I Am Abstract

Rick is an Interaction Designer with this group. When he's not designing, in meetings, or reading e-mail, he spends time with his family and runs a few t-shirt shops with this guy.
May 21
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Lowrider

I have seen a lot of fashion trends come and go and am generally pretty neutral towards them all. But lately, the one I just can’t seem to understand is the “pants hanging down south with underwear sticking out” trend. I mean, c’mon people, what is so cool about walking around like you’re wearing leg braces so that you can keep your jeans from falling to the ground? And the fact that most of the perpetrators of this “fashion don’t” actually wear a belt with their saggy-baggy trousers really puzzles me. I guess I am beginning to show my age, huh.
May 15
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Goodbye, Twitter!

After several days of bugs, downtime, and general goofy behavior, I have decided to delete my Twitter account. Never mind that it was a colossal time-waster…I can keep the same stuff going on here. Maybe that will be incentive to post more here. Except no one reads this…
May 10
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We now have a foundation where there was most recently just a hole. This is beginning to get exciting. Except, we are not going to celebrate until we have the keys in hand and are stepping across the finished threshold.

We now have a foundation where there was most recently just a hole.

This is beginning to get exciting. Except, we are not going to celebrate until we have the keys in hand and are stepping across the finished threshold.

May 08
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» Workaholics fixate on inconsequential details.
I’ve often asked myself if I should feel bad about only working 40 hours a week. Lots of people around me seem to put in extra hours and I have wondered if they really benefit from that time spent away from home and family. I have always felt comfortable only putting in 40 because I usually have my work done; if I don’t, it’s usually my fault due to poor time management. 40 hours (or less) a week is perfect; any more than that (for long periods—sometimes you have to crunch) really begins to hurt your home & family life (and if you’re single, you’re social life) and doesn’t really benefit anyone. The long hours create extra stress, reduced time for rest and regeneration, and generally make you not as happy and, as a result, less productive. So there.
May 07
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“ I never wanted to be noticed for being mean! I wanted to be known for catching Santa Claus!
— Homer Simpson, “Any Given Sundance”
May 03
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Our house plans. They cannot build this thing fast enough! :)
Our house plans. They cannot build this thing fast enough! :)
May 01
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» I needs me a stack of these.
Apr 27
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» For all the car/design nuts out there.
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My top 10 bands (for now...)

I had a discussion with a friend the other day that made me wonder what bands I consider to be in my “top 10”. I pondered on that for a few days and came up with a list of groups that I have stayed a faithful listener to for more than a few months. I have been buying some of these bands stuff for years—and will most likely continue to, as well. Here they are in no particular order:

  • Field Music
  • Boards of Canada
  • Foo Fighters
  • Ben Folds (Five)
  • Zero 7
  • Jamiroquai
  • The Shins
  • The Black Keys
  • Sloan
  • Agent Orange
That feels like a pretty eclectic list. I am sure that list will get added to as I discover more great music on them there intertubes…
Apr 21
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» "Musical Gems" can be found seasonally at CHIRP
I check this site every season; they make some sweet mixes. Not all songs are good, but I have discovered quite a few talented bands through their mixtapes. They have the past two or three years mixes available for download…I recommend them all!