Wet Socks - September 26, 2007

So, just when I thought I had come up with a name for my business, I decided it sucked.

You know when you pull out a pair of fresh, hot, and soft socks from the dryer and put them on your feet, and it makes you feel all giddy? Then all of a sudden you walk into a puddle and the sock gets soaked and floppy and wet? This is how I would describe the feeling of coming to the conclusion about how my name was just not right. Essentially, I was a damp, floppy sock.

I’m really trying to figure out what I should name the company, and it is pretty much the hardest thing I’ve done so far. Everything else was a cinch compared to this, even making complex molds.

Check out this chart:

The point eventually, is to get to the top of this chart, where I’m known for something distinctive that is esteemed and preferred by consumers. Hmmmmm…..(scratch head, go back to drawing board).

Bored after Love Fest? - September 25, 2007

So, you're hungover from a day at the Love Fest? Why not try to erase the guilt you're feeling from trying to make out with a person dressed-up as a squirrel by heading over to the Folsom Street Fair.

I'd like to describe the Folsom Street Fair as a fun family event, but others have a different viewpoint.

“The ever-expanding downtown shopping empire, from Barneys to Bloomies, provides even more ripe opportunities to freak out straight-edge, bridge-and-tunnel Sunday shoppers with a leather master-and-slave getup. Around 40,000 fetishists, leather daddies, BDSM practitioners, sexual adventurers, furries, and garden-variety voyeurs from all over the world head down to Folsom Street for public spankings, piercing-and-hook suspension, and bare-butts-in-leather-chaps ogling. Plus, hear the Ladytron DJs spin and see Imperial Teen, Smash-Up Derby, and drag acts such as Kimo (of "20 Years of Madonna in 20 Minutes" fame) perform.”

Patsy and Mark ENGAGED!!!!

Yes. Mark of the Jo-Tel is engaged to Patsy. Shortly thereafter, HipE kicked Shark in the head as Patsy and Mark were making out on the ground.

What's Your Secret - September 25, 2007

So, this blog is a bit secretive in the sense that I am trying to build a business that does something that might make me a million dollars. I'm chronicling every step I take, but never show a product or talk about what it is......until it's ready.

It kinda feels secretive at least. But for some real secrets check out PostSecret, where people send in postcards about some of their secrets. Like these:

Techno Techno Techno - September 21, 2007

Oh my god!!! Only 7 more days until the San Francisco Love Fest!!! If you like techno you’ll want to come to this, I’ve gone every year since I’ve been here.

Here is a short list of things you are guaranteed to see:
- Transvestites and transexuals
- A bunch of crazy floats topped with neon drenched drug filled lunatics
- Naked people
- Hippies selling weed brownies or mushroom chocolate
- LASERS!!!
- Thousands of people basking in the warm bass of techno music
- Some oddly placed corporate advertising

An Egg Story - September 21, 2007

I was at the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival last weekend, where I surprisingly had a good time. Although many art festivals have tons of junk this one had several really great exhibits, including a guy who actually forged knives.

I wanted to write about this woman, J. Brooke Patterson, who creates these awesome little dioramas inside all sorts of eggs (quail, chicken, goose, duck). They are absolutely enchanting and really amazing to stare at and stare at and stare at.
Here is part her artist statement:

"As a container of life, the egg also inspires one to imagine the many things that can dwell inside. It can frame and focus a passing observation, or a deep contemplation. It is opportune medium in which to create little worlds that can enchant, delight, and amuse people. Its irregular shape and size, and its intimate nature, can draw people inwards."

Avast! Talk like ye Pirate Day - September 19, 2007

More tonguewaggin' when me ken morrre, but Warrrrmest Salutations and Happy "Talk Like a Pirate Day"

- Festus Blackfist Reid III, bane o' Blackwater

(dees be sums of the narlies' pirates eva)

Last Words - September 18, 2007

There is something interesting in pondering what one's last words might be before one dies, and there is also something very frightening about it. Will your last words be filled with pain, love, brilliance, or blabber?

Feel like you need to take a look at some other people's last words? Check out the Texas Department of Criminal Justice list of executed offenders and their last words.

Lights Out S.F.!! - September 17, 2007

Do your part, or don't. Your choice. Link

Wild Crazy Barista

Because they make the basic things so much more interesting for the rest of us.

Paper and Brilliant Thinking Collide - September 11, 2007

I found this artist, Peter Callesen, randomly and became instantly addicted to his unique take on a sheet of paper.

BEHOLD!!!

Customization Gone Too Far? - September 10, 2007

I am a big fan of empowering consumers with products that they have a partial hand in designing, however, this one might have gone too far.

The My Twin “Just-like-Me” company allows parents to create dolls for their children that are supposed to resemble them.

Why? Seriously, why? It’s just top creepy. I mean I’m all about innovation, but there is something just too peculiar about this one.

Rejected Vodka Ad

enjoy

Ask a Scientist - September 5, 2007

I know that scientists have this stereotype of being creepy dudes in lab coats that have little to no social competency, but I beg to differ. Scientists, although at sometimes a little bit too cerebral, are naturally curious beings. As a curious being, they inherently cause disruption and innovation through their discoveries. Sure, they might not ever figure out how to kiss someone of the opposite sex, but hey, at least they've figured out how to do stuff like instantly heat up my can of soup.

If anyone is ever interested in drinking beer and listening to a scientist discuss their work, check out "Ask a Scientist" http://www.sciencecafes.org/.

Tonight at Axis Cafe in SF, they are going to be talking about exoplanets: http://www.askascientistsf.com/

"The recent announcement of the discovery of 28 more planets outside of our solar system has brought the total number of known exoplanets to 236! Of particular interest is Gliese 581c, the smallest exoplanet discovered to date. Estimated to be only five times more massive than Earth, Gliese 581c orbits within its dim sun's habitable zone, the region around a star within which a planet's temperature can sustain liquid water on its surface."

Bowling Make-Over - September 1, 2007

The number of traditional alleys(11,000 in 1960 and only 5,500 today) and weekly bowlers (9 million in 1980 and only 2.7 million today) is dropping.

OH MY GOD! America’s former #1 activity might be dying? Or will it?

A group of Nike and Microsoft “expats” bought the Professional Bowler’s Association and are trying to repackage and resell bowling into a profitable sport. Check this movie out if you’re interested, “The League of Ordinary Gentleman.”

Hmmm..so that means Midwest bumpkins can now afford to buy two trailers instead of one?

The good news is that the traditional image of bowling and the places people bowl is in a paradigm shift, (only 1/3 of bowling centers are small traditional centers). This means you no longer are subject to smoky bowling alleys, but instead bowling alleys filled with disco lights and black lights! Why someone cares that much about trying to uplevel the image of bowling is beyond me. I mean bowling is really only about getting drunk and or having really aqward dates where girls beat you (see a post from Shark at the jo-tel about this)

In the meantime, do your part to save bowling and go visit your favorite bowling center. Oh p.s. enjoy these pics!

Jim Gaffigan and Hot Pockets!

Oh sweet sweet hot pockets.