Daylight Saving Time

Remember clocks spring forward today for daylight saving time - (North America) Check out this link for some interesting facts on daylight saving time. Link

PS - Happy Birthday KC - hope you have a good one ;  )

Shalimar Website

Been working on a website for a local restaurant - giving me a good excuse to play with some jQuery (this stuff is great!) A holding page has just gone up - site goes fully live in a week or so. If you're in Seattle's U district, Shalimar is a great place to eat! Link

Weather for...

Cool way to check what's going on weather wise - weather for.  Make sure you check out all the weather images - my favourite is windy! This is just crying out to be made into an iPhone app...

Everything is amazing...

There's a lot to be said for looking at the world with a child-like awe!

Crayon Art, but not as you know it...

Wonderful pixel art images, created with wax crayons, by artist Christian Faur.

Venetian Blind

I created a working venetian blind, for an animation project I'm working on - the rig allows raising and lowering of the the blind, as well as rotation of the blades to let in more or less light. 

Lunch Bag Art

This dad creates wonderful 'lunch bag art', during his lunch break - for his kids. A new one everyday - now there's a cool dad! Link

Love is a Verb

Happy Valentines day people...

Fishy Unicorns?

Actually, they are narwhals (Monodon monoceros) - "It was an amazing sight. These animals are just so completely unreal - they are like something from mythology - and we were all just completely gobsmacked when we saw them."

Wonderful footage of narwhals, in the arctic. Filmed by BBC crew, in June 2008, during the tusked animals' summer migration. Link

Related - well it is about narwhals - I enjoyed it! Link #2 

End of the Rainbow

So, what is at the end of a rainbow? in Greek mythology, the rainbow was considered to be a path made by 'Iris'; the messenger of the Gods; between heaven and earth. In Norse mythology it is also a bridge connecting humans to the Gods, but in Irish folklore, it's the leprechaun's secret hiding place for his pot of gold. This place is impossible to reach, because the rainbow is an optical effect which depends on the location of the viewer. When walking towards the end of a rainbow, it will usually move further away. Well, as you can see in this photo, not always... and there's no sign of that pot of gold - Link. Update 2nd Link

Blue for creativity? Red for detail?

The subconscious effect of colour is a hot area of psychology research, in part because marketers try to use colour to hook us on whatever they're trying to sell. New research, published on Thursday by the journal Science, suggests they'd better be careful - because red or blue can spark very different brain reactions depending on the task involved. Link

NFB.ca finally online...

Finally, the National Film Board of Canada has put NFB.ca online. A treasure trove of work, to explore and enjoy and in some cases get re-acquainted with. The site let's you view hundreds of animated films, documentaries and experimental films in various genres - Excellent! Here's one of my favourites...

Napping makes you Smarter

So it's true - a short snooze during the day will boost your mood and your intelligence - but there's more to it than simply closing your eyes. Link

Happy 25th Birthday Mac

Like a lot of us, I have been a Mac user for many years - pretty much since the beginning in 1984, when I was in high school. Here's to another 25 years - Happy Birthday Mac. 

1984 Apple Mac Ad - best SuperBowl ad ever, which only officially aired once!

Cadbury's Eyebrow Dance

This is a 'glass and a half' of pure genius... 

The soundtrack is 'Don't stop the Rock' by Freestyle

Update: The ad was created by the London wing of Fallon, who also produced Cadbury's other two 'off the wall' ads - Gorilla and Trucks. These may be a little out there, but nothing comes close to the Tango ad's of the 90's - enjoy!

Thumbs Up...

...from daughter Sasha, and the rest of the world. Good Luck Sir.

'A return to truths' - from President Barack Obama's inaugural address:

"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths."

Is Obama President?

The White House has been updated.

The Big Picture - inauguration in photographs.

A Tribute to Tony Hart

Tony Hart - the man who inspired a generation of artists, died yesterday. His enthusiasm for all genres of art was infectious - He was instrumental in building the foundation for the artist/animator, I am today. He was the best sort of teacher - one who shows you a technique; then encourages you to take it to the next level.

One of my fondest memories of childhood was seeing a piece of art; I created; displayed on tv - in the gallery section of Hart Beat - you will be missed, RIP Tony.

Tony Hart - Official website

BBC Report

Guardian - Tony in Pictures

I miss London

T-mobile advert; filmed on 15th January 2009 at Liverpool Street Station, London. I love this - makes me miss London. Hey, I even have a soft spot for Liverpool Street Station!

Audi Unboxed

Excellent animated Audi ad - a mix of 3d and trad hand drawn cel animation. Insight from one of the two co-directors at the Motionographer site.

Tetris = Stress Relief

So now we have some scientific proof, that all those hours spent playing Tetris, were actually doing you good. Link

Currently enjoying:

Quinn for Mac.

Tetris Party for Wii.

Doodle Monster

A recent doodle; He really has a lot of character - I like this one, I might have to try and make him in 3d...

Why I Am a Designer

Isn't it a little scary that I conform to all of these points? Link

A little inspiration for the new year

via Overthinking It

Objectified: A Documentary Film

Finally a film for all of us; obsessed with design and aesthetics. Link

Beautiful Children

Given the escalation of conflict in Gaza this weekend, I've been glued to the internet news sites (like most of you, I'm sure). Here are a couple of links that I felt were worth a look, and second look...

Global Voices special coverage - ongoing; 

NY Times Report - 3rd Jan; 

BBC News protests at Israeli embassy in London - 3rd Jan; 

Haaretz.com coverage of protests in Tel Aviv - 4th Jan; 

Protest photos from all around the world - ongoing;

One Voice Movement

A proposed solution for peace in the Middle East; the above graffiti; discovered on a wall near Dizengoff Circle in Tel Aviv. This simple sentiment reflects a central problem of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the larger web of sectarian conflicts in the region. Change won’t happen as long as each faction hates the other more than they love their own children.

Peace, coming to a world near you, soon - Insh'Allah.

Happy New Year - 2009

May peace break into your house, and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills. May love stick to your face like glue, and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success, and may happiness slap you across the face, and may your tears be that of joy. May all the problems you have be forgotten and... may 2009 be peaceful and prosperous for us all.