Kodachrome Nights

"This is the place to be"

I've heard about this spot before, but just came across it on YouTube. It's a promo for ABC's Fall 1971 television season. It has some crazy hypnotic graphics and a theme song as memorable as the one from "Cheers." It's impressive to me that if you read the comments, people really seem to have bonded with this message and still remember it, which is kind of creepy but really compelling to me from an advertising standpoint.

Listen to these people who still remember details about this ad almost 40 years later:

"have looked for this promo probably for the last 15 years. I was 10 years old and madly in love with Henry Fonda who is in this promo for the show "The Smith Family" which I never missed. I actually met a guy online about ten years ago in a trivia chat room who remembered the jingle and we called each other up ( he in NY and me in LA ) and sang the whole song! Thanks for posting this one." -totoro61

"Does anyone know who wrote this song? It's one of the finest music pieces any network ever commissioned for a Fall Season promotion. ABC had a winner on its hands with this spot. The fact that so many people remember the images and the music is a true testament to the talent of the creative team who produced this. ABC would be wise to revive the entire spot with the same soundtrack and just substitute its current lineup of shows for the ones featured here. THANK YOU for sharing this great film." -GoodguyNYS

"OMG, where was this found? I've been searching for this for years. Geez, that brings back memories. I was 11 and that house by the highway and the livingroom with that gorgeous console tv just waiting to be turned on to one of my favorite networks back then. Now 48, it feels like yesterday. Geez!" -Independentman41

What do you think? I'm actually thinking of the U2 3D IMAX movie they're playing down at the Aquarium. We went to see it the other day and towards the end there's this crazy visual effect with words and messages flashing on the screen, raining down from above, and zooming toward you. The messages combine and rotate and dissolve and lose their meaning, drawing you into a hypnotic state, all while Bono reaches out and programs something in your mind that I'm convinced we'll all find out about some day soon when a code phrase in the media triggers the brainwashed masses, who will have nothing in common besides the fact that they watched this U2 movie, but will all bond together as "One" and will overthrow President Bush and open the borders and we'll all be one big happy American family, North and South together for the first time. Coexist. Ahhhhh.

Okay Avery, Here's a Podcast

At long last, it's time for my first podcast. Featuring electronic music mostly, with songs from Vampire Weekend, Hot Chip, Glass Candy, Martin Rev, MIA, and more.

Avery, I'm posting now. Thanks for the encouragement, happy birthday, and congrats on the latest kid. We really should catch up. Okay, I'll stop talking to you through my blog now.

I lied about the Scotland Pics, but here's a Rodeo...

Not too thrilled with these, but I had to get them finished for Clear Channel. They could use a lot more work. Probably one of the more challenging light situations I've dealt with.

Rebrand Nearly Complete

... but sometimes, you just want the logo a little bigger...

Scotland photos coming soon.

So i just got the data recovered from my late laptop's hard drive, including all the photos I took in Scotland last year for my mother's wedding. Ironically, that marriage is already over... I'm still toying with all the creative ways I can blot out this guy's mug in all the pictures from Edinburgh. If you have ideas, please send them on to me.

But anyways, I had a great time in Glasgow especially. Design nerds should definitely make a point of visiting- it's a city full of creative energy, and I really did not want to leave. Ever. I still dream of moving there.

But it rains all the time, and it was raining most of the time I was there, and I didn't have my good lens at that point, so the photos were a little lackluster. The one on my homepage now I took on Argyle street, and it's looking across the street at the Radisson SAS, which is a brand new and quite brilliant building. I stopped in and asked about the architects, but that information is on a long-lost piece of paper. I'm sure google will come through when I get a minute to think about it. In the mean time, stay tuned because there were a handful of images worth taking the time to process and post here.

I got to see The Lighthouse, one of the most impressive museums I've seen, and by far the best view in the city. I also got to see Greenland on that trip.

Floyd Landis, my homeboy

Bikes are Cheaper than New Houses

Because bikes are cheaper than new houses, I bought one. Well, okay, that's not really a good reason to buy a bike. I bought it because I need a lower-impact activity to cross-train a bit due to the arthritis, and because I'm going to stomp on my buddy Greg's neck when we get in shape this spring. You ready Greg? And it was also one of those great deals that can (and did) lead to seller's remorse if you take too long to accept it.

It's a Merlin Fortius, black, titanium, Campi, not exactly what's pictured here but close enough.

Here's what Merlin has to say about it:

Named for its strength and durability, the Fortius is an excellent introduction to the performance of titanium. We have combined our renowned compact geometry with handcrafted 3/2.5 titanium tubing for the perfect blend of stiffness, light weight, and durability. We offer compact frame designs because of the performance benefits they deliver, not because they are trendy or cheaper to make. The Fortius, just like its brethren the Magia and Agilis, provides better climbing and acceleration from the lighter frame weight and small rear triangle.

Stiff and responsive are the adjectives most commonly used to describe the Tom Kellogg signature, compact frame geometry.

High speed descents are nothing to fear as the oversized 1 3/8" down tube provides rock-solid stability and confidence.

The ideal fit is a snap with five different sizes.

Not only is the Merlin brushed finish indestructable, it's the most beautiful in the industry.

Now I just need to get one of these sweet Rock Creek Hincapie cycling jerseys. Blast! I just remembered that I wanted to take that photo again because the right side's pulled up a bit on the mannequin. The work never ends...

That's a lot of Salmonella

So I finally got around to checking the numbers on my Peter Pan peanut butter. Mine is the bad batch. So, I opened it out of curiosity to see how much I had eaten. Well, it was a lot...

I guess I either have a strong stomach or I just bought the lucky one that didn't get the bug. What a PR nightmare.

Patagonia LEED Certified Warehouse

More thoughts on the enviro-house. This is a video from Patagonia's LEED-certified warehouse operation. Some points to take home: light colored paving tiles, light colored roof. They also talk about runoff control and separation tanks that remove oil from the water. My house will probably be up on pilotis, and won't be big enough for this to be much of a problem, but I would like to have a cistern of some sort collecting water for re-use around the property.

Patagonia, with founder Yvon Chouinard at the helm, has consistently pushed the environmental agenda over the last few decades. Chouinard helped build much-needed economies of scale for things like Organic Cotton and started an organization focused on giving 1% of revenues back to the environment.

House Book

I ran into a sweet deal at McKay's this weekend. The House Book, from Phaidon, one of my favorite architecture books that I've never owned. $5. Can't beat it. The lady at checkout told me that architecture was her section and they had about 10 of them originally. There was still one left if you live in the Chattanooga area.

Here's what Amazon says about it:

The House Book presents a vibrant and fresh view of architects and designers responsible for some of the most diverse international houses of all time. From Hadrian's Villa to Palladio's Villa Rotunda and Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye through to the contemporary houses of Richard Rogers and Frank Gehry, it features the widest range of both architect-designed and traditional dwellings.

Stoked. I'll have to post some of the ideas I pull out of there. Some of the classics I saw in there were the Case Study house Charles and Ray Eames built and lived in until their death, of course the Farnsworth House that I've mentioned before, and one other house I love that's like Farnsworth and is catilevered over a stream but I can't remember what it's called- I'll have to get back to you on that one.

Preliminary Design Brief for the New House

I've been thinking a lot lately about building a new house, and I'm (finally) getting close to the point where I might actually be able to afford something. I'm currently paying almost nothing for rent, which gives me the luxury of waiting out a long custom construction project that wouldn't otherwise be feasible.

So, I'm working now on a design brief for the architect, and I've created a new category here ("Designs for My New House." Pretty catchy title, eh?) where I will keep track of the progress and record my sources of inspiration and any relevant research.

The basic idea will be something like Phillip Johnson's Glass House in an urban setting, not so much like the condos going in in Manhattan, nor the club in Pomona, but more like an upright version of the Farnsworth House (go look it up yourself, I'm tired... and tired of linking).

So far, my basic requirements/design challenges are:

Privacy: How do you make a glass house private and appropriate to a city?

Efficiency: How to push the envelope on sustainable design and green building practices while remaining on budget? Haven't found a very good way yet, but am very interested in research grants, tax credits, or just whoring the house out to the press... whatever it takes. Input here would be great.

Modular Design: Can the house start small, with additions planned for future uses, as the need arises and money becomes available? Also, how do you maximize the flexibility of the space, so walls and furniture can be moved around to make room for a party or for new, unanticipated uses?

Visual Impact: I haven't located a lot yet, but I'd like to be on the top of a hill in North Chattanooga, so how do I build in such a way that maximizes the view, engages with whatever natural features there may be (trees, rock formations, etc.) and yet does not stick out like a sore thumb. This will probably be primarily dependent on sensitive color and materials. I like the idea of engaging with the history of a place through materials, but applying a modern sensibility by using those materials in an unexpected way. For example, the Rural Studio's incredible re-use of junk materials like car windshields, carpet tiles, road signs, tires, etc. "One man's junk..." cliche fits here. See how they used cardboard in Newbern, AL.

Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.

Sick sense of humor

I don't know why I think this is so funny, but it just is.

Thanks to The Piton.

gapingvoid cartoons and the Rise of the Creative Class: a long rant

Notes from last Sunday: (this Sunday's update coming soon)

So on the heels of a pretty crazy night (think: St. Johns Meeting Place >> SJMP Bar >> CBC out in Brainerd >> some other bar I've never hear of >> Electric Cowboy) navigating the cultural spectrum that is Chattanooga, along with a couple pretty heated arguments with my friends and housemate, I've been reading Richard Florida's book, The Rise of the Creative Class, and I just ended up reading this creativity manifesto on gapingvoid.com.

Yesterday I started the day off by putting around the house and reading, then I went running in a wilderness area (seven miles- I'm very proud of myself because my motivation has been lacking all winter).

After the run, three of my good friends and I went out to St. John's, where I saw one of my favorite artists in town, talked with a business associate who shall go un-named about how obnoxious designers can be (another rant for another time, but really, guys, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but try to meet payroll sometime and see how easy it is to compromise art for commerce), met the principal of a local interactive agency who's also from North Carolina, ran into another design guy who I had seen at a party the night before at my filmmaker friend's house, etc...

Sounds like fun, right? Well, the friends I was with were not interested. We went to St. John's to do something different that what we always do, to see new people that we don't always see- which I think we did. But these guys were not mature enough to actually enjoy it, and it devolved into a night of east Brainerd redneck fun. Now these guys are not particularly rednecks; they're actually fairly well off and pretty much typical of the people I grew up with in Raleigh- the polo-wearing boat shoe set that my other friends enjoy poking fun at me about. But doesn't that make it worse? Doing something ironically that would have sucked even if we were doing it in all earnestness? I have to say I knew what I was getting into, but I went because a) I didn't have anything else to do and b) I knew it would be an interesting cultural experience, which it was, in a sense.

But really, man wasn't made to go from Duck Confit + arugula, to jello shooters in one night. It's just too much, and on the heels of all the big questions I've been asking about whether Chattanooga is really a place I can live long term or not, it kind of pushed me over the edge.

So I was miserable, and ranting about it, fairly incoherently I might add.

]]> But I finally am starting to figure out what makes me tick, why exactly I have such deeply held beliefs that others find obnoxious or snobbish. Florida's book explains that knowledge workers, people in creative positions- artists, writers, ad guys, designers, marketers, and the like- have basically emerged as a powerful and culture-defining new class, driving politics and basically shaping history. And creative people need certain things to make this new economy function.

The creative class barely knows of its own existence (I have always known that my motivations weren't like those of my parents or grandparents, but I never knew exactly why). Now there are of course a number of issues with Florida's work that could be raised, but the compelling core truth is that this new breed of people creates and demands a new kind of social organization- a new culture of diversity, flexibility, and creative stimulation. For creative people, money just doesn't matter as much as lifestyle. Florida calls it the three T's: technology, talent, and tolerance, and any city providing or catering to those three T's will have economic success driven by this new creative class.

Okay all that I can go along with, and certainly Chattanooga isn't the worst city in terms of the three T's, even though it has almost zero tolerance; it is an overwhelmingly conservative town. Ironically much of that conservatism comes from the very business leaders who would benefit most from a tolerant community that drew more creative class members.

One of the leading indicators of the economic success of a city or region, according to Florida's statistical analysis, is the "Gay Index," an indicator of the number of coupled gays living in an area. The higher the index, the more tolerant a community must be.

So now, in all this thinking about myself as a member of a new class that I didn't know existed, I'm also considering my own little slice of that pie- my own personal experience with tolerance (St. John's & the very gay-friendly bar there) and intolerance (Electric Cowboy & the ridiculously intolerant redneck culture there: think of a bunch of slutty women and sneering men protecting their turf with comments like "whatchu' lookin' at? you wanna' go?")

Enter Hugh MacLeod's gapingvoid manifesto, and my own struggles with who to spend time with and when and how. This guy is really smart, and he has come to many of the same conclusions as Florida, just from his own personal experience. He offers some good advice:

In order to navigate The New Realities you have to be creative- not just within your particular profession, but in EVERYTHING. Your way of looking at the world will need to become ever more fertile and original. And this isn't just true for artists, writers, techies, Creative Directors and CEOs; this is true for EVERYBODY. Janitors, receptionists and bus drivers, too. The game has just been ratcheted up a notch.

The old ways are dead. And you need people around you who concur.

That means hanging out more with the creative people, the freaks, the real visionaries, than you're already doing. Thinking more about what their needs are, and responding accordingly. It doesn't matter what industry we're talking about- architecture, advertising, petrochemicals- they're around, they're easy enough to find if you make the effort, if you've got something worthwhile to offer in return. Avoid the dullards; avoid the folk who play it safe. They can't help you any more. Their stability model no longer offers that much stability. They are extinct, they are extinction.

So that sounds good. That's the goal: spend time with the people who have something to offer creatively, who push you to think and work harder. Actively avoid those who do not.

He also talks about the "pissed off gene," which I definitely found within myself this particular Saturday night. But, it's not all bad:

Human beings have this thing I call the "Pissed Off Gene". It's that bit of our psyche that makes us utterly dissatisfied with our lot, no matter how kindly fortune smiles upon us.
It's there for a reason. Back in our early caveman days being pissed off made us more likely to get off our butt, get out of the cave and into the tundra hunting wooly mammoth, so we'd have something to eat for supper. It's a survival mechanism. Damn useful then, damn useful now.

It's this same Pissed Off Gene that makes us want to create anything in the first place- drawings, violin sonatas, meat packing companies, websites. This same gene drove us to discover how to make a fire, the wheel, the bow and arrow, indoor plumbing, the personal computer, the list is endless.

Part of understanding the creative urge is understanding that it's primal. Wanting to change the world is not a noble calling, it's a primal calling.

We think we're "providing a superior integrated logistic system" or "helping America to really taste freshness". In fact we're just pissed off and want to get the hell out of the cave and kill the woolly mammoth.

Your business either lets you go hunt the woolly mammoth or it doesn't. Of course, like so many white-collar jobs these days, you might very well be offered a ton of money to sit in the corner-office cave and pretend that you're hunting. That is sad. What's even sadder is if you agree to take the money. LINK

So this comes full circle: my friends wanted to go to the redneck bar because they wanted to see some t & a- a primal urge, right? Caveman shit. But I, as a creative person, have the same primal urge in a completely different direction. I want to change the world, change Chattanooga first, but change the world ultimately. And I'm pissed off. And that's not a bad thing. But I guess a little t & a isn't either.

Like I said, this was last Sunday, I just never posted it. This weekend ended up being much more interesting.

MiniHome Sustainable Modern Housing

Check out the MiniHome- it's an environmentally sustainable new modern house design.

Here's what they have to say about it:

Recipe for a good idea:

1. Take the familiar - The lowly Travel Trailer
2. Build it to last, and be easy to maintain
3. Make 350 sf feel like 600 sf
3. Use only Green materials
4. Add Off-Grid, Solar and Wind systems
5. Let it run on biodiesel
6. Keyword: Multi-functional
7. Keep it extremely light on the land
8. Make it beautiful

Combine all of the above into a package easily deliverable by truck anywhere in North America, that can set up on arrival in less than an hour.

Sit back, and hopefully watch it transform the both trailer park and suburb into the new American landscape of affordable, green domestic architecture.

The miniHome uses 1/100th the electricity,
1/10th the fuel,
1/10th the materials,
and 1/10th the water of the average, 2000sf home.

Source: http://www.sustain.ca/

Thanks to Treehugger for the tip on this one.

Also, check this out: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/10/sunpowers_new_s.php

PS- on a personal note: "Hey, look, I'm blogging again! Not too much, just a little here and there to keep me sane and start up some dialogue with old friends."

Arc'Teryx Acrux 40 Pack

Acrux 40 Backpack by Arc'Teryx

Hey there everyone. I've been busy and not online for a while, and here's why: I recently launched an affiliate program with RockCreek.com, and this is a test of the technology behind that.

This link takes you to the new Arc'Teryx Acrux 40 Backpack. This beautiful pack offers the ultimate in stream-lined simplicity. Features such as rear bungee, AC2 Fusion Point� anchored side compression straps and flush mounted stretch woven back panel are all laminated on using AC2 technology.

Here's a dynamic coupon script that automatically updates with current coupons from the site: