Real Estate

Not that kind of Real Estate – the music kind. Indie band Real Estate's second album, Days, is phenomenal – I've thoroughly been enjoying it since its release earlier this month. Here's a live studio rendition of "It's Real" – super easy to listen to, carefree music. If you like this, the whole album is worth a listen.

Real Estate - It's Real from 4eyes on Vimeo.

Transition, Kickstarter & Creation

Fall is in full-swing. It's crazy how fast that happened – I just hope it lasts for a bit before cold man winter creeps in. I've often said that my favorite time of year isn't necessarily one of the four seasons per se, but rather the transition from season to season. Winter to spring and summer to fall, in particular.

A fellow by the name of Frank Chimero is a New York-based graphic designer whose work I admire. He's also a talented writer as I've found from following his blog over the last several months. Recently Frank had this to say about the changing seasons, which I found quite poignant:

September rolled away, almost like it wasn't even there. We now have these spectacular October days in New York that make you wish every single one could be like them, from now into forever. Heaven must be a permanent October. The cusps of new seasons always makes me reflective for some reason. Transformations are visible so infrequently; most of the changes we live through are almost like the slowest crossfade ever heard between two songs, one well-known and the other new, trading one old piece for one new piece, bit-by-bit, second-by-second, until there is no more of the old stuff left.

Summer into autumn is the most magical transition, because it is usually abrupt; a storm comes and drags the cold air behind it. Once the front moves through, there are a million little testaments and artifacts of the change all around you: those bright yellow-red leaves hang above and draw your eye up. They're under your feet as you walk and every step produces that crinkly, shuffling sound that we all love because it is so temporal. Leaves are in piles beside your usual route, begging to be disturbed, saying, "Jump." You see those changes, and maybe, if you're like me, you start to think about your own changes. And oh my, so much, so many changes. I took to calling my old college roommates, phoned my parents to check in, spoke with everyone or left them messages to say "Sitting still. Thinking of you."

I've always felt this same way but have never been able to explain this phenomenon quite as eloquently as Mr. Chimero – it's less of a visible change and more of a feeling – a transition in the air and your anatomical clock knows it's time to move from summer into fall. There's also a sense of nostalgia and a yearning for those comfortable feelings remembered from childhood. Such an interesting phenomenon – and I'm glad to know it's not just me being super reflective about my life and the changing seasons this time of year.

I first came across Frank Chimero through a book project he's heading up called "The Shape of Design." Better said, he is the book's author. I had the unique opportunity to help fund his book-writing project through Kickstarter and have been following him ever since. Here's a creatively-executed video he created about his book:

From what I know, Frank is still working on the book. I can't wait to get the finished product – very excited for it!

On a related note, I think it's worth mentioning the power of creation and the innate human desire to create. Whether it's exercising 'creativity' to 'create' a simple painting, building your own house, maintaining a garden, taking photographs, designing holiday cards, assembling an Ikea bookshelf, or even the power of creating human life, there is real human satisfaction in creation. At least I feel that way – which is why I think I feel some satisfaction from working within the 'creative' industry (although advertising is considered by many to be the bastard stepchild). I'll take what I can get and run with it.

Open Season

Shout out to Kylie for showing me this song. Somehow it's seems totally fitting for the transition of seasons occurring right now, which I love. Like a nostalgic look back on summer days that have come and gone. Not crazy about the impending frigidness around the corner, but I'll take fall while I can get it. And so far October has been amazing.

I also love how this showcases so many New York City neighborhoods... what a town! Great song.

Joe Cool

There are so many fabulous old clips of the Dave Brubeck Quartet floating around the Internet – these guys were just killing it! I love the cool, west coast jazz contrast with today's current music scene; these guys are just so confident, calm & relaxed, but every bit as talented (if not more) than the top talent today. There's no hyped-up, cocky rockstars here – just confident dudes who were masters of their craft.

Pay special attention to the man behind the drums – Joe Morello. This guy is something else. I've dabbled in the art of percussion and this cat just blows me away. I love how Dave (piano) turns around and watches the drum solo as if he didn't want to miss out...!

And of course an amazing performance by the song's writer, Paul Desmond on the silky-smooth sax. Check out Dave just looking on in awe of Paul doing his thing. Solid jazz.

The only thing lacking here is a bass solo from Mr. Eugene Wright. I'll have to highlight that another day.

Think Different. Like Steve.

Here's the famous Apple 'Think Different' ad – this time narrated by Mr. Jobs himself, not the version that aired on TV with Richard Dreyfuss doing the voiceover. I think I prefer this one – it's that much more impactful.

Thanks again for everything Steve. Looking forward to my new iPhone 4S that should be here Friday...

FNL: The Movie (Pt. II)

I'll take Kyle Chandler over Billy Bob Thornton any day. Huffington Post (my least favorite source) is reporting a *new* Friday Night Lights movie is in the works, featuring the cast of the TV series. I thought this Emmy trailer summed up five seasons of small-town football drama nicely (Kelsey may or may not have shed a couple tears by the end of this trailer).

And for posterity's sake, let it be known that Coach Eric Taylor is my hero. Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose.

Shout out to lil' sis Kylie for the heads up.