Thoughts & Curiosities

Logoplasty

2008-08-03T15:25:00.000-07:00

So I've had my old iBook G4 now for almost 6 years now. As of last fall it was replaced by a new iMac. Thus the (near) obsolete laptop became my tote around/living room computer. A few years back I saw people were performing a modification on their iBooks to change the color of the glowing apple. I've always thought it was neat little customization. Now that my retired iBook is no longer my only computer I felt more comfortable pulling apart the casing to preform this incredibly simple mod. Here are the tutorials on how to do it step by step which I found on gizmodo. Enjoy!

Ross' (not Oprah's) Favorite Things, summer edition

2008-07-26T16:08:00.000-07:00

I've complied a few of my summers favorite things, in a couple different categories: Music, Design, Movies, Television, Food, and Gadgets.

Starting with music, this was a huge summer. A few examples of each artist will be available for you to listen to on Muxtape. The band Why? released "Alopecia," Wolf Parade dropped At "Mount Zoomer," the sophomore follow up to the their massively successful freshmen release "Apologies to Queen Marry." Also Islands released "Arm's Way," which was a fresh poppy way to start off the summer. This month Beck unleashed his latest 30 minutes of furry, better known as "Modern Guilt." A throw back album commemorating the glory days of obscure 60's rock. M83 also released a new record this summer, "Saturdays = Youth." It's an intense throw back to the late 80's, and boy do I appreciate it. Most Recently Cansei De Ser Sexy (CSS, or in Portuguese "Tired of Being Sexy" ) released "Donkey," a somewhat disappointing attempt to recreate the magic of their first release in 2006. But don't worry their are a few gems peeking through. On a random note, Ben and the boys of Death Cab did over a cover of The Cures "Love Song." Sickeningly appropriate, but catchy and fun. And how can anyone overlook the devastating beats on "Feed The Animals," the newest release by (dj) Girl Talk.

The Award for this summers "Ross' Favorite Design Thing (not Oprahs)" goes to The BMW Group for the newest edition to the M1 family, what they hope will contend against Audis R8. They have obviously been mixed reviews on the mid-engine ultimate driving machine. But what the fuck! It's intensely ferosh and the placement of the logos on the rear sides is a great little touch. Congratulations BMW.

This summer is is obviously all about Batman, excuse me.. The Dark Knight So go see it, though you probably already have because apparently every person the US of A is addicted to this shit like it's a crack rock. Oh yeah, Heath Ledger died.

As for Television I hope everyone out there in TV Land is keeping up with Weeds. This season is slightly over the top, but it makes for damn good watch'n. So Thank Marie Louise Parker for being so thin and fabulous. More importantly though, let's all thank Hunter Parish for cutting his hair.

This summer I realized that Jamaica Plain exists. It's been eye opening to say the least. One of the many amazing treasures that it has to share with Boston is El Oriental de Cuba. I a sure that you will leave feeling ready to burst with rice and bean goodness.

Last but not least we come to my favorite summer Gadgets. Now the obvious winner would be Apple's new iPhone 3G. With its new features, such as GPS, the App Store and faster internet connections Apple managed to (marginally) improve on an already fantastic little piece of witchcraft. Kudos to Apple, but considering that I'm sans Jesus Phone I've decided to give the title of "Ross' not Oprahs favorite summer things" to the guys who created this amazing 3D display. They are helping to insure cool displays of the future!

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I'd like to apologize for my absence. Back in May I started a new job (designer/assistant for John Kramer Design). It's a fantastic job and I'm learning a lot, at the expense of this little blog, which is still in its infancy. But fear not, I'm back.

Another YouTube Post, Sorry!

2008-04-27T13:15:00.001-07:00

So fake, but so fun!

Just Leaving My Mark

2008-04-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Ms. Jacklyn Boyland

Shits and Giggles

2008-04-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying, Happy (post) Patriots Day? If you don't live in or around the Great Commonwealth of Massachusetts then you might be asking, "wtf is Patriots Day?" It's a totally great holiday because you get school and sometimes work off, unless you're in high school then you're probably on april vacation anyway.

Robert Cheruiyot won the Boston Marathon yesterday, for the fourth time! I think someone deserves to give themselves a pat on the back. You'll never hear this come from my mouth: “I did O.K., but it’s always hard at the end,” he said. “I don’t train enough and I always tell myself I’m going to train longer, but I never do. I’m not as physically fit as I was for New York, and those hills here are so tough on your muscles. I enjoyed it, but I always suffer in a marathon.”

Over on geeksugar I found a great little site for all us apple fanpeople to tinker around with instead of being productive.

okay, now get me a Dr. Pepper.... (it's old but enjoy)

The Ford Taurus

2008-04-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

Autoblog, among others have posted a blurry spy shot of the up coming 2009-2010 model. It's an interesting design direction for the taurus, that had seen death and resurrection. For a brief time the car lost its well known moniker and gained a new identity (crisis) as the "Five Hundred." This only lasted about two years when the Ford Motor Company realized that just dropping a well known, easily recognizable model name means you also lose long time customers that were only staying with your shitty company for it's one trusted car. Now, I'm well aware that to most people it's not worth my time to blog about this vehicle, but my first/only car was a 1993 ford Taurus. His name was Morris Cli Taurus. With his powerful V6 engine plowing through snow, ice, people, massive puddles and even mud was no sweat for this majestic beast. My mother drove Morris for close to ten years before his services were bestowed upon me and then two years later, my sister. He was recently put to rest, transmission went. Tragic.

Blowiest Thing Ever...

2008-04-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

The New Yorker has a time lapsed video, Trapped, showing a man stuck in an elevator for 41 hours, a fucking horrifically terrifying ordeal for anyone. It's part of a larger piece entitled "The Lives of Elevators." Trapped was very reminiscent of the HBO mini series, Voyeur. Did anyone else catch these incredible little 5 minute segments of joy?

USAtoday Kan Haz Cookeez?

2008-04-13T13:29:00.001-07:00

During my daily rummage through the internet I learned that USAtoday.com was reporting that many bus and rail lines nation wide have begun to seriously integrate wireless internet technology into the cities vital lines and routes. The article continues on to report that Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority implemented wireless on the Worcester to Boston line on the commuter rail. Examine this quote for yourself,

"Wireless service is also on some commuter trains. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority added it to its 45-mile rail line between Worchester and Boston in January. Deputy Chief of Staff Kris Erickson said it's "probably the most well-received enhancement that we've ever done."

Did you catch it?! They spelt Worcester wrong! USA Today needs a lesson in New Englandonics. Also, I've taken that line and yet I was provided with no wireless internet service. Is it that the MBTA doesn't like mac users? That's discrimination and I won't have it.

Who Treks To Medford?

2008-04-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

The School of the Museum of Fines Arts (SMFA) showed off a few rising stars over at their Tufts gallery, which is one beautiful space. To someone who went to AIB, the gallery itself almost spoke louder than the art.. but I'm bias. This is a MFA Thesis Exhibition show which leads one to believe that time and effort were injected into the projects which most did, unfortunately there were some rushed, plexiglas duds. Here were the highlights and lowlights.

Upon walking into the main gallery the very first presence that demands your immediate attention is the "highlighter yellow" neon wall, instituted by Nicole Kita. One would think that a wall so yellow, so intoxicating would overshadow the work itself. Yet, it only emphasizes the pieces and actually becomes a unifying identity. Once the wonder of the enchanting glow subsides you can begin to appreciate the work that's actually displayed on it, which are several minimal line drawings and paintings. Local artist Todd White described the line quality as having "infinite resolution." A perfect description of the actual production. It's clear that Kita holds security in knowing that she can own and control every aspect of her art. With the presentation of "Aura Polaroids" and images of major religious figures combined with crystals cut from vinyl (and rappers?) she suggestions notions of healing and in my opinion rebirth and rejuvenation, combined with some serious control issues that were challenged. The body of work is bold and strong, both in its production and presentation.

Photographer Nahna Kim took on several ambitious projects that portrayed a sense of blurred self identity and a longing to find a place with in American culture while being constantly reminded that she's "not American." The work challenges the framework of Americana built up monuments and environments that tend to much less thrilling once actually visited. She presented three groups of work, ranging from 50 self portraits as beauty queen contestants, embroidered photographs and 100 snow globes. The globes presented the image of Mount Rushmore but in replace of the four familiar presidents is the likeness of the artist. The snow globes truly encapsulated all of her themes in a sort of grand finale to an already impeccable body of work.

The paintings of Nelson De Costa can either be described as "bad Caribbean art" or someone struggling to find a new identity by examining their past. The images express themes of turmoil and possible regret, both with in his own family and their environment. Unfortunately to go along with his vibrant well rendered painting were two partially nude female models taking on statuesque positions in front of his work. Each were painted from head to toe in watery pastels that clashed with what you could see behind them. The women seemed awkward and extremely self aware which only created a sense of sympathy that the crowd projected onto them. Once they arrived I personally felt completely deterred from the actual work by this unwieldy performance.

Young teacher/artist Alexis Adams showed prints of "post-post apocalyptic" Earth. A theme that was not actually portrayed in the work itself. Instead we were left with collage clip art that appeared to be taken straight from children's coloring books. This gave off the impression A) that the artist has no actual drawing skills, though the prints themselves were well produced, or B) that the artist truly didn't care about the work itself or it's subject matter. It seemed as if the collection was started mere days before the opening of the exhibition. Her subject matter, of a future post apocalyptic imaginary Earth, clearly echoed/poorly ripped off the discovery channels mini series "The Future is Wild." Yet the discovery channel actually spent time researching and rendering new and exotic creatures, Adams presented already existing elements in the world you can see around you now. All together I would just watch the DVDs over recommending her shallow work.

Downstairs Kathleen Rugh presented a beautiful short film on a 16mm camera. As strong as the film was it was overshadowed by the elaborately intricate sculpture that projects the actual film. The strip found it self winding up and down repeatedly before actually being projected and though it broke several times it still was ambitious and well presented.

I have excluded some artist for several unnamed reasons, but please if you can trek to Tufts then check out the work.

To Ruts and Beginnings.

2008-04-09T17:53:00.000-07:00

Well here you are at yet another blog, hoping for excitement and instant gratification. Adventure and gay times await you my friends, along with poor grammar and spelling of course. I'm taking it easy for my first post by stealing some links and dumping on you, but trust me when I say you want to take a looksy.

So, Nike has a lot up their sleeve for the Olympics.. that is if any athletes actually show up to the polluted hell that is Beijing.

Here's to Art with a capital A where you least expect it.

And last but not least I'll help ease your celebrity addiction with a lil bump, dramz!

Again, I hope to keep you entertained with original art from all genres, random curiosities, even reviews ranging from gadgets to albums and more. ...stay tuned.