all the world works for me

Yellow Mini Yellow House

Nic Phillips — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:46:56 +0000

A yellow Mini Cooper with an equally yellow house

The Chocolate Knight

Nic Phillips — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:37:53 +0000

Amid the oil stained pavement of the parking lot just steps the air compressor at a service station I found none other than the fabled Chocolate Knight riding squirrel back. Slightly broken but in remarkable condition considering his exposed position in the right of way, may you rest in peace oh ye knight of chocolate composition… the heat of day will soon be upon you…

Jimmy Kuehnle’s Big Red and Walking Fish

Nic Phillips — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:39:36 +0000

From Glasstire… 2 minutes in is so worth it.

Jimmy Kuehnle’s Big Red and Walking Fish from The Prime Eights on Vimeo.

Kopp’s Frozen Custard

Nic Phillips — Sun, 10 May 2009 19:46:59 +0000

Kopp’s has got to be the best frozen custard in the country and all from an every more upgraded store just off the Milwaukee turnpike.

Young Audiences of Houston Luncheon

Nic Phillips — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:16:01 +0000

This year’s Young Audiences of Houston luncheon was held at La Colombe D’Or and proved to be a great success!

Ruggles Green brings the wrong green…

Nic Phillips — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:54:48 +0000

Oy – so as most know I’m not one to review unless it’s truly warranted. Well this frosty mug from Ruggles Green on West Alabama in Houston had so many things wrong it has to be posted. First off the glass was so frozen there was a ring of ice around the brim. That ice had food pieces trapped in it. Then there was a chip in the glass, and once the ice melted a strange milky solution was left in the bottom of the glass. To top it off, once it melted into the milky solution it had the worst smell I’ve ever experienced in a restaurant – rancid. Where’s Marvin? We’ve slime in the ice machine at Ruggles Green!

I have to add that there’s no way this should be “Houston’s First Certified Green Restaurant” based on the lighting. The restrooms don’t have energy efficient lighting… there are switches on the wall no vacancy sensor in sight.

Juan Sebastián Elcano docks in Galveston

Nic Phillips — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:36:54 +0000

The Juan Sebastián Elcano is the 113 metre (370 foot) tall ship that is the pride of the Spanish Navy. She docked in Galveston, TX Friday and a black tie event was held on her impressive decks. Constructed in 1927 the four masted steel hull schooner is the world’s third largest tall ship with a beam of 43′ and a draught of 25′. Her sail area is greater than 8,000 square feet. Impressive to say the least.

Unclaimed Property in Texas

Nic Phillips — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:54:41 +0000

Texas State law requires the Texas Comptroller’s office to hold abandoned and unclaimed property reported by businesses and financial institutions until its owners or their legal heirs claim it. The agency attempts to find the rightful owners of unclaimed properties through annual newspaper advertising, direct mail notices and the agency’s Web site.

You can use this simple site to search if you are due funds held by the State of Texas:

Who knows… today could be your lucky day and you’ll come across some money you’ve been owed for years!

HGO Ball

Nic Phillips — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:36:41 +0000

There was late night tomfoolery had at the Houston Grand Opera ball this weekend. We closed the place down with a whole host of fun people!

Shell Houston Open

Nic Phillips — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 06:47:29 +0000

I have to say that the Shell Houston Open at Redstone is well done. This year was the most exciting yet with weather delays and the most talented/famous field of players yet. Amstel Light was the best brew available in hospitality.

Watching from the 17th Green

The 17th Green

Dark and Lovely, Mmm…

Nic Phillips — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:21:49 +0000

Poking around on the WWW I found images from a ballet I designed a few years ago…

A Night in Mexico City

Nic Phillips — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:42:57 +0000

So I’m sitting here in my hotel room when I look out the window and see the most incredible scene of light. A harvest moon of sorts underscored by the light of the DF just after sunset. Had to go on the balcony and snap the pics… I present two exposures of the beauty: (click the image for the full view)

This Chick Pays…

Nic Phillips — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:47:28 +0000

Chick-fil-A sales jump 12% in 2008 … I’m a contributor to that.

“We don’t need help. We are not invalids.”

Nic Phillips — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 06:35:30 +0000

Wow… in the first slap-down of 2009 Russia’s Vladimir Putin handed it to Michael Dell at the opening of this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos. Dell apparently asked Putin how his company could help Russia develop its IT infrastructure only to have Putin respond:

“We don’t need help. We are not invalids. We don’t have limited mental capacity.”

Putin went on to talk about how his country is know most for its software – implying that any ‘ol Texan can build a PC.

No Smoking

Nic Phillips — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:35:32 +0000

nH Hoteles… need I say more? This hotel’s management is totally dodgy…

Chrysler and Fiat Join Up – mass market Italian cars comeback?

Nic Phillips — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:40:47 +0000

Being called a “Global Strategic Alliance”, Chrysler, Cerberus Capital Management, and Fiat join forces to hopefully turn Chrysler’s fortunes around. The alliance makes a lot of sense on both sides. Fiat wants to be in the US outside of it’s high end Ferrari and Maserati presence, and Chrysler needs some new tech, world friendly cars to sell in America. There’s also some of that Fiat stability and I’m sure some Italian allure is a part of Chrysler’s move here, but it has got to move fast if anything it to come of it. More details to come I’m sure.

Read the full Chrysler/Fiat Press Release

Let’s hope Fiat’s tremendous Fiat 500 makes it here – I’d stand in a line to get one. This should also bring a faster return of the Alfa Romeo mark to the US.

Social Networking – People Read Idiot!

Nic Phillips — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:14:00 +0000

Good grief, we hear about SND all the time (social networking disaster of course), but this takes the cake this month. Fedex creative agency rep gets to Memphis and Tweets what a hell hole it is… Fedex finds, reads, writes…

read the letter at SHANKMAN

Fox calls out Chrysler “Thank You America” Ads

Nic Phillips — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:25:51 +0000

$500,000 spent thanking America for the free money – the guy has a point, 10 workers out of a year’s work.

Honda F1 Sale Rumors Abound

Nic Phillips — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:44:13 +0000

Since Honda announced December 4th, 2008 that they would be withdrawing from Formula 1 effective immediately rumors of a buyout have been out of control. That said, a surprise runner came to light this weekend when it leaked that Carlos Slim Helu, the Mexican Billionaire and arguably the world’s richest man, had bought the team. In a statement from one of his own it seems that that report was unfounded. Who knows? It would make sense with Telmex/Telcel’s expanding global presence. Either it certainly thickens the plot…

So who’s in?

Vijay Mallya: owner of India’s largest brewer, Kingfisher Airlines, and the underperforming Force India Formula 1 Team. Vijay sees Honda Racing for it’s capabilities as a constructor, something Force India lacks.

David Richards: chairman of Prodrive (successful racing group – think Subaru and Aston Martin), engineered the buyout of Aston Martin from Ford, owns the commercial rights to the World Rally Championship, and ran BAR, the F1 team that Honda purchased in the first place. David is keen to put Prodrive in Formula 1 if the climate is right. This deal could be right, especially with it coming with a certain Ross Brawn.

Carlos Slim Helu: as previously mentioned, this purchase would represent the global flagship of the Telmex, Telcel, and Prodigy Infinitum telecom brands. Slim’s group is widespread and many of his competitors already sponsor Formula 1 teams.

The French at PSA Peugeot Citroën are interested for sure. Peugeot was last represented in Formula 1 back with Alain Prost’s Prost Peugeot team in 2000. They sold their interest to Asiatech which only supplied two teams, one of which gave the engines back and bought others due to lack of performance. The Honda purchase would give them a quick in to the sport.

…more to come on this…

Burger King introduces Flame Fragrance

Nic Phillips — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:15:22 +0000

Is there no end? I’ve already ordered up my year’s supply… just what we all need a Whopper smelling Nic.

Americans for the Arts

Nic Phillips — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:11:04 +0000

I mean… really?

Find more videos like this on AdGabber

Find more videos like this on AdGabber

Cheese Cupid

Nic Phillips — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:24:01 +0000

Eat Wisconsin Cheese is the point here… at least that’s who paid for this trick interactive site. It really is good.

A cloud over Houston

Nic Phillips — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:32:55 +0000

I just looked out the window to see an incredible cloud of fog rolling over Houston. Here comes the cold!

Snow in Houston?

Nic Phillips — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:52:06 +0000

So last night it snowed… like really full on, blowing snowed in Houston. December 10th is early and it last happened 4 years ago on Christmas eve. What’s even more incredible is that this morning, at 10:30a, I still had accumulation on my roof deck!

Possum Repellant

Nic Phillips — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:59:15 +0000

It was discovered this weekend that the mightily feared opossum is easily repelled with Shiner Bock beer – from the keg naturally…

…from the Solis Ranch Holiday Party 2008…

Duran Duran

Nic Phillips — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:33:08 +0000

After The Mirror Ball there was a gathering for Duran Duran after their Houston gig was surprisingly back on after Nick Rhodes was cleared to fly after coming down with an ear infection in Panama.

Read Shelby Hodge’s Houston Chronicle coverage “Thrashes party like rock stars” and see their photo gallery for more

…and of course CultureMap’s coverage with video…

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Mirror Ball 2008

Nic Phillips — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 13:35:16 +0000

The Mirror Ball was a huge success last night! I had a great time and we met or exceeded some of our goals which is a real feat given the current climate and circumstances given us by Ike and whatnot. The event hosted by Glasstire and Fresh Arts Coalition and chaired by Nic Phillips, Lisanne and Jim Rogers, Stuart Rosenburg, and Heather Wagner, honored Leigh and Reggie Smith for their devotion to the Houston art scene.

Here is a rundown of online coverage:

CultureMap has a write-up, photos, and video

KHOU.com has a write-up and loads of photos

Chron.com has a write-up, photos, and video

Photos from the Event

Photos from KHOU (click to their page)

After the Mirror Ball I ran out to the Duran Duran after party…

Buenos Aires

Nic Phillips — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:08:10 +0000

I was in Buenos Aires and La Plata all last week and let me tell you it’s a wonderful place. Photos say it all…

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A Wedding Day in Chappell Hill, Texas

Nic Phillips — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:03:17 +0000

Chappell Hill, Texas was founded by a man who is credited with killing the last buffalo in Texas. There’s a lovely little pie store there too.

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Renaissance Festival

Nic Phillips — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:43:16 +0000

So the Texas Renaissance Festival is a theme park for sure. Only go with a group and only with a group you’ll have fun with. And bring your wallet or expect to pay a visit to ye old ATM.

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Digital TV Transition 2009

Nic Phillips — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:20:33 +0000

An informative video on the transition to digital television transmission coming in 2009.

Vegas Internet Scam

Nic Phillips — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:44:00 +0000

In Vegas last week the internet at the Las Vegas Convention Center cost $100/day on the show floor. That’s one of the great scams of ’08!

In other news, Cricket announces their $40/month wireless broadband service with no contract! Review to follow…

Woman’s Standing Fall

Nic Phillips — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:12:15 +0000

Shot last week at the SATW… watch the upper left – trust me.

Mexico City Again!

Nic Phillips — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:58:54 +0000

Back to The DF for meetings, friends, and fun.

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Apple and Pork Festival

Nic Phillips — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:43:54 +0000

So on my way back to the Bloomington/Normal, IL regional airport I stopped off in Clinton, IL for the annual Apple & Pork Festival. What a site to see – apple, pork, funnel cakes, the high school band, and the best part, an antique tractor and engine display.

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Obama son of a…

Nic Phillips — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:26:54 +0000

Chevy Volt Gets Real

Nic Phillips — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:56:53 +0000

Bob Lutz, GM’s chief product guy, drove the production Chevrolet Volt today during GM’s 100th anniversary celebration.

GM has a lot riding on the Volt, and it’s no doubt unique. It has been a fast-tracked product and is the first extended-range electric vehicle offering a 40 mile all electric range (satisfying 75% of American’s commute), and will plug into your house hold power. When you pass the battery range of the car an efficient engine will take over and let you keep going like any other car. It’s called E-Flex and with it I think we’re getting somewhere… in 2010

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Hurricane Ike Evacuation to San Antonio

Nic Phillips — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:23:43 +0000

So after riding out the storm and securing everything I felt it was best to leave town until things got sorted. This proved to be the right choice and San Antonio was beautiful!

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Hurricane Ike Coverage

Nic Phillips — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:43:07 +0000

Images

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Video

Solange Knowles Snaps at a Las Vegas Reporter

Nic Phillips — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:20:37 +0000

I mean, really? You know, she also “demands” $10k to merely “show up” at your event…

New Nokia site ROCKS

Nic Phillips — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:03:06 +0000

Nokia have put up a new site that’s a pretty trick show of what the web experience can be today. Musicalmighy, or Musical Mighty, or Music Almighy… Problem? How the hell do you work it?

Plug a headphone jack into one of the phones and you’ll see just how trick it is.

OSRAM Sylvania CEO discusses their energy efficient products

Nic Phillips — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:40:08 +0000

From the OSRAM/Sylvania site, check out Charlie Jerabek, CEO as discusses energy savings products on Bloomberg TV. This is a good, quick primer on the current state of the energy efficient lighting.

Interesting is the bit about mercury content and handling toward the end of the clip.

OSRAM Sylvania has it’s HQ in Massachusetts just outside of Boston.

We do Weddings! …and funerals

Nic Phillips — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:17:09 +0000

We get what you do…

Stoli Hotel

Nic Phillips — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:14:15 +0000

Stolichnaya has put up a new site concept “Stoli Hotel” which ties in some neat ideas, but it doesn’t quite get there. It’s an interesting look around nonetheless.

LEGO People turn 30

Nic Phillips — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:49:17 +0000

Interesting little story here from Wallpaper* Magazine about LEGO’s minifigure turning 30 this year. Check out the minifigure achievements photo gallery and remember when you had these little guys and girls around.

Houston Ballet’s “Hip” Promo

Nic Phillips — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:31:51 +0000

Oh my it’s the bleeding edge that was 2004 all over again, “look at us” …

[distortion effect] operators waiting … waiting to see how long it took for someone to remember these?

…and if you’re U2 you get to have a face!

New Orleans

Nic Phillips — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:30:33 +0000

A great weekend in New Orleans has opened my eyes to The Big Easy. The city is coming back and has a great vibe to it and I cannot wait to come back and explore a bit more. Make your plans – they’re ready for you!

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Lotus 211 Makes it to the USA

Nic Phillips — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 01:55:24 +0000

Today I saw one of the first Lotus 211 to be brought to The States at Star Motor Car. They’re keeping it in the Aston building at the moment, but I hear tell this car is for John Sinders who was a part of Dave Richard’s $848 million dollar buy out of Aston Martin from Ford last year.

The 211 is a track only, non-street-legal car. It’s very light weight, had great power for it’s weight, and is rather cost effective all considered. You may never see one of these, but now you know they exist.

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Jenny

Nic Phillips — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:13:23 +0000

Tenori-On

Nic Phillips — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 20:14:49 +0000

Media artist Toshio Iwai and Yamaha have collaborated to design a new digital musical instrument for the 21st century, TENORI-ON. It’s a 16×16 matrix of LED switches that allow everyone to play music intuitively, creating a “visible music” interface. The Yamaha site has a good collection of videos showing the instrument in use so now when you see it in the wild and everyone is talking about it, you’ll be ahead of the game on this one…

TENORI-ON Site