Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone Peace, Love & Understanding,

That's Right,

HMK

NPR Rocks!

If you're an NPR freak like I am then you'll totally appreciate the new NPR Mobile App!

Installation is wicked quick via the App Store right on your phone - you'll be streaming and bookmarking NPR stories in no time.

Really dig the bookmarking feature for both on-the-fly sharing and easy access for repeated listens.

Browsing through the 6 Main Menu features: Topics, Columns, Programs, Series, Bios and Music Genres puts you in complete control of most of your favorite shows. I say most because I haven't found Marketplace yet and I'm currently looking for the Station Finder Feature that I just read about... but I'm sure that's probably just a user error issue!

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks Gizmodo and NPR!

Mix Tape Portable DJ Mixer

Check out this sweet web exclusive from the cool kids over at Urban Outfitters. Now this is a REAL mix tape. The Mix Tape Portable DJ Mixer is a super compact mixing device that looks exactly like a cassette tape.


Featuring a smooth cross-fader, with dual 3.5mm stereo inputs, for use with iPods, iPhones, music-enabled cell phones, mp3 players or just about anything audio device.

Also includes a headphone monitor jack, perfect for cueing up your next track without missing a beat. Imported. Wipes clean.
Requires: 2 AAA batteries and it's Mac and PC compatible!

Sweet!

That's Right,

HMK

Que? Loco Por K!

Phil Patton has written a nice piece over at the AIGA Journal of Design called Krazy About K.

"Certain letters seem rare, like precious metals or noble gases. Such letters act as catalysts and have special properties—they may glow when “excited” by electricity, say, like neon and fluorine, the aptly named “lighter” elements. Similarly, some letters function in a special way beyond phonetics, often as logos and symbols, as signs of speech and phonetics.

The use of rare letters is a tool of the brand maker and the logo designer. Like the letter X, K allures with its angular edges and uncommon appeal. Eleventh in the alphabet, K is only the 22nd most common letter in English usage—worth five points on the Scrabble board. The letterform is descended from the Phoenician Kaph, which is thought to derive from the palm of a hand, with fingers split. In reverse, it became the Greek Kappa and the form we recognize today."

Ok, check out the whole thing: Krazy About K.

That's Right,

HMK

Today Is Friday December 19th, 2008

That's Right! Today is Friday, the 19th of December 2008, the last day to guarantee delivery before Christmas!

Go Here: Free Shipping! Perfect Gift!

And did you know that on this date in 1958...

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

That's Right,

HMK

Kinetic Illusions in Op Art

Ouch! This almost hurts my eyes... This is the Ouchi Illusion, a contemporary variation on the Ouchi pattern, by Kitaoka.

Scientific America has an awesome article on how art and neuroscience combine in creating fascinating examples of illusory motion. Check it out: Art as Visual Research: 12 Examples of Kinetic Illusions in Op Art by Susana Martinez-Conde and Stephen L. Macknik.

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to Design Observer.

Google + Life Magazine

Portrait of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs posing with Apple II computer. United States 1981, Photographer: Ted Thai

Wow! Google has teamed up with Life Magazine to digitize 95% of their image bank, most of which has never been seen by the public before.

That's Right, millions of photos stretching from the 1750s to the present day are available on Google Images.

Here are a few of my favorites so far...

Bikini clad actress Jayne Mansfield posing with shapely hot water bottle likenesses floating around her in her pool. Hollywood 1957, Photographer: Allan Grant.
Reproduction of painting in chapel of St. Thomas of octopus attacking a ship, reminiscent of the Norwegian mythological sea monster, Kraken. St. Malo, France, 1920, Photographer unknown.

That's Right,

HMK

Turntable Christmas Rewind!

I've been a little slammed this December with, you know, life, work and the usual, so this is kind of a lazy post - but a not so lazy post if you're new to Necessito La Music!

Back in 2006 through the entire month of December I posted some of my favorite and obscure Christmas gems.

If you missed it, fear not and behold the beauty and power of the blog!

Here's a day by day posting of last December's goodies all on one page - and like most things that proove worth while, you're usually best off starting at the bottom (of the page!)

Enjoy and Happy Chistmas!

Take Me Back: HMK Audio Stcking Stuffers!

Peace,

That's Right,

HMK

Gin The Dancing Dog!

Cheers to Kate Nichols and her genius 6 year old Border Collie Gin!

Awesome!

That's Right,

HMK

David Vissat Birdhouse

Check out this amazingly cool birdhouse I scored at Articopia this weekend!

It's a Christmas gift to our house by artist David Vissat based on the book "The Art of Smoking".

Artist Dave Vissat spends his days as a creative director for a Pittsburgh advertising agency. But for the last ten years, he has spent his nights creating one-of-a-kind birdhouses out of vintage books.

Vissat stumbled upon this idea when he was making a birdhouse for his mother. He ran out of wood, so he resorted to using an old book as a roof. Then he began incorporating interesting text and illustrations as well. Now, Vissat searches and scavenges flea markets and libraries for discarded and vintage books, then he scans the cover, makes a print and affixes it to the exterior of the house.

That's Right,

HMK

More David Vissat Info thanks to Alison Morris.
More:

Yulia Brodskaya

Dig these awesome cut paper illustrations from Russian illustrator and graphic desiger Yulia Brodskaya!

Sweet!

Mucho Mas: Yulia Brodskaya.

That's Right,

HMK

Gracias: Ffffound.

Articopia! Holiday Open House

Here's one of the latest HMK Archive projects, the invite and logo for this years Articopia, Saturday, December 13th from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM at the Ursuline Campus of the Southwest School of Art & Craft.

The Ursuline Campus of the Southwest School of Art & Craft, on the National Register of Historic Places, is located on the edge of downtown San Antonio, on our awesome River Walk.

Seasonal offerings of copious holiday gifts for the home, the body, the spirit, designed by some of the country's most respected artists and craftspersons. Refreshments. Free and open to the public.

On this historic site, a convent was established in 1851, when seven Catholic nuns arrived in San Antonio to start San Antonio's first school for girls. The complex expanded throughout the 1800s under the architectural direction of Francois Giraud.

See you there!

That's Right,

HMK

Southwest School of Art & Craft

The Full Cold Moon: Friday, December 12th!

Don't miss this and tell your friends!

According to the always reliable Old Farmer's Almanac, this is the month when the winter cold fastens its grip and the nights become long and dark. The December full Moon is also called the Long Nights Moon by some Native American tribes.

This Friday night, December 12th, sky watchers and moon lovers alike will be treated to an exceptionally bright and large full Moon. In fact, this Moon is 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full Moons this year. Why? The Moon is both in its full phase and at a point in its orbit that is nearest Earth, called its perigee.

When these events occur together, the Moon is closer to Earth than usual. The effect? The Full Cold Moon will appear especially large near the horizon as the Sun sets.

Another cool bonus of this December's Full Cold Moon is that just about midnight it's almost directly overhead making it perfect for an awesome midnight stroll!

More Moon Info from: Old Farmer's Almanac.

Check it out - you'll be so glad you did!

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to Old Farmer's Almanac

Flippin' Sweet!

This is an awesome lo-fi way to relive those special slices of everyday life. Now you can turn your video footage into a Bob Books Flickbook. Entertain yourself and your friends with these fun-to-use books, and create your own mini library of memories.

Creating a Flickbook looks wicked simple. It all happens online; simply upload your digicam or cameraphone videos onto the special web application, then follow the instructions to design how your flickbook looks from the front to the back cover.

Sweet!

Check it out: Flickbooks!

That's Right,

HMK

The Merriest!

Grab yourself a big fresh cup of Holiday Cheer, relax or get to work as we go back in time and listen to the classic sounds of the Holiday Season on the latest HMK Mystery Stream: Irregular Frequency: The Merriest!




Click Hear: The Merriest!
And back by popular demand - last year's episode: Holly Jolly!

And hey, if you're looking for even more - heres' a quick link to the awesome Holiday gems from Christmas past: HMK Mystery Stream Holiday Rewind.

Cheers, Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas!

Peace!

That's Right,

HMK

3x3+1 Grid

"Ever wonder who came up with the order of numbers on a telephone? Ever wonder why it isn’t the same as those on a calculator, or a keyboard, ascending from lowest to highest? After all, adding machines and mechanical calculators were around for at least a few hundred years before the invention of the pushbutton phone."

"Turns out, the standard descending 3×3 (plus 1) grid we’ve grown up on might have been a lot different. The 18 options above were presented to various focus groups. They come from a report issued in 1960 by The American Telephone and Telegraph Company, just before pushbutton phones went mainstream.In addition to key arrangements, other categories of design features were studied, like force-displacement characteristics and button-top size/design."

Check out the rest of David Israel's concise but informative post on the 17 Pushbutton Configurations that Didn’t Make the Cut.

That's Right,

HMK

A URL With Cajones

The copy reads, "Power Gen Italia, Italian Power Company Isn't it awful when things get crowded together? Renault Logan, the roomiest car in its category."

I knew the Itailans were a little crazy but now I can see they're nuts...

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to AdPulp and Exclam Comunicação, Curitiba, Brazil.

Design & Type Inspiration

If you're like me and you simply can't get enough inspirational eye candy focusing on all things typography and design then you'll truly dig the following links from fellow Flickr freaks David Airey and Vandelay Design.

Dig: 30 Inspiring Flickr Groups On Typography and 99 Flickr Groups for Design Inspiration.



And while we're at it, here's some of my previous That's Right posts from the last 4 years regarding type and inspiration: That's Right: Type Inspiration.

Oh, and don't forget these! SignPaintr, Typeface Identification and International Typographic Style.

Enjoy!

That's Right,

HMK

Benefits Of Slowing Down

Journalist Carl Honore believes the Western world's emphasis on speed erodes health, productivity and quality of life. But there's a backlash brewing, as everyday people start putting the brakes on their all-too-modern lives.

Right on Carl. We're all speeding and racing through each day usually because there's was no time to methodically plan in the first place and so we've got no choice but to hit the ground running each day, all in an effort to simply catch up! All this Go! Go! Go! and Now! Now! Now! mentality does is perpetuate exhaustion, frustration and fatigue while producing sloppy, half-ass and less than stellar results.

I truly believe we could all benefit from simply slowing things down a bit and focusing on the nuance and details of this beautiful thing we call life.

It's like eating slow and enjoying every bite. Or taking a walk and appreciating the way the light comes through the trees. The result of all this perpetual multi-tasking, more times than not, really means doing several things at the same time - all of them half-ass! Crossing another something off of your to-do list might imply "done", but is it truly finished - i.e. really done well or was it done so quickly that you'll have to go back and "really" finish it later?

"Multi-tasking is going to slow you down, increasing the chances of mistakes," David E. Meyer, a cognitive scientist and director of the Brain, Cognition and Action Laboratory at the University of Michigan, told the New York Times. "Disruptions and interruptions are a bad deal from the standpoint of our ability to process information."

That's not to say that people who have trouble walking and chewing gum at the same time are more enlightened, but most people who have juggled a number of tasks at the same time won't need scientific research to confirm that by doing many things at once, you're less likely to do any of them well.

Like I tell the idiots that sometimes race down our quite little street in an effort to beat the traffic -"Slow Down!"

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to Swiss Miss, Dean Irvine, Carl Honore and all the world's greatest thinkers and doers at Ted.

A Message For The Big Three

Absolutely no sympathy from me for the Big Three auto industry executives who flew to Washington on their private jets to ask Congress for tons of money to save their industry.

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to the New York Public Library for the awesome and thought provoking Aesop's Fables cigarette card.

Marmite Cheddar Bites

Smart fun stuff from DDB London for Marmite Snacks. The cool Illustrations are by Al Murphy.

This obviously works much better in it's original form as a print concept.

Nice, love it.

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to the keen-eyed folks at Ad Hunt.

Financial Practices

Awesome shot by Graeme Nicol.

Here's the first in a short series: How 20 Designers Charge Their Clients Part 1.

Designer David Airey begins his series with 3 simple yet complex questions:

How do you charge clients?

How do you accept payment?

Why do you recommend working this way?

A helpful and insightful read, offering valuable insight into the mystery of how graphic designers manage their finances.

Thank you sir!

How 20 Designers Charge Their Clients - Part 1.

That's Right,

HMK

Coffee Fantastico!: HMK Mystery Stream Episode 059

Tune in!

Grab yourself a big fresh cup of java, relax or get to work and enjoy the hand selected audio gems on the latest HMK Mystery Stream: Irregular Frequency: Coffee Fantastico!

Cheers!

Launch in iTunes: HMK Mystery Streams

or

Click Hear: hmk.podomatic.com

That's Right,

Migwell

Retro Portability

So, how much are you digging your iPod and iPhone now?

Ah, the good old days...

Have a great weekend!

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to the keen eyed folks over at Dark Roasted Blend.

What A Story!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to Swiss Miss!

The Amazing Ocarina!

Yeah, I know, another iPhone App post - but this one is truly amazing and just in time for sitting around by the campfire.

Ocarina is the first true musical instrument created for the iPhone. Both experts and beginners will be amazed by this innovative player. Ocarina is sensitive to your breath, touch and movements, making it even more versatile than the original. Unlike other musical applications, there are no pre-compiled riffs so musicians will find unlimited opportunities for self-expression.

Check it out: Ocarina!

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks Marcus!

Perpetual Eye Candy

I'm totally digging the wicked cool and customizable Photo Flip Clock! This sweet new iPhone app is from Larva Labs, the same smart creative folks that brought us the Flip Clock for the iPhone/Touch.

The only bummer is they beat me to the iPhone with basically the same idea as my HMK Perpetually Dayzed Calendar.

But Hot-Dang! I truly gotta say - they did one heck of a fine job, it's a very intuitive app and also, well, thanks! This really puts a fire under my butt to get jumping on some of my other iPhone ideas before some other genius beats me to it!

I hope they make a boatload for Christmas!

Meanwhile, back in the Tiki Room... I shot this this morning at exactly 10:53 on Friday, November 6th using a few of the cards I developed for my HMK Perpetually Dayzed Calendar available at Esty. Think of it as the tangible version of the app... And hey, it really makes great gift for all the hip retro loving kids on your list!

Get The Calendar: HMK Perpetually Dayzed Calendar

Get The App: Photo Flip Clock

That's Right,

HMK

Smart Solutions In The Haus!

I'm helping my friends Tish and Bryan with research options for adding a small guest house on their property here in San Antonio. One of everyone's favorites so far is the awesomely smart KitHaus.

Earlier this year, DWR introduced KitHaus, a smart solution that redefines conventional prefab. Designed by Tom Sandonato and Martin Wehmann, Kithaus is an innovative aluminum structure that's assembled onsite using a proprietary clamping system that makes installation quick, economic and practically waste-free.

More Info: KitHaus.

And although their property is near the San Antonio river (you can't have house boats on the water - yet!) we're all digging this little gem:



The Schwimmhaus by German architects Confused-Direction is a green house boat designed to float around or just stay put on the shore. Its modern pre-fab aesthetic sets it aside from most maritime-y houseboats, and a green roof adds freshness and sustainable cred. Still under construction, Schwimmhaus is being built from wood salvaged from an old farm house in addition to other sustainable building materials.

Check out the progress: Das Schwimmhaus

That's Right,

HMK

Muchas Gracias to the smart folks over at Inhabitat.

I Voted Today!

I voted today!

Did you?

If you don't vote - don't bitch!

That's Right,

HMK

Mac-O-Lantern

This Halloween season, bring an old computer back from the dead. Here's all you need to turn that dusty old Mac Classic into a glowing, Halloween treat. Besides a working computer and a little technical know-how (very little), all you need is three cans of spray paint and a bit of epoxy. And here's the best part...no slimy guts to clean out!

Make your own thanks to the folks over at Indestructables: Mac-O-Lantern!

That's Right,

HMK

Vintage Type Showcase

Smashing Magazine's latest showcase of vintage typography and the modern work it inspires is proof positive that retro is back (as if it ever really went away!) and is in fact here to stay.

Bookmark this one! Vintage Type Showcase

That's Right,

HMK

Goodwill Halloween Poster

Really digging the execution and concept of this Goodwill Halloween poster from The Miller Group, Los Angeles. Illustrations by Andy Mueller

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks again Freddy.

Beyond Starbucks

Man, I really, really love coffee, really good coffee...

Here's a nice relaxing and insightful read from Ted Botha about one of life's greatest pleasures... Beyond Starbucks.

And what's good java without a chilled-out, mellow background soundtrack to enhance your already fabulous lifestyle? Well, it's still pretty damn good, but I believe the right audio can make it even more of an experience.

So, with that in mind... Tune in, all of the above goes perfect as you listen to me and my buddy Brian Parrish spinning fresh and jazzy art school coffee vibes, every other Saturday morning from 7-9am on KSYM 90.1.

Dig it live or grab the podcast version somewhere over here: Hammond Eggs.

Mmmmm. Coffee...

That's Right

HMK

The Girl Effect

Go Girl!

Dig: The Girl Effect

Learn. Change. Share.

That's Right,

HMK

Gracias to William Drenttel at: Design Observer.

Pa-Pi! Pa-Pi!

Sweet! Down 7-0 in seventh, my Sox stunned the Rays late last night forcing Game 6 in Tampa on Saturday night!

The Red Sox scored four runs in the seventh inning, three on a home run by David Ortiz!

Pa-Pi! Pa-Pi!

Go Sox!

That's Right!

HMK

Photo: John Wilcox

Dots Right!

Genius.

That's Right,

HMK

Gracias: NotCot.

A Journey Across the Dial

Con men, crooners, controversialists. Nope, this is not just another post about Bail Out greed...

Ladies & Gentlemen, welcome to the story of American radio - Anthony Rudel's "Hello, Everybody!"

I got mine - go get yours! "Hello, Everybody!".

That's Right,

HMK

Link Between Creativity, Mood Disorders?

According to experts like Terence Ketter, professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Stanford University, sensitivity to one's surroundings is associated with both creativity and depression.

Creative people in the arts must develop a deep sensitivity to their surroundings -- colors, sounds, and emotions, says Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, professor of psychology and management at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California.

Such hypersensitivity can lead people to worry about things that other people don't worry about as much, he said, and can lead to depression.

"The arts are more dangerous [than other professions] because they require sensitivity to a large extent," he said. "If you go too far you can pay a price -- you can be too sensitive to live in this world."

Hmmm... I knew there was some logical reason I always cry watching old beer commercials.... But what about us folks with such hypersensitivity that truly couldn't care less about things that other people don't worry about as much? Sure, I believe that yes, perhaps one can be too sensitive to live in this world, but once you understand that this whole scene we call life is just a blip on the life of your soul, it's so much easier to simply aknowledge that yes indeed - life's a freakin' tragic comedy, learn to live with it, try not to bitch too much and move on as you enjoy the ride as you do your best to be appreciative, thankful and nice and try not to be a miserable jerk along the way.

Read the entire piece: Experts Ponder Link Between Creativity, Mood Disorders.

And hey, don't miss my big Soul Doubt Show at the Blue Star Contemporary Art Complex!

That's Right,

HMK

Experts ponder link between creativity, mood disorders

My Birthday Hawaiiabera Rocks!

Pssst....

Hey....

Dig this - Go to www.hawaiiabera.com and use the code: thatsright and you'll score an amazing brother-in-law deal on your very own Hawaiibera...

Dude, you'll be so glad you did!

www.hawaiiabera.com

That's Right!

HMK

Thanks to everyone that came to my Soul Doubt Show last night and to my bud and Grande Kahuna, Reagan Wiliamson for the sweet new Hawaiiabera!

HMK: Soul Doubt Show

So psyched!

Thanks to curator Chuck Ramirez, I’m excited to announce a dream come true - my first official show at Blue Star Contemporary Art Center! Each piece comes complete with it's own soundtrack, Click Hear: HMK: Mystery Streams.



HMK: Soul Doubt Show
Opens First Friday October 3, 2008

Gallery 4
Blue Star Contemporary Art Center
Members Opening Reception 10.02.08 6-9pm
First Friday General Public Opening 10.03.08 6-10pm

Gallery Hours:
Wednesday-Sunday
12pm-6pm

Address:
116 Blue Star
San Antonio, TX 78204
210.227.6960

The show runs throughout October – if you're in San Antonio I hope you can make it!

That's Right,

HMK

Who's To Blame?

We are being hypocritical. We are all to blame.

That's Right,

HMK

Thinkubation

Above: Alberto Frias' Sleep Pod.

I've always found that after any long period of intense study or problem solving that it's best to just stop and move on to something else while I let the smart part of my brain figure it out. I like to think of this as part of my thinkubation period. Taking a quick 15 minute nap when I'm stuck or need to quietly gel for a few moments almost always seems to help reboot my thinking and approach, thus improving the final result, which is the other part of my thinkubation period. When a quick nap doesn't do the trick and if time allows, I simply forget about it, give it a few days and let my smarter and much more intuitive subconscious find the most effective and creative solution.

Mowing the lawn, walking the dogs or a taking a spin around the neighborhood on my bike seems to work wonders as well, but there's something special about giving your body something it needs to truly function properly - rest.

Steven P. Jobs, the chief executive of Apple, once defined creativity as “just connecting things.” Sleep assists the brain in flagging unrelated ideas and memories, forging connections among them that increase the odds that a creative idea or insight will surface.

While traditional stories about sleep and creativity emphasize vivid dreams hastily transcribed upon waking, recent research highlights the importance of letting ideas marinate and percolate.

“Sleep makes a unique contribution,” explains Mark Jung-Beeman, a psychologist at Northwestern University who studies the neural bases of insight and creative cognition.

Some sort of incubation period, in which a person leaves an idea for a while, is crucial to creativity. During the incubation period, sleep may help the brain process a problem.

“When you think you’re not thinking about something, you probably are,” says Dr. Jung-Beeman, who has a doctorate in experimental psychology.

Check out the rest of Leslie Berlin's insightful piece: We’ll Fill This Space, But First A Nap.

Thinkubation!

That's Right,

HMK