Symphonic Monkey

Pura Vida - Part II

Tammy@symphonicmonkey.com (Tammy) — 2011-04-12T04:01:00Z

There's something about big water that makes me feel like I can breathe. It's just...home. Here are a few favorite images: surfers on Tamarindo Beach and a catamaran outing.

Pura Vida - Part I

Tammy@symphonicmonkey.com (Tammy) — 2011-04-08T05:05:00Z

I recently explored the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica and fell in love with the country. Within a few short hours it became clear that "pura vida!" was an important phrase to both Ticos (Costa Ricans) and expats living in the area, but what did it mean?

Wikipedia says "Pura vida literally means Pura = pure and vida = life, but "Pure life" in Spanish would be "Vida pura" instead, so the real meaning is closer to "plenty of life", "full of life", "this is living!", "going great", "real living", or "cool!" It can be used both as a greeting and a farewell, to express satisfaction, to politely express indifference when describing something or even to say "thank you". Costa Ricans use the phrase to express a philosophy of strong community, perseverance, resilience in overcoming difficulties with good spirits, enjoying life slowly, and celebrating good fortune of magnitudes small and large alike." Kind of like this blog, eh?

Over the course of a couple of posts I'll share some images that (to me) capture a bit of the beauty of Costa Rica and the essence of pura vida. They're not even close to the real deal but they're still pretty nice to see. Everything below was shot in Playa Grande and Tamarindo.

Gorgeous! More to come in the next installment...

Design Crush

Tammy@symphonicmonkey.com (Tammy) — 2011-02-01T01:52:00Z

I've got a major crush on Ptarmak Design in Austin. I mean, seriously? It's pretty bad. If they start making shirts and note cards and shizz, I'm going to be contributing way too much to their bottom line for my comfort. Well, maybe not note cards...that involves actually writing stuff down with a pen and sending things through the Pony Express, but my point is still valid.

So the first of their work to catch my eye was this gorgeous branding for Honest Don's Chop Shop in Kansas City.

Quirky, also. I've gotta remember to send this to Dr. Aaron Perlut of the American Mustache Institute; he's going to love this guy.

OMG. They're clever, too? Stop - I can't stand it!

Wait, it gets better: aside from the beautiful aesthetic, it's devious; Honest Don may be a stand up chap, but he doesn't appear to be real. In fact, there doesn't appear to be such a business anywhere, much less Kansas City. My hat is officially off to the folks at Ptarkmak. Way to develop your vision, even when the client doesn't exist!

Moving on.

The next project I found myself gushing about was an assortment of wedding materials for the Ptarmak founder himself, and I suppose his lady.

The approach really speaks to the Southern-girl-punk-rock hybrid in me. <3

It's no small thing that this work got me to post again after, oh...five months. Thanks, Ptarmak! I've got my eye on you...

All Kids Are Born Rock Stars

Tammy@symphonicmonkey.com (Tammy) — 2010-08-24T04:16:00Z

I've never been in the market for anything baby-related, but it's like this product was made for me. I love it, so I share it with you, in hopes that some lucky infant will be spared having a pastel birth announcement adorned with ducks, bunnies and elephants.

Ladies and gents, I present to you: Rattle-n-Roll, the home of Hatch-style gig poster as life announcements. Behold!

First of all - ingenious copywriting, right? "All kids are born rockstars" and "the coolest kid in the world...yours". Who doesn't want to claim THAT? Second of all - hello, it's a gig poster! No dancing frogs or Pooh Bear anywhere.

This is one I particularly like. You might find it comfortably familiar, if you were alive in the '90's and have what I will call (with prejudice) good musical taste:

If that wasn't familiar, we need to have a serious music intervention, but I digress.

Hatch Show Print and its unique gig posters have been a staple around Nashville and beyond since 1879. That's 131 years if I've done the math correctly. (No guarantees there. Just sayin'.) It's one of the oldest working letterpress print shots in America, responsible for the ubiquitous look of show posters for multiple generations.

Hatch'swebsite states "What started,innocently enough, as a way to get ink off old woodblocks has evolvedinto a highly specialized art form." The look was an instant hit with the country, gospel, jazz, and blues scenes of the time, and remains popular with top acts in modern music. Refusing to limit itself to gig posters, Hatch produced a significant amount of of product advertising including Nike, Taylor Guitars, and Jack Daniel's; minstrel shows, circuses and carnivals; silentfilm and "talkies"; auto and boat races; rodeos, and animal shows. Oh my!

The Smithsonian says "Pure artistry and masterful composition are what make Hatch posters partof the story of American art and culture. Snappy graphics, punchytitles, humor, and irony are what make them irresistible." Yes indeed.

Sonic Honey

Tammy@symphonicmonkey.com (Tammy) — 2010-06-12T07:00:00Z

Just shy of two years ago I traveled the well-worn path to Off Broadway to see The Incurables, my favorite St. Louis band currently playing out. After a great set I settled in for a night of socializing with friends. Then the next act started - Will Hoge, as I learned later.

Road-weary and facing a distracted crowd, this scruffy crew from Nashville gave it their all from the first note. I tried to maintain the conversation I was having with friends but drifted off mid-sentence (sorry, guys!) to have a seat and listen...the kind of listening done at Jazz at the Bistro, where the staff will smack you for talking.

The passionate delivery captured my attention, but the songwriting hooked me for life. Epic drum tone, haunting steel guitar, and masterful use of dynamics all added to the magic. I absorbed every drop of sonic honey into my soul.

About six weeks later, Will left a recording session (for the new album) riding a scooter. A brutal encounter with a van left him with numerous broken bones, nearly a year of physical therapy, and a postponed album. After a residency at the legendary 12th & Porter in Nashville, it was time to hit the road again...unfortunately without a stop in St. Louis.

Now on tour to promote the new album, The Wreckage, Will and the band stopped at The Old Rock House this Wednesday. If you weren't there, all I have to say is...damn, you missed out on an amazing live performance.

Success has many different looks

Tammy@symphonicmonkey.com (Tammy) — 2010-05-31T21:50:00Z

Success, per Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, is defined as a: degree or measure of succeeding b:favorable or desired outcome; also: theattainment of wealth, favor, or eminence. As an enthusiastic word nerd I'm generally happy to defer to dictionary definitions, but I call BS on this one.

Success is different for every person, at least among the kind of people I like to include in my life. For one friend, it's living off the land, if not off the grid. For another, it's watching immigrants become U.S. citizens thanks to his legal assistance. For another (and I don't know how he stays awake through it) it's guiding clients through retirement planning, ensuring they'll continue to be able to do the things most important to them.

Speaking of money, I know a few people whose definition of success revolves around the acquisition and preservation of it. While on paper (and in the paper) they're successful, those individuals are not truly happy. For nine years I spent my professional life getting to know what a person's passions were - what would ultimately motivate them to do something truly extraordinary for the local or global community. Getting answers often involved navigating through family politics, religion, ego, assorted skeletons in the closet, and more. There were plenty of well-rounded people who were amazing...but without going into gruesome detail, the ones motivated exclusively by ducats were miserable.

As a scrappy, up-by-the-bootstraps kind of lass, it could have taken a lifetime to learn what success truly means to me...but I had the good fortune to observe and learn from colorful, dramatic examples. So...what does success look like in my world?

Frequent intellectual exploration and creative expression
Self-sufficiency
Having the resources to help others
Doing work I love
Inspiring others to pursue their passions (responsibly) vs. giving in to mediocrity for money
Leaving lots of smiles in my wake
Having time to reflect on life and my role in it
Knowing when to stop and revel in the right four chords or the most amazing shade of peach
Appreciating others for who they really are
Making the world a better place than I found it

What does success look like in your world? My list is ever-evolving, and I'd love to take some inspiration from you!

Joie de vivre

Tammy@symphonicmonkey.com (Tammy) — 2010-01-13T07:43:00Z

The Black Eyed Peas' song "I Gotta Feeling" is a feel-good, upbeat, get-yer-booty-movin' tune that causes even the stuffiest music elitists to shake their moneymakers...I've seen it happen. It has caused an some pretty interesting positive activity in the social media world, which is a nice counter to much of what the news outlets try to feed us every day.

I believe the first video to go viral (related to the song) was of an appearance by the Peas on a special outdoor episode of Oprah. The crowd of thousands surprised her by breaking into a choreographed flash mob dance. It's apparent on their faces how much fun they're having, and Oprah is just stunned.

One project that spoke to me on a personal level was a lip-dub homage video created by 172 communications students at L'Université du Québec à Montréal. It's clear they are having a great time making this video, and they pulled off an enormous feat by choreographing it to take place in one continuous shot. No edits. 172 kids, almost five minutes of music, an enormous byzantine building -- all in a single shot. Amazing.

The video took me back to my Webster University days of 16mm black & white films, gargantuan editing equipment, late night recording sessions, blown studio monitors, cajoling actors and animals to hit their cues, the lovely smell of stop bath, and pre-dawn rides on the psychedelic elevator. More than anything, though, it reminds me of just how much I loved the camaraderie of like-minded kids for the first time ever. That was joie de vivre.

Thank you, students of UQAM, for taking a great feel-good song and making it pretty much the best one ever.

And for these I give thanks...

Tammy@symphonicmonkey.com (Tammy) — 2009-11-29T21:04:00Z

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for many reasons - fluffy pumpkin pie being high on the list - but mostly because it causes most people to reflect upon and share the wonderful things in their lives. Here are just a few of the things and people for which I am thankful, in no particular order:

Music, particularly of the pop-punk and symphonic rock varieties.
Science. Tomorrow will be one year from the day my mother was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Thanks to her determination and some really great medical care, she not only survived but went into remission in late April.
Tasha, the best sister a girl could possibly have. Marek, for loving her almost as much as I do.
Beauty in many facets and forms, including nature, art, the human psyche, and shoes.
The best dogs in the world - Stout and Jake. They make life infinitely more interesting, amusing, and snuggly.
Amazing food. Most vivid in my mind at the moment is the Thanksgiving feast prepared by Grace, a lovely woman I only recently met but shall forever claim as family.
Work I love - and which rarely seems like work.
Brad and Jon, the two people with whom I work most closely. Not only do I respect them, I also adore their company.
Friends with hearts as big as the ocean, like Kevin who is adopting a wee little guy from Ethiopia, and Richelle who organized a crew of city folk to help an organic farmer too ill to harvest his crop.
People who truly enjoy helping others through volunteer work, like Mary, Lorinda, Brandy, Carmel, Julie, Crystal, Mike, Marcus, Joyce, and so many more I'm fortunate to know.
Those who dedicate their professional lives to helping others, like Rita, Brigitte, Gerri, and Lori. They bear a huge, often thankless burden, and our society is much richer because of them.
The abundance of writers in my life who keep me on my toes, though they're unaware of it - Annie, Lori, Eammon, Richelle, Susan, Bill, Steve, Fred, Mike, and Brent.
Tammy, Annie, Brandy, Crystal, and Meredith, who keep me grounded and are always up for an adventure.
Kristopher, a dear friend through it all.
Kim, my big sister from another father and mother, and Derek, the little brother I never had.
Katja, J.D., Joe, Rebecca, Dan and Tim, the amazing neighbors who make home an even nicer place to be. Matt and Maureen should be on this list but they moved away. I'm decidedly NOT thankful for that.
Friends I rarely see because of geography, but who have a special place in my heart - Bill, whose love of life mirrors my own; Anne, whose grace and serenity inspire me constantly; Meghan, who indulges my inner producer; Brent, who is so darned smart I haven't understood a thing he's said in a decade; and high school friends (especially Gloria) who understand just how far we've all come.

What makes you give thanks?

Grrr!

Tammy@symphonicmonkey.com (Tammy) — 2009-10-29T04:57:00Z

After work today I continued searching for the components of my desired Haloween costume. Having exhausted the vintage store options and even some mainstream places like Target, I decided to brave Johnny Brock's. For those of you who don't have a Johnny Brock's store, well....it's a year-round costume shop but it's also kind of like hell on Earth for a person like me. Why, you ask?

It's huge. Too many options can be exhausting, and JB's definitely has tons of options. It's so large it gives the illusion that surely you'll find what you seek...which just builds you up for the disappointment that will follow.
It's crowded. I was jostled, bumped, stepped on, breathed on, elbowed, pushed, brushed up against (purposefully and not so purposefully) and - I'm 100% sure of this - befouled by someone's angry gastrointestinal system.
It's loud. I can take the howling animatronic ghouls and excited shrieks of Halloween-crazed children, but is there a reason to have the store phone ring throughout the sound system...and never answer it? Yeah, I thought not.

Needless to say, by the time I explored all nooks and crannies for the elusive costume makings and came up empty-handed, I was a little grumpy. Fortunately Jake the mighty Jack Russell Terrier was up to the task of making me laugh. First I put his brand new pirate hat on, you know, to try it out for Halloween.

He was a trooper for about 40 seconds, then he wanted to shake it off.

That didn't work, so how about another approach?

And then, success!

Voila! Jake has made a happy girl out of a snarly, grumpy mom.

Thanks, Matey!

The written word warms more than the heart

Tammy@symphonicmonkey.com (Tammy) — 2009-08-06T02:52:00Z

Despite the average standard of living in North America, almost 750,000 people are living on the streets of America at any given time, plus 300,000 in Canada. Summer weather creates its own issues, but the serious (sometimes mortal) danger for homeless individuals is extremely cold weather. In Toronto, an alert is issued when the weather is expected to reach -15ºC (5ºF), to give agencies serving the homeless additional time to prepare for and reach out to those at risk.

In 2007, Toronto ad agency TAXI prepared to celebrate their 15th year in business by doing something to help their community. Executive creative director Steve Mykolyn developed the first winning idea, The 15 Below Project. Being a clever ad guy, Mykolyn tied together the Cold Weather Alert temperature of -15ºC and TAXI's anniversary...voila, a jacket for the homeless. The jacket had to be portable due to the on-the-move nature of homeless living; versatile and light so it wouldn't be left behind in the summer; low cost, and exceptionally protective in the cold.

The final solution was a jacket made of lightweight black material, a lining that can be stuffed with newspaper or magazines for warmth (or removed for use as a raincoat), convertible into a backpack or a pillow, with a foldaway hood, waterproof zippers, and drawstring cuffs and hem. To test the warmth, an unlucky individual spent the night in a meat locker wearing the jacket.

Clearly it would be better if everyone had a home, but until that time I'll be grateful for the ingenius creativity and compassion of an ad man in Canada. For more information, or to adopt the project as your own, visit http://www.15belowproject.org/.