50 Cent is a Comedian

"I'm a big fan of Jay-Z," 50 told MTV.com, "but outside of the States and hip-hop circles, no one really knew who he was until he married."

Wow.

His claim is laughable at best. Especially since Jay Z has sold 50+ million albums outside of the U.S. I guess 'Fiddy' is still a little bitter after claiming he would retire if Kanye's CD outsold his when they both released their albums (Kanye's 'Graduation' and 50's 'Curtis') on 9/11 last year. Hey 50, we're still waiting for you to man up on that offer you made when you said you'd retire. Enjoy knowing that you have nothing on the Roc while we continue enjoying Kanye and the most famous rapper in the world, Jay Z.

OSU Beats USC

Ohio State and their fans only wish they were the OSU team to capitalize with a win in a game against the Trojans. The unranked Beavers beat the #1-ranked USC last night, ultimately knocking them out of BCS National Championship contention.

Delay of Game

I've been to New York and back since my last post, as well as without power for 54 hours after suffering last week's tropical storm. We're landlocked here in Cincinnati -save for our beautiful Ohio River- and we were fortunate enough to have experienced our first hurricane-like storm. A tropical storm and an earthquake for Cincinnatians within the past year? The world's coming to an end. Here's a photo of an uprooted tree that fell and damaged the back of my uncle's house and his deck:
My family and I made the trip up to New York to see the Yankees play Tampa Bay during their Final Season in The House That Ruth Built. It poured the entire day. My dad and I enjoyed some beer and the scenery of the field from our our covered seats, and about 100 minutes and $80 later, the game was ultimately postponed. Disappointed? Very, but mother nature (as previously noted) has her own way of doing things. At least I got some pictures of the new stadium as well as the old:
To keep with the sports theme I've obviously started, I would like to point out three things about the Bengals, all Mike Brown and coaching staff complaints aside:
1) Our O- and D-lines need to step their game up
2) We really need to stop running on 1st and 2nd down only to end up on 3rd and long, especially when our passing game is being effective
3) We must get rid of Levi Jones

On a lighter note, the Bengals finally looked like a team yesterday. Aside from Carson being sacked seven times in a disappointing 26-23 overtime loss, if we at least play the way we did against the defending Super Bowl champions, we can have a respectable rest of the season.

Graphic Designers: Misunderstood (Often Taken For Granted) Renaissance People

I don't think people quite understand what it takes to be a graphic designer and the stress involved within the profession. There is so much pressure when we're designing and busting our arses to meet deadlines while keeping our clients happy. I think people misunderstand what graphic designers are and do. I'm not exaggerating: when I was in college and I would complain about doing projects for design and studio classes, my friends would look at me like I was talking about going to go fingerpainting or something equally juvenile. No, it's not at all like that and it isn't all fun and games. Sure, it's usually fun (rather, I'd say enjoyable, not fun per sé) and I love what I do, but I'm here to straighten out some things about being a graphic designer that you probably don't think about.

Graphic designers are businesspeople because we understand how to sell our product to the customer, how to present and speak publicly in front of others, and how to write up contractual agreements. We are proofreaders and copywriters and we are expected to find spelling and grammar errors. We are problem solvers by nature, and we must utilize those skills to design successful and effective work. We must be stellar interpersonal communicators because without expressing our initiative through emails and phone calls, work would never get done. And all of this doesn't even entail all of the characteristics of what a graphic designer as an artist knows and does. We must continually educate ourselves throughout our career so that we are always up-to-date regarding current design trends and software updates. We must know rules of design when using type and graphics to design, numerous software programs (the entire Adobe Creative Suite as well as additional programs such as Dreamweaver, Final Cut Pro; Microsoft Office need not apply) we use in order to create the designs you see, we must understand the print process (CMYK anyone?), web design (RGB holler back), file management, what types of files to use and when, photo correction, how to effectively sketch and translate ideas into tangible (and intangible) messages for its viewers... I could go on for days. Do you get the idea?

It is rare that we get the creative freedom that most artists have. Instead we must accept ideas and suggestions from our clients, people who were not trained in nor have a degree in graphic design. Many times it pains me to so much as entertain some of these ideas, but as professionals we have to swallow our pride and everything we were taught to bring ourselves to use laughable typefaces (see Comic Sans and Papyrus) and graphics to please our clients. We also have to be gifted generalists within our profession. I don't think I've ever met or heard of a designer who focuses on one particular genre. I find myself working within a variety of media including 3-d packaging, print (brochures, posters, invitations), identity (logos, business cards, letterheads, envelopes) and page layout. If I had a client who asked for a project that was something I didn't know how to do, I would make damn sure to either learn how to do it and get it done for them, or have a list of people I know to whom I can outsource the work. Oh, does that mean we're contractors too?

We may not be certified in Business, English, Interpersonal Communication and Critical Thinking, but with one simple Graphic Design degree, we certainly do it all. We're supposed to be miracle workers and it is assumed that we know everything. Just so you know: we aren't and we don't. But we're damn close.

Boo the Clowns

When I went to college at Bowling Green State University, it was in a region full of Browns fans. I got thoroughly annoyed with their obnoxious behavior and loud, idiotic barks (I guess they need something dumb and catchy for a team who never had a mascot, so I'll let it slide I guess), but most importantly, I got sick of their never-ending need to rectify their misery by hating on Bengals fans. Maybe that's because we have beaten them 5 out of our last 6 meetings and their first-time-over-.500-season since being axed from the league suddenly gave them a sense of empowerment (they still didn't make the playoffs, so eff 'em). I respect their enthusiasm year in and year out despite the fact that their team has been crap all but one year since re-joining the NFL, but when it came to showing up on Sunday, neither the team did, nor did their "die hard" fans. What I love most is that the Browns fans (the same fans who claim that all Bengals fans jump on the bandwagon, are consistently disloyal, and are fairweather) exchanged their barks for boos when they got twamped by the Cowboys in Cleveland yesterday.

I love it.

Now you know what it feels like to actually go into a season with high expectations and the pressure to succeed.

I Just Googled Myself

& here are the results:

As Promised...

Please click here to watch Kanye tear it up on the MTV VMA stage.

It is rumored that his hot new single, "Love Lockdown" will be available for purchase on iTunes today!

MTV VMAs

I just finished watching the MTV VMAs and I was pretty entertained by the show even though I've kind of boycotted the network recently. Russell Brand, the host for the evening, did a pretty decent job, and it was nice to have a non-American celebrity heading the event for a change. He was funny, however a little too hyper and all over the place. But who doesn't love a British accent?

Britney Spears won big, taking home three Moonmen for Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, and the coveted Video of the Year award for "Piece of Me." It's good to see a talented entertainer such as herself finally making her comeback after a tumultuous past couple of years.

The highlight of the awards show (aside from the Britney sweep, obvi) would have to be Kanye West's performance to close out the ceremony. He debuted a new song titled Love Lockdown. The beat was pure and solid, and his vocals and lyrics were on point as always. He implemented a different vocal style for himself, thus making him an even more revolutionary and versatile hip-hop artist in the 21st century. His eccentricity and creativity really set him apart from other mainstream hip-hop artists.

MTV is supposed to have all of the clips of the performances from the show, so I will post the video as soon as I see it uploaded to the site.

Sunday's TV Lineup

I got to catch the additional airing of the season two premiere of Gossip Girl, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I can already tell that it's about to be a very sick, unhealthy guilty pleasure of mine, and I am not at all ashamed to admit that. You can add 90210 to that guilty pleasure list as well because after last week's 2-hour series premiere, I am certifiably hooked. I never thought I would see the day where I'd say that the CW is putting out some killer shows, but here I am and I stand corrected regarding my previous misconception about the network.

I'm currently checking out the VMAs for a little while as I anxiously await the season five premiere of Entourage, which just so happens to be tied for second on my list of favorite TV shows of all time. (#1- Arrested Development T-#2- Entourage & Grey's Anatomy) There are supposed to be some big things happening this season (ie. a death of one of the cast members), so I can't wait to see how it all unfolds. Plus the last episode to have aired was September 2, 2007, so I've had to deal with some pretty intense withdrawals for more than a year now. (Side note: I'm still bitter that we still feel the affects of the writer's strike.)

These images are simply gratuitous for those who love Entourage. The first is a great candid of Jeremy Piven (Ari Gold), Adrian Grenier (Vincent Chase), and Kevin Connolly (Eric Murphy) at an event, and the latter is from episode#4.11. This particular episode is one of my personal favorites, as Kanye West guest-starred and the end credits gave us our first listen of his soon-to-be mega-hit "Good Life."

Depressed in Bungaldom

It has been a slow day, and perhaps that is because Bungaldom has me all different kinds of depressed, or maybe because I am running on reserve fuel right now. Despite our 17-10 loss to Baltimore, I will say that I am thankful that the Browns got it handed to them by T.O. and company, which alleviates my foul mood a little.

This just in- according to ProFootballTalk.com, Tom Brady is out for the rest of the 2008 season with a torn ACL. I'm curious to see how the Pats and their fans bounce back after that news. All I know is that it's going to be a very long season for Bengals fans and Pats fans alike.

The Rebranding of Ocho Cinco 2.0, the Athletainer

Of all the ESPN discussion boards I have read (trust me, I don't know why I do so because people on there really aggravate me with their uneducated, über-biased opinions, but that is beside the point), most arguments claim that Chad Johnson (ahem, Chad Javon Ocho Cinco) isn't using proper Spanish grammar. My first beef with this is that most of the time this "argument" comes from people who can't properly distinguish the difference between your/you're, to/too/two and there/their/they're, who cannot effectively use ellipses, and who consistently abuse that poor caps lock key. Secondly, I consider myself pretty educated (I took the equivalent of eight years of Spanish throughout middle school, high school and college) in the Spanish language, despite the fact that I am nowhere near fluent (but trust me, I could still write you one helluva 3-page essay), and the fact that he calls himself "Ocho Cinco" instead of "Ochenta y Cinco" does not bother me. For those of us who watch and play sports, we know what it is like to encourage our fellow players by saying "Let's go one-nine" instead of saying "Let's go nineteen," or "Come on two-four" instead of "Come on twenty-four." I may use appropriate "ochenta y cinco" grammar in that essay I said I could write, but in all sports technicality, Ocho Cinco is correctly used. Besides, would you rather be called "Ocho Cinco" or "Ochenta y Cinco?" Sure, you may think it's a silly name either way, but that's neither here nor there.

With the rebranding boom going on right now (see Days Inn, Dairy Queen, BP, and Payless as only a few examples), I think he's doing great marketing for himself in a No Fun League full of should-be athletainers, a word hybrid Mr. Ocho Cinco so creatively coined himself.

Rock the Vote

Politics isn't something I'm willing to openly discuss unless there is an open-minded, unbiased, level-headed, non-argumentative conversation occurring (which happens so very rarely). Sure we all love a little debate, but at this point I don't really think it gets us anywhere. Many people are set in their ways and beliefs to really accept other peoples' opinions. I think everyone's entitled to their opinion, and I love nothing more than a good conversation where I learn something from speaking to someone else. I feel as though I will never know enough about politics, but all I can do is continue educating myself and keep an open mind.

That being said, I encourage all of you to educate yourselves on our Presidential and Vice-presidential candidates, their platforms, and to exercise your right -as American citizens- to vote! I don't care who for, so long as you register to vote (if you haven't already) and do so! This election is very important, and after November 2nd, we will either have our first African-American president, or first female Vice-president. Would you like to be able to tell future generations that you took part in history?

Take five minutes of your time to register at www.rockthevote.org - you have up to 30 days prior to November 2nd to register!

Adventures in Dollyhood

I hope this inaugural blog entry reaches you all well, and I also hope I actually stick with updates. I will say that I don't plan on keeping the content about any one subject in particular, but would like to discuss design/art and entertainment/pop culture. I digress...

It is sad to see Labor Day Weekend come and go so quickly, and it is even more difficult to fathom that we are already in the ninth month of 2008. I was fortunate enough to spend the extended holiday weekend holed up with some girlfriends from high school in a Smoky Mountain chalet; one that appropriately holds the moniker, 'The Love Shack.' I suppose that, in all actuality, that is pretty disgusting given all the 'honeymooning' that goes on there.

On Saturday night, somewhere in between playing Uno, having cocktails, and raging out (responsibly) to either Grand Ole Party or the rap mix we unanimously made our soundtrack for the trip (I can confirm with this piece of information alone that we made it back to our Finneytown roots), I received a picture message from my boss for whom I've recently done a lot of design work.

There it was: Berry Probiotics, nestled proudly on the shelf at Publix. I may have a bit of a bias, and it helps that the names of its neighboring products carry negative connotation, but Berry Probiotics looks great! After months of packaging and label design for five different Natures Dynamics products, I feel a great sense of accomplishment as well as relief, for we can finally see the completed product on the shelves of over 900 Publix stores. Now it's only a matter of a couple of weeks -we hope- until the rest of the supplements grace the shelves at Publix as well.

It's kind of disappointing that I don't have a Publix store readily available within any reasonable driving distance, but the picture is proof enough for me until I either a) get to a Publix store sometime in the near future, or b) the products start being shelved and sold in additional stores in the U.S. (ie. Target and Whole Foods) as previously discussed. It's nice to know that Natures Dynamics is a very stable freelance project and relationship for me, and I look forward to see where its success goes from here. There are already some potentially mega projects coming up, but I will keep you updated on those as the deals solidify. (I don't want to jinx anyone!)