On a Day like Today

“A model for appropriate embedded technology, the FORCAST umbrella provides information about the likelihood of rain so that users can make a simple, informed decision about whether to take their umbrella with them as they leave their home.

Using existing WiFi technology to wirelessly pull information from the internet, Forcast's lighted umbrella handle glows more intensely with the increased chance of precipitation offering a clear and unobtrusive signal to the user.”

Design by Materious

Flashback: 1986

Two decade's ago, Belinda Carlisle's Mad About You defined the sunny days, and my wardrobe. The song rose to number 3 on the pop charts. Carlisle exemplified the SoCal girl during the 1980s , infatuated with partying, men, and having a jolly old time.



Pushing the day into the nighttime
Somewhere between the two
We start to see...

This spring Belinda is on tour with The Go Go's

Nordstrom also teamed up with The Go Go's & Fat Boy Slim on their interactive media channel Silverscreen, here is Our Lips are Sealed

Lovely to See You Goldfrapp

The lights went down and Alison Goldfrapp appeared - her starlit eye's twinkling as she vogued facing a wind machine that swept back her golden locks—let there be no doubt, she is fabulous! One of those artists that take your breath away. We listened as she broke into operatic lyric, performing the eery Utopia as the show starter ... Alison's voice is like a fabluous mixture of Kate Bush meets Human League meets Garbage. Goldfrapp has a great sound, revisiting the best of 70/80's synth pop.



Full house at the Crystal Ballroom ... all the cam phones were out (-sign of the times I suppose).

I wanted to hear 3 songs to make the night:
Ooh La La
Black Cherry
Number 1

Playlist turned out to be the rollout for the finale + encore. Goldfrapp performed and it was a fun night. Can't beat that! Cheers.

This month, there is a feature 9-page special with photos by Mario Testino and a interview with Will Hodgekinson on Alison in British Vogue.

The new album, ‘Supernature’ debuted in the US last month. For more information check out the Goldfrapp website.

Link of the Day:
Madonna's Confessions Tour costumes designed by Gaultier.

French newspaper "Libération" publishes an interview with Jean Paul Gaultier explaining the concept of the costumes he designed for the Confessions Tour; in fact, Gaultier confirms that Madonna will sing "Live To Tell" on the cross. Moreover, he makes comments about the black Equestrian uniform with saddles and briddles. He also adds that he took the inspiration from Romy Schneider character in the movie "Ludwig".
-Drowned Madonna

New Beats!

Zero 7 The Garden | Out June 6th


"Zero 7, aka Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns, are back with a gorgeous new album, The Garden. It was produced by Sam and Henry and mixed by Phil Brown, who has worked with such luminaries as the Rolling Stones, Brian Eno and Talk Talk. It features vocal performances by Jose Gonzalez, Sia Furler and Henry Binns. The band’s previous albums, Simple Things and When It Falls, were critically acclaimed and rooted them firmly alongside Royksopp & Lemon Jelly as leaders in their field. The Garden sees Zero 7 take a fresher, more upbeat musical direction while still maintaining their trademark sound, and could well turn out to be the soundtrack to the summer." -Amazon.com

**Just Announced**
Sia will be touring with Zero 7 this summer, appearing in the NW @ Seattle's Bumbershoot, Sept. 3rd.

*For a preview of The Garden and how it evloved, check out Zero 7's 10 minute podcast, free on iTunes.

Other Notable New Releases:
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium
The Streets - Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living
Goldfrapp - Supernature
Kate Havnevik - Melankton
Beth Orton - In the Comfort of Strangers
Pet Shop Boys - Fundamental / Fundamentalism

40 ft Elephant Parades Through London

The Sultan's Elephant Show is part of a four-day street theatre show by French arts company Royal de Luxe. The Show began Thursday with a crashed spaceship in Waterloo Place. The 3-story model is largely made of wood weighing in at 42 tonnes. It took Royal de Luxe two years to negotiate the deal, because they had to seek permission from so many people.

"One of the main things in art in general is to create sights and images that remain printed in people's minds," stated Jean Luc Courcoult.



First hand account: "The elephant was the most AMAZING thing I've ever seen in London. Just dazzling and beautiful."

View more images from the Royal de Luxe theatre company HERE

W Magazine presents new Madonna portfolio

Big yay hooray for the day! I just love her photo shoots, always creative- and inspring from both an artistic and technical viewpoint.

One of my favorite's by the fashion world’s current superstar, photographer Steven Klein:

Klein is shooting the video backdrop for Madonna's upcoming Confessions tour.

View the rest of the gallery @ Style.com
The complete story appears in W June 2006.

Stuff for Smart Masses

Think Geek's Geek Love-Poem T

Jewelry : Metal : Ceramic | Showcase

Jewelry and Metal Arts Show,
Creative Metal Arts Guild
Over 60 Metal Artists

Ceramic Showcase
Nation's largest clay-only show & sale
Demonstrations by artists
Silent auction for Habitat for Humanity

Oregon Convention Center
May 5-7, 2006
Fri & Sat 10am-9pm | Sun 10am-5pm

Admission for both shows is FREE
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For your viewing pleasure:
The Story of Red