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Around Us, Jonsi

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:01:00 +0000

"...Smell of men and gasoline."

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:49:00 +0000

Two killer assassins (one who looks a lot like my grandfather), one desperate waif and a fourth star: the music. Colt Is My Passport has all the elements of a spaghetti western, but they swapped John Wayne for James Bond and desolate countryside for a Japanese shipyard.

Dear Son

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:56:00 +0000

Dear Son,

Just a few words on the eve of your great adventure for which you have trained yourself and anticipated for so long — to let you know that we all share it with you, vicariously.

As I think I remarked to you at the outset of the space program, you are privileged to share in a pioneering project on a grand scale — in fact the grandest scale yet known to man. And I venture to predict that after all the huzzas have been uttered and the public acclaim is but a memory, you will derive the greatest satisfaction from the serene knowledge that you have discovered new truths. You can say to yourself: this I saw, this I experienced, this I know to be the truth. This experience is a precious thing; it is known to all researchers, in whatever field of endeavour, who have ventured into the unknown and have discovered new truths.

You are probably aware that I am not a particularly religious person, at least in the sense of embracing any of the numerous formal doctrines. Yet I cannot conceive of a man endowed with intellect, perceiving the ordered universe about him, the glory of the mountain top, the plumage of a tropical bird, the intricate complexity of a protein molecule, the utter and unchanging perfection of a salt crystal, who can deny the existence of some higher power. Whether he chooses to call it God or Mohammed or Buddha or Torquoise Woman or the Law of Probability matters little. I find myself in my writings frequently calling upon Mother Nature to explain things and citing Her as responsible for the order of the universe. She is a very satisfactory divinity for me. And so I shall call upon Her to watch over you and guard you and, if she so desires, share with you some of Her secrets which She is usually so ready to share with those who have high purpose.

With all my love,
Dad

In 1962, Malcolm Scott Carpenter became just the second American to orbit the Earth. On the eve of this historic journey, his father, Marion, proudly wrote him [this] letter. - Letters of Note

On Sunsets

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:21:00 +0000

Alessandro Puccinelli

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:54:00 +0000

Devastatingly beautiful photography that feels so incredibly rich when the colors are obviously anything but. I want this dude to direct a film, pronto. Personally, I feel like the more domestic shots are really intense; As you'll see, he has a close relationship with the ocean and its many forms, so seeing the way he captures fabric is unreal. More of Alessandro Puccinelli.

Via yewknee.

Realtree? More Like Hammerpress

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:29:00 +0000

Realtree - The Making of a Tradition from MAMMOTH on Vimeo.

Un-freaking believable. We know all I love them, and that they make me homesick as hell. So the whole thing is supposed to be a branding piece for Realtree, but really... it's about showcasing fellow Kansas City Art Institute graduate Brady Vest and his fine craftsmanship at Hammerpress. It's pure Kansas City porn! Oooh, do enjoy.

"That girl was made to destroy men."

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:47:00 +0000

Brigitte Bardot is a grade-A floozy seducing men, tanning naked and running around barefoot. French life in a port city, puh. And God Created Woman, it's—well... pretty.

I didn't realize this actually happens

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:33:00 +0000

Never thought I'd get the opportunity to say, "Someone put my car on blocks." Just lucky, I guess. I feel violated and embarrassed, especially after my insurance company added insult to injury by telling me I'd have to pay for my own tow if I wanted it taken to a shop before Monday—it's Friday, so it's just sitting there for everyone to laugh at. Way to be, insurance company.

Internet K-Hole

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:02:00 +0000

Complete and utter retro nonsense with no sources credited, explanation or order. Like thumbing through an abandoned album of wayside NSFW and bizarre candid memories. I'm strangely attracted to the way this whole thing is put together—partial blame can fall on my assumption that it's a commentary on what we're loosing in a digital age. In a time when Tumblr is king, this stockpile of uncurated ugly and uncomfortable is refreshing.

Writer's Routines

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:08:00 +0000

David Lynch:

For seven years in the 1980s he ate lunch at Bob’s Big Boy every day, which consisted of cup after cup of coffee and a single chocolate milkshake while scribbling notes on Bob’s napkins. He arrived at Bob’s at precisely 2:30 p.m. each day. The reason: “If you go earlier, at lunchtime, they’re making a lot of chocolate milkshakes. The mixture has to cool in a machine, but if it doesn’t sit in there long enough, it’s runny,” he said. “At 2:30, you’ve got a chance for it to be just great.

Only three perfect milkshakes out of more than 2,500.  “The coffee and the sugar would really get me going. And I would try to catch ideas.” (He doesn’t eat sugar anymore). Mapped out, at least in part, on Bob’s napkins—was Blue Velvet.

Via Writer's Routine from thecityofabsurdity.com.

On Art: Clement Greenberg

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:51:00 +0000

Animation from Judith Shimer.

"Your son, the vegetarian."

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:05:00 +0000

Four-star, Netflix gamble turns into a B-movie dark comedy with surprisingly good cinematography. Directed by Bob Balaban better known for his acting career, Parents isn't much of a departure from his other work: The Twilight Zone episodes, My Boyfriend's Back and much of Eerie, Indiana. Definitely entertaining if you're into that kind of 8os kitsch thing, like us. Bottom line, don't force feed kids; They might kill you for it.

Resolution List, or lack thereof

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:54:00 +0000

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 by Woody Guthrie on Grooveshark

I didn't make myself a New Year's resolution. What can I say—I've never been very successful limiting myself; Instead, I choose to live in "moderation" or with the 80/20 mentality that if I eat well, choose good, and act appropriately 80% of the time then I can afford to be a little less kept the other 20%. For lack of my own list, here's Woody Guthrie's from Lists of Note.

"As 1941 drew to a close, the great Woody Guthrie sat and drew up an illustrated list of 33 resolutions for the following year, 1942. The charming result of his efforts, entitled 'New Year's Rulin's,' can be enjoyed below."

Personal favorites (might even piggie-back on these):

Learn people better,
Don't get lonesome,
Keep hoping machine running,
Have company, but don't waste time,
Love everybody,
Make up your mind,
Wake up and fight.

Hey, 2012.

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:21:00 +0000

We've established our first official couple tradition, and that is to find the nearest photo booth on New Year's and freeze the last moments of the year in film. Also, I've been working on a bit of freelance lately so the Graphic Artist's Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines has been sitting on the coffee table this month. Fun, fun, fun stuff! Cheers.

A Lonesome Sound, Lisa Elmaleh

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:23:00 +0000

"Traditional Appalachian folk music is a lyrical history of America. The songs are passed down from one generation to the next. Many songs were passed on through the region during the Civil War, often by travelling soldiers. The music is influenced by the culture of early immigrants in America—traces of Africa, Ireland, Scotland, and England meld together and reflect the cultural melting pot of the American people. Played on porches, at dances, and in church meetings, the melodies are simple, and the lyrics often resonate with stories of work, slavery, farming, of war, and death, and love, and god."

"God bless those handsome men."

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:29:00 +0000

Moonshiner by Cat Power on Grooveshark

"I spend all my money on whisky and beer." Ain't that the goddamn truth. The best version of this song can be found here. You're welcome.

Schoolhouse Electric

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:23:00 +0000

Boy, oh boy I love these guys... The founder has got the right idea. It's an old rant on a cliché bandwagon, but there was a time when things had weight, were crafted, were built to last and were made for everyone and everyday; Some how we lost that and gave it up. The video pretty much speaks for itself.

Friends of Friends: Johanna Burke

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:06:00 +0000

Via Freunde Von Freunde.

Hell's Angels old ladies, circa '65

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:46:00 +0000

Via Life Magazine.

On drifters: 'Suzanne' by H. Sandoval

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:26:00 +0000

Suzanne by Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions on Grooveshark

Touch of Evil: Cinematic Villainy

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:17:00 +0000

The New York Times Magazine has done it again. On a similar production note as Fourteen Actors Acting, they've commissioned Alex Prager to direct (and photograph) Touch of Evil, a most spectacular video series showcasing classic wicked archetypes. Starring 13 of the best 2011's got to offer, each of these is simultaneously surreal and chilling.

Some of the character inspiration is pretty obvious: Brad Pitt channels Eraserhead, Ryan Gosling plays the Invisible Man, Rooney Mara recreates A Clockwork Orange—but if the others leaving you wondering as they did me (in that maddening way), check out this breakdown. They spell out the character profiles fairly well with nice supporting quotes from the talent, but I'm still unclear what movies they borrowed from to portray The Homewrecker and The Fire Starter (two of my favorites).

"Going green 1949-style, bitch."

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:53:00 +0000

For Pacific Standard Time, I present: Ice Cube Celebrates The Eames. Touring their home, Case Study House #8, Cube enlightens us on the true character of L.A., and makes connections between hiphop the work of two of the best damn designers that ever lived. With anecdotes of his pre-rap fame and quotes like: "In a world full of McMansions, where the structure takes up all the land, the Eames made structure and nature one. This is going green 1949-style, bitch. Believe dat," it's worth mentioning.

On the internet: NBC, '94

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:10:00 +0000

"What is 'internet', anyway? What do you mean it's getting big?" via How to be a Retronaut.

9 Eyes, Google Street View

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:11:00 +0000

Insane collection of Google Street View images from all over the world—at really interesting moments. Jon Rafman has curated bizarre and most opportune photo shots at 9-eyes as in the nine lenses atop the Google vehicles. Really interesting project, but I guess this sort of thing is catching on with lots of artists; Aaron Hobson has done something similar with gorgeous and dreamy landscapes from remote parts of the world, usually reserved for natives. So, so cool.

Via yewknee.

Before & After I Saw Them

noreply@blogger.com (Morgan Ashley Allen) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:02:00 +0000

Absolutely hysterical, spot-on visual assumptions of podcast host(s). Who hasn't done this? How could you not? I'd like to commission a few of these. I'm not big in the podcast world, but I definitely listen to a lot of radio—admittedly, NPR radio. Click & Clack with Car Talk? All of the cast of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me? Before the Prairie Home Companion movie aired, I had notions of what Garrison Keillor looked like—and they were wild in comparison to reality.

Keep an eye on Harvey James here.