Granted I’m not much of a ‘Lite FM’ kind of guy, being into dark nasty noise, industrial, dubstep, IDM, etc. But nothing gets you in the mood of Christmas as much as the songs do. That’s where Lite FM’s all day Christmas songs station really comes in handy. Obviously the songs aren’t always great mind you, I can’t stand Mariah Carey for example. But nothing beats a good classic from the likes of Nat King Cole or The Drifters.
Funny thing about Christmas music, most of the greats have a very traditional language that goes back some decades and perhaps centuries. I was thinking about it today, and the classics really just flow beautifully giving them a sense of whimsey more so than the modern works. I’m not a very religious person, heck I’m actually quite against religion, but one thing’s for sure, Christmas music can really make you feel warm and fuzzy. If they don’t get anything else quite right, Christianity did a wonderful job conveying spirituality through music.
As for Lite FM, well, the commercials annoy me, Delilah needs to go away, and I can’t get the NYC station through iTunes. But it is fun listening to the Twin Cities’ station, or Hartford (my old stomping grounds). Anyway, a good Christmas Tree and some tunage can get you in the mood, even if you don’t want to pay that much for a talking toy animal.
December 10th, 2007
Hello. There once was a time when I blogged quite often. Then I was bored of my site. Now I have a newly renovated site, with many more portfolio pieces and a solid design. Now I feel I must bring back the blogging. So to start up again, here’s a quick update on life.
Currently, I’m working on a great project at AOL that I am proud to have been involved with. It’s the new channel AOL Home, and should be launching this week. The uniqueness of the work is that I was appointed to handle all the CSS. This is no easy under-taking for any channel design, and is a first for a designer. A lot of hours have gone into refining the CSS and essentially designing with CSS as my Art Director designed via Photoshop. Needless to say it’s allowed for quicker rendering and control on the visuals. The site is going to look great!
I want to write more but I’ve been working hard on this site, and I’m tired. I bid adieu for now, but look for more interesting posts to come.
Good night!
November 19th, 2007
I barely got to know him, but I still loved him. For everything he did to influence and inspire Margaux’s life before I knew her, I thank him. I considered him a friend shortly after meeting him, and was very excited to have him accept an invitation to meet my parents. We all had a great time that night too.
For his silly emails, goofy cat language, ridiculous impersonations, and love of odd words that just “sound cool,” how could you not laugh in his presence? Introverted, but polite, accomodating, and genuinely interested in our lives, even if unspoken. He read our blogs, looked at our pictures, and even listened to my stupid songs! I love that I got to jam on the harmonica while he played the piano at Christmas, especially since he was so damn good (though very modest).
A great man, great father, great husband, great friend. There will be an emptiness, and he will never be forgotten. On top of being a great man, he was also a great designer, so I thought I would share some of his logos below. I’ll miss you Mark.
March 2nd, 2007
By the lovely Margaux Lange. Of course 
1. Since I was 16 I have been playing the harmonica, which I started out listening to John Popper of Blues Traveller (playing it really loud in my room made it ’sound better’) but still play to this day, and have gigged in NYC every now and then with friends.
2. I did become an official Lego Maniac back in the 80s, You had to sign up and got a newsletter, pretty darn sahweet! Still a Lego Maniac.
3. I’m a pretty avid dancer, and though I love dancing to lots of techno and industrial these days, it all pretty much started when I was 10 years old at an uncle’s wedding. I wouldn’t stop! I also loved to dance and sing to NIN back in HS in my room, it let off quite a bit of steam. I hated HS.
4. As a kid I had a tendency to break things when I was mad. Usually joysticks. The last thing I remember destroying was my stereo in college, just kinda dropped it off my desk (like a cat batting things of to test gravity). My friend Josh was there, we were roommates, and were playing Unreal Tournament with others in our Apartment. I blame it on loud KMFDM (or Rammstein, one of those). It still worked, for a little more time. Don’t worry, I’ve seeked help on that since. 
5. Since M talked about meeting someone famous, I met Jimmy Fallon when I worked the US Open. It was pretty cool, since we actually were formulating what commentators said during commercial breaks (at the game they stil showed them waiting). I always wondered if he would have Tina Fey or someone write a skit like that. Guess not. Oh well.
6. I did 5 years of college, first year was at Hartford for Computer Engineering, then I went upstate to ACC for ‘Art’, and transferred back to Hartford (Art School) for Design. I was a bit of the odd-ball out, being a Freshman/Sophomore my first semester back, but really a Junior. Needless to say, I didn’t have it in with the art kids. Cool guy smokin hipsters.
Hmmm, who should I tag? I don’t know any cool bloggers.
January 30th, 2007
Bzz Bzz. I am busy at work quite a bit lately, crankin on new channel designs. It’s been rathr rewarding, I can’t complain. I’m also crankin on Margaux’s new website with a whole new gallery using SlideShow Pro, an awesome Flash Component that will save lots of time working out updates, etc. It has iPhoto exporting, and lots of costumizable features.
I also dealt with a hard dive death last week on my laptop, not fun. Fortunately I didn’t lose a ton since backing up not too long ago, but still frustrating. Alas.
This past weekend we went to the Ron Mueck exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, and I must say WOW. What amazing work, so large, so small, so perfect to every detail. A true realist in his own rite. Check it out if you get a chance, still up until the 29th. Ok, I felt like I needed to write something, but I’m too tired right now for any details. Margaux wrote a great post about Ron, so read it when you get a chance!
January 23rd, 2007
OK I know I must seem to bring this topic up over and over, but nothing ruffles my feathers more than the fanaticals that break church and state. This time it’s happened TWICE in NJ. First, read the NY Times Article: Talk in Class Turns to God, Setting Off Public Debate on Rights And then check out the latest This American Life podcast about a Muslim family dealing with teachers blaming the Muslims for 9/11. This shit needs to stop, seriously. Our country doesn’t seem to get the fact that we are supposed to pride ourselves on ‘freedom of religion’ even if it was set up by Puritans in the 1700’s. People should not be suffering or dealing with the pressures of religion whilst learning in public schools, and should certainly not be dealing with ridicules from classmates because one teacher blames that child’s religion on terrorism. One teacher’s foul-play in school has led to the destruction of a whole family, who wasn’t even fully devout to their Muslim religion!
TOLERANCE should be the Christain way, ever think that telling people they are going to hell because they don’t believe in Jesus isn’t a tad hipocritical to your own beliefs? I’m not very religious, but I believe in some kind of power, perhaps the Force (It may seem like pure geekery, but George Lucas bases his thoughts on all religions, a beautiful way to reveal the world to other religions and cultures without casting them to eternal damnation for having different beliefs). Seems apropriate for this to happen around Christmas, but it’s an ever increasing problem that causes more hate than love. The thing is, if you’re preachings are forced upon others, I have a feeling I may just see you in Hell as well. Silly fools.
This American Life can be downloaded here
Get the latest this week, I think you have to pay for older podcasts.
December 19th, 2006
Ahhh Thanksgiving. A time for family, a time for fun, a time for PING PONNNNNNNNG! BRING IT! MUAH HA HA HA! Ok, so yeah, a time-honored tradition in the fam since my cousin Mike and I started it probably 15 years ago in Long Island on a small folding table. Finally my dad cleaned off the table in our basement, only because UB (Uncle Bob) requested it. Nice to know he’ll do it for him and not the rest of us! HA! Well actually I think my mom did most of the cleaning. Typical!
Anyway, I coined this ‘Triptophandwich’ term today, speaking about the wonderful leftovers of Thanksgiving, with stuffing, cranberry sauce, and turkey. Ah tasty! Happy Thanksgiving! For kicks I’m including a pic of the model plane I’m building. I’ll put new ones up once it’s completed. Enjoy!
November 23rd, 2006
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