Give It To Me

Late Saturday Night

Hallows Eve Property of the Mercs
Copyright 2010

June 26, 2010 might be the most eventful night I've lived since I've been back in East L.A.

Three events, all completely unrelated, but all typical for a late Saturday night.

Live

The things that happen when you're in search of a public toilet.

Per Your Request

In the last few months I've really let myself go. Just very unkempt. No one wants to be rude, so no one says anything. Although there is always that one person who you can count on to be honest; cause they care.

iPhone 4

I WANT IT!



Image Property of Apple
Copyright 2010

The new Apple iPhone 4.

Plummet

Image Property of Scrape TV
Copyright 2008

Last night I had this dream that I was riding down this hill and it was dark and rainy and completely abandoned. I realize no one is driving when the car spins out of control and flips off the side of the road. Free falling towards the bottom I wake up. It was absolutely terrifying. I woke up and felt so alone, about as isolated and frightened as I did in my dream. There's no way to really describe the dread I felt last night.

What does it mean to fall and die in your sleep? Why was there no driver?

Give Thanks

Having family in the military myself, I'd just like to thank them for sacrificing themselves and their time to do what they think is right.



Video Property of Rise Against
Copyright 2010

We miss you Chris! Wish you could have spent the day with us at the beach.

Object

Image Property of Sony
Copyright 2006

Today I woke up and put into my Playstation 3 a DVD disc with the documentary Objectified on it.

Please, please, watch this film if you haven't already.

There are a hundred things I could begin to say after the 85m mins. I spent with the documentary, but the one idea it triggered in me most, was the idea of design and self-expression or form over function.

Yesterday, while some friends and I watched the Laker game on TV, someone requested we play Street Fighter IV after the game. Nagging quickly ensued. Everyone had complaints over their effectiveness at winning all due to the game controller in use. Most of us argued that the Microsoft controller was too big and clunky and was very restricting, in terms of what we could and could not do in game. We all came to the consensus that we preferred Sony's Dualshock 3 controller to its Microsoft counterpart. But why?

Because it functions. The user never even notices that the controller is what it is because they don't have to. The invisibility of the pad makes them engage with the software they're using and helps them to never disengage until they themselves are ready. You pick up and play.

It's my presumption that Sony hit the nail in the head when it comes to game controller design. If it were up to me, there would be no other option on the market. It's so well designed in fact, that third party developers have used it as the model for their more affordable options. Even the Microsoft pad has a similar design, although it's different enough to not be presumed a copy.

Ever since it's debut for the Playstation in 1995 the form of the controller has seen very minimal change, all of which came based on necessity towards function.

So why is it not the standard?

Because in the end all that matters is fashion.

We all want a means to differentiate ourselves and be individual.

Not just the end user, but the designer.

As humans we have a need for self expression.

Jose prefers his Xbox 360 and I prefer my PS3. What do they say about us? Essentially that I prefer things to be less complicated. In gaming, Sony is the Apple of its industry.

Take something as simple as a toothbrush and weigh your options.

How many times can we redesign the chair?

We can redesign it endlessly, because as people we are constantly evolving and changing, and one chair for us could never last a lifetime nor could it tell the story of us.

Greetings

From Copenhagen.

Yesterday I received a copy of Designing Water's Future a small book produced for the INDEX: | AIGA Aspen Design Challenge. A challenge where Michelle and I were one of seven finalists out of 250 international entrees for our project Rethink Your Green.

I'm in print!

Actually not the first time, but this feels more official.

Jay

Thank you Netflix.

Last night and this morning I finally had the opportunity to view the Jay McCarroll documentary Eleven Minutes. You know, the first winner of Project Runway?

First off, I loved the film, even if it brought with it feelings of anxiety I haven't felt since the CalArts graphic design show. Secondly, it taught me that fashion is something better suited for a schizophrenic (it seems you have to be everywhere and nowhere all at once). I'm too emotional for such a loveless world of fashion. Third, it had me contemplating what it means to be inspired and how exactly that inspiration is manifest in the work you create. Can you really just say, "My collection is inspired by vaginal discharge." and Archigram and hot air balloons? Where does the circus of inspiration end? In the end it seemed like the collection was at it's core inspired by Japanese culture. Tokyo? Finally, the collection itself was incoherent and unexciting, it really just felt, blah. Too bad, because the small and tight collection created for the finale of Season 1 of Project Runway I thought was amazing.

Downtown

Images Property of SKINGRAFT
Copyright 2010

Friday I was asked to come in and freelance at The Groop in downtown L.A. While I waited for approximately two hours to start my day I noticed a small boutique, SKINGRAFT. Inside were clothes I know would excite some women, add to that amazing window displays that are spectacular and you have yourself quite the spectacle. It's too bad I didn't snap a shot of the wonderful world through the glass.

If you're ever in the neighborhood, stop by. The clothes are fabulous and it's worth it to experience the boutique and all the great shops and galleries down on Spring St.

Need some more culture? Walk a block west to Broadway and catch a glimpse of Little México.

Denim

Image Property of NYLON guys
Copyright 2010


Recently on a shopping trip with Michelle I picked up some reading material, notably the recent NYLON guys. You can see Gerard Way with a very awesome vintage denim. Inspired I picked up my own Levis denim jacket and I'm really excited to have it.

When I have a decent camera and someone to shoot me, I'll post picks.

But for now, enjoy this cover image.

Cemetery Jog

Lately I've told myself that I really need to get out more.

Today I got out and ran, well, jogged.

East L.A. has a jogging trail around the cemetery just a few blocks from my new home. I walked out and ran till I could barely breathe. Today was cool and there was a nice breeze, so not bad for a noon jog.

Michelle gave me a pair of running shoes a few years ago now, and I intend to finally wear them out.





Such a lovely view.

Gentle

An unkempt nail is bad enough down there.



Images Property of New Line Cinema
Copyright 1984 and 2010

Sunday I visited Michelle in Pasadena.

After leaving the Sierra Madre Villa station we met for lunch, a trip to the mall and a movie.

A Nightmare on Elm St. was not at all the disappointment I assumed it would be. It provided some much needed scares.

18 To 26

Stumbling across my high school graduation photos, it made me feel like I've gone so far, but nowhere at all. I need to take one step forward now and really move. No more jogging in place. Life is a marathon and I intend to finish it.

El Barrio

After a whole week of settling in, today is my first blog post in my new place.

Where am I? Brooklyn Heights in East Los Angeles.

Yes, I am officially back in my hometown of East LA. It's been approximately 16 years since I've lived here, and now I'm back. In the short week I've been here I've experienced just about everything I remember from my childhood, earthquake included. This should make for some very interesting stories.

Looking Back

From time to time I sit around and just look at old photos. The photos serve as a means to just kind of remind myself of the innocent and optimistic boy I once was, and know, that at my core, that's still who I really am today.

Consistently knocked down, I kept my spirits high because I thought tomorrow would be a better day and aside from my current state, life was good, but also uncomplicated.

There may have been some naiveté, but at least I was happy.

Now I have to work for what I want and know that nothing is guaranteed, and that not only scares me, but makes me unhappy.

Sunday Afternoon

Image Property of The Museum of Jurassic Technology
Copyright 1996-2006

Yesterday Michelle and I drove down to Culver City to visit the Museum of Jurassic Technology, this trip had been a long time coming, we actually meant to visit last spring, but busy with everything we never made it.

If you live in southern California or are ever in the area, I recommend you stop by.

It's not for me to try and describe what you'll see, but for you to experience it for yourself.

White Nooka

Only one other time in my life have I owned a watch. It was a little black plastic "waterproof" watch that my mom got me from the grocery store. By the way, it wasn't waterproof at all. Really tragic for an 8 year old.

The second watch I've ever owned is this just arrived beautiful white Nooka watch I bought online from my very first sample sale. Actually, the latter isn't true, this is my second sample sale purchase. I bought Michelle a stunning silk Thomas Wilde dress for her birthday two summers ago. I digress.

I really love my new watch.

Hair Did

After almost a year without a haircut, I finally decided to go out and do something drastic. Not really sure what this is, but I like it. Seems to actually fit me well. Excited to see what I'll do next time.