El Gaffney

Inbox of Immaturity

I just realized this morning while reading about how a T-shirt “is an essential tool in determining the social rank, desirability, and value of a white person” that the IOI has never linked to, or featured (which it deserves), probably my favorite site in 2008: Stuff White People Like.

I was also reminded yesterday reading this post on Kevin Driscoll’s todo mundo, where he has an excellent making up of a term—which, is something I hold in very high regard over here. He coins: “Poll media” – not push or pull, it is using a particular medium to ask a simple question in order to engage your audience. For example: Is Lost a Repeat?. Love it.

So, anyway, back to the blog. I encourage you to take some time and work you’re way back from the beginning, like you’re currently doing with The Wire. The posts keep getting better. They started with Coffee and their most recent (84th) one is T-Shirts. Without ruining all the surprise, I wanted to give you a quick taste of what you’ll find. Here’s an excerpt from #77, Musical Comedy:

It’s a pretty good idea because when you have jokes that aren’t that great and music that isn’t that great, you can mix them together and create something that will entertain white people.

What are you waiting for? Go get your laugh on this Friday afternoon…and then get some Mos Def tickets. See you at the show!

Tags: fashion, ioi, poll

Holiday Sweater Fridizzle

I couldn’t think of a better way to say “Happy Holidays”. Even with all the help from agencies like R/GA and corporations like Puma. So hopefully this picture is worth at least those two words.

I won in the category Best Incorporation of an Animal. I was the CATegory. Enjoy the kittens peeking out from behind the present as I walk up to accept my prize—Ozzy Goes to Hollywood on VHS.
Thanks again to Annie for the gear.

Tags: fashion, holidays, office, wk

Buyer’s Something

I’m not necessarily feeling buyer’s remorse. Maybe it’s buyer’s confusion. Or more like buyer’s obsession. At about midnight last night I was catching up on some feeds and happened upon this story from Cool Hunting.

In case you don’t click the link, here’s the deal. Reebok partnered with Graphic Designer/Associate Director of Research at MIT Media Lab, John Maeda, to create a limited edition (100 pairs) sneaker (based on the Reebok Ventilator). They are calling it the Reebok Timetanium, and it not only sports graphics based on John Maeda’s original algorithms and computer code, but the inside of the shoe is actually lined with his own hand-written calculations. Take a look:

So at 12:03, I’m on the site seeing if there are any left. There were 5. I think, these kicks are mad ugly. I watch him talk about the shoe. I think, that’s a pretty tight story. Then I start convincing myself that owning a great marketing/infosthetics/design/simplicity case study is worth the money. Then I worry that I’m going to miss my opportunity. Then I realize I’ve never purchased shoes or any clothing besides custom t-shirts online. So I go check my closet for the size of my Reebok Pumps. 10. It’s worth buying this type of thing (one that I usually have to try on first) online. It’s a good learning experience I tell myself. Then I purchase. Then I can’t believe I just spent $179.23 on a pair of sneakers. Who do I think I am? Turtle? But they’re “limited edition”, and it’s like owning a piece of history…I guess.

Now I’m hoping they fit but cool if they don’t because it’s all about the experience. I’ve been on a buyer’s roller-coaster ever since. I’ll let you know when they arrive.

Tags: brands, consumption, fashion, reebok