…just like grandad used to do

I have always been intrigued with wood work.  I think it has something to do with my fond memories of sitting on the front porch with Grandad, watching his dog (ugly, a stray who wandered up one day…with which we all fell in love.  Yep his name was ugly…because he was.  Best dog I ever knew) perform multiple tricks for treats, and being mystified by his transformation of a simple stick into a masterpiece.  The Magic Hooey Stick was one of my favorites.  I wish I would have kept one.

My attempts at this creative expression have never quite met the expectations I had grown to aspire to in Grandad…but I digress.

Pete Goldlust has quite a knack for the absolute minutia of honing one of the more difficult mediums…wax crayons.  I find myself (once again) aspiring to his attention to simplistic detail.  I can’t imagine the time and effort that goes into each of these.  I’m sure he has quite the colorful cutting room floor.  My personal favorite would have to be the Gold Croc.

Sorry.  No Hooey Sticks.

…brand tags

Quick.  What’s the first word that comes to mind when you see the word Apple?  Cool? Creative? Cult? Design? Hip? Arrogant? Overpriced?

All of these, and many more, are displayed ad hoc at brand tags.  If you thought you were the only one…you probably weren’t.  What a great depiction of what people ACTUALLY think about brands…at gut-level-top-of-mind-instinct…anyway.

I dig the layout (or lack there-of) as it shouts the most popular…and whispers the daring few.  Very simplistic, no nonsense, straightforward…truth.  It appears that there is no limit to size as a couple were so large it took a few seconds of side-scrolling to discern what the word actually was (BK = a gigantic whopper and king).  It also seems to be updated rather quickly, as you can almost see the sizes change each time you refresh.    

Anyway.  I thought it a noble effort in providing a quick, unbiased “gut check” for brands to consider.  It’s interesting to see all the one-word rants and plugs…coexisting in one place.

BTW.  There’s also a Celeb Tags…which is more predictable in it’s results.  

…the smell of piety

Yep. The Pope has a special smell (Pope Pius IX from the 19th century, anyway).

Dr. Fred Hass, from San Rafael, CA ran across the “fresh new fragrance from the past,” and thought it a grand idea to share it with the world…for a small price, of course.

The cologne has the scent of citrus with a touch of violet, and is being “mass-produced” from Hass’s kitchen. Some consider this a vile act of sacrilege, but being a “devout” Catholic, Hass has no malicious intention.

The cologne isn’t doing well in the market, though, as most mainstream retailers find it “too religious” to include in the fragrance line-up. But there has been a fair amount of interest in online religious stores. Go figure.

And of course you’re always welcome to purchase online…straight from the San Rafael kitchen.

Let’s face it. Sex sells fragrance…for the most part. So, the real question is…what’s the Pope’s brand supposed to be? Purity? Piety? Infallible? Confession? Atonement? I don’t remember ever having the desire to smell like Atonement. Although, if Atonement had a smell…

I’m sure Tom Ford would not approve.

…font skills?

This game reminds me of a friend, who is a genius with font identification.

My best thus far is 28.

You?