You gotta know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em. But despite the recession, you can bet that somebody's gonna buy this lifesize Kenny Rogers wax figure.

Tags: auction, hollywood, kenny rogers, wax museum

Like most people, I don't have much use for pennies. You can't use them in parking meters, and Starbucks baristas sometimes give you a dirty look when you drop them in the tip jar.

But every so often, I'll come across one like this—one that's got an extraordinary amount of mileage on it. And it just makes me take a moment to think about how many times its changed hands in the course of 50 years, and the types of people who've "owned" it.

It was probably the quintessential shiny new penny in 1959, and perhaps some distraught teenybopper used it to purchase Buddy Holly's final record. For all I know, it may have once been in the pocket of JFK or Martin Luther King, Jr. I wonder how many different states and countries its seen in half a century?

As these thoughts come to mind, I'm usually tempted to set the penny aside for some reason... to keep it, despite the fact that I'm not really a coin collector. But then I tend to feel guilty about being the person who ends its journey, and I'm compelled to let it go.

Although, then I'll probably wonder what the barista will do with it next...

Tags: coin purse, penny

"Good students were sometimes rewarded with a swig of whiskey or a chaw of tobacco."

— Description of Abraham Lincoln's childhood in Kentucky.
Abraham Lincoln: A Life by Michael Burlingame

Tags: abraham lincoln, childhood, school

It's perhaps the most beautiful thing I've seen in the past year and a half—the asshole neighbors at the end of the block are finally moving.

You can't tell by the photo, but the entire neighborhood is rejoicing. I can hear choruses of hallelujah, and we'll be decorating our homes with celebratory bunting in honor of their departure. The streets are already beginning to flow with champagne, and I love it.

Tags: neighborhood watch

Just to expand on my Mercedes/Volkswagen commentary...

This also touches on my other related theory—that being The Denial Lane. The Denial Lane is the second lane to the right on any multi-lane highway; and/or the center lane. This is actually the slowest lane on the road at any given time. Or it should be, at any rate—assuming some asshole in a Mercedes isn't hindering the left lane...

But I refer to this as The Denial Lane because it seems to be a magnet for drivers who are in denial. They've accepted that they don't belong in the fast lane(s), but aren't willing to concede that they actually belong in the farthest right lane (the slow lane). As a result, the second-from-the-right lane is usually the slowest of all—and the one where you'll most frequently see Volkswagen farfegnugens cutting people off. Although in this case, they may be completely justified.

Tags: driving, road rage, the denial lane

Over the years, I've realized that asshole drivers come in all shapes and sizes, all makes and models. But two particular brands consistently stand out, for some reason. To me, at least.

I've actually counted this on several occasions—literally. Seven out of every ten vehicles that catch my eye on the road for doing something assholic are either a Mercedes Benz or a Volkswagen. Test it yourself.

Now that isn't to suggest that everyone who drives a Mercedes and/or Volkswagen is a problem. Let me just clarify that from the start. I actually know several people who drive them both and do so in a completely reasonable manner. But the fact remains that there are clearly a great many more who don't.

Another thing I want to point out is that these are two distinctly different types of asshole drivers. The Mercedes thing is probably to be expected, right? Some pompous, trust fund fuck talking on his cell instead of concentrating on the road? Sometimes that's indeed the case; but the Mercedes asshole can range from the inconsiderate to the completely oblivious. When you're doing 70mph in the fast lane and have to slow down for the car in front of you going less than 55, it's going to be a Mercedes. And I'm guessing it's going to be an 82-year-old retired executive driving it. He's probably also going to be on his cellphone, but I digress.

By contrast, the car you see passing everyone on the right and weaving in and out of lanes without signaling—that's the Volkswagen. I promise you, it will be a Volkswagen. Remember that "farfegnugen" ad campaign years ago? I really don't think it means "driving pleasure." I think it probably means "douchebag."

The ironic thing is that I actually like Volkswagens. I almost bought one once, even. The salesman I dealt with was definitely a farfegnugen, however, and I gave up on the idea of owning one ever since.

Tags: douchebags, mercedes, road rage, volkswagen

Wow—this blog is dusty. Apparently nobody comes in to clean up while I'm away, hmm? Yikes...

I think it's safe to say this has been the longest I've gone without writing, so a brief update is certainly in order. I do appreciate all the inquiries I've received over the past few weeks, mainly checking to see if I'm still alive. I am indeed.

As you'd guess, things have been extraordinarily busy. On top of the day job, (which has had more than its share of high-maintenance projects recently) I'd been tasked with redesigning the company's website; which, fortunately, was a labor of love. With the steady slate of client work, the bulk of the website had to be done after hours on my own time. After more than a year's worth of planning, it's finally live. There's much refinement to be made, but it's getting there.

I've also been fortunate to land a number of freelance projects—which, of course, I've had to devote evenings and weekends to as well.

And last, but certainly not least, the movie is looming larger than life on the horizon.



Ghosts Don't Exist is finally scheduled to shoot May 2–18. We've been through a marathon casting call in DC a couple of weekends ago, and just held callbacks yesterday. Long story short, we've nailed our cast down and should be announcing it this week. It's all starting to come together in a very big way.

Easily the biggest story to come out of this endeavor so far is the involvement of Washington Redskins' Pro Bowl TE, Chris Cooley. He signed on as an Executive Producer last year, and he and his brother, Tanner, have been tremendously instrumental in helping 19th + Wilson get this project off the ground.

Another great thing they're doing is organizing a charity rally to fight cancer, which will take place on April 14th in Ashburn, VA. When I noticed that Tanner was using a rather generic graphic to advertise the event, I had to design something for them. Not only was it a chance to give a little something back to the brothers Cooley for all they're doing for us, it's for a cause that's very personal to me as well. My mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1995. After multiple surgeries and chemotherapy, she's in remission and doing better than ever.

If you're in the DC/MD/VA area, I urge you to buy a ticket and join us at the first annual Cooley's Rally for the Cure. Or if you can't make it, please donate anyway. As Chris says, "100 percent of the money raised will be donated to the Relay for Life to help kick cancer’s ass."



So that's what I've been up to lately, in a nutshell. How about you?

Tags: 19th + wilson, cancer, chris cooley, ghosts don't exist, hiatus

For reasons known only to myself, (or perhaps even unknown) I'd been itching to track down a vintage Mac—just an artifact to display in my studio. I didn't expect it to even be in working condition, as it would really be for decoration purposes only.

Nonetheless, I happened upon an eBay auction last week that I couldn't pass up: a beautiful Macintosh Plus—complete with software, manuals, and an extended keyboard. And it works.

Back in the day, this setup would've cost approximately $3,000. Some 23 years later, I paid more for shipping than I did for the computer. Even sweeter, I really have no use for the extended keyboard that came extra; so I'm going to sell that on eBay myself—and probably recoup more money than I spent on this entire auction.





I was 14 years old in 1987, and my first part-time job was at a public library. I managed the computer room, which housed an IBM, an Apple II, and a Macintosh Plus—exactly like this one. It was the very first Mac I ever used, and it's essentially what I learned on. In many ways, I'm sure it was also a very early influence on my becoming a graphic designer.

I actually looked forward to going to work those Saturday mornings, just to have the chance to use it (provided there were no library patrons scheduled to do so). I didn't have a computer of my own growing up, let alone a state-of-the-art Mac. Turning that machine on was like Christmas morning, every time. And I never forgot that feeling.

So now, I get to enjoy this little piece of nostalgia sitting right here in my studio every day. I don't even have to turn it on. It's like the Ferrari in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and I'm Cameron's dad—"I never drive it; I just rub it with a diaper."

It is so choice. If you have the means, (i.e. eBay, less than $50, and sentimental value) I highly recommend picking one up.

Tags: apple, childhood, library, macintosh

Apparently, the lady who cuts my hair thinks my name is "Richel."

And here I thought it was just her accent...

Tags: haircuts names richel

I'm an avid Flickr fan, and have been even more impressed with the site since their recent update and expansion—which features The Commons, a section devoted to the world's public photo collections. The images come courtesy the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, and a number of wonderful museums and organizations the world over.

Keep in mind that they have no known copyright restrictions, making them literally part of the public's collection—belonging to us all.

There are a number of amazing sets throughout this collection, and a delightful one that caught my eye today features the commercial advertising work of Nickolas Muray in the 1930s and 40s.



There's something about these images that remains intriguing—and stunningly beautiful—despite their bygone era. (Most were taken approximately 70 years ago; the models likely long-since passed.)

The range of his work is diverse: cover shots for Vogue and Harpers Bazaar; elegant ladies advertising Lucky Strikes; staged shoots that would inspire Norman Rockwell.














But Nickolas Muray did more than just produce a large body of memorable photographs. In his 73 years, (1892–1965) he was a pilot, a distinguished art collector, and a member of the U.S. Olympic fencing team.

As if that weren't enough, he also had a 10-year affair with legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, easily his most colorful subject. The iconic image of her below—also shot by Nickolas Muray. Of course, that one's probably not available to us on Flickr.

Tags: flickr, frida kahlo, nickolas muray, photography