So: to shop or not to shop? Continue reading ‘Should shopping be a patriotic duty?’
Monthly Archive for November, 2008
It’s hard to rationalise this other than it’s so so so cute. Isn’t it amazing how authentic and touching it was to see a little girl interact with a puppet. Yet the Muppets and Jim Henson transcended everything to create moments that reached our hearts and raised the soul. How can a little girl saying her ABCs express all the joy, simplicity and irreverence of an inquisitive childhood? A simpler time that brings us closer to our own innocence.
Daniel Saul Zeff
Grace Jones is back with a new album called Hurricane, and she’ll be going on tour next year…at 60 years old, you have to admit she looks incredible! Continue reading ‘Grace Jones: back in fashion!’
http://behindtheshutters.wordpress.com/
I urge you all to check out Mutate Britain this weekend in sunny Shoreditch – lots of cool creative stuff…I went last Friday & got inspired by 5 floors of really talented, inventive work.
For those of you who like to feed your brain here’s something you can do that will also benefit others.
http://www.freerice.com/index.php
As you play, think about the blend of tactics being used to get you to click; an entertaining little game combined with the promise of charity on your behalf…and you might wonder…
Who’s paying for all this?
Read the FAQ’s if you want to know more.
Careful – it’s addictive!
After the Nicolas Sarkozy Voodoo Doll, here’s the latest…
http://leclipquidechire.com/ie/clip.html
This clip is the fruit of the imaginations behind Mixus, a small French production company that normally works in TV advertising. Continue reading ‘A new Marseillaise…maybe?’
I just stumbled across a new campaign website for Benjamin Netanyahu, who is running for Prime Minister of Israel.
You might not be able to read Hebrew but you can have a quick look at http://ru.netanyahu.org.il/. Continue reading ‘Obamitation? Israeli candidate copies US campaign site…’
Anyone who’s seen Minority Report will no doubt remember the impressive gesture-based computer system that Tom used in his unceasing (well, until the film ended anyway) hunt for future murderers.
Oblong Industries has announced a new spatial operating system based on hand gestures that bears a pretty close resemblance to the one used at PreCrime. Hardly surprising since the company comprises members of the science advisors to Spielberg’s moody sci-fi. Continue reading ‘But does it come with a free Tom Cruise?’
Why is it that every respectable paper feels it necessary to publish a ridiculous magazine filled with “only in your dreams and wildest fantasy (let alone a credit crunch) luxurious gifts for your loved one?”
Have we not all just stepped into a recession or has this completely passed The Financial Times by? And by the way its not just them; The Times also issued a ‘money can’t buy even at the best of times / unless you are ridiculously rich’ guide the week before. Continue reading ‘The Ultimate Christmas Gift…really?’
He’s increasingly delivering on his promise to become the first “internet president” whilst in the process of creating a new role within his administration: Chief Technology Officer. Continue reading ‘Obama First Internet President with Weekly Address’
As you all know, in fashion one day you’re in, and the next day you’re out. Now, it’s the middle of November, which means we’re heading into my favourite season. Party season. Some people also call this winter.
With all the festivities going on this month and next, it’s the perfect time to show off a hot new trend. Which leads me to a very important question: have you got your party dress ready? Continue reading ‘Yuan’s In – Yuan’s Out’
So I shared my Sophie’s struggle yesterday to get a mega Powerpoint to work. After uploading some 400Mb and then downloading twice to see if it worked, she threw her hands up in despair. Why was it corrupting?
Bloody Powerpoint. The last thing you want to struggle with on a Friday night.
Thankfully we worked out the problem together. Put simply, if you try to open a PowerPoint directly out of a zip archive, the associated videos probably won’t work.
The solution is pretty simple: copy everything out of the zip file first, making sure to keep the file structure, then open the PowerPoint. It should work fine.
Many things contributed to DVD’s eventual success: it’s novelty as a disc medium as opposed to tape, the huge quality step from VHS, the promise of lots of lovely extras. BUT it also happened to have a ‘killer’ series of films arrive at around the same time. The Matrix, Gladiator and Star Wars: Phantom Menace arrived about a year after the format’s debut and were all films that you just HAD to watch on DVD. The Matrix was the first DVD to ship more than 1.5 million units in 1999. Records tumbled before it and in a matter of weeks the fringe format found itself in the mainstream. It was also a great reference film to show to the un-converted. Beautifully shot, lots of special effects, great sound. People bought DVD players and drives just to watch them and the format just kept on growing. Continue reading ‘Has Blu-Ray found a saviour?’
So everyone here in LA is talking about it, moaning about it, bitching about it, declaring their hate for it – but still doing it…Extreme Bootcamp.
Now you might ask…what the hell is Extreme Bootcamp? Continue reading ‘Extreme Bootcamp’
Isn’t it strange how people naturally associate a culture with you according to who you hang out with? Indeed it is logical for one to assume that because we follow the trends of a particular group, we are automatically a member of that group. I’m the perfect example. Continue reading ‘You are who you hang out with (losing culture)’
I was reading the Metro yesterday when I came across a small feature about the lastest Wi-Fi gadget: Nabaztag. This gizmotronic bunny will do all the useful things you may expect: act as an alarm clock, read the news, & weather forecast…even financial information on the stock market. However, it goes further than this, providing new email alerts, reading out RSS feeds, giving you GoogleTalk alerts… and marrying other bunnies!?
This week sees the release of “Waltz with Bashir” - set to be one of the most fascinating films of the year. It’ll be the first entirely animated feature documentary to hit cinemas. The movie tells the story of the 1982 ‘incident’ in Lebanon in which 3000 Palestinian women and children were massacred by Christian forces in revenge for the assassination of Lebanese President-elect, Bashir Gemayel. The incident happened under the watchful eyes of Israeli Defense Forces, who were at the time stationed around the refugee camps.
Having an existential crisis? Check this out.
This is what NOW looks like.
The site gives you a mini snapshot of what’s going on in the world RIGHT NOW, with live facts and stats that change in real time. From eggs being produced (by the ton), world energy being used, babies being born…to people stuck in elevators and shopping days ’til Christmas… Continue reading ‘This is what NOW looks like…’
I think we all understand the message. But how do you feel when you watch this?
I was sad to hear that the jazz legend and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba collapsed and died while performing in Italy on Sunday.
For those of you who are not familiar with her work she was quite simply the voice of Africa and a magnificent human being.
Hamba kahle Mama Africa you will be sorely missed.
Wanna know what’s going to happen next in the business of the www and beyond?
Is the future full of schmidt? Maybe.
Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, talks to consultants McKinsey about technology’s evolving impact on business management and the economy:
As you all know, in fashion one day you’re in, and the next day you’re out. Whether it’s cold or hot, cloudy or sunny, rainy or not…a good looking outfit can transform your mood instantly.
Suits are a classic example, and this week’s must-have recommended by Yuan… Continue reading ‘Yuan’s In – Yuan’s Out’
I have a favourite new item of clothing, a tank top especially designed by Zac Posen for the Obama campaign. The only place to buy the shirt is at the Obama store online.
The t-shirt is part of a designer collection called runway to change where famous designers created bespoke items of clothing and accessories in aid and support of the Obama campaign. Continue reading ‘Dare to Dream’
I know some of us have had just about all we can take of elections recently, but I was delighted to see that the winner of the MTV Europe “Best Act Ever” Award last night was given to…….Rick Astley. Continue reading ‘8 out of 10 cats’
You’d think that after the Brand and Ross fiasco, the BBC would try to keep themselves under the outrage radar, but Jeremy Clarkson was on top form on the latest episode of Top Gear that aired earlier this week. Continue reading ‘Oh dear, here they go again…’
Time magazine has announced its 50 Best Inventions of 2008.
Top of the list: The Retail DNA Test, a handy little kit that will identify 600,000 genetic markers from a saliva sample and “estimates your predisposition for more than 90 traits and conditions ranging from baldness to blindness.” Made by genetics company 23andMe, the kit retails for $399.
Whilst compositing an interview subject against a background isn’t exactly new for news reports (nor indeed really dodgy chroma keys), CNN decided to advance the format with a new ‘Hologram’ interview between Wolf Blitzer and Jessica Yellin during last night’s election results.
R2D2 Labs, the creator of the technology reports that the system may occasionally pick up ’slight flutters.’
Today’s record voter turnout is testament, not only to the historic significance of this ballot, but also the unprecedented media onslaught…designed to get Americans off their couches and out to the polls.
Sure, every election there’s a push to register – but there’s been a sophisticated, superdistributed push this time… Continue reading ‘Heads Obama, tails McCain’
As you all know, in fashion one day you’re in, and the next day you’re out. Keeping an eye on what’s hot is the only rule of survival.
From 08 F/W runways to street style, from stylists to celebrities, TARTAN has taken over this season. The trademark red-green Scottish style won’t let you down, and there are a variety of choices out there for you – from high street to luxury brands.
One piece of TARTAN clothing is this week’s must-have recommended by Yuan. Remember, TARTAN is no longer confined to the countryside…it belongs to the city!
By the way, boys: don’t be afraid to take some fashion cues from your girls; what’s in for her this week will be in for you next week!
Enjoy the pics I’ve collected this month for our TARTAN style…
