game night!

I'm so thrilled about my recent partnership with Austin record label Artifact Workshop and musician Neiliyo. I made the poster and graphics for the "album" (see below). Tomorrow is the CD release party at Club DeVille and it should not disappoint. Between AW's atypical (and creative packaging) and flair for creating an interactive experience, and Neiliyo's non-stop explosion of pastel energy will be a night to remember.



The CD's tracks will be available through a time-sensitive link which is printed on one-of-a-kind slap bracelets (which I have blurred in the above photos). SLAP BRACELETS! I never dreamed that anything I made would appear on such a tacky (in a good way) relic of youth, but I am elated. Seriously. The theme for the evening is "Game Night", which ties into the album, and a variety of games will be happening throughout the evening. Hopscotch, telephone, musical chairs, spin the bottle are the featured attractions, but I believe board games will be available as well. For more details check out Artifact Workshop's site or the Facebook Event page. Last but not least, to get you in the mood AE is also offering a free download of one of the songs, Hopscotch. Check it out here.

Hope to see a big turn out. If you want to say hi I will probably be the jackass trying to remember how to play hopscotch and failing miserably.

lazy sunday -- kill some time

Sleep in, take a nap (or 2), watch a movie marathon, stare at a wall. Who cares as long as it does not involve labor. Have a happy lazy Sunday!

LISTEN TO THIS: Get in the mood to do nothing [ "Lazy" -- Marilyn Monroe ]

weekly prescription

Yesterday I had the pleasure of receiving a lovely message from someone. And when I say lovely, I mean angry. And when I say someone, I mean a person that did not like me using their artwork on my site. Now I don't claim to be above scrutiny here, and although I did give name credit and link to the original site I did not ask for permission and I certainly should have. I realize there are certain codes that one has to adhere to in this technological bloggy world, some more fiercely than others depending on the person/artist in question. So that said I offer my sincerest apologies again for overlooking and breezing past this person's preferences... I assure you it was without malice.

With this back story sufficiently laid out, and without trying to sound hokey, it seemed like a good time to prescribe some general means for being nicer. A good point can be lost when it's covered in shit, and while nice guys might finish last, they certainly will also live longer.

This week try to understand why people use the golden rule, follow Patrick Swayze's Road House philosophy, Relax, attract better health with honey, and then look on the bright side of life. And after this meditative journey, if anyone still wants to verbally kick my ass, knock yourself out... I'll be living in stress free bliss with the company of dachshunds, watching the occasional episode of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross.

HELPFUL WAYS TO GET THERE:
Read -- [ Amazon ]
Watch -- [ Daily Motion ]
Listen -- [ MP3 Link ]
Do -- [ Organic Facts ]
Austin Event -- [ Paramount Theatre ]

weekly prescription

Sometimes ideas and thoughts have an accidental way of aligning. Such is the case with this week's prescription. An old friend that Facebook found for me (an actual friend suggestion that was logical) turns out is coming out with a book soon, penned by her and her siblings. After looking at the site I simply can't wait and in an effort to help them achieve their dream of becoming a bestseller I want to do my part and urge folks to buy an advance copy. Trust me, you don't need to know her for this book to be a good read.

I also just heard the horrible news about John Hughes passing, which I could not ignore, and that along with the Public School (a bunch of local talents that are part of a collective) art show, a theme ended up making itself (and if that is a grammatically correct sentence I will be very surprised).

So channel your inner child, get a little angsty, soothe it with some Pepto ice cream, and go back to school for a bit. There are no trips to the Principal or homework required.

HELPFUL WAYS TO GET THERE:
Read -- [ The Kids Are All Right Book ]
Watch -- [ IMDB ]
Listen -- [ MP3 Link ]
Do -- [ BuzzFeed ]
Austin Event -- [ Public School ]

weekly prescription

Let me preface this by saying I had intended to start a weekly feature prescribing a few things to do with your week... a helpful recovery nudge if you will. I'm still going to do it, but in light of Michael Jackson's death I figured I'd change up my list and offer an all-MJ offering. Once I got started I was surprised to find how hard it is to narrow down, but hopefully this will do.


I'll say it again for good measure -- Michael Jackson was mysterious to put it most vaguely, but dang if the guy wasn't full of talent and churned out a bunch of genius in his prime.

HELPFUL WAYS TO GET THERE:
Read -- [ Amazon.com ]
Watch -- [ YouTube Midnight Special ]
Listen -- [ Off the Wall MP3 FREE DOWNLOAD ]
Do -- [ Dance Moves & YouTube Pepsi commercial ]
Austin Event -- [ Alamo Drafthouse ]

BONUS: Just because I STILL adore this song. It's fun, ridiculous, and gets me out of a funk (and it's very golden and satiny and that is never bad).

feeling 90's

This weekend I went to my parent's house for Father's Day. During this excursion I decided that cleaning out my old bedroom closet was in order. I moved out over a decade ago and this is the only place that is still cluttered with my past. I sort of relished the opportunity to dig through some old things and see what treasures I could discover but I also wanted to allow my parents some extra space. Being a pack rat runs in the family and they need all the room they can get (sorry Mom and Dad, you know it's true).

For the most part I knew what I might find... dolls, old school work, left over clothes, and trinkets. What was a surprise, was happening upon a bunch of old magazines. I remember the act of saving them but figured they made there way to the trash at some point. Oh silly me, current me should know that past me would never let go of any sort of collecting. And it is with this that I realize that I am really an 80 year hoarder living in a decades younger body.

Strangely enough I am tickled to be the owner of a stash of Sassy, YM, Mademoiselle, Spin, Model, TV Guide (I have several early 80's as well), US, and People magazines, all from the late 80's to mostly early 90's. Why I saved them I'm not completely sure. There are a few funny "Best Of The Year" issues and semi-newsworthy examples (1990 Time with Dan Quayle on the cover). I have never felt especially nostalgic about the 90's for whatever reason... until now. So with that I give you a special 90's music mix which you can download (hopefully... maybe... it's large). It consists of mostly early 90's stuff, and it's a bit of a grab bag, but they're some of my favorites. Hope you enjoy. And keep an eye out for some more silly scans from my pointless mess of magazines.

Click here to download mix. Titles are listed below.

FEELING 90'S TRACKS:
1. Ren & Stimpy -- I'm Gonna Be a Monkey
2. Pixies -- Head On
3. Teenage Fanclub -- Alcoholiday
4. Right Said Fred -- I'm Too Sexy
5. My Bloody Valentine -- Soon
6. Black Sheep -- Strobelite Honey
7. Depeche Mode -- Enjoy the Silence
8. Tribe Called Quest -- Excursions
9. Liz Phair -- Flower
10. Nirvana -- Milk It
11. Superchunk -- My Noise
12. The Rentals -- My Summer Girl
13. Afghan Whigs -- Debonair
14. Man or Astroman -- Evil Plans of Planet Spectra
15. Magnapop -- Lay it Down
16. Codeine -- Broken Hearted Wine
17. Butthole Surfers -- The Wooden Song
18. Melvins -- Hooch
19. Hole -- Violet
20. Jane's Addiction -- Stop!

need to want less: incompetence

I really would like to have some sort of garden and could live with just grass in my yard. I am terrible at keeping plants alive though. So I will continue to have one of the more shameful looking houses on the block and I guess a little less oxygen.


SEEDLINGS:
Best Garden Tips [ Apartment Therapy ]
Lynn Anderson [ I Never Promised You a Rose Garden ]
Watering Cans [ Real Simple ]
The Great Outdoors Trailer [ YouTube ]

1 minute photoshop: correlation

Nothing fits but I'm happy. And I look sort of like silly putty, but less stretchy and I can't pick up news print.

KEEPING IT DORKY:
The Stills [ Still in Love Song ]
Silly Putty Commercial [ YouTube ]
Love Overload [ Le Love ]
Big Fat Asses [ 1000 Awesome Things ]

f bombs

Sorry Mom and Dad, but I have a confession. The "f word" is one of my favorites. Sometimes I use it too liberally, forgetting the company I'm in, and forgetting that to some ears it has more snap than kinder gentler cousins, like "darn" and "shoot". To me it's almost lost most of its zing, but for sensitive readers I shall refer to it as "f#@!".

In the last few days I've come upon a few sites/items that feature "f#@!". It became something I could not avoid and almost begged to be shared. With that I give you some f'y links... if that's your thing.

F IT:
How does your life suck? [ Fmylife.com ]
Cute puppies [ F#@!yeahpuppies ]
T-shirt truth [ Print Liberation ]
N.W.A. [ F#@! Tha Police ]

biggie birthday

Today (actually yesterday... sorry delayed internet acknowledgment) is my other little man's birthday. Biggie Smalls, pretty much called Big/Biggie/BB, turns 3 years old. He's my bold, outgoing chunk trunks that loves to sleep on his back and to burrow. He got his name because he was the biggest of his litter and by breed is typically a smaller dog; Biggie Smalls seemed like a good fit.

He's also pimpin'. Needless to say he keeps his nose clean however and will not meet the same fate as his human namesake. Sidenote... he came this close to be named Victor. Don't ask me why but my brain was stuck on that name. I can't see it now. Love you my BB!

BIG LINKS:
Biggie Smalls [ Hypnotize ]
Notorious Trailer [ Apple ]
Official Website [ Notoriousbig.com ]

home for the holidays

For some reason I have LL Cool J's "Going Back to Cali" rattling around in my head. I'm not from California though, so damn... not appropriate I guess. Well, I am going home for the holidays, which has the word "going" in it but that's where the similarities end. I'm from small town Texas, a land called San Marcos with Outlet stores as far as the eye can see and a substancial amount of under aged binge drinkers. Geeze. Ok, the holidays have clearly stripped me of a cordial and clear train of thought.

This is a good time however to go on a JPG Magazine tangent. The above photo is up for vote in the House theme. I titled it "Heart's Permanent Residence" and if you haven't figured out where that is that would be my parent's house. I'm not going to twist your arm but give the picture some props if you feel like it.

HOUSE MUSIC:
LL Cool J [ Going Back to Cali ]
Madness [ Our House ]
Motley Crue [ Home Sweet Home ]
They Might Be Giants [ Birdhouse in Your Soul ]
Simon & Garfunkel [ Homeward Bound ]
Yo La Tengo [ I Feel Like Going Home ]

haircut

Oh, I look so forlorn, but really I couldn't be happier. Today I went to Birds Barbershop, home of the cheap haircut, free beer, and the illustrious Man Fest. I took a chance on an unknown, betraying the stylist code (i.e. cheating on current scissorist), and was thrilled with the results. You don't have to end up looking like Harry of the Hendersons when on a budget. If you find yourself at the Burnet location ask for Jennifer.

FURRY SERENADE:
They Might Be Giants [ Bangs ]
Haircut 100 [ Love Plus One ]
Pavement [ Cut Your Hair ]
Hot Hot Heat [ Haircut Economics ]

[ photo by recovering lazyholic ]

touching too much

There is a major problem on the horizon. I think America is on the verge of a touch epidemic/all-out-meltdown. I'm not sure if anyone else has the "touch, touch, touch... feel" Kleenex commercial burned in their mind like I do. I am attracted to the ad when I pretend that it's a PSA for folks dealing with ritual OCD behaviors, which is not a stretch of the imagination, and would actually be really awesome. But realizing over and over again that it's not I am repeatedly repelled by the sound of it, as if cycling through some very sterile and neurotic Ground Hog Day.

Look all around and you really can't escape the fingertip revolution. Facial tissue is a mere fraction of what's afoot. Of course I'm not talking about tenderness or physical expressions of love or desire; that would be weird. Where the action is, the cool, glassy canvas of technology awaits. Everything works better, looks better, is better there. And gosh darn it if I'm not trotting gleefully right along in being mesmerized, even if it makes me feel wrong, even if it's an expensive place to be.

But you know what, is Kleenex onto something? Are they the new AT&T ("reach out and touch someone")? Is their advertising campaign a thinly veiled message urging us to just slow down and FEEL (especially their tissue)? Has Sergeant IPod and its minions somehow fractured human interaction? I never knew blowing my nose could be so New Age, and so liberating. Deliberate or not, reading between the lines might not be a bad idea. Translate however you wish. And for God sake if I could perhaps not hear the word "touch" for a day that may be enough to make it all better, and this whole touchy feely vs touchy steely debate will be moot.

Image Credit [ Franz66 Flickr ]

FEEL THE MUSIC:
Hall & Oates [ Out of Touch ]
Samantha Fox [ Touch Me ]
Kanye West [ Touch the Sky ]
Genesis [ Invisible Touch ]
Diana Ross [ Touch Me in the Morning ]
Ladytron [ Destroy Everything You Touch ]

giving good cover

(original content via delicious industries)

These old magazine covers have been making the blog rounds lately and I can no longer deny the joy they bring to me, even if I'm jumping on the band wagon.

From what I gather this publication offers independent product reviews and from the looks of it they are still around. Maybe it is the British equivalent to America's Consumer Reports. As interesting as it could be to do dig into its second banana to what I have my sites set upon. I'm content to cherish the bold and simple vintage graphic packaging.

WHICHES AND WITCHES:
Superior Sandwiches [ Whichwich ]
Book Matchmaker [ Which Book ]
MP3 Donovan [ Season of the Witch ]
Roald Dahl's The Witches [ Alibris ]

register deadline: don't be lazy

(link to kwvh's etsy)

This is the last day to register to vote. You don't want to miss your chance. I was going to make some stupid jokes, but figure it's been done ad nauseam so I'll leave it at that.

Thanks again Dad for the sweet reminder!

VOTING BOOTH:
Register to Vote [ Declare Yourself ]
MP3 Genesis [ Land of Confusion ]
"Vote!" [ Vimeo ]
"Please Vote" & "Please F*#@ing Vote" T-shirt [ Etsy ]

one of a kind

Polaroid proclaims the upcoming marriage of J and Sara. What a great idea for a wedding announcement!

SAVE THE DATE:
Vintage Cards [ Inspiration Resource ]
Tie the Knot Origins [ Phrases.org ]
8 Different Weddings to Remember [ Mental Floss ]
MP3 Billy Idol [ White Wedding ]

copying their work

I continue to be wowed by sites that keep it simple. It's a nice vacation for my eyes and brain. My mind is too cluttered to ever conceive and implement such a single purpose web destination. This is copypastecharacter and you do just that... copy a character. Done.

COPIES:
Making Copies [ Urban Dictionary ]
MP3 Cut Copy [ So Haunted ]
History of Xerox [ Xerox ]
The Life and Death of Dolly the Sheep [ New Scientist ]

call to the wild

Yesterday I mentioned putting on my corduroy pants, which later in the night made me think of this commercial. All that swish-swishing through the house I guess.

Corduroy Appreciation Club [ Corduroy Club ]
Levis Corduroy Kind of Night [ YouTube ]
MP3 Dead Milkmen [ The Badger Song ]
Badger Milk [ feugo.de/badgermilk ]
Badger Hunter's Little Smokie [ Dogster ]