EXCITED. Jenna found this on etsy today, and I bought it instantly. I've seen one on ebay once before, and was sure I'd never see another one again.

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I don't know about you, but we've been watching a lot of Olympics around these parts. I'm glad it's almost over though, 'cause I'm getting real sick of how much filler there is in the coverage.

Obviously, a big part of any Olympics is the graphic design. This is a pretty cool little video about Olympic pictograms. I have to say though, I really don't agree with it's assertion about the two good sets since 1984. Both sets from '68 and obviously the Munich '72 set are awesome. And pretty much nothing has been good since then in my books.

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Loving these Bacon Takedown images. Mmm, bacon. (thanks baconbaconbacon)

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Here's a nice classic Sesame Street bit, featuring some kids learning a bit about letterpress printing.

Speaking of letterpress, if you don't know much about it, there was recently a little overview of one person's printing process over on Design*Sponge.

Still feeling behind after being out sick, especially when it comes to my internetting.

Best thing I've seen on the internet this week? This 365 bear project. Seriously. So cute. So many bears! Click each one for bigger pictures! (but I think I love the page full of mini bear faces best!)

Best part of the Olympic opening ceremonies? The spirit bear, of course.
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Ever wonder how a polaroid picture works? This video by the office of Ray and Charles Eames explains not only the SX-70 SLR Polaroid camera, but it also explains what happens to the film after you push the button.
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Michael Johansson showed up in my google reader 3 times last week, so I thought I should link to him too. It combines my love of well packed spaces, and vintage items. The first place he showed up was on Grain Edit, and I love the quote from him there: "I am fascinated walking around flea markets finding doubles of seemingly unique, though often useless objects I have already purchased at another flea market. Despite the fact that I did not have any use for them even the first time, the desire to own two of these objects becomes too strong to resist."

I know that feeling! But most of the time I can resist it...
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Have you heard about the new Heinz ketchup packet redesign? I am (perhaps sadly) excited about this! The dip functionality, and also the ability to get all of the ketchup out of the package, is something that always bugged me about the old packages. This new one looks to have solved that. I'm intrigued as to how well the squeeze functionality will work, but I guess I'll have to wait and see.

This post here reminded me that I still needed to post a pic of this sweet plate from the '68 Olympics in Mexico that I found not too long ago. Love it. I especially love the way the Olympic rings line up with the bottom halves of the 6 and the 8. Nice touch.
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While looking up some info at work I ran across this article about ATM's in London using Cockney rhyming slang. I find Cockney rhyming slang fascinating, in as much as I know very little about it and it barely makes sense to me, and the fact that these machines are using it is very amusing to me. I'm still not sure if I like it or not, but it is amusing. Have you ever had an ATM that said "I am processing your request"? That sort of personification I know I don't like.
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Anyone want to take me on a trip to MoMA? This exhibit would be pretty awesome to see.

There's a pretty cool little behind the scenes/interview video with Tim Burton here.
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Speaking of museums, on an impromptu emergency trip to Hamilton/Burlington this weekend (we had to buy a vanity that apparently none of the Home Depot's in town had...) we drove past The Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology. That's a place I'd like to make a visit to. Jenna didn't seem too keen on the idea though. It's the steam part that really interests me, of course. The building alone, and the old train station beside it, already piqued my interest before I knew what was inside. Hopefully I remember to go back sometime...
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I guess I'm losing all of my street cred by being so behind that Saddle Creek already signed them, but lately I've been really into The Rural Alberta Advantage. I'm pretty sure I saw them at least once a few years ago (had to mention this to try to retain some cred...), but I finally got around to getting a copy of Hometowns recently, and I love it. It's one that Jenna likes too, so it's actually good for listening to in the car, which a good chunk of stuff that I like is not, so that's awesome.

Though I really like the whole thing, I'm loving this: Don't Haunt This Place
(Wow, and I'm losing even more cred as I just realized that this is the song you can get for free off of the Saddle Creek site. Did I just fall for the single?? Who am I!?)

Anyway, regardless of if I'm ahead of the game anymore or not, this song is good, and you should listen to it. Solid and earnest. As I said to Jenna the other day, when they say that they need something, it really feels like they need it. So good.

Believe me, poster, I wish...

It seems like my favourite two months are just slipping past my eyes. With one stress after another, time just keeps trucking past me. Lots of good things are happening though, so I can't really complain. I just love fall, but keep feeling too tired or busy to appreciate it. Oh well, there are many more autumn's to come (and still November too!) (image from Absolute Sellout)
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This past weekend, thanks to Sue and Ron's friends, I got to drive an Olympia Ice Resurfacer. Pretty awesome.

We had a tour of the factory in Elmira, where most of each machine is hand built from the frame up. Impressive stuff. It's unfortunate that the name Zamboni is so prominent, as Olympia probably does bigger business, and is a home-grown Canadian product. Their machines are used all around the world. Definitely something to be proud of.

Resurfice is actually providing all of the ice resurfacers that will be used at the Vancouver olympics. The machine I drove is one of the ones being sent out there, one of their new electric powered machines (it was so quiet!).
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Loving these skateboard decks. Just the right amount of dark/creepy-ness. And nice patterns to boot.
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The grey version of these shoes look pretty nice! I'm not sure how they'd look in person, or on (especially on big feet like mine), but I'm loving the concept. Like a pea coat for your feet.
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This guy doesn't go by the name Andy Awesome for nothing. Such cute art!
Charlie Brown and Linus!
Batman and Robin!
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