Artistic Tendencies, Worker's Comp / 12.02.2005

Since shedding my higher level administration duties at work a few months back I've been able to concentrate on design and geeky things. Being creative in my day job --I'm in heaven. A few weeks ago we introduced a new section to the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Web site: Interact. We'll introduce small and fun things to do with our collection and be able to highlight some of the virtual exhibitions we've created. Displaying a detailed photograph on the Web has its drawbacks. It's impossible to get close and explore the image. Click on this photograph I took to view a zoomified...

News Outta My Control / 06.02.2005

Lynette: "Tom, I am sorry about tonight. Truly, but these days, if I'm competing with anyone, it's the Bree Van de Kamps of the world with their spotless kitchens, and their perfect kids, who throw fabulous parties where nothing ever goes wrong. I try so hard to keep up, but I can't." Tom: "Lynette, that's not my expectation." Lynette: "And when you work on a pitch, or you bring the partners over, I am reminded of a world I left behind where I was the winner, and people tried to keep up with me! I can't go back. I can't win where...

News Outta My Control / 21.01.2005

Self-described independent Baptist at entrance to the Inaugural Parade. The sign on the left said "God Hates America" while the sign on the right said "Thank God for the Tsunami." See more of my Inauguration Day photographs. The area around the parade and Inauguration was cordoned off days before the events. With Inauguration ticket in hand (thanks to my Congressman) I got to the 7th and D Street security checkpoint at 10 am yesterday. Meeting up with my friend Randall, there was already a large crowd chanting "Let us in, let us in...

Idiosyncratic Celebrations, News Outta My Control / 16.01.2005

As a bone-chilling drizzle fell on Washington, D.C., George W. Bush was inaugurated as the 43rd president of the United States, surrounded by both his strongest supporters and his most embittered detractors. In the crowd, Texans, many conspicuous in fur coats, cowboy hats and rhinestone pins, walked unfazed past homemade signs declaring "Shame" and "Not My President." Inauguration 2001 PBS.com Attending the Inauguration Parade? Take care not to bring these contraband items. Yes, I'll be going this time. And, yes, if the timing's right I will turn my back. But I will also have my trusted digicam with me looking for any photo opp. It...

Artistic Tendencies, Idiosyncratic Celebrations / 08.01.2005

Afraid to let your favorite blogger know their limits? Let Outtacontext t-shirts, coffee mugs, and notebooks make it easy for you. Numerous news reports and articles have outlined the perils of blogging. People have lost their jobs for what they've written and lives and careers have been ruined (or made) by overzealous lovers outlining every sordid detail of their relationships online. Why should the blogosphere be any different than the rest of the world? Put the power of the media in the hands of many and all traditional bets are off. New media demand new rules. I know I'd never date anyone who...

Fairly Odd Parents-Present, Idiosyncratic Celebrations / 24.12.2004

For all you gift-giving procrastinators out there here's a very last minute item for your loved ones: their own domain name. You will keep your sanity (no vain attempts to find a mall parking spot) and the price is right. Two nights ago, as I was kissing my eight year old good night, she blurted: "Tomorrow I'd like to register pokemon-yu-gi-oh.com." For those without children Pokemon and Yu-gi-oh are Japanese anime characters and their trading cards are big business in the pre-teen consumer sector. I don't know how she even knows about registering a domain name. We rarely let her near the...

Barely Socially Acceptable, Commuting with Nature / 11.12.2004

Download these handy dandy cards,perfect for any overbearing cell phone interaction I am a voyeur. To be a good artist you must be willing to observe and listen. It's not hard when you take public transportation every day. As an art career move, my transportation from the isolation of LA freeway driving to the close contact of DC's subway has been a boon to my artmaking. Hence the creation of The Theatre of the Barely Socially Acceptable. As an artist I am stealth. When I hear fellow commuters' private yet very public cell phone conversations, I surreptitiously reach for my Moleskin notebook...

Fairly Odd Parents-Present, Idiosyncratic Celebrations / 05.12.2004

gift package

I am far from perfect. But I do have two stellar traits I will admit to: I have a good and true sense of direction and I am a great gift giver. I know these things because at this stage in my life I like to think I can honestly assess my strengths and weaknesses, but more importantly, because my wife has told me so.

More on my directional skills at some other time. With the holiday season upon us, today I will focus on seven patented steps you can take to become a good gift giver too. In order of importance:


Artistic Tendencies / 04.12.2004

Yes Men's Andy Bichlbaum

BBC Retracts Bhopal Story (Quicktime, 3.4 MB)

Yesterday, on the 20th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster, I received the following email, ostensively from Dow Chemical's media relations department. It seemed to be counteracting a hoax that said the company would take full responsibility for the disastrous chemical leak twenty years ago and would pay out millions of dollars to survivors of the catastrophe. Read it closely.

When I got home I tuned in the BBC World and saw this news report (Quicktime, 3.4 MB).

Fairly Odd Parents-Present / 29.11.2004

Of course it's not like the postcards say it is. It's not glamour everywhere you look. I should know. I live here. This is my town. Peter Appleton The Majestic (Quicktime Movie, 4.3 MB) I was born in Hollywood. And I have a love/hate relationship with the city. When, at 18, I left LA for first time everyone at my Midwest college wanted to know what the hell I was doing there. "When you're 18 everyone's home is a prison," I would reply in my teenage proto-philosopher persona. Everyone knew LA. But I knew nothing about the rest of the world. It's been...