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Untitled from kelly oxford on Vimeo.

YEP

FRONT AND BACK (HALF SHEET OF PAPER)

Saturdays | Surf NYC

This place was just featured on Secret Forts.  I used to go there for coffee, as it was the closest, most delicious coffee near my job at Odin.  The first time I visited, I talked to the guy who runs the place, Josh, about everything really--but mostly about surfing in NYC.  I find it very interesting, but don't need a new hobby--especially not in Missouri...

Anyway, here's the great video Secret Forts just posted.  I love it.

Saturdays short directed by Adam Neustadter.


ps they also have great bags, shoes, and such.  ALWAYS talk to the barista--makes for a fun convo.

A Real Tailor

I loved everything this guy had to say--reminded me of long conversations with my great-grandpa.


Lessons from a Tailor.  Directed by Galen Summer from Ed David on Vimeo.

Maybe Because I Tend to Choose Loyalty Over Money

Matisyahu On God's Absence

I recently read an interview with Matisyahu in Relevant Magazine.  One particular Q&A within it caught my attention.

Q: On "Silence," a track off your new album, you tackle the tough issue of feeling God's absence in the midst of struggle.  Theodicy is something a lot of us struggle with, both within Judaism and within Christianity.  Do you have any ways that you personally deal with this issue in your spiritual life?

A: I think we need to embrace that feeling because it works in two ways.  On the song I discuss the idea of God being absent, but then I add the lyric, "I wouldn't have it any other way."  In other words, God is sovereign and acts in distinct ways that we don't know about, but that's how it should be.  There's a philosophical idea in Judaism that God, in order to create the world, had to evacuate Himself from it, in a sense.  So God's absent just enough in order that the world can feel its own autonomy.  It can in a sense exist on its own, and that's the ultimate act of giving for God: to pull away.
     And at the end, when a person lives through God's absence and then goes to his or her church or temple, there's a feeling that God has created something, a lesson or a learning experience.  There's a creative element to the absence, and I think often there's a redemptive quality to it.

Best Bud Wedding

My bestest friend Tommy's wedding pics have made it on a wedding blog! Rightly so too, because the pictures look great. I thought I'd share them here. Follow the link!

Spontaneous Bon Iver - For Emma

Bon Iver - For Emma, For Ever Ago - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

What I would give to just sing

..spontaneously..

...with quality...

....with beauty....

Caffe Capri

Today is more of a personal post. And like most personal posts, it will be interesting and fun for me more so than for you. :) Perhaps you'll enjoy it a bit.

I woke to a cold, wet morning. Last night was the first night I needed a second blanket. Today is the first day they turned the boiler on in my apartment. It is that fall day we all know very well--disgusting, dank, and somehow uncomfortably cozy.


The cozy part of the day came when I decided to walk in and check out Caffe Capri. It's an old coffee place around the corner. When I first noticed it yesterday I imagined it would have a kind old lady at the counter, the decor would be wonderfully gaudy and dated, and the coffee would be just so-so. I've never assumed more correctly. Yesterday I judged a book by it's cover and wasn't let down. This woman served me.

She was quiet, but friendly. I fell for her the way a child falls for the cozy part of his mother's shoulder during a Sunday sermon's nap. As for the decor, there were lots of the usual Italian tidbits to the like of a newspaper clipping of ol' blue eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. The whole experience reminded me of a place you would find in a small European town. Again, I loved it.

All of this was very much encouraged by my reading of A Farewell To Arms. I read these days. It is solely attributed to riding the subway. Without giving you the whole rundown, I'll just say that the book makes me want to re-live history, drink....A LOT....and just sit back with a close friend and shoot the shit.

Levi's Ad - Pioneers

I found this on a blog I finally found: Secret Forts.

The Pacific

I cannot wait for this...

Pre-Black Eyed Peas Sergio Mendes

This is why he deserves to be known by one and all. Tell me you don't like this song--I dare you.

found at The Trad

Nike Commercial

This commercial by David Fincher is very very impressive. I found it at getkempt.com. I hope you like it too.

Bow Tie Show Time

Lately I've been complaining about the lack of clothing I have to wear to work. Well, Alison decided to spoil me yesterday and went to H&M to pick up some affordable fashion fun. This is what she got (this is me right before I left for work).


Isn't it a great crazy grandpa outfit? I hope to be that crazy grandpa someday for sure.

Now for just a great picture from The Sartorialist to finish.

Your New Favorite Show

Me Without You - The Fox, the Crow, and the Cookie

I can't believe I haven't seen this video yet. Me Without You never disappoints.

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

If you saw (500) Days of Summer, you like this song as I do.

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Music Video) from Moop Jaw on Vimeo.

Elephant Gun

New Beirut=inspiring

Manly Girliness

I recently started following a blog called Design Sponge in order to learn what good design is as well as to get ideas on how to do it myself for cheap. It's a great blog, but it's a bit of a girly thing for a guy to look at every day. Well I found a few pics and had a recent experience that have allowed me to find something I love right now. I found these on design sponge:




Now, the other day after an early meeting at work, I wandered with some co-workers down to a coffee house/bar called Blackbird Parlour in Williamsburg. The whole time I was entranced by the design in there. Check it:

There aren't any good pictures really. Imagine the way this pic looks, but more run down. There is aged wood everywhere in different textures: picture frames cut and lined up vertically, large victorian style panels, bookcases, different types of old chairs, varying tables..

I'm sure you could see a while ago the point I'm trying to make. Yes, it's considered girly in some ways to love interior design, but what about when you make something as masculine as this?? I love it. I'll finish off with some pics of the late Heath Ledger's cafe, 5 Leaves, that is reminiscent of an old old ship complete with "Water Closet" ship door (porthole included).




p.s. come visit me and we'll see them in person--it's much better that way.