Michael Johansson

I recently discovered Michael Johansson's work via a friend. I love the colors, objects, and use of the mundane and everyday. There is something great about working with what is around you. Organized and arranged in a way the outcome is beautiful and unexpected. It is interesting to note the separation of the objects original function and form, seen now only for its aesthetic and relationship to its surroundings. Great stuff!

MIKE SASSER, CIRCA 1988

BEAUTIFUL DECAY

The following link is to a beautiful and intriguing series of photographs of albatross chicks. These nesting babies are fed bellies-full of plastic by their unknowing parents. To view the complete collection click here. I really love the contrast of natural and artificial color, synthetic vs organic etc. enjoi.

LIGHTING STRIKES

This past week we have been through some of the hardest times of our lives. After a procedure gone bad, I had to be rushed to the ER for an emergency surgery due to abdominal pain and fainting. After this big hill had been been climbed I immediately had to climb a mountain. Due to complications with the surgery I was feeling worse not better, they called for a cat scan, the results lead to another emergency operation. Looking back on the second surgery I can honestly say that the surgeon saved my life (and took a piece of me with him). It has been and is going to be a long and hard process. All of the medical professionals have left us with many unanswered questions, telling us that "You were just struck by lighting 3 days in a row." Not wanting to put anyone or anything at fault. I arrived to the comforts of my own home last night after two surgery's and a procedure in a pare tree. My parents are here to care for me and help out. It has been such a blessing to have them.

Thank you for all of the love, support, phone calls, flowers, e-mails, prayers, good vibes, and kindness. It has left us with overwhelming feelings of gratefulness. We apologize for any delayed responses to any and all concerned, but please know we are grateful and our hearts are full. It is pretty humbling to think of the daily things we are blessed with that were once taken for granted. Such as being able to walk on your own, lift your own body and parts at your own will, being able to just take good deep breath, eating, even going #1 and #2's by yourself. It will be a slow road to recovery, but I feel as though I am on the up and up's.

Song compliments of Aubs Trinny*

PUMP THE JAM

Last month when I was home visiting, my mom had peaches upon peaches coming out of her ears from our family trees. So everyday she had the challenge of making something involving peaches before they started to go bad; peach fritters, peach pie, peach zuchinni bread, and my favorite peach rosemary lime jam. If anyone knows my mom they can attest to her excellent cooking skills. It was so much fun to get to cook with her, on top of all the delicious taste testing.



I threw in these tomato pictures just because they are awesome. My parent's backyard is full of these beautiful heirloom tomatoes. I love the colors and variety. Picture Perfect, Em Em Delicious!

COMPUTER ARTS

I was in the October issue of Computer Arts with a handful of other designers and typographers. Featured in a section called "114 New Pro Tips for Type" I am excited to be apart of such an esteemed group. They are coming off the shelf this week so get em while you can!

GOOD SUNDAY FINDS

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I am thinking about being this for Halloween...

DAY OF THE DEAD

I knew as soon as I saw this beautifully disfigured pumpkin, it was a match made in heaven...

OVERHEARD ON THE SUBWAY

"There are three things I can never deny myself... pizza, beer and teenage mutant ninja turtles on dvd".

30-35 yr. old guy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

Today is my mothers birthday. Knowing she is in Richmond, VA today visiting my sister Kim, I decided to send a singing telegram to her. I always wanted to do this to someone, I knew today was my chance. I got online and found a service within minutes and made the call. I even was even able to decide what kind of costume I wanted the "telegram" to be wearing. As you can see I opted for the pink gorilla! I received the following e-mail and pictures from my sister afterword...

HAHAHAHAHA!
I honestly didn't know if I should laugh, cry, run, or give him a big hug. It was so funny. I wish we had video. He was singing songs, making rhymes, hugging mom and making monkey noises every few seconds. I thought I might be dreaming. Loved it. Mom was like, "that was so cute!" Hope you like the pics. We were laughing so hard on her bed, I could have pee peed. loves-kim

AHHH GOOD'OL TIME(S)

We were in Utah the other week for our good friends Jared and Angies wedding. We had a great time seeing old faces, catching up, eating foods etc. All kudos to J and A for having a photo booth at there reception. Also a shoot out to the operator of the booth who let up bully it for the better part of an hour. I placed arrows at note worthy faces. enjoi.

Inovative Inventions

DEAR CAL, WE LOVE FIVE STAR!

We have been incrementally stripping harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients from our lives and diet. The most recent step, for lack of a better word, is our soaps. From our dish soap to detergent and even our shampoo. We recently got our first order from "Cal" also know as five star, a family owned and ran biz. Soap from the highest grade natural ingredients to produce a soap that cleans without harsh chemicals. Things like white tallow and pure cocoa butter oils, along with natural extracts of almond, coconut and citrus... Pure Soap does not contain any inert ingredients polluting phosphates - enzymes - salts - chemicals - artificial additives - coloring dyes - irritating allergy prone disinfectants - sticky deodorants - lanolins - useless creams - harmful perfumes - artificial detergents - and toxic antibacterial chemicals.

take note of the sweet pamphlet graphics. "five star gazer!" Stop by the site to learn more about five star.

Some of the goodies (complete with epic packaging and labels)
five star gazer zer zer! (trail off)
Holy galactic soaps, collect one collect em all.