It’s baaaaaaack!

I apologize to the non-locals for this post, but Chicago, you are going to this right? Yes, the Show ‘N Tell Show is the world’s only design-improv-talk-n-rock show. With plenty of variety and even the occasional Muppet, it’s guaranteed fun, promises. Come designers, photographers, musicians, comic book heads, style mavens, font lovers, code monkeys, and poster boys. Thursday’s guests will wow you, they’re some of my personal faves: The INDO Projects, Letterform, Paul Octavious, Paul Koob, and a top secret mystery vistor!

Feb 23rd @ Lincoln Hall, $5
8pm, 21+

And, okay, so if you can’t come you should watch this bonus video instead. If you’ve ever been to a design conference, you should also watch this video. If you look closely, you can catch yours truly briefly at 1:45. (Gah, video is so awkward…like hearing yourself on an 80′s answering machine!)

Everyone is busy. Full stop. Busy related-chatter is banal and hijacks the conversation into the land of deadlines, procrastination, anxiety. Busy is a ruse we hide behind. Let’s strike it from our mouths. Wouldn’t you rather discuss being excited about your commitments? Excited instead of busy adjusts the dialogue so it’s optimistic, inviting, present. And more fun too.

 
–
Inspired by Bobulate’s Ban on Busy.

Well, this week flew by in a breathless woosh. How is it Friday already? Not that I’m complaining, mind. Five deadlines this week ate all my blogging time and I’m cutting out early today to head to Purdue University to see Studio Visit, Chad’s show with Cody Hudson & Stephen Eichhorn.

Here’s some fodder to make up for the lull this week though:

+ I wrote about Post 27′s awesome new line of handmade jewelry by Portland artist, Emily Counts.

+ Major, major office supply lust courtesy of HAY, a little design boutique in Copenhagen. Itching to get on a plane just to visit this shop alone.

+ Okay Type releases their newest font, Harriet, to rave reviews including an award from the Type Directors Club. I can certainly see why, Harriet is no joke. Expertly executed with careful finesse, she’s smart and friendly, modern and classic, which means infinite uses. Hope to find an excuse to buy soon!

Just a regular ‘ol day here at casa de Pitch, but I will take a moment to chime in on this Day of Love and say thanks for reading friends. I like you all very much. Wishing you hugs, high fives, hot sauce…Or whatever it is you’re into today. And if you’re feeling especially amorous, pay the joy forward by backing A Little Heart: a Comic for Marriage Equality on Kickstarter.

{Illustration by another favorite, Caroyln Sewell. Via Ffffound.}

+ These photos are just cause I thought you needed some magic in your day. Long exposures of Japanese fireflies in the blue light of dusk. Via Its Colossal.

+ My Design Dispatch is up at Studio Sweet Studio! Lots of great design-y resources!

+ Local (and young!) talent Lillian Davenport has been struggling with an intense bout of cancer for the last year, her doctors have just discovered a new tumor in her brain and healing it comes with a 10k price tag. Read more about Lillian’s story and offer your financial support here.

+ This week also marks World Cancer Day (Feb 4th) and Canadian band Two Crown King has just released a new song in support of their friend Ben’s fight with cancer. Learn more about Ben and his song here. And for just 99¢ please download from iTunes. Thanks to my friend Jacqui Oakley for the tip on this one!

+ Finally, on a lighter note, the thoughtful folks from Alt Summit have put together a fantastic line-up of online classes on blogging. So if you didn’t make it to Alt this year, there’s plenty you can learn right from the comfort of your own couch.

See you next week, friends!

Photo for Janine Toro’s blog, What Do You Carry, which is a place for creative people to show off the contents of their bags. Such an interesting idea, and a great way to get a solid sense of how a person’s life works. Me for example, I’m kind of a pack mule when it comes to the amount of crap I carry on any given day. Between my desk at home, my desk at my co-working space, client meetings and art projects I’m often shlepping around more than just a laptop. Not to mention I ride my bike nearly every day (yes, winter too, unless the roads are too snowy or icy) (yes, I wear a helmet) so everything has to fit on my back. This photo was shot on January 12th, which was a pretty average day in terms of stuff if I recall correctly. All the gory details are spelled out on What Do You Carry.

Thanks for having me, Janine!