Noël » love

Love Where You Live

Noël — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:46:24 +0000

Recently I’ve gotten a lot of suggestions to watch a series of videos that parody the state of Michigan’s “Pure Michigan” campaign. You can find them over here.

Most people that know me agree that I have a crazy sense of humor. I’m usually not serious enough most of the time.

I’m really sad that people think these videos are worthy enough to pass around. I will admit, I laughed for a moment. Then, it just turned into bewilderment.

The Pure Michigan parody videos aren’t funny, despite the “producers” intentions. They are mean and spiteful. But most of all they took no thought. It’s easy to take a place, a person, or an idea, and rip it a new one.

Negativity in any form is still negativity. It’s poison. It’s also appealing to people because of the emotional rush you get from deeming yourself superior in comparison.

There is a wonder and sense of excitement that engulfs you when you learn to love something for what it is, despite its downfalls. Loving the place where you live is a really important piece of happiness.

Detroit isn’t New York. Or Paris. Or LA. But it’s a great place. It’s Motown. It’s the home of techno. It’s got some real heavy roots. It’s a real place.

I’ve had no greater joy in life than loving the quirky and unusual. After all, everything is a little quirky, and there is no greater feeling than love.

Detroit, I love you. I like waking up with you.

Power of love. Power to love.

Noël — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:30:34 +0000

Power of love. Power to love. Related posts:Green Power NYC I’m not gay, but I love people that are. The Love You Make Related posts:

The Love You Make

Noël — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:13:17 +0000

I didn’t know how to comment on Jeffrey’s article. I still don’t.

You’re an inspiration. Thanks for that (among other things).

Lunch was delicious by the way. :)

One day I realized I could not change what would happen, but I could influence how it happened. I could be the angry denier, hanging onto what no longer exists. Or I could embrace change with love and no conditions.

via Pain is my alarm clock – Jeffrey Zeldman Presents The Daily Report.

Scarlett Johansson – Mango Sneak Peak

Noël — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:30:53 +0000

Dearest Frangry, thank you for making it impossible to concentrate today.

xo,

Noel

I’m not gay, but I love people that are.

Noël — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:41:20 +0000

I’ve been blessed my entire life. You can’t put words to my family’s kindness, generosity, and just damn amazing love.

I recently married the woman of my dreams (now, Stephanie Jackson – she took my last name, even though it’s totally not hip these days ;) ). I never imagined I’d get married… but this woman is out of sight.

After being married 10 months and being with her for 9 years now, I can say without a doubt that marriage was a *big* deal. It wasn’t just rings, or cake, or vows, it was a magically transformative part of my life. It’s been hard as hell. But wonderful as anything imaginable. It let me personally and publicly express my love for Steph.

So what the fuck California? Pardon my french (especially Mom, if you’re reading this.) But, holy jesus what were you thinking California (and all the other states that are stuck in the 50′s)?

My sister is gay, my brother is gay, people I work with are gay. And you know what, they aren’t any different. They aren’t some cyborg waiting to take over the world. They aren’t going to try and make all the heterosexuals in the world “switch.” They just want the same rights as every other heterosexual person.

I’m frustrated. Fucking hell I’m frustrated beyond belief. I sit and watch as people I love are oppressed because of who they love. Is that not the most inane thing? Is not all love allowed to be equal?

In 2009 I can buy a 1TB hard drive for $80, but my sister can’t legally marry her partner and get equal benefits. Um, wow.

So California, if you’re reading this. Please check yourself. You gave this world a chance for a breathe of reality, of sanity, or normalcy – at a time when we really really need it. As the Beatles said, “All you need is love.” So let us love. Let everyone love!

People are people. We should not determine their rights based upon what’s between their legs.

my lé cube love

Noël — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:43:34 +0000

I couldn’t explain in full detail just why I love my lé cube so much. So, here’s a video. Note: I totally don’t sound like that in real life (right?) ;)

(The house music in the background was a total accident. It works though.)

Wrapup, “I kissed a bride.” Edition

Noël — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:17:12 +0000

I’m now on a plane headed for the pacific rim. You will not see me or hear from me for 6 days.
Dean blogs!
Stefan Sagmeister is my hero. His TED talk was great. His book “Things I have learned in my so far,” is amazing. Here’s an article about him.
I got married. It was the happiest day of my life. Pictures are forthcoming.
I got a new job. I’m extremely honored. I’ll explain more, when I’m not busy sipping coconut juice and eating fresh pineapple while the natives give me hot stone massages.
Draplin vs. USA I can’t explain how close I feel to these words. I mutter this stuff every day.

I’m getting married Saturday.

Noël — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:55:48 +0000

And she couldn’t be more beautiful, smart, and loving…

Thank you all for your support and love. It’s going to be one wonderful day!

This also means I’ll probably be off the radar for quite a while. See you then…

less “me,” more “we”

Noël — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:07:08 +0000

I wrote this a month or so ago, and never published it.

We live in amazing times. Just amazing.

The internet has blessed us all with the power to communicate with each other. It took a while, but we finally realized that the internet doesn’t have to be all about cats and animated gifs. Even though, those are still two very popular topics.

Not just geeks are on the net anymore, either. I just learned, Kanye West has a blog… and it’s probably actually HIM blogging on it! Not to mention he has a Vimeo account (“suck on that Flickr,” says Vimeo founder j/k)! BTW, Kottke, who I rubbed the wrong way many years back, alerted me to all this, on his unimaginably popular blog.

After watching this video, how can you not love the internet?

We’ve finally learned that there is more to life than “me” and that the “we” is what makes the world go round.

The internet does have a heart. It enables us to do some really amazing things.

Recently, along with Coudal Partners, 37Signals, Metafilter, Happy Cog, Iconfactory, Core77, Daring Fireball, Emma, Business Brickyard, and skinnyCorp, I got to help kids benefit from your filthy gambling habit. My design studio eight6 donated $1000 to buy some books for kids, by matching your donations.

I’ve always been unnaturally excited to help others. Being able to do that through my work, is gratifying. eight6 is heavily focused on helping the world and it will always be a core part of who I am and what my company represents. It sounds “deep,” and kind of corny. But it’s pretty simple. We build and design things (usually websites), using design to clarify communication and in return, help make good things happen.

In the next few months I’m going to be launching a program to help loving geeks help the world become a better place, just by doing what they do. Sounds interesting? I think it is. It will be an experiment, but an interesting and, hopefully, a fruitful one.

Stephanie

Noël — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:57:35 +0000

I get to marry her, in 44 days approximately. :)