GENERATION X - PROMISES PROMISES

"Our hair was short we said what we thought
We'd never be scared, never be bought
Never sell out like they did - they did

Promises Promises
Do you remember the promises promises - I do-
Do you remember the promises promises - I do-"


Seems like a hundred years ago now, but this was on the first mix tape that Grigley gave me. I wore that thing through. There was some Gen X, The Jam, Buzzcocks, 999, Clash, and Stiff Little Fingers on it. To this day some of my favorite bands. Cliche to say it, but it changed my life. I stopped thinking about Michigan things, dove into skateboarding, punk rock and rebelling head first. So many memories. John will always be the older brother/best friend in my life. I guess that holds true for all the "St. Pete Crew."

Gorki House

This house was designed by Atrium. The site is situated not far from Moscow to the west. The house is positioned on the top of a hill surrounded by pine trees. The site has three directions with beautiful views, only the north view is worse, so the architects decided to close it off. This provoked the idea of folded plane, which is lifted a little above the ground and forms the space of the house. It creates a variety of inner and outer spaces which serve usual dwelling functions.

Windows throughout the house are oriented towards natural light. You can feel the structure of folding in the house because of the open space plan where public zones flow into private areas and vice-versa. There is no difference in cladding of the outside and the inside. If you see wood in the exterior you can be sure that this place in the interior is made in the same material. The Architects specially worked on the issue of thickness of this plane to make it elegant and functional at the same time, as the cantilever of the roof above the terraces is about five meters long.

Fourteen Defining Characteristics Of Fascism

By Dr. Lawrence Britt

Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to each:   1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.   2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.   3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.   4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.   5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.   6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.   7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.   8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.   9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.   10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.   11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.   12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.   13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.   14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.     Interesting to read these and look at parallels in our own government. The suppression of labor unions, protection corporations, fear used to pass the "patriot act" (which forgoes civil liberties in order to protect the nation), the questionable election of W, etc., etc., etc.

Back in the day...

This photo by Tim Flach reminded me of my childhood. I hadn't thought about it in YEARS, but when I was 7 or 8 I lived in city called Linden in Michigan. Our "neighborhood" surrounded this lake, up on a hill. There was maybe 40 houses in the area & you had to drive through an apple orchard and corn fields to get there. I made some friends who had dog sleds. The family had 3 teams of them. I remember going out with them onto the lake during the winter. So long ago, funny the things that bring back memories.

A garden on a rooftop in New York City

This is the view out of the master bedroom of a rooftop apartment in NYC. You can see some of the skyline. AMAZING!

Staircase, by Atmos Studi

Designed by Atmos studio, this staircase made of CNC-carved sheets of MDF and oak. Creating an organic and stylish flowing form that fuses with the pattern of the house.

Aloe Blacc - You Make Me Smile

Loving all of his stuff lately, but this video stands out. Live in a subway station

How Randy Savage saved us from the rapture

OOOOOOHHHHH YEAH!!!

A view like this...

Nakayama Architects

Ontario Eco House

This eco house in the Muskoka Lakes area of northern Ontario is the perfect peaceful getaway with style to boot! Designed by Canadian architects Altius Architecture, the 3,200-sq.-ft. stone house blends beautifully with the rocky Canadian Shield backdrop. And in the foreground, this lake house boasts breathtaking views in every direction. Inside, the home’s natural wood floors and ceilings are warm and homey, exuding quality and timeless style. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls frame the pristine panoramas. A central “void” serves as an anchor for the various living areas that radiate off it, and passively circulates light and air. On that note, this eco house operates off the grid, thanks to elements like its orientation to naturally heat and cool the home, solar hot water and photovoltaic solar panels, as well as the incorporation of clean-burning fireplaces, concrete walls and a high-performance envelope, thermal glass, and a green roof that helps keep it cool during the hot months and insulated during the harsh winters. Altius Architecture.

Muhammad Ali, Attica prison riot poem!

Genius

Slap Shot, Hanson Bros. Debut

Senza Bike Lock

The Senza system makes a bike completely secure. The whole system is incorporated into the bike itself making it easier to simply grab and go, and also provides safety for quick stops. The handlebars separate into three pieces. The central piece remains in place on the frame, while the two removed handles lock together, offering more space, and versatility than a standard U-Lock. Furthermore, if a thief were to cut the lock off, it renders the bike virtually unrideable, as there are no handle bars. In addition, the lock on the rear of the bike is used to secure the back tire and seat post.

Jaryn Miller

Jim Carroll - People Who Died

Growing up I watched a lot of friends pass on too early. The thing that rings
true to me in this song is that the ones who die of natural causes, and not
at their own hands, are the ones you miss most.

Need to find one of these

Of course it would only be for show. I'm not sure how many of you have bought records & left them in the car for an hour or more, but they don't play so well after that.
I used to have 2 12" pieces of glass, I'd take my warped vinyl, put it between the sheets of glass & let the sun warm it up. If they were really bad I would  place a couple of heavy books on top.

Love this photo

Captures the feeling of riding a bike. check out more at A.G. Photographe

LeBeef Customs

Topless Caddy done right by LeBeef Kustoms.

Tangga House/ Guz Architects

Guz Architects are a Singapore based design company who are renowned for creating beautiful modern homes which give the inhabitants the opportunity to live in harmony and comfort with nature.

The house is a contemporary interpretation of a traditional courtyard house, laid out around a central green courtyard with a double height stair and entry area forming the focal point of the project. The L-shaped plan creates open spaces which encourage natural ventilation and offer resident’s views over the courtyard to the verandah, roof gardens and beyond. Lushly planted roof gardens surround the house and add to the effect that nature is evident in every part of the house. The large roof above the courtyard creates an indoor and outdoor space leading to the gardens and swimming pool which wraps around two sides of the house.

Container Guest House / Poteet Architects

As a national award-winning firm, Poteet Architects is best known for their sensitive adaptive reuse of existing buildings and a fresh, rigorous approach to modern interior design. This project originated from Poteet Architects’s client’s wish to experiment with shipping containers. She lives in a small warehouse on a former industrial site just south of downtown. The finished project serves as a guesthouse and is fitted with a shower/WC and a custom stainless sink. The large steel and glass lift/slide and end window wall open the interior to the surrounding landscape. The remainder of the interior is used as a garden shed.

The emphasis was on sustainable strategies– first, the recycling of a “one-way” container for a new and permanent use. The planted roof is held off the container top, providing shade and air-flow to reduce heat gain. The interior is insulated with spray foam then lined with bamboo plywood, equally appropriate for the floor as the walls. The grey water from the sink and shower is captured for roof irrigation. The WC is a composting toilet. The rear of the container is screened by wire mesh panels which will eventually be covered in evergreen vines.

via Arch Daily

photos by Chris Cooper

Roddin' t'ings

Beeeeeaaaaaaaan Bandits

Need this

DP Customs

Justin Del Prado

A couple of Cool photos

San Francisco

Great shot of San Francisco by Simon Christen

Harley-Davidson Flathead Sidecar Masterpiece

Harley-Davidson Flathead Sidecar Masterpiece

Guz Architects

Guz Architects are a Singapore based design company who are renowned for creating beautiful modern homes which give the inhabitants the opportunity to live in harmony and comfort with nature.

Bruce's dream

My good friend Bruce had a dream about me last night & sent me an email telling me about it. I laughed so hard I had to post it:

"I had a dream last night that Mike A. died.


The service was out back at SPOT. The ground was covered in pine straw. You arrived, or should I say appeared, in full Shogun/Samurai warlord gear. You said nothing, but broke into a furious routine that is best described as a mix of OG Breakdancing, Gung-Fu, and traditional Tibetan folk dance. By the time you were finished, your gear had changed to that of a traditional buddhist monk, and you were kneeling in a pine straw crop-circle (created by your furious routine) in the shape of a Wu-Tang symbol.


Not sure what this means, but I knew that you would enjoy it."

Truth is, I'm not that cool in my own dreams!!

Charlie Chaplin

The first time I saw this I was in absolute awe of this man. His acting ability is unbelievable.

Maker Profile - Kinetic Wave Sculptures on MAKE: television

Studley Tool Chest (via Fine Woodworking)

Sustainable fish: swaps, advice and recipes (via Good Food Channel)

We know we’re not supposed to eat cod anymore, and that some tuna is off limits too, but do you know what you are allowed to eat? Look no further, we’ve got some great advice for you.

With the help of Sustainable Fish City's ten top swaps, which give the endangered fish a chance to recover while you make the most of tasty alternatives, we've put together some information on what to look for and why some choices are better than others. You can also find a range of delicious recipes below to help you decide what to do with all your new fish options.

So, there's no need to feel guilty next time you have a fish supper.

Tuna

Why shouldn't I eat it?

There are lots of different species of tuna, a few of which are critically endangered and some of which are caught in ways that damage other marine life.

What can I eat instead?

Try Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified albacore tuna – hand-caught in the Pacific Ocean. Albacore has very light, firm and delicately flavoured meat, and is available canned and in jars. Most canned tuna is skipjack, the most resilient species of tuna. Currently all stocks of skipjack are healthy – choose pole and line, handline or troll caught.

Where can I get it?

Co-op: MSC certified albacore tuna is available in tins.

Marks and Spencers: Pole and line caught tuna is used in tins, sandwiches, salads and ready meals.

Sainsbury's: MSC certified albacore tuna is available in most stores in tins and jars. All own-brand tinned tuna is pole and line caught.

Recipes

Haricot bean salad with tomatoes and tuna

Tuna empanada pie

Salmon

Why shouldn't I eat it?

Salmon is sometimes farmed very intensively, leading to serious environmental problems.

What can I eat instead?

Try MSC certified Alaskan wild salmon. It’s much leaner than farmed salmon, so be careful not to overcook it. Alternatively, look out for certified organic farmed salmon or Freedom Foods farmed salmon. Or, for grilling or pan-frying, try mackerel (which is a healthy as well as a tasty choice, containing nearly twice as many omega 3 fatty acids as salmon).

Where can I get it?

Co-op: Freedom Food farmed salmon is available.

Sainsbury's: All Sainsbury’s wild salmon is MSC certified, available pre-pack and in tins. All own brand responsibly Sourced Scottish Farmed Salmon is Freedom Food. Organic farmed salmon and MSC mackerel are widely available pre-pack (raw and hot smoked) and on counters.

Recipes

Thai salmon and lemongrass spears

Mackerel salad

Haddock

Why shouldn't I eat it?

Our love of this chip-shop favourite has led some haddock stocks to be over-fished. As haddock often swim with cod, this also means that haddock fisheries will catch both fish, leading to an even greater decline in cod stocks.

What can I eat instead?

Look out for MSC certified haddock from Scotland or Norway, or try a different firm, white fish such as coley (often sold as saithe) – which has an undeserved reputation as something you feed to the cat.

Where can I get it?

Co-op: MSC Scottish or Norwegian haddock is available.

Marks and Spencers: MSC Scottish haddock available as fresh fish and breaded ranges.

Sainsbury's: Line caught MSC certified haddock from Norway. Coley (fillets and marinated) on counters
and fillets in frozen section.

Recipes

Coley with lemon and capers

Mussel topped coley parcels

Cod

Why shouldn't I eat it?

Many stocks of Atlantic cod are overfished.

What can I eat instead?

Give cod a break and try a different white, flaky fish such as the delicate pollack (line-caught from Cornwall is a good choice), or the similarly named MSC certified Alaskan pollock. Coley (see above) is also a great alternative. If only cod will do, go for MSC certified cod from the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Where can I get it?

Co-op: MSC Norwegian cod is available.

Sainsbury's: MSC certified Alaskan pollock and MSC certified cod is widely available.

Recipes

Spicy beer-battered fish with fresh mint chutney

Wild Alaska pollock and leek cobbler

King/tiger prawns

Why shouldn't I eat it?

King or tiger prawns are usually farmed in the tropics, often very intensively and in ways which can seriously damage local communities and the environment.

What can I eat instead?

Choose organic tiger prawns, or for a more local option, go for Scottish langoustine (also known as Dublin Bay prawns or scampi). Or, look out for the smaller MSC-certified cold-water prawns from Canada. Crab is another alternative – like prawns, it’s as good with strong flavours like chilli as it is plain with lemon and mayonnaise.

Where can I get it?

Marks and Spencers: MSC cold water prawns and brown crab available.

Sainsbury's: Organic prawns and MSC certified Canadian cold water prawns in pre-pack section. Scottish langoustines are on counters and dressed crab is in pre-pack in some stores.

Recipes

Griddled langoustines with pumpkin seed mole

Crab cakes

Plaice

Why shouldn't I eat it?

Left to their own devices, plaice can live for 50 years or more, and they grow and reproduce very slowly – making them vulnerable to overfishing. Some beam trawl fisheries catch vast numbers of young plaice as ‘bycatch’, and throw them back into the sea, dead.

What can I eat instead?

More sustainable flatfish choices include flounder, dab or lemon sole (ask for fish caught by otter trawl or seine net). Or go for MSC certified plaice, or, for a real treat (it's on the pricey side), MSC certified Dover sole.

Where can I get it?

Co-op: All plaice and sole is MSC certified.

Marks and Spencers: Sells lightly dusted dabs and lemon sole using otter trawl and twin rig methods.

Sainsbury's: Sainsbury’s sells lemon sole in pre-pack and on counters in most stores. Dab is on most fish counters, with plans to increase availability throughout 2011.

Recipes

Poached flounder with mussels and wild garlic

Lemon sole with pistachio pesto

Coconut fried fish and sweet potato chips

Swordfish

Why shouldn't I eat it?

Big, slow-growing ‘game’ fish like swordfish are particularly vulnerable to over-fishing.

What can I eat instead?

Nothing similar fits the sustainability bill, but jig-caught squid stands up to strong flavours and is delicious grilled or on the barbeque – and ditto for mackerel.

Where can I get it?

Sainsbury's: MSC certified mackerel is widely available in pre-pack (raw and hot smoked) and on counters.

Recipes

Char-grilled squid with braised lentils

Crisp fried squid

Chilli mackerel with warm chorizo and new potato salad

Sea bass

Why shouldn't I eat it?

Sea bass is commonly farmed in the Mediterranean, and is a carnivorous fish, raising the problem of fish-feed. Wild sea bass are often caught in pelagic trawls which can kill other sea life such as dolphins.

What can I eat instead?

A firm favourite on restaurant menus, sea bass is overfished in many places – and it’s often caught in pelagic trawls, some of which deplete fish stocks and can catch and kill other sea life such as dolphins. Look for line-caught or organically farmed sea bass, or try line-caught black bream, porgy or seabream.

Where can I get it?

Marks and Spencers: MSC certified mackerel is widely available in pre-pack (raw and hot smoked) and on counters.

Sainsbury's: Line caught sea bass and black bream on counters when available.

Recipes

Stuffed sea bream

Poached sea bream

Black bream with lemongrass and coconut

Skate

Why shouldn't I eat it?

Sadly the once ‘common skate’ is now critically endangered, and several other species of skates and rays are overfished.

What can I eat instead?

Nothing really compares to the soft, fibrous texture of skates and rays, but the smaller starry, spotted and cuckoo rays are generally considered a more sustainable choice. Bizarrely, circles of skate wing are sometimes sold as fake scallops – so a luxurious alternative could be diver-caught scallops.

Where can I get it?

Sainsbury's: Dived scallops are available on fish counters in a limited number of stores.

Recipes

Herby baked scallops

Parma ham-wrapped scallops with marsala and sage

Halibut

Why shouldn't I eat it?

Another slow-growing, long-lived species that has been overfished to the point of being endangered.

What can I eat instead?

As an alternative, look for MSC certified Pacific halibut – or for something different but similarly meaty and very tasty, try red, grey or tub gurnard.

Where can I get it?

Sainsbury's: Sainsbury’s sell farmed halibut as an alternative to wild.

Recipes

Cockle, coley and gurnard stew

Pan-fried fillet of gurnard served with a lemon herb risotto and a sun-dried tomato oil