The New Pop-Up Book

Everyone talks about how print media is dying. I for one do not agree with that statement. In a growing digital age, print needs to change reader engagement and better the print experience.

A few months ago, Entertainment Weekly (with Pepsi Max and CBS) embedded a digital video player in one of their issues that allowed you to choose from 5 preset videos. Amazing right? A video player... in your magazine! Well now Esquire has embedded a "Augmented Reality" chip in their issue which if you put the magazine up to a web cam, images pop up and interact with you on the computer screen. It really is amazing! Take a look at the clips below.

Invictus

I saw the trailer for Invictus staring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. It's about Nelson Mandela using the 1995 Rugby World Cup to unite post-apartheid South Africa. It is getting a lot of Oscar hype and since Clint Eastwood directed it, I'm sure it's going to be a monster.

Invictus is Latin for unconquered, and the title of a short poem written by William Ernest Henley. In the trailer Morgan Freeman recites the lines "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul". The words were pretty inspiring so I am sharing the poem with all of you.




OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Airplane!

In Grand Rapids, Michigan they had an event, organized by Rob Bliss, where 100,000 paper airplanes were launched in the air! It's pretty cool to see all the planes falling from the sky. When I saw the pictures and video it was nostalgic, taking me back to the days when I used to make paper airplanes in grade school with my buddies. Well, I still make paper airplanes in the office but that's a whole different story.

Official Video: Rob Bliss 2009 ArtPrize Paper Airplane Event from Creo Productions on Vimeo.

More Hugs Than a Forest Full of Bears

So to celebrate the release of FIFA 10 today I decided to post about football.. err soccer. I really believe this is a sport that is on the rise in America. It may not be getting much national attention but there is definitely a huge underground following. More people than you know follow the world's best clubs, it's really quite a phenomenon. Everyone has heard of Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal... I only just began following it very very closely within the last 2 years and it has seriously become one of my favorite sports. There is passion that is unmatched within the football ranks.

This is the ad that ran to promote FIFA 10 and it features my club's (Manchester United) top man, Wayne Rooney. I think you'll get a good idea about passion of the beautiful game. BTW, Karim Benzema totally looks like Shia Labeouf.

You're Sitting In a Chair... IN THE SKY!

Hello everyone! I am finally back from being awesome in Europe. I have kind of put the blog on back burner but now I am going to try and update regularly.

So I have this fascination with a lot of little things in life and people give me a hard time for it! "OH Walle! So easily entertained!" "Oh bro, you need to get out more." Well here is a little clip of Louis CK talking to Conan about people taking for granted some little things that are actually quite freaking amazing!




Europe update coming soon....

MNF: Play on Playa!

This post comes a day late but I do it in honor of the start of the football season. If you did not know, this marks the 40th year of Monday Night Football. Here is an ad with Adrian Peterson which I really liked and thought to share with all of you!

Leftover Pizza: Hot or Cold?

I am taking a poll with some of my pals on facebook. Comment on my FB status if you like leftover pizza hot or cold.

Mad Men

The AMC hit series Mad Men premiered it's 3rd season on Sunday. If you have not checked out this show I highly recommend it. In short, Mad Men follows the life of Don Draper (John Hamm), the creative director of the ad agency Sterling Cooper. It is a great commentary on society in the 1960's and the evolution of society in that decade.

The opening credits show a man falling past skyscrapers that show advertisements from the time period. The opening credits actually pay homage to Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest and Vertigo (Both films I highly recommend you see). I couldn't find the video to embed so I have place this link for you to check it out.

Mad Men Opening Credits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcRr-Fb5xQo

Calvin and Hobbes

When I was growing up I used to read Calvin and Hobbes a lot. I used to check out the books at the library and I think I've read every comic written. I saw a Calvin and Hobbes strip the other day and it just took me back to my childhood so I thought I'd share with you all a little taste.

Off the Cuff

Here is another book that I highly recommend to all my male friends. My cousin Peter gave this book to me as a Christmas gift one year. For those of you who don't know, Carson Kressley was on the long time Bravo series, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. On that note, I believe all men should watch reruns of that show. Laugh at me now, but again how do you think I got all these impressive random facts? Anyways, this book is full of facts and tips on fashion, personal hygiene, dressing for different occasions, how to shop for suits... seriously anything. I am just trying to spread more knowledge so go pick up this book and help yourselves out.

Cool Nike+ Commercial

Here is a commercial Nike did for their Nike+ campaign. I love the Men vs. Women Challenge because it's something we could have all participate in. There are some cool athletes in this spot too like Fernando Torres, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Tony Parker, and Roger Federer. Enjoy!

MLP

The Metrosexual Guide to Style: A Handbook for the Modern Man

My cousin Peter, back in the day, introduced me to this book. I highly recommend it to any man trying to achieve the acclaimed status of a 21st Century Gentleman.

This book is full of tips on travel, grooming, decor, dining, dating, fitness, and a bunch more. Now I know you all must be laughing at this point thinking, "Walle reads this crap, OMG!" HEY, you who are laughing probably need this the most! Everyone wonders how I know so much random crap, well the secret people is I read stuff like this. This knowledge helps evolve mankind. Take a look and thank me later men.

Drink Milk

Ink Calendar

I saw this ink calendar on a site I read called fubiz. There is enough ink in the bottle for a whole month and it progressively diffuses each day. Pretty sweet in my book.

Miami Shout Out

Quick shout out to my boy PK who is livin his life in Miami. South Beach is definitely a place I want to hit up one day. Gorgeous beaches filled with gorgeous people... what could be better than that!? Fly back safe fellow member of the MLP Brain Trust!

Football

Last night I went to the Rose Bowl to watch Chelsea FC play Inter Milan. It made me realize American fans are not passionate at all. Now I know the argument is real Football is not as popular in America, but this game drew the hardcore followers of both Chelsea and Inter. Even with 80,000 hardcore Football fans the environment and passion was barely felt. I just hope one day we can reach the level of passion that the Europeans have for their clubs with any of our sports teams.



Still trying to figure out the flow of my blog. Stay with me and I guarantee it will get better!

MLP

Today after dinner a couple friends and I were discussing dating. One friend in particular was talking about getting back in the game and the gang, the good friends we are, have made a pact to find her one. I have used initials for anonymity.

July 20th, 2009, in the year of our Lord
8:43pm

When a friend calls on another for help, we cannot leave that friend behind. We must, as decent human beings, pick them up off their feet and help them continue on the glorious path of life. We must experience, and help each other through, trials and tribulations together so that in the end we can come out stronger than before.

Today we, CC, PK, and WL, take an oath to aid our fellow friend in need, M_____ L_. We will continually seek the earth to find her a date that is worthy to be in her presence. We will use all our powers and resources to get her off the singles bench and back into the dating game.

Signed,

CC, PK, WL


So please, if you know any decent, well mannered, goal driven men, the Brain Trust will look at you candidates.

Walle World

I have been debating for a long time whether or not to start blogging and after dinner and dessert with some friends I have decided to finally launch my site. Welcome to Wally World!