Speak Up Archive: Quipsologies<br>~ Vol. 7 ~

Many, many items in this rainy edition of Quipsologies.

~ BRYONY ~

Outdoor advertising. In 2004, outselling the rest.

How to fit a complete makeup kit into the smallest possible package? Wende Zomnir figured it out.

Any lack of sophistication in this brand, has been made up for in consumer perception of durability and staying power. One to be around for, like, forever… but, Turtle Wax is now ready for a “new look”.

~ MARIAN BANTJES ~

I want a fuel-cell motorcycle. With a yellow chick on the front, of course.

~ M. KINGSLEY ~

Perhaps future marketing historians will consider 2004-2005 the moment when the Starbucks brand went off track. This is when the company replaced their espresso machines with ones incapable of making long or short shots, and when they released this wretched adaptation of the worst pop song ever.

We built this Starbucks on heart and soul!

David Schmader at The Stranger broke the story (scroll down to Thursday, February 24).

Another Starbucks item.

Here is a charming website for the tenth annual celebration of the French language and French speakers. For some of the goofiest Quicktime films around — which combine sign language, pantomime, and extreme facial expressions — click on Les dix mots +1, then La langue des signes, then select one of this year’s featured words (ondelette, variation, etc.).

Granted, there’s a lot of stuff on the site for children; but then, my French isn’t even that good.

p.s. The poster’s nice too — with hand lettering by Jeffrey Fisher.

If I have a photographic memory, do I have to be put under before I can go through the tunnel? — Karl Wagenf�hr. [Click on pictures at the left]

In case you want to take pictures of bridges and tunnels. [PDF download]

It is always a pleasure to follow the interests of a well “bespoke” craftsman; specifically the blog of Savile Row tailor Thomas Mahon, whose self-awareness and thoughtfulness are worth emulating.

~ ARMIN ~

If you can’t have enough street art while walking on the street, you can download it to your cell phone. Wooster Collective has curated a collection of street art that benefits the artists, by paying them royalties for each download; and children by donating 12% of each download to Keep a Child Alive charity. [Via NYT]

Help design Brawny’s next line of paper towels. [Noted by Don Hollis/Julio]

Two unfortunate graphic executions of logos. [Noted by Von Glitschka]

Two unfortunate graphic executions of logos reminds me of the fun you can have when you add a couple dots to an "A"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/missha/4638948

On Mar.28.2005 at 10:34 AM

Love the fuel-cell motorcycle. I wish I lived in a smaller town where I could own one without being squashed by an SUV.

If you want to understand a little more about fuel-cell autos and why we're not driving them right now, here's a very good article on the topic. You don't have to be an engineer to understand it either.

>Two unfortunate graphic executions of logos

Haha...worth a thread unto itself. The APC logo is just terrible.

On Mar.28.2005 at 12:34 PM

Two unfortunate graphic executions of logos

These are ... man o man, I can't believe they made it onto the street. And the 2-dotted A is hilarious.

On Mar.28.2005 at 12:38 PM

On the subject of dodgy logos:

This for a Christian bookstore

And a possible explanation:

To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. Titus ch 1 v 15

from an unseemly place called fark.com via whatdoiknow.org

On Mar.28.2005 at 02:50 PM

Hurry set-up an appointment with Tom Mahon the tailor. Those Arians in need of a dapper wardrobe are beating you to it.

He’ll be in NY on the 7th of April… for those of you with unique body-shapes and paychecks!

Got fabric?

On Mar.30.2005 at 02:36 PM

shahla, I'm not quite sure, but when you say "those Arians"... do you mean "those Aryans" as in "Nazis"?

If not, then there are several references for the word "arian":

1. Fourth century christian heretics

2. The Welsh word for "money"

3. An Iranian pop group

4. Someone who was born in the sign of Aires

Your comment about "unique... paychecks" suggests you're speaking of people with money. In which case, I would argue that the price for a tailored suit which is well made using quality fabric — over the course of years — becomes comparable in price to an off-the-rack Ralph Lauren, looks better on your body, and reflects on your personal taste when someone asks where you got that great-looking suit.

I've commented on these pages before that Respect is a mutual transaction; getting it means giving it — freely. Unless you have arranged your life to the point where you no longer need money, maintaining such an attitude toward fellow artisans and craftsmen is inappropriate. If they don't deserve to be paid what the market will bear, then you don't either.

In the case of Thomas Mahon; the degree of focus, the knowledge of his craft, the willingness to share the mysteries of his profession, the belief in standards, and the gentle tone of his writing are admirable traits. We would all do better by emulating these qualities — whether we wear suits or jeans.

Mahon often suggests other Savile Row tailors, even the ones who make regular visits to New York. When was the last time you heard about a graphic designer recommending an other designer to a potential client?

On Mar.30.2005 at 06:38 PM

D. Mark,

this echo of mine to your original link to Tom was, in fact, to reiterate and promote him. In the quiet read at his site all you say about his attention to detail down to his recommendations of other tailors comes across. And more. He’ll be in NY to have fun, too.

I suggest you enjoy reading the horoscopes posted by your Speak-Up colleague Jason for a bit of levity.

As to the investment it is to have a suit made specifically for one’s shape —I trust there are those in our field, as well as plenty others in other lines of work, who will make this smart move and take great pleasure in choosing the fabric for their suits.

If I want to imply there are more designers who find such an investment a low priority, I am simply stating a fact.

Got Bespoke?

On Mar.30.2005 at 07:42 PM

Shahla,

Duly noted.

The "arians" reference confused both the wife (who's Jewish)

and myself (a lapsed Catholic who's Jew-ish).

Bygones.

Peace out.

On Mar.30.2005 at 09:12 PM

As a motorcycle rider myself (my baby), I was immediately struck by the ENV. What a nice looking bike! Here's my ideal scenario: solar cells on the roof of my house, which in turn recharges the cell of the motorcycle I use to commute. No oil companies involved and very little use of power plants.

---

Mark, I so agree about the long-term value of having a tailor-made suit. Any off-the-rack modern suit just won't compare in durability and fit. Plus, you can have something completely unique created. While some may strive for that cliché Armani, I've always thought that it doesn't get any better than a Savile Row tailored suit. Thanks for the link.

On Apr.01.2005 at 04:41 PM