaying and selling it:

Death and Taxes" is a large representational graph and poster of the federal budget. It contains over 500 programs and departments and almost every program that receives over 200 million dollars annually. The data is straight from the president's 2009 budget request and will be debated, amended, and approved by Congress to begin the fiscal year. All of the item circles are proportional in size to their spending totals and the percentage change from 2008 is included to spot trends and disproportion.

Death and Taxes" is more than just numbers. It is a uniquely revealing look at our national priorities, that fluctuate yearly, according to the wishes of the President, the power of Congress, and the will of the people. Thousands of pages of raw data have been boiled down to one poster that provides the most open and accessible record of our nations' spending than ever before. If you pay taxes, then you have paid for a small part of everything in the poster. "Death and Taxes" is an essential poster for any responsible citizen or information junkie.

SCOTT CAMPBELL MAKES IT RAIN


The O.H.W.O.W gallery in Miami hosted the new Scott Campbell installation "Make It Rain" earlier this month. Campbell is well known for his amazing portrait tattoo work, but shines in his use of laser cut stacks of dollar bills. Look closely at the incredible detail in each piece, you've never seen paper stacks like these. (via designboom)

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

HANDSOME NEW SHOES FOR THE SUMMER

I've always been a shoe man. Not necessarily a sneaker man per se or a "sneaker head" or a collector in anyway for that matter (jackets might be a different matter). I buy shoes and I wear them and they get dirty and smelly and then they fall apart or get retired. If I don't wear them enough, I give them away (either to friends or goodwill) and buy more. With that said, I've seen some damn fine shoe specimens in the past few weeks and figured I'd share some of my favorites. I prefer the cleaner, simpler, sometimes sophisticated designs that have dominated even the sneaker market for this summer. Pictured here, the boat shoe has been redefined (again), the desert/chukka boot is constantly re-imagined, Asics re-released a winning runner (it's about time) and thankfully a few different vintage Nikes have been reissued in a cleaner, more casual vulc sole. (Sorry, the dunk and air max's are TIRED at this point, I don't care how many damn colorways they drop!)

Clockwise from top left: Vans Vault Canvas Pack, A.P.C. boat shoes, Clae Thompson, Double Identity chukka, Gravis Dylan Reider, Nike Air Toki, Rogues Gallery boat shoe, Puma/Yves Saint Laurent collab (we'll have to imagine this one with looser laces), N.D.C. Hand Made Boots, Nike Auto Flight, Asics Gel Lyte III















































Tuesday, April 28, 2009

BEST USE FOR A CHALKBOARD YET.


I teach in a high school (that shall be spared embarrassment just this once) that still uses chalkboards. Most days I come home with chalk on my pants regardless of my use of the archaic writing tool. Apparently, they do serve a purpose however: amazing animation. This video for the Firekites represents 6 months of work for co-directors Lucinda Schreiber and Yanni Kronenberg. The music is ok, but the images (often with cloudy residuals) jumping from board to board is worth a few looks. (via Lost at E Minor)

Monday, April 27, 2009

YOUR PRAYERS FOR EASY TO MAKE, DELICIOUS COFFEE DRINKS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED


What ever god you're praying to finally came through. Forget money, health, Venezuela, Swine Flu, the biggest news this morning is that you may not have to go any mornings without a decent espresso drink/caffeine buzz at home, for cheap. That's right, the Mypressi Twist portable espresso maker is soon to be released in the good ol' U.S. of A. Using a pneumatic press, the small machine requires no outside power or even willpower, providing the energy you need for your morning commute, classes, computing, diaper-changing, tps reporting. This thing even won the "best new product" award at an Atlanta Specialty Coffee Expo, though I'm not sure that Atlanta is qualified to be giving awards for anything other than longest commute. (no offense Outkast, 1990's Braves, Gtech Engineers) Available soon for 129$.

Friday, April 24, 2009

SCRABBLE'S BEAUTIFUL WOR(L)D




The game of Scrabble is awesome and the people who make it are quite possibly out of their minds. Mattel has commissioned ad agency Ogilvy &Wather and animators Wizz to animate a series of commercials for the scrabble masses. Not sure we'll ever see this one on television (we can hope though), but these spots are hot. (via Drawn)

Thursday, April 23, 2009

ONE HELL OF A DAY AT FENWAY



Rarely do I have a story worthy of a blog entry, but my trip to Boston yesterday surely fits the bill. My Wednesday started out with rain on Tuesday night, forcing the postponement of the Red Sox/Twins game to the following afternoon, 12:35. I was planning on heading to Boston anyway to return a few clothing items that didn't cut the mustard outside those damn dressing room lights and mirrors, SO I checked ebay to see how many ticket holders were unable to make the postponed game. As it turned out, there were dozens of people unloading tickets at half their face value. I bought a few printable tickets for seats behind Pesky Pole from a reputable seller (1300 sales 100% rating) for 50 bucks and went to bed (actually Katherine used her ebay account so technically...) The next morning, I parked in Brighton and my friend Ethan and I took the bus into town and walked over to Newbury Street to make returns, buy rain jackets and eat greek foods. Full of falafel and ready for the rains that were forecast for around 3 o'clock, we headed to the park. Arriving at gate C, we presented our printed tickets to the taker and heard a sound quite different from the previous beeps that accompanied our line mates. “Head to customer service around the corner” was our only direction. Five minutes later, a young customer service rep explained that our tickets (copies of tickets really) were already being used by someone in the park. I think I said “hmmm” and that was about it, what could I say? The rep said he would mail the printouts back to me so that I might get my money back from the ebay seller. So we left the customer service down two game tickets and possibly 50 bucks. We quickly decided we'd check the ticket window around the corner just to see what might be available. As we approached the roped line waiting at the window, a hand shot out in front of us, stopping us in our tracks. We turned to wait for whoever it was we cut in line, or for the line to accept new members again; we had no clue why we were being stopped and weren't pay too much attention after the bad news about the tickets. Then we heard the line attendant ask “are you guys buying tickets?” and directed us to the young man and his son standing next to him. “I have two tickets to the game, do you guys need tickets” he asked.
“Definitely, how much do you want for the tickets?” I excitedly questioned (this is my best recollection).
“I want to give you guys these tickets, we have two extra. They're decent seats.”
As the four of us walked into the street, I asked again, “Awesome, what can we give you for the tickets?”
He told us that he sometimes gets tickets from the Jimmy Fund and we were the first people he saw that needed tickets and again, that he wanted to give them to us. It was then that I noticed the thinned hair on his young son and that this indeed was no joke, con or attempt to make money period. Nor could I feel exceptionally lucky at that moment, considering where the tickets had come from and why they had them. Still, it was amazing that they had decided to share the tickets with us, total strangers off the street. After continually thanking Mark and his son Mason with hand shakes and high fives, I briefly explained our situation with the Ebay tickets and he was satisfied that he'd found the right people.



Of course, I'd never heard of the EMC Club or where it was located in the park. Mark had mentioned the seats were behind home plate so we knew they were pretty good seats, but damn, they turned out to be amazing. The club is an upscale restaurant and enclosed box seating area just above home plate (the screen and net behind the plate lead literally to the box. Check the pic, it's the area with the blue seats). The seats? Padded. The beer? Delivered. Rain delay? The roof, heated vents and thirty televisions made it quite enjoyable. Even the napkins were fantastic. Mark and Mason clearly enjoyed themselves as well, though Mason got pretty tired half way through the game and they left. After the best four innings of baseball I've ever experienced, it was a grim reminder of the events that brought us all together in those seats. Before they went, I gave Mason a high five and he laughed and put his hand down so that I could give him a low five as well. I went to slap his hand and he pulled it away for the famous “too slow” portion of the routine. Except, I didn't see it coming and I was actually too slow. It was pretty damn funny, not in that “end of the sitcom” cheesy-happy way, but in a goodtimes, uplifting way. Trust me, those moments aren't cheesy when they actually happen to you.

During our time with Mark and Mason, I asked several more times if there was anything we could do for the tickets, wanting desperately to pay him back for the tickets and the tragedy that is cancer. He said, “Whatever god or allah or buddah or whatever you pray to, pray for my kid.” That I could do. I also donated 50$ to the Jimmy Fund. For the record, I'm a cancer survivor myself (though it was very easily treatable) and so is my father (much less easily treatable) so I didn't necessary have to imagine the gravity of the situation. My experience at Fenway yesterday was another uplifting example of the human connections, positivity and generosity that tragedy inadvertently creates. And I will remember it fondly.

Just to show me that luck and life worked the other way too, the highways of Massachussetts kept me from my soccer game by extending my drive home to two hours.



Oh, and the Red Sox won 10-1.

(All pics are mine except the view of the club from the field taken by Pete Kim)

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

2010 PRIUS LOOKS HANDSOME


Earlier this year, Toyota released photos and details of the highly anticipated 2010 Prius (see website for press release). Although Toyota has clearly stated that the actual production car (due in "late spring") may vary from the prototypes on the road now, let me be the millionth person to say that they look damn good. The blue one pictured above in L.A. has better rims and assures us all that the future of green/hybrid cars is on solid ground. The new colors, roof solar panel and 50 miles-per-gallon fuel efficiency aren't bad either. (via Notcot and Toyota)

If you're in the market for the new hybrid, hold your onto your cashish for a few months longer and you may have another Prius model to choose from. Keep your ears/eyes open.





ZACH JOHNSEN: ACID IN THE ICE CREAM


You may have seen Zach Johnsen's work in galleries across the U.S. or for a variety of companies from MTV(don't judge too harshly) to Osiris shoes to Fat Beats to the Boston Globe, but his latest work entitled "Acid in the Ice Cream" is tops. The prints from this series are not surprisingly sold out (the show was in December), but we can hope for a re-stock. TONS of dark, graff inspired works with a political spin. (via Detour)

Monday, April 20, 2009

LOOKS LIKE ENERGY MIGHT BE THE LEAST OF OUR WORRIES


Cue the Debbie Downer music: Wah-WAAHHHHH. This past decade has brought significant discussion about our finite source of oil on earth as well as how we will accomplish the necessary adaptations in finding sustainable energy. According to respected British science magazine, New Scientist and German scientist Armin Reller (University of Ausberg), there may be even bleaker news about the earth's mined resources and the impact on the consumer products we manufacture. The essential elements mined all over the world (see second image) are running out at an unbelievable pace (see first image). These elements include copper, indium, silver, platinum, phosphorus, gallium, zinc, tin, lead (and many more) and are used to produce items from computers, cell phones, tv's and electronics to cars, solar cells, jewelry, medicine and pipes/cables... basically everything. For example, indium, a necessary ingredient in LCD televisions, computer screens, cell phones and solar cells may be gone in only 10 years. The increased demand and declining supply is evidenced by a sharp rise in price over the past few years to well over $1000 per kilogram. While it is assumed that we will, in the next 20 years, find renewable energy sources and harness them, our ability to manufacture necessary goods will quickly become more and more difficult and expensive. Read the whole article here from New Scientist Magazine and Nova.

I'm sure it's obvious to everyone that the important elements we take from the ground are indeed a finite source and regardless of how long they last, they will at some point run out. We may not think about this because of the debate over the energy source that will drive our future production, but do not underestimate this potentially disastrous problem with the necessary production materials. Now, the article I cited is almost two years old, so it's obvious that we all (myself included) slept on this one. It will take a serious effort in recycling these elements and again, finding renewable sources of materials to guarantee the future of the U.S. and the world. (via Gizmodo, New Scientist)

Friday, April 17, 2009

NEW SUNSET RUBDOWN TRACK AND ALBUM ON THE WAY



















It's gonna be a good summer after all, well late June anyway. The new Sunset Rubdown record Dragonslayer is set for release on June 24th on Jagjaguwar Records. Here's the first leaked track, a promising taste called Idiot Heart. This gem is a bit more straight-forward than usual and builds some anthematic rock-thunder that ends in a hail of spazzy, soaring vocals and synths. (and has a few lyrics you'll recognize from past SR diddies.. what's up with the horses?) If that track just isn't enough, there's also Swan Lake, a super group of sorts that includes Spencer Krug (and Dan Bejar and Carey Mercer), but much more ecclectic and in my opinion, less satisfying.

(via Pitchfork but that doesn't mean I support or even respect the majority of their record reviews)

BOOZE IS IN THE LONDON AIR













In London, gin and tonic drinks are in the air, literally. At Alcoholic Architecture, a "walk-in cocktail," the alcohol is vaporized using an ultrasonic humidifier system (very unlike the one you have in your bedroom during winters) and pumped through the bar so patrons can drink without taking a sip. For $7, (the cost of ONE drinkable g/t in a decent bar) you too can enjoy a gin and tonic courtesy of Sam Bompas and Harry Parr, although I'm guessing the gin won't be anything as delicious as Hendrick's. No idea how much vapor you must breathe to get the most out of your night, or how the protective plastic suits will cramp your steez, but I'm sure you'll leave smelling like a complete drunk. Goodtimes are limited, the bar is temporary and closes shop at the end of the month.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

BOTTLED WATER SALES DOWN, AMERICA PARCHED.


NPR reported this morning that bottled water sales are down for the first time in years. It's not a big loss mind you, Americans bought 11 billion in 2008, but the 1% decline last year is in stark contrast to the growth in water sales over the last decade. It is because of this recent downturn that people are wondering if the new numbers are simply a sign of tough economic times or the product of environmental concerns. Regardless of the ratio, there seems to be some effect from the environmental backlash against the production of plastic bottled water. While it's true that Europe still constitutes are large portion of the water industry, they don't have reliable water from their taps. In the U.S., we've adopted this European "water culture" even though we have great tasting water in most areas of our country. What's more, a recent test at the University of Hartford concluded that Americans (in Hartford anyway) can't tell the difference between tap water and bottled water, including even "high end" bottled waters. Of course the true test will be to see what happens to b.w. sales after the recession, but so far the numbers look promising. (via NPR)

NEW MATH= WASTED TIME + LAUGHS

Craig Damrauer creates simple math equations for life that are surprisingly accurate. His site New Math is worth dozens of looks and laughs. Kiss productivity goodbye. (via It's Nice That)

Monday, April 13, 2009

TWEENBOTS.. THE POWER OF ROBOTS TO SHOWCASE HUMANITY.


This is pretty unbelievable. In New York City, a town known for its crude, apathetic citizenry, small robots called Tweenbots find their way in the city's parks and streets relying only on help from New Yorkers. Considering all the troubles that face the world today, this was a much needed reminder that there are good people out there (though redirecting robots really only makes you marginally good). Kacie Kinzer, who runs this art/social experiment, explains: "Tweenbots are human-dependent robots that navigate the city with the help of pedestrians they encounter. Rolling at a constant speed, in a straight line, Tweenbots have a destination displayed on a flag, and rely on people they meet to read this flag and to aim them in the right direction to reach their goal." (via It's Nice That)

Thursday, April 9, 2009

THIS IS WHY YOU'RE FAT


This Is Why You're Fat is a compilation of the most delicious and yet, disgusting meal choices known to man (or Americans anyway). While this doesn't explain why I'm fat (or slightly overweight), it's clear that if you eat anything pictured on this site, weight gain is probably the least of your worries. Bon appetit.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

LUKE MORGAN HANGS HIS SKULL


Luke Morgan created this massive, 6 by 4 foot skull installation for the office of a British property developer, Cathedral. The combination of the imagery in the skull and the office location (an old church in London) creates a fascinatingly creepy atmosphere when you enter the building. The steel structure contains dozens of detailed surgical instruments and religious symbols welded together to form the skull shape. (via Dezeen)


Tuesday, April 7, 2009

BEATLES CATALOG DIGITALLY REMASTERED FOR 9/9/09



















While it's doubtful that I'm the one breaking this news to you, after 4 years of work, Apple Corp. is indeed releasing two digitally remastered sets of the ENTIRE Beatles catalog. The sets (one in stereo, the other in mono/collector's style) will include all 12 Beatles Albums in various formats on 16 discs (not including the mono set) with original album art and documentary DVD. This coincides with the release of the Beatles Rock Band game that I will not say a word about, but will enjoy playing. The chosen date is a well-deserved nod to the song Revolution 9 (you know.. number nine, number nine, number nine, etc) although no one else seems to mention this in their posts on the subject (not that it's some secret, obviously). No word yet on the digital download release of this collection, but we all know it'll be well after 9/9. I won't steal thunder, so here's the press release:

Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI Music are delighted to announce the release of the original Beatles catalogue, which has been digitally re-mastered for the first time, for worldwide CD release on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 (9-9-09), the same date as the release of the widely anticipated "The Beatles: Rock Band" video game. Each of the CDs is packaged with replicated original UK album art, including expanded booklets containing original and newly written liner notes and rare photos. For a limited period, each CD will also be embedded with a brief documentary film about the album. On the same date, two new Beatles boxed CD collections will also be released.

The albums have been re-mastered by a dedicated team of engineers at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London over a four year period utilising state of the art recording technology alongside vintage studio equipment, carefully maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the original analogue recordings. The result of this painstaking process is the highest fidelity the catalogue has seen since its original release.

The collection comprises all 12 Beatles albums in stereo, with track listings and artwork as originally released in the UK, and 'Magical Mystery Tour,' which became part of The Beatles' core catalogue when the CDs were first released in 1987. In addition, the collections 'Past Masters Vol. I and II' are now combined as one title, for a total of 14 titles over 16 discs. This will mark the first time that the first four Beatles albums will be available in stereo in their entirety on compact disc. These 14 albums, along with a DVD collection of the documentaries, will also be available for purchase together in a stereo boxed set.

Within each CD's new packaging, booklets include detailed historical notes along with informative recording notes. With the exception of the 'Past Masters' set, newly produced mini-documentaries on the making of each album, directed by Bob Smeaton, are included as QuickTime files on each album. The documentaries contain archival footage, rare photographs and never-before-heard studio chat from The Beatles, offering a unique and very personal insight into the studio atmosphere.

A second boxed set has been created with the collector in mind. 'The Beatles in Mono' gathers together, in one place, all of the Beatles recordings that were mixed for a mono release. It will contain 10 of the albums with their original mono mixes, plus two further discs of mono masters (covering similar ground to the stereo tracks on 'Past Masters'). As an added bonus, the mono "Help!" and "Rubber Soul" discs also include the original 1965 stereo mixes, which have not been previously released on CD. These albums will be packaged in mini-vinyl CD replicas of the original sleeves with all original inserts and label designs retained.

(info and photos via Apple Corp. Ltd)

Saturday, April 4, 2009

KEITH HARING COLLECTION MUSEUM and skate spot

The Japanese pretty much own architecture (and fashion too). With a limited amount of space on the islands of Japan, their designers use innovative lines and materials to create functional structures.. to skate. Atsushi Kitagawara (one of Japan's most celebrated architects) designed the fantastic Nakamura Keith Haring Collection Art Museum in 2007 (pictured top left), but as spring dries up the streets of New Hampshire in 09', all I can think is what an amazing skate spot it would be. Mr. Haring is still one of my favorite artists and I can't help but think he would have fully supported a session at his musuem. The rest of the buildings in Wallpaper's feature on Japanese architecture is worth at least few looks. (via Wallpaper)


Friday, April 3, 2009

MATT & KIM/BEASTIE BOYS MASH- GOOD OL' FASHION RUMP SHAKER















Mash-up artists The Hood Internet have come correct with a Matt & Kim/Beastie Boys track called Good Ol' Fashioned Rump Shaker (download). Hear this. (via I Guess I'm Floating)

JOLYON YATES "ODE" CHAIR SERIES


Jolyon Yates' collection of chairs, aptly titled ODE, is an homage to those who have influenced his craft including his friends, family, mother nature and probably several mid-century modern furniture designers. These two shining examples from the series (the Breeze or Savannah rocker at top left and the Ocean rocker at bottom right) are hand-crafted from birch veneer and actually look quite comfortable, a quality sometimes lacking Yates' predecessors' works. It's about time rocking chairs got their due in proper. (via SwipeLife)

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