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