Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Pop Not Soda...Told You So!

This is brilliant! It's being submitted to PepsiCo, so it doesnt actually exist yet, although I sure hope it does. Collector's item much?

The idea came from an L.A. based artist who created this not for profit --
"I am excited to share this idea with the folks at Pepsi as either an art piece to compliment their vast collection within the Pepsico headquarters or as a limited edition run of cans leading up to Michael Jackson's funeral. Not as a money making idea but as a way of expressing the power of icons and the art of a big idea."



It's a win for the midwesterners (except Wisconsin) who call pop, pop and not soda, cuz when you open a can of pop, it goes pop, not soda!



R.I.P. Michael Jackson

- baroke v

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Louis Vuitton Don

The Kanye West shoes hit Louis Vuitton stores tomorrow! Please chill the hell out though, cuz if you didn't go put yourself on the waiting list 3 months ago, you're shit outta luck! You just saved yourself $1000. Trust me, I know.




- baroke V (not looking forward to work cuz of these)

Monday, June 29, 2009

Ran-D-om

My weekly love it, hate it, cringe it, smile it post.












(Thanks to FFFFOUND)


/br

Thursday, June 25, 2009

US > Spain



I worked yesterday and that sucks. Not because of the beautiful summer (finally, enjoy the three weeks we'll get!) weather that we have at the moment, but because I didn't get to watch the US Men's National Team beat Spain 2-0 in the Confederations Cup out in South Africa. Work also put the cabash on attending the US MNT's win over Honduras a few weekends ago at Soldier Field. Paying rent is good though. Alas, today I am watching Brazil play South Africa to determine who will play the US for the cup. I for one hope it will be a rematch against Brazil (who beat us 3-0 in this same tournament). Go US! *Scratch that, South Africa has been playing beautifully (currently in the 26th minute) and another David over Goliath seems to be in order*





In more local news, the Sears Tower is getting a $350 million dollar greening. Wind turbines and solar panels and such. This comes just a month or so after they announced the glass walkways that are being installed on the Skydeck. Those will be available for use early July. Click on that link to see all of the pictures of the Sears and the 50 story zero energy hotel that will be built next door.

BTW, this is all being headed by architect Adrian Smith, a graduate of UIC who also has built the world's tallest building, Burj Dubai.

PEACE!
Dave

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Woohoo...1st Official Day of Summer!




(you can really buy this)

Something else to want



I love this bike! I'm going to need everyone and their mother to clear Baroke out of its inventory so I can buy this American made (Oregon based Brammo) electric motorcycle. The bike is a plug-in that charges in about 3 hours, goes up to 55mph and has a 40+ mile range. Perfect for running around the streets of Chicago (especially if you pick up one of those solar powered chargers). I'll take 2 please.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Music I Listened to 10 years ago...

So, it is early on a Thursday. I work nights so this doesn't matter to me. I am allowed this time to think and do whatever I want, which always results in me going through music in my iTunes.



I have been high as a kite on Mos Def. The new album: The Ecstatic, is flipping amazing! Ever since Black On Both Sides, I have been awaiting an album worthy of the attention and acclaim I had initially given the Might Mos. I remember a few years ago midway through a 1200 mile trip from Chicago to Tampa I popped in BOBS and followed it up with Black Star. It made the rolling hills of Alabama all the more interesting.... or interesting in the first place. That got me thinking about what kind of music motivated me in my earlier years.

Mos Def - "Casa Bey" - The Ecstatic - 6.9.09


I think Mos stole the idea from these guys:



I wasn't fortunate enough to have grown up within the city limits of Chicago. I grew up in the Western Suburbs. One year, my parents brought me and my sisters down to the city to enjoy the usual tourist bubble offerings. I was 13 or 14 years old and I was fascinated with architecture. I decided during that trip that I would move to the city when I was 18. I ended up doing just that.



My soundtrack then was an album I would happily apply to any present lazy summer's day walk around the land of corruption that is Chicago: Saturday Teenage Kick by Junkie XL. The album is amazing and I happened upon it through unusual circumstances: I had watched the movie Blade and loved a song during the opening dance club scene. I bought three albums looking for that song. The second album was Saturday Teenage Kick. Junkie XL was just like me: a happy mistake. Do yourself a favor, sit back, close your eyes. Imagine that the year is 1998. The stock market is a raging bull and making your parents' pensions fat as a Kentucky homemaker. You are resting in a pre Millennium Park, pre Trump Tower, pre Green Movement Grant Park in Chicago. It is the Pax Americana at its best. Great beats to put you in a great mood.

here is a somewhat hilarious video:



STAY UP!
-Baroke David

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Monday, June 15, 2009

Intriguing.

Alright, let's be honest. Who has done this before?




/b.r.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

A Laid Back Sunday

It is a delicious day here at Chicago. What a perfect day for a laid back sunday meeting.









And a little visitor came by.



/b.r.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Random Post of the Week.

Here goes my random post of the week. Things that make me laugh, smile, question, etc.










Hope you enjoyed these as much as I have.

/b.r.

Monday, June 8, 2009

BAROKE IS NOW ON TWITTER!

TWEET TWEET! Follow us at twitter.com/BarokeChicago! Get latest updates, news, and special deals!

Our Permanent Autumn

The Baroke team had a meeting tonight. On the walk into the meeting I saw my breath. It's flipping June 7th, so that's emotionally unacceptable. What can I do though, right?

Well it's not all bad. The ideas are brewing here at Baroke and good things will follow in the form of some of the most original design ideas I've ever heard. We shall keep you posted.

I for one started the day with a bacon infused Scotch Manhattan from Bristol and am ending it with Bob Dylan and Don Julio. They make a good team, I find. This is Dylan drunk and annoying with Lennon:


While perusing Gaper's Block, I found a story about a guy from Valparaiso that repossesses planes, helicopters and yachts. He's got some pretty crazy stories and nets between $600,000 and $900,000 per job.

Today will be the first day I get to sleep before 4am in a little under a week. Looking towards tomorrow, St. Vincent performs at Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion, with local Mexican-American 3 piece Alla opening. That shindig starts at 6:30. I'll be at work, so if you go, take pictures or video and we'll post them here at Baroke.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS!

Hello Friends.

It has been quite a great while since we all talked. I hope you are doing well and enjoying this "summer" weather here at the Go'. I just got back from a great vacay not too long ago. I had the privilege to visit Key West, Cozumel, and Belize. I got to do many things and one of them was ATV'n in Cozumel. This video will explain more:



Wow. Do I really sound like that? Forgive me for sounding like an idiot, it was really difficult maneuvering a ATV and recording myself. It was definitely a much needed break.

Now that I have done my 2 minute update on myself, I want to share a band with you guys. I heard about them from El Oso. They are called We Were Promised Jetpacks. There is more information if you follow the link to El Oso's blog.

Anyway, check them out! They have been on repeat on my playlist for awhile now. Ya dig?

Thats all for now. It's time to brace some more work.

Keep it windy.
baroke randy

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Creepy? Maybe.

Amazing? Yes.



Great song. Great Album.

Grizzly Bear. Veckatimest.

-baroke daniel

Friday, May 22, 2009

So Fresh So Clean

No Swine Flu. Wash your hands obsessively like me, Chromeo, and the Yo Gabba Gabba gang.






- Baroke v

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Photos and Graham Cracker

Hello world...

My friend and fellow designer/photographer Tracy Graham, has recently launched the first part of his portfolio.

These are my favorites...

Green Collarism

Above, reminds of me of this! Which Tracy also happened to be the source of.

Meat-etarians, psh.

Back to the photos...

Major Tom

Sunshiney Bubblegum

Tracy designs and makes his own sets, shoots almost any kind of scenario, and writes a food blog. Contact him for info, work, or to talk about the best burrito in town.

Check out and check back to his site for more updates.

-baroke daniel

Friday, May 1, 2009

Repeat 3-Overtimes?! ^____^

So even though I'm a born and raised Chicagoan, who ooze Chicago-ness in every way (i promise), I've never been to a Bulls game...until last night! It's pained me for years, so I feel pretty legit now. Gooooo Bulls! Best game I've ever been to!


I was so hot and tired by the uhh...3rd overtime (geebus!), but I was told that I had to wear red, so I didn't take my cardigan off ever!


I was all the way on top, but still feel lucky that I was there. [Baroke Randy was purty close though.] Gr.


- Baroke V

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Reflection Eternal!

Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek are back....



New Reflection Eternal album this year. Now all we need is a new Black Star album.

-baroke Daniel

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Thought Full

Howdy Baroke Peoples,

School is almost (ALMOST!) over for me. I'll be sure to post my senior thesis for everyone - I know that's what you come here for- but in the mean time, check this out:

What with manana being earth day and all, I thought I should share a clever and earth friendlier take on selling water that I came across at FastCompany. Boxed Water Is Better is a company selling, well, boxed water. This uses less oil in their product's overall production and enables decomposition after the packaging is disposed. While I personally feel that water from the faucet is better (by way of a Brita, that is), at least this will get you around the Chicago bottled water tax. I feel that is a good tax though.

The company says that their paper comes from well managed forests (not the Amazon, like the soybeans fed to what grows up to be your McChicken). All in all I think this is a great solution, but it needs to be taken a step further and become a portable box of water, rather than the milkbox it comes in now.

Get your boxed water on, if you live in Michigan.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Tell Me This Makes You Smile Just a Little...


A lil Harry Potter-ish...except the sex lube.


Busting ghosts.

Warm weather hurry up!


This is like my childhood dream.

What the hell... y not?


[Thank you Ffffound.com for the entertainment always.]

Baroke Victoria

Monday, March 30, 2009

Busy Busy Day

This is the start of everyday...


See more here.

-baroke daniel


Thursday, March 26, 2009

Be Jealous

My little cousin Kayla, is a Baroke baby.



-baroke daniel

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Aw Man...I Just Felt Inadequate.

Just because I'm in a professional funk right now, doesn't mean I can't celebrate and wallow in the happiness of other young people's success. I'm thrilled that Lil Wayne is allowed a few words and noises in every single song alive and that Highschool Musical was such a freakin hit.

If only I had an identity earlier in life, like this little 12 year old girl. The middle-schooler writes one hell of a fashion blog. I mean her knowledge seems indepth and her photos of herself are cool. AND the best part? She's from Chicago! If you read, you'll forget she's 12 and then once you remember, you might feel a little inadequate (warning). Worth a gander if you find yourself with absolutely nothing to do.





The New Girl In Town.



- baroke v

Friday, March 20, 2009

The Love of My Life...

First off, unrelated to the title I spent all of three seconds to come up with, my friend's television show: Green Screen Adventures won a very prestigious award of some sort. I have no idea what the award is called, but apparently only 5 shows across the nation receive one. Green Screen Adventures takes stories, poems and illustrations done by Chicago Public School students and translates them into television productions, acted out by a cast of characters who perform them in an energetic and creative way. So, well done to the entire cast, and congrats! Their show is on at 7am on Channel 12 the U Saturday mornings. If you have some rascals running around your house, sit 'em down and see to it that they are entertained. Alternatively, if you find yourself still drinking at 7am on a Saturday, then you could join in the fun yourself!

If you prefer child enriching entertainment of the live kind, then head over to the Neo-Futurist Theater to see Barrel of Monkeys! They too take stories written by kids and act them out in a hilarious display of creativity nurturing euphoria. Tell them Baroke sent you. You won't get a discount or anything, I just want them to look at you like you're an idiot.

Now, to the original intent of my post and inspiration for its now seemingly irrelevant title: Chicago. Sure, she is corrupt, she betrays her own general well-being by fixing the park district potholes first, sure she privatizes her parking, her parks and her airports - but she is gorgeous. Now, via gapersblock.com, I have found The Windy Pixel. A site for high res images of the City of Big Shoulders. Go and remind yourself why you put up with all the other crap.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Cudi or Carson

Carson Daley isn't a person that I am really fond of but as I was channel surfing last night, I stumbled upon his show feat Kid Cudi.






I'm really glad that I got to see Cudi on there but I'm currently torn. On one side Cudi killed it but on the other, it was on the Carson Daley show. Sigh. Bittersweet. GG Carson.

On another note, I just wanted to take this time to give out a shout out to all those blogs that featured our recent line (google "baroke clothing"). Thanks for all the support ya'll.


baroke Randy

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Outrage and Doing Something...

Yesterday, I started a campaign to unite all sim city 4 users in boycotting user rendered AIG buildings from use in game play.

Not really...

That would be dumb.

I did, however, finally take the time to watch the Jon Stewart interview with Kramer. Now, these days I'm usually not a Daily Show watcher. I recall, however, when Stewart first made headlines with his argument on CNN's Crossfire. News is transitioning in this country, and that's natural. Newspapers will continue to die and be replaced by online webzines and blogs, but the TV has reigned supreme for a good long while now, and I don't see that stopping anytime soon. Could be proven wrong by Steve Jobs, but for now that's my view on things.

Stewart apparently got into a spat over comments he made about CNBC's lack of forsight and responsible reporting in the years leading up to the recession. I expected to see a couple of jabs and zingers but was pleasantly surprised with Stewart's straightforward questions and angered at Jim Kramer's bumbling red-faced responses. Watch & see for yourself:



A lot of these big corporations handle business the way Donald Trump handles real estate. Trump will take out large amounts of money for projects so lavish that he owns the bank. The banks then have a vested interest in seeing to it that the investment succeeds. AIG, it has been said, is a company so large - and an underwriter to so many - that both Bush and Obama have seen it necessary to infuse large amounts of taxpayer dollars into it and other companies like it.

Now I'm not a crazy hippie corporation hater. I like my Nike shoes, long for a MacBook and even the dreaded McDonald's. Hell, I even have the long term goal of owning a development firm and the short term goal of molding Baroke into a clothing company different from any other before it (and maybe, make a profit). While I am no dynamo - yet - I do know that it takes a lot of guts and courage to start your own business, and then a lot of hard work if you want to grow it into something you can live off of. It pisses me off that while our money is being lent to these cumbersome giants, there are no loans for people who want to start their own piece of the still freest market in the world. One of the goals of all this TARP and recovery spending is to free up credit to provide capital. I'm hoping that the public outrage will make the banks think twice about doing anything really dumb with their taxpayer dollars, and get some of this credit flowing.

I'm not an economics expert or anything - but that's just the point - these news outlets (especially the financially specialized ones) need to be told that we expect sound advice and responsible reporting. Not the speculation and sensationlism that has fueled so many bubbles in our nation's history. I guess what I'm getting at is, you could sign the petition (here: http://fixcnbc.com/) and perhaps make a difference. Hell, it works when the Evangelicals call the FCC over boobies!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

No Winter For Me!

So I've had this blogging complex and haven't been able to get myself to blog on Baroke like I said I would. I suck. But Baroke Randy helped me sort it out, so here I am now! Finally.

Since my last blog, I've done a bit more traveling. Besides Hong Kong, I also went to the Mainland a.k.a China (Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai). And you know what? It's everything Americans think it's not or rather, it's not everything that Americans think it is. The transformation China has gone through is insane! From what I witnessed, recycling is highly encouraged! I was even thanked for protecting the environment when I declined a plastic bag for my purchases at a store.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm not trying to say things were perfect in China or Hong Kong. But upon my arrival into the states, I was greeted with racism. And not a day has gone by since where I've been frustrated or bothered by the inefficiencies of our systems -- from our public transportation to McDonald's. Once upon a time, people wanted to live the "advanced" lives of Americans. But now we are lagging behind...fast. How have Americans gotten so comfortable to the point where they're simply lazy? The changes that need to be made here aren't solely the responsbility of our goverment either. Each and every American citizen needs to pick up their pace and open their eyes just a little bit more. Adapt quicker and actually welcome the fucking change. For example: Don't hate the new Facebook layout just because your lazy ass isn't used to it. Just embrace that Mark has done the research to give you what you want, before you even know you want it.

So....on a lighter note, I just got back from Costa Rica. It's beautiful. It's relaxing. I ziplined in the rainforest. Jetskied with the dolphins. Jumped off a waterfall. Salsa danced with the locals. Ended my trip on the beach under a sky full of stars. AMAZING!

It seems that I've basically missed the entire Chicago winter. =P


- baroke v

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

For my 9 to 5-ers

This doesn't pertain to me yet...but one day, yes. I kind of get this feeling at work now, small room, four designers. Moving on, this site is called My Life in a Cube. Shane Johnson draws comics on office supplies, and posts them daily. They are pretty clever.


Check him out.

Oh yeah...these people should be punched/slapped.

-baroke daniel
currently listening to: Mims - Move....yes I said it...okay...or grizzly bear

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Nintendo is the way to go.

Hello friends.

I stumbled upon this very creative marketing tool that a MC from Detroit used. I won't get into too much detail but trust me, just finish the game and you'll see.






How can it get any better than that?



baroke randy

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Song/Video of the Week

Okay...we've been busy.

Yet, never to busy for new music.



Friendly Fires
are from St Albans, Hertfordshire. UK kids. The self-titled CD is not brand new as you can tell by their 4 or 5 videos. The first video is song is called Paris. The next video was featured in a Wii commercial so you may recognize it.




I can't stop listening to this album. If these guys don't get you moving, I don't know what will.

Back to work.

-baroke Daniel

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Song of the Week



This song comes from Casiokids. They hail from Norway and this song is damn catchy. Damn catchy.

-baroke daniel

ps. I hate this new Youtube star rating on the video screen. Thoughts??

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Surfing is Creative

Like most people...we at Baroke spend a lot of time surfing the web for inspiration and/or laughs. They come in all different shapes and forms. We will start with Christoph Niemann.

Christoph is a great illustrator and graphic designer. You can see a lot of his work on his website. He also writes for the NY Times, where he wrote a blog about legos and their simplicity. It's great.



Another hilarious thing...maybe not to all people. A kid had some dental work done and was completely gassed out. I had this feeling when my wisdom teeth were removed. My mom said I was talking crazy. I can relate to this feeling.



Thanks to our industrial design friends for that video.

Laters

-baroke daniel
currently listening to: foals - red socks pugie

Thursday, January 29, 2009

For the Graphic Designer in you...

That title sounds funny.

Anywho...

As a lot of graphic designers or GDers, my interest in the subject came from CD covers. As the hard copy of CD becomes obsolete, maybe not so much for me anymore. There are still people who do it well. Example below...

One of my favorite album covers of the last few years is Maximo Park's "A Certain Trigger."



Thanks to FFFFound, I recently came across the design firm that is responsible. Yes, not only designed the cd but all the records and singles. They are amazing.

One more thing to share. In honor of the Superbowl this weekend, the New York Times had an web article about Alternative Super Bowl Logos.

This is my favorite as a designer. As a football fan, I don't think they work. Within 5 years I think they will head in this direction. Simplicity that is.



Go Steelers.

-baroke daniel
currently listening to: Matt & Kim - I'll Take Us Home

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Daft Punk vs. Adam Freeland

Not that Obama needs any more hype. I found this enjoyable. It's a stop motion piece by Gold Greendot.




-via Pitchfork

Happy Inags

-baroke Daniel
still listening to: Animal Collective

Icy.

While Baroke Victoria is having a steady 65 warmth, we got...



I think we got the better deal, no? All of a sudden, 20 degrees sounds amazing.

stay icy,
-baroke randy
currently listening to Amadou & Mariam - Sabali

Thursday, January 15, 2009

I'm in the HK!

Hello hello HELLOOOOOOOO from HOOOOOOONG KOOOOOOOONG!!!

This place is a non-stop shopping, eating, walking, smoking, drinking, shopping, eating, walking, shopping, eating, walking, smoking, drinking, shopping, eating, walking, shopping party. Whew! And I’m only half way through my trip! (been here 3 weeks, will be here for about another month)

Here’s the breathtaking skyline of Hong Kong (a part of it at least)!


Here’s one of the many many Nike stores! (they all look different too)


Here’s the entrance to one of my favorite dessert places!


Here’s a street I really like to shop on: (Granville in Tsim Sha Tsui if you must know)


Here’s a panda! Have you really ever seen a panda?


And here’s me at Ocean Park on a Gondola lift overlooking Hong Kong!


Just a quick peek. There’s really so much going on here, it's overwhelming. I’ll be back shortly with more thoughtful info! Stay posted!

Till next time,
- baroke victoria