Lina and I have made an addition to our little home. Her name is Josie, she’s a 12 week old ragdoll kitten. Rambunctious little monster when she’s awake. Lot’s of sleeping and eating in her daily routine. And I’m not sure if it’s the food (we switched it up) but Josie Toes can pack a smelly un-cute cat fart. Similar to being hit by a brick, but you look down and see this tiny fur ball with big blue eyes staring up at you and you can’t help but feel a bit torn in how to accept the possibility that “yeah, that just happened”.
Anyways, she adds to our quality of life around here, plain and simple.
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THE PYRAMID CODE: Want to get blown away in a sands of Egypt type of way? This five part series brings up some big questions about humanity. How long have we been here on this big round blue earth? How did they build such structures? I’m halfway in to this series and I’m so glad peopl eout there take time to make these films, our world is so interesting, and being able to peek at it for an hour a night over the week is a real treat.
It’s that special time of year, when Uncle Sam throws a wrench into your warm spring weather plans. Hiring someone this year, no way in high hell am I touching all the papers that go along with working outside the country. Just so you know, Uncle Sam doesn’t let you off cause you move off his property, he taxes any income no matter where your at, even if you’ve been taxed by the government your currently living under. TAX on your TAXES and such. Just going with the flow on this one as I don’t even have time to stress it. Get it done and out of the way approach this year.
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THE WIRE – A bad decision, jumping into a TV series that has six seasons all wrapped up. It’s terrible for my sleep as I usually stay up and keep interest late into the night thinking I won’t feel it in the morning. Cramming about 2 to 3 episodes a night while Lina Bird passes out. I gotta finish it quick before it swallows me whole.
Interesting how the system works, or… doesn’t work for that matter. The war on drugs, really? Let’s try the war on poverty, maybe that will help remove some of the need for these drug rings to exist. It’s a TV series but it’s amazing how it shows you the corruption on all sides, pretty unbiased in it’s presentation (which I like). No super hero’s, just drunk problem riddled cops, militant drug dealers, and your high up the chain creepy politicians. All that and I’m only on season 2.
Damn! You want to get your heart ripped out as a graphic designer? Well here’s a VIDEO of the updated Portland Timbers soccer team logo getting it’s first response from their loyal fans. “You fucked up” is being chanted towards the end (about 2:40) as the newly branded flag waves in the air. Some people just don’t like change, and from what I’m hearing on this clip, I would say a majority of the fans feel pretty strongly towards the update.
From a personal standpoint, the update looks great. Maybe a few things to simplify but hell, anyone can pick anything apart, but hate? Thats a strong emotion on any front. I just know that I would be gutted to hear those chants having poured blood, sweat and tears into a new branding system. Besides all the branding, Timbers games are top notch fun. Lots and lots of beers with a mixture of riled up fans, wishing I had purchased more tickets when I was living in PDX. Rowdy bunch that Timbers Army.
Under Consideration’s Brand New has a breakdown showing a bit more into the old identity versus the new, check it out HERE!
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PORTLANDIA is a new TV series based on… you guessed it, Portland Oregon. After seeing the first episode, I was quite impressed, had me laughing a few times. Big stereotypical play up’s can only last so long though, but some of these Portland characters are pretty spot on. Definitely check out the link, it’s free on Hulu.
MORE ABOUT: The 6-part IFC Original short-based comedy series PORTLANDIA, created, written by and starring Fred Armisen (SNL) and Carrie Brownstein (vocalist/guitarist, WILD FLAG, Sleater-Kinney), premieres on IFC Friday, January 21, 2011 at 10:30 PM ET/PT. Each episode’s character-based shorts draw viewers into “Portlandia,” the creators’ dreamy and absurd rendering of Portland, Oregon.
Happy New Year! Lot’s of ones on New Years Day. A bit late but better than never. Not like anyone can’t change their program or habits any day of the 365, but somehow it feels right to push a few goals out for the up and coming year. I tend to fill my agenda to the max all too often, so I’m gonna take the pace down a bit in 2011 and really focus on the shit I need to hammer on. Just one of the three I have lined up, but that big one aligns the rest. Find a little balance in there, wherever it may be and place it whenever it needs to be implemented. Easier said than done.
Never wait for the new year, make your moves! The world won’t wait for you, it’s spinning too fast. My words of wisdom or stupidity, you decide.
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WORLD WAR II in HD > I sat for 10 hours and watched these documentary episodes resting up from a big New Years night. These life stories of ultimate sacrifice won’t give you an inch of distraction, if your into history. Those grim days should never ever be forgotten, and while 10% of WWII veterans are still alive, it won’t be long until that 10% is much less. My grandfather was shot in WWII and although he survived the war, he was a part of the 90% before I came about. Wishing I knew more of his stories, kinda similar to those Werthers Original commercials, advertising is ridiculous that way isn’t it.
A 1980 candy advertisement has been implanted in my brain and represents the non-existant relationship with my veteran grandfather that has passed away in the late 70′s. I feel weird.
Tired, goodnight & take care.
On February 26th 1994 Bill Hicks passed away, and it’s a tragedy in the fact that he shared so much insight on global, religious, and political issues through his own developed medium of comedy. Quite an amazing skill to walk that thin line of depressing topics and fall down funny laughs. Such a blunt, enlightened and extremely funny angle of discussing society and pressing world issues. Bill Hicks + a stage and mic = pure magic.
The film I watched last night > American. The Bill Hicks Story
Rumors of a Ron Howard directed film of Bill’s life are floating around on the web. Russel Crow as Bill Hicks? I’ll have to see for myself.
Remember the days of channel surfing? Basic cable was like 36 channels and you up-ed and down-ed until something caught your eye. Then during the commercial you would move along to something else, timing your channel change so you could go back to the previous and not miss your original program. The television is no longer going to be a remote device, but an online video and movie resource. Everything from renting a movie to seeing your favorite show is going to be an online website or database just a couple clicks away. It’s already here, I mean Netflix, Apple TV and itunes, Youtube, torrent donwloads, hulu (a great one) and hundreds of other online websites around the world are already providing easy access to all your favorite movies, programs and channels. Soon you flat screen TV is going to be a computer that you can access everything through without getting off the couch. Good or bad? Hard to say, but I am interested in seeing the technology. It will be here before you even can think twice. I used to have a rotary phone in my house, it’s hard to even connect that to my present day devices sometimes. Blows my mind.
Anyways, one of the sites I watch programs / videos on lately is VBS TV from VICE Magazine. Some incredible videos on everything from skateboard culture to Haiti and weird stuff inbetween. One video not to miss is the episode about the Aokigahara Suicide Forest in Japan. A sad, scary and beautiful place near Mount Fuji. Click the link to witness a job that many people couldn’t stomach.
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Lina and I went to The Social Network as it’s released later here in Sweden than in the states. Good dialog in the script, funny parts, but I question the accuracy and details. A big grain of salt was taken with the film. Facebook is in 207 countries and growing, amazing and scary to see the history of how it grew from a Harvard dorm room from guys who just wanted to meet babes.
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I am currently looking for a PROGRAM DEVELOPER! I have been looking localy in Stockholm with not much luck, but if you know anybody that is proficient in C++ or has experience developing programs contact me > Steven@evadedesigns.com
Portland Oregon is awesome for a number of reasons. The coast, city and snow all within a bearable driving distance, but behind the scenes Portland is home to a bunch of small sub-cultures, which I believe makes Portland such an amazing place in this big world. Something that hit me fairly quick when I first arrived to PDX back the fall of 2006 was pinball. Not “I have an extra quarter, lets push some buttons for a minute” kinda of pinball, but more of a “$10 roll of quarters, a few beers and a whole load of frustration” type of entertainment. I find pinball way more entertaining than digital video games, something about the pure mechanics of the table. Think about how long it must have took some engineering nerd to just layout the foundations, then build all the little contraptions that make the thing actually work. Impressive.
The pinball industry is a struggling one. Back in 2005 there was only 1 pinball manufacturer in the whole world, although I’m sure that’s changed now, its been a tough ride into the digital age for the game.
Above is the illustration / design by Drew Marshall for the Portland Pinball Map App which is a interactive resource for finding out where every pinball machine is in Portland. No joke with the illustration from Drew, had to post.
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On a holiday note, Lina and I just booked tickets for a Vermont Christmas this year. This years “made by us” presents could include:
A: Shower curtain with a print of Lina and I peeking in from the edges. A daily reminder of us in your earliest of hours just taking a peek.
B: A Steve and Lina designed tea / coffee package of a special Swedish blend to keep you toasty in the colder months.
C: A big white rock that we spit polished. This is what my father threatens to gift every year, just returning the holiday love.
Take care.
Want to watch a package design go south real quick? An older video of Microsoft’s update on the 2005 Apple Ipod package. So true it almost hurts. Apple sets the bar not only for producing amazing products but their packaging designs as well. It’s like an experience, simple, clean, and informative all rolled into this incredible device that changes how you handle the day to day. Technology advancing right before your eyes. The Iphone alone is just ground breaking, one button? How many phone designs have 1 button?
I’m a big Apple supporter if you haven’t yet noticed.
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EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP – Finally caught the Banksy film that came out recently, and I was impressed. A bit different than I had expected and it sent some mixed emotions. It’s more a story of the “street art scene” than a biography. I think Banksy is a real intriguing character, and not because I fully support his work, but more on what his art represents politically. He brought this illegal art form into the political arena, and I’m sure he’s not the first or last, but he’s definitely the most well paid. Banksy is a mysterious dude.
HOLY WATER – Want to see a bunch of Irish hopped up on Viagra? This film was the funniest as of late, so great when films like these pass by you in theaters and hit you in the rental stores or online. Always a bonus.
Take care.
My good friend Mike Willey brews beer, and a while back I made some logos for his beer operation Battle Axe Brewing. Nothing official but I wanted to share as I stumbled across it doing some cleaning / digging. Miss ya Mike!
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MOVIE RECOMENDATION: The Art of the Steal
An amazing documentary that follows the struggle for control of Dr. Albert C. Barnes’ 25 billion dollar collection of modern and post-impressionist art. Such an incredible man. A rags to riches story with a present day political ending. A must see flick.
Take care.
Getting on a train and heading into southern Sweden. Heading to Gothenburg to meet up with Lina Bird and some friends to attend a music festival > WAY OUT WEST. 3 solid days of live bands through large and small venues all over town. I’m gonna be running around, and hopefully not a lot of getting lost due to the WAY OUT WEST Iphone app I just found. I don’t understand Swedish, but I can get around dates, days and time like any other Swede. Technology, still blows my mind regularly, the app has no beer tent locater, so I dock a couple points.
BANDS ON THE LIST:
The National – Ohio’s finest.
Wu Tang (word)
I was turned on to the AMC show Mad Men two weeks back, and well, I am now almost caught up to the current season. Polishing off season 3 tonight.
Basically some of the best writing I have seen for any drama television show by far. No cliff ending bullshit that is so common nowadays, awesome character development, quick dialog, and highly intertwined story-lines that create an all over great watch. I mean some of the shit these guys get themselves into, and the lives they lead is just wild. Although I’m not sure how accurate, the creators seem to have a good grasp on the time and people in the 1960′s. A lot of political influence with the cold war, presidential elections, with a mix or racism and sexism. And holy shit the booze and cigs that these guys can wash down is almost respectable. How did they keep themselves alive for more than a week?