newfangled zeitgeist

Palm Pre

2009-07-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

The Palm Pre seems like a pretty cool phone. It is trying to give the iPhone and the Android operating system phones, G1 and G2, a run for their money. It has a touch screen, full keyboard, and is supposed to work seamlessly with Facebook and all the Google life applications (Gmail, Google Reader, Google Calendar, etc.). Aside from one part of the phone being sharp enough to cut cheese (see video above) the phone seems great.

Recently, I saw an ad for the Pre while watching hulu.com and I realized that Palm is also doing a really brilliant job of marketing the phone. See the commercial below.

The ad is about a phone that optimizes your uses of the internet and media anywhere you are. The voice over talks about that. The actress using the phone shows us that. But, to me, the most compelling part of the ad is the way that it calls to mind the dancing prisoner meme. See the video below.

These videos have been around for a while now. The dancing men are prisoners in the Philippines. The people who run the prison consider the dancing to be part of the rehabilitation process, but it has also become a viral video craze as well as a a draw for tourists, who can go an watch in person, and they have also become a draw for tourists, who can go an watch in person.

There are too many similarities between the Pre ad and the dancing prisoner videos to be unintentional. And it is, in fact, a brilliant meme to conjure up in people's minds to say: Palm is back and we understand you and Web 2.0. If you understand the reference it shows Palm is savvy and has its finger on the pulse. But it is also a striking and amusing image if you aren't familiar with the phenomena. It works on both levels, but screams to those in the know: this is the phone for you.

This ad is a great example of why companies and especially market researchers should pay attention to memes.

Man-taloons

2009-07-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

I saw a guy waiting for the bus the other day. He was wearing a style of shorts that I've been seeing around for a while now: long tight jeans that have been converted to at the knee cuts off. I was suddenly struck by the fact that these shorts really look like pantaloons. Granted, our founding fathers seem to be wearing a silky variety, but you can't tell me there isn't a resemblance.

Then it came to me: pantaloons + hipster dude jeans = man-taloons.

Best blog post I've read in a long while

2009-07-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

I read the blog Jezebel on a regular basis. I don't read all their posts, but the blog does such a good job of covering gossip and gossip that I sometimes get frustrated with other magazines or blogs for being behind the time and/or misinformed.

They do decidedly unsnarky red carpet coverage and a very thoughtful attitude towards fashion. Below is a particularly good example.

"So, I adore Dior and all that, but once years ago in Vogue I read this story about Galliano in which someone - maybe a Sykes - described him as "a wood sprite," and the evidence seems to have been his applying some kind of expensive mask in an airplane bathroom during descent. What do you think of Tinsley Mortimer's Park Avenue girl gone very slightly downtown?" ~ by Sadie

This just tickles me.

Watching Television

2009-07-09T07:47:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I wasn't feeling so well. Perhaps I was all "Revolutionary Spirited-Out," a mild case of food poisoning or battling off a little flu; who knows. I read for a while but was feeling nauseous, so the words were sort of swimming on the page. So, obviously, I spent the day watching the entire first season of The L Word.

It isn't deep, but, good lord, is it entertaining. You can just consume it like popcorn. It is full of beautiful people with very dramatic love lives, which is the perfect recipe for dishy, soapy goodness. Jenny and Shane are totally the best characters.

I woke up feeling a million times better. I swear television marathons are better than chicken soup at getting you back on your feet. Perhaps the miraculous recovery is just the bed rest, or perhaps it is the body's reaction to its own sloth. Whatever it is, I highly recommend gluttonous consumption of television for quick healing of what ails ya.

Hard Times

2009-06-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

I have spent a fair amount of time over the last few months bemoaning the economy and its impact on my life over the last few months. But maybe I was missing the point.

On the way to work last week, I caught an interview Terry Gross did with Linguist, Geoff Nunberg.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104869163

He made a really interesting point about how in folk music from the Great Depression they talked about "hard times" not bubbles bursting and the bad economy. Our (my) fascination with figuring out how to blame and what went wrong has been a distraction from how it currently feels to live and work in this country. These are hard times!

The uncertainty is hard. The cuts are hard. The layoffs are hard. And that, as simple as it sounds, gives you a much better idea of what to DO next, after all that happens. Of course, it is important to figure out what went wrong to ensure that it doesn't happen again, but for us, as individuals, and for me it is way more important to feel how this all feels and then figure out how to proceed. Fretting about credit default swaps, collateralized debt obligations and rating agencies just keeps me up at night, it doesn't make any of this any easier.

It'd be neat to have someone to blame, but once we've expressed our righteous outrage, then what?

These times are hard, which means we examine our situation, streamline our lives and hunker down and get to work. It may seem like semantics, but I've found this shift really empowering and focusing. What a different our words make?!?

New Apartment

2009-05-26T11:15:00.001-07:00

After 2 months of searching for a more modest housing situation (necessitated by the big work hours/salary reduction), I found a new place. The upside is that it is uncannily similar to my last studio, just miniature. The layout is basically the same as the other studio. It has lots of built-in storage and little charming details. It even has the same windows. In some ways it is an upgrade from the previous studio, despite being smaller. Improvements include:
-Bathroom sink has one tap instead of individual taps for hot and cold. This makes comfortable face washing much easier.
-It still has hardwood floors, but not every apartment in the building has hardwood floors. This sucks for those who don't have nice floors, but it means I don't have to hear the creaks and squeaks that result from upstairs tenants going about their daily routines.
-Larger windows = more light
-No roommates needed
-Walking distance from Albatross Pub

There are a few things that I'm adjusting to about the studio as well.
-My very large windows look out to the backs of 3 large apartment complexes, making curtains a big must.
-Being politely (usually) panhandled every time I enter or leave my house
-Loud public arguments in the parking lots of the 3 apartment buildings
-Putting rent checks into a heavy, locked safe

None of this is a huge adjustment. I grew up in the mission, after all. In many ways this new place, wrinkles and all, is more age appropriate. I am not yet a proper yuppie, so the Gourmet Ghetto is not yet for me. This new studio is in a grittier area but that is about right.

Interior photos coming soon.

Red Flag Keywords When Hunting For Housing In Berkeley

2009-03-31T16:55:00.000-07:00

All I do these days is check out Craigslist. I'm similtaneously looking for part time work and housing. The housing search, especially, is often creepy and hilarious. Here are some of today's highlights.

"The Vegi. House"

Healthy Community Cooperative Home

coop

Single room for rent in Phi Delta Theta fraternity house

Economy Update

2009-03-15T11:16:00.000-07:00

First off, I have no news on how the general economy is doing, but I do have news about how the economic climate impacts me personally. Monday, the staff at my company was asked to shift to 3/5 pay and hours. That's right, way more free time and way less pay.

Awesome.

The staff avoided layoffs (for now), which had me super giddy in the immediate aftermath. But then I started realizing what a cut that size actually means.

I've been oscillating between feeling incredibly bummed out by this and energized by all the next steps that flow logically for this change. But one step in front of the other.

On a lighter note, I freaking love that on 3-9-09 The New Late Night with Jimmy Fallon spent like a full 10 minute segment geeking out over the new (yet to be released) Palm Pre phone.

I think Fallon would be smart to play up the tech geek angle. It suits him and will endear him in the hearts of geek peeps of America. Loyal folks.

Beijing: Hutongs and Fire Cupping

2009-03-08T18:04:00.000-07:00

I was in Beijing for 5 days, at the end of the 12 day trip. It was great to have time to slow down a bit and take in the city.

The food was amazing the entire time. But I think a few of the best meals of the trip were in Beijing. The picture below is of one of our favorite street foods. It is a crepe with a scrambled egg scallions, cilantro and this very light crispy fried thing in the middle, all folded up together.

The last night Celia and I were there, after Aaron and Alex had gone home, we had hot pot. The bright red half is spicy tomato broth. The other side inferno hot, of course (thus the 'hot' in hot pot), with chillies and oil. Both are bubbling at a rolling boil right on your table. You pick a bunch of different ingredients and put them into the mixtures. AMAZING!

We also got a chance to do some real shopping when we were there. We went to an area that Celia called the Hipster Hutong. Hutongs are these series of exceedingly narrow alleys built by the Mongols. They are rapidly being torn down and their inhabitants moved to high-rise apartments in the suburbs. The Hipster Hutong is full of neat, artsy, little shops and bars filled with expats and locals smoking cigarettes. Because it has so many profitable businesses in it this Huton isn't in any danger of the wrecking ball.

This picture was a delightful example of Chairman Mao kitsch at a bar full of Chinese young people.

The day that we visited the Hipster Hutong Alex's neck and back had were so sore he could hardly move. Celia tried to help, but he needed something a bit more.

It just so happened that there was a massage and acupuncture place right in the Hipster Hutong. Full service!

While we waited in their cozy lobby for Alex to be cured, Aaron, Celia and I browsed the menu of their services. We'd previously had a discussion about fire cupping.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_cupping

We were super curious what the whole thing was supposed to do and be all about. We didn't have wikipedia at our disposal and it was cheap so we decided to try it.

This was taken the same night we got it done, 2-14, and the bruises only went away last week. Yikes. It did make me feel relaxed and energized immediately after, but I would not get it done again.

Sappy travel story conclusion: bruises fade but the memories of my trip will last a lifetime.

In the weeks since China

2009-03-07T00:29:00.000-08:00

On February 18th I returned from an absolutely unbelievable, stupendous, eye-opening vacation to China. I have lots of stories about the trip, but so much has happened since that stories will have to wait.

I cut my hair.

I'm psyched about my hair. But even that can't distract me from general business pessimism.

For months now, I've heard a million times a day in a million different ways that the economy is going to slumping/depressing/collapsing/stalling/freezing/tightening. I've had nothing to call this mess, yet a mess never the less.

I knew things at my work had been slow, but we had a plan. I'd been a busy little bee in the plan. Then, last week, they told us that things were worse than we had thought. They let us know that some thing drastic needs to change and fast or the company will go under. Layoffs are the most likely option. Yikes bikes.

I expect that next week will bring more answers. For now I'm doing all I can. Taking things step by step.

Okay. I got that out of my system. Soon, stories from China.

Tintin

2009-01-29T17:47:00.001-08:00

I was absolutely obsessed with Tintin as a kid. My dad started reading them to me when I was 5 or 6. I remember bring copies of Tintin to more than one 1st grade show and tell and insisting they weren't comic books. They were books with pictures!

Tintin and his friends went places that were both real and a fantasy to me (The Blue Lotus was in China and Japan, The Broken Ear was in South America, The Cigars of the Pharaoh was in Egypt, Prisoners of the Sun was in Peru, etc.).

The fact that Tintin was a roving boy reporter of indefinite age traveling the globe with his talking dog, snowy and his friend, the crusty, Captain Haddock, never seemed the least bit odd to me. His adventures were thrilling to me. My dad would read them to me at night before I went to bed. Then I would look at them over and over, memorizing the pictures long before I could read any of the words. I brought them with me everywhere and my copies showed their wear (remember finding a corn flake in on once from a hurried breakfast, reading at the table or in the car).

Like lots of things we love innocently as little kids, reading Tintin now is a lot more complicated. I had no idea that it had originally been published in French in 1929 or that it was translated into over 50 languages. All I knew was that my dad had read them as a kid. He liked that there were fast cars, realistic motorcycles and adventures at sea. I liked the colorful pictures, exotic locations and cute doggy side-kick. But reading them now I can't help but feel conflicted about the colonialist racism that pervades Tintin's travels (Tintin in the Congo is a particularly creepy example. I didn't actually have it when I was little, since its offensive depiction of the Congolese is so blatant that it wasn't widely available. But I tracked it down in High School and had no idea what to think).

But like a lot of things it can be understood as something out of its own time, while not excusing its flaws.

All this is why I'm cautiously optimistic about the up-coming Tintin movie. Jamie Bell from Billy Elliot will play Tintin; Daniel Craig will be playing the villain. The first and, theoretical, second films will be directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Peter Jackson. The first movie will be based on The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn.

It tells the story of how Tintin meets Captain Hadock for the first time. Hadock is a down on his luck, alcoholic, former ship captain. They end up discovering that an ancestor of the Captain left maps hidden in replicas of his ship, which lead to his hidden treasure. They don't end up setting off to get the treasure until the next book, making the sequal a resonable idea. The movie is due out in 2010 and is filming now. I am a geek for this stuff so I have high expectations. Everything about the movie seems very promising, but we will have to see how it turns out.

The Fuchsia And A Cool SIte I found

2009-01-15T21:27:00.000-08:00

Fuchsia by CallMeNora

So ever since I went back to having brown hair I've been kind of obsessed with colors I couldn't really wear when I was a redhead. Thus the fuchsia collage you see.

As much as I love fuchsia, I'm actually more excited about the web site that I used to put this collage together. A few days ago I read about polyvore.com about on some blog. I had just written my last post and was filled with enthusiasm about my resolutions when I found this site. I immediately thought about using it for this blog. Here is how the site describes itself says:

Polyvore is a free, easy-to-use web-based application for mixing and matching images from anywhere on the web. Polyvore lets you create sets composed of individual images using an easy to use, drag and drop editor. After you have created a set, you can publish and share it with your friends and the Polyvore community.

To me, it is an easy way to import and save images I come across while looking at blogs or shopping. As I have played with the site's tools I realized it really was easy to use and if it was easy for me maybe it would be easy to just about anyone. I should also mention that I've spent months looking at collages that focus group participants did as homework before coming to speak with us. Organizing, labeling, and analyzing all of these collages! If they'd already been done on the internet, wouldn't it be easier if some/all of those collages were electronic? So I'll show it to the folks at work and see if we could learn anything or use it. Sometimes I can be such a work geek.

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-06T19:34:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year again: New Year's Resolution time. I've been asked if I'm making any this year. The quick and dirty answer is no. But, as always, the truth is a bit more complicated.

I don't believe in them. Invariably, people's resolutions seem to be vague and self loathing ("I will lose weight," "I will spend less money" etc). In fact, in my random internet wanderings I discovered that our government has a page on its official site devoted to common resolutions, which illustrates my point perfectly.

http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New_Years_Resolutions.shtml

I'm all for self improvement, but most resolutions seem way too broad with any concrete steps that might actually help the person accomplish their goal.

So, rather than make a trite and disingenuous resolution, this year I will be declaring the following intentions:

-Sing Everyday. While I am not a serious crooner, singing taps into all sorts of positive little kid memories. Whenever we'd drive anywhere with my dad, my sister and I would sing things like "This land is your land," do rounds of "Row row row your boat," and the sea shanty version of "The itsy bitsy spider" (which might sound weird to you but it actually translates perfectly to a work song appropriate for hoisting sails or an anchor to). I've already made my first volume of the commuting sing-a-long mix of songs I know the words to, there will be more to come. Also, Karaoke will factor in this plan.

-Read Everyday. Now this is something I'm already kind of doing. But now I've decided that I have to read something that is not on the internet at least once a day. There are things that I simply need to unplug to experience. The first book of 2009 is "Freak: The pig-faced lady of Manchester square & other medical marvels" by Jan Bondeson, which is a medical, historical and cultural look at freaks through the ages. Very rad and starting my new year just right.

-Blog More. Now this one is certainly vague, but I've made peace with it since I was railing against vague resolutions and this is an intention. I think this is a neat forum that I'm not fully taking advantage of to express my creative juices. This has the added benefit of being writing practice that I need if I am ever going to advance my career goals.

I feel this list of intentions is both realistic and will help me have an implausibly fabulous 2009. I admit to being freaked out about the dire state of: the economy, our country's moral standing in the eyes of the rest of the world, our many alliances and military engagements, the environment, etc. But there isn't a whole lot I can do about any of that, so I might as well turn up the music and sing as loud as I can.

Happy New Year!!!!!!

G1 - Reflections On My Google Life

2008-11-17T20:35:00.000-08:00

Oh wow. I got a T-Mobile G1 cell phone for work. Best thing ever. I've never been much of a gadget person, but this transcends mere gizmo worship. This is the last piece of my google life. What started as searching the internet, soon spread to a gmail account, then a igoogle homepage, and finally google reader for all my feeds.

Now this little phone integrates all these things plus my work email, with the convenience of a touch screen and a full keyboard. Perma-connection to everything electronic I love.

I know it must sound like I'm preaching the gospel of google, but I don't care. I give credit where credit is due. I've only had it a few days and I can't imagine not having it.

Dare I say that this could be an iPhone killer? Though it hurts me to say it as a Mac user it might be true. I've really only had the phone since Friday, so I have to wait to see if it really has staying power.

I think beyond just the spiffy functionality, the G1's applications really make the whole phone into an extension of the users lifestyle. I was talking with my co-worker Amy, who also just got the phone. Amy and I are in completely different life stages but love the G1. Her two small kids are curious about her cell phones and technology but hard on it, mashing buttons and putting things in their mouthes. So she has what she called "toddler apps." One is this visualizer that responds to the kids touching the buttons and the touch screen by producing dynamic colors and shapes, much to the kids' delight. The other toddle app that Amy told me about turns the G1 into a baby monitor that automatically call another phone number (like your home phone number) when the baby's noises reach a certain loudness. Pretty clever, but not the apps for me.

Here are few of the apps that have caught my attention thus far.

This one is called Bartender and has an encyclopedia of drink recipes at your finger tips at all times. You can search the list and mark your favorites for next time. Bonus, I finally learned what is in a Gimlet.

The next app is pretty practical but satisfies my yearning to both make lists and cross the items off in a satisfying fashion when I have completed the task. I have actually written things on lists that I have already done so that I could cross it off. The thrill of checking something off my list has actually kept me away from other list sites like Don't Forget The Milk. This is way better.

The next app is called MyCloset. It allows you to take pictures of your clothes with the G1's camera and use the pictures to coordinate complete ensembles. This one totally reminds my of Cher's closet from Clueless and, as a result, satisfies the awkward 11 year old in me.

I haven't had time to log all my clothes (you can do tops, bottoms, outer wear, other, shoes and accessories!) but it is already so fun. I've already been inspired to try some different combinations .
My apps suit my work self and my fun self. They work perfectly to aid me in my young professional life. Sigh. I love it so. I feel like I've hardly scratched the surface with this device. I'm sure there will be more about G1 here soon.

A week of intense hues

2008-10-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

I've had a couple times since last Friday when I've been able to stop and really the moment. All of them have had to do with colors. There has to be something to this.

It all started Friday night at Elisabeth and Ian's house. There was this blue/green punch:

The magic ingredients?

2 cups Dark Rum
8 cups Light Rum
2 cups Blue Caracao
Whole cans of the following kinds of frozen juice concentrate: pineapple, orange, lemonade and limade
Lots of ice - bags and bags

Holy cow.

This punch lead directly to a fantastic night of dancing with an unbelievable group of young swingers and professionals. A colorful moment.

Then this weekend I roasted and then pickled beets. I'm all about the beet. But even if you aren't a fan, it would be impossible to dislike these beets. I got the recipe from Alton Brown's tv show "Good Eats" (He reminds me of my friend Ford).

The beets are sweet, tangy and salty. And magenta. Another colorful moment.

Roasted Beets, recipe follows
1 large red onion, frenched
1 cup tarragon wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water

Directions

Remove the skin from the Roasted Beets and slice thinly. Arrange in 1-quart jars alternating layers with the onion. In a small pot boil the rest of the ingredients and pour over the beets. Tightly lid the jars and place in the refrigerator for 3 to 7 days before serving.

Roasted Beets:

6 medium beets, cleaned with 1-inch stem remaining
2 large shallots, peeled
2 sprigs rosemary
2 teaspoons olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large bowl toss all of the ingredients. Place into a foil pouch and roast in the oven for 40 minutes.

These vivid things were the tonic I needed to get me through this week.

Hats

2008-10-04T22:29:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about hats for years. My theory is that everything cycles and that my parents' generation didn't buy into the idea that men and women had to wear hats in public to be polite. Thus, hats look very fresh to me and people my age. I'm convinced there is more to this hat thing than the generational divide.

There is there is something very whimsical about hats. They are telling about a person's personality.

I've dabbled with a few hats of my own.

But lately, perhaps due in part to watching Mad Men, I've been considering more feminine hats.

I don't really think I can rock cool hats at work. Wacky accessories might not say - "promote me." But I think something like this would jazz up a simple dress or jeans for the weekend or evening.

There are zillions of options on the internet. The selection on eBay alone boggles the mind. The only problem is that people used to be way tinier than we are now. I'm wary of making such purchases without trying them on.

Sigh. I'll just have to go on the hunt to find just the right ladylike hat.

Chicago is my kind of town

2008-09-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

I just came back from a surprisingly fun business trip to Chicago. Surprising not because I had anything against Chicago, but because work trips can often be grueling. The work was interesting and new, plus largely in the evening hours. This allowed me time to actually explore the city.

We stayed at this lovely hotel downtown called the Sofitel, which is just neat.

.
The weather was hot and humid, reminding me that fall has not entirely left us behind. I walked around Lake Michigan. I also had a chance to spend the morning wondering around in the Wicker Park neighborhood, which was positively the tops.

I hit Myopic Books at Stephanie's recommendation.

I didn't get a chance to have a cup of coffee there but the selection was enough to make me drool.

After our focus groups were finished we got a chance to go to Rick Bayless's restaurant, Frontera Grill. A-mazing clean and contemporary Mexican food. I had Civiche with scallops, crab, jicama, mangoes and papaya, served with plantain chips. We shared orders chips and guacamole and fried plantains with soar cream. For dessert we had this unbelievable pecan and chocolate tart. It really should not be missed.

All in all, I came away loving Chicago. I will have to go back again in the winter time to know if I can really live there, but I will happily go back again as soon as I can.

Vampires, so hot right now.

2008-09-22T23:44:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it: I love Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Always have.

But I kind of always thought that this one vampire themed television show was an anomaly. I wasn't the type of person who really liked vampires. These days I'm wondering if I really am a little too attached to these creatures of the night.

While I'm no goth, I am enjoying this vampire themed trend for two reasons: Twilight and True Blood. There are some common themes in both stories. Both are essentially romances that feature male vampires and human females. They also feature mind reading, oddly enough. But these similarities can't possibly explain the success these stories are experiencing. Both are critically acclaimed and getting more popular by the day.

I'm as surprised as anyone by how in vogue vampire stuff is. But here is what I've worked out so far:

-Stephenie Meyer's Twilight - I don't think it is a great book, but it sure is enthralling. It is snack reading, but I kind of like getting involved in another series of books (now that Harry Potter is no longer keeping me wanting more). I read the first book in about a week and I've devouring the second now. That being said, it is a little heavy on the mellow-drama and teen angst.

-I can't put these books down because somehow the synthesis of brooding vampires, high school and lusty first love just works. It has a similar magic formula to Buffy in that way (at least, from what I can tell from how much I've read).

-HBO's True Blood - This show has only had two episodes so far, but I think the characters are really intriguing. Somehow the show's bayou setting and premise (vampires have "come out of the closet" and can now "live" among the living due to the invention of simulated blood. High jinx and passion ensue) provide a nice twist on a vampire story.

-Since this show is on HBO it can really take advantage of the sexiness is always associated with the myth of the vampire. Stealth, lust for human flesh and blood, and hypnotic powers (glamoring) make for lusty and violent entertainment.

-True Blood has the added interest of turning the tale of Vampire's strength on its ear. Vampires are vulnerable to silver and their blood is in danger of being harvested by junkies who get stronger, more alive, and high off drinking it. Plus if a human drinks a vampire's blood it makes them forever connected with heightened senses towards one and other.

-This is another excellent blend to make an enthralling final product.

-My theory is that vampires are the new pirates.

That's all the insight I've got into this whole thing at the moment. I think I will read some other vampire stories and see if I really am a vampire person or simply someone who is enjoying this recent vampire trend.