Festival Family Time

Happy Boxing Day!

It's always so wonderful to spend time with family. Those that are blood-related, of course, but also those that you've grown up with. Got to see the guys today and I'm not sure that the 13 years of knowing each other has changed us much. The only difference is that now I can join in on (and hopefully hold on my own in) the computer talk. T~ come home so we can kick butt in Typing of the Dead!
Check out this great tempura computer wrist rest!

Currently listening to: Pie Jesu - The Priests

Birth, Growth, and Standing Still

Merry Christmas everyone!

It was lovely to go to church and also barbecue today. I've been very thirsty lately and the barbecuing has become a holiday tradition. Yay for family time!

Being here feels like a time sucking vortex. Or at least another dimension where no time has passed. It's like I've stayed in exactly the same place and time. I'm stuck in high school, even though so many things have happened and I've traveled so far.

Last but certainly not least, a big happy birthday to a special someone!
Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Currently listening to: O Holy Night - Celine Dion (this is a gorgeous version)

Just Short

Watched Snatch today with A~, and while it can't compare to Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, it did its job. Brad Pitt and Benicio del Toro are pretty fabulous in it.

Had turkey, a rarity here, for the Christmas Eve meal. Followed that with a healthy helping of dessert. Oops, no wonder I have cavities. Hope the good dose of conversation helped to offset that.

Sometimes I wonder how much social constructs still dictate the way I act. There is an unspoken pressure to fulfill some standard in education, marriage, career path, and various other accolades. Sometimes I feel like I fall short in so many ways. And then I wonder how many of these expectations are put on by nobody but me.

Currently listening to: More Than a Love Song - Augustana

Something to Get Rid Of

Good morning readers! Just a heads up that the last two of the Shiba6 will be headed to their new homes tonight. Ayumi will be the last one left. I am sad to see them go, but it's been a good ride.

Teeth are such strange things. The dentist told me yesterday that my teeth were very clean and that I had a cavity. Isn't that contradictory? Guess bacteria just love my molars. Or I just love sweet things.

Currently listening to: The Scientist (Coldplay cover) - Jason Acosta and Heather Oehler

Fuel

Sorry for being MIA, faithful readers. The last few days have been a crazy flurry of activity. From one extreme to the other in many ways. I am happy to report that I was kicking jetlag in the butt but now must go and crash. Hope to regain full blogging potential soon. Zzzzz...

Currently listening to: Silent Night - Sinead O'Connor

Creepy or Comfort

(post for Tuesday)
Super creepy arm pillow from Overstock for those who feel like it's comforting sleeping with a severed body.
It's snowing so much right now. Really peaceful for those like me who are huddled at home. Safe travels for everyone who is en route!

Currently listening to: Be Mine (Live) - Robyn

Naughty or Nice

Happy National Cupcake Day! (Here's my passion fruit cupcake that I nommed about a week ago. Sorry the photo doesn't do it justice.)
AgencySpy's list of this year's worst ads. The top ten includes I'm a PC, Risky Business' Guitar Hero homage, and the very cringe-worth Toyota Save By Zero.

Nice viral for Western Union by Euro RSCG Chicago. I know I probably wouldn't take the free money either! [Source: MediaBistro]

Toxel features a great compilation of Christmas tree alternatives. Here are my favorites.

Currently listening to: Farewell - Rosie Thomas

Capturing Life

Beautiful cakes from Cake Nouveau. [Source: Cake Wrecks]

Mr. SF Shiba announced that there is now a Wiki page on the Shiba6. Fantastic! Yes, I'm still watching the puppies. Aki and Amaya will be heading to their new homes soon too so I'm trying to grab on to the last few moments with the little ones.
Crazy TVC for Dare Iced Coffee by BMF. Definitely a new way to sell packaged coffee. [Source: Advertka]

A year and I am still in denial. The pain hasn't stopped being very raw. It is the first time I've learned that time does not assuage everything.

Currently listening to: Medley - Third Day

Gooey Insides

Ack! What is it with me and (not) remembering important December dates. Happy Belated, blog! You are officially two years old. Still a kid, really.
NotCot clued me on to these great stickers from I Heart Guts. Super cute. I thought of all those medical minded geniuses in my life (you know who you are).

Currently listening to: You Made It - DJ Shadow ft Chris James (singer from Stateless)

Night and Day

Cute holiday banner from Yahoo.

Gorgeous reversible design glasses by Brazilian shop estudio breder that show the cityscape from different times of day. [Source: MoCo Loco]
Kinda crazy ad for VW by Almap BBDO (one of my dream agencies!) featuring a fantastic fish dog.

Today started with a couple of scares, a little bit of craziness, and a dose of pain, but it ended well. Yay for Skype time, movies, and good conversation for giving me some escape!

If you haven't seen it the last few nights, the moon is absolutely amazing. Super round and very bright. It always leaves me staring at it in awe for a full minute. Check it out tonight if you can.

Currently listening to: Waiting for the World to Fall - Jars of Clay

It's a Zoo

I'm obsessed with this commercial for Swedish Fish and have been looking everywhere so I could post it for you guys. I finally found it today! The kitten is so incredibly cute, especially when he goes in for the second "bite." Gets me every time. [FYI: M~ and I can attest that the Swedish Fish from Sweden are much yummier than their American brothers.]

This TVC for the Norwegian Association of the Blind by Try was finally posted on YT too. You may remember this previous spot from last year as well.

Fantastic owl pellets from Copernicus. I remember dissecting one of these (perfectly sterile, of course) in elementary school to see what the owl had eaten and found tiny mouse bones. Amazing! [Source: NotCot]

Currently listening to: Keep My Distance - Moses Mayfield

A-Yummy

(post for Wednesday)
God always surprises me and makes the most of every opportunity. He showed me today that my time here has not been fruitless.

M~ clued me in to Ayumi Hamasaki's new singles, Green and Days, set to be released in the US in two weeks. Check out her beautifully art directed MVs for them. It surprises me that Green has such an old Shanghai feel, considering some prejudices that still exist between Chinese and Japanese. It's common to see Chinese films set in Japan but this is the first time I've seen it vice versa.



It also surprises me that I am posting about Ayumi. This would've never happened eight years ago. I remember how T~ used to tease J~, who was an avid fan, about Ayumi's crazy glue on nails. They even have an official thread on Tokyo Nights dedicated to her nail art.

Currently listening to: Breakdown - Mae

And It's Not Even Valentine's Day

For all those romantics out there:
Goody Goody Gumdrops TVC by Colenso BBDO

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by dar_jan

For all the cynics:
Bailey's TVC by JWT (Not sure how I feel about the ad but lovely era art direction.)

And for those who are married:
JC Penny's beautifully shot web film by Saatchi & Saatchi (I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this one)

Currently listening to: What Else is There - Royksopp

And Then There Were Three

New teaser clips from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. You guys have heard me go on about this before, but I really can't wait till it comes out! Too bad I won't be able to see it on release day. I don't know if it's a wig or not, but Cate Blanchett looks fab with red hair. Check out JustJared to watch the eight snippets.
Said goodbye to half of the Shiba6 clan yesterday. Now it's down to three. I didn't think I would get so attached. Mom and Dad Shiba even did little goodbye videos of Ando, Akoni, and Autumn.
Cute stop motion vid featuring Mr. Nom Nom.

Currently listening to: Rescued - Jack's Mannequin

Close to the Heart

Beautiful work by Julia Kuo. She is a new favorite. Her illustrations and prints just hit me in the right way! The pieces and rich colors are even more stunning in real life.
I specifically made a trek out to a place today just so I could hear other people speaking my language. Is that crazy?

If you're an HP fan, check out ABC's new mini preview.

Currently listening to: Oh Holy Night - Nick Pitera

Sweet and Mean

Check out Mean Cards by Julianna Holowka. So fantastic!
I got to try a yummy passionfruit cupcake today. I'm normally not an icing type of girl (cake please), but this was particularly good. I thought it would be very fitting to show you some great decorations featured on the fun blog Cupcakes Take the Cake. They even have a bacon cupcake perfect for Bacon Bacon Bacon!
Holiday themed
An assortment by Cake Girl
Ornaments by Star-Telegram
Harry Potter themed by Cardamom
Mouse and cheese
Cherry pie by Nilofer Rodrigues
And Christmas trees posted by Doha Sam
Click here to download some great Mac cupcake icons. I'm using the cherry chocolate one now and wish they had more!

Currently listening to: Life in Technicolor II - Coldplay

Caricature and Satire

Check out another great ad for The Gruen Transfer, an Australia TV show about advertising. As you might remember, I've been interested in the show ever since this June post and finally got a chance to check it out here. The first ep gave a great rundown on the famous Dove Evolution viral (and voiced my thoughts exactly).

Great illustrated portraits by Antony Hare.
Got to Skype conference, donate rice, watch Aladdin, and talk to great friends all in one night. Fantastic.

Currently listening to: Jump On It - Sugarhill Gang