Why my hip-hop posse would include Johnny 5

Johnny 5 The founder of the Flobots, Johnny 5 builds a repertoire of songs that have a voice communicated through masked patriotism for a nation we do not know. I don’t do lyrics, so I’d need someone to help put together some potent rap-styled slander. Zack de la Rocha A current collaborating member, Zack de… Continue reading Why my hip-hop posse would include Johnny 5

As a Multi-Millionaire…

My wife and I like to think strategically about our future.  Planning and foresight can save you a lot of grief and work in earnest. In the event that we should become multi-millionaires in the future, we want to make sure we know what we’re going to do with the money.  The following is an… Continue reading As a Multi-Millionaire…

What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?

Frequency is probably a term more commonly associated with 80’s synth-pop artists and electrical sound engineers. However, it’s not to be underestimated or underutilized as a viable word in other situations. I worked with one of the more difficult teaching challenges in my experience yesterday at my drum circle. A gentleman joined us with a… Continue reading What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?

A Baby Changes Everything

Remarkably, the biggest change at the Gradin household is simply in our perception. There are all sorts of things that change when a new child is born into your family. Your free time dries up, your bank account empties, you become more selfless. But when you already have an older child, the thing we noticed… Continue reading A Baby Changes Everything

Offspring, Part Deaux

In nine days, we’ll be a family of four, having welcomed a new baby girl into the Gradin household on the 24th of this month…at 6:00am. That’s how we role. My wife likes to plan for the unplannable. However, she has made certain assurances for this life-event, and I have little doubt that this date… Continue reading Offspring, Part Deaux

Threadless: “Seaside”

‘Sup, land lubbers? This is a shout-out to my homeys from way-back. Notorious black beards, REPRESENT! Anyway, I finished another Threadless submission – this one entitled “Seaside.” It went through several critiques and evolved to what you see here now. The original was classy. The finished version is less anatomical design, and more “killer t-shirt… Continue reading Threadless: “Seaside”

Zune 3.0 Coming

Mmmm…Zune 3.0. I’ve just read Jason Dunn’s (of ThoughtMedia.com) report on a recent Microsoft meeting discussing the Zune 3.0 release. I am completely sold on the Zune platform and am greatly encouraged by the up-and-coming release. Perhaps the greatest boon of them all is that the Zune team will be including us Zune 30 owners… Continue reading Zune 3.0 Coming

I’m a Climate Witness

I was contacted a while back by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), originally through Flickr from a picture I posted on the severe drought conditions around Lake Lanier. I was invited to write a “Climate Witness” story to tell the world about how the climate has changed in northeast Georgia from my perspective. It has… Continue reading I’m a Climate Witness

The First Day at School

Yesterday was Balthazar’s first day of school. It started early that morning and the whole family was up for the affair. We drove him in and walked him to his class. It’s one of those “big steps” in a child’s life. I am excited about the idea of him becoming independent and beginning his formal… Continue reading The First Day at School

Hide and Seek

Sometimes a new song is played and you instantly fall in love with it.  It could be that it’s a great emotional swelling in your body, or just something so groovy that you can’t keep still while you listen.  Other times, it might be a contextual reference that gives the song a special relativity. Imogen… Continue reading Hide and Seek