save the last shants

Can I just say.... I love Julia Stiles.

Seriously, she choses to play smart characters in smart movies and it seems as if she's just one classy smart lady. Even this short little eco friendly video, gives glimpses of her greatness. ;)

(psssst, watch the video)

For more eco humor check out the website www.juliastilesstyles.com.

Brandi Carlile thinks you'd make a tasty snack.

I love love love Brandi Carlile and I am so so happy that this week she released her first single from her long awaited (at least by me and girls everywhere) new album, Give Up the Ghost, on October 6th. To coincide with the release of the single and appropriate buzz, these promotional photos from the new album hit the internet last week to many oohs and ahhhs across the globe. At first glance these photos are strikingly beautiful, with their velvety soft color and rich streams of daylight, but they are also bathed in a mysterious darkness. And it is upon studying this darkness which a reveals a bigger secret about Brandi and the boys.

Sure, the images look, clean, simple, dark and smoky... but I ask, if it's dark enough inside to where you need candles to see...... why don't you just open those heavy blinds all the way and let in the sunshine?

You would, that is... if you weren't vampires!

Yes folks, I think that Brandi and the amazingly talented Hanseroth brothers have become some of the living dead (not that there is anything wrong with that). It makes sense when you think about it: Brandi and the boys complexions are astoundingly clear, their skin is kinda pale and they're all ridiculously skinny (i think they're the vegan vampires). Their clothing choices hinge on the dark side (either they spill coffee on themselves as much as I do or it's pointless to stay up to date on the current color fashion trends when you've been around for 400 years - black, on the other hand, is always in fashion.) That random bandana on the arm? It covers teeth mark scars. Sure she could just wear a coat or long sleeves over it, but where is the symbolism in that? Also, because vampires don't sleep, they have plenty of time to learn new instruments, write a song a day and travel all over the world! And really, if you think about it, the song Dreams from the new album and Late Morning Lullaby from the last, carries all new meanings knowing that she doesn't really ever sleep.

As well, just like in Twilight, Brandi hails from the Pacific Northwest where daylight is limited and there is always a sense of morose and melancholy in the air. I mean, she may not be from Forks, but Ravensdale sounds pretty ominous too.

And when it comes down to it... Give Up the Ghost as a title is basically like saying... "aww... fuck it, let's just be vampires".

Brandi Carlile thinks you'd make a tasty snack.

Dreams: listen to it here or buy it on itunes!

Brandi Carlile - Dreams (Live in Portland) by musictoday

Let My People Give Back...

This is a nice little video that the folks from 1% for the Planet put together to feature companies who contribute a specific amount of their annual sales to environmental groups around the world. Since 2002, 1,235 companies have donated money to over 1,800 environmental groups through 1% for the Planet. 1% may not seem like much at first, but just about in all the little ways it helps when you multiply it. In fact, many of the companies that you may see everyday or in your neighborhood might be part of the collective. Take for example Patagonia, New Belgium Beer, Clif/Luna Energy Bars and the singer Jack Johnson, they all donate 1% of their sales to help drive positive environmental change, gain recognition for their responsibility, and promote further action on the part of consumers and other companies.

In fact, despite the recent economic downturn, the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy took a survey and it turns out that several of the companies who contribute to 1% FTP had one of their best years ever. One reason for this success is these companies commitment to sustainability and strong value oriented brands in a market leaning heavily towards responsible business.

This is a longer segment of the video which features Portland's own Natalie Ramsland, who creates and makes Sweetpea bikes. (And, honestly, these bikes are pretty sweet. I covet!) Natalie said that she was inspired to join 1% FTP by her business hero Yvon Chouinard (who incidentally enough, is also my hero when it comes to making money and giving back to the community and the environment and how we look at the things we buy - read his little manifesto or his book, Let My People Go Surfing) and that when she first joined 1%, there wasn't even a cycling category for companies. Since then however, 52 other Oregon companies have joined, including a bunch of great cycling companies. Anyways, this is a great little video. I love how it not only captures the message of 1% FTP, but also Natalie, her awesome bikes, and a lovely fall day in Portland.

Also, fellow local racer and bike blogger extraordinaire Heidi Swift did a great write up on Natalie and her bikes. I suggest you check it out.

weekend RR&R projects

If you're like me, you sometimes have a lot of random items laying around your house that you're "saving" for some craft project down the line. You don't specifically have a plan laid out yet to what you're gonna do, what you're gonna need, but when the mood strikes, the opportunity presents itself, or you find yourself laden with a massive amount of time (time, wtf is that?) you can dig into your "craft box" and magic will happen!

So, in the theme of reducing, reusing and recycling items I bring you these two projects that can help you find additional usage out of some plastic bags or old bike tubes you might have laying around the house.

The first one is making an ipod case out of old bike tubes, similar to this:

Directions are here.

Don't forget, your bike tubes can also be cut up to make patches for your current bike tubes or even sliced to make elastic straps which take the place of expensive store bought bungees.

Another great project is making a messenger bag out of grocery store plastic bags. The whole thing can be watched on this great little instructional video.

The coolest thing about this project is the melting of plastic bags together to make a really strong material, which can then be sewed (take caution little kids!). Basically, after watching this, my mind is running at full tilt with the possibilities of cool things I could make with standard plastic bags. Get those creative juices flowin folks and have a great and productive or really lazy weekend, your choice. :)

get lost

Just a little note to cyber land that is a reminder that this upcoming weekend (August 15 & 16th) is the last in the series of Fee-Free weekends that the US National Park Service has been providing all summer long for about 100 parks that normally charge entry fees. Check the list here and see if there is one near you that you can take advantage of. Personally, I'd love to hop my butt down to Crater Lake to see it in the summer, but the wild flowers are supposed to be prime this weekend up on Mt. Hood, so I think after participating in the OBRA State Championship Critiruim in Albany this Saturday, I'll stick a little closer to home.

Don't let summer pass you by - we've only got a little bit left.

I want that $2000 slouchy bag and artistic justice!

Recently I came across this podcast regarding the recent court case of graphic artist Shepard Fairey vs. the Associated Press. It turns out that the AP is suing Fairey for copy-write infringement over their photo of Obama which was later used by Fairey for political posters, under the claim "fair use". The Obama campaign, which later supported Fairey and his designs, feared copy write issues and later had Fairey design a similar poster which was not as similar as the initial one.

The copy write safe poster, available for sale at Obama's Political Site.

I could have told you that was coming! Anyways, I'm reminded in the mix of all of this hubub, that I never posted on this blog about his window displays this spring for Saks, and how his designs were a blatant copy of artwork done by Alexander Rodchenko during the Russian Revolution. Anyways, here is that posting:

So, just the other week I was walking down Yamhill St. here in downtown Portland, and as I passed in front of the windows for Saks Fifth Avenue, I saw these bright, high contrast very Russian Constructivist-inspired black, red and white geometric style posters saying things like "WANT THIS". I stopped and looked at the windows more closely. There, in the bottom little corner was a little sticker noting that the new marketing campaign was done by none other than Shepard Fairey, (you know, the Andre Has a Posse, Obey and Obama) guy?) which... I had to laugh at because I was sure that Alexander Rodchenko had kinda coined that look to start with. Intrigued, I went inside to see how Fairey continued his pretty blantant plagarism of models posing as if they are champions of workers’ rights, with the store displays inside. I walked around perfume counters with more of the similar iconography carrying more of the same message "WANT THIS BAG!" "WANT THIS BLOUSE!" and still I giggled.

Here, is an artist... (who oddly enough, prefers to be refereed to as a "street artist" despite his big studio in LA, a new museum exhibit, works with Nike, his own clothing line, and his own design firm in LA ... ) who got his start making counter culture images and jokes at aimed at propaganda, paranoia and consumerism, is now "designing" (cough cough) ads for Prada bags that cost a few thousand dollars. Now, I'm pretty sure this is all done tongue in cheek. That Saks, realizing what they needed was propaganda to sell their spendy items in our tough economic times, went to the propaganda dude.... who basically just stole his propaganda from many a artist before him. And the thing is, it's politically charged imagery, but it's meaning is wasted on the subject matter. At least the Obama images inspired people to vote, to change the way they thought, align for the greater good - but here, "Arm Yourself with a Slouchy Bag"?

Really.... that's as good as you've got Fairey? I mean, I like you, I understand where you're coming from, I know how we as designers and artists "borrow" from those before us... but i'm pretty disappointed by the lack of creativity here and then sickened by the amount of money you probably reeled in for it.

Shepard's OBEY Obey's website

And this is nice little video taken from the opening of his exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston where he talks about being a "street artist" and having a museum opening:

Anyways, I'm not passing judgement here or calling Fairey a sell out, I'm just a little disappointed by all the hype that I don't think is rightly justified. Maybe I'm jealous, maybe I'm just being too demanding of what I expect out of people who "make it big", maybe it's just the difference between viewing yourself as an advertiser, a designer or an artist and what one does for art and what one does for commercial consumption. The door is wide open for discussion. Is it art, is it plagiarism, is it a political statement, is it a joke, and if so....how many people who just bought a $2000 slouchy bag are going to realize that?

NY Times review of Shepard's show in Boston:

a tale of two lovers

So, the other week... in the middle of a record heat wave in Portland, I did it. I did what people have been urging and recommending me to do for the past half year. I've seen the looks, I've seen the giggles, I've seen the people scratching their heads and finally I broke down and gave in. Tired of the scorn and the ridicule, I allowed my heart to be taken over by something. However, it's not an easy transition. It's gonna take time, I'm going to get frustrated and some feelings are going to be hurt. I hate having to try to ease out these emotions and make sure no hearts are broke beyond repair, but sometimes you just have to make changes and accept the fate that lies before you.

I am speaking of course, about the purchase of a new bike.

When first moving to Portland I had my GT mountain bike from back in college. Everyday I rode it to and from work, cranking as hard as I could and every day I grew more and more frustrated that regardless of how hard I pushed it, I could never keep up with the sleek racing bikes that effortlessly darted around me. So, one day in March of 08, after a great breakfast with friends at the Tin Shed, I walked a few blocks down Alberta street and into the Community Cycling Center. I was interested in upgrading to a road bike but I had no knowledge of them and nor did I want to spend a terrible amount of money. So, the friendly staff there directed me to a Trek 2010 carbon fiber road bike from 1998 that had been in the shop for a few days. It was so light in comparison to my current bike and it looked fast too, and then when I hopped on it for a test ride, aside from the differences between riding a mountain and a road bike, it seemingly fit like a glove. It was new and glittering and shining to me, even though it was an ancient bike by today's racing standards, when it was first introduced in the 90's though, it was top of the line. So, I paid the shop $700 for it and rode away on the "new to me" road bike of my dreams.

From that point on, I was a force to be reckoned with on the twenty minute commute to and from work. People who had formerly passed me on my mountain bike were now left in my dust. And, it felt great. In fact, I was so sure of my speed, I decided to give racing a hand. And so, about a year ago today I entered my first race at the Portland International Raceway (PIR) and won. Granted it was a novice race, but it was just me, my ten year old bike, tennis shoes and baskets on the pedals in a sea of bright and shiny new bikes, cleats, clips, and people wearing kits. "I like this" I thought... and so from then on I decided to try my hand at bike racing.

This first year of bike racing hasn't been an easy one. Yeah, I joined a team... but there were so many things I didn't know and embarrassingly, had to learn along the way. Plus, I think at first... much like the other women I raced against in the novice race at PIR, because of my bike and shoes and baskets and lack of spandex choices, no one really took me seriously, sometimes even myself. My first race back in March of this year was a complete tragedy. Two minutes into the race I got a flat, I got new wheel but the cassette didn't match and so I rode the whole remaining few hours with limited gears by myself in the pouring rain. To make matters worse, with one lap to go... I got another flat. After crossing the finish line, cold wet and alone, I pretty much went back to my car and cried.

The next race I entered was the Cherry Blossom Classic Stage Race in The Dalles, OR (review here). This race was my first with real bike shoes and pedals and it went okay. Aside from being dropped from the pack just after halfway through the race, I caught up with another rider and we finished the rest of the race with some good conversation. I may have placed no where near the front, but at least I wasn't alone, cold and wet. The second day though, went much better because this day was the day that I discovered Critiruim racing. Short, fast and flat... for once I was able to stick with the field of riders on my "vintage bike" and actually place some where near the top ten. I finished with a smile on my face, having actually enjoyed the race and it's aggressive and technical nature. The next day after that was another grueling road race with a massive hill climb and a wonderfully exciting downhill. Aside from the downhill, that wasn't my favorite race but I smiled when it was over knowing that I had a full summer of crits ahead of me.

Fast forward to this June and July. I've been racing out at PIR and local crits and doing pretty decently on my trusty carbon fiber Trek, never placing below 8th. However, whenever I take my bike into a shop for work, I'm left feeling ashamed of my ride. The wrenches look at me with a questioning smirk that says "THIS is your race bike?" In fact, at one shop a guy actually called my bike my rain bike and I didn't have the heart to tell him it was my sunshine bike too. Not only is it my sunshine bike, but it's the bike that takes me to and from work as much as it takes me from the start line to the finish line. My bike is trusty and dependable and I know it like the back of my hand. I just don't ride that bike... we move together. I don't have to think about anything, the shifting, the breaks, the way the tires grip the road... mile after mile, day after day, that bike and I are like one. However, there is a creeping greed in my system that asks myself, if I race well on my trusty old Trek, imagine what I could do on a newer, more modern, more technology advanced bike?

For the past few months I've been from bike shop to bike shop, making the rounds. Not only paying attention to the bikes they have to offer, but as to how well the bike shop treats me. If they treat me like I know nothing about bikes, try to sell me something with Tiagra's or leave me hanging for fifteen minutes, I'm out of there. So, from shop to shop I've ambled. I've gone in, inspected their bright and shinnies, but always walked away being uninspired and unimpressed - by both the staff and the selection. See, my bike isn't just a bike to me, it's an extension. Much like me, it has it's own quirky character and any bike I choose to add to my personal peloton, has to do as such. So, that's where Lakeside Bicycles in Lake Oswego comes in. Several of my friends had recommend them, but trying to get out to LO from NEPO to have a look was always the difficult thing. So, a few weeks ago I did just that. And, it didn't take too long before I fell in love.

The bike that set my heart a flutter was an aluminum Bianchi Via Nirone 7 with carbon forks and a Shimano 105/Ultrega mix with a compact double. I liked the bike's white frame. Where as most Bianchi's are the infamous celeste blue, (which I like) this frame was pared down, more simple and clean. As well, all of the text on the bike was set in what seems to be Helvetica. Unlike other models of bikes with fancy scripts and failed attempts at being trendy... helvetica is a font for the ages. It speaks of clarity and simplicity but great understanding and versatility, plus... it's the font of the New York City transit authority and there is a movie about it! Lakeside didn't have that bike built yet in a 53, so they let me ride a similar bike that just had different components on it. I was interested, so they quoted me a price $200 less than the MSR. I thought it over, I reviewed my financing choices (bike loan at Northwest Resource), and then told Lakeside I'd take the bike. Surprisingly to me, they even knocked off another $300 off the already lowered price and even threw in a basic bike fitting ($100 some dollar value). Overall, I found the staff to be very helpful, friendly, and they even gave me a handful of M&M's and a few road bike magazines as I sat waiting for my fitting.

detail of that beautiful sans serif typeface

Then, wouldn't you know the day after I brought my new Bianchi home, my old Trek got a little jealous. I went ride the Trek to work one Thursday and it broke down on me. I took it into the shop where they informed me that the right crank thread had been stripped and a new one would be needed. I could buy one that would work for about $170 or I could call around to see if any bike shop had an old Shimano 105 crank 170mm from the mid nineties laying around. No small feat. I called around and was finally able to find one side (the right side) of a 105 crank that would work perfectly in some bins at the Community Cycling Center for $10. Needless to say, a little TLC and a few days later my trusty Trek was reunited with me and I became aware that even though the bright & shiny bike is bright and shiny and new and fast, the Trek is my rock. My to and my from that helps me afford things like bright & shiny.

So, a week or so has gone by and bright and shiny has been to the races twice. Last wednesday I placed 1st for CAT4's in a crit and then this weekend I had a disappointing 8th place finish for the CAT4's. Although the new bike is fast, my body will need to get used to it and it's slightly different gearings. One gear is too hard and the next one down seems too easy. I wore myself out too soon with bright and shiny this weekend and didn't have enough juice left for the sprint at the end. With results like that, part of me wants to rush back to the Trek since I know it and how it races so well, but at the same time, I've never going to get used to bright and shiny unless I ride it more and race it more. So, my greed for more speed has to take a back seat for now till my body and the bike get to know each other a little better. We're still in the "new" phase of the relationship, where things are exciting, but you have no idea how the things you do will cause the other to react. In due time though, results will come. However, I have to try not to get disappointed, I have to try not to beat myself up, and I need to give both bikes the attention and care they deserve. It's gonna take time, just like any relationship, but hopefully in the end everyone can be happy.

what is it exactly about Cleveland that makes you want to sing about it?

Every once in while I come across something from my homeland (aka, the Midwest, that place in the middle, with cows, corn, cheese and casserole dishes with cereal or fried onions on top) that makes me smile and get a little fond of home. Just the other week I received this poster in the mail and didn't hesitate to find it an honored space on the walls of my bedroom.

This is a hand pulled six screen silkscreen on 25 x 38 (French paper lightweight stock), meaning... it's friggin huge poster. And, being printed on French paper... (with whom I printed my very first set of business cards back in college with) it's a pretty sweet setup. I received print 183 out of 300 or so in the edition. The poster was drawn and pulled by one of my favorite gig poster illustrators ever, Jay Ryan (who I had the pleasure of meeting at Bumbershoot the other year. Chances are pretty high that he'll be setting up his booth with some of the other All Stars of gig posters at Bumbershoot again this summer, so look him up and say hi at the at the Flatstock expo.) Check out more of his work at his Chicago studio, The Bird Machine.

Anyways, this print appeals to me because A) I like the colors, B) I'm from the midwest (ohio baby), and C) I heart woodland creatures. In fact, deer are rather a special animal to me. So many times over the years growing up my mom would request me to come sit in the front seat of the car with her and watch for deer. We always had a lot of people who had car accidents with deer and I have a habit of being able to spot them on the side of the road really quickly, day or night. I think it made my mom happy because not only would it be good conversation time, but also because it would remind her of her dad, who died shortly before I was born. Her dad was a really great hunter; skilled in the art of bow and arrow as well as shotgun. I don't hunt at all, but I share his keen ability of being able to spot them quickly in a corn field or in the woods. As well, I've also had many what I refer to now as "Helen Miren Moments" (aka: the "stag scene" from the movie The Queen) where for brief little seconds that seemingly last forever, I've found myself in close proximity with deer, elk, some other wildlife creature in their natural habitat. Here, in these small moments, I've been given a gift of being able to sit in on their habitats. I've heard them talking to each other, they've seen me, and no one bolted... it's been pretty special. Anyways, this print kinda reminds me of those moments and makes me smile.

Art you hang on your walls should do that.

____________________________________________

Also, if you're from the Midwest, you might have a chuckle or two out of these "retro t-shirts" from this Ohio company called Homage. Actually, I don't know if they are really from Ohio, but all the Ohio State themed stuff is making me think as much.

Also - speaking of the Midwest and t-shirts, I came across this bike shop company out of Milwaukee Wisconsin aptly named "Milwaukee Bicycle Company". I liked their script logo so much, I had to buy a t-shirt. Another beautiful impulse buy. Here is their logo on a messenger bag. sweeeet.

Also hailing from Milwaukee is what personally got me started in graphic design, what I consider to be one of the greatest sports logos of all time, the Milwaukee Brewers logo from the mid 80's. I remember clearly the day I was drawing the logo on the back of an elementary school notebook and it suddenly dawned on me... the glove of the logo was designed so that not only did it look like a glove, but it also contained the letters "M & B". Genius... Billiant. To me, that's what graphic design is! Being able to convey the most meaning in the simplest of forms. It's like a little puzzle that only half of the population really ever notices... but when you do, it's like learning to speak a foreign language. You see things with new eyes.

mid 80's Brewers Logo:

The Brewers also are currently sporting a nice script as well. In fact, I like their current script so well, it not only is the basis of our athletic logos for the Savannah College of Art and Design, but it also forms as the basis for the logo of my softball team, the Brewhers.

current Brewers logo:

SCAD athletic logo:

Brewhers softball logo:

Oh, the Midwest. Not exactly the design capital of the US, but it does have some perks.

Speaking of which... what is it exactly about the Midwest, especially Cleveland - that makes you want to sing about it?

30 Rocks thinks so...

Drew Carey thinks so...

Even these random people think so too.