defyAGENCY

Authors

Aimee Ishikawa

Jen Kaye

Jimmie Rhee

Mike Oley

Toby Chi

Disney's Version of the Bellagio Fountain

2/8/10 10:59 am | POSTED BY Jen Kaye

Disney's latest attraction to open at California Adventure is the World of Color fountain show, opening in March 2010.

Similar to the Fantasmic Show at Disneyland, this show features a new medium to display graphics and animation....a super-powered water fountain. The fountain is similar to the famous one at the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas, where it can be set to dance to music and shoots hundreds of feet into the air. Disney takes it to the next step and projects colors through the different jets of water to help "draw" the characters and animation that is projected on the sheets of water. Leave it to Disney to make a visually stunning show that turns something that is seemingly 2-D into something that is 3-D and tangible.

We have to wait until March to watch what will surely be an amazing show. I personally can't wait to see this new medium in action. Watch the video below to see exactly how the show will work.

Package Design at its Best

2/5/10 01:33 pm | POSTED BY Mike Oley

Countless times I've been at In and Out and the server asks "Would you like some ketchup?" Actually yes I would love some ketchup to accompany my delicious fries, but what's the point? I'm going to need 30 packets due to the disappointing serving size. And by the time I'm finished with my meal, I have to take a shower and bring my clothes to the dry cleaners because of the mess they leave.

I'm a sucker for good package design. Even if it's long over due, the new Heinz ketchup packets are really something. Shaped like little ketchup bottles, you can either tear off the top to put some on your burger or peel away to dip your fries. I know, it's crazy! On top of that insane functionality, the new design also holds three times as much ketchup. I knew 2010 would be a better year then last...albeit my expectations may have been a little low.

unusual artifacts and curious technologies...

1/28/10 10:46 pm | POSTED BY Toby Chi

Culver City. Venice boulevard. Between culinary pleasures such as In 'n' Out and Indian Sweets & Spices... Museum of Jurassic Technology is definitely worth the visit.

Normality seems odd, and oddities are certainly more common than you'd lead to believe. It's a neo-quaint little museum mixed with real and, yes, fake, exhibits. Now, just when you think your head's spinning from traversing through its maze-like layout, head on upstairs for some tea and cookies. Ah, West LA dwellers know it best: don't take this place seriously, out of a lazy pace you are in sync with layers of transfixing discoveries.

My last visit was 2 weeks ago with my 7-year-old son. The awe on his face I admirably observed was worth the $5 suggested donation for entry. 9341 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. 310.836.6131

And i give you the freakishly large iPod err iPhone ugh iPad?

1/28/10 07:41 pm | POSTED BY Mike Oley

Unless you've been living under a rock or tablet you've heard about Apple's new device which Steve Jobs declared as the most important thing he's ever done. With a quote like that coming from a company that has such a strong track record for developing incredibly cool and useful tools (iPhone, iPod, Final Cut Pro etc) it's no wonder the rumors had reached fever pitch the night before. Hell I even stumbled into a Rick Roll by clicking a cleverly placed link. I couldn't help but laugh. Had it come to this?

To make a long story short, I'm not sure what to make of the iPad. Why do I need one of these? I mean hipsters can't use it unless they bust out their JNCO jeans. Will it come with an armband accessory? Can I shake it to water my crops on Farmville? For all the hoopla the iPad just strikes me as awkward. And personally I think it looks pretty crazy in Mr. Jobs' hands above. It's just...off.

I'm not going to bore you with it's technical limitations ::::AHEM lack of multi-tasking:::: But I'm definitely going to pass on round one. Ahh but there is hope! Apple will make it bigger, better and faster. That we know for sure. For now my boring old iPhone, which can track my running distance, stream my favorite Detroit sports talk radio, locate where Avatar is playing and finally book my next trip to Vegas, will have to do. Bummer.

Thought for Food #1

1/28/10 06:24 pm | POSTED BY Jimmie Rhee

What's the best chaser after a rattlesnake and rabbit with jalapeno peppers hot dog? An alligator and pork hot dog of course! Add some Belgian fries with homemade dipping sauces (citrus ginger mayo, coconut curry mayo and chipotle ketchup) and the finest Belgian ales and you got Wurstkuche in downtown Los Angeles.

The downside: obnoxious LA hipsters have already claimed this gastropub as their own and it isn't cheap, with each dog averaging around $8. The upside: your guaranteed good people-watching, a good buzz and good music provided by a live deejay on certain nights.

Personally, nothing beats the bacon-wrapped danger dogs you drunkenly devour 2AM in front of the club, but Wurstkuche easily blows Pink's out of the water. Skooby's in Hollywood is pretty damn good, especially for the price, but you don't get the exotic selection, Belgian ales and pretty people to look at while you induce yourself into a food coma. Wurstkuche is da sheisse!

www.wurstkucherestaurant.com

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