Montly archives
Back in the saddle
*tap tap* is this thing on?
Welcome back to Sopheava v47.0! Back to funkier colors, same ol' pink, and all kinds of new*fangled goodness lurking around every corner.
I'll give ya the scoop about the redesign [& more!!] in the next few days.
There's a nice snowstorm hitting up the Twin Cities this weekend and if my staying-in self doesn't at least spend some time playing video games my not-staying-in self will be very disappointed. So we'll chat soon.
Very soon.
More on the redesign ...
This whole redesign business began with a simple idea: to share stuff. Photographs, stories, events, art, designerie things, links, and anything else of remote interest that might possibly cross my path each day needed a place to live. Plus between you and me it's easier keeping in touch with my family when they automtically know what's going on and I'm saving boatloads of time not IM'ing or emailing links to all my friends about all the coolness going down on the internet anymore. Check it, it's the interent. There's lots of interesting things going on. And it's totally free!
Plus important lesson learned here: I am totally not that cool stuff that's happening on the internet.
But Iiiiiiiii enjoy things (for lack of a better term), especially pretty things, and was beginning to find that friends were using me as their internet filter (and I wasn't even being paid for it)! So here you go: Sopheava v47.0, now with more coolness for god and everyone to enjoy. Online all the time and FREE!!
First requirement for the new site: back to black.
So much for lightening up the place, eh? While that last design was all nice and zen and shit, I immediately regretted it after launch. Why? Personal opinion here but I felt like the 'pop' my photos had just up'ed and gone. Opening up the browser kept my eyes so busy taking in all the white I felt like I was missing out on the color, shape, and lined, angley goodness in my photos. And let's face it, my photos have lots of angles. So a black background is what you get ... no extra charge for the light detailing and texture. Plus the texture is free and everybody likes free stuff, que non?
Second requirement: okay but not quite black.
So here's the deal: a photo with lots of black laid on top of a black page left my eye wandering all over the place. To make *my* blacks pop and the star of the Sopheava v47.0 show I turned the background color a shade lighter than black. Here's a nice example. Now the blacks are right where I want them to be and everyone is happy. Er, well, okay actually I'm happy and that's really the point here :).
Third requirement: link, baby, link!
Towards the end of my last blogging stint the biggest hinderance of being a "blogger" was that I didn't always have time to post lengthy, rambling posts that nobody was going to read anyway. I wanted a way to blog quickly without having to be so freagin' verbose all the time.
Plus I'm not sure how many different feeds I subscribe to, but thankfully my RSS reader doesn't really give me a fast option for finding out which is probably a good thing. A lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot lot of links pass through my reader every day that are too good to be lost on the waysides of the Information Superhighway (how was that for a '94 cliche?!). I wanted a place to post links on the fly and packaged with a pretty pink bow. Link-o-licious is the result (and don't forget to subscribe to it, too.)
Fourth requirement: pink.
There's always a way. You're just lucky I held myself back and limited it to logo, links, and footer. There was so much more in an early concept!! Oh so much more...
Fifth requirement: photos.
The percentage of people hitting this site for the words is about 2%. The rest are here for the photos, and hell, that's cool! So I decided to make the daily photo the star of the page rather than a complicated design that featured static background artwork in a few limited colors that might conflict with the coolness of the photo anyway. The photo is at the top, right where it should be, which basically means the design kind of changes every day. Basically I'm giving you a two-fer on this one.
Okay but one last thing...
Fifth requirement: sometimes verbose is okay.
Sometimes things like, well, this post have their place around here too. Eliminating the "blog" was a deal-breaker so I found a way to include it too.
There you have it. It turned out slightly more ezine-ish than the original concept but I'm rather pleased with the results. Black, pink, photos, words, links, easy to use, easy to update, and everything a girl could ever want in a version 47 all just a link away all wrapped in a pretty pink bow. Enjoy!
Best albums of 2007
So, the music I thought I was going to love in 2007 didn't really turn out to be what I loved. Massive Attack didn't even get around to releasing their much anticipated album (boo!). Also on the list of 'Wish they released it this year's is Madonna, Portishead, Prodigy, Sigur Ros, Dido, Black Eyed Peas, and Gnarls Barkley. Come on, you're killing me here. Don't toy with me like that.
First the bad news. Smashing Pumpkin's 'Zeitgeist' totall underwhelmed me (plus when they came to town they played the Roy Wilkins just like when I was in high school!). As did Timbaland's album that was so forgettable I forgot its name. Love Timbaland, but not so much his album this year. White Stripes' 'Icky Thump' wins my award for Best Album Title of 2007 but the cd and I just did't get it on. And sorry Charlotte Martin, you're a perennial fave but your 'covers' album this year totally sunk my ship and not in the good way. I'm sorry I missed you at the Varsity a few months ago because I love you and I caught a cold the day of the show!!! (but not that sorry, since now I've heard the album).
On to my picks for Best Albums of 2007. In no particular order...
M.I.A. - Kala
It's the kind of album that sticks and grows on ya. Fantastic, danceable beats perfect for working, or playing, to. M.I.A. also tops my list for best concerts I saw all year. Hot DAMN the girl knows how to put on a show. I've never quite seen First Ave like that before.
Cinematic Orchestra - Ma Fleur
YUMMY YUMMY! This might actually be my favorite album of the year. I've been big fans of these guys for a couple years but didn't actually know anything about them. Got tix to see 'em at the Fine Line a few months ago and when they came out on stage I was genuinely shocked! They're young (well, my age)! And hip! And stylish! And they fucking ROCK! Their sound is old school to me, very chill and jazzy. I listen to 'Man With a Movie Camera' a LOT when I work. These guys made me swoon. (Also, did you guys know they sometimes have dinner shows at Fine Line? Yeah, me either. Take my advice and miss their food. I'll let you thank me later for that tip.)
Bon Iver - For Emma
Hey where did this guy come from? Oh yeah that's right, nowhere! Now this guy really did rock my boat but in a very good way. Guy. Guitar. Shack in N. Wisconsin. Recorded some really fucking kickass music. == Internet phenom. He's back in town to perform in January. Be there or you'll regret it. (What are the odds you think he'd let me take some photographs when he's in town?)
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Spankin' good, although sometimes I don't feel smart enough to be listening to their music. I know there's a lot going on here, and percussionally I'm impressed with what they've done, but is anyone actually getting all this? Love that it was cheap 'n all as well, since they just announced they *are* releasing a pay version with extra never-before-heard-tracks. I mean really, who's gonna be upset with them after we got it all for *cough* free?
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
Anyone not enjoy the trainwreck of this album this year? I liked it much better when I didn't know who she was and didn't see her f*ck it up so many times on live TV. Still a fave of the year tho.
Feist - The Reminder
Anybody not dig 1 2 3 4? It's actually the song 'The Water' that hooked me, and 'Honey Honey' that haunts me. This is the kind of album I'll still be listening to 10 years from now. Plus she seems like the kind of person it would be fun to have a drink with. I can get down with that.
Tori Amos - American Doll Posse
Tori's back this year and she's got a few things to get off her chest. Her live show was pretty politically charged (as was M.I.A.'s but in a very different way) and I think I liked it. Not as Tori as her last few albums, this one was more about the message and her many dopplegangers. But still a solid album. Still on my short list.
Bjork - Volta
I haven't listened to a Bjork album this much since Homogenic. She's back in a happy place and I can dig it.
Cloud Cult - The Meaning of 8
This album actually gets my vote for Best Local Album of 2007. Seeing them live convinced me - I'm officially a Cloud Cult fan now. They played a few songs from their upcoming album a few weeks ago and boy! oh boy! am I excited for it. Really loved what I heard them working on.
Britney Spears - Blackout
I dare you not to dance to this one. DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU! Totally saw this trainwreck a mile away and then, well, it ended up being good. Britney I take back all the bad things I said your album would be. There's nothing serious about it, just good ol' fashioned, harmless, table-dancing fun.
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
I kept meaning to buy this album and then found someone must have given it to me this year since I randomly found it in a folder on my computer last week. Random! I've been playing it non-stop since then though. Love love love, and now regret I missed 'em live (again at the Roy Wilkins ... couldn't they have gotten at least the Pantages?)
Joss Stone - Introducing Joss Stone
And my honorable mention for favorite album of the year goes to Joss Stone. Don't know why everyone overlooked the fact she was one of the biggest albums out of England this year, just behind Amy Winehouse. Oh yeah, that's right. Because it wasn't that good. I never get sick of her album though. It's been in my car's CD player since March so that's gotta count for something.
I've pretty much been oogling other peoples' lists all week as well, especially all the albums I've heard are fantastic and definitely want to check out. On my list of 'Won't miss's...
Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
Matt makes me listen to at least 5 songs from them a week. And for this I thank him, but also apologize because I STILL haven't purchased the album yet. Sorry Matt, I'll get there. Promise!
Jose Gonazalez - In Our Nature
Here's another guy I want to photograph. Whenever I'm pulling press photos for his concerts in town he's the only guy besides Bon Iver that's got a whole lotta nuthin'. I know his music's gonna make me cry, I think that's why I'm holding out. The night I buy this album will probably be the night I watch 'The Notebook' again.
Charlotte Gainsbourg - 5:55
I have no idea what her sound is like but I keep hearing the word 'haunting.' Good enough for me.
LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
I'm blanking on why everyone says this is so good, but I know I've read it over and over and over again. Why is this album great again?
Brother Ali - The Undisputed Truth
Seriously, I can't go even a week without still hearing how amazing Brother Ali is. Maybe I'm procrastinating on purpose? I'unno, I'll get there on this one too.
One last thing, best 2007 album accessory goes to Pacific Design for this hot little iPod carrying case number. For this case my iPod Ella is very thankful.
Spreading the Britney cheer
I swear I only have a blog just so I can document those occasions in which my little heart explodes and I can forever and ever and ever have proof of that which no one might otherwise believe.
Like that moment this afternoon when Steve asked for, BY NAME, a copy of the brand spankin' new Britney Spears album. No no, not the old Britney video where she's in schoolgirl outfits or writhing around in pleather. But, like, her new album.
Merry Christmas to me!! That was the best gift ever. Except for when you thought I was turning 27 eventhough I was turning 30. That was a pretty fucking awesome gift too (cuz remember, we like, you know, celebrated my last 4 birthdays together including my 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th).
Pirates of the Burning Sea
So while everyone was opening presents and drinking eggnog yesterday, I decided to forgo the whole eggnog hoo-ha since I was too busy playing the Pirates of the Burning Sea open beta!! WOO HOO!! What can I say, my peeps really knew how to gift me this year (and someone must have been listening when I said I wanted to be a pirate for Christmas).
I've been playing Lord of the Rings Online all year but quite honestly have been getting rather bored as of late. Don't get me wrong. I still love the game and have no intention of deleting my toons any time soon (all my kinmates can breathe a sigh of relief right now), but once you hit the levelcap all that's left to do is become the uber and raid, raid, raid. There's only so many raids a pretty elf-girl can take if you know what I'm sayin'. Here's the one big thing PotBS has going for it: they're, like, the next big MMO until the real next big MMO comes along (in a few months, er whatever). And who doesn't want to be a pirate, chase after booty and sail their own ship?!! Cuz I totally do.
The first screenshot was taken moments before my mighty ship, The Windzor, went in to battle with the British and nearly got its ass beat right to the bottom of the ocean. But do you see the size of my sails? Yeah, I still won. I'm a pretty badass pirate. Okay fine. I'm not really a pirate. I'm a saucy Spaniard but my allegiances are thin if you know what I mean.
This is my pirate, Peg-leg Meg. You can read a thousand reviews of this game (all written by men) but you probably won't ever read this: character creation is totally hot. You get boatloads of choices and once you log in it'll be clear why almost god and everybody decided to play female toons (it's because all the programmers are men, clearly). Check it, I totally caught this guy oogling my toon yesterday:
So far so good. Leveling is more fun than grinding 300 boars and you really do spend the majority of your time at sea in ship battle. One of the other huge positives about this game is your level 8 Frenchman can totally best a level 19 British Royal Officer as long as you out-maneuver him and have a little luck on your side. That pretty much won't happen in a lot of other games. We'll see how it goes. I'm only a level 9 and the RvR looks like it should be some pretty fun stuff (imagine mighty sea battles between the Spanish and the French -- YARRRR!).
Official launch date is January 22nd but if you pre-order you'll get in the game 2 weeks early. I'm still undecided about buying this game for real (open beta lasts until the 1st if you need to get your own sneak peek) but right now it's a nice break from everything else.