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December 29, 2006

Habitat. Ipod Vending Machines

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Habitat. Ipod Vending Machines: Convenience reigns supreme. The iPod vending machine proves profitable. It won't be long before we see more of these machines popping up. But, the bigger question is how long will it be before someone figures out how to break into one of them?

As reported by TUAW: "When I first heard of the whole buy-an-iPod vending-machine concept, I dismissed it as yet another bad idea that had to play itself out. I couldn't imagine anyone ever actually buying an iPod at one of these machines. Looks like I was way wrong... a single iPod vending machine sold a thousands of dollars worth of iPods in one month. A VP of Business Traveler Services is quoted as saying, 'We've done about $55,000 in a month in gross sales just for the one on Concourse A. This is becoming the future for some high-end products in places like airports where space is at a premium.'"

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Read more about the Ipod Vending Machines [Here]

Posted by taj at 12:41 AM

December 28, 2006

Audio. Still Dreamin'

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Audio. Still Dreamin: I've been listening to Still Dreamin' on repeat for about a week now and I've decided that it's the greatest song that I've ever heard. Hyperbolic, I know, but the song is moving and that's pretty rare. Still Dreamin' is a concise, poignant portrait of what modern life is about - fantasy.

Kanye's verse is a tale of the bourgeois male's ultimate fantasy/nightmare. In the end, he has nothing and is haunted by nightmares of what he has lost. Nas' story is about two deluded friends, stuck in a permanent adolescence. Classic.

Listen to Nas & Kanye's Still Dreamin' [Here]

Posted by james at 09:53 PM

Film. The Last Kiss

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Film. The Last Kiss: Relationships aren't easy. The Last Kiss explores challenging aspects of committement, family and responsibility through the eyes of Zach Braff's character who is about to be 30. At various points the movie is emotionally harsh. It's one fight after the other. But, stay with it. The messaging get's progressively stronger and delivers. It's easy to say you love someone, but more importantly it's what you do with that emotion that matters.

Overall, "The film is about turning a major corner in your life: settling down and starting a family, while still clutching on to everything that was free, innocent, and fun about being young," says Zach Braff. "What we had the opportunity to do with this movie was to make a comic drama about contemporary relationships that's really funny, very sexy, and, most importantly, real," states Tony Goldwyn - the movie's director. "The screenplay takes a refreshing and rather edgy look at the ideals we have about what we imagine we want in our life partners, how we see our lives going, and what we expect to achieve at various stages of our lives. Somehow life never quite works out like the ideal we envision. What do you do when life happens to you?" [Out now on DVD]

Dork recommends The Last Kiss. View the trailer [Here]

Posted by taj at 06:56 PM

People. Status Anxiety

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People. Status Anxiety: "Visualizing the realism of life in actuality / F*ck who's the baddest, a person's status depends on salary / And my mentality is money orientated / I'm destined to live the dream for all my peeps who never made it..." - AZ, Life's A B*tch

AZ's words are timeless. Whether we admit it or not - status is everything. Status Anxiety is a theory developed by philosopher and author Alain de Botton. Basically, it's about the desire of people in many modern societies to "climb the social ladder", and the anxieties that result from a focus on how one is perceived by others. He has some interesting ideas. Here are some of his thoughts:

There are few more powerful desires than to be treated with respect. We long for status and dread humiliation. But such an aspiration is rarely spoken about, or at least not without sarcasm, embarrassment or condemnation.

The word status refers in a narrow sense to one’s legal or professional standing within a group (married, a lieutenant, etc.). But in the broader – and here more relevant – sense, to one’s value and importance in the eyes of the world.

Increasingly, status in the West has been awarded in relation to financial achievement. The consequences of high status are pleasant. They include resources, freedom, space, comfort, time and, as importantly perhaps, a sense of being cared for and thought valuable – conveyed through invitations, flattery, laughter, deference and attention.

High status is thought by many (but freely admitted by few) to be one of the finest of earthly goods. For this reason, we worry whenever we are in danger of failing to conform to the ideals of success laid down by our society. We worry that we may be stripped of dignity and respect, we worry that we are currently occupying too modest a rung or are about to fall to a lower one.

We might not worry so much if status were not so hard to achieve and even harder to maintain over a lifetime. Except in societies where it is fixed at birth and our veins flow with noble blood, our position hangs on what we can make of ourselves; and we may fail in the enterprise due to stupidity or an absence of self-knowledge, macro-economics or malevolence.

And from failure will flow humiliation: a corroding awareness that we have been unable to convince the world of our value and are henceforth condemned to consider the successful with bitterness and ourselves with shame.

Check out some clips from his documentary, Status Anxiety [Here]

Posted by james at 05:23 PM

December 27, 2006

Link Heavy. Top Tens on The Hundreds

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Link Heavy. Top Tens on The Hundreds: Giving props to peers - an example of humility? Or a byproduct of keen observation? First, The Royal features companies doing their thing in media and communication. Now, The Hundreds have posted up their top ten blogs/sites for this year. Perhaps it’s the near ending of the year that makes one reflect in restropsect. Or maybe it’s the onset of a new one that creates expectations. Whatever the reason, it’s always a good idea to look at what’s been accomplished before preparing for the next move.

Bobby Hundreds, whose postings on The Hundreds blog always provide a good read, is supplying a top ten list of random things for the rest of the week. His first is streetwear-related websites with insight on what made 2006 “the year of the Web”, which sites did it first and which blogs have gone on to last. From the short-lived rise and fall of Don’t Believe the Hypebeast, to the introduction of audio as medium by Weekly Drop to the much aniticipated yet expected to be understated Supreme website, he also discusses the mobility and power of Youtube and Myspace.

Visit The Hundreds and view their top tens [Here]

Posted by catzie at 11:17 PM

People News. China celebrates the year of art

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People News. China celebrates the year of art: Chambers Hotel in New York is a fantastic place to stay. Recently we took up residence there for a long weekend. The art work and structural design is really inspiring. The overall atmosphere is designed for comfort. And, usually when things are designed for comfort they tend to lose their form. This isn't the case at Chambers. In fact it's quite the opposite.

While we were staying there, one of the most outstanding pieces of art was one painted by Yue Minjun. It's a print of the picture featured above. We took notice of it then, and it appears that the world is taking notice as well. The New York Times recognizes China's overwhelming success in art this year. As reported, "Collectors of contemporary art had a new set of names to learn this year: those of Chinese artists whose careers are soaring in a new and frenzied sector of the market. Much of the art is politically charged, with references to Mao Zedong, Tiananmen Square and, increasingly, globalization and consumer culture."

Read more about China's rise in the art market [Here]

Posted by taj at 02:30 PM

Audio. New Music from Mos Def

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Audio. New Music from Mos Def: It's the mighty Mos Def. Man do we miss this cat. Although we appreciate the fact that his movie career has taken off - hip hop could use his input. Nas' album was great. Jigga man set forth a strong effort. Tribe toured again, but it would be nice to see Dante Beze get back on the scene. Why not!?

In Fake Bonanza Mos pits his social commentary over a mellow beat. We're not sure if it's that we miss him, or that his rhymes are that compelling, but either way, we can't stop listening. It's like catching up with a good friend. Lately, we've been taking the stance that songs don't necessarily have to be perfect. Life's too short. Better yet, music should just express something that seems sincere and is excitable. Let's start there for 2007.

New Music from Mos Def. Listen to Fake Bonanza [Here]

Posted by taj at 12:13 AM

December 26, 2006

Audio. Goodbye James Brown

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Audio. Goodbye James Brown: [Words & Music by Ken Peebles] Rootdown Show #2 is dedicated to Mr. James Brown. What can be said about a man whose influence has spread so wide. Although he enjoyed a long and full life, I am none the less saddened by the passing of a musical legend. Perhaps like myself you had only come to realize the reach and power of James Brown in the last few years. I was raised on hip hop and it would only be until I started digging into its roots that I'd discover the innovators of Funk that gave birth to the sound I know and love.

Outside the standards like Papa’s got a brand new bag and Sex Machine I heard as a kid, it would be the Funky President 45 and the Black Caesar Soundtrack that would really pull me into the power of the James Brown sound. The blaring horns, the random screams and grunts over the track and the rhythmic style that would change the world. That signature funk sound has become a permanent fixture of the pop culture landscape with pieces of Funky Drummer popping up everywhere. The hardest working man in show business will certainly not be replicated anytime soon. He kept his band tight - producing an impeccable sound and electrifying show. The music always had a great blend of fun, soul, danceability and meaning.

Listen to Dork Magazine Rootdown Show #2 [Here]

With a catalogue so large and diverse, it’s difficult to choose favourite moments (I’m still a sucker for that ‘More Peas’ bass break down everytime) but perhaps that was the best part. All of James Brown’s music is great. It’s not something you break into simple ‘greatest hit’ collections. You simply put the needle on the groove and enjoy. I’ve put together a few moments captured in time and I hope you feel them. There truly will only be one Godfather of Soul and in the absence of his body we will forever be left with the spirit in his music. Let’s keep it rocking to infinity.

Goodbye James.

Can we do it again…..yeah, yeah…..Can we do it again…….yeah, yeah….

+ Download the MP3 version of Rootdown Show #2 [Here]
+ Download the MP3 version of Rootdown Show #1 [Here]

Posted by taj at 03:41 PM

Fashion. Birds of a Feather

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Fashion. Birds of a Feather: Great things happen when you need to fulfill a creative compulsion. For Hasnaa, it was the start of her earring line called Birds of A Feather. It all happened when she lost one of her favorite feather earrings - she started rocking just the one and people took notice. Maybe it was the single earring, maybe it was the unusual orange and white colors. In an attempt to make a match to the missing, she went to the craft store and got carried away. Hasnaa continued her online looking for more feathers and bought a ton before turning earrings out for friends. After attending a party and witnessing 3 people wearing her jewelry, the questions poured in as to where to buy “those feather earrings” and a jewelry company was born.

Hasnaa’s fascination for mystical creatures led her to use feathers because of the bird’s symbolic association with the soul. “Birds were percieved as a messenger of the gods, a carrier of souls, an oracle or seen to possess the spirit of loved ones. Feathers are also symbolic of prayers being taken up to the heavens and spirit world to receive the message of those down below. The Native Americans, believing that feathers held special powers, felt it was a great honor to possess one and because the types of feathers worn could show a person’s tribe or status, made them a very important form of communication.”

Taking cue from the Native American’s practice of decorating them individually with beads, rope, as well as animal hair - Hasnaa's work chains dyed leather strings and hoops into her distinctive creations. Her collection also includes single pieces meant to be worn alone. Recently though, she’s been taking custom orders to make each piece unique. “I usually chat with the person about their style, the colors they like, their personality, etc. and then I try to put something together that best suites them. Like my one friend - lets call her “Cat” to protect her identity. She's always ordering stuff that’s not on the menu, that’s exactly how she was when she came to pick out feathers.”

Already garnering a small following in Philly, her earrings have been featured in boutiques like Closet Fever and echochic, where she’s worked as buyer and manager. She’s moved her business to Myspace and tells us to expect more. “Birds of a Feather is going to eventually be one line under the umbrella of a larger accessories label. I have a bunch of designs which will include blown glass and metal casting, that I’m working on and collaborating with a friend. It’s going to be ill, something fresh that’s never really been done before. I’m taking accessories to the next level. I’m all about wearable art, the kind of jewelry that your grandmother wouldn't know how to wear.”

For more information about Hasnaa & Birds of a Feather [Here]

Posted by catzie at 12:57 AM

Kicks & Tees. Arife and Supleme

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Kicks & Tees. Arife & Supleme: To pull off a race joke nowadays is tough. Even if you make the joke about your own peoples, it's still questionable. One guy thinks there’s still a possibility and has done so in two shirts. The brand is called AAH which stands for Asians Always Hunt, run by a guy simply known as Arnold, who is described on digitalgravel.com as a “streetwear aficionado from New Jersey." What's the meaning behind the name? One can only guess, but the first shirt designs are hilarious.

The shirt gives nod to premier streetwear brands Supreme and Alife, and is a play on the Asian to English mispronunciation in flipping the l’s and r’s. Perhaps Arnold, who is also Asian American, is poking fun at himself. Or perhaps he is noting the ironic observation of how many American streetwear brands are influenced by Japanese culture, and yet how the Japanese are still fascinated with us. Either way this shirt would be interesting to see on certain bodies.

Check out AAH at DigitalGravel [Here]

Posted by catzie at 12:01 AM

December 22, 2006

Film. Essentially Woody



Film. Essentially Woody: "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it by not dying." - Woody Allen

There are plenty of reasons to love Woody Allen. He's the quintessential New York filmmaker. The prolific writer-director has mastered the art of dialogue. Allen's films are universally relatable meditations on the comedy and tragedy of human existence. If you aren't familiar with his work, Film Forum is holding a three week screening series starting today (12.22). Gothamist has an interesting feature about the best way to ingest the series. [Gothamist]

You can find more info on Essentially Woody @ Film Forum [Here]

Posted by james at 04:35 PM

December 20, 2006

People News. Unintended Consequences and Gaming

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People News. Unintended Consequences and Gaming: If it's in the game, it's in the game! Or is it? The realism in today's video gaming is astounding. Recently, we've found ourselves playing them rather than participating in their physical counterparts. Admittedly, the frequency of folks coming by for a quick pick-up game outside are slimming. More often, people come by and plop down for a few rounds on the xbox. So it came as no surprise to see the following article posted on Joystiq.

As reported: "Reuters reports on the current shortage of young British soccer talent with national managers partially blaming video games as the catalyst. An influx of foreign players and lack of coaching were also attributed to the diminishing number of players in the land where the sport was invented."

Read the full article about shortage of soccer talent [Here]

Posted by taj at 12:54 AM

December 19, 2006

Link Heavy. New Jay Dee Video

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Link Heavy. New Jay Dee Video: There are two artists we never hesitate to talk about. One is Woody Allen, and the other is Jay Dee, aka Dilla. Both are huge inspirations for Dork. We could talk at length about both and we often do. So get ready, today we will talk more about our man, Dilla.

About a month ago we heard there was the possibility of a video for Dilla's Two Won't Do track from The Shining. Then it was confirmed. We patiently waited, and now it's finally here. Needless to say, we've had it on repeat for the last... um 23-hours. It's directed by Mazik Saevitz featuring John Yancey (Dilla's younger bro), Common, Will.I.AM, Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Karriem Riggins, and Frank N Dank.

View the new Jay Dee video and community [Here]

Posted by taj at 02:50 AM

Art & Design. Saatchi Gallery

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Art & Design. Saatchi Gallery: It's only right that we post about this one. With Web 2.0 taking a stronghold on big-media, no genre is safe from invasion. The latest success is Saatchi Gallery - a social networking site for the art-focused individual. The New York Times recently wrote about it.

As reported: "Julie Ann Travis , 23, a graduate student at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco, is curious to see what her peers are up to and to share some of her latest work. So recently she posted a self-portrait in which her head is buried in a pile of dirt at Stuart (saatchi-gallery.co.uk/stuart), the latest addition to a recently redesigned Web site for the Saatchi Gallery in London. The brainchild of the London-based advertising magnate and collector Charles Saatchi, this social networking outlet — a kind of MySpace knockoff for artists — is causing something of a sensation, boosting traffic at the gallery’s Web site overall to more than three million hits a day."

Read more at the NY Times about Saatchi Gallery [Here]

Posted by taj at 01:55 AM

Press. Dork in the Royal

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Press. Dork in the Royal: We apologize for taking Monday off. It was an amazing weekend. We have a mega-post lined up for the Wooster Collective jam that took place in NY last weekend. We stood in line for nearly 3 hours and just made it in to see one of the greatest art installations in recent memory. It was awesome. We needed yesterday to absorb the event. Kudos to Wooster Collective for making it happen.

The Royal has a new website with PDF versions of their latest double issue available. Dork Mag is featured in issue 9. We discuss technology, media and it's effect on expressive genre's such as street wear. At the top of the page they say, "The world was designed offline." This past weekend was a brilliant reminder of that. Every once in a while it's important to step away from the computer, and out of the office, to experience all the reasons for which we write.

Check out the new Royal website [Here]

Posted by taj at 12:53 AM

December 14, 2006

Link Heavy. Wooster on Spring

Link Heavy. Wooster on Spring: This weekend, Dork will be heading to the Wooster on Spring event - the ultimate time capsule. Personally, we've never seen an exhibit that's featured so many artists all working collaboratively to the same end. The Wooster Collective crew are doing impressive things in terms of providing an outlet for creative street art. Now, they're going an extra step to make an even bigger imprint in the timeline of NY City art.

WC wrote a breakdown of the project. It tells how the project came together, the principals that guided it and the unique marriage between city development and community expression. Here's a snippet from the site: "As we head into the final days before this weekend's three day exhibition at 11 Spring, we wanted to give you a bit of the background on the project and to tell you how it all came together. It was about seven weeks ago that Sara and I received an email from Caroline Cummings. Caroline is a partner in Elias Cummings, the development group that recently purchased 11 Spring Street in Soho. After exchanging some emails with Caroline, we called her and was surprised to hear that the reason she was contacting us was that one of the things that intrigued her and her partners about the building that they had just purchased, was the fact that each and every day they came back to the building they noticed that the artwork outside was changing and evolving."

Visit Wooster on Spring Dec 15,16 & 17. More details [Here]

Posted by taj at 09:29 AM

December 12, 2006

Audio. Dork Magazine Rootdown Show #1

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Audio. Dork Magazine Rootdown: It's what we love, so get ready! We're bringing something real heavy - queue the jaylib heavy heavy sound. DM is excited to present the first Dork Magazine Rootdown. Ken Peebles - dork mag deejay, graphic designer & beatmaking music extraordinare - has compiled 5 songs for your listening pleasure. He's also crafted a nice write up for each song.

At dork central we're always talking about how context is everything. It can drive art - it certainly drives hip hop. So, with that formula we decided to explain all the things we love about the songs that we play on Rootdown. We don't regard each track as an isolated work, rather they're time capsules collectively issuing those good feelings we love. Be sure to check for the Dork Mag Rootdown every other week. Also, major thanks to Ken for kicking off the first one.

Listen to Dork Magazine Rootdown Show #1 [Here]

+ Dork Magazine Rootdown | selection and words by Ken Peebles

Posdnuos | Smile a lil bit

Producer OH NO hits the nail on the head with that bouncy feel good track that De la sounds so at home on. This tune was the main track I was attracted to from OH NO’s latest project ‘Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms’ It contains beats made strictly from Galt MacDermot samples. OH NO (who is Madlib’s brother) has definitely come into his own as a producer with his own sound. I’ve given this one a lot of run on the bus and it always makes me feel good. This should be the new school anthem. Cats are too serious out here. C’mon on y’all, smile a lil bit.

Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth – I got a love

Remember highschool! Well If you’re my age, when this hit your ears for the first time we were living in a very different world. It was 1994. Country music was making a comeback (I guarantee your 28 year old uncle has a Garth Brooks shirt hiding somewhere in his closet) Dance music was big (I like to move, move it) Everyone was digging this somewhat new ‘internet’ thing (seriously) Rap was ‘crap’ and Pete Rock was showing cats what funky soul sounded like. If you’re a giant music fiend like me than you know that feeling of excitement that takes over when you hear something this beautiful. This was some whole other when it came out. Those horns, those vibes, the vocal sample and C.L’s lyrics all equal hip hop perfection. This is the kind of track I used to bump in the sony walkman and catch mad looks because I couldn’t help snap my fingers, bounce around or rap out loud to. You need sounds like this in your life for the bad times and the good. Got wings, ‘cause I’m doing them things, listen.

The Roots Feat. Amel larrieux: Glitches

There’s just something about Philly isn’t there. Much like Queens Emcees there is a certain swagger and style Philly brings to the table and it feels just right. I’ll break this one down into the players involved.

Point one. I’ve been a fan of The Roots since I heard ‘DatSkat’ come flying over the college airwaves. Black thought is a consistent favourite on the mic for me with that unmistakable baritone. The smooth sounds that originate somewhere in the back of ?uestlove’s head hit the universe with full force. Rocking Bass, buttery keys, gritty saxophone and snappy drums make for an enjoyable ride.

Point two. I’m not an RnB dude. Even though I do enjoy old soul records something about current soul doesn’t hit me like that. That’s why when my girl Charyl slid Amel Larrieux’s ‘Get Up’ single under my nose and said ‘you need to buy this’ I was a little sceptical. Little did I know I was about to experience the most beautiful voice I’d ever heard. Amel is incredible and if you don’t know her work I recommend you pick up ‘infinite possibilities’ with a quickness. Now don’t get me wrong. I liked D’Angelo’s ‘Brown Sugar’ like everyone else and I still revisit and enjoy ‘Baduizm’ to this day but Amel’s full length took me on a soul loop like no other. I always jump at a chance to hear that voice again and she brings it on ‘glitches’ with great strength and restraint.

Mos Def – Hip Hop

I have something to admit. After the amazing Black Star project I actually gravitated heavily towards Talib’s solo project as opposed to Mos Def’s (those Hi-Tek beats maybe?) I liked Mos Def but I had more expectations and focus for Talib’s ‘Train of thought’ album. What was great about that was that when the day came to pick up Mos Def’s ‘Black on both sides’ I walked into my local Music World with little fanfare, hype or expectations. All I knew was ‘Ms Fat Booty’ was dope and Mos had a great voice and flow. There is something truly wonderful about picking up an album before any hype has hit you, popping the tape in the deck and systematically losing your shit as each track gets better and better. This was an album of tall stature for me and I bumped it constantly. The single Ms.Fat Booty caught fire on the underground. Umi Says would eventually get it’s due via a Nike commercial but there are so many great tracks on here it was hard to pick one. Although I’m still partial to ‘New World Water’ I chose ‘Hip Hop’ because it contains some great lyrics as well as a somewhat laidback but triumphant beat.

Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers – Chubb Rock, O.C. and Jeru the damaja

Only Primo can do beats like this. You’ve got a cello that starts, stops, pauses and then it’s on to three hits of a triangle. It’s a seriously unlikely loop if you think about it, but dope none the less. You get the full package here with verses from Chubb Rock (loving the voice) O.C. (what happened to dude?) and Jeru. Everyone should know about this record as well as the film ‘Clockers’ it was attached to. Remember that crazy gun pattern outfit Sticky Fingaz had in the movie? Anyhow my main memory of this song that sticks with me to this day is the fact I cut my first demo to this beat. Yes I tried to rap and yes I was wacker than hell. What can I say hip hop is a participant sport. Every time this song kicks in I always get the terrible hook I wrote stuck in my head. Aside from the various flashbacks I get of highschool hallways, highschool personalities and highschool house parties this is just a great joint to vibe to. Never taking shorts ‘cause…….you know what’s up.

+ Download Dork Rootdown Show 001 [Here]

Posted by taj at 10:02 PM

Events. My Favorite Things



Events. My Favorite Things: If you're in New York tonight (12.12) make sure you swing by APT. Our peeps from Rude are having a swanky affair. Here's some info:

"This Tuesday, we’re teaming up with PUMA for the inaugural My Favorite Things session. And to get it started right, we’ve just added a Tiger Beer open bar from 9-10pm. Downstairs, DJs Big Bang (Arision Recordings, London), Tyler Askew (rude), and Cool Gypsy Bogdan (HasMoJazz) will be selecting new and old favorites, with a special live PA from producer-extrordinaire Taylor McFerrin. Upstairs, we have two designers on the decks, jeffstaple and Gerry V, sharing gems from their musical vaults. There will be a limited number of giveaways courtesy of PUMA, Rude, and The Tinpod."

You can find more info on Rude [Here]

Posted by james at 03:22 PM

December 11, 2006

People. Prince To Perform At Super Bowl

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People. Prince To Perform At Super Bowl: It's been a pretty good week for Prince. His latest album, 3121 was nominated for 5 Grammy awards. His 3121 club in Vegas seems to be doing quite well. He's also been confirmed as the headliner for February's Super Bowl halftime show in Miami.

The selection of Prince for the halftime show left us at Dork Mag with a bit of a confused look on our collective faces. We know that the NFL has been cautious in selecting performers since Nipplegate, so we wonder if Prince's own wardrobe "malfunction" at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards was ever brought up at the board meetings. But then again, Prince has recently become a Jehovah's Witness and doesn't seem to have much of a problem toning down his act. He frequently changes the lyrics of some of his classic songs in concert to make them less suggestive. Maybe he'll include copies of The Watchtower in each Super Bowl program.

Watch the NFL's commercial for Prince [Here]

Posted by bill at 08:35 PM

Link Heavy. 10 Rules for Building Wealth

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Link Heavy. 10 Rules for Building Wealth: Buy land not diamonds. That's what we always say. Yes, we know that reads like a judgement, but it's not. Every economist will tell you that. And hey, Big L said it in one of his raps. Ha! Sure diamonds look great, but land is probably one of the safest investments.

CNN Money has a fantastic article on building wealth. For example, "Start early! More than any one stock or mutual fund pick, the age you start investing will determine how much wealth you build. To illustrate: Employee A starts putting away $100 a month when she's 22. Her money grows at 8 percent a year, and after ten years she stops contributing - and lets her stake grow. Employee B waits until he's 32 to set aside $100 a month, also growing at 8 percent a year, and he keeps it up until he hits 64. When they both retire at 64, she will have $234,600, and he'll have only $177,400. Need we say more?"

Read 10 Rules for Building Wealth [Here]

Posted by taj at 08:07 PM

People. Sly & The Family Stone

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People. Sly & The Family Stone: The music of Sly Stone began a revolution in the counterculture. Sly's fusion of psychedelia and soul as well as his top-notch multi-race and gender band were the catalysts. Beginning in the late 1960's, Sly's music better exemplified the spirit of the hippies than no other. It carried a positive social message and it had a great beat you could dance to.

As time wore on and the Vietnam War clouded the sunny skies covering San Francisco's Haight/Ashbury area, Sly's music began to sound like that of crushed ideals, most notably on 1971's There's A Riot Goin' On. Sly's own personal life grew very dark and violent due in part to rampant drug use. Nonetheless, Sly's material was just as strong as it'd always been.

By the 1980s, Sly had become a complete recluse. He recently stepped back into the public eye for 2006's Grammy awards ceremony where he was being honored. A live show in California with the 2006 version of The Family Stone, featuring Sly's sister Vaetta, had been announced and quickly canceled just last week.

Currently, all of Sly's classic albums and singles such as "Everyday People" and "Family Affair" could only be enjoyed on poorly mastered compact discs. However, Sony Legacy has recently announced the forthcoming remasters of Sly's albums up until 1974's Small Talk. These remasters will contain bonus tracks, original album art, and full liner notes. Look for them in stores in March 2007!

Visit Sly's official website [Here]

Posted by bill at 01:05 AM

December 09, 2006

Events. Today PT3!

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Events. Today PT3! If you're in the New York area, don't miss the Puma Table Tennis Tournament. Last time Dork took it easy on cats and let Comedy Central beat us. That's the only reason we made an early exit. But that's okay. We're not sour. ha! But seriously - these are some of the finest underground Ping Pong players you will find. At the event you'll see all kinds of mustard and ketchup on the table. They're serving up some crazy slices.

Here are the details. Teams range from Turntablelab, Complex Mag and Google. The festivities start today at noon. And, it all goes down at the NYTTF [384 Broadway, Lower Level 1.5 Blocks South of Canal Street].

Check out these pics from the last PT3 event [Here]

Posted by taj at 10:14 AM

December 07, 2006

Link Heavy. When iPods Die, the Killers, Mars and More

Link Heavy. When iPods Die, Design, Mars and More: At Dork we love science - especially when it collides with art. For today's link heavy we found a few interesting articles ranging from iPod Death to more evidence of water on Mars. We even stepped outside the "science-meets-art" realm and threw in a link regarding the Killers' latest Christmas tune.

But before jumping into the links, we'd like to highlight Nick Wingfield's piece, When iPods Die. It's a well written article that presents both sides of the debate - should apple iPods last longer? For example, while he makes the point that many consumers feel iPods aren't lasting long enough, he also writes: "Even if only a tiny percentage of iPods malfunction, the huge popularity of the devices means a significant number of users could be affected. Apple has sold nearly 70 million iPods in the five years since the product first went on sale. If just under 5% of that number failed, that could still amount to millions of affected devices."

Read When iPods Die online at WSJ [Here]

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