Theremin Lust

I am in love with the sound of this instrument, especially when there is just a little vibrato added.  I really want to try and learn how to play one of these!  To play, there are two antennas, the vertical controls the pitch, and the horizontal changes the volume.  You don't touch the instrument at all.  It is the same principle as getting better TV reception when you stand close to the antenna.  This is Clara Rockmore, she was one of the first to use the theremin for music, and not just eerie sound effects.  She's got plenty of videos posted on Youtube if you want to further check her out!

And now, just to show you the versatility of this instrument, a song that's a little more familiar.  This guy uses a theremin along with Ableton Live, a drum kit, and a piano:

weeo weeeeeeoooooooooo

Ron English "Abrahama" Interview

Has anyone seen the large mural with Abraham Lincoln's head with Barack Obama's face on it, over behind the dog park near Boren & Pine?  Here is a short interview with the artist who created it:

it's actually called Re-bar

it's actually called Re-bar
Originally uploaded by praank

barbar or rebar? redundant

barbar or rebar? redundant
Originally uploaded by praank

sexy Grandma

sexy Grandma
Originally uploaded by praank

Cornify

I wasn't having a very good day today, chalk it up to clients that don't have a single clue of what they are doing. Two things salvaged my otherwise shitty day:

1. Layer Tennis had it's opening day today. I remember back in the day (circa 2003) I was all about Photoshop Tennis, playing against other designers across the world. We all met up in a graphic design forum that I used to frequent quite regularly. The idea is one person makes a composition, saves it, and sends the file to his opponent. The opponent then can use anything in the file, or add to it, to create a 'volley' and it goes back and forth.

2. (just click it, and understand my joy)

A few side notes, not necessarily worthy of separate posts: it is official that I am moving to Colorado at the end of the month... I am very excited to be moving, even though I do love Seattle. Between a gut instinct I have, and a tarot reading, I think this big change is going to be exactly what I need to get started on my career. The cherry on top is that Booka Shade is going to be performing in Denver in March. For those that don't know, Booka Shade is my all time favorite electronica group, and I've been patiently waiting to see them live for quite some time! Can't wait! They are performing at the Beta Lounge which, I believe is owned and operated by the same people as Beatport. Looking at their lineup, they pull pretty significant headliners every Thursday, Friday & Saturday, and I've also heard that the sound quality of their system is top notch. I have a feeling I am going to be spending a lot of time there.

Also: HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!

[you need to post on your blog more!!!!!! ;)]

DUH... Cash4Gold is a scam

Maybe Cash4Gold's much talked about Superbowl Ad wasn't such a great idea... The internet is now swarming with stories about how people are getting ripped off, and paid only a third of what their gold was really worth. Two things strike me as peculiarly strange about all of this, and they both include a lack of common sense: 1)Why would anyone trust this company to appraise your valuables without a second opinion? 2)Who at Cash4Gold thought that a Superbowl ad, increasing visibility of this scam, would benefit the company? The more people get ripped off, the more word spreads. You think this can't get any better? A former employee of Cash4Gold has written a fairly detailed rundown of the scam, which has been reposted on a popular consumer-watch website, Consumerist... this is getting too good. And this is why I love infomercials!

via Good, and the rest of the internet.

PLUS more from silly TV scams, does anyone remember those Extenze commercials? Total scam. I'm not sure which is funnier, the fact that it obviously looks like a scam and people still buy the product, or the fact that people are willing to admit they needed a product like this.

via JoeMyGod.

Perez Hiltion has "The Clap"

This is borderline ridiculous, but I LOLed a couple of times! This video is from Another Gay Movie: Gays Gone Wild! I'm going to have to check it out, looks hillarious! Who can forget the original, Another Gay Movie from 2006!?

Superbowl Logos: Past, Present & Future

The Superbowl isn't just about football. It also marks a very important day in Advertising & Marketing strategies. I always get excited about sporting event logos and advertisements because it offers a great snapshot into current design trends. These logos and advertisements are targeted at a huge demographic--the majority of the US population that is watching this game. The New York times ran a great article about the history of the Superbowl logos. I just wanted to show the progression of the logo over the last 43 years (go here for a nice collection of all Superbowl logos of years past):

This year's logo (XLIII) has gotten some harsh criticism, but I don't think it is that bad. I personally enjoy some of the simplicity in this year's logo, even though I do agree with some remarks that the logo looks to be inspired by the Bank of America logo. The last exciting part about the Superbowl (logo wise) is that they announce the next logo, a year in advance:

I'm really digging this new design for the 2010 Superbowl in Miami. It sure beats the "shield" design motif that has been (over)used for the past 25 years. I also think the perspective lines make this logo pop more than in the past. What are your thoughts?

Hmmmm... now I want some chips, guacamole, and a beer!