35,000 FT AND RISING.

Its no secret I travel quite a bit. But its becoming a punch line to my life now. When people call me, their first question is, "What country are you in?" (and they're not joking). I feel even stupider when I say something like, "Umm..well...Barcelona." I frequently get text messages from my mom asking, "So where are you now?" 2006 was pretty bad (or good depending on which way you look at it) so I hoping 2007 would be a bit more "domesticated." But I've already seen Beijing, Hong Kong, Barcelona, now Berlin, and Japan in 96 hrs. JUST in JANUARY ALONE....I see no improvement in the near future. I think my body (mental and physical) is adjusting. I actually prefer life at 35,000 feet now. In fact, being on the ground too long is starting to freak me out. I used to prefer home living to hotel living. Now hotel living is quite comfortable to me. Is this healthy? I'm not sure, but I don't feel like I'm missing much. I mean, with my laptop and wifi internet, EDGE connectivity and 3G phones, I can pretty much be anywhere, anytime. The world is my stopover. The air is my new home area code.

Two more talking points before I continue:
1) If I created an airline, I would ban children and infants from Business and First Class. Am I an asshole? I mean the idea of business class is that you should be able to conduct business (i.e., WORK). Tough to do when kids are screaming and brown diapers are rolled into balls 25 inches away from you. I'm just saying, there should First, Business, Economy, and "Family". I would even put Family Class in front of First, so they can get in and out easier. Just a thought.
2) Is it just me or do American carriers offer the WORST service in the entire planet? I mean its almost a cliche stereotype now. Yes we know ANA and Singapore Air is the shit. But why do our American airline hosts/hostesses HAVE to be so good at continuing the tradition of shitty service? Can't one person just break the status quo and be nice?! I'm still looking...I'll let you know if I ever find one.

Around the world in 80 clicks:


Thanks to who ever sent this to me from Japan. Kit Kat Milk....the innovation continues.


Hommoyo who owns the venerable Chapter and Atmos stores drops by the NYC lab for a visit. That's not actually me. Its just an actual size cardboard cut out for when i am not there.


When in Berlin, pick up some Soundbombs. But make sure you apply first because he doesn't just sell these to anyone. These little robots record short sound tracks. They stick anywhere and play when they detect motion. Its audible grafitti. Only a Berliner could think of this.


Also in Berlin, you always have to stop by Firmament and see what Errolson (Acronym) and Jeorg (Being Hunted/The Glade) have up their sleeves.

Two artists that are killing it softly.

Bill Sullivan.


Aurel Schmidt.


Happy 50th Birthday Helvetica. Now go see the film.

I despise the word "tastemaker" but regardless of that, this interview I did with TTS is pretty good.


Home is where the hatred is. (Or was it the heart?)