Cool Kids Table

Imitation as a Compliment

2009-07-06T14:13:00.001-04:00

Batting Stance Guy joins on FSN for a new season of exclusive baseball comedy. And because I missed it before, the NYT behind-the-scenes. Way to go, Gar! Update: BSG is a guest on Late Night on July 13!

Short and Sweet

2009-07-06T13:58:00.001-04:00

Relevant has two new interviews of my buddies Zach Williams (Brooklyn's finest) and Adam Young (of Owl City). Update: a new interview Mako Fujimura of International Arts Movement.

Clean and Quick

2009-06-30T08:17:00.001-04:00

Redesigning a newsletter. My buddy Dave gives you a behind-the-scenes look at his solid new email design for the email delivery experts, Campaign Monitor.

Quote Unquote: Sara Schaefer

2009-06-30T08:15:00.001-04:00

"Advantage of having a staycation: going to Ikea and Lowe's with no crowds. Disadvantage: using the word staycation."

New Departments

2009-06-29T02:33:00.001-04:00

Publishing note: The ever-popular, Kottke-approved Cool Kids Table now features six regular departments including Blog Discovery, Bookmark This, A Good Screen, The Local Shoutout, Music Discovery, and Quote Unquote.

The Local Shoutout: Christopher Reiger

2009-06-29T01:14:00.001-04:00

Seeing antlers, feeling dendrites. Synesthesia #1 is also now available as a limited edition print.

Finding and Counting New Yorkers

2009-06-25T00:48:00.001-04:00

NPR: Counting NYC for the 2010 Census. Important to note that this census will arrive by mail, not by a knock on the door.

Highlights from William & Mary's 2009 Commencement

2009-06-23T21:04:00.001-04:00

Tom Brokaw: "This is a portrait of the American dream." Justin Schoonmaker: "We must advance confident in our ability to navigate the life ahead." Taylor Reveley: "Now it's time for everyone to burst into robust roaring in salute to our royal progenitors and to our graduates."

It's Like This, Only

2009-06-22T23:34:00.001-04:00

TMN: "It's a fake Indian accent so horrendous even a 10-year-old doing his best Apu impersonation would cringe."

Chuck and Sue?!

2009-06-22T01:29:00.001-04:00

Video: Promo Outtakes from Jimmy Fallon. Maya Rudolph's Gwen Stefani impression is hilarious.

The Local Shoutout: Kate Gilmore

2009-06-20T18:45:00.001-04:00

Reflections on the Electric Mirror. Kate's incredible new "Blood from a Stone" appears at the Brooklyn Museum, while her fierce "Star Bright, Star Might" is on rotation in Times Square.

Ideas vs Artists vs Systems vs Organics

2009-06-20T18:26:00.001-04:00

I'm an optimizer. That's Wilson Miner's approach to design. What's yours?

Trends in Form and Function

2009-06-20T18:24:00.001-04:00

Looking for quality in web design. Spacing, pixel perfect, typography, organization, subtlety, color, and original ideas.

The Boisterous Sea of Liberty

2009-06-19T04:44:00.001-04:00

NYT: Monticello's new visitor center and Mr. Jefferson's ideals.

Pixar Soars Again

2009-06-17T15:29:00.001-04:00

Up with good guys. The true brilliance of Pixar's Up shines through.

A Rockin' Tight-Knit Community

2009-06-17T13:16:00.001-04:00

W&M: Rowan Lockwood's Jefferson Award. William and Mary's excellence in teaching is consistently recognized in the Geology Department. Way to go, Rowan!

A Good Screen: Campaign Monitor

2009-06-17T11:26:00.001-04:00

Speaking directly to designers. This promo page is an amazing lesson in attracting new customers. A simple and effective message wrapped in a snappy, clean look. Bonus: The story behind their marketing campaign.

The Local Shoutout: Bryce Ryness

2009-06-17T11:17:00.001-04:00

HAIR takes best musical revival. Exciting to see this go from Shakespeare in the Park to Broadway, especially with such an enthusiastic cast. Congrats, Bryce!

A Cut Above

2009-06-16T01:14:00.001-04:00

The best sheep shearing on the East Coast. Alpacas and llamas too. My mom's first graders take a field trip to meet Derrick every year and it's always a hit.

The Local Shoutout: Charlie and Sarah Park

2009-06-16T01:09:00.001-04:00

PearBudget turns heads and wallets. Looking for a simple budgeting solution that works? Look no further. And check our their blog for some great money-saving tips.

Taking the Zephyr into an Age of Innocence

2009-06-14T17:56:00.003-04:00

NYT: Riding the rails across the country. "Those crosshatched lines on the map stitching the country together are also a metaphor. I witnessed community and saw everybody cherishing it."

A Bold, Audacious Prayer

2009-06-14T17:56:00.001-04:00

Video: Tenth Avenue North wins New Artist of the Year. Grinning from ear-to-ear for my buddy Mike D... what an amazing moment!

Quote Unquote: Hugh Graham

2009-06-12T01:45:00.001-04:00

"We have the opportunity to use our art and craft to redefine wealth in the future."

Take Me To New York

2009-06-11T00:53:00.001-04:00

Zach Williams "Story Time" on iTunes in the top ten singer-songwriters! Want a preview? Listen and watch!

Freeze-Case Confession

2009-06-10T17:08:00.001-04:00

NYT: Sister Schubert's rolls are winning over America. In which a southern homemade biscuit tradition gives way to par-baked goodness.