Stefan Bruggemann

Check out some Stefan Bruggemann.  I love his work because you really get into the artist's head; in just a few textual elements.  Its simplicity and boldness befits the time.  Nevertheless, it is ironic and humorous on so many levels.

Bravo!  

Dancefloor Mayhem

So I've been on this hunt for the latest and greatest dance music. dancefloor mayhem is my new spot to discover the best of electro, house, techno, breaks, hip-hop, and the list goes on.  Plus there are a ton of high-quality songs and mixes for download.
 
Fuck'n love it!

Last.fm

Last.fm is the go-to-site for anything music related. I'm trying to think of the right word to describe it but really, there is no one word or phrase that best describes it. The official slogan "The Social Music Revolution" touches on the essence of what this is all about.

I first came across this site when a friend of mine suggested I check it out; knowing I am the type of person who loves to organize everything nice and neat. I was first taken by the ability to track your what you listen to on iTunes. You create a profile on the site and the more music it tracks, the more it gets to know your music taste.

Last.fm recommends artists weekly, based on what you are listening to. Of course there are a whole host of groups you can join, catering to different interests, and these groups are an incredible network for finding virgin music. You can also search for music by artist, album, song, you name it.

Each artist has a page that displays other similar artists as well as an overview as well as listener stats, charts, album info, and more. You can listen to clips from songs, and sometimes there are full tracks to listen to and/or download. It's wonderful. I could go on and on but really you need to just check it out.

Enjoy!

N.E.E.T. Magazine

N.E.E.T. Magazine. I love this site! Anyone into indie fashion would love this magazine. From clothing to art to fashion blogs and much, much more. This is one of my favs.

Renewable batteries

USB-Cell has produced a great sustainable product that is practical and simple in design and concept. This is something everyone needs: a rechargeable battery that is USB-adaptable for fast, easy, convenient charging. I need to get myself some of these. Batteries are such a waste; use it until it runs out of juice and out it goes to the dumpster.

Change

We attended the Adams County Democratic Assembly yesterday (12.08.08) at the Adams County Fairgrounds. At the caucuses in February, Stephen and I volunteered to be elected delegates for the Adams County Democratic Assembly. We were both inspired and moved to do our part to contribute to the movement of change that is becoming so evident today.

We both support Barack Obama enthusiastically and thought this would be a good opportunity to be a part of the process that we have been so oblivious to; frankly, until recently (the past couple years), I have developed a healthy skepticism to question everything. Of course this tendency has been fermenting through my college years, but only in an abstract way. The reality of the absurdities of the right-wing evangelical policies that are choking out all reason in America today is the seed that is bringing out this need for change. I cannot just sit back and do nothing as Bush and the Republican party argue for a war in Iraq, insist on invoking fear in Americans by feeding us bullshit, doing nothing to alleviate our dependance on foreign oil or advancing our own economic and technological future by investing in new sustainable technologies, allowing domestic spying on Americans and trampling on our privacy while protecting the corporations that assist in the process...just to name a few atrocities that are considered acceptable by the government and accepted by Americans.

We need a new government. Not one based on old politics. We need a president that is not jaded or affected by the same old way of doing things. Hillary fits right into this old politics based on undeniable ties to the special interest lobbyists, broken promises, and a disconnect from the needs and passions of the real people. Have you once heard Hillary talk about her work in the community centers and inner city neighborhoods? She does not have a real understanding of the underprivileged. She votes to approve the war and of course is part of this anti-Bush campaign to bring the troops home. She votes for pro-NAFTA legislation and champions the Workers' cause to keep their jobs from going overseas and "fix" NAFTA. She says she is "proud" to be runnning against Obama, then mocks him, and uses negative campaigning against him attacking him with untrue statements. And I don't know if anyone else has noticed but her slogan and image has changed so many times throughout this campaign, I don't know if she has multiple personalities, or the more reasonable conclusion to make is that she is imploring every tactic possible to get what she wants. She has no ideals, morals, or even the wisdom to realize that when she endorses herself and McCain to have the experience a candidate needs to be president, she is dividing the party as well as praising the candidate that promotes the same ideals she is supposedly running against.

Change??? All I see is a conniving political machine willing to say and do anything to get into office, w/out concern for the ideals that make this party worth fighting for. She is not real. For these reasons I have to take action and do my part to keep another political robot from being elected for Presidency.

Obama is not affected by Washington and still in touch with the average Americans' needs and goals in life. He is an advocate for change and will not stand for the same "business as usual"; but on the same token he is not naive to the realities of politics. He is consistent; he was against the war then and is against the war now. And for these reasons I feel the responsibility to not only support Obama but really do my part in the Democratic process to oppose the Republicans. I am moved. I really want to do my part to take back my country. This presidential race has done one important thing. And that is invoke a sense of ownership and pride, for many people, for the very first time in our lives. Michele Obama spoke for the majority of Americans today when she said she is proud to be and American for the first time in her adult life.

I have to say though, that I was definitely not expecting a joy-ride the entire way. The Adams County Democratic Assembly this weekend was a taste of two sides of the political process; excitement and painful. The painful part came when we had to be there at 7:30AM on a Saturday...ouch. Once we got inside (there was a huge line to get in), we checked-in and casted our preference votes for the Democratic presidential nominee. Then we waited a good two hours for voting to finish and the Adams County Assembly to begin. Most of which was formal introductions, and jibber-jabber that really didn't mean much to us. The bulk of the Assembly was taken by candidates for state senate and congress seats making their stump speeches. We made it 'til about noon and left.

I have to say I was a bit disappointed that we left early but all that was left on the agenda was some more speeches. We did our part and voted, as well as meeting some interesting people on both sides. The atmosphere was cheery and excitement. There was one older lady that went up to the mic to make a point of order. She wanted the chairman slow down and explain the process since she was a first time delegate (she said she switched from the Republican Party). She asked a few questions and then a few people in the assembly starting booing her and one even told her to "shut up and sit down". Unbelievable. I could not believe they did that to her. She was only being honest and really she was speaking for the majority of us in the assembly that were first-time delegates as well. Suffice it to say, it put a slight damper to the day but overall, it was a fulfilling experience.

Just Jack

I just discovered Just Jack this weekend. I love the fresh dancy sounds. There are some hip-hop rhythms that you can pick up but it is very dancy and fun.

Jack said it best himself, "I never had heroes and never wanted to be like other musicians", he says. "I have no affiliations to anyone, I'm not part of a gang, I'm not a part of a scene and I don't have a sound that's obviously a part of a scene. I'm Just Jack."

The sound does not fit neatly into a genre...it is Just Jack. There is a bio on last.fm and be sure to visit Just Jack's website. The newly released album Overtones is wonderful. My favorite song Starz in Their Eyes makes me want to dance! Enjoy!

Obama For Change

Remember to vote this Tuesday! Obama supporters - pass this video along to all your friends and family!

Earth Hour 2008

Join the effort to make a difference this year. Earth Hour is an ingenious idea to bring people together to save energy and reduce global carbon emissions.

If you're like me you feel like the little efforts you make at home and work on an individual level do not add up to much of a difference but something like this really makes a tangible impression on the realness of the climate crisis we are facing as well as the realness of the impact you can make to reverse the warming trend. Sign up and let's together make a change!

Recycle Cell Phones

The Secret Life has a page dedicated to informing those of us who are interested in being less wasteful.

AWDIO

Awdio is a great concept. I love it. For those of us that love to stay in front of the mainstream and be in the know of all the great new music around the world.

The world's hottest clubs and hot spots are at your fingertips...

You can listen in on what is being played at a huge selection of the hottest clubs, bars, and lounges around the world. And it's all live.

More Screens

Thomas Phifer's Salt Point House is featured in this month's Architectural Record.  I thought it would be a nice comparison to the Tattoo House.

The minimal use of materials and the clean straight lines results in a very modern form.  This is in sharp contrast to its context and makes for an interesting juxtaposition.  The verticality of the screens mimics the trees that surround as well as create a semi-transparent effect that maximizes views throughout the house.  The ribbon-windows reflect the trees and adds another layer of transparency.  The shadows cast into the house adds yet another layer and brings the outside in.  

The Salt Point House assimilates within its context in a very simple yet poetic way.  Amazingly the porousness of this design addresses the beauty of its surroundings and optimizes the practicality of providing privacy with screens. 

Silhouettes & Screens

Andrew Maynard Architects' Tattoo House is a beautiful example of transforming the challenge of the practical limitations of code and a client's needs  into a cohesive innovative design.  The tree silhouettes address the city requirements of 75% opacity for second-story spaces.  

This addition to an existing three bedroom home includes a new kitchen and living space.  The UV protective screen provides an ever-changing display of shadows inside, as well as eliminating any need for curtains.  It adds an organic aspect to such a modern form.  I love this juxtaposition.  More on this project at Arkinetia.

Lokulokus Pig

I love this pig toy.  I wish I had come across them before Christmas 'cuz they would've made some great gifts.  This pig retains its shape after being squashed.

2008 New Year's Resolutions

One of my goals for 2008 is to start decorating the house.  More specifically, I'd like to start acquiring artwork.  I've started to do some browsing on the web, here are a few things I found and look forward to get.

I really love these florals by Neko Peklo.  They're beautiful; just abstract enough for my taste, and the color palette is slightly muted but enough color to bring the flowers to life.  

I love Japanese and Chinese art. I found a great eBay store called CrescenArts. There are a lot of great Chinese watercolors. The landscapes are my favorite.



Visit Joom's shop at Etsy. There are some decent prints and other decorative things here that are very well designed and priced affordably. I especially like the pillows.




Lexie Sullivan's shop at Etsy has a few prints that I'd like to buy as well.  Below is a trio of prints that would look great in the powder room downstairs.
 
More great sites of independent artists to come!  I love sharing finds like these...it's not easy finding good art that is affordable.    

Clocks

 I've been looking for some cool clocks for my living room/kitchen.  Here are a few of my favorites.

I really like this one by Jason Linde.  My kind of style: minimal, clean lines, natural color palette.  I really like the inversion of the numbers and pointer.  

I found this Furni Allen wall clock on Giant Robot Online Store.  

Design Public has some nice ones too.  This "Twice Twice Clock" captures the simplicity and timelessness of a white backsplash with a dash of color; bold yet not overdone.  

Desktop Wallpapers

I have a real tough time finding quality backgrounds for my desktop. I am still in the hunt for that ever elusive site that is just loaded with tons of designer backgrounds.
 Mandolux is one of my favorite sites for high-def desktop backgrounds.  I'm using this Buddha one on my myspace page.  This photographer has an amazing collection of photos that are free to download.  With a variety of resolutions and even multiple screen layouts, this site is amazing!

 

I love Veer's  collection of desktops as well.  Whitty, whimsical, modern design.  This site is graphic design based so there's lots of goodies.  There's tons of art you can browse as well.  Good stuff. You have to register to view and download their backgrounds but it's free and well worth it.
 

deviantART and Interfacelift are hit or miss.  There are so many artists and endless wallpapers to sift through, it can get very daunting.  I don't know if I've found one yet but I feel like one day I will hit gold and find that one that I just love.
 

I found some really good ones that are great for the holidays.  These wallpapers  from tsk tsk's blog are great.  I'm using the wreath one.  They're not kitchy or cheesy but have enough of a christmas reference to brighten up your desktop for the holidays.