Laying my claim

For some reason I never actually claimed my own blog with Technorati…hmm go figure. If you are interested, here is a link to my Technorati Profile.

*cough*

<a href="http://www.trestriges.com/en/t-shirts.html#camiseta1">Yo ho, a pirate's life for me…</a>

The shirts are not cheap, just under $34 with the current exchange rate, by any stretch. But some things are worth the price.

<a href="http://corkd.com/">Good design, good wine…</a>

Two of the more well-known designers in the web development world put together a site for those who are fond of the grape. Dan Benjamin & Dan Cederholm have put together a great site for you to learn about wine, expand your knowledge and keep track of your tastings. The two things that strike me most about the site are its beautiful simplicity and what can happen when a couple of talented people put their minds together.

Someone asked me why I like wine…a seemingly simple question, but as in all things, not as simple as it would seem. Wine encompasses certain rituals. Wine requires slowing your pace. Wine allows time for silence. Wine is really only good when you share it. It comes down to this…friendship. Opening a good wine, allows you to share & talk things over, grand plans or the days events, with those you care for. Opening a bottle is an invitation to a conversation that helps you understand others and vice versa.

My father gave me Kevin Zraly's Windows on the World wine course when I was about 14. I had always been interested in food & wine and this book helped me learn more about a topic that interested me without all the hubris of some other authors. Over the years, discovering great wines has become a hobby my wife and I share, but sharing those wines with those whom we love is an even greater hobby.

If you want to learn more about wine, keep track of your cellar or just surf around an extremely well-designed site, head on over to Cork'd…and look for me.

Make the logo bigger…

This is just too funny. 'nuff said.

Who's Next

I had the occasion to take bit of a road trip this weekend. I loaded up some albums and headed out. Who's Next was top of the playlist and listening to it in its entirety has reminded me how great a piece it is. Who's Next is one of the greatest rock and roll albums ever produced and shines a spotlight on all that is wrong with the music industry today.

The album, as a construct, was created for FM airplay, but was perfected as an art form by groups like The Who. This band used the long album format to create a complete work that, although, could be broken out into 3 minute FM songs, was best enjoyed as a complete experience. There is some great detail on the creation of the album here. Either way, the music struck a chord with generations of fans and defined popular music for decades.

Today's music, on the other hand, nothing to do with music or craftsmanship but everything to do with buzz…all style and no substance. There is very little craft associated with todays performers and certainly nothing close to storytelling & the talent associated with engaging the public. It is this lack of imagination that has record sales down, not the supposed pirates…coincidentally it is the same issues with the movie industry. Until they realize the great opportunities they have today the industry and the public will continue to suffer…but at least we have work like Who's Next to listen to until the next great renaissance in music.