kevin barnett

While Remind Me by Röyksopp is getting some play from the one of the brilliant Geico “Caveman” commercials, I prefer the music video. A stunning example of a smart, consistent design language. A friend of mine recently asked me if I could make something like that for his business. I wish I could tell him a confident “yes”. This is good work:

With college football season upon us (rejoice), a fellow Aggie points out one of the better pre-season writeups of Texas A&M football, written by a t-sip at Barking Carnival.  It even includes a sheep-lust reference with the lead photo.  Witty.

I was just listening to LCD Soundsystem - Losing My Edge

The National perform a free concert at South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan (photo: Wes_Mantooth)

I started this weekend right. After work, some friends and I headed down in the spotty rain storms for drinks at Fresh Salt followed by an outdoor performance by The National on the docks of the South Street Seaport. After a handful of free, good concerts I’ve taken in over the summer, I can say with confidence that this was my favorite. The scene was interesting — a curious lack of hipsternation but with plenty of fans there to support and enjoy another local-come-big-time band. The dock was crowded but not uncomfortable and the rain, blowing through moments before The National went on, helped cool the air and bring a gentle breeze off the water flowing through the crowd.

The stage, small and humble, provided just enough sound for the band’s somewhat subtle approach to rock music. The National didn’t pull any rabbits out of a hat in their performance; just a solid band playing some good music. I have only been listening to The National for the past few months after hearing Fake Empire on some Sirius channel late one night. It’s now on my regular rotation and will be time-stamped for the summer of ‘07 (lyrically, it might be a timestamp for the past 5 years). It was a great discovery which led to some regret of missing their show with Arcade Fire at Radio City back in May - I may need to see this band play again.

The good news is, they’ll be back in October. That should leave me enough time to continue to absorb the rest of Boxer and their previous record, Alligator so I can write out a setlist and quietly sing along with more than three songs.

I was just listening to The National - Green Gloves

to Los Angeles. For those of you waiting to see your own name on a screen, 5 feet long and luminous…

Not knowing who Brooke Astor was, I read her obituary in the NY Times and became incredibly fascinated with the “First Lady of Philanthropy”. Astor certainly lived a full life, reaching her 105th birthday earlier this year. The New York socialite was married three times; making a mistake at a young age with #1, widowed by #2 and subsequently #3, Vincent Astor. The obituary, while rich in story and history, is not without tragedy.

The last years of her life were robbed from her by a dueling match of cruelty between Alzheimer’s and her son, who (allegedly, only in legal terms) kept her stashed away in her Park Avenue apartment while pillaging and profiting from her art collection, jewelry and antiquities. Unfortunately, the legal battle led by her grandson — against his own father — to relieve her suffering and allow her to live her final years (in the care of the de la Renta’s) with some form of dignity never came to fruition.

While that situation is nothing less than doleful, it seems that the good Astor brought into the world might be enough to prevent her son from burning for eternity. Wait, no…probably not.

The NY Times recalls that her philanthropy work, while “modest” at $195 million, served a great purpose by leading the way for other foundations and money to follow her on worthy causes. She directly contributed to the cultural wealth of New York City (The Met, Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Hall, Apollo Theater to name a few), as well as people (and their pets) certainly less fortunate than her.

One New York institution she is most remembered for is the New York Public Library, of which I have yet to step foot in - the main location nor any branches. A shame. While learning about Astor through this rememberance and celebration of her life, I am reminded that there is much more to learn beyond The Internets™ and NY Times Bestsellers™.

The most appropriate remedy seems to be a stroll into the epic building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, procure a library card and start reading one (or both) of Astor’s memoirs. As the weather begins to turn from drag to brilliant, I am always looking for more excuses to spend time in the park with a good book.

*update: NYmag.com live-blogs Brooke Astor’s funeral.  Is that weird?

I was just listening to Radiohead - Pyramid Song

Over the weekend, a clip arrived on YouTube of Dick Cheney circa 1994 describing why invading and occupying Iraq would be a bad idea.

Clearly, this is the evidence we have been looking for as proof of time travel. Here’s my theory:

I imagine that Future Dick Cheney will procure a time machine in order to stop 2002 Dick Cheney from ordering encouraging President Bush to invade Iraq. Future Dick Cheney identifies the interview 1994 Dick Cheney gave to the American Enterprise Institute as the point in which history can be changed if he says what he knows now vs. what he knew then. If you think of the string web inside Isaac Mendez’s apartment on NBC’s drama series Heroes — then we’re on the same page.

But what this also proves is that you can’t change the future even with a time machine. Future Dick Cheney communicates to us through 1994 Dick Cheney speaking reason to truth on how to avoid mistakes of the past…err future. Unfortunately, no one bothered to revisit this speech (including 2002 Dick Cheney) until now, in 2007. The future remains unaltered.