Graphic Design and Social Activism

p.s. - please let me know if I should even continue writing this blog. no one seems to be that enthused.

Update

So I don't know that anyone actually reads my blog anymore, but just in case you do, I thought I'd give you a super quick update on my life.

It's almost football season and even though I don't think the Longhorns have what it takes this year, I'm STOKED. I've really been into this website, bleacherreport.com. You can write and post articles that actually get used on major websites quite frequently. It's fun.

I just started going to Christian counseling. I'm hoping to get some things figured out. I think it's going to be good.

I got back from Africa about a month ago and I can't remember if I've gone into detail, but will if prompted. It was a GREAT trip that stirred up a lot of thoughts and emotions. It's hard getting readjusted to life here. It happens whether you want it or not.

Things are kinda shaky at work. I enjoy my job, but a newspaper is not the most stable industry out there right now. They've laid off a lot of pple recently and while my dept seems safe, ya never know. I don't really have a backup plan, so I guess I should start looking now for jobs. If you know of anything for a graphic designer, please let me know asap.

I'm still dating Lindsey, and it's going pretty well. She's an amazing person and we enjoy a lot of the same things. It's great.

On the 14th, I'm going back to Texas for the first time since Christmas. I'm really excited to see my momma! and sis, and dad and be in the greatest state in the country. It'll be nice to get some decent TexMex and BBQ in me. Hopefully there won't be any more Hurricanes and the temp will drop below 100. Hey, remember when hurricanes used to hit Florida and not Texas/Louisiana? I preferred those days.

I went to Boston for the first time about 2 months ago, it was so tight! I guess that's not that recent, but what is is that I lost my Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs hats. They have big meaning to me and I'm pretty bummed. The Red Sox hat had been to Boston and seen a couple games at Fenway (which is breath-taking) and Kenya! The Cubs hat, which was the old school version is kinda rare and I bought it at Wrigley on my only trip to Chicago. If you see either one, let me know.

Ok that's it for now! Write me please!

CHEEEEEEEESE

Kind of...sorry...cheesy, but interesting none the less. Muenster is my favorite cheese and favorite part of the video.

This video doesn't stop getting weirder and weirder

Make me fries!

Pretty funny stuff. This song technically has no official words, so I guess it's possible.

Jonesin' for some college football

My all time favorite hit:



these aren't bad either:



Don't you miss Keith Jackson?





My Favorite Longhorn of all time:





Vince was pretty special too:



pretty well produced, but maybe a little long

Greatest moment of my life:


I prefer the Craig Way call, it reminds me of Hungerbusters and Blizzards.

Gah, it's time to break out the Rose Bowl dvd and a box of kleenex.

Forget Norway!

Um I don't quite get this, and it isn't accurate, but it's kinda funny. Pause when they're on the map the first time and read what it says about pee.

Holy Moley, Check this out

This is amazing! I don't know about the safety of logistics, but it's a great concept. At the end of the video, the car winks!

THE BEST video I've seen in a long time

so many highlights. I don't even know where to begin.

This is what I'm stressin'

There's just no justice in the world. Or maybe I'm just super jealous. I dunno but you gotta see this...

MISMATCH!

One of these things is not like the other.

Finally a dating site for my kinfolk!

A blast from the past

Hey kids, I'm back...momentarily. Check out these hilarious videos

My new favorite blog....(besides my own)....

Tirico Suave


www.tiricosuave.com
brilliant and hilarious comparision of musical acts to teams in the NBA draft lottery.
I love #5 & #7!

Kenya!

So I'm about 6 weeks away from heading to Kenya for my mission trip with the church. It's becoming a little more real, now that I've gotten all my shots and pills and some support money has started to come in. It's been an interesting process to say the least.

I've had some things go on in my personal life that have really made me question whether I deserve to go or not. I've made some mistakes that make me ashamed when I think about all of the things I said in my support letter and the generosity some have shown. People have put their faith in God's mission and my participation in that through prayer and financial support, and yet I have been so selfish and stubborn at times.

Ultimately I am learning about grace, love, mercy and God's plan in a much more personal way than I had been previously. Although I don't think most pple know about these struggles, I just want to apologize for letting anyone down or the potential to do so if they were to dig deeper into who I've been lately.

With that being said, (and here's where I begin to feel extra slimey,) I have not reached my financial goal. I'm only about 1/3 of the way to $3,500 and I still need your support. If you have not given to this cause, please consider it. We are building an orphanage in one village, and a clean water system in another. We are helping people and this is your chance to be apart of this. This is not some kind of vacation for me, it's work. I'm honored to do it.

So again if you haven't given, please consider it. here's the info, and if you'd like to read my original support letter you can on facebook or just look in the archives of this blog:

If you would like to partner with my Kenya mission trip team through giving, you can do so two ways:

* By Check:
1. Checks should be made out to Buckhead Church
2. Memo Line should read: Kenya June 26th – July 6th
3. Mail check to me at 4735 Roswell Rd. NE, apt. 221 Atlanta, GA 30342
* By Online Contribution: The church has created a secure way for you to donate online. You can do this by:

1. Going to http://www.globalxm.org/
2. Clicking on ‘Donate Now’.
3. Once you get to this page, PLEASE be sure to properly allocate the funds by choosing the following at the GlobalX Trip Information part of the page.
o Country: Kenya
o Trip: Kenya Buckhead Anyone – 06/26/08 - 07/06/08
o Individual: Your Name


My info:

Michael Bergman
4735 Roswell Rd NE. Apt 221
Atlanta, Ga. 30342
michaelgbergman@hotmail.com
936-676-2973

p.s. - guilt comin' at ya!

Texas & SI

Here are some of Texas' appearances on SI. I particularly like the top one. It's classic yet retro without seeming too corny or outdated. The "Superman" cover is obviously pretty special too.

Welcome to the Gallery

Here's some cool art I found, check it!

Moustache May

Hey gang, sorry I've been away for so long, but I'm about to hit you with all kinds of cool stuff...hopefully...unless I get lazy, which is quite possible.

Here's the first thing. This reminds me of a couple of friends and a project I did back in college. We too appreciated the disgustingness of the 'stache.

http://www.moustachemay.com/home/

Poor Aggies!

Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne has held an annual "state of the program" discussion with Aggie fans throughout his tenure. More than 1,200 people turned out for Byrne's most recent session earlier this month.

One of the most intriguing questions asked his reasoning for the Aggies' move last year from Nike to adidas as the department's primary apparel provider.

The San Antonio Express-News reported that Byrne detailed a meeting with a Nike representative in which he requested a similar deal as A&M's major rival, Texas.

Byrne said he was offended when the Nike official told him, "You're not as good as they are and you're probably never going to be." That blunt assessment, Byrne said, made his move to adidas easier. The adidas deal also provides more money for A&M than their Nike offer, Byrne said.

plop plop NO FIZ

call me communist if you want, but I like my carbonated beverages flat. so!

NFL Draft

It's not sexy when a team takes an offensive lineman as the #1 overall pick in the draft. It has no cache and just kinda ruins things because you never notice o-linemen. He could be a big bust and you'd never know if he's not on your team.

It's also kinda lame when teams agree to a contract with a player before they make the pick on draft day. No speculation or possible trade ups by other teams. Boring.

So when a team (Dolphins) decides to take an o-lineman with the first pick and signs him (weeks?) before the draft, it's almost as unsexy as your parents getting it on.

Probably my all-time favorite dunker...

Just like Vince Carter, this guy was just insanely nasty. Odd that probably the 2 filthiest dunkers of all time just didn't have the drive to be actual great players. Oh well, I enjoy the dunks.

KENYA

hey kids, I thought I'd post my support letter about Africa. It gives a little more detail about what I'll be doing over there and why. It also tells you a little bit about my experience with missions, and just generally who I am. I don't expect anyone to help with support, that's not the reason I'm posting it, but if you feel like you want to, I'll definitely appreciate it. More than anything, I just want you guys to be thinking and praying about the whole expereince. Thanks!

April 12, 2008

Dear Friends and Family,

Hello! It’s been a while since we’ve talked, so I thought I would write you to let you know about a couple of big new developments going on in my life. I’m sure you know that I now live in Atlanta, Ga where I work at the newspaper as a graphic designer. I really enjoy my job and am so thankful for the opportunity to do something I love. It’s difficult to be away from home sometimes, but I love the chance I get to spread my wings and really explore what my place in the world is. I apologize for not keeping you more updated in this busy, exciting stage of my life.
One of the other major developments in my life since I’ve moved here is my involvement in a local church. I’ve been involved with church, to some degree, for most of my life, but have really begun to experience some new things and revaluate my idea of “church” since becoming involved at Buckhead Church. I really feel free here because Buckhead Church isn’t stuck in tradition or afraid to ask questions about why we do things related to church. Their desire to earnestly pursue a relationship with God has meant so much to me. Privileged
One of the way that Buckhead Church has influenced my change as a person is in the way of service. I have always been somewhat of a selfish person, and am still working on it, but have really began to put others above myself with the aid and encouragement of Buckhead Church and its programs. I am involved in a few programs here that reach a variety of people from children to the homeless.
I recently made a huge decision in this process of hopefully becoming more selfless by thinking of and helping those in need. I have decided to go on a, for lack of a better term, mission trip to Kenya from June 26th to July 6th to help some underprivileged children and villages. I hesitate to say “mission trip” because that always conjures up images of old fashion white protestant men going out to convert the weird, foreign heathens. Hopefully, that’s not what you think of, but honestly for me it is or at least was. I’ve never been big on pushing my beliefs on other people and feel that spirituality is such a sacred and personal thing that it seems ridiculously wrong to just insensitively force who I am upon someone else. I’ve always thought, how can I as a imperfect flawed person tell others how they should act and what they should believe.
My view of mission trips began to change when I met people through church that have actually been on mission trips and hearing their experiences. Missions for them has nothing to do with forcing who they are upon others or being perfect, but instead, loving others so much that they desire to meet the needs of those people who truly need it. In fact, none of the many many mission trips associated with Buckhead Church and its partners are specifically about sharing out our religious beliefs. They are essentially big service projects across the world, and all about loving your neighbor. This has me excited and is exactly why I have decided to become a part of that.
I’d like to tell you a little bit about my trip specifically and what we’ll be doing over in Kenya. The group I’m going with will be comprised of about 25 members of Buckhead Church and we are partnering with the 410 Bridge (www.410bridge.org), a really cool organization that aims to keep a constant presence in Kenya by organizing various churches and groups so that there is always someone there helping the people in Kenya in their daily life. Generally when people come over to help it’s kind of like a Santa Claus syndrome where we just show up, drop off some gifts and help a little and then leave and hope everything goes ok. 410 Bridge makes sure this doesn’t happen. Check out the website, it’s really cool, and you can see a short video of some things we might be doing there, as well as get info on all kinds of stuff like some of the villages we will be helping.
We will generally be based in Nairobi, but the villages will be helping in are Ngaamba and Githurai, which are both somewhat close to Nairobi.
In Ngaamba we will be assisting in phase 2 of the water project. We will be constructing Gabion walls for erosion protection for the water project. Which means that the rock walls will help keep the rivers from flooding. We will possibly begin construction of a secondary school.
In Githurai at the Havilla Children's Home we will be constructing new dormitory building for the kids, new classrooms, furnishings for new home, dining hall and kitchen building. This project is unique and will be a one-time service opportunity.
Kenya is currently going through tremendous turmoil as they struggle to cope with a controversial presidential election. Currently over 1,000 people have died and over 300,000 people have been displaced because of the violence following the December 27 election. God has truly placed these people and their situation on my heart and I can’t wait to serve him there.
Another reason I am writing this letter is because I need your support in whatever way that may manifest itself. If you pray, please do so for us. If you light incense and rub crystals, then light it up for us. But most of all, I would love you to be at least thinking about me, my team and the people of Kenya.
In addition I invite you to support our group financially if you feel led to do so. Each of us must raise $3,500 by June 6th. I also have to get about $700 worth of shots and immunizations and pills just to go over there. If you feel led to make a financial gift, please make the check out to Buckhead Church and mail to the below address. All contributions are tax deductible as long as you don’t put my name on the check and every little bit is greatly appreciated! I definitely don’t have the means to go over there on my own. There is also the option to donate online by visiting Buckhead Church’s Missions website at www.globalxm.org and click “Donate Now”. (That method is also tax deductible I believe.) On the country select Kenya and then on the trip, select “Kenya Buckhead Anyone, Dates June 26th – July 6th.”
It’s kind of tricky, you would need to indicate that the money is going towards my part of the trip cost, but if you intend to write it off on your taxes, my name cannot be on the check. Crazy government! I feel kind of bad asking you for money, but the only thing that makes it a little easier for me is that I know that it’s not really for me, it’s for the people of Kenya. You’re helping me help others, and that’s pretty cool. So whatever way you might choose to help this cause, I greatly appreciate it!

If you would like to partner with my Kenya mission trip team through giving, you can do so two ways:

* By Check:
1. Checks should be made out to Buckhead Church
2. Memo Line should read: Kenya June 26th – July 6th
3. Mail check to me at 4735 Roswell Rd. NE, apt. 221 Atlanta, GA 30342
* By Online Contribution: The church has created a secure way for you to donate online. You can do this by:

1. Going to http://www.globalxm.org/
2. Clicking on ‘Donate Now’.
3. Once you get to this page, PLEASE be sure to properly allocate the funds by choosing the following at the GlobalX Trip Information part of the page.
o Country: Kenya
o Trip: Kenya Buckhead Anyone – 06/26/08 - 07/06/08
o Individual: Your Name



Sincerely,


Michael Bergman

4735 Roswell Rd NE. Apt 221

Atlanta, Ga. 30342

michaelgbergman@hotmail.com

936-676-2973

Lo siento

Sorry I've been outta touch lately kids. I've been so busy. I have a girlfriend, who's awesome and I'm getting ready for Africa and all kinds of other stuff. Hopefully I'll be back soon. Any suggestions on the next post?

neglect

I think I've lost my ability to draw well. bummer.

bullseye!

Artist: Cold War Kids lyrics
Album: Robbers & Cowards
Year: 2006
Title: Hair Down


Conversations that went on terrible paths
don't talk about that
No no, don't talk about that
We're coming back loud
and end this conversation

Said you let your hair down
you got enough to go round, oh mine
Said you let your hair down
but you've been telling me that since the day we meet

She's laughing like a choir girl
She's laughing like a choir girl
She's laughing like a choir girl
when she doubles over sounds like Hallelujah

She's talking to my mother
She's on the phone with my mother
She's talking to my mother
She's looking up at me like I'm a criminal

She bargains like a lawyer
sacrifice like a martyr
She's just her mother's daughter
cutting cloth and washing a pan

Man, we were still just babies
dreaming of the sixties
Man, we were still just babies
dressing up in rags with our wallets full

Now our pockets are shallow
our quart running low
I saw their empty but I'm just a fool
A woman in the kitchen told me that true love it waits
but of all the rules he lives by that's the one that he hates

hilarious video!

I'll know I'm old when...

I find Robin Williams' movies funny.

There will be a day that I'm in a movie theatre just rolling with laughter and I stop dead in my tracks in realization of the fact that I am suddenly old. It will be a sad sad day.

Diese Mädchen sind schön!

www.tokiohotel.com

prepubescent emocore bands are tigerbeat-licious!

thoughts o' the day

1. Seagulls are not that great. Ok, so I bought a new alarm clock, and it has a bunch of bells and whistles including "soothing" sounds to put you to sleep. One of them is the sound of the ocean. I thought that this would be my favorite by far, but after listening to it I've decided that seagulls are effing annoying. Seriously I just want the whoosh sound, not a bunch of high pitched squeel screams in my ear when I'm trying to sleep. I mean honestly the only time we really enjoy that sound is when it's faint and far away. So would we really miss those birds if they were completely gone? I submit that we would not. Also, has anyone ever done the thing where you feed a seagull an alka-seltzer and it makes their insides explode? Yeah I guess it's kinda cruel, but it seems neat as all get out. I wanted to do it one time when I was in Boy Scouts, but my stupid scout master was being a bee-yotch. Mr. Gipson...or was it Gibson? I dunno, but he and his punk-arse kid were annoying. Plus he looked like this dude on Star Trek. No I'm not a Trekkie. Star Wars 4 Life!

p.s.- Englebert Humperdink has a song about homosexual seagulls. Yeah his name is awesome. This concludes the seagull portion of my thoughts.

2. Dangit, I know I had more thoughts than this...

3. SXSW (south by southwest) is coming up. I actually never went during the 5 years I lived in Austin, but it's a super cool event and I support it whole-heartedly. I hope it doesn't get much more popular though. There's a blog that I've mentioned before (gorilla vs. bear) that will be hosting/dj'ing a bunch of parties/shows during the weekend. they've got a bunch of playlists of some of the bands/artists coming on this website that I just discovered: imeem.com It's pretty cool. It's a lot like myspace but a little sleeker and way more geared towards music and video geeks. Anyways, check out his playlist and blog and check out info on SXSW. I like The Cool Kids in particular. Straight outta Chi-town! The beats are durty! that thought was heavily saturated with /s.

4. Gah I miss Austin. someone please help me plan a trip.

5. I like being a graphic designer.

6. Niko Cafe & Deli on Broad St. makes a mean salad. Moe's anywhere makes a punk-arse burrito.

7. Laughing is fun.

I'm going here...

this is the website of the parent organization organizing or facilitating the mission trip I'm going on in June/July: http://www.410bridge.org/
If you go to the "where we serve" and go to the Joska village, you can see a really cool video. I'm going to Ngaamba, but you can get an idea. I'm getting stoked! Pray for Kenya and yer boy!

Random thoughts from the weekend...

1. Indian food is very good if you get the right thing. The rice is different, and gooood.
2. 10,000 B.C. was a BAD movie.
3. Texas won the Big 12 regular season championship and my favorite NBA team (Phoenix) beat my least favorite team (San Antonio) , so it was a good basketball weekend.
4. Lindsey has cool style and is attractive.
5. Trivial Pursuit isn't fun when you're getting hosed by the question selection gods.
6. I ate pretty heartily and heavily, I gotta chill and get more consistent in my workout.
7. my phone broke. me angry.
8. I can't roller skate and I wish I could.
9. lust is bad.
10. I love my small group fellas.

I'm real.

faint of stomach be warned:

you know you're in trouble when a dude comes barrelling in the bathroom like he's just seen a great white shark, and almost knocks over the stall when trying to get to the toilet.

so it should be of no surprise when that dude's crap smells so incredibly bad that you have to quit your session because you're afraid the air in the room may be toxic now.

My werk pt. dos

Alright kiddos, here is some more of my graphic design that I've done at the AJC. Let me know what you think. Be honest. brutally honest.

Here's a piece that started out much more modern and clean but was changed through a number of revisions into this. I don't hate it, I mean it works, I just like the previous version a little better. I'm still proud of it though. My previous idea is below it.

Next are a couple of ads we did for a promotion with the Braves. I was really proud of this one. I had less creative restrictions and the campaign was huge. It included: print elements (in the paper, posters at Turner field), online elements (banner advertisements on ajc.com and braves.com, and email blasts), a tv slide that would pop up during the games while you were watching, and some of it was even seen on the LED boards and jumbo-tron at Turner Field. I was very proud.



























This was a print ad for this contest we had to promote school spirit. I liked it, it was a good collaborative effort.



Finally, this project was fairly frustrating. I created a look that I thought was very creative, classy and unique. My problem is that I created it for a bunch of auto dealers, a group for whom those words have never been used to describe. They thought it was weird and slightly trashy because of the Vegas reference in the sign. I hope you agree that the eventually design is much more gaudy and "trashy" but whatever, it's the biz. The first was my original design, the second is what they eventually went with. The designs I chose were a flyer, but there were multiple print executions.

Publix is cool

So I was in Publix last night and they played a new Radiohead song over the store speaker thing. That's hella-cool. What's even cooler is that it wasn't the radio single out right now. Publix is representing with deeper tracks yo!

I guess Coach K didn't cover layup drills

it's just like a mini-mall!

Christianity and Politics!

This is pretty interesting article in today's AJC (my place of employment) dealing with evangelicals and our voting tendencies. Also it has some references to my fav. place... Austin, TX yall! Please read and comment...

Evangelicals not looking at just one candidate
Christian activists: Political experts say voters reflect generational differences but their faith remains important.

By Eileen E. Flynn
Cox News Service
Published on: 02/25/08

Austin, Texas —- They gathered late on a Tuesday night, as they usually do, in a quiet upstairs room in Opal Divine's, a downtown Austin restaurant. The group of mostly 20- and 30-something Christians drank iced tea, red wine and Belgian ale and traded thoughts about the war in Iraq, abortion and immigration reform.

Some of them support Sen. John McCain for president. Some are torn between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. All said their Christian faith informs the decision they will make in the voting booth.

The previous afternoon, about a dozen people had gathered in bright sunshine in front of the Governor's Mansion to say that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee represented the best choice for Christians. Only Huckabee, they said, could save a country drifting toward socialism and secular humanism, protect the borders from criminals and take a stand for unborn babies. The two gatherings represent what could be a widening divergence among evangelical Christian voters that sets this election apart. Evangelicals mobilized behind President Bush in 2000 and 2004, but some observers say 2008 is revealing a more complex and nuanced picture of traditional Christians.

At the moment, no candidate can lay sole claim to the evangelical vote, said Michael Lindsay, a sociology professor at Rice University in Houston.

"2008 will go down as a real milestone in evangelicals' political activism," said Lindsay, whose book "Faith in the Halls of Power: How Evangelicals Joined the American Elite" portrays evangelicals as far more diverse and sophisticated than the stereotype of the right-wing fundamentalist.

The ideological divide seems to form along generational lines, says evangelical Christian writer Tony Campolo of Pennsylvania.

Evangelicals 40 and older tend to vote for the most socially conservative candidate and rally around issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, he said, but evangelicals under 40 are defining a new set of political priorities, with poverty and the environment at the top of the list. That means even on evangelical college campuses, usually havens for conservative thought, Clinton and Obama are finding support, Campolo said.

But that shift doesn't signify a change of heart on moral concerns, he said. Young evangelicals, he said, "still think abortion is immoral. They still think that homosexual marriage is not within their purview of truth. But they see these as not the overriding issues as older people do."....

READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE

I'M GOING TO AFRICA!!!!!!

I'M GOING TO KENYA FOR A MISSION TRIP! WOHOO! JESUS IN THE HOUSE!

sad realization

so I was riding the train today and I fell asleep. I mean seriously asleep. when I woke up, I didn't know what was going on. I didn't know if I was riding the train to work in the morning or home in the afternoon. I seriously had to wait until we got to the next station and figure out what direction we were going before I knew. As you can imagine I was pretty darn dissapointed whenever I figured out I was going to work and still had a whole day ahead of me. It's one of dem days.

10 random things about me...

1. I was in Current Events Test, Extemporanious Speaking & Debate during H.S. and yes I was a master.
2. I like carrots but only if they're raw and I like onions but only if they're cooked.
3. I used to love Ace of Base ... wait, used to?
4. My shoe size is 13
5. I wax my eyebrows
6. I love soccer.
7. my favorite ninja turtle is Michaelangelo... obviously
8. I have 2 tattoos.
9. I was artist of the year in h.s.
10. I had a cross country long distance relationship.

This is my boy!

running list of daily thoughts:

1. he is in control... rest.
2. I wanna give up and move to europe
3. In Rainbows, by Radiohead is EFFING AMAZING!
4. glad I got tix to the Radiohead concert, annoyed that all I could get was lawn seats.
5. wish Kanye/Rhianna/NERD/Lupe Fiasco wasn't so expensive. Ditto for Bonnarroo*
6. Explosions in the Sky tix were cheap and will probably be the best show of all of them.
7. I desperately want God to grant me the ability to NOT think about girls and romantic relationships in ANY way for at least a month.
8. I love the NBA

to be continued...

Happy Valentine's Day e'rbody!

Here's a creative little video I found. Good song too.



check out the website it talks about also, it's a cool project where pple send in anonymous homemade postcards with their confessions. some really creative stuff.
http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Need some some inspiration? try duck.

something about the combo of this song and the movie makes me laugh.


women are goalies too


DUCKS FLY TOGETHER!!!

Ok, it's official, The Grammy's are retarded....

http://music.msn.com/music/grammys2008/photos/forgotten?GT1=10948

Would anyone be up for Bonnaroo?

http://www.bonnaroo.com/artists.aspx

Promises promises

Ok, so someone reminded me that I promised to talk about some specific stuff in one of my older posts. "I've got lots to say about music, design, art, God, family, dating, religion, atlanta and more!". But I don't really feel like being long winded, so I'm gonna give you some fairly quick hits on each topic:

1. music - the grammys are weird. I'm really impressed by some of their selections (Feist, Amy Winehouse, and to some degree The Foo Fighters). But at the same time, they're so predictable (major raido play artists do well, old legends do well, tribute albums are all kinds of popular, and they think stuff is way edgier than it is) and even though I'm happy with some of the nominations, I know the winners will annoy me overall.
Radiohead album - way better than last few, but they'll never make Ok Computer again.
Band of Horses & Cold War Kids - both bands that I like with a interesting sound, but neither has an album that I wanna listen to all the way through very often.
Common's new album is a little dissapointing as is Iron & Wine's
Lil' Wayne -Da Drought 3. very cool. very very offensive
Tokyo Police Club - brilliant! but gimme a full album and maybe make the songs a little longer

2. design - I put some of my work on here. check it! and Kanye has a lot of great stuff on his blog

3. art - I've put examples and links to lots of great artist on my blog, check it!

4. God - big topic, little space. basically I've been pretty impressed with how much God is in control. I have lots of trouble giving him control, and acknowledging that he knows what's best for my life, but I'm learning. His faithfulness is amazing.

5. family - i love my family. it's tough being away from them so often, but best I think. I wish I knew how to help them and myself at the same time. A mother's love, devotion and selflessness is probably the most miraculous thing in the world (well at least my mom's). It rocks me to my core.

6. dating - I am confused as ever about love and girls themselves. the last girl I dated just totally effed with my mind. and I'm totally fine now, but I just don't get girls. I like kissing though. but I'm not a slut. mostly.

7. religion - gets too much blame and too much credit. it's complicated. Love GOD!

8. Atlanta - good place, not a great place. But the pple so far are awesome. But why doesn't Atlanta just embrace who it is? They wanna be the NYC of the south and they brag about having the olympics while NYC hasn't. Atlanta is NOTHING like NYC and in a lot of ways that's good. Atlanta's kinda pretentious too. Chill out ATL.

9. more - um running is pretty monotonous*. not enough pple read my blog. Moe's sucks HARD CORE! I miss Austin. I love lamp. I wish the Pats had won. I'm spoiled but I think Mack Brown is losing his recruiting touch. The Suns/ Shaq trade is dumb. I need more artsy friends. I want more tattoos. I like BBQ, but GA's is kinda weak.

The torch has been passed...

rated somewhere in the neighborhood of "R"



This dude is crazy retarded genius funny!





watch his special on comedy central, it's even better than these videos.

Superbowl Commercials

Here are my top 10.

1. Audi (Godfather)
2. Doritos (rat trap)
3. Bud Light (fire breathing)
4. Bud Light (flying)
5. Vitamin Water (shaq jockey)
6. Tide (talking stain)
7. Coke (balloons)
8. Planters (unibrow)
9. Victoria's Secret (adriana lima!!!)
10. Pepsi (Timberlake)

Bottom 4.

Sales Genie (animation)
Sobe Life Water (dancing geckos)
Gatorade (Jeter)
GMC Yukon (animation)

Other notes: That new Angelina Jolie movie looks AWESOME! As does the new Narnia movie.

my work!

Hey kids, so I'm a graphic designer and I thought I'd post something I'm working on right now. I can't give you all the details because it hasn't been approved or released yet but it may or may not be for a race here in Atlanta that may or may not take place around July 4th. The logo is not on the design for that reason and because the higher ups can't make a decision. Anyways, I'd love for you guys to comment and critique on it. I'm always trying to get better, so don't pull any punches. Holla!

merwidge

I think the best thing about marriage will be not having to think about girls any more... or as much? ... what the crap, we're all doomed!

Possibly the most genius thing I have ever seen...

http://view.break.com/438850 - Watch more free videos

Ok I break my vow of silence to bring you this amazing song I found on another blog. It's called "Pretty Saro" and it's by Samamidon. The first video isn't the best, I think some weird dude made his own video over the song. Or maybe it's the actual artist, I don't know but I've seen a better version that I can't find now. But anyway just listen, it's amazing. It's based on or a remake of an extremely old folk song. The second video, is that song. The video is from some movie I've never heard of, but the commenters say it's great. Has anyone seen it? "Songcatcher"? If you like the mellow goodness of Iron & Wine or Sufjan Stevens, you'll love this song. Actually, I'm willing to bet that you'll like this song no matter how sophisticated your musical pallet is, it's just that great. Enjoy!

I'M STILL ALIVE!!!!

Hey guys, sorry I haven't been posting anything lately. I am still around, and actually have tons of stuff to talk about but just have been kinda lazy about getting on here. I promise I will eventually put some good stuff up here. I've got lots to say about music, design, art, God, family, dating, religion, atlanta and more! in the meantime check out some sites....

http://adamcruickshank.com/

http://erikwaynepatterson.net/index.html (LOVE THIS ONE!)

http://www.midlake.net/ (great band, cool cool website)

http://www.spoontheband.com/ (ditto above)

http://junestratton.com/

http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/ (music, fashion, design all from Yizze!)

http://marumiyan.com/ (pretty amazing art)

http://www.johnross.co.uk/ (good photography, cool website)

http://www.urbandictionary.com/ (get with it son!)

http://www.threadless.com/catalog (funny tshirts, and great design)

http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/minisite/yaris/experience/index.html
(great web design, good free music, but I still ain't buying one of these little poot cars) check out Austin Texas baby!