EVADE DESIGNS » family

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.

Back to work. I missed it, I did. My chair, my white desk and my mouse. Sad I know, but as an American, I’m not used to 5 weeks of mandatory vacation. Just boggles my mind to think of that amount of time, and the money I could spend within it. Good thing the wallet doesn’t have a wallet or I’d be toast.

On the way home to Stockholm, my mom joined Lina and I up in Amsterdam, which was a real highlight for me. Good to see family, healthy really. That Atlantic is fucking big, and sometimes I can feel it’s grand-ness when it comes to friends and family.

Anyways, a big thanks to Cari Vander Yacht for letting us crash for a few nights. Your Pico De Gallo was unheard of fucking awesomely good for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Bird and I had a blast.

Above is an image I illustrated of my mom a few years back. She’s not a smurf, just chose a tonal route in some blues and greens. She is tiny though, gets smaller every time I see her. Love you Mom, come back soon and we can head back to Gilda’s for coffee.

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DON’T LOSE YOUR SOUL – Adrian Shaughnessy answers some good questions on everything graphic design in his updated version of How to Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul. The book has a good stand on how to maintain the important beliefs you fight for in your design career, even if those things differ for separate folks. He’s got experience, and I always think thats worth a listen. I’m 75% through it now, and I recommend the book for any Professional through first year design student. Hell, even people around the business edges of design should take a read. I like his approach, I definitely learned (or re-learned) a few things.

More soon, lots of stuff to post, but I’m gonna spread it a bit.

Last weekend marked the 1 year anniversary for the Bird and I. It also marked the 1 year anniversary of my move to licorice loving Sweden.

A big year. A few notches on the belt, goals accomplished and others totally lost to reality and time. Traveling is a priority right now, shit while I’m on this side of the ocean I would be a turkey not to take advantage. Traveled to Munich, Gothenburg, Åre, Stockholm, Vermont, Cape Cod and Portland all in 365 days. All of it feels long and short at the same time. Not sure if thats good or bad, but it feels right when I write it out like this. I like all those places.

Very thankful for everything right about now, job, home and such, but especially my little lady and her newly discovered rat tail. Somehow she can pull shit like that off and not be mumbled about, which is reason number three hundred and fifty seven on our why we love Lina list. Puss (kiss) ya Lina babes. Much love to you.

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Things that have taken me a year to figure out in the land of blue and yellow: Internet Banking

You want to get thrown back into the stone age? Try not having a credit card or internet banking through your financial institution. I know there are worse things out there in this big world, but not being able to check your funds before a night out or a grocery store visit is crippling. Some process they have here in Sweden to get online and check the funds, but today we finally scored with an online account and a Visa card. Sweden ain’t easy, but it’s letting up.

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.

Merry Christmas! I am writing this post next to my dad’s fireplace , just got a nose-bleed from all the dry heat it cranks out. Snow covered Vermont with Lina Bird this holiday, doesn’t get much cozier. Still full from last night, but Big Steve racked up a record chinese food order the previous night with a whopping $93 dollar take-out purchase. Serious biz, my dad and that chinese take out menu.

So good to see some old friendly faces with new stories this time of year as well.

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SCARY ASS SANTA MOVIE, I’m gonna check this out. Looks like they find Santa before all the coke-a-cola promotion in Finland. The last line in this trailer is the best, have a watch.

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Take care and be well. Wishing everyone a great holiday season the rest of 2010, and a plentiful 2011.

My Dad turns 52 today, so this whole post is dedicated to him. Bummed I can’t be with him to celebrate over some cake while wearing sweatpants (I’m assuming fall attire is in) this evening. Although I do know he’s in good hands with Sarah, Larry and “the little dude” Eli. Maybe 53 can be in Sweden?

I wish you the best today Dad! Thanks for kicking me in the ass when I needed it most. I will never forget, even after another 52.

Take care Dad, miss ya.

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