1960’s McKinney Texas
McKinney has held the title of “fastest growing city in America” off and on over the past few years. The little burg 30 minutes north of Dallas has more than doubled in population over the last decade. With the building of the 5,000 acre master-planned Stonebridge Ranch, McKinney set itself on a course to become a major suburb of Dallas.
I recently ran across an old fold-out map of McKinney, complete with ads for “Montgomery Ward” and “Cabell’s Finer Dairy Foods”. I’m guessing it was published around 1965 form the text “Population… McKinney, 1960 Federal Census, 13,763. 1965 estimate, 14,750.
Now grab your purse, Delores, and let’s take the panel-wagon down to Ed’s Drive In for a burger!
McKinney Map c1965 page 1
McKinney Map c1965 page 2
Current Mood:
Okay
The Oatmeal: How to Suck at Facebok
To all my Facebook friends out there, here’s a humorous rant about the typical Facebook types. If you’re easily offended, you may not want to read this. It’s a little bit o’ smartass, but I like it.
I’ve started following TheOatmeal’s posts since reading “How to use an Apostrophe“. I think his illustrations are fun and his site is a great example of simple, clean web design.
Current Mood:
Relaxed
The Passenger
This animated short by Chris Jones is a dark and humerous style that I love. “Beware the Goldfish” is an apt description from io9.
Meet the Eigenharp
These guys remind me so much of my days in college as a music major. Not to mention the crazy-cool Eigenharps they’re playing. And if you like Moby and James Bond themes, definitely have a listen.
Thanks Boing Boing and Alan.
Take the Yellow Lane to Dallas
Here’s a fantastic Disneyland video from 1958, “Magic Highway USA” that explains all the wonderful technology we should be seeing today. This includes, color-coded lanes (apparently, yellow leads to Dallas), Ceramic keels that creates bridges as it traverses the crossing, and escalators for cars for crossing difficult or steep mountains.
Unfortunately, it seems that we’ve only slightly improved our roads over those that the Roman’s built. Our usage has increased so quickly that we are in a never-ending loop of repairs and relaying pavement.
I wonder what will happen with the crisscross pattern of highways when we all switch to transporters or flying cars… perhaps we’ll finally have plenty of green space like Boston’s Big Dig central artery re-purposing.
I wonder what the no hover-car parking signs will look like…
Current Mood:
Curious & 
Nerdy
How NOT to use Apostrophe’s
It’s just one of those minor annoyances, but every day I see apostrophes used where they’re not needed.
Apostrophe.me is a
simple and easy to follow “flow chart” explaining when and how to use apostrophes.
The parent site, TheOatmeal.com, has several fun reads including “How Web Design Goes Straight To Hell”
Current Mood:
Awake
At Angles for my Birthday, 1995
I moved to Oklahoma City in the summer of 1993, and spent most of my “coming out” years at Angles on 39th Street. Angles was (at the time) the coolest dance club in OKC, with DJ Checkerz (Michael Chechoratti(sp?)) at the helm most nights. Checkerz got most of his music from Oaklawn Records, formerly at Commerce and Oaklawn in Dallas.
While organizing my old stuff recently, I found two Hi Energy and Progressive Top 40 lists from from Oaklawn Records, still in their original envelopes addressed to me. Coincidentally, one of the lists was from April, the month of my birthday. So no doubt I was dancing to these toons at Angles when I turned <ahem> – something something.
Now be honest… how many of you have danced to “Mr Personality” or “Cotton Eyed Joe”?
Here’s the Top 40 Hi Energy list with a few videos of my favs from the time. I’ve included links to the rest that I could find.
- The Bomb – Bucketheads
- Reach Up – Perfecto Allstars
- Lick It – Roula
- Baby, Baby – Corona
- Bedtime Story – Madonna
- Axel F – Clock
- Your Loving Arms – Billie Ray Martin
- Release Me – Industry
- You Can Have It All – Eve Gallagher
- Mr Personality – Gillette
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight – Harajuka
- You Belong to Me – JX
- These Are the Days – Human League
- Here I Go – 2 Unlimited
- Sleeping in My Car – Mobius Loop (I couldn’t find the Mobius Loop version, but here’s a pretty good version by Dancefloor Driverz feat Joana)
- Come Back – London Beat
- Bloke – Republica
- What Hope Have I – Sphinx
- Tonight is the Night – Le Click
- Hot Stuff – DJ Miko
- I’m Ready – Size 9
- Move It to the Rhythm – Technotronic
- I Only Wanna Be With You – Barry White (Dance Mix)
- Nights in White Satin – Sandra
- Always Something There to Remind Me – Tin Tin Out
- Don’t Fear the Reaper – Apollo 440
- Situation – Tom Jones
- We Got Love – One Family
- Don’t Be Proud – Cappella
- Be My Lover – La Bouche
- Keep the Fire Burning – Dan Hartman and Loleatta Hollaway
- Party People – KGB
- Keep on Trying – Twenty 4 Seven
- Love Come Rescue Me – Love Station
- I Wish – Eric Gadd
- Cotton Eyed Joe – Rednex
- Take Me Forever – Data
- You Bring me Joy – Mary J Blige
- Respect – Judy Cheeks
- The First, The Last Eternity – Snap
Here are the originals:
Current Mood:
Hyper
ATU Marching Blast From the Past
I’ve recently been doing a little cleaning up of boxes from my college years at Arkansas Tech University and ran across some marching layout/designs from 1991-1992. For all you band geeks out there, this may be a little bit of cool.
Unknown Show, 1991-1992
Here’s a show from before our director made the switch to computer-based show design.
“Ouachita” Show, 1992
If I remember correctly, this was the first show that Mr. Cooper designed using the computer, and I think it was the first show of our season. I believe the design (not to mention the readability) was greatly improved by computer-based design.
“Gavorkna” Show, 1992
This was our main show of the season, and was a bit more difficult. For one thing, it began with entire band expanding from between the 40 yard lines to the 10 yard lines in about 16 counts. I remember practically leaping backwards carrying my tonal bass and, oh yah, playing Gavorkna Fanfare. If you haven’t heard it, see the video below (and note that the guys in the video are stationary).
Current Mood: Hyper & Nerdy
Halloween Came Early This Year
Cedar Springs’ Halloween street party was this past weekend, and friends Jeremy and Tician came down from OKC to join the party. A great time was had by all, even though Ticia lost her cell phone and her ID.
Since all my friends that are waiting with bated breath can now see the photos. See the Street Party pics here, and friend pics here.
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Current Mood:
Exhausted
Black Tie: A Formal Engagement
When our friend Jeff invited us to the Black Tie Dinner, I had heard about it but didn’t know much. I kind of expected a dinner with a bunch of guys in tuxedos. What I didn’t realize is that the Black Tie raises over $1 million dollars a year for North Texas charities. This year, Gavin Newsom was the featured speaker, and Cindy Lauper and Judy Shepard were award recipients. Jason Walker performed several dance songs (which I thought were a little heavy with vocal runs and wanderings), though is performance of “True Colors” with Cindy Lauper’s sister on guitar was excellent. Cindy apparently had a “family situation” that prevented her from being there, but she deliver a pre-recorded video message.
Thanks, Jeff, for inviting us to this amazing evening. Here’s us with Jeff…
Michael, Jeff and Rich at the Black Tie Dinner
Current Mood:
Energetic
What I'm Reading
Planned books:
- Web Design Index 8 (Agile Rabbit Editions) by Unknown
Current books:
-
X-Men: Messiah Complex by Ed Brubaker, Mike Carey, Craig Kyle, Chris Yost, Peter David
Recent books:
- X-Men: First Class, Vol. 1: Tomorrow’s Brightest by Jeff Parker
- House of M by Brian Michael Bendis
- Fables: The Deluxe Edition Book One by Bill Willingham
- Soleil: Universal War One Volume 1 Premiere HC (Soleil Universal War) (v. 1) by Denis Bajram
- Dark Wolverine, Vol. 2: My Hero by Marjorie Liu, Daniel Way
