L.A. Link

Inspired by...Fame

2012-01-21T13:52:00.000-08:00

OUT HERE ON MY OWN
BY IRENE CARA

Some of you may be too young to remember this film, some of you may not be. I happen to be part of the latter group having seen this film in tenth grade. I believe I went to see it at what was then the UA Theatre on Victory Boulevard near Laurel Canyon in the San Fernando Valley. I remember dreaming of going to the High School of Performing Arts after this movie came out.

If you remember this film, hopefully this clip will bring you fond memories, as it did for me. If you've never heard this song before, I hope this find will bring you closer to knowing one of my favorite films as a teenager and the music from Fame.

Enjoy!

Source: YouTube

Not A 'YES' Man

2012-01-16T12:23:00.000-08:00

Is saying 'YES' to everyone else's idea part of
being a better art director? Or should you own
and convey your professional opinion?

Recently, I had someone say to me, 'I see you're not a 'yes' man.' And I replied, 'isn't that a good thing?' After all, some people would say that 'yes' men can't be trusted.

Over a year ago, I came across a question someone had posted on LinkedIn in staffing and recruiting under corporate governance about “yes” men and whether or not that type of person could be trusted? And I thought to myself, "in a city where there are so many good art directors and graphic designers are out of a job or looking for new clients to add to their roster, is it important to always say “yes” to a client or boss’ every whim just to earn a buck?” I’m not talking about a serious, reputation-threatening type of whim where there is a lot at stake and the wrong decision could actually cost jobs and/or dollars. I’m talking about the type of whim when you are on a tight deadline, a tight budget and a short rope, when suddenly, someone comes over and asks, “hey, what do you think about this?”

I’m always thinking about ways to be a better art director, but is saying “yes” to everyone else's idea part of being a better art director? Think about it. If you are paying me for my creative expertise, why would you want me to say 'yes' to whatever comes out of your mouth in terms of a creative idea or direction? Wouldn't it be best for me to give you my honest opinion first, then reassess the creative?

When it comes to advertising, branding and creating art, I can honestly say that I am NOT a “yes” man. I don’t just say, “yes, I love it” simply because someone else thinks I should. I have my own style, and it is without a doubt, very commercial. If you are hiring me, I hope you have seen my work and know that I will apply my style to your project or vision and will always produce at film studio level.

Finding that balance between giving your client or your boss what they want and keeping your artistic vision, means knowing the right questions to ask and the right way to ask them. For example, I recently had a client mark up a proof with what I thought would end up as a strange-looking design edit, so I had to stop and ask my client what they are trying to accomplish by requesting that change? Either, I will get a clear specific answer that I can interpret and, hopefully, turn into something genius or I will hear the dreaded, “I don’t know what I want, but I know what I don’t want.” If you hear the latter, run. That person will never be happy because they will never know what it is they want.

To me, the difference between a “yes” man and a person trying to get the best creative possible in the time allotted, is exactly the difference between an account executive and an art director. An account executive will always tell the client “yes,” when it is the art director’s job to play “therapist” and start asking the real questions. Questions that could potentially give an art director the reputation of being a “diva” or “prima donna,” so be careful who and how you ask.

Ultimately, what good does a “yes” man do for any client or department at the art director level? In that case, why would you need an art director, at all? Wouldn’t a production artist due?

The New New 2011/12 Polar Bear Coca-Cola Can

2012-01-10T16:02:00.000-08:00

Coca-cola changed its original holiday can design from white to red
in order to calm the public's perception that the formula had been changed
along with the can, itself.

Who says there's no power in a single color, design and/or brand? When Coca-Cola launched it's original holiday can design (right) there was a backlash of complaints that the formula actually tasted different. So, Coca-Cola did what any large, corporate company would do to please their customers – they changed it.

What began as a way to bring awareness and funds to polar bears turned into a frenzy about Coke vs. Diet Coke and whether or not Coca-Cola changed its original formula when they changed the look of the can for this campaign.

For the record, I like the original new can better than the new new can and never did I mistake it for Diet Coke.

[Stupid] Consumers say Coke and Diet Coke cans should be polar opposites – ABCNews.com

Weekend Movie Review: Mission Impossible

2012-01-08T22:27:00.000-08:00

Lisa and I on Friday before
New Years. What a fun day!

GHOST PROTOCOL

Recently, I had the pleasure of the spending the Friday before New Years with my friend, Lisa. Something we rarely have the time to do anymore – she is the mother of two boys, a wife, a sister and a daughter. So, when we do get the opportunity to spend some time together, it's a rare treat.

Wanting to make the most of our afternoon together, we decided that we would meet at her home in Burbank, go to an early-bird movie for only $6, then to Islands for a cheap, but always delicious and fun, lunch. And, we had a great afternoon.

Deciding on what movie to see was not easy. There we several films we were both open to seeing. But in the end, we both agreed on the latest Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol with Mr. Tom Cruise. You see, I am a huge fan of the MIssion Impossible franchise, beginning with the television series reruns I would watch as a kid, and the new ones are really cool, too.

The new installment of the popular series begins with action and doesn't stop until the end – and not even then. It's a ride around the world and to the top of one of the world's tallest skyscraper in Dubai. My palms were literally sweating while I was watching most of the film. There's a reason this film has been doing so well at the box office – it's well-written, well-acted, action-packed, full of adventure and even the right amount of comedy. I feel as though I got my money's worth – and then some.

If you're a Mission Impossible fan, you won't want to miss it. If not, you'll probably like it, anyway. It's that much fun to watch.

Inspired by...Hot Wheels

2012-01-06T20:10:00.000-08:00

'71 MAVERICK GRABBER

Okay, I'm on a roll. This is only my second Hot Wheels and I'm already loving collecting them. I even remember the florescent orange tracks with the purple track-connectors from the early 1970s from when I was a kid. Does anyone else remember those tracks?

Don't ask me why or how, but it makes me feel like a kid again to have these. I don't think I will ever actually play with them – I'm not that crazy!

Portfolio Review: The Sentient

2012-01-01T22:44:00.000-08:00

This is the final poster I designed for Quincy Pictures, The Sentient –
a Terminator-meets-Bourne Identity action/thriller.

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Quincy Pictures on their first release called, The Sentient – a short film that they hope to turn into a feature length project. The ten-minute short is the brainchild of writer/director Gabriel Scott and is a Terminator-meets-Bourne Identity action/thriller that is now online for public viewing.

Working with Gabriel was a terrific process. He knew what he liked on the first round of comps and working with him was a breeze. Thank you, Gabriel Scott and Quincy Pictures, for hiring me to design the poster for such an important project. I hope we can work together again in the near future.

The final poster was only one of many original designs we came up with for this film (shown above). Other designs not chosen are available for private viewing on my website under 'New In 2011' with a password to enter the gallery. If you are a current or potential client and would like to view the other designs, please contact me for a password.

To view other original work, please visit, Joseph-Rey.com.

For more information about The Sentient, please visit the Quincy Pictures website at www.QuincyPics.com.

What I've been cooking...Chicken Caesar Salad

2011-12-28T23:26:00.000-08:00

This is my easy, breezy chicken caesar salad – for artists on the go.

As a working artist, making dinner quickly is sometimes more important than how good it is for me. Sometimes, you end up working late, you get home and you just want to eat – not cook. But just because it's quick doesn't mean it has to be bad for you. I like to cook ahead of time which I learned from my friend, Robert, and I like to cook with little to no sodium which I learned from my room mate, Jeff. And, I love to season things with lots of fresh ground pepper.

EASY, BREEZY CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

First, I start with my oven-baked, garlic covered chicken breasts (see 'What I've been cooking...Chicken Salad). I slice up a chicken breast – because I make more than one-at-a-time – I wash, rinse and dry some romaine or green leaf lettuce, I sprinkle on some shaved parmesan cheese, croutons and the coup de grace is Girard's Caesar Salad dressing...OMG! It's the best ever. (Not the lowest in sodium...but it's good!)

You can make this ahead of time, store in some tupperware (store dressing and croutons, separately), and take it to work for lunch.

Try it, you'll like it.

Special Shopping Find – LUSH Cosmetics

2011-12-23T23:53:00.000-08:00

Lush Handmade Cosmetics is more than just make-up. It's the
place to buy natural organic handmade soaps, perfumes, creams,
exfoliants and, of course, cosmetics.

LUSH.com

If wanting to use original, natural, organic products on your skin is being a lush, then I am officially a lush. But don't let the name fool you. It's neither a place to get drunk nor strictly cosmetics, so men can shop there, too. My friend, Leili, told me about this amazing soap shop last year, but I had never seen it or heard of it...until now. And, after visiting their Universal City Walk store, watching live demonstrations and buying a few things myself (photo above), I now understand why Leili was so crazy about this store and its products.

You see, the owners of Lush – Liz Weir and Mark Constantine – collaborated with the owner of The Body Shop for many years. According to the company's history posted on their site, Constantine and Weir were one of The Body Shop's largest suppliers, responsible for the peppermint foot rub, honey beeswax cleanser, herbal hair colors and the body butters. The coconut body butter has been one of my favorites for years. And, who doesn't love the peppermint foot lotion?

You'll love the fun tabloid-size newsprint
catalog – it's full of great products!

Having begun as Constantine and Weir, then graduating to Cosmetics To Go, the owners of Lush have always had their customers, as well as the environment, in mind. The core of the company's philosophy is 'based on the highest levels of ethical standards with the lowest impact on the planet. With over 700 stores worldwide and an ever-emerging global presence, Lush wants to use their buying power to affect positive change in the world.

The only thing that bummed me out about Lush is that they are not an American company, but I guess a fun bath item from the UK every now and then won't hurt anyone. As a matter of fact, a fun bath bomb could only help. I bought the Ocean Salt exfoliant and a bar of creamy soap for myself. Love 'em!

Besides loving their products and the whole idea of being environmentally conscience, I love the packaging, as well. The cute little black pots with the twist off lids are a great idea. Plus, if you bring 5 empty black pots back to the store for recycling, you will get a free face mask. And, all the soaps are cut fresh from large blocks, like cheese, and are packaged to go in wax paper. Lush also makes shaving creams, eye creams, hand creams – they have this clay hand that is actually a hand cream that you rub with your hands to warm, then rub all over hands. It was natural and nice.

For more detailed information about Lush or to order their fun and amazing catalog, please visit their website at www.lushusa.com.

OTHER LINKS

Universal CityWalk Hollywood – All grown up: L.A. Link

Creative Jobs in America today

2011-12-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

With clients and marketing calling all the shots, there's no one
with real design experience left driving the bus.

THE LUNATICS HAVE TAKEN OVER THE ASYLUM

As I begin to write this post, I have yet to choose a title. Mainly because there are so many things this post could be called. Hell Is Corporate America, Give 'Em an Inch – Take A Foot, You're Nothing... Now Do What I Say – there are lots of different titles I can think of for this post. But, this post is not just a rant about corporate America, it's also about how we treat one another, as individuals. It's about the landscape of our economy and where we stand as the 'middle-class.' If we're being honest, more like 'lowest-class.'

I've spent my life working for corporate America, beginning as a production artist for City National Bank and training on my first Mac (it was a Macintosh SE), to an art director consulting for the major studios. I have been fortunate enough to have worked for some of the biggest and best companies in the country. Maybe even the world. I pride myself on my work and I take what I do very seriously. I love creating art and I love what I do.

Every company has their own way of doing business. Some companies are more efficient than others, some more wasteful. Some companies have brilliant people with genius minds running them and others have greedy egomaniacs – the gap is very wide, indeed. What I am noticing, and perhaps you will agree, is that along with the suffering economy and the unemployed, are suffering employees.

In my experience, as far as company's go, gone are the days of loyalty, thankfulness and quid pro quo and here-to-stay are the days of more value for their money and get as much out of the employee as possible without having to give an equal or fair amount in return. Take what you can get then spit them out quick. Isn't turning a profit the bottom line in business?

As a freelance artist, this type of behavior from companies that hire us on a temporary basis, is prevalent. Managers will dangle the prospect of a full-time opening to a freelancer for months, even years, before they even hold their end of the bargain. If ever. I know people who had to endure years of crap from their bosses until they were offered full-time jobs. Some without benefits! Corporate America really sucks. What happened to the days when an employer would give an employee 90 days to prove themselves, and if they did, they were hired?

Keeping your job is getting harder, too – especially if you work at a company where layoffs are endemic. Marketing is now creative and creative is now support: sit there, keep your mouth shut and do what your are told. When did years of experience, knowledge and know-how become obsolete?

If a client finds me on the web, more often than not, said client will always defer to my suggestion or solution. If I am hired to work in an agency or at a client's office, I might as well be a desktop publisher. Everyone and the cleaning lady is an art director and has an opinion on the creative. Mine is not to reason why, but just to do then die.

Two years ago, The Atlantic published and online articled title, 'How A How A New Jobless Era Will Transform America.' Having read it again recently, I realized that not much has changed in the past two years. And, that's scary.

Here's an excerpt from that article:

If it persists much longer, this era of high joblessness will likely change the life course and character of a generation of young adults—and quite possibly those of the children behind them as well. It will leave an indelible imprint on many blue-collar white men—and on white culture. It could change the nature of modern marriage, and also cripple marriage as an institution in many communities. It may already be plunging many inner cities into a kind of despair and dysfunction not seen for decades. Ultimately, it is likely to warp our politics, our culture, and the character of our society for years.

Unfortunately, I don't have any countrywide solutions to solve the unemployment rate, but I do know that the business landscape has not settled, yet. The way we (the 99%) grew up to know life and do business is not the way life is, anymore. As creatives, the sooner we realize it, the better.

However, there is always the flip side to being a freelancer: you can choose the jobs and/or projects you don't want to work on, and that will be that. You can fire a deranged client or walk away from an impossible gig. Your future is in your hands.

There are very good clients out there, don't get me wrong. I've worked for plenty of them, so it's easy for me to tell when something isn't working with a particular client. All I can say is that a good client will remember to let the creatives do what they do best – be creative.

Sources:
How A New Jobless Era Will Transform America – The Atlantic (March 2010)

Restaurant Review: Rockwell VT

2011-12-18T23:45:00.000-08:00

The new-ish restaurant, Rockwell VT, will take your breath away,
visually. It's one of the most beautiful restaurants I have ever seen.

This is not a typical restaurant review because I did not attend this restaurant as a regular customer, but as a guest to a holiday party.

On Sunday night, my friend Robert – who cuts my hair and works at Blades in West Hollywood – invited me to go with him to the Frontiers magazine Holiday Party/Mixer which was held at the fairly new Rockwell VT in Los Feliz. According to the Los Angeles Times, the restaurant opened in 2009. I guess I have been out of the loop for so long, I missed its grand opening and everything. I didn't even know the restaurant, Vermont, had been renovated to the point of adding a sister restaurant called Rockwell! That's a big renovation.

The 30-foot coral tree that stands in the middle of
the restaurant is the centerpiece of the room.

Rockwell, however, is one of the most gorgeous restaurants I have ever seen. It's almost like a film set of a gorgeous restaurant. It's open and grande, but in a clean, masculine, modern way, not pretentious. The stand-out moment of the restaurant is when you walk in and see the beautiful 30-foot coral tree standing in the middle of the restaurant with tables and chairs all the way around it for two floors. There is also a third floor with an outdoor patio on the roof deck.

Because it was closed for a private party, there was a full buffet dinner served with delicious turkey, potatoes au gratin and gorgeous fresh carrots and green beans. There were tons of desserts and there were lots of people. The line for the buffet was long, but it was well worth the wait. I look forward to going back on a regular night and checking out their entire menu – which btw sounds amazing! Make sure to check out their site and peruse the menu.

Thank you, Frontiers magazine, for such an awesome holiday bash! We had a great time and met lots of interesting people. And, we had the opportunity to check out Rockwell VT and to enjoy the setting in a relaxed social atmosphere. Happy holidays!

Rockwell VT is located at 1714 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 669-1550, www.rockwellvt.com. Monday to Sunday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. (kitchen open til 1 a.m.). Valet parking. Rockwell is behind Vermont restaurant and bar.

Daily Dish: The Inside Scoop On Food In Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Times

Home for the holidays

2011-12-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

Our new neighbors were so great to bring us five different types of
home made, Martha Stewart recipe cookies for the holidays.
Thank you, new neighbors.

Once again, I'll be home (alone) for the holidays. Working. Dog sitting. Waiting for my friends and neighbors to return home. You see, I am a native Angeleno and my family is here so there is no reason for me to travel. But, I don't mind. I am happy and grateful to be working, my roommate and I have amazing new neighbors who will be around and I won't be sitting and waiting at an airport. What more could I ask for?

Speaking of new neighbors, our new neighbors are so nice, they brought us a plate full of home made, Martha Stewart cookies for the holidays (above). How great is that? I thought the people who lived in the building first were suppose to welcome the new tenants? Not, the other way around. (What does that say about my roommate?) How sad.

The cookies were so good...you could actually taste the time and care it must have taken to make them all from scratch. Yes, I said 'from scratch.' As soon as we unwrapped them, you could smell how delicious they were going to taste. And, they are good! Each one has its own unique flavors and aroma. There's nothing like a batch of home made cookies from scratch for the holidays!

From top (L to R) fun-shaped sugar cookies; dark molasses; bottom (L) oatmeal cookies; (center) dark espresso with powdered sugar; bottom (R) gluten-free peanut butter cookies; bottom (C) dark chocolate fudge with walnuts.

I use to go out a lot when I was younger, holiday or no holiday. But, these days I appreciate my time alone.

This is my companion for the holidays (right)...my friend, Spur. I've known Spur since he was born. I knew his mother and her father. He's such a good dog. You wouldn't know it, but he's fifteen years old. Clean and cuddly. He belongs to one of my best friends, Robert. Robert is from Rhode Island and he is going back to visit his family, as he does every Christmas. This will be my second year in a row with Spur. I can't wait.

I hope your holidays will be warm and delicious, as well. Happy holidays and thank you for reading, L.A. Link.

Inspired by...Hot Wheels

2011-12-16T22:21:00.000-08:00

1970 CHEVELLE SS

Look what I bought. A Hot Wheels of a 1970 Chevelle SS. Two of ten in the
Muscle Mania series. Love it! Can't wait to collect all ten! (oh...and, I love the design, too.)

I don't k now what it was, but there was a definite 'pull' when I saw this at the grocery store. I gravitated right to it. A genuine 2011 Mattel's Hot Wheels Muscle Mania 1970 Chevelle SS in Dukes of Hazard orange. Are all men really just boys at heart? Am I having a mid-life crisis? There are 50 2011 models in all. 10 series of 10 cars! The Muscle Mania cars are all monster V8 big-block engines made for street racing. There's even a cool poster you can print or buy that includes a photo of each car in each collection, so you can check them off as you collect each one. Very cool.

NTSB recommends full ban on cell phones while driving

2011-12-13T22:32:00.000-08:00

You see them everyday on your way to or from work. You see them on the freeway or next to you at a light. Those people who still think they can safely talk or text on their cell phones while they drive. It's amazing how many stupid people there are out there in the world.

I was behind this girl in an SUV the other morning who was approaching the on ramp to the 101 freeway going north at Highland Avenue at such a slow pace – when I pulled around her, I could see that she was on her phone texting or surfing the web! What...an idiot. My only hope is that she will crash and roll her SUV somewhere down the road because she was texting. I just hope I'm nowhere near her when she does.

According to a report by CBSNEWS.com/Tech, in 2007, AAA and Seventeen Magazine conducted a study where 61-percent of teens admitted to risky driving behavior. Out of that 61-percent, 46-percent admitted to texting while driving. Umm...hello? Is there anybody out there?

Get a clue. Grow a brain. Do the rest of us a favor and stay off your phone while you are driving.

Sources:
NTSB recommends full ban on use of cell phones while driving - CNN.com
Shocking stats on texting while driving - CBSNEWS.com

Farewell

2011-12-13T19:25:00.000-08:00

BY ANNE BRONTE

Farewell to thee! but not farewell
To all my fondest thoughts of thee:
Within my heart they still shall dwell;
And they shall cheer and comfort me.
O, beautiful, and full of grace!
If thou hadst never met mine eye,
I had not dreamed a living face
Could fancied charms so far outvie.

If I may ne'er behold again
That form and face so dear to me,
Nor hear thy voice, still would I fain
Preserve, for aye, their memory.

That voice, the magic of whose tone
Can wake an echo in my breast,
Creating feelings that, alone,
Can make my tranced spirit blest.

That laughing eye, whose sunny beam
My memory would not cherish less; --
And oh, that smile! whose joyous gleam
Nor mortal language can express.

Adieu, but let me cherish, still,
The hope with which I cannot part.
Contempt may wound, and coldness chill,
But still it lingers in my heart.

And who can tell but Heaven, at last,
May answer all my thousand prayers,
And bid the future pay the past
With joy for anguish, smiles for tears?

Portfolio Review: Whitney Brown

2011-12-11T23:05:00.001-08:00

This is the poster I designed for Arc Entertainment and Perfect Weekend's,
'The Greening of Whitney Brown.' If you see the film, then you will understand
the horse-in-mini-cooper reference. Perfect Weekend was the perfect client.
It was fun working with them on this project. Thank you Perfect Weekend!

Once in a great while, a dream client will hire you to work on a project and it will be the best client experience you will have for a long time. I had this type of experience recently with a new client, Perfect Weekend.

Jenna Spesard, Director of Development at Perfect Weekend, was my main contact and partner on this project, and she was amazing to work with. In fact, the entire team at Perfect Weekend is so great and so nice, I hope I can work with them again in the future. Perfect Weekend makes the perfect client.

Thank you, Perfect Weekend, for such a great working experience.

The final poster was only one of many original designs we came up with for this film (shown above). Other designs not chosen are available for private viewing on my website under 'New In 2011' with a password to enter the gallery. If you are a current or potential client and would like to view the other designs, please contact me for a password.

To view other original work, please visit, Joseph-Rey.com.

Weekend Movie Review – The Help

2011-12-04T21:37:00.001-08:00

THE HELP
PG-13

If you haven't seen it yet, it's definitely worth the watch. – if only to remind ourselves of how far we have come with civil rights. And, how far we have yet to go.

'The Help' is beautifully acted with Viola David, Octavia Spencer, and Emma Stone in the lead roles – a story about a southern society girl from the 1960s (Stone) who returns home to Mississippi from college to try and become a serious writer, but ends up with a column about housekeeping. Upon doing her research for the column, Stone uncovers some hidden 'truths' about the families in her community from her neighbors own maids which drives Skeeter to write a book – from the perspective of the maids.

Stone's character, Skeeter, is shocked to learn of her own nanny's disappearance (played by Cicely Tyson), considering her nanny raised her from a child and had worked for her family for thirty years. Where had she gone?

When Skeeter learns the truth about her nanny and begins to hear stories from other housekeepers, she realizes that what these women do for the families they work for goes beyond keeping house.

If I am being honest, this film was tough for me to watch because it is a snapshot from our American past, and for a moment, I felt ashamed to be an American. If it wasn't for the excellent writing and acting, I doubt I could have sat through it. However, this film is an important reminder of how far we have come – I don't ever want to go back again. When you are watching this film, it's hard to believe this behavior was accepted only a short fifty years ago.

Bryce Dallas Howard deserves a mention as 'Hilly' – the spoiled friend of Skeeter that you can't help but hate. From the moment her character appeared on screen, I hated her.

Jessica Chastain is also amazing as 'Celia Foote.'

Make a difference: Buy American

2011-11-29T19:41:00.001-08:00

World News with Diane Sawyer asks: Are You In?

In a story that began almost a year ago by Diane Sawyer at ABC News about how buying American-made products can help create jobs, this holiday season, the network is launching a new campaign called, 'The Great Made In America Christmas.'

According to the report, most American's will spend an average of $704 dollars this holiday season, totaling more than $465 billion, based on estimates by the National Retail Federation. If we all spent $64 of those dollars on American-made products during the holiday season, the result would be 200,000 new jobs. Now, I'm not a mathematician, but I know a good thing when I hear it and this is a good thing.

Millions of Americans are losing their resources for earning or gaining money and part of the answer is more jobs. While China's middle class is growing by leaps and bounds – on September 5, 2011, Forbes.com published a story on how China's middle class will be roughly four times the size of the American middle class population – why are American's still buying imports? If you can do something as easy as buying American to help grow our economy, why wouldn't you?

So, ABC News with Diane Sawyer is asking: Are you in? Will you spend at least $64 dollars of your holiday budget on something made in America? I know I will. Do something to make a difference, no matter how small.

Sources:
Made In America Christmas: Are You In? – ABC World News with Diane Sawyer
Within A Generation, China Middle Class Four Times Larger Than America's – Forbes.com

The View From My Window

2011-11-28T22:05:00.001-08:00

AT WORK

Currently, I'm working in Burbank at an agency that specializes in
entertainment advertising. This is the view from my office window.

Weekend Movie Review

2011-11-27T15:57:00.001-08:00

COWBOYS AND ALIENS

This Thanksgiving weekend, we had food, friends, desserts and a movie to watch - 'Cowboys and Aliens.'

Directed by 'Iron Man' director, Jon Favreau, this movie draws you in from the get go. However, it takes a while for the story to unveil its missing links and there are some dragging moments. Lots of subplots to complete the story.

The twist to this flick, if that's what you'd call it, is that this all takes place in 1843. A good premise but less than stellar production considering the powerhouse names behind it – Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg, to name only a few. The film critic for the Los Angeles Times said it best – he said that it felt more like a business deal than an action/adventure film.

Daniel Craig does his best to pull this film together and there is plenty of action. I appreciate the story and the overall big picture of the plot, I just felt as if there were a few holes in final production. I rate this picture 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Kenneth Turan, the Los Angeles Times film critic hated the film. For his review, please see click here.

The Holidays Are Here

2011-11-26T18:45:00.001-08:00

This weekend, we were inspired to put up a tree and the
lights outside. It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas.

It's official. The holidays have arrived. It feels like Halloween was just last week and now the long Thanksgiving weekend will soon be over and the new year will be here. Did you get your holiday shopping started this weekend? Did you put up any lights or buy a tree?

Our Thanksgiving feast consisted of a fresh 15-pound turkey, green beans, dressing, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, cheesecake, and much, much more. What I thought would be the start of a long and depressing holiday period has so far started out pretty good. My best buddy and roommate, Jeff, and I cooked our turkey in our new oven. We covered it with a mixture of honey and orange juice and Jeff added paprika to the spices to give it that reddish color. He also made his famous green beans with bacon, garlic and pepper, as well as Grandma's Cornbread Dressing with cornbread, onions, celery, chicken stock and green peppers.

My roommate glazed our turkey with a mixture of honey and fresh squeezed
orange juice with paprika for color. He also made his Texas-style green beans
with bacon and garlic, minus the potatoes (we had plenty of potatoes).

Our friend, Manny, brought a beautiful, glazed ham and I made no-salt glazed carrots with ginger. They were delicious. Our other friend, Robert, cooked his little heart out. He brought a platter of home made, individual cheesecakes; a home made pumpkin pie; glazed yams; and, the coup de grace was the home made creamed corn, with white and yellow corn, green onions, heavy cream and lots of butter. OMG...it was the best creamed corn I have ever had. Cereal. (Seriously.) Our next door neighbor, Miss K, brought over beer, ice cream and an extra pie. We had a lot to be grateful for.

By the time we finished eating the second time, we were ready to just sit and watch a movie. And, we did. Thankfully, we could all agree on 'Cowboys & Aliens' – the star-powered western-meets-sci-fi flick about a handsome cowboy (Daniel Craig) and his evil nemesis (Harrison Ford) who team up with Native Americans to defeat aliens from another planet. To read my review of this movie, please click here.

Manny's ham and my glazed carrots were equally delicious and
part of a larger reason to be thankful.

All in all, it was a holiday weekend to be thankful for. We had lots of food, friends and a nice, long, mellow weekend at home. My roommate was inspired to go buy a tree on Saturday, so we headed out to the local Home Depot where there was a large selection of fresh cut trees at reasonable prices. Six-to-eight-foot trees were priced around $35 dollars. Not bad for a biggish tree.

The holidays are here and in spite of the current economy, American's have much to be thankful for – with our freedom and our constitutional rights alone, we are very lucky, indeed. I wish you all a happy, healthy and safe holiday season with the ones you love and cherish most by your side. Happy holidays!

CD Review: Talk that talk

2011-11-22T11:53:00.000-08:00

Rihanna's new Album 'Talk That Talk' is the dance album
you've been waiting for from Rihanna.

RIHANNA

Recently, I've been listening to a lot of Rihanna – from her first U.S. album with the fun dance hit 'S.O.S.', as well as the groovy 'We Ride' to her last album (which I LOVE) 'Loud' – I suddenly realize that I really like the way this girl sounds. From her true-to-life lyrics to the different mixes of music styles she combines on mostly all of her albums, there is something about Rihanna's music that resonates with me.

If you like Rihanna, too, but have been waiting for her to make a dance-heavy album, this is 'da one.' I can't stop listening and dancing to the ultra-anthems 'Where Have You Been' and my ultimate favorite 'We Found Love' with its happy intro, enchanting lyrics and '90s tea-dance beat. Not since Madonna's 'Hard Candy' or Gaga's 'Born This Way' have I been so excited about a dance album. Let's not forget to mention the easy-to-sway-to 'You Da One' and 'We All Want Love'.

Rihanna is not only a good singer, but she can rap pretty well, too. I think she could give Nikki Minaj a run for her money. But, there's something about Rihanna's voice that is haunting and deeply rooted to her soul. I love this album!

For a more detailed review, please see USA Today's review by Steve Jones.

The 2011 Coca-Cola Holiday Can

2011-11-21T22:37:00.000-08:00

HAVE YOU SEEN IT, YET?

The New Coca-Cola 2011 Holiday can. Have you seen it, yet?

It's the little things...

2011-11-20T22:09:00.001-08:00

Our new stove is not the fanciest, but
it's WAY better than what we had.

This weekend, we got a brand new stove and I couldn't be happier. Our old one was really old – the oven didn't work anymore and only three of the four burners did. I've been cooking in a toaster oven, crock pot and microwave for over a year now. I am so happy to have a brand new, working stove, oven and broiler. I'll be cooking a lot more than I already do and we'll start this weekend with Thanksgiving dinner. I'll keep you posted.

It's the little things.

Life as a freelance artist in L.A.

2011-11-03T18:15:00.001-07:00

Life as a freelancer in L.A. has its perks. Working on a studio lot is
one of them. Both of these images were taken on the Universal lot
when I was working at The NBC Agency in 2008-09.

Life as a freelance artist in L.A. can be very lucrative, but can also be short lived. There are perks and pitfalls to being a freelance artist in Los Angeles and I should know – I've been freelancing for more than a decade now.

One of the things that has changed in my world of graphic design that has also changed in the world overall is the availability of jobs – or lack thereof. More art directors my age are teaching these days for lack of work in the job force. Or, they're changing their careers, altogether. Loyalty is also a word seldom heard or used these days. Companies are less loyal to employees, and in turn, employees are less loyal to the companies they work for.

I have been freelancing since 9/11 and I expect to be doing this for a while. Try as I may, it takes years to land a full-time gig at a studio, if you're lucky. It appears to be the new norm in the art world but especially in the entertainment world. A lot like dating but without any climax. Companies and studios will hire an art director for a particular freelance project, and if they like said art director, keep them around until someone better (or cheaper) comes along. Gone are the days of loyalty and apprentices and here-to-stay are the days of 'use you up and spit you out.' It's a phenomenon, really. Despite studies that show employees work harder and more efficiently with a little support and reinforcement from their jobs, employers are still focused on the bottom line instead of the long-term investment.

THE PERKS

There are perks, however, to being a freelance artist in Los Angeles. One of the perks of working as a freelancer in Los Angeles is the vast array of projects there are to work on. I have added some amazing work and project descriptions to my resume and portfolio. The work (almost) never gets boring. Instead of ten years of work at one studio, I have worked at several of the major studios and on several major campaigns.

Another perk is what you will learn from working at different agencies and/or studios. Different places have different ways of doing things. You're bound to learn something you didn't know by working at several agencies and studios versus only one. When I stop to think of what I have learned in the last decade versus what I knew when I first started in entertainment, I am blown away. From the best ways to create masks, to the best ways of retouching an image, I have learned so much by working at different agencies and studios.

Let's not forget the people you meet when you work as freelancer. From other art directors, designers, finishers, animation people, sales people, marketing people – you're bound to make some long-term friends.

Be Design in Hollywood (2007) – the people were great, the projects
were good and the views were amazing. What more could you ask for?

THE PITFALLS

Unfortunately, like everything else in life, there are pitfalls for each perk. I already mentioned a few at the start of this post – lack of jobs; lack of loyalty – but there are many others that I think I should mention here, as well.

The biggest pitfall of being a freelancer is instability. Marketing and design are usually one of the first things a business will cut when push comes to shove, so you have to be prepared. Jobs are scarce so you will have to be diligent when it comes to looking for new gigs and saving your money. This includes getting paid on-time, unless you work through an artist agency that will pay you every week. Most of them do these days for a hefty fee.

Another pitfall of freelancing is being on everyone's radar. As a freelancer, employers are watching what you are doing harder than they watch the employees they already know. They don't know you. They don't trust you. They will be watching your every move. If there is anything about you, your style of art or taste level someone doesn't like – consider yourself dismissed.

Working for yourself is great and if you simplify your life, it can be very doable – and then some. Just make sure you are being honest to yourself about what your needs really are and make sure you have a good agent to represent you and your work. You may pay a large percentage of your rate for getting some of your work out there, but it will get you in front of people you might otherwise never meet.

Some agencies to research for artist representation are: Artisan Creative; Creative Circle; Filter; 24Seven; and, Aquent.

What I've been cooking...Chicken salad

2011-11-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

Baked chicken breast with
zesty garlic herb marinade.

2 skinless chicken breasts
1 head of red leaf lettuce
1/4 red onion
4 shaved carrots
1 can reduced salt garbanzo beans
1 tspn minced garlic
6 croutons
3 tblspns Italian dressing
1 tblspn red wine vinegar
2 tblspns feta cheese
Mrs. Dash No-Salt Zesty Garlic Herb Marinade
Black pepper

If there is one dish that I eat more than any other, it's this one – chicken salad. I love my chicken salads because I can make them exactly the way I like them with little to no fuss. Plus, I can make two salads at the same time so that I have one for dinner and for lunch the next day. This recipe is for two salads.

Wash and dry your chicken breasts well. Stab each breast with a fork a few times on each side, place in a Ziploc baggie and pour the Mrs. Dash Zesty Garlic Herb marinade over the breasts in the baggie. Add minced garlic and pepper to taste. Zip baggies, place on a plate in the refrigerator and let sit for a few hours, at least.

When you're ready to bake the chicken, take each breast out of the Ziploc baggie and place in a non-stick pan. (I use non-stick foil to line my pans). Cover and bake at 400-degrees for 45 minutes. For a crispy top, remove the foil and bake for an extra 10 minutes at 350-degrees. Once cooked, remove chicken breasts from any juice and let stand to cool before cutting.

Tear, wash and dry your lettuce thoroughly. Add sliced chicken breasts, carrots, onions, feta cheese, garbanzo beans and croutons. Mix your choice of Italian dressing with the vinegar and pour over salad. Add black pepper to taste.

Halloween Is Here

2011-10-31T21:47:00.000-07:00

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce held its
Annual All Hallows Eve Member Bash at
Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Monday, Oct. 24th.

Halloween is here once again and we are definitely prepared for it in Hollywood. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce had its annual Halloween Haunt at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery last Monday night and it was a blast. There was a lot of delicious food from Chamber members, as well as an open bar, a great DJ and lots of interesting characters, to say the least. It was totally fun!

On Formosa, we're all decked out for Halloween! My fabulous neighbor, Miss K, loves Halloween and love to decorate. My room mate is a huge fan and loves to scare people and had a few good plans that almost worked. I enjoyed sitting back and watching the mayhem unfold.

(Top L) My buddy Jeff,
and Nicole; (Bottom) Miss K

As usual, we had Scary Movie Night on Saturday with Miss K, Leili and Penny and we watched the original 'Halloween' by John Carpenter, starring Jaime Lee Curtis. If you look real hard, you can catch a glimpse of a very young Kyle Richards – from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fame – doing her thing as a young actress. Miss K bought lots of snacks, including Red Vines, Lay's potato chips, chip dip and more fun decorations for inside. My room mate, Jeff, started up the BBQ and we grilled burgers and I made a big green salad. It was great being at home and not having to drive anywhere to be with people you love, doing something you enjoy.

Formosa Ave.

Today, after work, I went to visit a new friend at his house in the valley and we greeted trick-or-treaters while we sat on his porch and got to know each other better. Luckily, I was home before 8pm and I had my dinner waiting for me when I got home.

All in all, Halloween 2011 was pretty good. Thank you to my friends and neighbors for making it fun for me and everyone!

CD Review: Stronger

2011-10-30T16:11:00.000-07:00

Kelly's new album, 'Stronger,' does not disappoint.
It's pure Kelly and she's stronger than ever!

KELLY CLARKSON

I normally don't like to review music because a one-time friend use to think that I had terrible taste in music. Needless to say, that person is no longer my friend. But, screw it. Who's to say I can't review CDs that I like? So, here we go with my first CD review.

Kelly Clarkson does it again and with such A.I. reliability – her new album hits every mark with the 'Kellytones' we fell in love with since we first watched and heard her belt out songs on Season 1 of American Idol. Kelly rarely disappoints.

Being a true Kelly Clarkson fan, I was excited to play the CD all the way through for the first time to discover what Kelly has in store for us this time around, and it was beautiful. Pure Kelly. From the strong, upbeat songs that we've come to expect from Miss Clarkson to the gorgeous ballads that only she can sing, Stronger is definitely that...stronger. And, she's better than ever.

From the sounds and lyrics of this album, it would seem that our little Kelly is growing up and into her groove. Her rough but rich tones are so effortless. Not to mention her amazing ability and fearlessness to belt out the high notes. But my favorites are songs like 'You don't know a thing about me,' ' Standing in front of you' and 'The Sun Will Rise.' But make no mistake, they are all great.

Miss Clarkson has certainly grown into her own and solidified herself as a true artist. Personally, I can't wait to hear what she does in the future. This is my 5th Kelly album and I look forward to her next one already.

Thank you, Kelly, for another FANTASTIC album!

Restaurant Review: Thai Foon on Sunset

2011-10-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

Thai Foon on Sunset is always clean, the service is
friendly and the food is fantastic! My favorite new
Thai place for lunch or dinner.

Lunch for two: $15
Cleanliness: Excellent
Food: Authentic Thai

One of my new favorite places for Thai food is literally walking distance from my house. It's this great little Thai restaurant managed and run by 3 generations of Thai women called Thai Foon. It's on the corner of Sunset and La Brea and the food is delicious!

I always get the same thing because I love it so much, Spicy Green Beans with chicken. Perfectly cooked, tender white meat chicken with deliciously fresh green beans tossed in a homemade chili sauce...YUM! I started with a Thai Noodle Crunch Salad, which is shredded green papaya, Thai noodles, edumame, carrots and a crush peanut sauce, but I opted for their delicious Thai ginger dressing.

There are lots of Thai favorites on the menu. For starters, they have the regular choices like Chicken Pot Stickers, Thai Dumplings and Mint Lettuce Cups. But, they also have favorites like Crab Rangoon, Chicken Sate and Spicy Coconut Shrimp to choose from.

There are plenty of soups and salads, vegetables, noodles and rice, curry and many Thai specialties – Thai Foon has Sake BBQ Pork Ribs, Glazed Macadamia Nut Shrimp, Korean BBQ Beef and much, much more!

I can't say enough good things about Thai Foon on Sunset, but I recommend you try it for yourself. The parking is not so great, so if you can park on the street and walk, that would probably be best. Personally, the parking lot is way too small for me and I drive a small car. I was hit in a parking lot recently and there was no note. Thanks a lot. It wasn't Thai Foon's parking lot, but it was in Hollywood.

Thai Foon on Sunset is located at 7075 Sunset Boulevard at La Brea (behind the Burger King on the corner). It's not fancy, but it sure is good. Never disappoints. Try it. You'll like it. (323) 464-2989.

MIssing you

2011-10-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

By Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I did not die.

Inspired by...Karl Strauss Brewing Company

2011-10-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

The packaging for this beer caught my eye in the supermarket.
From a design standpoint, it's pretty cool.

The other day I was in my local Ralph's grocery store when I noticed the packaging for Karl Strauss Handcrafted Beer. The great design caught my eye immediately. I love the 'heritage' feel to the artwork, along with the modern and clean design with bold colors and an easy-to-read condensed serif. I couldn't help but notice it, so I whipped out my iPhone and took these photos to share with you. Turns out, their web site falls right in line with the design of their packaging. What a concept? A great example for those of you having trouble convincing a client that their web site, as well as all other collateral, should be cohesive.

The Karl Strauss Brewery web site is in line with their packaging.
It's fun, bright, easy-to-navigate AND well designed.

You can tell by looking at these two images that both the creative and marketing are working mano-a-mano (hand-in-hand). The design is bold, eye-catching, clean, relevant and authentic to its new origin in San Diego.

Great design will not only serve its purpose, but it will also boost any and all marketing efforts when supported by a dynamic marketing plan.

Kudos to the Karl Strauss Brewing Company for letting the creative be the creative and do its job to get their brand noticed.

For more information about the Karl Strauss Brewing Company, its history or just to view their web site, click here.

Which comes first – design or marketing?

2011-10-16T22:46:00.000-07:00

When it comes to advertising, what is most important?
The design or the marketing? Both are equally important.

Which came first? The chicken or the egg? When it comes to commercial advertising, which comes first – the design or the marketing?

As an art director or designer, how many times have you had someone in marketing make an art director's decision about the design? How many times have you wondered to yourself, 'How am I going to fit all that copy in that little space and on top of a detailed image?'

I work with a lot of marketing people who are very smart and know their business. But when it comes to design, there are a few marketing people who think they are art directors. Or, they forget about the design altogether and focus only on their marketing efforts, forfeiting any feedback they might gain from the art directors (A.D.s). That means, the design suffers for the sake of marketing and the client only gets part of what they might have ordered and/or expected.

For example, you might design something beautiful with lots of negative space for breathing room, but once marketing gets involved, it becomes all about filling the space with copy, quotes, or something they can sell. My favorite is when someone in marketing will change something without regard for the amount of space allotted. Or configuration, for that matter. Since when did marketing dictate the design? Who died and made them the art directors? I never got that memo.

But, how is a marketing person suppose to know when they are making a (hasty) decision based on the marketing plan that will hurt the both the design and their marketing efforts, in the long run? The art director – or designer – should communicate openly with the marketing team and/or provide additional comps that are based on what the marketing team wants to achieve, but fit better with the overall design. If you're lucky, marketing will be on board with the design team and want to work with you to make the project better, not against you. More often than not, you will find that marketing is in it for themselves and design never factors into the plan. (How do these people get and keep their jobs?)

More heads are always better than one when it comes to flushing out a successful advertising campaign. When it comes to the design of an advertising campaign, as the art director or designer, you should always be on track with whatever the campaign message is – period. One of the best ways of staying on track is by working with the marketing team.

But beware: marketing teams are always about the marketing. And, in this economy, more 'bang for your buck' is the consensus in that group. This means longer headlines. More copy. More everything. More, more, more. They tend to forget the value of the design. As the art director, it is your responsibility to show the difference between one and the other. Then, sit back and hope for the best. Your ideas may still be overlooked, or even rejected, but getting your designs out there is the main idea. After all, you can only do what you can do. Let go of the rest.

Here a brand, there a brand.

2011-10-12T20:20:00.000-07:00

You can't turn on your television without catching a commercial for someone's new clothing line, shoe line or new fragrance. The Kardashian Kollection at Sears. Sofia Vergara at KMart. Christian Siriano at Payless. And, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony at Kohl's. It's brand saturation like we've never seen before. Even 'Top Model's Cycle 17 All Stars' is gearing up to create a 'brand' out of this season's winner. Complete with the largest prize package in Top Model history, which includes a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl cosmetics, a spread in Italian Vogue, a campaign for Express Clothing and a chance to be a guest correspondent on Extra.

So, with all this 'branding' going on – the word 'branding' itself has even become a trend – are we branding ourselves, and each other, into branding hell? Not that it's a bad thing, but what becomes of brand saturation? Does it just become a normal part of everyday life, like Coke and Pepsi? How much of a product's popularity and/or success is due to professional branding and how much of it is due to social media? Are a million 'likes' worth a single campaign?

Or, should there still be a vision and/or meaning behind the brand? Otherwise, what's it really worth? The Kardashians, for example, are the daughters of a daughter of a clothing store owner and that is how they originally got their start – with a clothing store. So, it makes sense that they would put out their own line. Not to mention they have fabulous style, anyway.

But, what about misplaced brand efforts like Mark Anthony for Kohl's or Sofia Vergara for KMart? Doesn't he write music and isn't she an actress? What do they know about designing a clothing line? I get that Mark Anthony might know something about branding, but should he have his own clothing line? That seems as far in left field as a graphic designer selling legal advice (or something like that).

As the consumer, are you buying it? Did you buy Kim Kardashian's fragrance or Christian Siriano's shoes? Were they worth the purchase?

As an art director, and somewhat of a branding expert myself (puff, puff), I feel over stimulated with celebrity endorsements. It's the worst case of the rich getting richer and the poor getting...well, you know. Poorer.

Branding makes sense for companies and businesses, but social media has made it possible for anyone to have a brand, a blog and/or a web site. Even your grandma can have her own brand and web site. Think of it as 'Granny's Brand.' But how authentic is it?

Authenticity is the mark of any good brand. From Levi Strauss to Disney, a good brand is authentic and true to its origin. Knowing your brand and who you are – what your company is – and the things that you or your company do, along with the public's perspective, will determine how authentic your brand is.

Actions speak louder than words. So, you think you're a brand, huh? Then just do it. Be it. And, stop talking about it.

Featured Artist: Felipe Cerdán

2011-10-02T19:12:00.000-07:00

(Top L to R) Father and son; poster explorations for 'The Dark Knight,'
'Michael Clayton' and 'Ocean's Thirteen.'
(From bottom L to R) Key art for 'Wonder Woman':packaging for the
re-release of 'Taxi Driver'; and, original sketches.

One of the many great things about working at some of Hollywood’s best entertainment agencies, as well as the studios, are the friends you make at work. I have had the pleasure of working with some extremely talented people that I am proud to call my friend. Felipe Cerdán is one of those people.

Felipe – or as he is also known, ‘Flip’ – earned his Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Animation from San Jose State University and has been working non-stop ever since. His true love being animation (besides his beautiful wife, Melanie and his handsome son, Q.), Flip jumped right into it, landing his first gig with Warner Bros Feature Animation.

Flip’s exposure to animation in the world of entertainment began as an EFX Inbetweener and Assistant Animator on two of animation’s greatest films, ‘The Iron Giant’ and ‘Osmosis Jones.’ Later, he work on ‘The Tigger Movie,’‘Joseph: King of Dreams,’ and ‘Sinbad.’

Flip worked in animation for five years with Warner Bros, Sony, Dreamworks and Disney Television Animation before the 2D animation world decided to take a breather. So, Flip reinvented himself and landed a job at Petrol Advertising, where he got his first taste of entertainment advertising at one of L.A.’s top entertainment ad agencies.

In 2005, Flip landed a role as art director at Be Design – which is where I met Flip when I started working there in 2007. At the time, Be Design was located in the House of Blues building on Sunset Boulevard and Argyle, It was located on the eleventh floor with incredible views of the city, which made it easier to work late. By then, Flip had become a package design pro and had worked on key art for projects for films like ‘Michael Clayton,’’Ocean’s 13’ and ‘The Dark Knight,’ to name only a few.

After several years with BeDesign, it was time for Flip to move on. And, it was at that time that an agency called 30Sixty – an entertainment agency that skews towards a specialty-packing firm – was looking for a new designer and one of Flip’s friends recommended him for the job. (See, it is who you know.)

But it wasn’t long after Flip took the job at 30Sixty that he got a call from a friend about a new animation gig over at Disney. It was too good to pass up, so Flip took the job.

One of the few perks a working artist can have in Los Angeles, if they are lucky, is a gig on one of the major studio lots and Disney’s Animation Studio is certainly one of those gigs – without question.

Flip was lucky enough to have had continuous work at Disney Animation for several years. As an EFX Animator, Flip worked on such films as ‘The Princess and the Frog,’‘Winnie the Pooh,’ and ‘The Lion King - 3D.’

Today, Felipe is working on the Warner Bros. lot for the television and creative services group where he has designed key art for Comic-con for such shows as the new ‘Wonder Women,‘ as well as ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ and more.

Please take a moment to visit Flip’s site at FelipeCerdan.com. Make sure you check out his animation EFX, as well as his design projects. Flip is truly a master of design in all of its forms. He is not only a great artist and talent, but he is also a terrific friend, father, husband, brother and son to the people who matter most in his life. I am proud to call Felipe Cerdán my friend and I thank him for letting us feature him on L.A. Link.

What I've been cooking...Three bean chili with corn and corn bread

2011-09-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
2 16 oz. cans of S&W 50% Less Sodium black beans
2 16 oz. cans of S&W Dark Red Kidney Beans
2 10 oz. cans of Rotel Tomatoes
1 32 oz. can of SunVista Pinto Beans
1 16 oz. can of DelMonte Whole Kernel Corn - No Salt Added
1 15 oz. can of Ralph's Tomato Paste
1 yellow onion chopped
1 yellow, orange or red bell pepper chopped
1 jalepeño gutted and minced
3 tblspns chili powder
1 tblspn minced garlic
1 tblspn garlic salt (optional)
1/2 tblspn black pepper
1/2 tblspn cumin seed
1/4 tblspn cinnamon
1/4 tblspn sour cream (to taste)
grated cheddar cheese (to taste)

One of the first things I learned to cook in a CrockPot is chili and it's still my favorite ways to make it. I started from a Bush's recipe for 'Three Bean Chili,' and over the years, I have modified it to a perfect pitch of spices and extras that everyone who tastes it seems to enjoy. This is a low-sodium, high-protein, robust and flavorful chili. Perfect for Fall and Winter months!

First, cook and brown the ground beef. I always add pepper, then before I take it off the fire, I add a little garlic to flavor the meat. (Don't burn the garlic because it will taste bitter.) Toss cooked meat into the CrockPot. Add chopped onion, bell pepper, beans, garlic, garlic salt, black pepper, cumin seed and cinnamon.

Add sour cream and cheddar cheese to taste.

Easy. Breezy. Beautiful.

Slow cook for 6-7 hours
High cook for 3-4 hours

CORN BREAD

For an extra kick of flavor, I added freshly baked corn bread, along with the chili. It was easy, too. Two boxes of Jiffy Corn Bread Mix, 2 eggs and 2/3 cup of milk. Whisk well. I added crumbled feta cheese to my mix, but that's totally up to you.

Because I lined the cake pan with non-stick foil, it was easy to lift the corn bread from the pan, peel back the foil and cut it into 9 squares (I used an 8-inch square pan). Because you used two boxes, the corn bread will be nice and thick.

Make sure to let the mixture sit and rise for about 5 minutes after you scoop it all into your foil-lined pan before you put it in the oven. If you use a toaster oven, you will want to cover the top lightly with foil to prevent burning.

Add butter or margarine before serving.

Photoshop 101: Organized Files

2011-09-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

(L) Unorganized layered Photoshop file.
(R) Organized and labeled layered Photoshop file.

The simplest things can make the biggest difference when working in Photoshop and something like keeping your files organized is a great example.

It is important to keep your Photoshop files organized, labeled and grouped thoughtfully and efficiently to save time, money and problems down the road. There is nothing worse than getting someone else's Photoshop file(s) and they are not labeled, organized or efficient. It is a waste of time for the artist working with the unorganized file(s) and it is a waste of money for the company at which they work.

Label the layers as you build your files. Be thoughtful when you group layers together. Try and group layers by moveable sections. In other words, think about how someone (the client or another designer) may want to change something or move something around. Make sure your groups make sense for making this possible.

Group objects together that you can move as a whole and label your layers with all the pertinent information. Some layers are obvious but others are not. For example, a noise layer is obvious at a glance for several reasons: it's close to the top and it's easy to tell a noise layer from an art layer. However, it is not enough to simply label your noise layer as 'noise.' It is important and helpful to label your layer by how much noise you use, whether or not the noise is uniform (uni) or gaussian (gaus) and if you chose monochromatic.

Example: Noise 10 Gaus

This tells anyone else looking or working on your file exactly what you intended with your noise layer, in case there is a problem and something needs to be changed in the future.

Another example of a layer that should always be labeled is a 'high pass' layer (the high pass filter helps to sharpen areas of your artwork). When creating a high-pass layer, it is important to label it by the amount of pixels you gave your high pass layer. Otherwise, no one will know whether it seems like too much or not enough.

I've worked with creative directors who insist that you label ALL of your layers, including the adjustment layers, with what you intended to do with said adjustment (e.g., lighten background, darken hair, etc.). This seems like overkill to me because you can usually tell what the artists' intention was by clicking the adjustment layer off and on. However, if you tend to use adjustment layers a lot, it could be helpful when it comes to small areas that could possibly be unnoticed and deleted because someone couldn't tell what the adjustment was for.

Labeling your Photoshop file correctly and efficiently will set you apart from the Photoshop novices. I can't tell you how many times I will get someone's Photoshop file and nothing is grouped or labeled accordingly. How unprofessional.

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

2011-09-12T21:46:00.000-07:00

If you're a true Harry Potter fan, you've probably already seen 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,' the grande finale of the Harry Potter series. But, if you haven't seen it, put it on your list of things to watch because you won't be disappointed.

I had the pleasure of watching it in IMAX-3D – although I had heard so many complaints about the post-production process, I found it to be a lot of fun in 3D!

This grande finale of the Harry Potter series has it all, from magic to action to emotional triggers, and it is beautiful to watch – especially on a big, big screen. It was hard to believe that the series of films is over because so much time has past. But this last installment neatly wraps up the story of Harry Potter and Voldemort, as well as giving us some insight to their futures.

One thing the Harry Potter films share, without question, is quality movie making and storytelling, at its best. As viewers, we have peaked into the world of Harry, Ron, Hermione and the others, to witness the growth of a young boy who grows up to become a good man. He always resists evil and is deeply loyal to his friends. We have had the pleasure of watching Harry and all of his friends and teachers grow. And, this is the final showdown.

The movie begins where Part 1 left off – Harry, Ron and Hermione continue their journey to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes, the mystical items that keep him alive. But, when Voldemort finds out about their mission, the final showdown begins and nothing will ever be the same.

Make sure you put Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 on your holiday list this year. The perfect ending for a perfect series.

Expected release date: November 2011

New Fall 2011 shows on television

2011-09-02T17:04:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite times of the year, in terms of watching television, is the fall and I look forward to all the new programming the studios have to offer. I grew up watching television and in the last decade, I have worked in television marketing and advertising. I enjoy watching television and its entire process – from concept through completion – and what it takes to make, sell and air a television series.

This fall season is no exception. There are a slew of stellar new shows to add to your must-see list of shows to watch. Click here for TV Guide’s Fall Schedule at-a-glance. Some of my favorites are the two new Mad Men-esque series, ‘Pan Am’ and ‘The Playboy Club’; a new twist on a classic favorite, ‘Charlie’s Angels’; the dinosaur drama ‘Terra Nova’; the return of Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Ringer’; the return of Simon Cowell in ‘The X Factor’; the seemingly very funny ‘Suburgatory’ and ‘Whitney’; the bewitching ‘Secret Circle’; and, many, many more.

As reported earlier this year, I had the pleasure and honor of working at Sony Entertainment for L.A. Screenings 2011. During my stint at the studio, it was my job to watch pilot episodes of the shows I might be working on. While I was there, I was able to catch the pilot episodes for both ‘Pan Am’ and ‘Charlie’s Angels,’ to name a few. All I can say is that I can’t wait for some of the new shows to start!

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SHOWS TO WATCH

Charlie’s Angels – ABC, Thursdays 8pm

One of my favorite shows in the late 70s was the always glamorous ‘Charlie’s Angels.’ Both films were amazing and were produced by Drew Barrymore’s Flower Films and will also serve as Executive Producer on the new series. It’s gonna be great!

The pilot episode introduces us to the new ‘Angels’ as we tag along on a mission that ends in tragedy, but the Angels must avenge the death of their colleague. The action is fun without being over-the-top, like the films. The soundtrack is amazing, as well. The music is practically non-stop and fits the Miami scene where the series is filmed. Of course, the girls are beautiful, too.

Pan Am – ABC, Sundays 10pm

ABC’s new period drama ‘Pan Am’ is one of the new must-see new shows to watch this fall. Starring the always interesting Christina Ricci, in the glamorous world of a Pan Am stewardess during the height of the company’s success.

The pilot episode takes place on the day of the maiden voyage of Pan Am’s first-ever jet flight from New York to London and the writers do a terrific job at introducing us to the main characters – the flight crew of the new jet plane. They fill us in quickly on who the characters are and how they came to work for Pan Am.

The sets are amazing, too. The re-imagined Pan Am hanger at JFK is one of the more impressive sets from the pilot, but all are beautiful and incredible to look at. Another set worth mentioning, from a viewers' perspective, is a lobby in the corporate offices of the Pan Am building. Oh, and the soundtrack is pretty good, too. Music from the times.

The Playboy Club – NBC, Mondays 10pm

Another brand new period drama is NBC’s ‘The Playboy Club,’ set in Chicago at the first Playboy Club, ever. While it is set in the 1960s, like ‘Mad Men,’ producers have said that is where the comparison ends.

Starring Eddie Cibrian as a powerful attorney and part of Chicago’s elite. And Amber Heard, a young and talented actress/producer as the new bunny, Maureen, who finds herself in over her head.

Like Pan Am, The Playboy Club is a huge part of American industry and its history. After all, Mr. Hefner built an empire.

Terra Nova – FOX, Mondays 8pm

I had the pleasure of working on some artwork for a show on BBC called ‘Primeval’ – a high-budget series that follows Professor Nick Cutter and his team as they investigate anomalies in time found in the Forest of Dean where dinosaurs are moving through them and into the present. This show is very well done, in my opinion, and is very popular in the UK. Love it!

That being said, I am really excited about the new FOX show ‘Terra Nova’ – a megabucks production by Steven Spielberg – about a family from the year 2149 who travel back 85 million years to help reboot a civilization – promises to be bigger and better than the formerly mentioned series by a bazillion bucks.

TVGuide.com recently reported that the two-hour premiere was estimated to have cost upwards of $16 million dollars and is shaping up to be the most expensive TV show ever made.

The story is about an ex-cop who is jailed for breaking the 22nd century ‘family of four’ law which limits couples to two children, but manages a last-minute escape to join his family as they head back in time to a brave new world.

The series is filmed on the coast of Queensland in northeast Australia, in a large cow pasture that is now the Terra Nova settlement, literally the size of a football field.

I haven’t had the pleasure of viewing the pilot for this show, but I can’t wait to see it. From what I have read, and the bits I have seen online, this series will not be your average dinosaur story.

Ringer – CW, Tuesdays 9pm

Sarah Michelle Gellar is finally back on television and I am excited to see her. If you’re a true SMG fan, then you’ll be excited to see her, too.

In the new CW drama, ‘Ringer,’ Gellar stars as an ex-stripper/recovering addict who is about to testify in a murder trial against mobsters, flees to reunite with her wealthy identical twin Siobhan, who soon disappears in a boating excursion. In a desperate effort to avoid the police and mobsters who are now trying to locate her, she adopts Siobhan’s identity, but soon learns there is someone already targeting Siobhan, as well.

If you ask me, the series is based on a 1964 Warner Bros. film ‘Dead Ringer’ where the late, great Bette Davis played the twins – the wealthy one is murdered by her twin sister, who takes over the wealthy one’s identity. If this is true, it makes me want to see the new series even more!

Whitney – NBC, Thursdays 9:30pm

I wouldn’t be a true ‘Chelsea Lately’ fan if I didn’t give a shout-out to NBC’s new comedy, ‘Whitney,’ starring the hilarious Whitney Cummings, a round-table regular on the ‘Chelsea Lately’ show. I love the comedians of ‘Chelsea Lately’ because they are always making me laugh out loud at home at night. They crack me up.

NBC’s new comedy series, ‘Whitney,’ appears to be a comedic look into this goofball comedienne’s personal life – only with better lighting and wardrobe (have you seen her on ‘Chelsea Lately?’ NOT the best dresser!).

I’m looking forward to catching Whitney Cummings in ‘Whitney’ and I hope you’ll tune in, too. If she has anything to do with the writing and concepts of the series, it’s guaranteed to make you laugh.

There are lots of new shows premiering this month and I could go on and on about all of my new possible favorites. But, I should give some props to some of my must-see old favorites, like ‘America’s Next Top Model,’‘Project Runway,’‘American Idol,’‘Glee,’‘Modern Family,’ and ‘Hot in Cleveland,’ to name only a few.

What new shows are YOU planning to watch this fall? We want to know.

Sources: TV Guide online, NBC.com, ABC.com, FOX.com

What I've been cooking...Stuffed bell peppers

2011-08-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

Top: Stuffed and ready to bake.
Middle: Clean, rinsed and cut peppers.
Bottom: Place in 1-inch water
and coverwith foil.

1 lb. of lean, ground meat
1 sm. yellow onion
2 cups of cooked Spanish rice
1 15 oz. can 50% Less Sodium Black Beans
1 15 oz. can Rotel Tomatoes
6 large bell peppers
1 tablespoon garlic

Believe it or not, I like to cook. And, with the state of our economy, I like to eat well and save money doing it. The best way to accomplish this is to cook for yourself. This way, you know exactly what you are putting into your body and how it was made. With a little practice, we can all become excellent cooks.

Lately, I have been trying to mix things up by trying to cook new things. I have my favorites, but I thought I would start with Stuffed Bell Peppers. They're easy to make, super-delicious and you can reheat them with little-to-no effort. I prefer orange, yellow and red peppers over the green – the green give me heartburn.

This experimental dish came out so good, my room mate Jeff and our neighbor Karen were both asking for more. You can easily save them and reheat them for dinner the next night, if you want.

Choose your favorite pepper(s). Cut off tops and carefully clean out the peppers. Boil the peppers in boiling water for about 5-6 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.

Brown and cook your favorite long grain rice, add water along with the Rotel Tomatoes, cover and simmer until cooked.

In a separate pan, brown and cook a pound of your favorite ground beef, sirloin or pork – whatever makes you happy – with garlic, onions, and season to taste. You can chop and add the tops of the peppers to the beef or you can save them for presentation. Add the cooked rice to the meat and stir well.

Fill the bottom third of each pepper with black beans. Carefully stuff the meat/rice mixture over the beans and into the bell peppers. In a pyrex dish, add about an inch of hot water and place the stuffed peppers in the water, open face up. Cover the dish with foil and back in a preheated oven at 350˚F for approximately 1 hour. You can remove the foil at 50 minutes and sprinkle your favorite cheese and bake uncovered for 10 minutes for a crispy top.

Remove from pyrex dish and let stand for 5 minutes to cool. Serve and enjoy!

Hollywood community – Having great neighbors

2011-08-23T22:11:00.000-07:00

Hollywood Hide Away

Penny (L) and Leili (R) are two of my favorite neighbors.

Los Angeles really works when you find the right place to call home. Whether you like modern high rises or something more historic, L.A. is a muse to a myriad of architectural styles from which to choose.

If you're lucky, you can find a place that feels more like home than home ever did – everything just seems to work.

Luckily for me, I found my Hollywood Hide Away and I didn't have to look far. A 1920s building with only four units, a private patio oasis and the best neighbors you could ask for. Oh, and Penny, too (she's the neighborhood doggie).

As important as it is to find the right place to live, having great neighbors is really what makes a neighborhood a community. However, having great neighbors – and being a great neighbor – seems to have become a lost tradition in the city of broken dreams.

I remember growing up with my cousins who lived on the same cul de sac for most of our youth. There were other kids on their block who went to the same schools as we did, including Jr. High and High School, and my aunt and uncle were friends with their parents. At least, they were friendly. So, why do so few people in L.A. get to know their neighbors?

It could be risky, but it could be great. At a time in history when things are changing immensely and the American Dream is, at best fuzzy, why wouldn't you take the time to seek out the neighbors that you might actually click with? You have way more to gain from a good neighbor than you have to lose. I know because I have great neighbors and I am grateful for them. They brighten my day and I know they are always there.

Great neighbors do exist in Los Angeles. You just have to reach out and say hello. After all, you never know who you are going to meet and what they will mean to your life.

The ‘New’ Santa Monica Boulevard - What a joke.

2011-07-31T22:34:00.000-07:00

(top) the new Santa Monica Boulevard,
(bottom) the drive-thru line at McDonald's on
Santa Monica Boulevard

If you have lived in Los Angeles for a while, then you might remember Santa Monica Boulevard – the part from the 405 east to Wilshire Boulevard – before the Westwood and Century City turned it into a freeway with stop lights. It was always heavy with traffic, but there was easy access to the businesses on the way.

Typically, I avoid driving in L.A. as much as possible – driving in L.A. daily can cause mental meltdowns – but I was driving home from Santa Monica the other Friday and I thought I should at least try the new Santa Monica Boulevard. It was a nice day and it seemed early enough in the day to possibly avoid traffic. And, I am a local.

Bad idea. As much as I hate driving on the freeways, they are still the fastest and easiest way to get around if you have to drive. Parts of Santa Monica Boulevard are quick, too, but not many. The reconstruction on Santa Monica Boulevard has helped in that section, but once you hit Wilshire Boulevard the brakes are on.

I was hungry so I remembered there was a McDonald’s on Santa Monica near Beverly Glen. It was still there, too. But, because Santa Monica is now a thru-way with a one-way ‘little’ Santa Monica (which didn’t work in the first place), as the only access to the stores and shops along the way, if McDonald’s drive-thru is full of customers, they now spill out onto ‘little’ Santa Monica and you’re stuck. I sat in the line for almost ten minutes without moving before I decided to skirt the line, go around through the back alley and...McDonald’s parking lot if completely full and the drive-thru line that I was once sitting in was longer than anticipated and not moving.

So, I decided to forget McDonald’s on Santa Monica Boulevard forever, but then there was the issue of making a U-turn. I had to back track my way on Santa Monica Boulevard quite a ways before I could make a left or U-turn. Who’s the brain behind this project?

There are things about Los Angeles that are fantastic, but no matter what, you almost always end up driving somewhere and that is where the experience turns bad. Driving in L.A. is a joke these days and I don’t see things getting better, only getting worse.

But, don’t take my word for it. Read what David Yoon of Narrow Streets blog, Los Angeles had to say about it back in 2010. He gives a much more thorough description of the new highway and if his prediction is correct, I would advise you to stay off Santa Monica Boulevard between Wilshire and the 405. Don't say I didn't warn you.

CityWalk Hollywood – All grown up

2011-07-22T17:07:00.000-07:00

(L) Mark having fun at the Curious George sign (R) the famous
Universal Studios globe

I remember as a kid going to the movies with my cousins at Universal CityWalk before it was CityWalk – it was only theaters and a huge parking structure. My aunt and uncle would drop us kids off and we would spend the afternoon at the movies, sneaking from one theater to another until our parents came to pick us up. I guess we weren't kids as much as we were teenagers, but it was still fun.

Last night, my friend Mark and I went to CityWalk Hollywood for dinner and a movie – and it made me think of my childhood and my time at the theaters as a teen. Boy, has it changed.

We ate at the 'Hard Rock Cafe' at CityWalk Hollywood

The CityWalk Hollywood of today is all grown up and rivals Downtown Disney with nothing but choices of things to do and buy. From the 19-theater complex and IMAX theater with an 8-story screen to the restaurants, shops and things to try, CityWalk Hollywood can be an all day experience, if you're up for it.

Dinner

There are tons of places to eat for all types of appetites. With places like Tony Romas, Camacho's Cantina, Jon Lovitz Comedy Club, Wolfgang Puck and Wasabi to tempt your taste buds, it's hard to choose. We chose Hard Rock Cafe because we knew that the food would be good and that it would only add to our night – and it did.

There's nothing like a good-'ole hamburger and fries to fill you up along with good music and great service. The desserts at Hard Rock looked amazing, but we did not indulge. We wanted to not be stuffed for the movie.

After dinner, we walked the length of CityWalk to the famous Universal Studios globe, then back to the theater. I wanted to take photos for this blog and my buddy Mark was nice enough to play along.

We walked around, looking at stores and the different people before we decided to stop for a small cafe mocha at Starbucks for a little boost before our movie. The weather was incredible.

Movie

Our game plan from the beginning was to see 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' in IMAX-3D and we did. It was FANTASTIC! What a ride. I won't give any of the film away, for those of you who haven't seen it, but I will say that it did not disappoint.

If you've never seen a film at an IMAX theater, you don't know what you are missing. If you have, then you know how lucky we are to have an IMAX theater in our back yards and just up the hill. It's more expensive for an IMAX experience, but well worth it, especially in 3D!

The All-New '5 Towers'

If you haven’t been to CityWalk Hollywood recently, then you don’t know about the all new ‘5 Towers’ – an outdoor, FREE live concert staging area, including five 42-foot high steel towers of lights and amazing sound – located in the center of the plaza, just outside of the cinemas and Hard Rock Cafe. The 31-by-24 foot stage is permanent and there is a 26-by14 foot LED monitor mounted above the stage, facing the audience.

CityWalk Hollywood has always had music and videos playing for your enjoyment, but the new ‘5 Towers’ takes the experience to another level. For example, there are underground weight sensors that enable guests to control the volume of the lights on the towers.

This is the view from the theaters as soon as you
walk outside...it was beautiful.

By the time the movie was over, it was dark and it appeared they were setting up for the '5 Towers' experience to begin, but who knows? It was getting late and we were ready to call it quits.

We had a great time at CityWalk Hollywood and I know you would, too. It was nice to go with an old friend on a perfect summer evening to a perfect movie at a killer theater. I can't think of anything more gratifying.

To read what the LA Daily News had to say about the new '5 Towers,' please click here.

For more information on CityWalk Hollywood regarding parking, movies, restaurants and shops, please visit their web site at www.CityWalkHollywood.com.

Another Day at the Beach

2011-07-19T22:10:00.000-07:00

(L) Myself, Robert in back and Jeff (R) Robert and Jeff setting
up at the beach.

One of the great things about living in Los Angeles, especially during the summer, is the option to go to the beach. I've blogged about this before, but it is definitely one of the luxuries we have that I do not take for granted. I love the beach and the ocean. Whenever I go, I feel a sense of 'cleansing.'

This year, on 4th of July weekend, my two buddies and I headed for the beach complete with umbrellas, a big sheet for all three towels and a cooler, packed full of sandwiches, fruit salad, potato salad, sodas and water. Oh, and one chair for whoever wanted to sit in it.

This was the view from our spot on the beach.

The weather could not have been more gorgeous. There was a nice breeze and people were flying kites. We got there early and dropped Robert off at the stairs that lead to the beach, then we drove around, found parking and met Robert on the beach. We were there by 11:00am and we got a terrific spot.

There is something about sitting on the beach with the Pacific Ocean in front of you, the warm sun on your skin and a light breeze to keep you cool under an umbrella – something peaceful and relaxing.

Around 1pm, we started to get hungry and we ate lunch – I was grouchy about Robert bringing such a big cooler than ended up being sort of heavy, but I was glad we had it in the long run. So much food to munch on and it was all delicious. By 3pm, I was starting to feel the burn, so I jumped in the vacant chair that was sitting under an umbrella, in the shade. Robert and Jeff continued to sun. Needless to say, Robert burned to a crisp and peeled. Jeff was fine because he and I already had a base tan, but I know when to get out of the sun.

We had a great day in the sun, just the three of us – did I say we've known each other for 23 years? We finally arrived home by 5pm and the drive home was pleasant with no traffic. I am grateful for my friends and for days like this and I can't wait to hit the beach again before the end of summer. It's days like this that makes living in L.A. worth all the trouble.

Polyamory: Untapped possibilities or a way to get everything we want?

2011-07-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

Gay or straight, is polyamory a way to strengthen our
current relationship by observing it from a different perspective?

In an age of some of the best technology ever, it's hard not to know what is going on in our country and around the world – climate change, floods, record deficits, job losses, budget cuts, less for the already poor – life seems to be getting harder for us all, instead of easier.

So, when it comes to relationships, is now the time to reach out to your friends and neighbors who are also feeling the pinch for emotional and sexual support? Gay or straight, is it a way to strengthen our current relationship by observing it from a different perspective? Or, is polyamory just a way to get everything we want?

Polyamorous relationships go virtually unnoticed in films like the Twilight series – Bella was torn between Edward and Jacob, and for a while, had them both.

I recently had this conversation with a friend of mine who brought up the subject of a polyamorous lifestyle and it made me think of some of my past relationships and whether or not they would have survived if both of us had someone else to focus some of our attention on? Does having someone else around for emotional and sexual support help break up the tension between two people or does it create more tension in the long run? And, how many partners can one person have? Is there a minimum and/or maximum? What are the rules?

While sitting around one afternoon watching 'Twilight: Eclipse' (it was on Showtime's OnDemand), it dawned on me that polyamorous relationships are already taking place in movies and on television but they go virtually unnoticed. In Eclipse, in case you haven't seen it, Jacob wants Bella to choose him over Edward and Bella is obviously torn. In this installment, Bella continues to need some of the things Jacob can provide that Edward can not – and vice versa – and struggles with the thought of having to choose one over the other.

What about shows like 'The Bachelor' or 'Vampire Diaries?' The message seems to be 'why have one when you can have more than one.'

In the 1950s, couples married early, sometimes starting families before they were twenty. By the 70s, the divorce rate had skyrocketed and people were free to explore their sexualities. Today, there are people in public office with families who lie about their affairs, as if 'don't ask, don't tell' applies directly to them. Maybe it's time we all admit that one person can not fulfill all of our needs? Or, can they?

Are polyamorous relationships the wave of the future? Or, are we just hungry for more? Does having more than one person in life to turn to in an intimate way help us with all the drama in life or does it create more drama in the long run?

There are tons of books on the subject, including but not limited to; Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships & Other Adventures, Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships and Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What It Means for Modern Relationships, to name only a few. If you are interested, you'll have to do the research yourself.

Who knows? Maybe this is part of the way humans will evolve in the next 50-100 years? Only time will tell but I thought it was worth mentioning.

What do you think?

Weekend Movie Reviews: X-Men First Class and Source Code

2011-07-17T17:44:00.000-07:00

X-MEN FIRST CLASS

If you're a fan of the existing X-Men series, then 'X-Men: First Class' is a must-see for you if you haven't seen it, yet.

It's the story of how the X-Men came to be, beginning in Auschwitz where a very young Erik sees his mother gunned down and displays his 'magnetic' powers. Then, we meet Charles and Raven, as kids, who exhibit powers of their own and soon you're off on a global adventure where you are introduced to all the infamous X-Men characters before they were part of the X-Men clan.

As a fan of the X-Men series, this installment does not disappoint and is packed with as much storyline, special effects and good writing and acting as one film can get. So much, in fact, that it could almost have been too much for one film, but that's just my humble opinion.

I won't give any of the storyline away because half the fun is in the discovery, but I will say again that it's worth the watch. It's cool, fun and full of adventure!

Look for it on DVD later this year.

SOURCE CODE

The soon-to-be-released on DVD 'Source Code' is a fun ride with an interesting twist that is worth taking with star Jake Gyllenhaal as a decorated soldier who finds himself inside the body of an unknown man, on a train headed for Chicago with a bomb somewhere on board. The soldiers mission is to find the bomb and the bomber before it explodes.

Director Duncan Jones does a good job telling the story and keeping the viewer riveted to their seat as they watch the young captain discover his mission and ride with him on his attempts to save the passengers on the train.

What he doesn't know is how he got into the body of the unknown man on the train or how he is going to get out and, as the viewer, you learn what he learns as he learns it.

'Source Code' is a fun-filled suspense-thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you are transported to a realm of mind over matter.

WHAT IS SOURCE CODE?

In computer science, source code is text written in a computer programming language. This language is specially designed to facilitate the work of computer programmers who specify the actions to be performed by a computer mostly by writing 'source code.'

I highly recommend 'Source Code' if you want something fun with a twist.

Ultimate Paintball for ultimate summer fun!

2011-07-10T15:40:00.000-07:00

How many times have you sat around with your friends trying to think of something fun to do that is completely different than what you normally do? Something fun you can do together, as a team, building teamwork, leadership and comradery?

What about paintball? I use to work with these dudes who were crazy about paintball. In fact, they made it a point to get together as a team and play at least once a month. There are tons of indoor and outdoor parks in L.A. for play.

One thing is for sure, if you play, you’ve got to have the right gear and the best place to get your gear online is at UltimatePaintball.com. Ultimate Paintball offers the best prices with FREE shipping on brands like Tippman, VForce, Empire, Spyder, Proto and more!

Ultimate Paintball offers the best in apparel, equipment and custom camo dipping to customize your gear.

paintball gear

It's The Little Things

2011-07-03T21:04:00.000-07:00

The Joy of Little Things
by Robert William Service

Flowers on our cactus
just before they bloom in spring.

It's good the great green earth to roam,
Where sights of awe the soul inspire;
But oh, it's best, the coming home,
The crackle of one's own hearth-fire!
You've hob-nobbed with the solemn Past;
You've seen the pageantry of kings;
Yet oh, how sweet to gain at last
The peace and rest of Little Things!

Perhaps you're counted with the Great;
You strain and strive with mighty men;
Your hand is on the helm of State;
Colossus-like you stride . . . and then
There comes a pause, a shining hour,
A dog that leaps, a hand that clings:
O Titan, turn from pomp and power;
Give all your heart to Little Things.

Go couch you childwise in the grass,
Believing it's some jungle strange,
Where mighty monsters peer and pass,
Where beetles roam and spiders range.
'Mid gloom and gleam of leaf and blade,
What dragons rasp their painted wings!
O magic world of shine and shade!
O beauty land of Little Things!

I sometimes wonder, after all,
Amid this tangled web of fate,
If what is great may not be small,
And what is small may not be great.
So wondering I go my way,
Yet in my heart contentment sings . . .
O may I ever see, I pray,
God's grace and love in Little Things.

So give to me, I only beg,
A little roof to call my own,
A little cider in the keg,
A little meat upon the bone;
A little garden by the sea,
A little boat that dips and swings . . .
Take wealth, take fame, but leave to me,
O Lord of Life, just Little Things.

cheap auto insurance Los Angeles

2011-07-02T23:41:00.000-07:00

Did you know there are resources on the internet to help you find the cheapest auto insurance rates where you live? At a time when you can sit at your leisure and get information you need off the internet, it makes sense to shop around.

Cheap-autoInsurance.com is a FREE online referral service to the cheapest auto insurances rates in your area, by zip code. It's easy and it's FREE.

When I logged on, Cheap-autoInsurance.com gave me a list of different insurance companies in my area that offer the lowest rates on insurance. My choices were Travelers (the red umbrella), Geico, Nationwide and Progressive. And, I realized, that all of these insurance companies are online companies. Of course! Take out the middle man, save more money.

It’s easy to get a quote. You simply go to Cheap-autoInsurance.com, enter your zip code, and a page will pop up with the cheapest insurance in your area. I’ll bet you’ll have some of the same choices I had, but maybe there is something to this online insurance thing? You enter some basic information about your automobile and you’re done!

There is other useful information on Cheap-autoInsurance.com, such as ‘Auto Insurance Terms Defined,’ ‘State by State Resources’ and ‘Credit Ratings of Major Insurance Companies.’ According to their site, they offer information and research material to help you learn more about auto insurance and influencing factors where you live. State and even local information is provided for your convenience and use. Regardless of where you live, Cheap-autoInsurance.com can help you find and buy the car insurance coverage you need.

If you’re like me and trying to save a buck whenever you can, especially when it comes to your car, check out their site, key in your zip code and find out if you can save a few bucks on your auto insurance.

After all, a few bucks is a few bucks.

The Fern Dell at Griffith Park is fun for the whole family!

2011-06-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Fern Dell at Griffith Park's Western entrance is a great place
to go for a hike, a picnic or just to clear your head.

One of my favorite places to go for a nice walk and clear my head is at the Fern Dell at Griffith Park. My grandparents would take me there when I was a kid, and when I visit now, it still takes me back to those very moments.

Recently, I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon at the Fern Dell with my long-time friend (and Hill & Knowlton alumnus), Lisa. We had a nice lunch, then drove to Fern Dell, had no trouble parking, and took a nice stroll through the treelined paths and over foot bridges, all while talking and laughing about life. It's easy to forget that you are in the middle of Los Angeles when you are there.

The temperature was perfect – in the mid 70˚s – but the canopy of trees and ferns were doing a good job of shading and cooling the area. There are lots of places to sit – in the shade or in the sun – and there are plenty of public bathrooms.

There are over 50 types of fern species in the dell and there are lots of hiking trails to explore. There's a small snack-shack called 'The Trails' where you can get something to eat or drink and there are plenty of conveniently placed picnic areas and tables. There's a terrific play area for the little ones and there are a good number of people around walking their dogs, playing with their kids, or like us, simply taking time out of their busy day for a pleasant stroll in the park.

If you're trying to find things to do with your friends and/or family that doesn't cost any money, is close by and is a nice escape from our bustling concrete jungle, then Fern Dell at Griffith Park's Western entrance is worth visiting. Pack a lunch, bring a blanket, pack some games and bring your friends or kids and have a nice day at the park. You'll be glad you did. And, don't forget the camera.

The Fern Dell at Griffith Park is located where Western Avenue and Los Feliz Boulevard meet in Los Feliz, California.

Hiking trails at Fern Dell
Fern Dell to Griffith Observatory – Dan's Hiking Pages
Griffith Park-Fern Dell Loop – Todd Burke, Every Trail
Griffith Park-Fern Dell reviews, trails and more information – Yelp.com

Surprise, surprise – Things that make you go hmmm...

2011-06-14T18:11:00.000-07:00

Why are there things in life that still surprise me?

Why are there things in life that still surprise me? Am I too optimistic or am I just stupid? When people hire me, do they really want an art director or just someone to do what they say? When it comes to life, should we all just come to expect less?

Why am I surprised to hear from someone I haven't heard from in years, only to never hear from them again? Someone sent me an email recently – an old friend – who was concerned that I would not think of them as an old friend, yet they reached out to me to say hello. I was happy to hear from this person and I cheerfully responded to their email, but I never heard back from them again. What made them want to reach out to me in the first place? They commented on my work, but how or why would they be looking at my work in the first place?

Why am I surprised when I freelance someplace that isn't fully integrated to CS5? Or, when a client isn't able to open a CS5 file? I know it's expensive to keep updating software, especially for companies with several employees needing upgrades and licenses, but we're almost half-way through 2011 and CS5 was released in 2010.

Why am I surprised when I can't understand someone at a local drive-thru? I find myself having to ask 'what did you say?' more than once or twice when I pull up at a local drive-thru. Wouldn't it make sense to have someone at the drive-thru who speaks English clearly? Or, is that too much to expect?

Finally, why am I surprised that motorists and pedestrians are not in sync here in the great city of Los Angeles? With all the heavy automobile traffic and ever-growing foot traffic in neighborhoods like Hollywood and Santa Monica, for example, pedestrians and motorists need to get in sync. There's nothing worse than 20 cars waiting for one person to hurry along. On the other hand, motorists could stand to be a little more patient and a lot more polite. I'm just saying.

Apple's Lion and iOS5 – Like having a second brain

2011-06-08T15:59:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs at the Worldwide Developers Conference
in San Francisco, June 6, 2011

I have been a Mac user for nearly 30 years now and I have always been impressed with this little machine and its ability to produce 'what you see is what you get' graphics at the hands of the designer. But, much has changed in 30 years. Gone are the days of the heavy, chunky, expensive computers, parts and software and here to stay are the days of wireless desktop computers with no towers, as well as iO hand-held devices like an iPhone or an iPad.

If you're a Mac user, then you will be interested in Apple's streaming video of the key note from the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) recently held in San Francisco that walks you through the top ten features of Lion and the new iOS5.

Presented by Steve Jobs, this key note focuses on software for your Apple products including Apple's new operating system, Lion; iOS5 and all it can do; and finally, iCloud – the new software that keeps all of your Apple products and software up-to-date, automatically.

The big take-aways:

Lion – Presented by Phil Schiller and Craig Federighi

This presentation was all about the Mac and its rise in industry usage. Mr. Schiller talks about the the evolution of OSX and how Lion comes complete with 250 new features – but Schiller only talks about the 'Top Ten' which include: Multi-touch Gestures; Full Screen Apps with Swipe; Mission Control (a dashboard 'like' app for open documents); Launchpad (another dashboard 'type' app for apps); Resume; Auto Save (a feature that 'auto saves' your documents system wide, not just with the application); Versions (which saves different versions of each document); AirDrop (an easier way to share documents with other users); and an all-new Mail. Also, for the first time ever, Lion will only be available for download on the Mac Apps Store (for an extremely low $24.99). Available in July of 2011.

iOS5 - Presented by Scott Forstall

This presentation was all about the iOS devices and their strength in the market. Did you know that Apple sold more than 25 million iPads in the first 14 months of sales? Forstall goes on to bring us some surprising (or not so surprising) statistics on iTunes, iBooks, and the App Store before he goes into iOS5, but once he does, it is exciting. Some of the new features include: a Notifications Center that you can access from any of your mobile devices; Newsstand (that holds all of your subscriptions to magazine and newspapers, alike); Twitter integration; an all-new Safari with some amazing new features; Reminders (automatic reminders that can remind you to do things from a stored list); an all-new Camera (with a new shortcut from the lock screen); an all-new Mail (with rich text formatting); PC Free (meaning, you can use your iOS5 devices without needing a computer to sync); a better Game Center; and finally, iMessage (basically, iChat for all iOS5 devices).

iCloud – Presented by Steve Jobs

Basically, iCloud is the reason iOS5 can do some of the things it can do. You see, iCloud is basically an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) site for your files, pics, books and music...but way more. Not only does it hold all of your information, but it syncs and 'pushes' these files directly to your devices and apps, automatically. It sounds simple, but it is very complex in its entirety. The one thing Jobs did make a point to tell the audience is that 'it just works,' meaning there is no set-up, copying, updating or syncing required – it just works. Complete with 5 GB of storage space (not including music or photos), iCloud is free with iOS5.

iTunes in the Cloud – iTunes in the Cloud allows you to play anything purchased through iTunes on any device, up to 10 devices, with no additional charge.

This was a fairly long key note to watch, nearly two-hours, but if you're an Apple device user, you should want to know the details. In my opinion, Apple is always coming up with the most innovative solutions in technology, and although I have had my problems with customer service in the past, I remain a loyal Apple user today. I look forward to Lion, the new iOS5, iCloud and all that this new technology brings. It's like having a second brain to store and update all of your information, automatically. iBrain.

Apple Special Event, June 6, 2011 – Key Note from WWDC Conference in San Francisco

Hotel Erwin – The Beach Is Back

2011-06-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

Hotel Erwin in Venice beach is the place
for the young and hip to congregate,
especially on its rooftop lounge.

When you do a search for a hotel on the beach in Santa Monica, a 'top ten' list shows up that includes hotels like Shutters, Loews, Casa del Mar and Viceroy – which are all nice, but a little stuffy and bit pricey. So, what if you are young and hip and want something that is more your style?

Hotel Erwin in Venice beach is just what you're looking for. Literally located in the heart of Venice, the once tattered Marina Pacific Hotel is now the newly upgraded Hotel Erwin – a Joie de Vivre Hotel – is a boutique hotel complete with one of L.A.'s best rooftop drinking and dining areas is only 200 feet from the ocean!

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending my friend Debi's birthday bash that was held on the rooftop of the Hotel Erwin in Venice beach and I had a terrific time. Our server was fantastic – she didn't miss a beat – and the food and drinks were pretty good, too. It was a cloudy evening, which made the sunset spectacular in my opinion, but the temperature outside was a nice 60-degrees (and this was in June!). We've had amazing weather in Los Angeles this year – not too hot, not too cold. I would highly recommend that you visit Hotel Erwin or suggest it to a friend who might be visiting L.A.

According to the hotel's web site, the top reasons to stay at Hotel Erwin are: Hash & High (the dining room and rooftop, open-air lounge), the sun, beach and sights. And, as a native Angeleno, I would have to agree with them.

The best part of the Hotel Erwin is the view from the rooftop and festivities that lie therein. The next best thing about the hotel is its location. If you're a guest, imagine walking, running, skating or biking on Venice boardwalk, laying out on the beach to catch some rays, or cruising the boardwalk to people watch, it's all right there at your door step. Not to mention all the great shops and restaurants within walking distance from the hotel. Minutes from the 10-fwy, the Hotel Erwin is perfectly located for your L.A. adventure.

If you're under 40 and traveling to Los Angeles and want to stay somewhere that screams Southern California, the Hotel Erwin is the place for you.

The view from the rooftop of Hotel Erwin in Venice beach is spectacular!
(click to enlarge)

Hotel Erwin is located at 1697 Pacific Avenue, Venice Beach, CA 90201 (310) 452-1111

The Odyssey 1 Disco – A legend remembered

2011-06-01T23:29:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time (in 1976), literally across the street from Rexall Drugs at Beverly and La Cienega, there was a dance club called 'The Odyssey 1' that was the rage of the town (if you were into clubs at that time). I think it was 1981 when I went for the first time and 'The Odyssey' was everything you expected a disco to be.

Recently, I joined a group on Facebook that is basically a memory page for Odyssey 1 Disco, but it's been great reminiscing with the old DJs, doorman and regular patrons, online. I only have fond memories of The Odyssey 1 and my friends from that era. Most of us are, in fact, still friends.

The Odyssey 1 was an under-18 dance venue that did not serve alcohol, but it was open 7 nights a week with after-hours every night. The people were the coolest people ever and they made you feel accepted, no matter what. Of course, I had my regular group – Angela, Mark, Frank, Jaime, Scott, Denise, Dori and Kenny – and many of us were at The Odyssey 5 nights a week, sometimes. I also remember meeting and hanging out with Louise Foley (from ABC's Family), multiple award-winner Kristy McNichol (from ABC's Family, Little Darlings and Empty Nest) and one of their friends, Kevin Gentry. It was the best place to dance in L.A. with the best DJs in L.A. (Chuck E. Starr, David Rubenstein and Steven Frederick Smith) and the best lights and sound system. Not to mention that at that time, quaaludes were hugely popular (I was too young and too scared to try them). But, it was fun just hanging out, dancing.

Mondays and Fridays were New Wave night when they played re-mixed music from Lene Lovich, The Pretenders, B-52s, Haircut 100, Go-gos and Devo, to name only a very few. And, if you paid to get in on Monday nights, you would get a free pass for Saturday night. I remember hanging out in the parking lot and in the Exxon station (yes, it was still Exxon, but a smaller, older version) asking people if they had an extra free pass. We were teenagers, for crying out loud. My friends were so nice to always pick me up (I was younger than most of them and one of the few without my own car, yet). Thank you, my friends (mostly Denise), for picking me up and driving me home from The Odyssey. I really appreciate it.

Besides the music, The Odyssey 1 was a place where a young person could go and be themselves – or anyone else they wanted to be, for that matter. It was a fantasy you could lose yourself in, night after night, and the outcome would always be different, but always an adventure.

Unfortunately, The Odyssey 1 burned down in 1985 and there was no rebuilding. Today, a mini-mall exists where the famed Odyssey 1 once stood, but the Exxon station is still there. Only, it's bigger now.

Thank you, Odyssey 1 Disco, for giving me so many great memories, good friends and fun times. I will always think of you fondly and with a smile.

An original post about 'The Odyssey' from March 6, 1981 - TVParty.com
Odyssey 1: Nightclubs of the 1970s and 80s - DiscoMusic.com

Los Angeles Screenings – 2011

2011-05-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

The upcoming 60s throwback and Mad Men-esque new series Pan Am,
starring Christina Ricci,as well as the new Charlie's Angels,
are both produced by Sony Pictures and will be airing this fall
on ABC.

It's that time of year again, when the studios and networks put out their best efforts of new shows for the fall. It's also a time when studios are at their busiest and so are most freelance art directors in entertainment. I have had the pleasure of creating key art and original artwork for many new shows premiered at an L.A. Screenings for several different studios, including NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. and most recently, Sony Pictures Entertainment.

What of my favorite things to do on weekends is to catch up on shows I might have missed during the week and I must admit that I am somewhat of a television junkie. Having the opportunity to view pilots for new shows, create key art and original artwork, and even to just being involved in the process, is a huge dream come true for me, as an artist.

As usual, each studio puts on a huge parade of new shows for the taking – comedies, dramas, dramadies, the supernatural, time travel and space travel – lots of creative minds at work. And, lots of good new shows, too.

This year, one of the most talked about shows online has been the remake of the classic favorite, 'Charlie's Angels' for ABC. As a kid, I was a huge fan of the original and after viewing the pilot, I would say this version is going to be a hit, as well. It's fun, the girls are beautiful and it's totally modern with just a pinch of throwback. Too much of anything is not good, but I think the producers got it right this time (unlike NBC's failure with 'The Bionic Woman'). Did I mention that Drew Barrymore is one of the producers of the show?

Another early favorite from Sony that pays homage to 'Mad Men' and to the jet age of flying is the high-quality 'Pan Am,' starring Christina Ricci. From the writing to the acting to the overall production value, this show is obviously one of those shows that is simply done right and with lots of TLC. I won't give any of the pilot away, but this show is one to watch, too. Also premiering on ABC this fall.

Jumping on the throwback bandwagon is NBC's 'The Playboy Club,' starring Eddie Cibrian, of Leann Rimes fame and scandal, as what else? A rich, goodlooking Playboy Club member. I haven't had the pleasure of viewing the pilot for this new show, but from NBC's promo, it looks like another high-quality hopeful for NBCUniversal.

As far as new comedies, if you're a fan of late night's 'Chelsea Lately' (and who isn't?) then you'll recognize the star of the new NBC fall comedy, 'Whitney' starring comedienne Whitney Cummings.

On CBS, you'll find another Sony-produced drama called, 'Unforgettable,' starring Poppy Montgomery of 'Without A Trace' fame who plays a police detective with more than just a photographic memory.

Each L.A. Screenings event is completely different from the next, but each offers the best of their new shows for the fall (and sometimes January of the following year). If you're a fan, then make sure to support your favorite shows and watch. There is nothing the studios like better than high-ratings from a loyal audience. Who wouldn't?

L.A. Screenings: What has changed about the annual event - The Hollywood Reporter

Restaurant Rave: Oscar's Cerveteca

2011-05-20T13:24:00.000-07:00

The fried potatoes come with the Pulled Pork sandwich - SO TASTY!

Cost: $15
Cleanliness: Excellent
Location: Venice Beach
Food: Homemade favorites

If you live in Los Angeles, enjoy going to the beach and love great tasting, homemade favorites with a latin twist, then Oscar's Cerveteca is the place for you. Located in the heart of Venice on Rose Avenue at 5th Street, Oscar's Cerveteca is currently having a public soft-opening, with a public debut planned this week.

I had the pleasure of walking to Oscar's from my friend, Debi's place in Venice the day of the soft-opening, itself, and I can't wait to go back for more! The menu is full of homemade favorites like the 'La Puente Original' burger with lettuce, tomato and cheddar cheese; 'Coca's Torta,' the ancho braised pork w/vinegar slaw (OMG...so good!); handmade masa tostadas; fried plantains; fried potatoes; fish & chips; mac n' cheese and much more!

The outdoor seating area is community seating and there is a small inside area, as well. But people are friendly and they will make room for you. Just smile and dig in! I can't say enough good things about Oscar's – the few things I tasted were so good, they left my mouth watering for more.

BTW....it's walking distance from the beach, so if you are down there already, you don't have to drive there – take a nice walk. The best things about Oscar's is that it is easy, breezy and delicious.

Oscar's Cerveteca is located at 523 Rose Avenue, Venice, CA 90291 (310) 310-8937.

To read what GrubStreetLosAngeles had to say about Oscar's or to just check out their menu – GrubStreet/LA

Fear No More

2011-05-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

By William Shakespeare

Fear no more the heat 'o the sun;
Nor the furious winter's rages,
Thou thy worldly task has done,
Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages;
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney sweepers come to dust.

Fear no more the frown of the great,
Thou art past the tyrant's stroke;
Care no more to clothe and eat;
To thee the reed is as the oak:
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this, and come to dust.

Fear no more the lightning-flash,
Nor the all-dread thunder-stone;
Fear not slander, censure rash;
Thou hast finished joy and moan;
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee, and come to dust.

No exorciser harm thee,
Nor no witchcraft charm thee;
Ghost unlaid forbear thee.
Nothing ill come near thee.
Quiet consummation have;
And renowned by thy grave.

Restaurant Review: Carney's Hot Dogs

2011-05-07T23:33:00.000-07:00

My Double Chili Burger and Large Fries (well done).

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place because it's one of my all-time favorites! Yes, having been born and raised in L.A., I know a great chili burger and chili dog when I taste one and Carneys is my favorite place for chili anything.

With locations in Hollywood and Studio City at the big, yellow train, Carneys is a family owned and operated business that has been serving the Los Angeles community since 1975. We use to go to Carneys after our Little League games when I was a kid. Then, in my early twenties, I lived in the hills just above the one located on Sunset and use to visit them at least once a week. It's an L.A. thang. Better than Pinks!

If big, juicy chili burgers are what you crave, then Carney's is the only place in Los Angeles that will satisfy your craving – for the moment. You'll be going back for more, just as I have for 35 years! From a single patty, complete with chili, pickles, onions, mustard, ketchup, lettuce and tomato (mine is without tomato) to a double patty and a huge half-pounder, Carney's has the right size burger for your appetite. And, the prices are right, too.

But big, juicy burgers and long, meaty dogs are not the only things you can order when you go to Carneys. They have a terrific Veggie Sandwich (I only know it's terrific because I have a friend who doesn't eat meat who LOVES 'em!), an AMAZING Grilled Tuna Melt, Turkey Burger, Garden Burger, Salads, Chicken and more! Of course, their French Fries are to die for, as well. (I like them 'well done' and crispy!)

TIP: Here's a tip from someone who goes to Carney's often – call in your order before you go and avoid long lines and a wait. If you have an order for pick-up, you can go straight to the register and pay for your order. It will save you time and trouble.

Both locations serve the same menu and offer indoor/outdoor seating, a clean environment and friendly service.

www.carneytrain.com

Featured Artist: SIMON VARELA

2011-05-06T22:13:00.000-07:00

From top left: young Simon; with shark image from Pixar's exhibition;
a cute shape; (below) a charcoal and pencil of a scene for
'Finding Nemo.'

Last month's featured artist is this month's featured artist and I was delaying posting something about him until his return from El Salvador where he has been for the past month or so. His name is Simon Varela and he is a long-time friend and extremely gifted artist with the ability to imagine and draw detail from his mind's eye - without anything but his imagination for reference.

I met Simon in 1988 when I worked with his then girlfriend – and through her, I got to know Simon (and his brother, Douglas). I remember having the privilege of viewing some of Simon's early drawings of human figures that were mind blowing. It's no surprise to me – and I am sure to his friends or his family – that he cultivated his talent to become the star that he is today.

Direct from his Facebook page, Simon at
the drawing board on a major project – all charcoal.

If you've ever seen 'Finding Nemo,''Corpse Bride' or a number of other family hit films, then you've probably seen Simon's work – or a variation, thereof. Simon is known in the film and animation world as an 'amazing talent' and has conceptualized and created some of films most memorable characters and settings.

I was hoping to sit down with Simon and find out what he has going on right now, but, I did not want to prolong this post about him and deprive L.A. Link readers from his talent. I hope to sit down with Simon, when he returns from El Salvador, and get more details about what he has done and what he has planned for the future. He's a very busy man these days and he frequently travels between Los Angeles and El Salvador, where he is from and where he currently has family. I appreciate Simon's consent to feature him and his work on L.A. Link and I hope to have an update soon.

To learn more about Simon Varela or to view some of his work online, please visit Simon Varela - IMDb

A Day At The Beach

2011-05-02T18:51:00.000-07:00

Debi and I had a great day at
the beach! Oh, and Nugget, too.

Sometimes, things are happening all around you and it's time for a break. I needed a break this weekend, so I called my dear friend Debi and asked if I could go and visit her and Nugget – Nugget is her adorable new little girl puppy. She's sweet and hyper, but fun to have around.

Anyway, Debi has this great new place walking distance from the ocean. Which is where Debi has always lived – walking distance to the ocean. What better place to spend a Sunday afternoon than at the ocean with a good friend?

When I arrived, Debi was rearranging her new place . She had taken all of the books out of this cool book case so that she could move things around and she wanted my input on the furniture arrangement. I told her we should live in the space for a while, so we popped open a few beers, sat in the new living room space and had a nice talk. But, then it was back to work.

When we were done, Miss Nugget wanted to go down to the beach for a long walk – and why I was there in the first place – so we put Nugget on her leash and harness, and we were off.

What a beautiful Sunday! As much as I dislike driving in Los Angeles, it's a must for getting to your destination. But, once you arrive, you're there. And, there are many destinations to choose from in Los Angeles. Mine just happened to be my friend, Debi's, and the beach.

We had a very nice walk down to Venice beach. People are always walking around down there. I love the vibe. The weather was gorgeous and it was so relaxing. Until we got to the boardwalk.

The Venice boardwalk was extremely crowded, I have too admit – too crowded to feel comfortable – so we decided to walk back to her place, drop off Miss Nugget at home and try this new restaurant in Debi's hood.

It was opening day at Oscar's Cerveteca and Debi was hoping they would be open – and they were. They were buzzing with people eating, drinking and hanging out.

This is Debi's dog, Nugget.

There's a nice, big community table outside in front, as well as a small inside sitting area. We sat outside, of course. The weather was perfect. The day was perfect. And, I was about to eat the best pulled pork sandwich I have EVER had in my life. OMG...it will be hard to describe how good this pork is, but I promise my Restaurant Rave (coming soon) of Oscar's will leave your mouth watering and dying to try it. I can't wait to go back for more. Seriously, it was that good.

Thank you, Debi and Nugget, for having me over and for being such good hostesses. My 'Day at the beach' good not have been better.

Restaurant Review: Umami Burgers

2011-04-30T18:35:00.000-07:00

The Umami Burger branded with
the letter 'U.'

My good friends, Brad and Mike from Washington D.C., were in town for a visit and wanted to eat at this place called Umami Burger in the valley (they spell it 'valli'). It's located where the old Out-take Cafe use to be on Ventura Boulevard, literally next door to Mexicali.

I had never heard of Umami Burger, but apparently, it's all the rage. In December of 2010, GQ Magazine dubbed it Burger of the Year – the reviewer, Alan Richman, loved it. In fact, Mr. Richman said he thought the owner's face 'belongs on the Mount Rushmore of the burger world.'

After reading such a rave review, I did a little research and found that Umami Burger has been reviewed a lot, lately. According to a two-part review on LA Weekly's blog, the owner Adam Fleishman – wine connoisseur, entrepreneur and cooking enthusiast – opened his first Umami Burger in February 2009 on La Brea, between Wilshire and Olympic.

The concept, umami, is the fifth element in Japanese culture of food flavors (besides sweet, sour, salt and bitter), corresponding to the flavor of glutamates, especially monosodium glutamate.

In the LA Weekly interview, Mr. Fleischman was quoted as saying that he 'wasn't even interested in burgers, [he] was just trying to play around with umami and get those flavors right.' Naturally, after all the hoopla, I had to try it, right?

This is Umami SoCal Burger – complete with
roasted tomato, home made american cheese and
home made sauce with butter lettuce.

So, we met at their newest location in the 'valli' and I had the So. Cal Burger with butter lettuce (my favorite on a burger), slow-roasted tomato, house spread, home-made american cheese and carmelized onions. When it arrived at the table, it arrived covered with the letter 'U' branded on top of the bun. From a designers point of view, kudos. It drives the brand home at that most important moment – consumption. In fact, I think the 'U' should replace the ugly buns logo that look like poorly drawn lips...I'm just sayin'. On to the taste.

The flavors were amazing, I have to say. And, I like the idea of knowing where your meat is coming from, local vendors and all green philosophies when it comes to my food. It was the perfect 'little' burger on the perfect white plate and the decor in the 'valli' location is urban-chic with big, red leather wing-back chairs and white chandeliers. A big hit.

I ordered a side of skinny fries, which were great, and their ketsup is home made, too. It was delicious. We didn't have any dessert, but I'll be sure to go again and try some.

The service was great and the experience was terrific. The place was crowded and we had to wait for a table, but it wasn't too long. All in all, I would say it is definitely worth the visit. They have so many different types of umami burgers on the menu to try.

My only gripe is with the size of the burger. I wish it was a tad bigger and the ten-dollar price tag wouldn't seem so high. In short, you get something slightly larger than a slider but definitely smaller than what you might expect. The SoCal Burger was the least expensive on the menu, btw, so make sure you go expecting to pay a little more for a burger, cause that's the way it is. But, you won't be short-changed on the flavors or overall experience.

Please visit their web site at www.UmamiBurger.com for locations and more information.

Time Long Past

2011-04-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

Like the ghost of a dear friend dead

Is Time long past.

A tone which is now forever fled,

A hope which is now forever past,

A love so sweet it could not last,

Was Time long past.

There were dreams in the night

Of Time long past.

And, was it sadness or delight,

Each day a shadow onward cast

Which made us wish it yet might last,

That Time long past.

There is regret, almost remorse,

For Time long past.

'Tis like a child's beloved corse

A father watches, till at last

Beauty is like remembrance, cast

From Time long past.

by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Celebrity Apprentice – Bad ads

2011-04-24T23:09:00.000-07:00

Why you should always hire a professional, seasoned Art Director

Did you happen to watch Sunday night's 'Celebrity Apprentice'? I couldn't stop laughing. The two celebrity teams had to conceptualize and create a 4-page ad for the Trump collection of hotels for a luxury brand publication. Needless to say, it did not go well. There was no winner.

The latest episode of 'Celebrity Apprentice' was an hour-long commercial that detailed why you should always hire a professional, seasoned Art Director for any advertising, marketing or design job you may have. Even the smart, educated and world-travelled Star Jones couldn't pull off this task. Why not? Because she's not a professional Art Director!

I've said it before and I will keep on saying it until the world gets it – just because you have a Mac, or even a graphic designer at your disposal, that doesn't mean you can design anything, let alone a luxury brand.

The key element missing from the 4/24 episode of 'Celebrity Apprentice' was an Art Director for each team. A seasoned A.D. would have had the vision and creative resources to take both teams ads and turn them into gold. I mean, platinum. I'm just sayin'.

Film Works L.A. – Reel jobs create real impact for Los Angeles

2011-04-24T22:01:00.000-07:00

One of the things we should all be doing as a community, is putting our hard-working dollars to work back in the communities where we live. Especially, Los Angeles. When a person thinks of Los Angeles, they think Hollywood. The entertainment community is huge in Los Angeles and we should keep the filming, and revenues from filming, here in our city, whenever possible.

With support from local unions, the City of Los Angeles, the Screen Actors Guild and many more, Film Works L.A. is an outreach campaign whose main goal is to help keep film productions here in our state, and in our city, to help local businesses and organizations gain revenue from the filming process.

Did you know?

Did you know that in 2008, the entertainment industry wages and salaries payroll in L.A. County was $15.37 billion?
Did you know that there are more than 6,600 business establishments in the State of California that service film, television, and commercial production industries.
Did you know that in 2008, the entertainment industry directly employed 141,00 workers in Los Angeles County?
Did you know that the entertainment industry is the third largest industry in L.A. County (just behind international trade and tourism)?

Take Action

It’s important to show your Los Angeles pride, especially when it comes to keeping billions of dollars in payroll in our city. Please take a moment to visit the Film Works L.A. site at www.FilmWorksLA.com and show your support by completing the Campaign Support Form. When your on the site, download a sign and/or logo to display on your website, vehicle or business. And, please share this story.

Shame on us - hateful adjectives

2011-04-14T00:20:00.000-07:00

It was reported that Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers
uttered a 'homophobic slur' at a referee Tuesday night
out of anger.

In my opinion, there are certain words in the English language that should be barred from general conversation, forever. They are offensive, degrading and stem from a hateful place and history.

It has been reported that Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers uttered a 'homophobic slur' when a technical foul was called on him by referee, Bennie Adams, in the third quarter of a game with San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night with millions of people watching. On video, it appears that Mr. Bryant says 'f***ing f*gg*t.'

The LA Daily News reported that NBA commissioner David Stern said, 'Kobe and everyone associated with the NBA know that insensitive or derogatory comments are not acceptable and have no place in our game or society.'

They also reported that Mr. Bryant apologized in a statement released by the Lakers:
'What I said last night should not be taken literally. My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period. The words expressed do NOT reflect my feelings toward the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone.'

When people use certain words – in this case, the 'F' word used by many to describe a gay man – it always stems from an angry, hateful place. I can think of other words in the English language that should never be used in general conversation to describe anyone. Unless you are in a learning or theatrical environment, there is no reason to use certain words. There are plenty of words that mean the same thing but don't arouse hatred.

Which brings me to my point: Mr. Bryant is now appealing his fine of $100,000 that was imposed on him by commissioner, David Stern, due to player 'protocol' or something stupid, when he should be paying it plus donating a million dollars to the LA Gay & Lesbian Service Center. This teachable moment could be held at a press conference where Mr. Bryant could let people know, young and old, that these adjectives are no longer acceptable in general conversation. His donation would go a long way at the center in the city that holds him in such high regard.

At a time when we should be banding together, hatred against our fellow man is something that should no longer be tolerated anywhere on earth (or anywhere else there might be humans). With all of the natural disasters that have been happening around the world, you could be depending on your fellow neighbor for your life one day. Wouldn't it be sad if the last thing they remember hearing you say is a hateful slur? I'm just saying.

CA Advertising and Design Competitions

2011-04-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

The coveted Communication Arts Design + Advertising Competition deadlines are upon us, once again. Any design project printed, published or aired for the first time within the last twelve months prior to the deadline is eligible.

Since 1959, Communication Arts has published the best in visual communications from around the world and awards won are placed at the top of many creative lists. As usual, the juries will consist of some of the top professionals in our field, including, but not limited to: Matteo Bologna of Mucca Design, New York; Tim Larson of Larsen, Minneapolis; Margaret Johnson of Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco; Helen Pak of Saatchi & Saatchi, Toronto; and, Mark Wenneker of Mullen, Boston.

DESIGN

Deadline: May 13, 2011

Costs: $40 most single entries: $80-$300 for series entries

ADVERTISING

Deadline: May 13, 2011

Costs: $40 most single entries: $80-$300 for series entries

As an artist, designer, photographer, illustrator or motion designer, you know to expect the best inspiration and design from much of the work produced in the Communication Arts annuals. Every agency or studio has copies of the annuals for inspiration in their libraries and as artists, I'm sure you've browsed through at least a few of them. If chosen, your work will be part of design history. If selected, your work becomes part of the best of the best, then printed in an annual you will cherish for years to follow.

To enter, register online at www.commarts.com. Good luck!

Restaurant Review: The Happy Ending

2011-04-08T00:34:00.000-07:00

'Happy Ending' in Hollywood has terrific food and a huge bar.
But, be sure you have time to wait for the food to be served – it can take a while.

I recently had lunch at an almost invisible restaurant on Sunset Boulevard located where the old 'El Torito' use to be, just east of La Brea, called 'The Happy Ending' bar and restaurant. I went with my friend Nicole for lunch though she warned me that while the food was good, the service was slow for some reason. Despite her warning, I insisted on trying it for this review.

The first thing you should know is that it was a rainy day and the place was practically empty. The service was okay but the food was good. It just took a long time to come out and we didn't order anything too complicated.

For lunch, I had the 'Pulled Pork Po' Boy' for $12 topped with delicious homemade coleslaw, pickles and mustard on the side. I added ex tra BBQ sauce, as well as mustard...YUM! Nicole loves their 'Damn Good Grilled Cheese Sandwich' with a bowl of tomato soup. One of her favorites! The food was very good.

The restaurant and bar area are large (remember the old 'El Torito'?) and I can't imagine that they could fill it even close to capacity in today's economy. But, they do have lots of specials so make sure you check out their web site. Everything from drink specials to Karaoke to game night and more! Overall, my experience at 'Happy Ending' was just 'okay.' Thank goodness my friend Nicole was with me – we have fun no matter where we go for lunch.

I will try 'Happy Ending' again because it's close to home, the food was good, the prices are cometitive and the bar area looks like it could be 'happening' on a good night. I'll be sure and let you know when I do. In the meantime, if you've been there or try it, let us know what you think.

'Happy Ending' Restaurant and Bar is located at 7038 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Lathe of Heaven

2011-04-06T17:45:00.000-07:00

'The Lathe of Heaven' is a science fiction fantasy
about a man whose dreams change the world.

I recently spent 104 minutes watching the once acclaimed, original PBS version of, 'The Lathe of Heaven,' which was adapted from a science fiction novel written by Ursula K. Le Guin in 1971. The plot revolves around a character whose dreams alter reality and the doctor who discovers his abilities and uses them to change the world.

Played well for the time by Bruce Davidson, the story revolves around George Orr, the man who dreams and his 'Oneirologist,' William Haber – a doctor who studies the science of dreams.

Originally, Orr begins seeing the doctor for his drug abuse of pills to keep himself awake and to not dream. You see, Orr has a problem with his dreams – they change reality. He has known about his condition since he was 17 years old and fears its effects. When he first tells his condition to Dr. Haber, the doctor is skeptical and thinks George is possibly an 'intelligent schizophrenic.' But, once he learns that George is telling the truth about his dreams, the doctor realizes he can use Orr's dreams to change the world.

There were two versions of this film online, and for whatever reason, I chose to watch the 1980 version. The remake from 2002 stars James Caan, Lukas Haas and Lisa Bonet. Needless to say, the book is probably way better than either of these adaptations.

May 03, 2011 – World Press Freedom Day

2011-04-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

Did you know that May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day? This year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) theme is '21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers.' With everything that happened in Egypt and with what is going on in Libya, it is important that the real news gets out.

An international conference will be held in Washington D.C. from May 1-3 on the theme for the Day, organized by UNESCO, the U.S. State Department and over 20 civil society partners. It will be held at the Newseum – a museum devoted to the history of the press and to freedom of expression worldwide. Discussing will focus on the increasing role of the internet, the emergence of new media and the dramatic rise in social networking.

A special event is planed for May 4 at United Nations headquarters in New York to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration. Adopted in 1991 after a conference held in Windhoek (Namibia) on the development of a free African press, this declaration emphasizes the importance and preservation of democracy and economic development. Two years later, the UN General Assembly established World Press Freedom Day.

In the Arab States, UNESCO and the satellite network Al Jazeera will work together to host a series of events to mark the Day.

UNESCO is also encouraging all those who are celebrating World Press Freedom Day to observe a minute of silence in memory of the journalists who have given their lives for our right to be informed.

For a complete list of the organizations welcoming this dialogue and volunteering to support the cohosts in organization of the event, visit PRWeb.com.

As an American, does it feel like you're 'winning?'

2011-04-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

America – does it feel like you're winning?

We've all heard Charlie Sheen say that he is 'winning' and that life, for him, is grande. But, what about life for the average American? Do you feel like you're winning?

It's hard not to take a political stance on this topic, especially at a time when unemployment is reported as close to 9% (but we know it's really more like 14%), jobs are scarce and it feels like things are getting harder and harder. How many talented, educated out-of-work artists do you know?

With all the budget cuts in education, healthcare, services for the elderly and the poor, infrastructure, and more to follow, it is vital to know and understand what it is we are, and have, forfeited in exchange for defense, medicare and social security.

First, there were the protests in Wisconsin and Ohio that focused on cutbacks in the Public Workers sector and the unions. Our teachers are already underpaid and cutbacks have had a huge effect in the overall quality of education in this country.

Next, there's the effect from lost jobs or cuts in salaries on most of the country (those of us not over the $250,000 a year tax bracket) and our families. People have kids and parents that they are taking care of, and with all the cutbacks, how will they make ends meet? How is increasing the gap between the very few wealthy and the lower class good for the country?

It's no secret that I am a fan of Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO, and this season Mr. Maher pulls no punches with his deciphering of conservative agendas. Especially, when it comes to cut backs for the poor, children's education, the national budget, and so on. Bill Maher cited an excellent quote from John Steinbeck on one of his latest episodes. It was:

“Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires.” - John Steinbeck

The panel was discussing how the right can plant an idea that makes the left argue for what they don't want – and get it. They also discussed a 'tax holiday' – when corporations pay no tax on profits made overseas. The Democrats are proposing a 5% business tax rate (as opposed to the normal 35%) as a way of getting corporations to keep their businesses in America. Why would the Democrats aim so low when negotiating?

In the last month, 60 minutes did stories on kids in our public school education systems in different parts of the country: (1) Hard Times Generation - a story that focuses on the number of children in this country growing up below the poverty level and attending public schools;

and, (2) TEP (The Equity Project) - a public charter school in a low-income neighborhood whose focus is the quality of education. And, both of these stories focus on the effects of low-income children at schools across our nation. They are both heart breaking and inspiring at the same time.

Finally, we learn that large corporations like GE – after posting profits of $14 billion dollars – paid no taxes at a time when America has such a large deficit and people are losing their jobs, their homes and their dignity. Instead, we are willing to give up programs that should matter to all of us – as a modern society – instead of standing up for what we know is right.

All I am trying to say is that even if you are currently employed with a good job at a stable company, things can change in an instant and you and your family could be the ones that are in need of help. Before we let our government take away things that are important to our society, make sure you understand what that means for future generations. Perhaps to someone you know and love.

The fabric of America is changing as type this post. What was once a place of hopes and dreams is now becoming a place where you must work hard, get paid less and have little to no vacation time, or anything, to show for it. Our public school students are falling behind in the world and our infrastructure is literally 'cracked up.'

Instead of the parties looking for blame, it's time they start working for the people. It's time for the people to band together, take care of each other and start thinking about your neighbors a little more.

Get informed. Be compassionate. We're all in this together.

Added on 4/9/2011:

Bill Maher's New Rules from Friday night, 4/8/11, simply state that while Charlie Sheen is 'banging the porn stars, the rest of us are getting crabs.'
Real Time With Bill Maher: New Rules 4/8/11
__________________

Audit of Pentagon Spending Finds $70 Billion in Waste – Christopher Drew, The New York Times
Obama's 2011 Budget Proposal: How It's Spent – The New York Times
TEP Charter School – www.tepcharter.org
Bill Gates: How state budgets are breaking US schools - TED conference, February 2011

Yahoo abandones MyBlogLog – Can it be saved?

2011-03-28T20:11:00.000-07:00

IN THE NEWS

I'm not surprised, with all the cuts and budget woes around the world, that Yahoo has decided to cut some its online properties, including the built-by-bloggers 'MyBlogLog' – an important and useful service built and used by bloggers and necessary for tracking, connecting and reaching out to the world.

Currently, MyBlogLog, a free blog listing service offered by Yahoo for bloggers to list their blogs and communicate with other bloggers, is going to be shut down. According to the Yahoo! Finance page (Feb. 24, 2011) by Joseph Tartakoff, 'the shut down does not speak well to the company's track record with acquisitions. Yahoo purchased MyBlogLog, which let users connect with fellow visitors to specific blogs, for roughly $10 million three years ago. As we've outline before, Yahoo has given up on at least six companies it bought, including Maven Networks, which it purchased in February 2008 for $160 million and Geocities, which it bought for $3.6 billion.'

Now, from what I can make of it, the owners of BlogCatalog – another free listing for bloggers by bloggers – wants Yahoo to negotiate a deal with them to save the company and all the time and work bloggers have put into building it. Plus, it would expand the both networks for bloggers if these listing sites were under one 'umbrella.'

If the CEO of BlogCatalog, Tony Berkman, can get someone at Yahoo to meet with him and cut a deal, BlogCatalog plans to improve MyBlogLog with the following services and upgrades:

maintain MyBlogLog as a distinct site
improve the design and user functionality
strengthen and grow the MyBlogLog distributive social network
promote the best features of MyBlogLog to BlogCatalog members
expose the MyBlogLog community to BlogCatalog opportunities

Basically, BlogCatalog wants to keep MyBlogLog what it is and what it means for bloggers and Yahoo is not even playing ball by coming to the table. Allegedly, Yahoo is collecting as much personal information from new and existing users, then plan to shut down the site, all together.

The Power of Blogging

One thing is for sure: there is power in blogging. As part of an online organization called 'Bloggers Unite,' I received information regarding this closure. Through the power of blogging, BlogCatalog hopes to make a deal with Yahoo and keep MyBlogLog alive and online with little to no interruptions for bloggers.

What do you think? Do you blog or have a blog? Weigh in on this issue and tell us what you think.

For more information about this post, or if you are a blogger and would like to support 'BloggersUnite,' please visit BloggersUnite.org.
_______________________

Yahoo BlogCatalog Open Public Offer to Keep MyBlogLog's Doors Open
Yahoo! Finance - Yahoo Is (Finally) Shutting Down MyBlogLog

The age of automobiles: is it over, yet?

2011-03-20T00:28:00.000-07:00

General Motors has teamed up with Segway scooters for
Project P.U.M.A. – a two-wheeled 'personal urban mobility
and accessibility' vehicle.

With all the bad stuff we know about gas and oil, what it does to our planet and to our bank accounts, doesn't it seem a little silly spending what little hard-earned money you have left to register your automobile, fill the tank, pay for insurance, etc.? How about when you're sitting in traffic (sometimes for hours) on roads and freeways that are in desperate need of constant repair? Again, more money.

It seems that with all the latest in technology, automobiles are primitive in comparison. They take up lots of room. They cost lots of money to maintain and operate. And, they are all too frickin' big. Even my sports car that only has an emergency back seat (I say emergency because that is all it's good for – no one wants to ride back there on purpose) is too big. And, don't get me started on SUVs.

My point is that automobiles are large, costly, environmentally unfriendly machines that are cumbersome and seemingly impractical by todays standards. We sit in lines waiting for ill-planned traffic lights to guide us along without purpose and we pour onto highways with other drivers whose driving skills our less than adequate and some don't carry insurance.

The solution is to get younger generations interested in science and technology, and hope that one of them has a breakthrough with modern travel and how we get around. The government should also be giving huge incentives to people and families who work close to home (within a 5-mile radius), drive less than 5,000 miles a year and own cars that weigh less than 2,500 pounds (average cars today weigh approximately 4,000 pounds, on average (in the 1970's the average had fallen more than 20 percent, to 3,000 pounds).

This post is hypocritical, I have to admit, because I still have a need for my automobile and have not made the leap to mass transit. Soon, Los Angeles will have a mass-transit system that will rival what we had with the Red Car Line, one-hundred years ago.

In 2009, EliteChoice.org posted an article that talks about a collaboration between General Motors and Segway scooters, to design a two wheeled vehicle which promises to be accident free. The two seater vehicle intends to take over from the world of cars making them obsolete. It is called Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility) and it involves a communication system that allows vehicles on the road to interact with each other, reducing the possibility of traffic jams and accidents. This two-seater vehicle is powered by a lithium-ion battery and can cruise at speeds of 35mph. On a single charge, the vehicle can go up to 35 miles.

I'm not saying that the P.U.M.A. is necessarily the exact, right solution, but it's a darn good idea and a good place to start. Don't you think?

For more detailed information on the Segway P.U.M.A., please visit their site at Segway.com.

To read the complete article posted on EliteChoice.org, please click here.

What is an Art Director and why should you use one?

2011-03-17T17:32:00.000-07:00

I don't get asked these questions much, which is why I am blogging about it, but I think anyone about to hire a designer should be asking themselves these questions before they spend money on a logo design, branding or advertising design for any business.

There are several different types of art directors for different types of industries. There are art directors in advertising, film, animation and the like. So, for sake of argument, this post is about advertising art directors.

What is an art director?

An art director is in charge of the overall visual appearance and how a project communicates visually. They make decisions about visual elements and artistic style. It is the art director's responsibility to translate desired moods, messages, concepts and underdeveloped ideas into imagery.

Graphic design is fun, and for most, it's the part of creating or reinventing a business that is the most creative and rewarding. But understanding the goal and having the skills to decipher, design and implement the message is serious business. A well deciphered, designed and branded business will almost always do better than its competitors. Not everyone can do it. And, because taste is a big part of it, the final product can vary from art director to art director, so do your homework.

A legitimate art director should have a site where potential clients and/or employers can go and check out his or her work at their leisure. Especially, if they are in business for themselves. You can tell a lot about a person's skill set and taste level by their web site and the work they show on it. Make sure you work with an art director who's work aesthetic matches your taste level and vice versa.

A good art director can get your brand noticed and elevate it to the level of a Starbucks, Apple or any other well designed and designated brand. The ability to develop interesting and compelling concepts that make a product or service stand out is one of the many things that a good art director can do that even a skilled graphic designer can not do.

Wikipedia says that a good art director is expected to have graphic design judgement and technical knowledge of production and that it may not be necessary for an art director to hand-render comprehensive layouts due to the age of computers. But, I disagree. Art director's don't have to be illustrators, this is true. But, an art director should be able to convey their message on a scrap piece of paper in the middle of a meeting, if necessary.

Great art directors can easily convey their vision to a large group of people, write clear and concise creative briefs, keep everyone on track, jump in the trenches and be up-to-date on the latest trends, software and techniques.

During a time when budgets are shrinking and both companies and consumers are demanding more, hiring the right person for your design and branding needs is crucial. It can mean the difference between getting your business noticed or getting lost in the 90-percent of bad design that's out there. Here today, gone tomorrow.

Before you hire a graphic designer to help you with your next project, consider hiring a hands-on art director, instead. You'll get a big-picture thinker who is up on current design trends that can get your brand right, the first time. I'm just sayin'.

Client Speak II: More of what your client's really mean

2011-03-15T18:05:00.000-07:00

In 2009, I wrote a post titled, 'Client Speak,' which was mainly a chart that focused on things a client or an art director might say vs. what they really mean.

Recently, I joined the group 'Communication Arts' on LinkedIn and I noticed lots of people commenting on a post that asks, 'Terms in graphic design that drive you crazy.' Many of the comments were very funny, yet true and tragic. Therefore, inspiring this new post.

As commercial artists, we deal with comments like these on a daily basis. Whether you are working for yourself and dealing directly with the clients, or you are in-house at an agency or studio dealing with an account executive or an art director, there are certain 'phrases' or 'terms' that people love to throw around for some reason. As if, no one knows what they are really saying.

I hope these make you laugh and that, as artists, you can relate to some of these encrypted messages. It's getting harder and harder to make a buck and earn a living these days, especially in a down economy. These are only a few of the many excuses and coded messages that I am sure you are all too familiar with. Enjoy!

Client Speak - L.A. Link (archives), December 2009

Los Angeles is located in earthquake country - be prepared

2011-03-12T17:19:00.000-08:00

With the recent, unheard of phenomenon of an 8.9 magnitude quake in Japan, Angelenos should always be prepared for the worst case scenario. What happened in Japan is a warning of what is possible and we should all take heed.

According to Ready America, it could take hours, even days, before you could get help in a catastrophe-type emergency and we should all be prepared. If and when a catastrophe happens in Los Angeles, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, a week, or longer.

GET A KIT

Recommended items to include in a BASIC emergency supply kit:

Water - one gallon of water per person, per day for at least three days, for drinking and santitation
Food - at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask - to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Additional items to consider adding to an emergency supply kit:

Prescription medications and glasses
Infant formulas
Pet food and extra water for pets
Important family documents
Cash or traveler's checks and change
Sleeping bag or warm blankets.
A complete change of clothing
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - when diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or, in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Personal hygiene items and feminine supplies
Paper and pencil

MAKE A PLAN

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what to do in different situations.

Identify and out-of-town contact.
Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.
Teach family members how to use text messaging.
Subscribe to alert services.

Whether to stay or go

Depending on the catastrophe and your individual circumstances, one of the first important decisions is whether to stay where you are or evacuate. It is important to know and understand both possibilities. Use common sense and available information to determine if there is an immediate danger.

BE INFORMED

Most of the basic things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and developing a family emergency plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency.

However, there are important differences among potential emergencies that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them.

In addition, learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government.

Emergency preparedness is no longer the sole concern of earthquake prone Californians and those who live in the part of the country known as 'tornado alley.' For Americans, preparedness must now account for man-made disasters, as well as natural ones. Knowing what to do in an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.

For more information on being prepared, please visit www.Ready.gov.
And please bookmark 'DisasterPreparedness101' by Fire Capt. Wayne Bennett who specializes in Disaster Survival Skills.

The Spring equinox is near

2011-03-10T11:11:00.000-08:00

My flowers are blooming and Spring is in the air.
Daylight savings is Sunday, March 12 and the
Spring equinox is Sunday, March 20, 2011.

My favorite time of the year is fast approaching. With daylight savings this weekend, Sunday March 12, 2011, and the Spring equinox the following Sunday, March 20th, the days seem brighter, already.

I think it's my Papago Indian blood that makes me crave the warmth of the hot sun. In any case, I am thrilled that the darkness is finally being lifted. It was a record 81-degrees today in Los Angeles and Spring is in the air!

Oh, we'll probably have our April showers and June gloom, but for Los Angeles, Spring is the best time of year, as far as I am concerned.

Soon, I'll be back to a normal gym routine (when it's cold, I can't seem to get to the gym). But, when it's warm, I can walk. Then, I'll be walking to the gym before noon, if my schedule allows.

This is where we can sit on our front deck for sun
or just to relax and read.

At a time when it feels like we are always losing something, it is nice to have gorgeous weather when we wake up and on our drives to work in the morning. It makes everything feel just a little bit better, don't you think? We get warmer, brighter, clearer days, and it's free.

If you live in or near Hollywood, the once called 'Madrone' building on La Brea, near Hollywood, is almost finished...finally. It was a long haul, but I am happy to see that someone put in the money and the time to finish the project. It seemed almost too big to fail, especially in its current location. That's hot property! I'm sure the views are incredible, too.

I've had this old bench for more than 10 years now.
I love it with the plants seated happily on top.

Hollywood, and the canyons that dwell nearby, are at their most perfect in the Spring. If you're an outdoors type of person, then you must be happy that Spring is near, too. It's time for bike riding, hiking, and rides along the coast.

Remember to thank the universe for the little things. They are almost all we have left.

Do you know TED?

2011-03-08T22:44:00.000-08:00

A small non-profit dedicated to 'ideas worth spreading' started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Today, there are two annual conferences – one in Long Beach and Palm Springs each spring, and one in Edinburgh UK each summer – each TED conference brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).

Their mission is spreading ideas to change attitudes, lives and the world. TED.com is a clearinghouse of FREE knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and a place for people to engage with ideas and each other. The site itself, launched in 2007, is an ever-evolving work in progress and they are open to new suggestions.

The springtime TED Conference in Long Beach and simulcast in Palm Springs, is at the heart of TED. More than a thousand people attend and the content has expanded to include science, business, the arts and the global issues facing our world. Over four days, 50 speakers each take an 18-minute time slot, with shorter presentations in music and comedy, in between. All the knowledge is an intricately interconnected whole.

With video conferences recorded and organized in themes that include technology, entertainment, design, business, science, culture, arts and global issues. Some of the speakers include Madeleine Albright, J.J. Abrams, Richard Branson, Bill Clinton and many, many more.

If you're a creative-minded person and haven't heard of TED (like I had not), then it's worth taking a minute to visit the site and bookmark it for the future or a time when you can sit down and dedicate 18-minutes for a talk from one of their many inspirational speakers.

The most recent post is about a French street artist called, JR, who uses his camera to show the world its true face, by pasting photos of the human face across massive canvases.
One video 'talk', posted February of 2011, is from Bill Gates on how state budgets, particularly California's, affect the quality of education in our schools.
In January of 2011, Anthony Atala made a presentation on growing human organs in laboratories. From muscles to blood vessels to bladders, and more.

If you're interested in anything about the future or what is possible, make sure to check out what's on TED.com.

HBO's documentary REAGAN is worth watching

2011-03-07T14:11:00.000-08:00

Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, Independent or Green, it is important to revisit the past to see the future more clearly.

Currently, on HBO's OnDemand, is an HBO Documentary, 'Reagan,' that is a fresh examination of the fascinating paradoxes that surrounded the man, the myth and his legacy.

Produced, written and directed by Eugene Jarecki, 'Reagan' follows the 40th president's rise from small-town lifeguard to revered architect of the modern world. According to HBO's web site summary, Jarecki balances the conflicting versions presented by colleagues, historians, supporters and family, while combining archival footage, never-before-seen interviews and the words of Reagan himself, Jarecki assembles a rich portrait of a contradictory figure who spun his movie stardom into political gold and became the leader of the free world.

Jarecki also explores how Reagan's personal beliefs aligned with his public policies and finds that this loyal-believer of conservative family values was also quietly open-minded on social issues.

Since leaving office in 1989, Reagan's name has become a mantra for Republican politicians seeking credibility, symbolizing a return to traditional values and a strong stand in the culture wars against liberal 'elites.' But the truth, as Jarecki reveals, is far more complex.

With the recent financial troubles our country has been facing, it helps to look back and remember how we got here in the first place. Every vote that passes or doesn't pass; every win and/or loss in every election, outlines our future and success, or probable demise, in this country.

For more on HBO's 'REAGAN,' please visit their site at HBO.com.

Restaurant Review: Baby Blue's B.B.Q.

2011-03-04T19:51:00.000-08:00

Located at 7953 Santa Monica Blvd., 'Baby Blues BBQ' is worth a visit.

Platters: $20
Sandwiches: $10
Cleanliness: Good
Location: West Hollywood
Food: Southern BBQ

I have been dying to try this place and so I finally went for some chow with a group of friends to Baby Blue's BBQ in West Hollywood. And, it was great!

Located at 7953 Santa Monica Blvd., just west of Fairfax in the old 'Cha Cha Cha' location, Baby Blues B.B.Q. was a nice and welcome change from the usual California cuisine offered in Los Angeles. No pretense here, just good 'ol BBQ! The place even has an authentic, Southern feel, complete with burlap covered barstools, wooden chairs hanging from rafters, and a full bar for your drinking pleasure, complete with two large flat screens at either end.

But, the real reason you should go to 'Baby Blues BBQ' is for the food. OMG...the food barely made it to the table before we all devoured it like dogs. We were starving and the food was delicious! I had a Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich with half sweet potato fries and half regular fries, with a side of BBQ baked beans. Everyone else had ribs with fried okra and mashed potatoes. It was all terrific and the service was pretty good, too. Considering, we were there early and there was hardly anyone sitting down having dinner. But, the best part were the sauces. There were four sauces on the table: BBQ, sweet, hot and XXX. And, part of the fun was trying and mixing the sauces together (or so my friends thought). I stuck to the old fashioned BBQ and was not disappointed.

We didn't have any dessert, although we did notice the sign with four different types of pies. I don't know if there are always the same, so you should check to see if they have, or will have, your favorite when you go.

All in all, we had a great meal at Baby Blues BBQ in West Hollywood and we will be going back again for our next BBQ craving. I recommend you try Baby Blues BBQ and let us know what you thought of it.

For more information, menus and directions, please visit their cool web site at www.BabyBluesWH.com.

Mixing business with friendships – Is it possible?

2011-03-02T16:15:00.000-08:00

How many times have you done business with a friend and ended up regretting it in the end? When it blows up, and you know it will, someone will inevitably get the shorter end of the stick. And, for what? Over money? Ego? Both?

As an artist, doing business with friends means you should be prepared to learn how little your friends value what you do. Like some clients, your friends think that because you own a Mac, you can just tell it what you want and it designs it for you in a flash. But, we all know that is not true. It is simply a misconception made by the popularity and obtainability of Apple products to the mass of consumers in the last decade.

The Partnership

Based on some quick research I did on the web regarding the subject, the consensus is that 'businesses set up by friends tend to have a higher failure rate than other start ups, not least because friends often make allowances for each other in a way they would never do with someone with whom they have a purely professional relationship,' said an archive from the London Times.

Yeah...because everyone wants something 'extra' out of it. Something for nothing. Partnerships with friends are like relationships: if you don' t communicate well, have similar goals, similar ethics, interests and priorities, then you might as well forget about it. It's all about chemistry and how well you can communicate you thoughts and ideas.

But like the archive from the Times says, 'think hard before you take the plunge. Just because you went backpacking round Australia together, doesn't mean you will have the same ideas about running a business.'

Employee/Employer

It's hard to tell which is a more difficult position to be in: the friend who employs another friend; or, the friend who is employed. But, one thing is for sure – it's not pretty.

This situation is particularly sensitive if the rules are not outlined and agreed to prior to working together. The employer will try and get something 'extra' out of the employee (because they're friends) and the employee will want something 'extra' from the employer (because they are friends). Again, similar interests, ethics, goals and priorities are a must. Both parties must be interested in helping the other party succeed, otherwise, what's the point?

Determining Value

This is the hardest part of doing business with a friend. In most cases, the 'value' scale will be tipped one way or the other. Rarely, and mostly with partnerships that work, does each party involved hold the other in the same or higher regard and value. In other words, your friend may not see the same value in your capabilities as you do; or, you may not see value in theirs. Either way, determining value and how much you are worth is important to establish from the beginning of any working relationship.

For example, if you were bartering with a friend who is a dentist and they want a logo design, stationery and a web site in exchange for dentistry, your friend the dentist needs to know what the comparable dollar amount really is so that you don't end up with just a cleaning and maybe a root canal. My point is, determining value early in the working relationship will help clear up any future discrepancies.

There have been successful business relationships that started as a friendship. Think Google, Yahoo! and even Apple, but those cases are rare and far between.

Think twice before you do business with a friend, but make sure you outline everything in writing before you do. It helps keep both you and the your friend on the same track and there is something to refer to, when necessary.
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How to mix business and friendship – Matthew Rand, Forbes.com
Mixing friends with business can be hell – Rachel Bridge, The Times, London (archive)

Featured Artist: RICH SILVERMAN

2011-03-01T00:02:00.000-08:00

Featured artist Rich Silverman is an Emmy award-winning
writer/experience designer on the groundbreaking 'Heroes Evolutions'
alternate reality game.

This month's featured artist is a link from my past gig at NBCUniversal. His name is Rich Silverman. You see, someone close to Rich is also a good friend of mine whom I met while I was at NBC – hence, a friendship was born.

Recently, I noticed that Rich had a link to his new web site on LinkedIn, and I was so impressed that I decided to reach out and ask if I could feature him and his work on L.A. Link. Thankfully, Rich said, 'yes.'

Rich received a degree in film from Chicago's Columbia College – innovation in the visual, performing, media, and communication arts – and worked in film development as a script analyst for Beacon Films ('The Hurricane,' 'Bring It On').

As a Senior Writer for NBC.com, Rich earned an Emmy award for his work as experience designer and lead writer on the groundbreaking 'Heroes Evolutions' alternate reality game. He crafted episode recaps, developed games, conducted interviews and oversaw all of the site's copy, including the home page, as well as written content for special projects like Jay Leno's Garage and SNL Backstage.

'The Gothom Times' was one of many pieces created
for 'Why So Serious? campaign.

Rich also had the privilege of working as a member of the 42 Entertainment team that developed and produced the most successful alternate reality game ever created for 'The Dark Knight.'

He created the original story and co-wrote content for the game, 'Stop the International' – a transmedia project developed by 42 Entertainment for the film 'The International' – and worked on an experience that supported Sony PlayStation's 'Resistance II: Fall of Man' videogame.

Rich is a great guy. He is uber-creative and super-easy to get along with. He's smart, talented and I believe he holds a Disneyland annual pass so you know he's got to be a lot of fun, too.

Please take a moment to check out Rich's work online and send him a 'shout-out' if you like what you see. Thank you, Rich, for letting us feature you on L.A. Link.

For more on Rich Silverman, please visit his site at www.richsilverman.com.

Owning a Mac does NOT make you a designer

2011-02-24T17:06:00.000-08:00

A good designer can effectively sketch and communicate
their ideas on paper, long before they commit to a computer.

How many people do you know, who didn't go to school for art, think that they have some sort of design ability because they own a Mac and a few software programs? Or, how many clients think their children could design their company logo because they own a Mac and few software programs? Let me tell you, way too many.

Let's be clear about this, owning a Mac does NOT make you a designer. Many designers own Macs, it's true (and for a very long time), but owning a Mac does not make you a designer. Talent is something we artists are born with and art is something we are driven to create...in our minds, first. Then, paper. And finally, Mac (or PC if you're that kind of artist).

A true test of anyone's artist skills is whether or not they can sketch, and effectively communicate their ideas on paper, before committing to a computer. For any major campaign, sketches are a must for ideas before anyone will pay you to sit behind a computer.

The bottom line is that good artwork is first created in someone's brain before it ever sees the likes of a computer.

L.A. Blogs of Note

2011-02-23T18:39:00.000-08:00

Recently, the founder and creator of 'Curating Los Angeles' – a blog that explores the people, places and culture of one of the world's great cities – Jim Gilbert, reached out to me to let me know that he had been following L.A. Link and that he included links to the blog and wanted to know if I was interested in a link to my personal site, as well.

I thought this was nice of Jim, to hold my writings, thoughts and ideas in such high regard that he would include a link to it from his blog. In return, I thought I would post something about his blog, 'Curating Los Angeles.'

But, then I started thinking that there are a couple of fun, cool and worthy L.A. blogs and sites of note, so I decided to list just a sample here.

Curating Los Angeles

Founder and creator, Jim Gilbert, is a native Angeleno who currently resides in Orange County (we won't hold that against him). But, his love for Los Angeles is evident by the postings on his blog.

Originally trained to be an urban planner, Jim is now involved with two software companies which he co-founded, as well as working for other technology related businesses. A world-traveler, Jim has also spent time in numerous cities around the world, but holds Los Angeles in the warmest regards and appreciation. Thus, a blog is born.

A mix of useful topics, such as history, preservation, architecture, food and music, Curating L.A. is the intellectual's blog to everything L.A.

Los Angeles Is My Beat

Founder and creator, Ellen Bloom – a fun-loving, creative, out-going painter, blogger, knitter, art lover and food lover – has been blogging since 2005!

I met Ellen through this month's featured artist, Natalie Yamashita, at one of Natalie's many FABULOUS house parties and I can honestly say that 'L.A. is Ellen's Beat.'

But where does she find the time to write and produce four blogs (that's right, FOUR blogs), knit, go out to eat, go to art shows and exhibits...whew! This lady is on the go! Her blogs are fun, informative and there are lots of cool craft projects and ideas to rummage through. You'll find everything from art shows, restaurant reviews, the local stitch-and-bitch, and much, much more. L.A. Is My Beat has it all! A must for mom's and ladies who stitch.

Urban Spoon Los Angeles

Not really a blog, but one of my go-to sites for anything restaurant-related is UrbanSpoon.com. With all the information you need about restaurants in the Los Angeles area, including actual ratings from customers online, an automatic pop-up Google map of your area and/or selection(s), a price gauge (in dollar signs) and online reservations, UrbanSpoon.com has it all!
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These are just a few of what I am sure are many L.A. blogs of note. If you have a favorite that you think we should feature, please let us know. We want to hear from you.

In today's business market, how busy are you?

2011-02-18T22:23:00.000-08:00

If you're not feeling the shift in the economy or experiencing a cut in your regular wages, then you are obviously doing something right or simply born into money, but most of the country is feeling the pinch. Consider yourself lucky.

In today's job market, it's more about 'making' a job for yourself than it is about 'finding' one. Most companies that are looking to hire full-time employees will offer them less to do more than you might have made five years ago. So, what are your options?

A word I hear a lot these days is 'reinvention.' People are either reinventing their careers to get more satisfaction out of them or they are changing careers, all together. But, once you make the choice to change or 'reinvent' yourself, then what?

Whether you're in the process of changing careers, 'reinventing' yourself or just trying to grow your business, here are some helpful tips that will get your business noticed.

FIVE WAYS TO BOOST YOUR BUSINESS

Be professional. If you are selling, or planning on selling, business services for money, then you must be professional. Think brand, logo, web site, message, look and perception of your company, then ask yourself, 'Am I professional?'

Being professional and having a professional 'look' for your business tells your customers that you know what you are doing and that you can be trusted. If you, your logo, web site and business card are not professional, you are least likely to get the new client, project or job.

Get online. Whether you are selling car parts or perfume, you have to have an online presence – a place where people can go and learn more about your business, at their own convenience.

There are tons of free web and blog sites available, so there is no excuse for not being online. A blog about your business and what you can do for your customers is a great way to sell yourself directly to the customer and it's FREE. If you are not an artist, however, I would suggest hiring a professional to at least design the home page on your site or the masthead of your blog. This also ties in with looking and being professional.

Know the right key words and tags for labeling your site. Once you are online, people have to find you. One thing I learned early on is you have to know the right key words and tags for labeling your site if you want to be found on the internet. There's no use in having a site or blog online if no one can find it.

Network, network, network. Once you have your logo, business cards, web site and product ready to go, it's important to network. It's usually free and it's your time to shine and sell yourself directly to the client.

How many times have you thought to yourself, 'If only they knew what I can do?' Well, 'they' can't read your mind. Tell them. Networking is a great way to share your business with other people who are interested in learning about it. There are tons of networking groups and events online, so make sure you do your research.

Follow-up and follow-through. The hardest part about getting your business noticed is done and now you're ready for new customers. Where are they? It's time to pick up the phone and call all the people you've been networking with to see what's going on. Follow-up with them to see what you can do to help them make money.

Getting new business is only half the battle. Once you get it, it's important to follow-through and deliver what you promise.

These are basic tips for any start up business or anyone trying to grow their business. The amount of effort you put in to be successful is up to you.