12.29.2009

11.20.2009

Artists Today - Photographer Ashley Gilbertson


Ashley Gilbertson was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia and now lives in New York City. He displays a good sampling of his photo-journalistic works at ashleygilbertson.com/index.php

B.o.B. and Motion Family

@bobatl motion family did a great job on this vid:

B.o.B aka Bobby Ray x Whynatte from Motion Family on Vimeo.

Nice clarity, color and editing.

Brother Ali live in Chicago

I need to go see this dude live - missed him on his last trip to KY

11.13.2009

Whammy - Two Charged in Aiding Madoff

By THE NEW YORK TIMES
Two computer programmers who worked for Bernard L. Madoff’s investment firm were accused Friday of helping to cover-up the giant Ponzi scheme for more than for more than 15 years.

In a statement, the United States attorney’s office in Manhattan said the two programmers — Jerome O’Hara, 46, of Malverne, N.Y., and George Perez, 43, of East Brunswick, N.J. — were arrested Friday at their homes.

The complaint accuses the two men of providing the technical support needed to produce false documents and trading records that defrauding investors in Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities of billions of dollars.

“Jerome O’Hara and George Perez allegedly helped construct Bernie Madoff’s house of cards. The computer codes and random algorithms they allegedly designed served to deceive investors and regulators and concealed Madoff’s crimes,” Preet Bharara, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement.

In addition, Joseph M. Demarest Jr., the assistant director in charge of the F.B.I.’s New York office, said that when the two men told Mr. Madoff “they would no longer lie for him,” they were paid to keep the scheme quiet.

Separately, a civil complaint was filed Friday by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Without the help of O’Hara and Perez, the Madoff fraud would not have been possible,” said George S. Canellos, the director of the S.E.C.’s New York Regional Office. “They used their special computer skills to create sophisticated, credible and entirely phony trading records that were critical to the success of Madoff’s scheme for so many years.”

According to prosecutors, F.B.I. agents found handwritten notes in Mr. O’Hara’s desk stating, “I won’t lie any longer. Next time, I say ‘ask Frank,’ ” referring to Frank DiPascali Jr., Mr. Madoff’s primary assistant in the Ponzi scheme.

To read more of this article please click the title link.

11.10.2009

Daily

I love this...

Dow Reaches '09 High

By STEVE GOLDSTEIN

U.S. stock futures were slightly lower Tuesday, as investors took a breather following the previous day's sharp rally.

Less than two hours before the start of trading, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were sixteen points lower at 10176. The S&P 500 futures slipped 3.7 to 1088, and Nasdaq 100 futures lost 4.25 to 1762.25. Changes in futures do not always accurately predict early market moves after the opening bell.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average leapt to a new 13-month high Monday as investors grew more optimistic about the continued flow of easy money to support economic recovery. The Dow climbed 203.52 points, or 2%, to end at 10226.94 -- its highest finish since Oct. 3, 2008 and the second 200-point gain in three trading days. The blue-chip measure has risen 4.7% over the four-day winning streak that began with the Federal Reserve's policy statement last Wednesday, which quelled fears that the central bank might raise rates soon. Gold rose to a new record, oil futures snapped two days of losses and the dollar fell.

On Tuesday, the euro crossed about $1.50, gold was down slightly after rising to a new high of $1,111.70 on Monday. Oil prices also slipped after the threat of Tropical Storm Ida to U.S. oil and gas installations receded.

"[Ida] isn't expected to cause any lasting oil industry facilities damage...the storm has been downgraded to unpleasant from nasty and everything should be up and running again by mid week," said London-based brokerage PVM Oil Associates in a note.

The market was nearly flat ahead of data from the American Petroleum Institute due later Tuesday, in the absence of other major economic data. The front-month December contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange was trading $0.19 lower at $79.24 a barrel.

To read more of this article please click the Title link.

11.02.2009

Outer Space

Where have I been? Where will I be? - - My laptop is on it's death bed and I'm in transition - hopefully moving to Lexington. Soo the last month has been semi-chaotic for me. I promise more posts and more of my personal designs when I get up and running again - - thanks for your support! Check back soon.

10.17.2009

Hiroshi Rolex... another dope watch

Hiroshi Fujiwara’s fragment design Custom Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King.

10.05.2009

US Web Ad Spending Fell

By SCOTT MORRISON

U.S. advertisers spent $10.9 billion on Internet ads in the first half of 2009, a 5.3% decline from the same period last year, the Interactive Advertising Bureau said Monday.

Search advertising continued to represent the largest percentage of overall interactive ad spending, with search revenues reaching more than $5.1 billion in the half of 2009, up slightly from that same period in 2008, the group said in a report produced with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Display-related advertising--which includes display ads, rich media, digital video and sponsorship--totaled nearly $3.8 billion in the first six months of 2009, a 1.1% decline from the same period in 2008, the IAB said.

Digital video ads remained at tiny segment of the market with $477 million in spending, but the sector continued to show robust growth with a 38% increase from last year.

The report largely confirmed what Internet giants such as Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc. have been saying for months - that the economic downturn has taken its toll on Internet advertising, but not in an even fashion and not the to degree in which the offline ad market has suffered.

"We are in one of the most difficult economic slumps in decades. Interactive is one of the advertising sectors that has been least affected," Randall Rothenberg, president and chief executive of the IAB, said in a statement.

Write to Scott Morrison at scott.morrison@dowjones.com

Copied from WSJ Online. Please click the title link to view related articles.

10.04.2009

"ORA" Watch - - Sick!!!


This watch is sooo impressive. I love the design. To see more click the title link for a description and more pics.

Overdraft Fees in the US and UK

You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone. US banks’ credit card fees already face new restrictions. Now Congress is expected to move ahead with proposals that could require banks to ask customers whether they want overdraft services. These allow transactions when accounts are in the red but have been criticised for charges as high as $40 per transaction, even for a $5 overdraft. They also fall disproportionately on low-balance accounts. This has proved controversial elsewhere – although in countries such as the UK, where the Office of Fair Trading has bashed fees since 2006, banks are further ahead in responding...

For more of this article please click the title link.

9.21.2009

Leading Economic Index Increased in August

Sept. 21 (Bloomberg) -- The index of U.S. leading economic indicators rose for the fifth straight month, capping the longest stretch of gains since 2004 and signaling a recovery is under way.

The Conference Board’s gauge of the economic outlook for the next three to six months rose 0.6 percent in August, in line with forecasts, after a 0.9 percent increase in July that was larger than previously estimated, according to data that the New York-based group released today.

The gains in stock prices, consumer confidence and homebuilding that are buoying the leading index bolster Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke’s view that the worst recession since the Great Depression has probably ended. At the same time, rising unemployment and tight credit are a reminder that a rebound will be slow and gradual...

For more of this article please click the title link.

9.13.2009

Gnarls Barkley - Who's Gonna Save My Soul

Best of Luck to Zach Mathews for his Art Direction in this video. (Watch tonight's VMAs to see if he wins)

9.08.2009

Beardyman doing his thing - 21mins

Beatboxing live for 21mins... go hard

Novel - F*** with My Mind

I love this song by @iamnovel

Daily

http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/1251317167-12-c3026.jpg

I don't guess the people at ArchDaily like me linking to their site - so click the above link to visit the Daily.

9.03.2009

Daily from CGsociety.org

I think this is amazing. I have a couple years experience with creating 3D models and animating - designing and modeling something with this level detail is sick.

8.30.2009

New Boyz - You're A Jerk

I love different styles... check the clothes, moves and general swagger.

8.26.2009

Bernanke May Redefine Fed Mission in Financial-Market Stability

#economics
Aug. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Ben S. Bernanke’s renomination allows him to redefine the Federal Reserve’s mission as he expands its power over financial markets and pulls back on a credit surge the central bank used to keep the economy from collapse, economists say.

Bernanke’s agenda during the next four years will include elevating the Fed’s role in reducing excessive risk in major financial institutions, figuring out how to curtail asset bubbles, and scaling back $1.2 trillion of monetary stimulus.

“He will have the opportunity to permanently change the structure of the Federal Reserve system,” said Vincent Reinhart, a former director of the Fed’s Monetary Affairs Division who’s now a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington-based research group.

President Barack Obama nominated Bernanke, 55, for a second term yesterday, lauding the Fed chairman for helping “put the brakes on our economic free fall...”

..to continue reading please click the title link.

8.25.2009

Obama to reappoint Bernanke as Fed chief

OAK BLUFFS, Mass. - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, widely credited with taking aggressive action to avert an economic catastrophe after the financial meltdown last fall, will be nominated by President Barack Obama for a second term, NBC News has confirmed.

Obama plans to make the announcement on Tuesday during a break from his vacation on Martha's Vineyard, NBC and The Associated Press reported.

In remarks prepared for the announcement, Obama praised Bernanke for leading the country through a financial crisis and, with his expertise on the Great Depression, helping to prevent a similar crisis....

To read the rest of this article click here.

8.16.2009

Blue Scholars - Hi-808

Refreshing #music and #videographic style
Heard a track I like better the other day on Pandora called North by North-West. Google it.

The Fray - Heartless

Sick Video #music #design

The FRAY - Heartless from IE HAGY on Vimeo.

6.29.2009

Keeyou from Deviantart


I'm really feeling this piece:

Nathan Sawaya


check his work with legos out at http://brickartist.com/

Home

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all the friends that I got to see and who came out to meet me on my recent tour of western KY and Nashville. It's been 2 years since I was back in my hometown and the energy I got out there was great. All the daps and hugs were much appreciated and I hope to be back down there soon. You all gave me a chance to smile, an opporunity to relax, and a desire to focus and push forward. Please stay in touch. Home is definetly where my friends are - you all helped me grow during my 15+ yrs there and I loved the opportunity to come back and visit.

Nike Terminator Hi - Matte Black and Silver


I'm feeling these... any opinions?

6.12.2009

Swiss Army Utinsel Holder


I need this!!!!!! No idea where to get it or how much... if you know post the link.

Consumer Confidence on the Rise

The Conference Board reported at the end of May that consumer confidence had reached its highest level in eight months. The monthly report measures the "degree of optimism on the state of the economy that consumers are expressing through their spending and saving activities." The May index was at 54.9 (the base year being 1985, chosen because it was neither a year of expansion or contraction), up from 40.8 reported in April and more importantly up from the all-time index low in February of 25.3. The Consumer Confidence Index since May 2007 is shown below with the Expectations Index (approx. 60% of CCI) and Present Situation Index (approx. 40% of CCI).

(Click the chart for larger image)
I've also marked this post as "Something Good" because as I see it Americans are gaining back their hope and we will soon pull out of our current economic downturn.

In other economic news the current gasoline price in the U.S. as of 06/08/09 is $2.624 (national average), up a dime since last week, but down $1.415 since last year.

For data sources, questions or other comments please email me at BSLdesigns@hotmail.com. Have a fun and safe weekend.

6.08.2009

A Recent Visit to Mankiw's Blog

In my job search I have made it a point to watch consumer confidence, read every MSN money, finance and graduate related article, network my ass off... and just recently I went back to check on an Economist's perspective on current events. Greg Mankiw is the intro econ prof at Harvard and in my large stack of once-used econ texts I still hold some of his publications.

Sunday Greg helped me understand that Males are less likely to be holding a job right now:

6.01.2009

Mr. Popularity

this goes hard, that's all

Something Good

I was inspired today to add something else to my blog... when I come across "good" acts - things for the good of the public, another person, another place etc. etc. I would like to add the link on here in hopes that you read about "something good" and pay the kindness forward.
Today's good deed (ongoing) - Trent Reznor from NIN has raised approx. $800k to help pay for a Nevadan's heart transplant.
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/05/how-to-save-a-life-trent-reznor-raises-over-645k-f.html

Cory Cory Cory

Lyrics ill...


"I rap like I'm overloadin'..." and I can't repeat the rest, wowzers

5.28.2009

Business Card

I love this vid... still

"I will never make a criticism unless I have a solution."
so here is my attempt (def. appeals to the design related jobs and not so much the econ related alter-ego of mine):what do you think?

5.25.2009

5.22.2009

Things to Do in 2009

Had this forwarded to me from my Dad and thought I would make some revisions and share with those of you who have missed me.

Things to Do in 2009

Health
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat well and eat healthy. - Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
3. Live with Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
4. Take time for self-reflection. - Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
5. Play more games.
6. Go out and enjoy more days than you did in 2008.
7. Sleep for 7 hours each night.
8. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
9. If you have had a tough day take the agression to the gym.

Personality
10. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.
11. Avoid negative thoughts especially about things you cannot control.
Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
12. Don't overdo. Keep your limits in work and in play.
13. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. :)
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
15. Dream more while you are awake.
16. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with
his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your recent happiness.
17. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't be a hater.
18. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
19. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
20. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems
are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra
class but the lessons you learn will last a life time.
21. Smile and laugh more.
22. You don't have to win every argument. If all else fails, agree to disagree.

Society
23. Call your family and close friends often.
24. Do your good turn each day.
25. Forgive everyone for everything.
26. Find time for people over 70& under the age of 6.
27. Make at least three other people smile each day.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

Life
29. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful .
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. - Capitalize on both.
31. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
32. The best is yet to come.
33. When you awake alive in the morning, thank God for it.
34. Be happy and smile.

2.01.2009

Creative Ads of Late



This is fake btw

How many gold medals?

Today we find that someone is only human. I've got no beef with Phelps for smoking weed... come on people we elected a president who "did not inhale". One of the best posts I found on Fox Sports: "Yee without sin cast the first stone". I can't believe he was stupid trusting enough to let someone snap a picture of him hitting the bong. Moral of the story: watch those around you.... don't be a Vick, don't be a Phelps. Protect your investments.

In other news, a computer simulated Super Bowl XLIII 10,001 Times - Pittsburgh wins 65.1 percent of the time by an average score of 20-16. Hopefully we will see that disproved today. The underdog is statistically always at a disadvantage but we have all witnessed and hopefully will witness a good upset. Go Cards!

1.24.2009

1.09.2009

NYC


I hope everyone is having a smashing 2009.... I'm kicking mine off by heading to Manhattan until next Tuesday for some art exploration and sketching. Best wishes to all - see you again soon.

1.02.2009

the '09

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a safe holiday season.
Were these just decoy presents?
Is this guy a Beast?
I dunno, but you can def. ask this guy: BEAST.