For the men in my life... and my mom.

Although they were kinda makin' fun of him on the New York Times humor page, I can think of at least six men in my family who will think this guy and his contraption are super cool! I know I do. Who does this remind you of, Gentlemen?




Here's to old guys who will find a way to stay productive and follow their passion no matter how many years have accumulated under their belt.

Rock on, Del!

The Mac Geek Ruminates

Make no mistake. I have a great Mac setup. In fact, for what I do, it's about as sweet as it gets. But when something as gorgeous and powerful as the new iMac comes along, I *must* sit up and take notice.

Here's a snippet of the specs:
"The updated all-in-one iMac introduced today offers the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors and the most powerful graphics ever available in an iMac. The ultimate all-in-one desktop computer includes faster processors with 6MB L2 cache, a faster 1066 MHz front-side bus across the entire line, and 2GB of memory standard in most models. And the 24-inch iMac now offers a 3.06 GHz Intel processor and the high-performance NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS graphics as options. Available immediately, the new iMac starts at just $1,199."

I swear, Apple simply cannot be topped for making a machine that is as tempting to the eye as it is intuitive and robust.

I recently read an article in Wired magazine about the "Evil Genius" that is Steve Jobs. It talked about how he doesn't follow any of Silicon Valley's "Rules" of "Employee-Pampering Corporate Culture." He regularly blows up at people... "but he's usually right." There is absolutely NO autonomy given to anyone and every single product must cross his desk before it is deemed worthy for Mac Snobs everywhere...

I don't think I would enjoy working for him, but I more than appreciate what his uppity attitude, perfectionist standards and charismatic personality (and the talented people who endure him) have achieved for the products that make my job not only possible, but absolutely enjoyable.

As a creative, the elegant physical design as well as the intuitive and visually appealing interface just make my brain at once settle down and get fired up. It's all just so beautiful to look at that it makes me want to sit and bask in the finely-tune ingenuity of it all.

A Sophisticated Discussion on Art

Thank you to *richiedesign* for posting this most informative and inspiring discussion on the Nature of Art.

Kudos to Aardman Studios for producing it. Brilliant! Best thing they've offered us since Wallace and Gromit.

Enjoy.





Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to don a beret, squint with intensity while holding a cigarette that will never touch my lips and make coffee rings on the surface of my very cluttered desk.

I shall call my masterpiece: Fuel for the Frustration

Adieu, Dahhhhlings...

Richie Does It Again!

Miss Richie never ceases to amaze me with her talent and style. You really must go see her stunning digital letter press work. Just look at these Marc Jacobs spectators! WANT THEM!

She even did the illustrations. Wow!

Also, for you gals out there, she has been asked to consult for a therapy group for teenage girls on "loving your body" and self image. She is asking for examples of times in our teens when we felt good about ourselves to help her put together ideas and suggestions for girls who are there now. What a great project. I so wish there had been something like that available when I was feeling ugly and inferior.

If you have time and have something to share that might be helpful, just hop on over to *richiedesign*, scroll down to the entry before the LUSCIOUS letter press work and leave a comment.

Go Richie!


This was not a paid endorsement.

Happy Monday, Y'all!

No... WAY!!!

Way.



Oh... MAN! What I wouldn't give to go to this concert.

Even IF I could talk the hubby into paying probably 50 bucks a head and driving all the way to Washington for a concert, though... this one just so happens to land squarely on Anna's 10th birthday... and we WON'T be missing that.

*sigh*

Ahhh, Sting. So close and yet so far...

Guess I'll just have to go crank "Nothing Like the Sun" and the rest of my Sting and Police CDs and engage my very fertile imagination.

D' Doo Doo Doo, D' Da Da Da, Y'all.

Stripped Down and Sophisticated

Remember how fascinated we all where when the California Raisins introduced us to Stop Motion Animation?

Well, it was out there before in a clunky, unrefined form, but Wil Vinton took it to a whole new level and made us aware of what we were looking at. Made it cool.

I found this video on the New York Times humor page and just sat there agape. This is not over-produced, CGI, let's-see-how-much-eye-candy-we-can-generate, cutting-edge techno-flash.

So jaded am I by what technology makes possible that I am seldom impressed when I watch any heavily CGIed piece of animation or live action. I've seen the man behind the curtain and know that my eye can easily be tricked by legions of talented, young professionals locked away for uncountable hours performing unimaginable feats of programming acrobatics.

This piece, however, is so refreshing for me to watch. So simple and pristinely executed... its spartan elegance and the effort and time AWAY from a computer it took to produce made me say, "WOW!"

It takes a great deal to make me say, "WOW!" ...about anything.

glumbert - Stop Motion Battle

This is a total breath of fresh air.

Enjoy!

A Quick Gulp of Air

Anna's Madarin Monkey sculpture.

Doesn't have anything to do with this post, I just like it.

No, I haven't died or fallen off the planet.

Life is just big, here on the Ranch. Really big.

Thus, the neglected blog.

I have stories to tell, but they will have to wait until I find a worthy vessel, or the tide turns benevolent and gently deposits me on the warm, sandy shore of "the usual chaos."

Until then, I've donned my snorkel and am vigilantly scanning the horizon for any encouraging sign of terra firma.

Since it is ME we're talking about, however, a "dingy" would be probably be the most appropriate form of rescue.

Peace, Ya'll.

At Last! Gangsta Rap for Design Geeks

Warning: The contents of this video are graphic in nature.
Sorry, Angelina. I know that was almost a pun.

This goes out to my Pantone Posse.

Word.

I mean, PhotoShop.

Click here...
Original Design Gangsta Video
...'cause I'm just not cool enough to figure out how to embed it.

You're right. I DON'T deserve my MacPro.
*sniff*

I Tried...

... I tried so hard to put them away, but I just couldn't.

So pretty. So perfect. So full of potential.

Beth's preserves are just about the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

They're cuter than kittens.

There. I said it.

I want to do this someday.

For now, I'll just leave those tempting little jars out on my counter where I can stare at them and dream... and drool.

Thank you, Beth, for the birthday beautifulness.
OH! And that Chocolate Porn you called dessert... I'm still recovering.

Twisty People

My girls LOVE to go to the grocery store. Why?

Besides getting to pick juice box flavors and the unmatchable thrill they derive from watching that little vain pop out in my forehead when Grace gets REALLY EMPHATIC that she NEEDS a whole case of Smarties... the BIG excitement is the virtually inexhaustible supply of TWISTIES in the produce section.


They always make fun shapes to amuse themselves as we meander through the aisles, but this time, Anna came up with some extra cool art.

I think she's really looking forward to sparring, now that she has her green belt.

What do you think?

Lord of the Rings, or Zelda. You decide.

Twisty Grappling, anyone? (I don't think the guy on the right is doing so well.)


This was MY favorite part of the shopping. The bun is from Gabriel's Bakery, the beef is from my pasture, the bleu cheese INSIDE the burger is Italian, the Sour Cream and Dill Kettle Chips are from Eugene, and the Rosemont Shiraz/Cabernet is from Australia.

Whole Foods sure saved me a lot of running around for this meal! YUM!