Siteway began, in earnest, some years after the site was initially online. In the fall of 1999 I purchased my first Wacom (from eBay) and this is when I began to put the Siteway emphasis on illustrations and, later in spring, writing. In those early days I drew many a philosopher and this week I make a return, of sorts. ¶ As students, my friends and I all had philosophers that we conversationally associated ourselves with. For one friend, it was Nietzsche. For another, famously in our group, it was Kierkegaard. For me, save my actual academic interest in Dretske, it was A. J. Ayer. I have always admired his writing style (effortless and beautiful), his mental capability (sharp as a whip), and his self-confidence. He published his classic and famously flawed book, Language, Truth, and Logic, when he was 26. Whereas once I was disappointed that his book contained philosophical gaps, now I'm enamored by it. He acknowledged these gaps in later editions, but never apologized for them. Again, it's that he published it at all that left an impression on me. For those interested in English Philosophy and its impact on British culture, I highly recommend reading his Part of my Life. If you wish to continue on, there's also More of my Life.

Labels: FeaturedIllustration, Heroes, Nostalgia, Philosophy

¶ 10:27 AM

So secretly I'd been looking forward to seeing 30 Rockefeller Center not just because I have a crush on Tina Fey but hey, if that's not enough reason then let's settle simply with the history of NBC. I grew up on NBC. Preferring it, as I did back then McDonald's over Burger King, privately enjoying its number one status. I always saw ABC as an underdog, and therefore couldn't help but root for, with its too-blue colouring. In any case, I'd been looking forward to attending a taping of the Conan show the minute it occurred to me as a possibility. Well, to be truthful, I think the first time the idea occurred to me, I was probably watching the show at 21 or something, wishing I'd one day go to tapings like Conan's. And so there we were, on Tuesday afternoon, and I forgot the e-mail printout at home. We needed it to get in. ¶ Now Pauline is much better at this sort of forgiveness than me. Generally, I'd be angered if Pauline "forgot the printout at home." But there we were: I'd screwed up and Pauline was cool with it. We could print it again, after all, we just needed to find a FexEx Kinkos. If you were to have told me, at, again, 21, that Kinkos would still be in my life some ten years later, I would have laughed a plenty. To me they just coasted on the scene, haven't been challenged, suck, and without any good reason, continue to grow. You know? Anyway, I guess they aren't that bad, because they did save us that day. ¶ Getting to the actual studio where The Late Show with Conan O'Brien is taped is a pain in the ass. NBC understands this, which is cool; Security is a necessary evil when you consider what a fool might do. But it's also a pain because you're lining up on the concourse level of what is essentially just another office tower with lots of people working, eating sushi in the food court, and pissed off at all the gawking tourists (present!). ¶ The NBC pages are as friendly as you might imagine an NBC staff to be (Kenneth!). Not overly friendly, but definitely friendly, and on top of things. I like that. I like seeing people on top of things. It gives me confidence because it's reassurance that we're ultimately the best species ever (art!). This is largely what is becoming my lasting impression of New Yorkers. ¶ There are a pair of free XL "audience member" t-shirts waiting for us as we exit what feels like the second elevator in this process and they win me over. We're seated very near to the front. An enviable seat. The kind one almost never gets. There's a best-of DVD that plays and it does warm us up. It certainly caught me up as I've sadly become a lax viewer. The old bits are still funny and the newer bits are as well. There's still a vibrancy at and to the show, that's for sure. Conan O'Brien is a consummate professional, of this there is no doubt. That's probably my clearest and meatiest impression of the show.

Labels: Heroes, Nostalgia, NYC

¶ 10:54 PM

I was impressed by the overall feel of the 64th Annual Golden Globes and wonder quite seriously if we'll throw a Golden Globes party next year. Then again, it might have just been a good year. Was impressed with: Meryl Streep, Martin Scorsese (whose acceptance speech for best director was genuine, sweet-hearted, and geeky), Alec Baldwin, and Hugh Laurie. I thought Tina Fey looked beautiful. I remember the award shows of my early 20s in an underwhelming light (we don't always looks back with a nostalgic view!) but this year's award season shows some real promise. For God's sake I need to see The Departed.

Labels: Cinema, Nostalgia, TV

¶ 10:15 AM

"Sometimes you have to be the boss of dancing." —Michael Scott, as portrayed by Steve Carell, in The Office. ¶ I don't think either of us were expecting to have one of the best vacations we've ever had during our recent visit to Toronto but it was up there. We got to catch up with most folks we've been missing and get that sweet sweet taste of Toronto that keeps the creative juices flowing and enlivens the senses. I even had a chance to get a little work done at the Linnux Cafe (on Harbord at Grace) which has the market cornered on that ever-elusive pleasant atmosphere. ¶ Pauline and I found ourselves near Dowling Ave. yesterday and took in a pint at Mitzi's for old-time's sake. Then we walked up Sorauren, over the bridge, caught the College streetcar and sailed to where we were staying. Magic hour in Toronto never looked so good. It was the end, roughly speaking, we desired.

Labels: Gratitude, Nostalgia, Quotation

¶ 12:00 AM

I have an illustration in today's issue of the National Post. Arts & Life section, Out and About page. ¶ May is definitely my favourite month of the year. Aside from some drama worthy only of a bad television drama (think double-feline drama), my month has been going very well. I started writing this blog about six years ago in my tiny flat in Nottingham. Then, it seemed like a good idea but I would be lying if I told you I knew I'd still be writing. And I would have never predicted it would have graduated beyond BBSing and make it a newsworthy phenomenon. ¶ I started a month-long gig at a midtown agency recently and I've been really enjoying it. They've got a good thing going there, and it shows. Soon I'll post some pictures of my workspace there, but for now check out Dan Arne's tattoo of my porttait of Frank Zappa.

Labels: Flickr, Freelancing, NationalPost, Nostalgia

¶ 9:10 AM

Update! PDF fixed. ¶ Ten years ago today I registered siteway.com. It's been a hell of a good time, let me say that for sure, and I hope everything evolves for another ten. I've put together an annotated timeline to help represent how an abstract entity can have metaphysical weight. By right-clicking or normal-clicking, download the PDF. If you're running Windows and are frustrated by PDFs because of the inefficient Acrobat plug-in, then make yourself happy and get Foxit Reader instead. Personally, I like to download my PDFs. But it's entirely up to you.

Labels: Nostalgia, PDF, SitewayWorld

¶ 11:59 AM

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall", Ricky Gervais as David Brent quoting Confucius in The Office (2001-3)

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall", Antony Hare as himself quoting Confucius in Junior Achievement, St. Patrick's High School (1992).

Labels: Nostalgia

¶ 11:28 PM