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5 Awesome Lego Videos

sknauer — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:02:50 +0000

No other toy from my childhood inspired more imaginative play than Lego, a simple toy with infinite not-so-simple potential. There have been a number of excellent videos on the internet featuring master model builders and creative stop-motion photography with one of the world’s most famous toys that spans generations. As a father, I’m thankful that Lego has been around for as long as it has, becoming something I can enjoy with my children and hopefully my grandchildren someday. Here are some insanely creative and inspiring videos featuring one of my favorite building implements. If your favorite Lego video isn’t listed below, share it in the comments!

Bricked Mac – Time-Lapse from RP Cuenco on Vimeo.

Origami: I Love Paper

sknauer — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:54:19 +0000

Perhaps it was when I began working in print design after starting my career as a graphic designer in web design, but there was a time when I used to hate paper. I’ve experienced quite the 180, even going as far as ordering paper samples from manufacturers like Neenah and Domtar.

Photo by Jacque Davis [Flickr

Adding fuel to this obsession, my kids got me a very awesome Origami Fold-A-Day desk calendar for Christmas. I can remember doing origami in art class when we lived in Japan during the late 80′s, and now I’m determined to master it! When I can memorize and master making paper cranes, I will be happy and content with my origami skills. Oh, and origami ninja stars aren’t a bad addition to this goal either. As a graphic designer, I absolutely love each of the different patterns on the sheets of origami. It would be fun to build a website with an origami theme utilizing the symbols and techniques of the craft, embellished with the patterns and swirls found on each sheet. Here are some inspiring links I’ve been enjoying this morning:

100 Extraordinary Examples of Paper Art [Web Designer Depot]
Origami Blog
Cubeecraft – Free Papercraft Toys (not quite origami, but just as fun and they make your desk look really cool!)
How to make an Origami Gift Box [YouTube]
Origami Group on Flickr

Stay tuned in 2010, as I will try to post more about origami throughout the year, including favorite models, great paper, and other links, videos and inspiration for you paperphiles. Happy folding, and watch out for papercuts!

My Review of GUMshoe – Hemp

sknauer — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:03:42 +0000

Simple

Vegan friendly and veggie friendly shoe â?? no animal byproducts or even regular animal products. Men's environmentally friendly hemp shoe. Hemp grows really fast without the use of pesticides and when it's woven into fabric it's soft durable and breathable. Vegan shoe! No animal byprod…

GUMshoe – Hemp

Laid back shoes for a laid back stride

scottdot New Mexico 8/13/2009

Sizing: Feels true to size

Width: Feels true to width

Pros: Stable, Comfortable, Breathes Well, Looks Great

Describe Yourself: Comfort Driven

I got a nice test drive out of my new pair of GUMshoes on a recent visit to a water park. Nobody likes to walk on hot concrete all day, so these were perfect. My GUMshoes were brand new and they held up well even when they got pretty wet. If you find the awesome jute soles to be really cool looking, don’t get too bummed out when they wear away after about two days, but it’s not physical wear and tear.

These are very comfortable and convenient shoes that, if I don’t wear to work, they’re the first pair of shoes I slip into when I get home at night.

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Sencha: My New Drink of Choice

sknauer — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:52:54 +0000

I’ve been a tea lover for a couple of years now, ever since a friend of mine introduced me to Adagio Teas, but I may have stepped into the realm of a junkie in the past week.

My current brew of choice is Japanese sencha from Teavana. It has the bitter (but not too much) and almost seaweed taste that I’ve come to love in green tea. It smells like leafy, healthy green vegetables in the tin and while it steeps, and its color is perfect! As a matter of fact, I’m currently working on my third cup of the day while writing this! If you’re not into the bitterness aspect, you may want to read about sencha’s health benefits. Of all the teas I keep in my desk at work (rooibos’ are also a favorite), it’s the sencha I keep coming back to. I’d drink more tonight if I didn’t have a bottle of sake waiting at home.

Bonsai Kitten Redux

sknauer — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 01:29:44 +0000

As if our mornings were not hectic enough with getting children fed and ready for school, this morning our kitten Widget decided to play in one of the baby’s toys. Exploring the various shapes was fun for Widget, as she learned which her head could and could not fit in . Until…

Rest assured, Widget was not hurt during the early morning incident. I quickly took the toy apart and she ran free once the blue circle was removed from her neck. The kids dried their tears once they were assured that Widget would not die, and we all went off to school and work!

And for those of you not familiar with the original (and genius) Bonsai Kitten, you can read more about it on the Bonsai Kitten Wikipedia entry.

Randomanimals: Take Shelter!

sknauer — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:17:07 +0000

The driver’s side window to my Nissan Xterra is broken–stuck in the down position–so I have not been driving it. As a result, combined with a dose of nasty winter weather yesterday, a stray cat has found a nice shelter.

This cat is (temporarily) living in my car

Our neighborhood is home to many stray cats, all of which have a strong desire to hang out on our front porch. But it baffles me that out of 5 or 6 strays, why is it the fattest and hairiest cat who needs to take shelter from the elements?

The more the merrier, I say! But I hate to break it to them. I will be getting the window fixed before the week is over.