Things That Matter To People Who Matter

Elvis Presley | Toys | Asparagus | Origami

Elvis Presley

Everyone is familiar with Elvis Presley, but lately I have really gotten to know the King and have subjected my household to him, as well. At a time when so many things are not what they seem, it's refreshing to go back to an era when love songs were just love songs. Elvis' music is honest, fun and always amusing. There is nothing hidden and no deeper meanings. I think we can all use a little Elvis in our lives. We could certainly benefit from a little less conversation and a little more action.

Toys

I love toys. Always have, always will. I guess it's part of being a designer — or a big kid. My wife makes fun of me for re-collecting all of the toys I had when I was younger. She also has trouble keeping track of me whenever we go to a store that has a toy aisle. I just can't help myself. Matchbox cars, model cars, robots, instruments and noisemakers ... the list goes on. One day, I'll give them all to my kids who will probably screw them up or lose them. I guess that's life.

Asparagus

My favorite vegetable is asparagus. Perhaps the most exciting quality of this delicious treat is the curious odor that many of us smell in our urine after consuming only a small serving. While it remains more or less a mystery to hard science, it is thought that the scent is derived from asparagusic acid, a sulphur-containing compound that is unique to the plant. It is now generally believed that the human digestive system is always able to break down these molecules, but only about 40 percent of us have the required genes to smell the byproduct that is released in our urine. Luckily, I am one of them.

Origami

I really enjoy folding thin pieces of paper into small creatures. Most recently, I've learned how to fold a beagle, though the inside reverse fold for the two front paws continues to escape me. I'm currently in the middle of working out a fold for a llama and a squirrel, but can't quite seem to get a couple of the key steps. The shark was my favorite for months: Its furrowed brow and inside reverse fold tail hooked me. I was also struck by the dollar-bill tiger shark, but more specifically, by its charismatic fan fold fin (sigh). From what I can tell so far, I have the biggest crush on Kunihiko Kasahara's designs.