Wow… it’s been a while since I’ve had the time to make a post on here. And for that, I apologize (just incase there happens to be someone out there expecting an apology). It’s been a crazy few months, pretty much dominated by working 80 hour retail work weeks. Not really enjoyable. at all. But alas, it pays the bills. and reminds me I need to do my taxes.
Anyway, despite being completely separated from the world of the internet over the past few months, save the few glimpses into my inbox and the occasional ebay purchase, I still manage to stumble across some interesting stuff, most of it coming my way via a few good friends. So with that, I give you the best thing I’ve seen on the internet in a good while:
I have a soft spot for local TV spots. Who doesn’t? There’s something about the bizarre combination of a lack of technology, lack of direction and assumption that you’re creating one of the greatest commercials of all time that really touches my heart. And moving to the southwest has provided a plethora of new local TV ads to feast one. There’s one, however, that seems to get air time on every channel at every commercial break, and I haven’t decided how I feel about it yet. It’s Dallas attorney Brian Loncar, “The Strong Arm.” A unique character, to say the least.
and the newest bizarre spot:
I’ve got to give the guy props for having his own YouTube channel. And production quality isn’t bad, especially compared to Eugene standards… and he was able to get (pay) Shatner to appear in one of his commercials (which I can’t yet track down on-line… I’m working on it).
Although it turns out there are a fair number of other law firm spots that Loncar’s competing with. There was an Esquire posta few months back showcasing some other gems alongside The Strongarm, like this guy:
It seems like there’s some definite hidden potential in the Law Firm Advertising sector… i can only imagine what some of these guys could achieve with some superb creative direction and some big-budget special effects. Although nothing will ever come close to my personal hero: Mr. Appliance:
Alright. So it’s been a while… probably way too long since I last posted… and I’d be lying if I said that today marks the beginning of the revival of regular posting on this here blog. I’d like to think that’s the case, but realistically, working 70+ hours a week in retail isn’t exactly giving me a whole lot of free time (although working in a shoe store is certainly increasing my footwear collection fairly rapidly).
Anyway, in the limited time I have to scour the net, I rarely come across things that I fall in love with. This is one of them:
I know (and you may know) of my love for volkswagens and much of their advertising, but there’s definitely a reason for it. Something quirky without being over-the-top crazy. something familiar and a relaxing-without-annoying quality about the music (a-la the infamous trio infused da da da spot), and just plain fun. Simple, to the point, and effective. I’m sold. now i just need the money to afford one. (full credits if you click through to youtube).
Being ‘netless, timeless, and now computerless, spending the time I don’t have surfing the internet I don’t have access too is even more difficult… hence the continued dry spell of posting on this here blog. That doesn’t mean, however that I don’t still search for the cream of the crop.
Many of you know of my love-hate relationship with the beast formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken and their oracle of a Colonel. This past halloween, I concocted an exquisite Colonel Sanders costume, pictures to come. I was impressed. Coworkers were impressed (or maybe just amused by the nearly transparent linen pants). Either way, it was a solid costume. But it doesn’t compare in the slightest to this:
I am amazed. I better start working on next year’s costume now.
A good while back, I wrote about the brilliance of Mute Math’s video for Typical. Well, they’ve long since proved they weren’t a flash in the pan, and keep churning out pretty solid music with equally (if not more) impressive videos. At my new job, I’ve found myself subjected to the relentlessly cyclical onslaught of pop music videos, but every now and then, one catches my eye. I’ve always extolled the virtues of one-take videos, and this newest one from Mute Math, is no different:
Something about filming the entire music video inside of a van is bizarre and boring yet the end result is pretty astounding. Plus, they managed to get the track into the insanely popular Twilight, which gets them even a bit more exposure. I’m eagerly awating the next one.
So lots has happened in this past month, causing this blog to unfortunately fall to the wayside. In a whirlwind turn of events, I somehow found myself in retail management (ironically - and dangerously – in footwear), and simultaneously short-staffed and without an assistant, resulting in roughly 80-hour weeks (I wish I was exaggerating). Today is my first day I haven’t had to work 11 hours in nearly a month. Assuming all goes well, I hope to resume the stream-of-conscious aggregation of thoughts that this blog had become.
And to kick things back off on a solid graphic-design foot, here’s a classic that never gets old, and pretty much describes my life for the past month or so: Lokesh Dhakar’s “Coffee Drinks Illustrated:”
Hopefully this won’t be the last post for another month…
I’m not even sure what to say about this video featuring the Scratch Perverts. Because I can’t wrap my brain around it.
Done by commercial director Chris Cairns, who also directed the impressive LCD Soundsystem’s “Daft Punk is Playing at My House,” this video transcends any sense of normalcy and is purely bizarre in an amazing and brilliant way.
Thanks to some faulty internet hardware and 70+ hour work weeks, I still haven’t gotten back into the swing of this blog thing yet. I’m working on it though… i assure you. Soon, hopefully, all will return to normal. But until then, here’s one more video clip for you to enjoy:
The music is Chad Kuchula, and the amazing video, combining tilt-shift, time lapse, and animation in a beautiful yet not overly nauseating way is done by Nat Dart. On top of being awesome, the video makes me realize just a bit how much I miss the trees and the water. The southwest desert ain’t bad, but I definitely miss me some evergreens.
What can I say? my friends know me too well. It’s nice that when I have limited internet access (still!), I can count on my friends to fill my inbox with the most pertinent, most entertaining, and just plain best stuff out there. And even advertising based, just waiting for me to drop into my blog. Thank you.
and I’m not sure what message this is sending about MSI laptops… and don’t they have a line called “wind”? seems like an odd choice. It’s pretty Cutwater viral-ish and feels pretty Ray-Ban-y, but that doesn’t stop me from digging it.
First off, I realize the regular posting hasn’t resumed yet (for the one or two of you who are paying attention), and for that, I apologize. I am still without a solid internet connection, and to add to that, recently found myself in a job working 60-70 hours a week. A long story… one which I am too tired to elaborate on at the moment.
And just to keep this blog somewhat on track, here are two bits of advertising that have struck me one way or another. I really don’t think any comentary is necessary. I’ll let you decide for yourself what you think of ‘em.
The first piece:
And the second (a bit old, but still worthy of your click. seriously. click the image below):
That is all for the moment. hopefully soon I will be able to provide you with more content. I’ve got a bunch stored up… I just need to find the time and deal with my comcraptic internet.
