The Ontario Provincial Police Don’t Think Much Of Bud {0}
–
History
Mar 14, 2013
Mar 12, 2013
Mar 6, 2013
Never Stop Stompin’ {0}
RIP Stompin’ Tom.
Feb 28, 2013
Feb 26, 2013
I Was On A Mountain {0}
Most of my favorite memories growing up were hitting the mountains with my family in this rad old tent-trailer my folks had – every summer we’d pack up the family and drive across this great country of ours and beyond. We’d camp at Banff, Jasper, though the BC Rockies and eventually to Switzerland (obviously in a rented camper) where we hiked to the glacier lake at Oberhornsee.
It’s been a long, long while but the call of the mountains never leaves you. I’d been doodling these mountains and laurels on my arm for a while so Dan did just the same…
…and got to work!
As per usual, Dan Innes at The Pearl just nailed it and I couldn’t be happier.
Sorry momma.
–
Feb 14, 2013
Do You Think A Blue Eyed Father Would Kick His Son? {0}
Ms. Jane Elliott’s “brown eyes, blue eyes” experiment in 1970 (the third one after her first in 1968). This “Eye of Storm” documentary was made by William Peters in 1970 for ABC News and later included in the documentary “A Class Divided” (1985), which included a class reunion (of 1984.)
The most telling moment is when Russell used “brown eyes” as a derogatory term to call John name, only a couple of hours through. Though, the experiment was too short to allow it to get to the point when a “brown-eyes” person does so to another fellow “brown-eyes” person.
Jan 29, 2013
‘Cause They Told Me Everybody’s Gotta Pay Their Dues…
And I Explained I’d Overpaid Them {0}
The other night we watched this documentary called Searching For Sugar Man – it’s a beautiful story about an unlikely hero, Sixto Rodriguez… in fact, a man who never never knew how important an influential his music really was until a group of South African fans decided to find out more about the “soundtrack of their youth”.
The film is beautifully shot, edited, titled and it’s a real heart-warmer. Since watching it, I’ve downloaded (and paid for, mind you) two of his records and this music is truly incredible. There is a scene in the film where a producer is talking about this one song, Cause, and how it affected him and it’s definitely become one of my favorites from his collection.
Jan 15, 2013
Now Panic & Freak Out {1}
Last night my special lady friend asked where the Keep Calm & Carry On poster came from which reminded me that I’d had this video in the drafts folder for months. So, this is where it came from…
Jan 2, 2013
Dec 13, 2012
Nov 7, 2012
Actually, It’s Pronounced “Mill-e-wah-que” {1}
One of the great things about working in an industry, and more specifically on a brand, that you are passionate about is getting to immerse yourself in the history and cultural importance of said brand and hopefully play an active roll in the future of the company – it truly is exciting and I’m honored to be a part of this team.
This week I was sent to Milwaukee for a couple of days to present new work, visit the museum and see what’s in store for us in the coming year.
As I expected, staying at the Iron Horse Hotel was a real treat. The place is fucking fantastic – I can only imagine what this place is like in the summer when the roar of motors would fill the air.
I didn’t want to take too many pictures at H-D HQ so I couldn’t really capture how awesome the place really is but it is, after all, people’s workplace so I didn’t want to be tooooooo touristy and make people who are just trying to work too uncomfortable. One thing that becomes apparent immediately is how important history is to the brand as the place is littered with artifacts and reminders of where the company came from.
Nowhere is this history and attention to detail more apparent than right across the bridge from the Iron Horse, at the Harley-Davidson Museum which was truly the highlight of the trip.
The Jeff Decker bronze statues are incredible – I only wish that I could afford one! Even the 10″ statues for sale in the museum gift shop come in around $4000. A real treat to see in person, regardless.
I had a chance to meet Bill Jackson, the museum’s curator, and you can tell how much he cares about sharing this history and presenting it in a way that is highly accessible to everyone, even if you don’t care at all about Harley-Davidson or motorcycles in general, for that matter…
Here is just a small sampling of the things that I saw – I’m sure that I missed so much but I think you’d need multiple trips to really see everything. I mean, you can see all the big stuff in an hour or two but if you want to see all the smaller artifacts, do some reading and watch all the rich media content, you’d need some serious time. There is just so much to see!
One of the newest exhibits is the famous “Tsunami Bike” that found it’s way from Japan to Vancouver in the wake of the Tsunami in 2011. The story is incredible and seeing it in person was pretty chilling.
Harley-Davidson’s commitment to it’s brand is apparent in everything they touch, the Motor Bar & Restaurant is no exception. Some of the guys and I had the opportunity to grab a quick bite before the flight home and we were not disappointed!
Thanks a lot to Michael, Elliott, Suzanne, Tara and all the fine folks I met from H-D for an amazing and action packed day and a half in Milwaukee. Looking forward to coming back soon!
Nov 7, 2012
Everything I Long For {1}
Who’s that handsome young bleach-blonde pup bustin’ out a big slow-mo stage dive at 1:46? It’s ya boyfriend!
Nov 4, 2012
If You Need Me, I’ll Be Here… {0}
I’ve wanted to go to The Iron Horse for a long time! I think even before I had a bike, the place just looks so rad.
While I’m in Milwaukee I’m going to spend as much time here as I can…
I love my job.
Sep 11, 2012
Ch Ch Ch Changes {4}
I know that I don’t talk too, too much about what I do for a living on here but for the last 8 years I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working as a Designer and eventually Art Director with the fine folks at InViVo Communications, a health-care targeted communications studio.
I’ve had the opportunity to both watch and contribute as the company grew from 6 people when I started to more than 60 when I left. We’d moved through at least 3 offices and marveled as we became the biggest company of it’s kind in Canada and one of the best in the world in our given field. I know you can’t tell much from looking at the site because so much of what we did was private, but we did some seriously stellar work there. I’m proud of what the company was able to achieve and the contributions I was able to make but like all good things, my time there had to come to an end.
There are a great many people I will miss seeing on a daily bases dearly and I will always be deeply thankful for the opportunities Andrea, Yan & Reg have given me and the ways in which they’ve enriched my life and shown me possibilities for myself I’d never dreamed of. Thank you, always, InViVo.
All that said, a short while ago my old friend Lyndsey approached me about joining the team at SapientNitro where my main focus would be on… amongst other things, of course… Harley-Davidson Motorcycles!
After meeting Michael Shostak, a VP at SapientNitro, at the Town Moto opening party I knew that it was something I wanted to seriously pursue and the door opened for me to come in see if I’d be a good fit for the company. Elliott, Phil, Kim, Arjun and everyone I met through the interview process were all so awesome that I knew that I wanted to be here and at that point just hoped that they wanted me too! I guess they did.
I just went through my first week with the company as an Art Director and have been honored by the extremely warm welcome they’ve given me and humbled by the talent I’m surrounded by. I think I needed the change of scenery to re-ignite my passion for design and let’s face it, there is no better way to kick off the next stage of my career than working on Harley! I feel honored and priveledged to get to spend my days working on something that I relate to and love so dearly and am seriously so excited about the road that lays ahead.
May 18, 2012
Apr 2, 2012
A Great Day in Harlem: 1958 & 1996
A Great Day in Harlem – Art Kane, 1958
A Great Day in Harlem Survivors – Gordon Parks*, 1996
Thanks Ruhee!
–
*Not to be confused with this gem. Robbie B, you’re going to want to watch this.
