i’ve been waiting 12 years for this
Posted on January 7, 2012 by
If only I had the $$$$, I’d be in New Orleans right now with throat coat tea and my Megatron jersey.
For Lions fans, the past 12 years have been nothing short of a nightmare. From dumb penalties, to being robbed of victories, to terrible management, we’ve done the whole “grin and bear it” (or swear under your breath and try to come up some sort of reason to defend our favorite sports team) routine for over a decade. The time has come. The playoffs are upon us. I’m fucking excited.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Lions are ridiculous underdogs. After all, Drew Brees is the man. He’s good, really, really, apocalyptically good, and he’s even better in the Benzodome. However, though I might be crazy (I am), insane (sometimes), or just an optimist for the team and city I love (every day), I think the Lions are going to shock the world.
This team is resilient. Never before has a team come back from 20+ point deficits in back to back games, both of which were on the road. Never before has a team come back from 4 13+ point deficits in a single season. Never before has a team shown such a dramatic turn around in team culture, talent, and overall will to win. However, since 1957, never has a Lions team won an away playoff game.
The 11 point spread on this game is insulting, a joke, diminutive. And there-in lies bulletin board material for the Lions. Their defense has never been healthier (recall that Fairley was out early in the season), and without dumb penalties, the Lions could’ve beaten the Saints in week 13. Matthew Stafford clearly has ice in his veins. After all, the guy is the fourth man in the history of the NFL to throw for over 5,000 yards, and he led those 4 amazing comebacks.
When all is said and done, I’m jumping off a ledge and picking the Lions to win 38-34. I truly believe that this team is, and will continue to be, very special. Homerisms aside, I’m undoubtedly worried about how good the Saints are, but dammit I’ve been waiting since middle school for this, and for some Lions fans, they’ve been waiting even longer (for a road playoff win).
Go Lions, and I can’t even sleep I’m so excited right now.
-RLB
Posted in detroit lions, random thoughts, sports | Leave a comment
start to a series
Posted on January 6, 2012 by
As anyone who’s been frequenting my blog knows, I’m currently reading Never Sleep, and I’m about 2/3 of the way through at this point. Reading it has inspired me to dig through some of my photos and create something, which will be the first course of eye candy in a series based on a concept that you will soon enough understand. For now, here is the first installment of the retina blitz that is my new conceptual (yet to be named) series of work, blending my photography, design, and fine art skills. Enjoy, and please, provide feedback in any way, shape, or form. I’m always privy to listening, but I must warn you, this collective body of work is going to be fun, so be prepared for fun.
-RLB
Posted in concepts, design, fine art, my own work, photography | Leave a comment
new year’s resolution and 1st book of the year
Posted on January 3, 2012 by
I’m not really that big on New Year’s resolutions. Most of them end up in the cliché resolution dumpster with free-weights, empty soda cans, and cigarette butts, because change is, well, hard; most people are simply unmotivated to change (I’m just as guilty of this as everyone else).
Recently, I’ve discovered that, through my own means, I’ve created a significant gap between my own mind and the minds of other creative people, and it’s purely my own fault. I’m not going to galleries. I’m not reading any recent design books/magazines. I’m not taking the time to really look around. I’m not researching local art shows. Get the drift?
As a designer, these are all huge problems, propagating like an eerie bacterial culture in a Jell-oy Petri Dish. Like most bad habits we cultivate, this “non-design” habit began slowly, innocently. However, after a year or so, and despite the evolution and design of this website, I’m finding myself disconnected from what I grew up loving and learning.
It’s because of this love of design, and frankly, art in general, that I suppose a resolution to become more involved and reestablish this relationship is plausible, logical, and worthy of the effort on my part, and I’m getting my start tonight. I recently ordered a few books and un-hiatused my subscription to Print magazine (though I won’t get an issue till sometime around Feb or March). Below is the first book on my list:
It’s titled Never Sleep and is written by Dress Code, a small firm created by Andre Andreev and Dan Covert. The back cover basically tells you what it’s going to be about, and I can’t wait to read it. I’ve gotten a start already, and will probably create a review post after I finish it.
I’m hoping this is a start to an inspiring new year, and I’m ready to reconnect with what I love.
-RLB
Posted in books, design, random thoughts | Leave a comment
daniel eatock is pretty awesome
Posted on December 16, 2011 by
I was reading some of my design blogs today while taking a break from work and came across this video:
Created by London-born Daniel Eatock, these prints are curiously delightful to me. Beyond using a medium in a way I’d never think to use it, he’s also making a statement about modern designers (i.e. young whippersnappers like me) and their disconnect from outdated design techniques. I love it. You can find more of his work HERE. Below are a couple I happen to enjoy:
Cocktail Glass & Umbrella
Unicycle & Stabilisers
Posted in design, fine art | Leave a comment
old skewl paintings and such
Posted on December 16, 2011 by
I was browsing through some old gwash/ink/acrylic paintings the other day and thought I’d share them. These come from my late high-school/early college days. Enjoy!
Posted in drawing, fine art, painting | Leave a comment
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