Into the Wild: The Longing for a Transcendent Experience

Movie #2: Into the Wild


My interest in it:
Christopher McCandless took on the alias of Alexander Supertramp to leave behind a of formulated, static life of consumption. In an effort to reject all societal norms and live a spiritual life of solitude, he embraced the unforgiving wilderness of Alaska. McCandless, who died during this great adventure, has been described by some as a fearless hero and by others as an ignorant, stubborn kid.

As quoted by an Alaskan Park Ranger:
"When you consider McCandless from my perspective, you quickly see that what he did wasn't even particularly daring, just stupid, tragic, and inconsiderate."

I can't help but be enchanted by his utopian vision of life in the raw environment of Alaska. What do our worldly goods do for us, ultimately? Finding myself in the solitary confinement of the woods often makes me realize my worth again. I rediscover why I live each day. A sense of enlightenment rushes through me, as if I have never truly been alive before.

There is something true, something turbulent and reckless about the risk that McCandless took. He made the ultimate sacrifice of struggling for survival and trusting his instincts in a world beyond that of manipulation and competition.

Towards the end of his journey, McCandless ripped out a meaningful piece of literature from the memoir Education of a Wandering Man. On that page was an excerpt from a poem, "Wise Men in Their Bad Hours" by Robinson Jeffers.

It reads:
Death's a fierce meadowlark: but to die having made
Something more equal to centuries
Than muscle and bone, is mostly to shed weakness.
The mountains are dead stone, the people
Admire or hate their stature, their insolent quietness,
The mountains are not softened or troubled
And a few dead men's thoughts have the same temper.

This raw, unwavering outlook on life is something I yearn for sometimes. Why can we not see the simple fascinations that surround us? Do we tear our spirits apart in preparation for a futile existence?

I leave you with a quote from McCandless, words of a man longing for a tangible transcendent experience.

"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and convervatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."
–Alexander Supertramp

A Few of My Favorite Things

In times of epic boredom, I find myself watching, reading, searching, listening, living, and loving so many things. I believe in the power of excess inspiration. It is my true pleasure to drag you along on my quest for awesome-ness, and I'm starting with movies and continuing with music, books, articles, art, etc. I invite (and strongly urge) you to join me and share your discoveries via the comments option. What am I waiting for? Get excited...

Movie Clip #1:
Across the Universe, "I Want You (She's So Heavy)"
Click here to view

Description:
This movie/musical's artistic grandness and witty humor are in (a positive) competition with the intense musical scenes. "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" delivers a gritty, intoxicating political history lesson by personifying American allegorical figures and by incorporating visual chaos. This is repetition in its finest form, folks.

Kick-Ass Lines:
"I'm a cross-dressing, homosexual pacifist with a spot on my lung."
Response to above: "As long as you don't have flat feet."

"Learn French or die!"

Where I've Been

You may have noticed that I haven't blogged for quite some time* now. My life has been drastically changing for the better, and I've been practicing my renewed joy for life and all things creative. Where have I been?

Since my last blog post, I have:
1. Gotten a new (amazing) job working at an art museum.

2. Flown on an airplane for the first time in my entire life.

3. Visited my friend Jessi (@ The Design Slice) in Chicago.

4. Done a ton of vintage/thrift shopping. Yay for $6 dresses!

5. Gone to 3 apple orchards, 1 in Iowa (for my brother's 21st birthday) and 2 in Minnesota.

6. Discovered my love for music again.

7. Gotten in my first car accident.

8. Made new friends.

9. Watched 7 seasons of The X-Files.

10. Eaten at several delicious Mpls restaurants.

11. Realized I'd like to dabble in fine art and collaging in my free time.

12. Watched as a co-worker made her dream of opening a restaurant come true.

13. Watched Don pursue school (again) while working 1 full-time job and 2 part-time jobs.

14. Decided (for sure) to get a tattoo in memory of my dad.

15. Revisited the idea of taking guitar lessons and learning left-handed so I can use my dad's guitar.

16. Become conscious of how my lack of exercise will affect my body long-term.

17. Tried to reduce my $5 coffee intake by grinding my own beans and taking coffee to work.

18. Truly started to feel like Minneapolis is my home now.

19. Felt happier than I have in a very long time.

20. Eaten a ton of soup.

I've also been pondering the future of my blog and the direction I'd like it to take. Now that my life is more stable and I have time for creative ventures, I'd like to share them with you. After what has seemed like a brutal 2 years, I'm eager and ready to explore again.

* = Yeah, I know. Sorry.

MOBA (The Museum of Bad Art)

In my lifetime, I don't know how many times people have explained their lack of creativity to me. My response never wavers. I believe that every person is creative and original, and with proper training can create beautiful work. But what is beautiful, really? Who decides what is aesthetically pleasing and what is not? 

Recently I came across the website for MOBA, the Museum of Bad Art in Massachusetts. According to their site, it is "dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition and celebration of bad art in all its forms and in all its glory." If you don't have the energy to hop on over to Massachusetts, the collection is online and in book form. Plus, they send out newsletters to interested parties. 

It's strange how compelling this "bad art" truly is. Each piece was made with a specific intention, a hidden meaning and an artist's hand. I'm not sure I believe in the criticism of such a subjective medium to this degree, but that's the fun of it, right? During college I learned the benefit of critiques, but at some point you have to listen to your inner voice when creating a meaningful piece.

What do you think? 

This Made My Day

I'd like to send a special thank you out to Jessi Scurte of The Design Slice for sending me this cute and super hilarious short video by Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer-Camp. Introducing...Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.

NapaStyle Registry

Yesterday I received a catalog that stood out from the rest of my daily junk mail. It was sent to me by NapaStyle, a company that offers furniture, glassware and home goods. I have an eclectic taste in design, and I love combining contemporary lines with vintage and rustic pieces. As I was flipping through the catalog, I fell in love with several pieces. I thought I would share them with you below. Enjoy, but be careful! You may be tempted to spend your entire savings account.

The Runway is Back!

Project Runway is gearing up for its 8th season, and I can't wait to tune in next Thursday (July 29th) for the season premiere. I like making predictions, so I cyber-jogged over to Lifetime's Project Runway Site to view the contestants' portfolios. My favorites include Gretchen, Valerie and Ivy. Below are some of my favorite portfolio sightings.

Note: All photos below are from Lifetime's website.

Designing Daily: Featured on Chimes Blog

I love waking up on a Wednesday to see that my blog has been featured! Fellow blogger Calee Himes (a.k.a. Chimes) was generous enough to feature Designing Daily on her always creatively satisfying site.

You may remember reading about her in an earlier post I made in June. Calee is a do-it-all, innovative craftster. Want proof? Her etsy store never fails to impress with its painted vintage pieces and quilted beauties. Seriously, I've been ogling the "Butterflies in Wonderland Quilt" since she first listed it. Check it out below.

Hurray for designers supporting each other and showing a little love! Happy Wednesday!

Urban Experience Community Art Project

The other day, the Uptown Association (Uptown is a neighborhood in Minneapolis for those who aren't aware) posted a description for the Urban Experience Community Art Project. The deadline is quickly approaching on July 16th, but it's a great way to unleash your creative skills on the world, or at least on Minnesota.

Below is the description from the Uptown Association's Facebook page.

"Each individual has their own interpretation of what an 'urban experience' is and it is this assortment of ideas that brings character and vitality to the Uptown community. With the theme of this year's art fair being 'Urban Experiences,' we would like to invite you to participate in a community wide art project that will bring people and art together to display this diversity. The postcards collected from this project will be displayed during the Uptown Art Fair kickoff party, the Uptown Art Fair, and at Calhoun Square. Your vision of what an 'urban experience' is will be seen by all that come to experience Uptown. A winner will be selected in each of nine age divisions to receive a 2010 commemorative print. Directions: Take the back of this postcard and create your representation of what an 'urban experience' looks like. Fill out your contact information below and then stamp and mail the postcard when finished. Please postmark by July 16."

A separate post encourages you to "Contact stephanie@uptownminneapolis.com if you would like a postcard to decorate!"

A View of the Peace Garden

 

As I mentioned in my previous post, my dad's camera has been following me on many of my recent excursions and adventures. On Tuesday Don and I had planned on visiting the Lake Harriet Bandshell in Minneapolis to have a picnic and listen to music. We packed up our food (forgetting the fork for the fruit salad as well as something to drink) and made the short drive to the lake. Fortunately (and unfortunately) it was a beautiful day, and we therefore couldn't find a parking place within a reasonable walking distance.

I let my spontaneous spirit lead the way, and as soon as I saw the Peace Garden I told Don to stop. We first explored a walking trail in the forest that looked like a scene from a fairy tale. I could have spent an entire day hiking if time had allowed.

The Peace Garden came next with its stunning flowers, fountain and typical park atmosphere.

What really caught my attention was the sculpture with origami cranes draped over it. Along the walking path you can find paper as well as a description of the folding process to make your own crane. This is how the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board site explains it:

"The sculpture represents the international tradition honoring Sadako Saski, a girl who developed cancer as a result of radiation released by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Told of a Japanese legend that people who fold a thousand paper cranes will be granted a wish, she folded over one thousand cranes before her death at age 12."

The story behind this sculpture really inspired me, and its use of color stood out even among the thousands of flowers. Allowing the viewer to actively participate in the origami as Sadako did helps us feel like we are part of the story and its ultimate sadness. It was emotionally powerful.

On our way home the sun was beginning to set, so we camped out on the beach and watched the sailboats and ducks. We were even able to hear the end of the concert we missed at the bandshell.

It is so easy to get wrapped up in the world's noise. When I feel stifled creatively, separating myself from my everyday routine is a breath of fresh air. Sometimes it seems counterproductive to step away from the never ending lists of things to do, but it is exhilarating and makes the daunting tasks seem easier.

Below are a few of the photos I took that night.

The Self-Portrait (A Tribute)

I've always had a profound love for photography, but it has intensified since my dad's death last June. He carried his camera with him everywhere, and had couldn't have found less opportune moments to capture his photos. You're eating? Great, let me snap one. Needless to say, there are hundreds of awful full-mouthed photos of me floating around. There are also hundreds of beautiful, touching moments that he discovered with that camera. I remember getting irritated with him once for having the camera out at what seemed like an inappropriate time. He fought back, stating that I would now forever treasure the little memories I would have otherwise forgotten.

When looking at our family pictures, I always notice the random self-portraits he took by holding his arm out and pressing the button blindly. This was his way of proving his existence to the camera. Dad was the photographer, and therefore was rarely featured in the pictures. I may not be able to see his face in most of the images, but those photos are taken from his vantage point. He pulled out the camera during the moments he felt held a certain importance. To me, that is so much more meaningful than having him on the other side of the camera.

This past weekend I was in Iowa to visit family and honor my dad, as tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of his death. I felt it necessary to to pull out his beloved camera for the occasion. No act makes me feel closer to him than when I'm holding his camera, framing out my composition. Above you will see my self-portrait, my blind attempt to show the face behind the images.

Here's to you, Dad. Thank you for pulling out the crayons with me when I was little and letting me color outside of the lines. Thank you for drawing goofy cartoons and teaching me that creativity has no limits. Most of all, thank you for allowing my brother and me to see the world in a way that is truly our own.

I cherish my unique vision of the world.

My Facebook Page: Verde Utopia Design Studio

The other day I created a Facebook page for my freelance design services. Will you help me spread the word? Only a small portion of my portfolio is currently online, so check back regularly for updates.

More? Oh, yes.

Photo above from: Turtle Soup Blog

I promised to share a list of sites that weren't included on my 10 Mind-Blowing Sites list. Below is my first installment. These particular blogs belong to three of my crazy-talented college classmates.

Listing fun new finds (3 at a time) will probably become a regular feature on my blog, so watch for my new discoveries.

In no particular order...(drumroll)

Chimes Blog
Graphic designer and craftster Calee Himes shares her innovative crafts, recipes and hilarious life adventures as well as her daily mugshot.

Turtle Soup Blog
Stephanie's profile describes her as a "Designer. Crafter. Paper lover. Expert in the domestic arts." Her blog tracks the culinary fun, sewing, party planning and designing that is a part of her daily life.

Design O' Blog
Niki Brown provides easy-to-follow print and web design tutorials and adds a (large) pinch of inspiration and humor on her site.

Day Ten: Etsy.com's Blog

Website: Etsy.com's Blog

Where to go: CLICK HERE for home page, CLICK HERE for blog

Why I think it's mind-blowing:

I know what some of you are thinking. Let me defend myself. Yes, I realize that Etsy is a well-known daily shopping stop for many. Because of my long-time love affair with Etsy, I'm always shocked by the blank stares I get when I mention it. According to Etsy's site, their mission "is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers. Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: buy, sell, and live handmade." In other words, creative people from across the globe create stellar goodies for the fortunate buyers.

It is easy and free to become a seller, and Etsy only takes a small portion of your profits. As a buyer, this site is a gold mine of jewelry, photography, stationery, clothing, pottery, etc. There are also great options that help you shop locally, or according to color preference. Many sellers will create custom items at your request. If you see something you like, keep in mind that many items are unique and aren't created in bulk.

If you love Etsy but you don't follow the blog, you should. Not only does it showcase great design, but it provides a "how-to" section, lists events, and encourages contest participation on their news page.

Click on the "Craftivism" portion of the blog and discover how you can use your passion to become an activist. Many Etsy sellers are doing their part to help clean the gulf. Another featured article discusses the Combat Paper Project, which helps soldiers reclaim their stories and express their experiences through art.

Look for a post in the near future that lists my favorite Etsy sellers.

#10...

I'm sitting here contemplating what site #10 (the final one on my list) should be. There are so many amazing and inspiring ones to choose from, and I failed to make a master list before I started the countdown. I might have to sleep on this. Look for #10 tomorrow!

I'd like to do a follow-up post with honorable mention sites. If I have missed some amazing ones (which I obviously have since I can only feature 10) let me know and I'll add them to the extensive and possibly endless list.

Day Nine: Hylton Warburton's Photostream on Flickr.com

Website: Hylton Warburton's Photostream on Flickr.com

Where to go: CLICK HERE

Why I think it's mind-blowing:
It was my lucky day when I came across Hylton's photostream on accident. According to his profile, he is a graphic designer, illustrator and art director from South Africa. His portfolio primarily consists of quirky, colorful and brave illustration work. There is a certain in-your-face surrealist/children's book/Tim Burton quality to his style that I find intriguing and fun.

If you don't frequent Flickr for inspiration, I strongly advise that you do. It is your gateway to designers around the world, and they are creative visionaries (and voices) just waiting to be heard.

Day Eight: The Design Slice Blog

Website: The Design Slice Blog

Where to go: CLICK HERE

Why I think it's mind-blowing:
The Design Slice is a blog written by Jessi Scurte, a fellow graphic designer, Iowa State grad, interior design aficionado, gardener and creative observer. Jessi has fantastic tips for thrifty shoppers, provides helpful household suggestions and showcases current trends in fashion and design. Jessi and I have been friends for years now, and she has posted about our Twin Cities exploration and our recent trip to the Minneapolis Farmers Market on her site. Her blogging style is fun and laid-back yet inspirational and perceptive. I suggest you check this site out, but be warned that you might decide to forgo dinner to read her previous posts. I wouldn't want you to go hungry, after all. :)

Day Seven: Design Sponge (City Guides)

Website: Design Sponge (City Guides)

Where to go: CLICK HERE

Why I think it's mind-blowing: 
This site may be familiar to many of you designers out there, but I think it's essential for me to include it on the list. For those of you who are have no idea what this site is, you have been missing out.

Design Sponge offers a wide variety of resources, including trend listings, product guides, recipes, etc. While these features are intriguing, the city guides are the reason I'm including this site on my list. Scroll down and find your hometown or your vacation destination on the list. Click on it and WAHOO! In your hands you will find...(insert suspenseful music here) a fantastic design guide that lists restaurants, trendy hangouts, museums and thrift stores that will fill your summer with spectacular activities. Don't forget to view the comments at the bottom of the page. Many readers have further suggestions and insight to share.

I'll Be Writing Again Tomorrow!

I guess I didn't provide any advance warning that I would be neglecting my blog. My mom and brother are currently visiting from Iowa, so I've been giving them my full attention. Look for a new post tomorrow and every day following until I reach #10 on my list of mind-blowing sites!

Day Six: Spoonflower

Website: Spoonflower

Where to go: 
CLICK HERE

Why I think it's mind-blowing:
Do you enjoy sewing? Do you wish you could find a pillow with a very specific pattern or style? Are you creative, or do you know someone who is?

Spoonflower.com is a service that prints your custom design on fabric. It uses eco-friendly printing methods and offers $5 swatches so you can preview the finished product before spending $18 – $32 per yard. For you creative people out there, the site offers tons of themed weekly design contests. A 10% commission is awarded to the winners, as well as $100 in store credit. If you are a design enthusiast rather than a designer, check out the treasure chest of beautiful designs offered on their online store.

Day Five: PostSecret

Website:
PostSecret

Where to go:
CLICK HERE to view the secrets.
CLICK HERE to discover more about the project and to view upcoming events.

Why I think it's mind-blowing:
PostSecret is a revealing art project founded by Frank Warren. People were asked to anonymously mail in their deepest secrets on postcards. These secrets were then compiled into a book form.

 According to the wikipedia entry for PostSecret:
"Frank Warren claims that the postcards are inspirational to those who read them, have healing powers for those who write them, give hope to people who identify with a stranger's secret, and create an anonymous community of acceptance."

Over the years I have connected emotionally with many of these secrets. Reading the content of these postcards makes me realize how complex the world around me is. The visuals (created by the sender) add another dimension to the messages being shared. In a world increasingly consumed by social networking and technology, this is another way to communicate in a passive yet therapeutic way.

Several books have now been published, including The Secret Lives of Men and Women: A Postsecret Book and Confessions on Life, Death, and God. If you decide to flip through a PostSecret book, don't be surprised if you find a few postcards hidden in the pages. Rather than mail in their cards, some contributors prefer to share their secrets with the (lucky) local bookworms.

Day Four: Daily Drop Cap

Website:
Daily Drop Cap (by Jessica Hische)

Where to go:
CLICK HERE

Why I think it's mind-blowing:
I'm beginning to think that designer Jessica Hische is the Martha Stewart of the design world. She creates a new initial cap every working day, and lucky for us, she posts these handcrafted masterpieces for bloggers across the world to use. Somewhere in her day she also finds time to blog, tweet, freelance, teach, run an online store and answer questions from her growing number of fans.

Jessica has a recognizable style, and her illustration and typography skills have gained her a great deal of attention in the design community. If you are craving inspiration on "one of those days," check out her portfolio, which she updates often to showcase her newest work.

Please note:
Jessica's drop caps have specific limitations, but printed copies can be purchased from her online store.

Day Three: Leanne Marshall/Petals & Waves

Website:
Petals & Waves (Leanne Marshall Blog)

Where to go:
CLICK HERE

Why I think it's mind-blowing:
Project Runway has been a television obsession of mine for years now. Watching it helps fulfill my (somewhat unrealistic) dream of making my own clothing. Unfortunately for me, when the battle is me vs. a sewing machine, I don't stand a chance. Someday I'll win that war, but for now I'll settle for Bravo's reality tv.

Leanne Marshall was the winner of Project Runway's 5th season. Her garments are innovative and constructed impeccably. I admire the whimsical, yet wearable pieces and her fresh use of color. To get a feel for her aesthetic, I recommend checking out her Fall 2010 lookbook. If you are interested in purchasing one of her gorgeous dresses, check out her etsy shop here.

Image above is borrowed from Leanne's site.

Day Two: Summer of Dresses

Website:
Summer of Dresses Blog

Where to go:
CLICK HERE

Why I think it's mind-blowing:
Unlike yesterday's site, this one is purely for fun and entertainment. This participation site encourages people to send in pictures of themselves in dresses. It promotes personal style and is a showcase for fashion and local trends. Want to contribute? Awesome. Just send in a picture of your lovely self in a dress. Click here for participation guidelines.

10 days, 10 mind-blowing sites

I really think I should be honest with myself. I think I'm addicted to surfing the internet. Finding a fabulous new blog to follow is exciting for me. Another designer portfolio to view? Excellent. I'd love it if you'd join me. For the next 10 days I will be posting a new site that has dragged me in. Come over to the dark side – you know you want to. 

Let's start today!

NUMERO UNO!

Website: 
David Lynch Presents: The Interview Project

Where to go: CLICK HERE

Why I think it's mind-blowing: 
I love David Lynch, primarily because Mulholland Drive still confuses the hell out of me. Do I like to be confused? Yes, sometimes. Lynch has a particular way of allowing you to interpret his works. It's almost as if you feel like a contributor to the art he has created.

The Interview Project aired a new episode every three days, but has finally come to a conclusion. Every episode consists of a brief interview that reveals a snippet of a common person's life. Traveling around the country, they aimed to hit nearly every state. So much emphasis is placed upon celebrity interviews that we lose sight of the stories our neighbors have to tell. Click on "route" on the homepage to view the interviews in your state. 

The Diary Project

I can't help but share the experience I had yesterday. My aunt Rose Ann visited me, bringing along photo albums that held photographs from her childhood. For years now she has been encouraging my grandma to document the story of her life. After recording several years worth of experiences, my grandma gave Rose Ann permission to summarize the writings from her diaries. I remember watching her write pensively in that red book when I was a child, sometimes writing two pages worth if she had been too tired to go through her routine the previous night. She would fill the entire page with information about the weather, the grain prices and the day's activities and adventures. Her cursive handwriting curled around the edge of the page when she inevitably ran out of space.

The finished draft is now in my hands to design. Yesterday we attempted to pick out photos that will serve as visual references to complement the written words. Photos capture something pure, something hypnotic. Looking through the gorgeous black and white prints yesterday was a captivating experience. It put me in a hypnotic state of mind, placing me in a time and place I never experienced. I thought I would share a few of the discovered treasures with you.

More than a sparkling vampire? Yes, I think so.

Image from imdb.com

I must make an embarrassing admission. Yes, I read the Twilight series. After watching the hilarious movies where awful acting and goofy graphics seemed to be the prominent themes, I decided I should give the books a try. The movie's plot was slightly intriguing, so some vampire reading should be harmless, right? To make a long story short, the books were very entertaining though slightly bothersome in their messages regarding love and sexism. I could go on forever, but that's not the purpose of this post.

Where am I going with this? Oh, right.

The other night I dragged an unwilling Don to see a late night showing of Remember Me at a dollar theatre. I had quickly come to the conclusion that the movie would be sappy, and that Robert Pattinson (from Twilight) would provide eye candy but wouldn't contribute much in the acting department.

I am here to say that I was COMPLETELY wrong about my preconceived judgments. This film was provocative, emotionally engaging and beautifully acted. The cast, including Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan and Chris Cooper had amazing chemistry. The themes of death, remorse and anger within a family unit were reminiscent of Garden State. I had been told before entering the movie that the end provided a twist, and it definitely did not disappoint. The movie went from being powerful to hitting home in a mere two minutes. If you want the full effect, don't read about it ahead of time. Knowing the twist will make you less emotionally vulnerable. While the critics were not impressed by this film, viewer reviews have been much more promising. Really, rent this one when it is released on DVD.

To see the theatrical trailer (which I warn you is misleading) click here.

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

Once upon a time, long, long ago...I wrote the last post on my blog. I have news for you. KEY DRUMROLL HERE. I'm back.

I'd like to premiere my re-blogging with a post about Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. Over the last two years, I've had an intense interest in the food industry and the effect it has on our nation's health. I'm constantly learning about genetically modified crops, food labeling and large-scale food production. As you might have guessed, I jumped at the opportunity to watch Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on ABC. 

In case you aren't familiar with the show, it documents chef Jamie Oliver and his attempt to bring healthier habits to Huntington, West Virginia. During the filming he attempted to establish a new school lunch program that serves fresh produce, while eliminating overly processed food. He visited families and opened a local kitchen to educate locals about healthy cooking habits. 

To sign a petition supporting healthier food in schools, visit Jamie's site.

I would love to see what we could change in this country (and around the world) if we only tried. With a virtual world around us, it seems that getting people to collaborate and rally together should be easy. How can design help support and challenge the issues you are passionate about?

An easier way to have ketchup on your fries!

Original image and article can be found here.

For all of you who have struggled with ketchup packets in the car, the solution is finally here. The old design from the 1960's has been replaced with Heinz's new packet, which allows consumers to dip or squeeze. Not to mention it holds much more ketchup than before.

You all must understand that this is a "monumental" event in my life. I can't eat fries without ketchup...the greasy delicious-ness just isn't the same without it. I have struggled and squeezed ketchup onto napkins my entire life when I'm in the car. What about you? How do you dip? 

If you love music

If you love music and you haven't discovered Apple's lala.com yet, check it out. In essence it is a musical social networking site, but I thought that wikipedia (the most reliable source EVER, wink, wink) described it nicely.

The service allows trade-enabled members to legally create online shareable "playlists" (formerly known as "radio stations") of their own uploaded music which can play full length songs for other registered Lala members, purchase mp3s, stream music on a one-time basis or as inexpensively purchased "web songs," buy new CDs from the Lala store mail for $1 per trade plus 75¢ postage, leave blurbs on other members' pages, and participate in the community forums. New members can upload their own music, create playlists, purchase MP3s and web songs, buy new CDs at the Lala store, leave blurbs, and can change their personal account settings to activate trading privileges and also be able to trade CDs and use the community forums. -Wikipedia.org

If you would like to be my music friend, I go by the name Heidi M. and my e-mail address is heidi.miller.design@gmail.com! It doesn't take long to register, and you have the ability to listen to an entire album before purchasing anything. Since I just joined, I haven't bought anything yet, but you can look at what I've been sampling at the very least.