Bobos.

A book I recently read and love:

If you've ever wondered why our culture has become obsessed with stores like Starbucks, REI, Anthropologie, Whole Foods and Volvo...read this book. It is a non-judgemental, humorous, and insightful look into how we have become a culture of principled, borderline snotty, over-intellectualized (at times), capitolism-loving, bag-of-contradiction embodying consumers. A must read for ANYONE in creative, culture-defining vocations, a shocking reflection of self (for some), but absolutely critical in understanding the values and principles of a population who is driving much of our country's policies and cultural values.

Yeah, take a minute to soak that in.

BrightHouse Excellence.

Not to bombard my kind readers with assorted video footage, but this is a work-video I put together for my most dynamic boss, Joey, on his ideas around "soulful excellence," the complementary business practice to "operational excellence." Let me know what you think and don't be TOO jealous of my video editing skills!

Happy Monday :)

Joke Friday

I am going to attempt to start a Friday tradition. I'm going to call it "Joke Friday" and I will broadcast a video of myself telling a joke that I think is pretty funny. It may suck, but I am willing to take a creative risk. Let me know what you think!!

Chilling.

WATCH THIS STORY
What is so alarming about these photographs, is, exactly what the commentator says, that these were REAL people, with REAL lives, families, and pets...they were just like anyone else. But they were responsible for exterminating millions of people, simply because they were different. Group-think is such a scary phenomena...it happens today, all over the place, in the US, in our schools, in our communities...we should ALWAYS question EVERYTHING. Always dig deeper, always go to the source, make your own decisions, take the time to figure out the TRUTH. I think that is what is really missing in our current culture. We exist on headline news, commentary from blogs, powerpoint-condensed information but seldom do we take the time to really go to the source and decide for ourselves what to think. It takes time, it takes energy, it takes a willingness to be wrong, to look at things differently, but the truth is the most important thing we can seek. Perhaps if more people had looked deeper, questioned authority, questioned themselves, this horrible atrocity would have never happened.

Lucky.

These are the cookies I made yesterday for my co-worker, Ashley. She is awesome and it was her birthday on Sunday.... At BrightHouse we usually get cakes and champagne for people's birthdays but Ashley doesn't like cake so I made peanut butter-cookie sandwiches. Don't you wish you worked with me? I'll post the recipe because they are mmmm, mmmm, good.
Don't be TOO jealous.

a couple of observations....

1. Spring Forward Tonight. Yes folks, daylight savings time happens tonight and I could not be more pleased. I didn't realize how much I loathed the darkness and cold temperatures until I was forced to face them as a result of having a 9-5 job that prevents interaction with the sunlight during the week. Whoa, I could NEVER live in the north where it is, more often than not, cold and darkness prevails. Kudos to those of you who do.

2. Current Fashion. My lady and I went shopping yesterday and all I have to say is what the FUCK? I don't know if I am getting to that point in my life where I look at current trendy fashions and don't identify anymore....maybe this is a sign that I am getting older, not identifying with the "youth culture," but I need some things. I need some shirts, some skirts, some pants....and I refuse to wear skinny jeans (I mean, seriously, who can wear those things?), I don't want a lot of ruffles and I hate these poofy-sleeved shirts that are reminiscent of the 60's. I just want simple things. Simple lines, a nice color pallete, nothing too crazy, but things that look good on my body. Yesterday's outing was nothing short of humiliation....I did, however, get a new pair of glasses that I am pretty excited about. I'll debut them here soon....once I spend the one million dollars to have my super-sonic lenses created due to my near-blind vision.

3. Dogs. I think that dogs are the best thing on the planet. People who do not like dogs, I just don't trust. They are such perfect little souls that require so little of us but love, food and petting. Is anything in life really that simple? I think not....

Hillary.

This just in....compelling new photographic montage of democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton from DanzFamily.com.

Whoa.

Liars and Brains and Dogs, oh my!

On my way to work today, I was listening to this program via my local NPR station and the topic was, "the brain of a liar." I was struck by how similar a liar's brain is to a creative's brain in it's ability to quickly parse and assimilate information. I've never been a good liar...I've tried but failed more often than not which is why I believe (for the most part) that, despite our biological tendencies, the one thing that does separate us from animals is our ability to choose...to make thoughtful, rational choices. This may not be as accurate when it comes to things such as mood but it certainly does when we talk about behavior. If not, then there is no difference between human beings and dogs....not that I'd mind being a dog...Lord knows, I love dogs....but what do you think?

Milton Glaser

So, for my "March Forth" I decided to start a series of "paintings/illustrations" of "famous" designers....or, better said, designers that I think are exciting, smart, inspirational and interesting. My first one is Milton Glaser....I've been reading Debbie Millman's book and decided that in a future life, I would like to come back as Milton Glaser's daughter/best friend/maid/whatever. What an amazing man.