Moleskine

After picking up a couple of Moleskine blanks at the local Borders bookstore, I've taken up sketching again. There's no particular order of subject studies, just whatever happens to fancy me that day. When I was a kid, I'd draw and doodle endlessly, even during class hours which usually ended up getting me in trouble. And when paper wasn't readily available, I'd draw in the air and keep it in memory until I get to a medium that allows me to ink it permanently. The Moleskine has in part helped me rekindle some of that passion I've lost or ignored during the years working as a commercial artist/graphic designer. Hopefully, there's enough creative momentum to keep this up for as long as I can, but at the moment, I'll try to do at least one drawing a day...









Check out 'skine.art where I've submitted several of my sketches for online publication.

posted at 7:58 AM |  |

 Crash & Burn

After several hours of waiting for Apple to get their act together, my iPhone is finally updated and activated. The loss of connectivity was (mostly) attributed to Apple's iTunes server meltdown, undoubtedly caused by the simultaneous release of the iPhone Software v.2.0 and the massive activations of iPhone 3G's around the globe (whoever thought that doing so was a good idea is probably hiding in a darkened room right now). The much ballyhooed iTunes blackout left many users (new and previous models alike) stranded with 'bricked' phones — myself included. Anyway, bridge under water now, and I am back in iPhone lala-land, enjoying the new software improvements and installing every application imaginable from the new App Store, free or not. This is bad though, the number of available games alone begging for purchase/download is going to leave a sour note in my wallet. Did I mention my birthday is coming up next month? iTunes gift cards makes lovely presents for that discriminating geek in your life...

posted at 3:47 PM |  |

 Details, Details, Details

Admittedly, I am a bag/case addict. My wife knows it, all my friends and co-works knows it. In fact, whenever I shop for a Coach handbag for Christine, she thinks I am living my bag obsessions vicariously through her. So imagine my delight when I stumbled upon Tom Bihn, a Seattle-based company that makes what I consider to be the best bags. Period! Before I go on, be forwarned that this post is a lengthy gushing about a certain company's product(s), and with that aside, allow me to continue...

A few months back, I caved in and decided that it was time to upgrade my PowerBook G4 to Apple's latest MacBook Pro lineup. The breaking point was when I could no longer run the latest Mac OS (and applications) without the PowerBook coming to a grinding halt. When Apple finally came out with the faster Penryn-equipped MBP's and a higher resolution LED lit 17" form factor, an order was immediately placed through the Apple Store. The 15" was appealing in portability weight, but being that this new laptop will serve both as my primary and mobile computer, the added screen real estate offered by the 17" was a boon. During the first few weeks of using the MacBook Pro, I would constantly hesitate bringing it along with me to work since I was afraid of banging it onto something while in transit. Then there's also the added chore of packing it up and shoehorning it into my previous laptop case (a Coach leather briefcase which wasn't specifically made to accommodate this Mac). This time consuming effort of bagging the MacBook Pro was the main reason why it stayed home most days save for the times when I really needed to bring it with me. The entire predicament defeated the purpose of owning a portable system (if you call a 17-inch, 6-pound behemoth truly portable), and the lack of carrying cases or bags suited for this Mac further aggrevated the situation. Enter Tom Bihn.

I don't exactly recall how I stumbled onto them, but I remember trolling several forums at the Apple Online Store searching for what people used and suggested. Most folks pointed me to the more common brands like Brenthaven, Booq, Crumpler, Timbuk2, and InCase. While these are solid brands in their own right, it wasn't the fit and finish I was looking for. A co-work suggested Spire, an unknown brand to me at that time, and I almost went with them, but after some research and emails with their customer service, I was saddened to find out that Spire no longer made their bags locally (originally from Colorado) but rather had them outsourced just like everyone else. It was more of a personal preference, but I was set on finding a manufacturer that made their own bags and within the US. The search deity Google presented me three prospects: Manhattan Portage, Chrome, and Tom Bihn. Manhattan Portage was quickly eliminated from my list as they were in the same boat as Spire; Manhattan Portage bags used to be manufactured in New York City (hence the name) but are now assembled offshore (everything is made in China these days I suppose). The Chrome brand, while made in the good ol' US, was a tad limited in style for my taste, it's either too bright or just plain square (no offense to Chrome fans). Tom Bihn was my last resort, and after heading to their website and reading up on some of the customer raves and reviews (which were universally positive), my heart skipped a beat for I have found the bag that I've been conjuring up only in my dreams. Honestly, sometimes I feel Tom Bihn (the man, the CEO and designer of all things Tom Bihn) peeks into my wish list while I'm not looking and then materializes the product I want and need. Tom Bihn bags indeed lives up to the brand's tagline of "Portable Culture", for it is just that, a culture. It may sound dramatic, but that's how strongly I feel about the brand (the only brand I love as much as Apple). Eventually, after an extensive product research and a week's worth of waiting for the UPS truck, the one true bag in the form of the Super Ego arrives and I have been quite happy with it ever since.

The thing never leaves my side, wherever I go it's right there dutifully encasing my other sidekick, the MacBook Pro. But what makes this bag, this particular brand so special? Aside from the cult-following, they are made to last and the lifetime warranty proves it. They are constructed in such away that a little smile will creep up on your face as you notice that the subtle design cues aren't just whims but rather carefully thought out elements intended to make your carrying needs as efficient as it can possibly be. As they say, necessity is the mother of all inventions, and Tom Bihn took it to heart. As far as the Super Ego is concerned, it is one cavernous bag. There's more than ample room for the MacBook Pro 17" and then some. There are organizational pockets everywhere, and supplemental o-rings abound to clip in accessory organizer pouches (more on those here). The materials that Tom Bihn chooses to use are the best (again, US made right down to the fabric they use), the bag is constructed from denier ballistic nylon (bomb proof!) lined with durable Cordura. The level of quality even goes down all the way to the stitching, taped seams, the YKK #8 Uretek splash-proof zippered pockets, Duraflex Warrior buckle strips, and the level of customization (interchangeable color strips, choice of shoulder straps, optional seat belt buckles, and color!) was just icing. Couple the good design with the modular laptop protection afforded by the companion 'Brain Cell' and you have one of the best protective carrying medium for your laptop that money can buy. And then there's the impeccable customer service which is unheard of these days. Companies striving to be the best should take note on how things are run at their Seattle store/factory, they really cater to your needs, they answer questions, they go out of their way to make sure that every purchase you make is the right one, and if it isn't, they rectify matters quickly until you are satisfied (click here and here to read more constructive reviews about the Super Ego). The folks at Tom Bihn are very thorough and attentive to detail, and it definitely shows in the end product.

Fanboy much? You betcha!

posted at 9:51 PM |  |

 Chips

Without any warning, this poor excuse of a motorist suddenly decided to take the lane I was in. Pounding on the horn while yelling indiscernible vulgarities was more of my attempt to curb the initial reaction of wanting to ram the idiot off the road. Of course, it was all wasted energy. The imbecile (I forget if it was a she or a he, the blood curdling inside blurred my vision) was still busy yapping on the phone and couldn't care less, but apparently the motorcycle cop behind me did...

posted at 7:49 AM |  | 2 Comments

 Surprised!

OMG! Tom Bihn himself gave me a call! The man is a 'rockstar designer' in my eyes, and to receive a call from him personally still has me reeling in disbelief. Thanks Tom, you certainly just made my day.

posted at 2:28 PM |  |

 Portable Culture

Out of sheer boredom (or fascination, depending on how you look at it), I created these icons based on the logo of my new favorite brand: Tom Bihn. I can't say enough praises about this company, the excellent build quality of their bags (not to mention the well thought out designs), the exceptional customer service you get everytime you shop online, and they manufacture the merchandise locally in their own Seattle-based factory — wow, made in the USA! No wonder there's a strong following for these bags! So if you're in the market for some quality gear, be it for your laptop or just for everyday use, check out www.tombihn.com.

You can download the icons here, available for both Mac and Windows.


UPDATE: Just a little somethin' somethin' I'd like to share. I received a reply email from Darcy, VP of Marketing for Tom Bihn:

Hi Luis,

I apologize for my late reply: I've just returned from vacation in Alaska.

Your graphics are AMAZING! Tom was quite impressed. We especially love the stamp graphic and the banner.

Would it be alright with you if I featured them in a blog post, linking back to your Web site? Can we encourage other customers to download them?

Thank you for such an amazing gift!

--
Sincerely,
Darcy Hudgens
http://www.tombihn.com
Siquid mantica non capit, domi relinquendum est.

Would I mind? Wow, I am honored!

posted at 8:08 AM |  |

 Excerpts

kerplunk: just saw your post to my blog hehe

me: I don't complain much, but your audience needs something to read once in awhile

kerplunk: lol i think i might do one today. maybe. we'll see

me: you're not as prolific as Tele is -- blogwise

me: I think I used to blog better when I was miserably single and bitter with life in general

kerplunk: haha!! yeah i always seem to write when im bitter or in a crappy mood

me: from way way back (link)

kerplunk: lol i like the 'learning when to shut up' one

kerplunk: hmm so what should your name be on my blog...

me: my nickname? Chito or Cheetoes as my cousins from the south say

me: macjedi?

kerplunk: lol i was going to pick something star wars related

me: Luke Sleepwalker?

kerplunk: HAHAHHAHAHAHAA. omg yes!

me: omg! note to self: place foot inside mouth

posted at 3:32 PM |  |

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