Apartment hunting

I've been busy looking at apartments through the city. I have to say, after so many years of insane rents, it's a welcome thing for rents to come down to 'normal' levels. It's unfortunate that it has to come about with so much unemployment. But a recent NYT article talks about lots of grinning renters now able to afford decent places in the city as opposed to hole in the walls for $30,000/month.

Hat tip [JJH]

Karma, baby

I'm behind on my auto posts – and blog reviews. I'm not sure how I could have missed the Fisker Karma. I really need to go to the NY Auto Show this year.

This eco lux sedan just signed up 32 dealers in North America. It's a plug-in powertrain that will output 400hp and 100 mpg. Prices range from $87k to $105k. It's quite sharp. I will do more investigative work on it.

Hat tip [Auto Blog]

Dark clouds and lightning over NYC skyline

Dark clouds and lightning over NYC skyline
Originally uploaded by John P Sullivan

It's thunder and lightning tonight in NYC. The dog is not happy about it, as usual. He just came in and is sitting by my feet. Sounds like it's going to be a crazy storm. Cool. Hope no one gets hurt but it's one thing I do like about living out here.

A Reckoning?

Interesting POV from a reader of the Daily Dish, Andrew Sullivan's blog

A Reckoning?

A reader writes:

One of the most powerful lessons of history was certainly played out in the 43 year period between the end of Word War II and 1988. By the end of that time, it was completely obvious that people living under communism were not doing as well as most people living under some form of capitalism (at least in Europe). This became well known to the folks living in eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, and contributed greatly to the downfall of communism, among other factors.

For the last 21 years, we have been following a similar social experiment between different styles of capitalism: more regulated and less regulated. Several western countries including Ireland and Iceland, as well as some of the Baltic countries, got rid of many regulations, particularly regulations regarding finance. For a while, their economies were shining stars, but now they are a mess. The US and Britain, the least regulated large economies, are now suffering greatly as well from the financial bubble. While Old Europe (to steal a phrase from Don Rumsfeld) is not nearly as affected by the recent debacle.

Are we beginning to learn another one of history's lessons?

Tesla and the new auto industry

There's good news and bad news in the auto industry.

The good news is that I predict we'll see a rash of new automakers, not unlike the early days of the auto when brands like AMC (ick) and Packard shared the road with Chevy and Buick. The barriers to entry are so much lower than they used to be, given there's so much excess industrial capacity in this country and abroad. If one could raise the capital, one could ship parts from all over the world and assemble in the US, vice versa or none of the above.

The bad news is that Detroit won't be the same. I think one of the things that has hurt GM is one of things I think they believed will help them. The rental car gave many a glimpse at what a GM experience is like, setting back their customer base for some time. I doubt GM will go away but hopefully they will change for the better, upgrading materials, cutting back on brands – more than two or three is a waste in my opinion – and revamping their dealer network.

How cars are sold in this country needs to change and I think the European model makes sense. We have laws that prevent automakers from selling direct to the consumer, with the result that we make far more cars than we need and put them on sale to get rid of them. In an era of green, taking the 'just in time' model and applying it to the sale of a car makes the most sense. The bad part of that is consumers won't be able to 'drive home in a new car today.' The good part is consumers will get exactly what they want. Personalization is so important today, particularly for Gen Y, that getting exactly what you want will be the norm. It wasn't that long ago that one waited for the car they wanted. I think those days are coming back.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the next twenty years of the car will bring.

Tesla Gorgeous

Tesla launched their luxury sedan yesterday. While this picture isn't the most flattering, I must say I love it. Geeks are going nuts over the large touchpanel dashboard and HVAC set up, which integrates 3G and full MP3 hookups. Awesome

Hat tip [engadget]

Cell phone novel

I've been perusing my horoscopes a lot lately – usually at the end of the day so I can see what could have happened. For some reason I find it comforting. In a number of cases, the horoscope 'predicted' what happened during the day. One I shared with a friend of mine spoke to a deepening relationship with a friend. Low and behold, I spoke to friend in SF and discussed love and relationships in a way we hadn't before. I thought that was a nice coincidence.

I checked another horoscope yesterday and actually learned something new – Japanese Cell Phone novels. Here's the horoscope, which I can't link to directly as the days are not given a unique link:

Some of the best-selling Japanese novels in recent years have been composed by young authors entirely on their cell phones. The small screens encourage narratives that are animated by terse rhythms. Flowery descriptions are rare and character development happens fast. I believe that in the coming weeks you will have a capacity akin to the cell-phone storytellers, Pisces. You'll be able to compress complex material into simpler forms; you'll have a knack for being very creative as you cut away frills and strip things down to their basics.

Of course, being the researcher that I am, I found this article about the genre from the NYT. Does anyone have experience reading these? I plan on seeing if I can get my hands on one. Maybe even write one :)

In any case, I think this horoscope is what I do – take consumer stories and simplify them. It's wild to see such alignment in 'the stars.' I don't intend to live my life in the shadow of the horoscope. But it's nice to take a step back and see life from a different vantage point.

Blogging Mood

One thing I haven't done recently is review my blogs. I tend to just write them and walk away.

But I have noticed a change in the frequency that I write. Some days I just feel up to it and others I don't know what to say. I have also noticed that when I'm a little down, I tend not to write. No surprise there, huh.

It's been an emotionally turbulent time for me, for reasons I won't get into here. But suffice it to say that the change in weather is starting to lift my spirits. It's amazing what a difference those extra hours of sun can make.

Spring?

Flower 3
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

It's been cold here in NYC. This morning I actually had to wear a scarf. I woke to the 20s. Brr!

But my spirit remained strong that Spring is on its' way. These flowers helped. I'll take a picture of the Daffodils that have sprouted and bloomed in the last few days.

I don't relish the pollen but I love Spring.

Uzbek-euro fusion

I really love this concept by Patricia Urquiola. European furniture design combined with Uzbek textiles. Communal and comfortable without sitting on the floor. And I love the color and the texture.

Hat tip [MoCo LoCo]

Cool Zebra Coffeetable

Zebrawood is my favorite wood. I love the texture. Check out Jason Philips' Zebrano line. I love the combination of glass (?) and Zebrawood.

Hat tip [Industrial Design Served]

Single malt vodka

Single malt vodka from Scotland. Love the quiet sophistication of the packaging by Curious. I'll keep an eye out for it and see what it's like. I'm sure it's one of those vodka one drinks neat or in a martini.

Hat tip [dieline]

Great fireplace

Really love this room. Pretty much everything about it. I am most taken with the fireplace but the rug, sofa, coffee table and mix of styles also send me. One day! The photographer is Richard Powers.

Hat tip [design to inspire]

IPhone 3.0 - Eliminating the desktop?

People who know me and readers of this blog, who may be one and the same, know that I am in love with my iPhone. I'm pragmatic about it – it isn't for everyone due to some feature lags – but in general, it's a great device.

One thing struck me with the iPhone 3.0 announcement on Tuesday. All of the new functions are taking the iPhone closer and closer into 'computer land.'

I say this because of how I use the device. There are some things that are just better done at my desktop. Serious web surfing is one of those things as it's easier to take a snippet of a website and mark it up/send it/save it. The new cut and paste function finally limits the need to do that at home.

Entering more than a few lines of text is frustrating thanks to the cramped keyboard. The landscape keyboard capability – combined with copy/paste/undo – will streamline that process. I'm looking forward to having a fully functional Office-like suite on my iPhone.

iPhone aside, it's also hard not to get excited about the direction of the Mac platform. It's clear these are OS X improvements that can live on any device. I'm excited about the Macs/systems coming out in the near future.

iPhone 3.0

Wow. That's all I can say right now because the few hours of spare time that I have been reading up on the iPhone 3.0. I plan on signing up for the beta because I have an App idea that I have been thinking about in the last few months that want to develop. The APIs are extensive enough that I think I could pull it together. I'll get into what I like about the new software as I map it out.

Coming back

I've had an insane week this week – easily 14 hour days. So my apologies for not being able to get on here. But I have a lot of interesting posts to make in the next few days. Saturday I'll catch up.

Dome on the Prairie

Dome on the Prairie
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

One of the wonders of travel is stumbling upon little flashes of coolness in the most unexpected places.

My associate and I were driving about in the wiles of the Kansas City Metro area then *bam* out pops a Geodesic dome. I haven't seen one in a long long time. It looked totally natural and at piece in the surroundings.

KCMO & Walmart

IMG_0384
"Acres of WalMart for as far as the eye can see"

Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

Time flies! I can't believe it's Wednesday already. I've been in Kansas City since Monday. KC is an interesting place, at least on the face of it. It's been hard hit by the recession, with lots of homes for sale/rent. Quite a few empty storefronts. I guess it's like the rest of America but everyone looks so unhealthy. I'm working on a diet study and if there's any group in need of one, it's folks in this town.

As a NY'er I haven't been in many WalMarts outside of visits related to work. The two in KC that we've visited are HUGE. Easily as wide if not wider than as a NYC avenue.

I know this is a silly idea. But in the spirit of getting Americans to shape up, I would love to see WalMart and other big box retailers integrate a track or dedicated walking space around their stores. Right now, it seems as though the only exercise many WalMart shoppers get is shopping. Might as well make it part of the experience. They could offer a 1% discount off your groceries for each lap.

Now that's expandable

The ultimate in leaf tables transforms from a simple console table to a dining table that seats 12! Looks cool too. By the Italian furniture company Ozzio.

Hat tip [Apartment Therapy]

Standing Car

In the 'huh' category of personal transport, this standing car design concept by Mattieus Pinkert. The designer note:

Slide is a city car for one individual, in which you do not sit but stand. The low cross-section should be effective against the parking situations of tomorrow. Unnecessary empty rides of one individual in a car with two or four seats belongs to the past. Through an open design and the upright position during the ride, the user are able to communicate with the other participants of traffic in a special way. They are in an equal position of eye height with pedestrians and cyclists.

As you know I support alternative transportation visions. But if I had to chose between this and a Smart, I'd chose the Smart. What this concept lacks is storage. There is none. I don't see where even a basket can be attached. Plus do I want to be standing all the time?

I think the designer envisioned a cross between a Segue and a scooter. This design needs more refinement for it to be practical.

But it looks cool so why not.

Hat tip [Industrial Design Served]

Organic cereal aisle @ Publix

Cereal aisle
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

As a New Yorker, one forgets that grocery shopping is different in the rest of the country. No one has to carry their groceries home or get them delivered. They don't have to make due with tiny shopping carts. Their shopping carts don't have to do odd maneuvers to get through the aisles. And stores have tall wide shelves that have almost endless varieties of basic products.

Packaging is something I pay a lot of attention to as a consumer and a marketing professional and I have to say that Publix has some of the best private label packaging I've seen. It's like taking home one's groceries from Real Simple magazine, which was clearly the inspiration. The design is simple and almost Apple like. Mouth watering appetite appeal. Modern photography and illustration. Really well done.

To be fair, private label goods do not have to merchandize their wares. The store is the brand and your acceptance of the product is based on your trust in the store. That's why they can get away with not having call-outs, banners, bullets, and other things that differentiate their offerings. But with the cacophony of the grocery shelf, these products are a breath of fresh air. It's no wonder that private label products are surging.

Wouldn't you want to have this box on your shelf, table or pantry? Just owning it makes you feel wealthier and more cultured, even though you may have paid a third less than for national brands.

I also have to give a shout out to Cascadian Farms, located just to the right of the Publix brand. A little more stark but just as appealing.

Old KFC

Old KFC
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

Love these old signs. One of the few things I miss about Phoenix is the penetration of mid-century signs, especially in the Central Ave corridor and in Mesa.

One thing that is intriguing about this is its' endurance. It looks dated yet contemporary at the same time. What will the legacy of the 00's have on the American landscape?

Sound of Silence

Sunrise Atlanta
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

I have a brutal schedule here in Atlanta. 8.30 start. Three interviews a day, ranging from 10a to 8p. Roughly an hour in between each one. My writing hand is so tired; I don't think I've written this much since my college finals.

It got me thinking about one of the things I cherish more than anything when I'm in-field. Silence. I've returned to the room and I want nothing but quiet. The only thing I hear is the occasional neighbor, the HVAC fan and some faint traffic noise. That's it. It's glorious. The last thing I want to do is have a conversation with someone – be that online or off.

In fact, when I'm not in NY, I realize how noisy the city can be. The ventilation fan for the ground floor restaurant turns on at 8am and goes off anywhere from 1 to 3 in the morning. I hear random phone conversations and laughter outside. My dog goes nuts when he hears anything out of the ordinary – growling and woofing a few times a day.

So while my schedule is rough, these hours of silence are heaven sent.

House of Cards

CNBC drives me nuts sometimes – must everyone shout? – but they do have some of the best financial journalists out there.

On my flight to Atlanta last night, I watched 'House of Cards' – an excellent piece of financial journalism and story reporting by David Faber.

The special talks about the sub-prime mortgage crisis from all angles – the buyers, the lenders, the analysts and the Fed. There's a certain political wing that puts all the blame of our current condition on minorities. But when seen in aggregate, no one escaped blame. People lied – on mortgage applications, to Wall Street, to insurance companies, to other consumers and to other countries. Financial models were calculated based on a never ending rise in asset prices, which beggars belief.

I fear the housing market will be in the crapper for a long time. The supply of homes simply will not align with demand for a long time. Immigrants are leaving, robbing many areas of the bodies to fill these homes. Jobs are disappearing, reducing the population that can afford to buy one.

Relatedly, this census will be an interesting one. Much of the growth, and the decline, is felt in the Sun Belt. Without jobs, I wonder if there will be another mass migration. Will people return to their hometowns to be closer to their network of family and friends?

B'day

Yesterday was my birthday and the run up to the festivities had me scrambling quite a bit.

I have just turned 40, one of the scariest decades. One is aware of the passing of one's youth and the growing distance between you and those far younger. At the same time one sees one's relationships in a new light.

39 wasn't the best year for me but I'm hoping that 40 will be better.