Great Surprises
Something that we have to do here in the creative department is try to discover new ways to entertain people. Well not so much new ways but new expressions. This past year we created a character. Well not so much a new character but a new expression on that character. There was some nervousness about that character. I had my reservations but this was one of those instances where I don’t “legislate from the bench” I encounter many ideas that I may not be a fan of but I think its my job to also read where I think the public is. This could also be prime example of where market research would be a very good thing. We don’t really do some much of that here its more of a gut feeling or we use our experiences or we ask one dude. The one dude thing doesn’t really constitute a sampling but hey we are still here. Anyway in honor of thanksgiving I now present to you Edwin.
Edwin’s Corner – Happy Thanks Givings Craft from Student Life on Vimeo.
Joss Stone Colour me Free!
This endorsement wont be too long. Its been a rough and long week. Today’s musician is a 22 year old singer Joss Stone. The first album I had of Joss stone’s was her “mind body soul”. Good stuff. I pretty much bought it because of her single “You had Me” This album is a little different. If you are a gospel listener you will really like this. This thing is old school R&B kinda music you play for your girl after a nice dinner and you’re chilling on the couch. It has been my 4:00 music in my office to end the day. The song that gets me every time is Girlfriend on Demand. There is a story behind the cover art that I’ve been trying to research. This is what they say the album used to look like. My research brought me to this blog. You should check it out especially if you are looking for cover art. Joss Stone is a great artist that I dont think gets enough play. For me she is at the top of my play list. So take the time and have a listen enjoy and Happy Friday.
Late Night Update
So for some reason im up. I can hear Jared snoring in his room. Wow. oh that’s not why im awake. I wonder if I do that. Well I found something that I still think is kinda funny. I was searching my name and found this video.
This American Life
If you’re an NPR listener then you know exactly what I’m about to talk about. If you are not let me introduce you to a program that will make you one. I discovered the show This American Life when I was in college . For some reason our family listened to shows like Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion on Sunday afternoons so it was pretty natural for me to move right into this type of story telling. NPR is one of those things that either you are or you aren’t. You either always have it on that station when you’re in your car or you listen to two fat guys talk about guns, politics, eating and church. Here is what TAL is. It is story telling at its finest. What they do is take a topic and break it down into three or four acts taking on the topic at different angles. Some of my favorite stories are Heretics and Giant pool of money. One is about a man who said there was no hell the other was about the financial recession. I think what fascinates me so much about this radio program is that its about real people. Its the kind of stories that you say “come on that can’t be real” Ira Glass the host weaves all of these stories together by filling in the gaps for us. He has a way of speaking for us. Saying the things that we would be thinking if we were interviewing those people. Something else that I like about the show is that they also record on location. Its some dude or girl with a microphone that goes out to where the story is. It isn’t us just listening to people in a studio talk. It’s not just an interview or call in show its storytelling. That’s kinda the part that makes the show pretty awesome. This American Life has become so popular that they even started a television program. They kept the same style on camera that they had on radio and that’s pretty cool.
I have always said I would rather hear a true story than one that’s made up. That’s why I like biographies and that’s why I like documentaries. Those will always beat a fiction story for me every time. People are just that interesting to me. So here is what I think you should do…. give it a try. You can listen to the ones I suggested or ask for some others that I like or you can check out the podcast. They always have up the past week’s show. (so many choices) Or you can tune in on WBHM if you live in Birmingham at 5:00 on Sunday. If you don’t live here you need to check your NPR station’s website and see when it is on. On a side note if you want get away from the shock jock, or the two fat guys and you just want to hear what’s going on in the world try turning to your NPR station in the morning. Its not as colorful as those guys or other news shows its just straight news. You remember when that happened.
Oh I do have one question what do you think of the new layout and the smart phone version. I’m trying out some new stuff.
Miley Cyrus Party in the USA
Can I get personal with you . I need to admit something. It’s true and sometimes I’m really embarrassed but I must come out of the closet. I own party in the USA and by the end of the week I think I’ll have the entire album. I know what you are saying. That’s bubble gum music. It has no heart. Look, you can keep your Swedish folk music I’ll keep my Miley. OK I feel a lot better. It really is a good song. Yes I like Jay-Z and I like Miley Cyrus. On Friday I’m going to introduce you to another female singer that I really like and have liked since her debut. Enough of this. I now give you Miley Cyrus I also like it when rich people act poor. Girl you are L.A. that part you got to get over. Are you in a Miley state of mind? Oh and by the way don’t search for a picture of miley cyrus. Ouch
Not so New Music Friday
A couple months ago I went to seattle. While there I was able to visit the Experience the Music Project. They had an entire exhibit dedicated to Jimi Hendrix. Before that I was kinda like most people. I thought he looked cool while playing the guitar. I never really listened. Wow. leading up to this woodstock was having an anniversary so I got a little taste of him. He was the closing act at the festival. I would now call myself a Jimi Hendrix fan. There is something about his music that takes music to a whole different level. Not just his playing but how he defined a generation. If there was any time period I would want to visit it would be that one. They seem to be a generation that still effects us today. It may also be the only album I can listen to in its entirety while running. Great sound great fun. So you may have one or two songs in you itunes I would challenge you to buy this album you wont regret it. Every once in a while you have to reach back to some of the people that have made music how it is.
Stopped me in my tracks
There aren’t many times that I just get mesmerized by a video. This was one of those times. I sat and stared at this thing for the whole video. Can you pick out my buddy taylor in this? He isn’t really in this I just think that’s what he would be doing if he was in this video. Well enjoy. Oh and if you have fish tank videos send them my way.
Kuroshio Sea – 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world – (song is Please don’t go by Barcelona) from Jon Rawlinson on Vimeo.
What I did and what’s up
So there you go. A bunch of stuff I would have done differently. One being get help earlier. Jared helped me out. I don’t think I would have been able to have done this without him. Well there is still a bunch I need to do to clean up. I have to clean the edges will figure that out on thursday. I may also take up some of the square blocks and put in some paver plants. I’ll a take a picture when its all cleaned up to show.
I start class when I get back into town. I will be taking Marketing and fundraising this year for non-profits. I read the syllabus and it really looks like it will be fun class. That’s it.
And now for your moment of zen and a video I just like.
They say this was done in one take.
