Downtown Food Thing Day Recap! (super long, went photo crazy)

KDBIA Employee Appreciation Day Video Blog!

My Nerd.

I've always been pretty insecure about my lack of knowledge surrounding things like Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars, Dr. Who, Comic Books; all that stuff that people seem to know so much about.  Sure, they're pretty nerdy topics, but hey guys I want to be involved in the conversation too!

I just never got into them. Didn't see the appeal. I mean, sheesh guys it's make believe. 

Well, I am happy to announce that I have finally found my nerdism. 

I am a vampire nerd.

I love them.

And no one can stop me.

I'm just glad this discovery came later in life and not when I was young(er) and (more) impressionable and decided that I maybe WAS a vampire and started dressing Gothic in highschool. Sigh. Things would be so different now.

designfail

I asked Cassie today "how do you design for a world that doesn't understand design?"

Her head expoloded.

While I was cleaning up the gooey mess that used to be my friend and co-worker (it's Chinatown) I thought to myself, what do I mean by 'design' anyway? 

Of all the definitions on the web, I think this is my favourite thusfar:

The purposeful or inventive arrangement of parts or details

It's the 'purposeful' and 'inventive' aspect that I like. Design in advertising is about more than just adding colours that people like or imitating slogans that have worked in the past. Design, from a communications perspective--which as far as I'm concerned is what 'marketing' aspires to--is about creating meaning and providing a platform for ideas. The quality of the idea is important, to be sure, but even the best ideas need a little help now and then getting heard because, despite the apparent lack of design out there it's still a caccophony. 

Think about birds: Song to communicate over distance, to demark territory or announce food; Display to attract a mate, confuse a predator, or fascinate documentary film makers.  Millions of years of evolution weeds out bad design and leaves us with stuff like this...

vinyl as memory

Since Cassie's on a design swoon, I thought I'd join in. While blog trolling I found a link to this amazing design company that sells creative vinyl stickers for your walls, appliances, and whatever. They seem to be mostly way-finding or memory-aiding tools for around your house. They are divided by room and probably some of the most utilitarian wall art I've seen since these crazy images. They even have a BANKSY tribute series (albeit less useful, but still very cool).

I even found something that I think I can't live without...

I will always want to see the thing obscured by my mac.

Interior Design Swoon

Friday and Stuff.

Interesting week kids. Ups and Downs. Ins and Outs. But, it's dunzo and  now we're on to the weekend. Which is shaping up to be most excellent.

In my head most of the afternoon:

For a special someone today:

And now I'm off to a 4 (Yes, FOUR) hour bootcamp at GameDay Fitness. Why? I have no choice. And I'm terrified.

But it's okay because I'm gonna follow that up with the Schneider Weisse that's in my fridge and celebrations at a friends place.

and maybe a shower.

Balance. It's essential.

Big Food / Small Head?

And well, we all know how massive my head is.

First lobster ever. So difficult to get into...and green.

Last night's dinner (and today's lunch)...Crispy pancetta, tonnes of veg and hot peppers and an ice cold Stella. Hello.  

If you're looking for a new brew to try.... Summer Lightning Golden Ale....British, sweet, refreshing. Really good.... $3.45 a pint. 

Steal Our (well, not OUR) Ideas

click to enlarge

Some funny ideas from Jon and Adam at Steal Our Ideas.  Seems they've taken a break from the site and have gone back to work...something about how giving away ad campaigns wasn't lucrative?

Check out their ideas if you've got some time.

WARNING KITCHENER

Do NOT attempt to park anywhere downtown today.

They are filming that TV Show (Dan for Mayor?) today and it's pretty annoying. 

And it's only 10:01 am.

Lady Whowho?

Okay Cass. While I agree totally that grade-schoolers need better role models than pop-stars, I don't know that Lady Gaga is completely without substance. She's a spectacle, without a doubt, but I think one of the ilk of Madonna, Cher, maybe even the lategreat Janis Joplin... okay... that's a stretch.

But watch this and see what you think...

Lady Googoo

I don't really get Lady Gaga at all.

She's actually a good singer if you watch some live videos. But nobody really notices that because she's too busy bleeding in a fleshtone thong bodysuit.

And her lyrical content. I mean, really? You want to take a ride on my disco stick? I think I know what you're gettting at Gaga, and I don't really like it.

Here's a video of a young school choir covering Just Dance, singing about how they don't remember where they are because they are too drunk. Appropriate. 

Pretty rad.

CAFKA art installs happening all over this city right now!! Kate Wilson's mural going up - hopefully permanently - outside Elements. Floating house weird thing at City Hall. Huge Spider in the Rotunda Gallery. Loving it all. Can't wait for Opening Night at City Hall tomorrow! Going to be great. Check it out!

you too?

Cassie called me as I was riding the bus downtown this morning. It was 10:03am. I was still pretty tired, but in a great mood. As Liz always says: "Today is the best day of my life." I've been running a little behind all week for two reasons.

Reason the first: I've been taking client calls in the a.m. which pushes my day back because I've also been making time for yoga in the morning.

...the second: I've taken to eating le petit déjeuner on the porch. The morning sun comes up over the Church across the street and is absolutely perfect at about 9a.m. I tell ya: it's hard to pull yourself away from that if I have a half grapefruit, home-made granola or toast with homemade strawberry-rhubarb spread, and a french-press full of coffee. Sigh....

And yes, I did go to the U2 concert at the "Rogers Centre" last night. I'll refrain from reviewing it, but I will say that it pays to know someone in the Jim Balsillie camp.

Here's a great photo of the stage (actually my favourite part of the show) courtesy of Jo Vos.

Good Morning!

I'm just waiting here for Marc. We have to be at a meeting in 4 minutes. Perhaps someone ran a little too many wild horses last night.

I think I'm the only person in this city who wasn't at U2. No, I was at something completely different, that you will be hearing about soon. Stay tuned.

Time to give that boy a wake up call.

One Room I wouldn't want to be stuck in.

Have you seen this piece of epic cinematography yet? If not, I think I have to recommend it. I have only seen parts, but have heard my friend Jason do an effortlessly perfect reenactment of most of it and it sounds fantastic.

It's becoming kind of a cult favourite, written by , directed by and starring Tommy Wiseau. (Isn't he beautiful?) I kind of forgot about it after a very long night of Korean kareoke, but luckily my new favourite person reminded me of it at I Heart Video Art. (That person is the amazing IAN NEWTON, who you will meet soon).

Have YOU seen it? 

New & Improved.

Matte of Taste has been doing some minor renos lately, and to add to the enjoyment of my double americano this morning, I had the chance to check out their new sign!

It looks like this. I think it looks great. A little small but a lot more modern and clean. 

Stop by and check it out if you are strolling the downtown streets today! 

Kind of Embarrassing but Mostly Awesome

Watched the pilot episode of Glee this weekend. This show is definitely not for everyone, but I. Loved. It. 

I actually cried at the end of the pilot. Is that super lame or what? Yeah. Super lame. I know.

Recommend it to people who: love cheesy musicals, liked highschool, secretly want to be on broadway.

Maybe take a pass if you: are surrounded by cloak of negativity.

The funny weird macho woman who was the boss in 40 Year Old Virgin is in it. She's good.

How was YOUR weekend?

Hello Friendlies.

Another successful weekend in the bag. 

I cannot say enough amazing things about I Heart Video Art on friday night. It was an awesome night filled with some of the cities most creative people. Delicious food from Bryan at Art|Bar, drinks from Brick Brewery, and super fabulous amazeballs video complied by Rob Ring.

Luckily for you, we put together a mass array of video clips that are being pieced together for our first ever VIDEO BLOG. Hurray!

Followed that up with a star trek themed party FTW.

Did anyone else pick up a NOS energy drink? Infomercial by Marc Cameron to come.

Last night I checked out Vacuity and  The Sauce at a place I like to call Memory Lane. Known to others apparently as "The Lancastle". 

Anyways. Busy week ahead as usual! 

God that poster always makes my day. Look at it!

Great things in the works. Good job KW.

Tell me about your weekend!

Small Rant

It takes approximately 12 million barrels of oil to make the 100 billion plastic bags Americans use annually. Worldwatch Institute

Dear people at the grocery store:

Maybe you don't need to bag your apples seperate from your oranges and your bananas. And your grapes that are already in a bag, don't really need another bag. It's not just the plastic at checkout that you need to refuse.

Typography Study

Ok, so the credits at the beginning are a bit long, but will make you super jealous. This woman has mad handtype skills!!! Flawless!  I almost failed first year because my typography "ate too many  donuts" according to the most ancient college prof in history. I could never make the letters thin enough. And then I'd smear graphite all over my illustration board. But hey, Pobody's Nerfect.

I don't know. It seems like the 4 year old is trying to add a serif to every letter to match his mom. 

Either this little boy is going to be very confused at school or he's going to have the girls swooning once he passes out some Valentines come February. All those flourishes and curves. Come on! Anyways - I am jealous. And would never email anyone if my writing was like this. I would handwrite EVERYTHING. Even client invoices. 

Temptation Island

Hahahaha did any of you ever watch that incestuous reality tv show a few years back? Or am I the only loser here? Yeah that's what I figured...

Anyways- That's not what I'm talking about. 

I'm sure you know it's $2 Tuesdays at Silver Spoon.

Lemon Sorbet pour moi and Chocolate for MC.

A good 5pm snack to push us through while planning an entire YEAR OF MARKETING for a client. 

One suggestion Silver Spoon....$2 should be for a cone OR a cup, not just a cup. 

ps: lemon sorbet - v. good but SUPER sour. beware. 

Back At It.

Dear WorldWide Web.

I hope your weekend was fantastic. Maybe later Marc will give you an update on his - I know he saw Extract, the new Mike Judge film at the Princess. I spent the majority of the weekend a couple hours north of here, on the beach and with some of the worlds best friends.  

A sunburn, an arrest and a lot of skids later (don't ask), I am back at my desk ready to conquer the world. 

Or at least the week. 

I just wanted to quickly make a note about something that's happening this Friday. As CAFKA gears up for it's September 18th launch, this friday is an event in conjunction called I Heart Video Art. I will be there working the door and Marc will be drink...errr schmoozing his way around. Working the room, you know?

Here's an official blurb:

Some people think that video art is like Buckley's Cough Mixture - they don't like the taste but they watch it anyway because they think it's good for them.  We beg to differ.  CAFKA’s Artistic Director Rob Ring is serving up some tasty video libations guaranteed to fill your heart with gladness.  This will be a multi-screen extravaganza not to be missed.  This is a licensed event & may contain content that is not suitable for children.

Admission: $25

CAFKA Members and Students $20

More information here.

Wanna Test your Stress?

So.

Downtown Kitchener has a church right on King St. Well... sort of. It's a Church of Scientology, which isn't a church in the strictest sense. Today they, the Scientologists, have a table out in front of their storefront dressed with books and (wait for it)....

...an e-meter.

That's right kids, they're auditing right on the street. Grass roots style.

Now, a lot of people say a lot of things about Scientology. I frankly don't think it's much kookier than most organized religions (if you're a person of faith, that's awesome, but I expect you don't subscribe to every religious view or every creation story out there, probably because you recognize that they can't all be true). It's pretty easy to find a youtube video slamming the "belief system" that is the basis of Scientology, so here's one that's not:

A Fave.