Alright, one last one on the cool Vector Graphic category. This French Electro-Pop group produced one of the coolest videos I have ever seen. I wish all my T-Shirts were as cool as the ones in this video. Watch and enjoy!
Justice - D.A.N.C.E
Jay Sean - All or Nothing Album Review /
Interested in a clean, smooth, catchy, poppy R&B album? Sorry, that was a lot of adjectives that I used, however it does describes Jay Sean's album in my opinion. I really like it and totally recommend it.
I was very fortunate to learn about Jay Sean very early in the game. And it was all due to DJ Bikram Keith. A couple of years ago, I was introduced to him and was very impressed with his skills. When it comes to clubbing, I've always predominately been just a hip hop/pop fan. I never really listened to house or anything like that. I always thought house was just another version of techno.. but I was so wrong. But that all changed with Bik. One night I took a whole group of friends who loves dancing to hip hop and nothing else to listen to him.. and they all loved him. The man just knows how to blend the perfect beats to dance to. No drowning techno or anything like that.. just a perfect blend of hip hop, house, and pop mashups.
Anyways that same night, I heard this music loop that I just really loved. It turned out to be from a Jay Sean song called Ride It. That's when I first learned about Jay Sean. He was a huge star in the UK at the time, and Bikram was the official DJ for him. Shortly afterwards, Jay Sean blew up in the US with his song Down and now recently on the radio, Do You Remember featuring Sean Paul and Lil John. It's been crazy ever since seeing how Bikram is now all over the place touring with Jay Sean as the official DJ. He will be doing the European tour with him and Ne-Yo! Craziness! Check out his website at www.bikramkeithonline.com where he features some of his sets that you can download.
Anyways, All or Nothing is one of the few albums where you can pretty much listen to every song without having to skip through to your favorites. The songs on this album pretty much cover all the facets of girls and love. From thinking a girl is so FiOne, to thinking you can never live with out her and then to... living without her haha. Here are a couple of my favorite songs right now
Do You Remember (Featuring Sean Paul & Lil John)
This is his current song on the radio. Catchy and smooth. One of the things I always find humorous is how Sean Paul will live up to the Jamaican accent and drops the "H" in words. "Ot like the sun", "Thats what I eard" See if you can hear it in the song. Correction, see if you can "ear" it. Also, Lil John being his crazy self, randomly yelling "Do U Remembuh!?"
If I Ain't Got You (Featuring Drake)
A fun and poppy song about that girl you just can't live without, even if you have everything else.
All or Nothing
One of those songs that many guys can relate to. It's that one girl you thought she was everything.. and now she's nothing in your life.
Music Video(s) of the Day. BEP & Common /
Continuing the theme of great music videos with Vector Graphics.. Here are 2 more that I really enjoy.
Black Eyed Peas - Hey Mama
This song just makes you want to jam! Especially watching all the footage of BEP and dancers bustin a move! The graphics are totally fun in here. Whoever did this video and their Like That video are top notch!
Common - Go
Just one of those great chillaxed lounge style songs that I enjoy. The video displays cool, clean, vector style graphics and also some really cool Typography. Check it!
Music Video Of The Day. BEP /
I recently stumbled upon a new website, www.vevo.com. It's the YouTube of music videos, but without all the other nonsense! I guess a better comparison would the Hulu of music videos. Anyways, they have videos from back in the day to anything recent. This has prompted me to start sharing videos that I enjoy! First Up..
Black Eyed Peas featuring John Legend, Talib Kweli, Cee-Lo, QTip - Like That
This video/song has been out for a couple of years but I still love it! First off, that line up is amazing. The music background is this really cool, chill, elevator style loop. Then of course with that line up, the rhyming and singing is off the hook. But what really amazes me most is the video! It's as if I was dreaming through the eyes of Adobe Illustrator. Vector graphics galore! Watch and enjoy
Techniquelle Recap | More community work /
Techniquelle
I just got back from Techniquelle's performance @ DC Wonderland Ballroom. It was great to hear her live with a band. Even though she said her voice was giving out, I don't think anyone noticed any signs of that while she was singing. We got to hear some unreleased tracks tonight which sounded great! Again, check her out at her website, http://www.techniquellemusic.com. Also I wanted to note that East Coast Caravan had some really great instrumentals. They totally got the place jammin and ready for Techniquelle & Band. Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/eastcoastcaravan More photos in the photo section to the right!
More community work
So my ever so cool cousin Sylvie, Thrifty DC Cook, is a local foodie. Not only does she love to learn, taste, and make great food, she also gives back to the community with food! She takes the time to gather food or money contributions and volunteers to make some great food for local food banks. This Saturday, she will be working with N Street Village in DC. This will be the first time I finally get to help out my cousin, so I'm excited! The food will feed women who are homeless and are recovering from addiction or a mental illness. We'll be at the Bethany Women's Center, 1333 N St. NW, Washington, DC 2005 at 10AM this Saturday to start prepping and will serve lunch at 12 noon. The lunch will end at 12:30. If you would like to help or contribute or learn about future events, please send me an email and I'll forward it on to Sylvie! Or simply visit her site and send her a note. http://www.thriftydccook.com
Also, I'm sure everyone knows about the devastating earthquake in Haiti. I ask you to please donate whatever you can at this time to help out with the relief efforts. Even if it's a couple of bucks... it all adds up! So before you buy that next pack of gum, movie ticket, another round of drinks, try to remember how just sacrificing something so small like that can help out so many in Haiti right now. Some great organizations you can donate to is Yele, Wyclef Jean's organization that benefits Haiti, The Red Cross, and also One Day's Wages.
Helping Hands Event & Techniquelle /
This past Saturday was the first ever Helping Hands event (www.helpinghandsevent.com). It was originally scheduled for December but a big ole snow storm had something to say about that. It was a shame, but at the same time I was glad. I was away for business during that time and was bummed out I was going to make it! If you didn't know, the Helping Hands Event benefited a great organization known as One Day's Wages. When you get the chance, please visit their website (www.onedayswages.org)
Anyways, the event was rescheduled for this past Saturday and it was even bigger and better. Originally I wasn't sure how long I was going to stay, but I ended up staying the majority of the time and had a blast. I brought my camera along and was able to help take some photos for the event. The turnout was great and the musicians were awesome. Everyone had a great performance and I was fortunate to learn about some new and great local artists. I'm sure that One Day's Wages are extremely proud of the work Jennie Roh & Joe Kim have done. I believe this is just the beginning of even more amazing events to come.
So the next event that you all need to check out is Techniquelle's performance, this Wednesday, January 13th, 2010. She will be performing at the DC Wonderland Ballroom at 9PM. Her music is soooo good. Chickity Check it out! http://techniquelle.squarespace.com/music/
Starbucks Via Review /
For the longest time, I have been intrigued by Starbucks' new instant coffee. I'm not too fond of instant coffee in general, but Starbucks has claimed to produce a higher quality one. I recently bought a pack and tried it out for the first time. It's quite quick and easy. Empty out a packet in your favorite mug (Yes, that is my apple mug), fill it with 8oz of hot water, stir and BAM you are done.
Starbucks did a pretty good job in my opinion. Well for starters, let me just say that I don't expect too much out of instant coffee. Never have. However, this is one notch up in all categories. The aroma, the flavor, the aftertaste, it was all a notch up for instant coffee, and of course, probably 1-2 notches down from a real cup of starbucks. So it's not bad for quick cup of joe on the go.
And this is coming from a former Starbucks Barista =P
"Salagna" As my dad calls it! /
For 2010, I don't have any resolutions, but just goals that I'm continuing to work on. One of them that I have started in 2009 was to have Monday as my creative/learning day. As a designer, you have to keep on learning and staying on the creative edge to further develop your skills. For the longest time I felt stagnant. I was only doing some creative things at work, however I wasn't expanding my skills or creativity at all.
So I try to take every Monday as my learning or creative day. I have to either learn something new on Lynda.com, try out a new tutorial, or work on something creative. This goal ties into another goal seamlessly, which is to create a family documentary.
I find my family amazing. I just believe they are incredibly strong for being where they are today. Coming from a war-torn country, escaping Vietnam, knowing no english, facing cultural barriers, and somehow making it all work here in the United States. When I face tough times, it gives me strength just thinking about what my family had to go through.
I always found the stories of their childhood and their escape from Vietnam so fascinating that I wanted to document it. So I finally decided to work on a family documentary. I'm not sure where the project is going to go, if it will become big, or if I even want it to become big. I just want it for our personal records so that future generations will understand how our family got here in the US.
Over Christmas break, I was able to do some interviews with my parents and grandma, but still need to work on it more. When I first tried to interview my grandma, she actually freaked out a bit. She thought I was about to interrogate her haha. I actually had to hide the camera so she wouldn't see it. I feel confident that she'll be better about it next time though.
Anyways, here's a short clip that I found humorous from my dad. I wish that everyone could understand Vietnamese, because the emotions and thoughts can often be lost in translation. And if you guys know my dad, he tends to be hilarious! This is about his first American meal, Salanga!
"Salagna" My dad's first american meal from Thomas Nguyen on Vimeo.
My brother asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year (I guess I should say last year?) and all I asked for was a bible. It's another one of my goals to say that I actually have read it fully. I read parts of it of course during Sunday school growing up. However, I don't think as a kid, I could completely comprehend everything. I have no clue when I'll finish, but it's on my goal list for this year along with trying to attend church more regularly. Wish me luck!
Jason Eskridge - The EP. Get it! /
About 2 years ago, I was at Jammin Java in Vienna, VA catching a performance by my high school buds Nate & Austin. While I was there, a musician named Jason Eskridge made a surprise visit and performance. During that time, he was doing backup vocals for Lyle Lovett and his tour. He told all of us that every time he was in the DC area, he would stop by here and perform. Well, I was really glad that he stopped by. I was blown away by his performance. He had a soulful, rustic, southern style to him.
I remember right after the performance, I commented on his MySpace wall about how much I enjoyed his song titled "Sweet Love". He never posted it, but wrote me an email. He thanked me for the appreciation, but didn't want to post anything about the song because he wanted to surprise his wife with that song. I guess he was just practicing to perform it for her one day. I'm sure she loved it. Here's a youtube video of that performance that I witnessed. Check out his awesome "trumpet" skills at the 2:34 mark.
A couple of weeks ago, I finally purchased his EP. It's been out for awhile now, but I finally got it! There is a great compilations of songs on the album. Songs about positivity, love for your special someone, and love for your family and home. It's just a great feel good album.
My favorite songs are Everybody..Nobody, Home (Dirt Road Mix) and Get Together.
Everybody..Nobody
I love these lines of the main chorus....
"The heart of every woman, man, boy and girl
Is the possibility to go and change the world..."
Home(Dirt Road Mix)
The use of the harmonica gives that great countryside feel to the song. It makes me reminisce about driving down Route 322 and seeing the countryside to get back home to Lebanon. I love it. It makes me miss home!
The lyrics that hit me.
"See I realize
while I was gone,
aint' nothing like,
that place called home"
Get Together
A soulful and perfect example of a classic R&B style love song.
"We can kick it in the park for awhile, baby drive a few country miles, girl i love it when i see you smile, let's get together"
So take a listen above! And learn more about Jason Eskridge at his website. You can also purchase his album on itunes for only $5.94!
If you don't know, now ya know! /
My cousin the Thrifty DC Cook! Ready to roll out the deals!
I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful new year! 2010 has started amazingly. I had a wonderful time hanging out with my home girl Jenn at my cousin Sylvie's NYE bash! Her and her friends made some amazing food for the party, which I was very happy to eat! Thrifty DC Cook knows how to throw some fun get togethers! And also today, Penn State won the Captial One Bowl so I am a super happy camper! And I'm happy that OSU won in the Rose Bowl as well. GO BIG 10!
So a new year, a new decade and new events! Here are some upcoming events that I believe you should check out!
Helping Hands
January 9, 2010
The event has now been rescheduled into an even bigger and better event! It will be held at a new venue, Woo Lae Oak. Come and check out great music & photography where the proceeds will go towards a wonderful non profit organization, One Day's Wages. More information can be found here, http://www.helpinghandsevent.com
Techniquelle
January 13, 2010
Techniquelle will be performing live at the Wonderland Ballroom in DC. You guys really need to check out this wonderful DC artist! She's so cool that she even recently got mentioned by MTV Iggy. Learn more about her at http://techniquelle.squarespace.com/
Timbaland
January 16, 2010
Super producer and beat master Timbaland will be performing live at The 9:30 Club in DC. Who wants to go with me? It should be a great performance!
2010 Western Open on the JOOLA North American Tour
February 20-21, 2010
Start practicing my pong friends and get ready for the first stop on the 2010 JOOLA North American Tour in Berkeley, CA. It's going to be a great event! And even if you aren't a competitor, come and check out some amazing table tennis! Maybe one day.. if I'm not going crazy in running the tour events, I'll compete again. Give me some more motivation guys =P More information can be found at http://www.natabletennis.com
Inspiration. Pass it On. /
I was in New York City on Tuesday and Wednesday for some business meetings. We were driving in the city and I passed by this billboard advertisement. You might have seen some of these around and I absolutely love them. This is one of my favorites since 1) Norman Rockwell is one of my favorite American Painters, and 2) it spreads the word Inspiration.
These ads are created by a non profit group known as The Foundation For A Better Life. It has no religious ties. It does not accept any money donations since it is privately funded. All they ask in return is for your to find motivation and values that help you become a better person and live a better life. How amazing is that?
Here are some of my favorite billboards from them.
You can check out their website at www.values.com. I hope you find some type of inspiration and motivation for 2010, and to pass it onto others. Live well my friends and Happy 2010!
Never Eat Alone. I recommend it. /
One of the things about me is that I enjoy meeting new people. I enjoy learning something about them, even for a brief moment. I enjoy the small talk and even the longer discussions in the future. Maybe that's why some of my posts have been titled " Meet ______ ".
Being genuinely connected with others is an amazing feeling. And with these great relationships that you can develop, you never know how others may help you or how you may help others. In the end, you grow together. And meeting someone just to see how they can benefit you only is a no no. Be genuine and help others when you get the chance!
I've had these feelings and thoughts ever since I was a kid. I recently read a book titled "Never Eat Alone" by Keith Ferrazzi in which he expresses the importance of relationships in life and business. It's a wonderful book that shows how he has used true friendships and relationships to foster the growth in his career/life. Another interesting point is that I grew up with a similar background as him. Small town PA kids trying to achieve bigger and better things!
He also shows examples of his methods and how even major personalities in the world have used the same skill sets. A person is more willing to work with you if they like you and feel that you are genuine. Plain and simple. So I definitely recommend this book to.. actually anyone. A person working in marketing, a small business owner or even the average Joe will benefit from reading this book. As it's stated on the book, "How to build a lifelong community of colleagues, contacts, friends and mentors."... "Never Eat Alone, and other secrets to success, one relationship at a time." Let me know if you have read this and what your thoughts are! I think I'll definitely be following Keith and his tips from now on.