If we’re going to behave this way—keep out immigrants, make it hard for people vote, make it easier for businesses to pollute, and generally give all the breaks to very rich people who already are doing extraordinarily well—what is the point of all this? This American experiment in freedom and self-determination, this “American Dream.”
Milestone: 8 Years Independent
Marking another year down in the ledger. At the close of June 2018 I’ll have been at this independent game for eight years. Hard to believe. I suppose it’s gone fast, sort of. But good goddamn a lot’s happened. The summer or 2010. Back then I was listening to a lot of Dylan and enjoying the fact Barack was president. I was just beginning to get after it. Because let me tell you, being an independent designer is not an easy job. You have to get after it, if you’re going to last. At the time, I was hoping to last at least a year. The fact that it’s been eight certainly makes me smile.
I appreciate all of you who have been there along the way. You people full of wisdom and grace, action and intention, passion and hope. If we’ve had many encounters or just a few, the clients and collaborators to this point have made my career. They’ve been (mostly) spectacular. To those who have been pains in my ass, you may have been terrible to work with, but you taught me patience and helped me hone my ability to compromise. And to those I have yet to meet on this journey of making a difference in this crazy world, I can’t wait to see what we do together.
So with that, I’ll be enjoying a celebratory drink tonight with my lovely wife tonight. Grateful for what has been and for what’s to come.
Ugly Design
In the Netflix show Ugly Delicious, there are lots of amazing things that happen. And because of that, I want to do Ugly Design. What that exactly means, I’m not sure. Yet...
Culture Break: 06/18
The second installment in an ongoing monthly series on the cultural things that break through the noise and touch the soul.
Dear White People v.2
TV SHOW — Oh this show. I was way into the first season. There were episodes that after ending I would just sit there, a little stunned. Some of the issues in the show remind me of my college experience, some not so much, and some seem so messy and complicated I’m just trying to keep up. It’s beautifully composed, timely and timeless. One of those shows that’s fun to watch and feels important at the same time.
Print to Resist
WEBSITE — There is power in a poster. For what it says and what it leaves out. In a time when our rights are worth fighting for and our voices must be heard, the Print to Resist gallery is a powerful resource for standing up for what we believe in.
Revisionist History Season 3
PODCAST — Need a podcast recommendation? This one is my favorite. Malcolm Gladwell assembles some of the most thought-provoking breakdowns of tough subjects I’ve ever heard. From this season, the episodes on memories are absolutely mind-blowing.
Death & Co
BOOK — Hobbies are good to have. And as I try to fuse my love of fine liquor, precise craftsmanship, and following the directions closely, my wife got me a beautiful book full of what I can only assume are the best cocktail recipes in the world. Would you like something shaken or stirred? Whiskey or gin? Up or on the rocks?
The Ultimate CCR Playlist
PLAYLIST — There I was, in the desert, barreling down the freeway in a rented Ford Focus on my way to Moreno Valley by way of Palm Springs. Cutting through mountains, dipping into valleys, windows all the way open, speeding past semi-truck after semi-truck under that beautiful California sun, the radio cranking that urgent, visceral vocal that made me think of another time when America was teetering on the precipice of collapsing national values in the midst of a crisis of confidence so large the fullness of Creedence was the only thing that could help a troubled soul tolerate the fever pitch of injustice after injustice because it’s for damn sure I’m no fortunate son either.
Father John Misty, God’s Favorite Customer
ALBUM — Overly dramatic. Self absorbed. Kinda whiny. These are some of my own least favorite qualities, not things I look for in my music. But the new Father John Misty is so good. It’s so very Father John Misty and I find myself completely captivated and unable to stop listening. It’s honest. These days, that’s all I can ask for.
Anthony Bourdain, WTF
PODCAST — Like a lot of people, I was stunned by the news of Bourdain’s death. Shook me hard. The following day Marc Maron posted his interview with him from 2011. A wonderful conversation about life, work, failure, struggle, and adventure.
Frontier
MAGAZINE — Beginnings. Stress. Darkness. These are the themes of the first three issues of a publication that explores and celebrates the risks people take in the process of creating something original and worthwhile. It’s absolutely beautiful. The design is impeccable and the stories compelling. It’s a reminder of why the Internet is a poor substitute for reading and why print will never die.
Eric Wareheim’s Instagram Account
WEIRDNESS — Few things on social media are better than posts like this. I’m not super familiar with the antics of Mr. Wareheim, aside from his role on Master of None, but I will say I’m certainly a fan.
What America Needs
America needs to look forward if it truly wants to be great. It needs to embrace change because that’s how anything is able to evolve and stand the test of time.
America needs a sustainable, clean energy future so we all don’t choke on our own dirty sludge. But we can’t because one side insists global warming is a hoax.
We need a robust, modern democracy so our society can work for as many people as possible. But we can’t because one side is fighting to keep marginalized groups from voting.
We need to provide health care for all our citizens so everyone can live a healthy life to its fullest potential and not end up bankrupt. But we can’t because one side refuses to do anything with health care that involves the biggest player: the United States government.
We need a culture that puts people’s lives above gun rights. We need to establish full gender equality and close all the gaps that need closing: wage, opportunity, achievement, etc. And to do all that we need to have a real discussion with the many, many voices in America. This requires having at least two (maybe more) political parties in our government who are serious about governing in present-day reality.
Two Forces
- Buying things makes you happy.
- Life is, ultimately, about people.
These are the two forces at odds in an epic battle for our souls in our modern society.
Down on the Corner of Repeal and Republican
In the year and many months Obamacare was worked on, with all the hearings, all the testimony, all the speeches, all the effort to make concessions to Republicans, still not a one of those know-nothings supported it. Instead, they stalled and whined and attacked relentlessly. In the years since its passage, they have shouted “repeal” at every opportunity. They kept shouting all the way until they actually had the chance to repeal the law but instead, thankfully, Republicans were more interested in shouting rather than legislating.
