The Good News about the Economy

Folks, just this week it was scientifically proven by the second richest man in the world that the U.S. economy has "fallen off a cliff".



This is bad, yes?

On the other hand, should we find some comfort in Buffett's choice of words? For example, he didn't say that the economy has "fallen off a cliff, bounced off the rocks, flailed it arms wildly, and exploded into a big fireball at the bottom". So we're still ok right? Perhaps the economy grabbed a weed on its way down, and is just dangling there waiting for rescue. Should we check? Should we pay attention to the fact that it's grabbing a weed?

We should all be happy that this hasn't yet come to pass. For now, we'll just ignore the fact that, when people fall off cliffs, they're rarely:

a) Alive
b) Kicking
c) Able to make money.

We've composed a poem to mark this significant occasion. In our own wordly way, we sort of believe that we're making a difference. Well, maybe.

The Economy Falls off a Cliff
Economy
stock falling
cliff diving stock footage
lose your footing under sawdust buried concrete
reality
space apes from space
killing you in the shower
paid for by tickets falling
then exploding then landing
where is the bottom
the bottom is not there, princess
you'll have to sell your expensive dogs
and trade hummer for Hummer
Deals broken
promises shattered, people eating corn meal
again.

It's like history always teaches us; first the economy falls off a cliff. Then it explodes. Then the sheriff comes. Then there's a hot girl who plans a murder. And then she's stabbed in the shower. Then her body is fed to the piranhas.

It's the oldest story ever told, folks.

Good night.

From the Vault - Album Covers

2005 Album Covers

for released and non-released releases

not in stores.

Braking Nooz, people...

Scouring the murky depths of the well-furnished halls of the upper carpel tunnel…we discovered a steel door that had been bolted into place…quite sometime ago. Somewhat rusted and bearing strange yellow streaks at the base (which ANM concluded were cat pissings), the door still clung to a yellowed paper sign reading “ Peace on Ear(illegible)”
We deduced that the sign had once read “Peace on Ears” and has remained the subject of much speculation here in the studio. Upon release of the rusted bolts, and the obligatory oxygen canary, we proceeded inside the chamber...

The contents of the chamber (Recently discovered chamber four (RDC004):

(1) .45 caliber automatic, two boxes of ammunition
(4) days concentrated emergency rations
(1) drug issue containing: antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills &
tranquilizer pills
(1) miniature combination Russian phrase book and bible
(1) hundred dollars in rubles
(1) hundred dollars in gold
(9) packs of chewing gum
(1) issue of prophylactics
(3) lipsticks
(3) pair a nylon stockings.

These were rapidly placed in a box labeled “Plan R”, and filed in the vaults. There was a pile of papers in the middle of the room; the topmost page was titled:

“Incredible Singing Furniture – A Plan”

We have since read The Pile, and we can summarize it in the following way:
“A well-researched and concise plan for creating a furniture design/build business. Ideas flowing between sketch between diagram between faded labeled photograph. The magnitude of this work was described by ANM ‘It must have taken some guy a long time to put this all together, much less organize it, much less strangle some kind of coherent plan from the mess.’”

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now clear that we are to open yet another Studio Maelstrom division: Incredible Singing Furniture. Logo, manifesto, business plan, and task force to follow. The author of The Pile was rather insistent that we begin this task immediately upon discovery of the chamber. We are excited.

A Personal Exit Strategy

This card is on my person at all times. I carry a well-inked BIC pen with a lid. If I encounter a hopeless situation, and feel so threatened, I will raise my tail, leave you in a fog of musk, and retreat to the nearest urban niche and sign this card. I will then register it with the Ada County Commission for Dead and Dying Dreams, and it will be official.

A Busy Day in the Nayberhood

Announcement! (Bezahlung Aufmerksamkeit!)

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Actually, keep doing whatever it was that you were doing...this wont require but 30% or your available processing power.

This is old / new news, but it has been deemed "exciting" by the managment. Enough so, that we are obligated to post this announcement where no one will read it...here, in this blog!

Studio Maelstrom is happy and pleased to announce the addition of a new/old artist to our studio franchise! Again, this has already happened...but the announcement is new.

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Ladies and Gentlemen, meet:

Artist Name Missing

(not a representation)

!!!

He/she is between the ages of 15 and 75, and loves to make things! We think he/she will be a wonderful addition to our little troup.

Projectile #0702

Southern Idaho Management Logo

...and YES, we do logos too! Is it ok to post logo designs on a design studio blog? I dont know, but if you can gather yer thoughts about the subject, this would be an excellent opportunity to comment. We know you want to...dont be afraid.

Projectile #0601

"City of Trees" Boise Art Map
From the 2006 Art In Transit competition.

This "art map" of Boise serves no wayfinding function, but maps Boise in a conceptual manner. It is comprised of various USGS topo and road maps, as well as digital photos all cut and pasted and tweezed in the glorious digital realm.

Future plans for this piece: SM would like to develop a series of art maps of Boise. Perhaps (6) is a round enough number. Perhaps the legendary ZF will contribute (3) designs, and then I only have to produce (2) more.
Spectacular.