Proud Papa Today

So, this has nothing to do with design or art or anything other than the fact that I became a father this morning, September 9, 2013 at 10:12am. That’s all.

Amaya Marie Berndt. Welcome to the world…

Proud Papa Today

Part of the Best CSS Gallery

The M.Berndt Design site has been selected and is one of the sites being featured on the Best CSS gallery page! Thanks so much to those guys for recognizing the hard work that went into building the site, and I’m stoked that they like the design and layout. If you all have a minute to click the image below, go to the link and hit the big blue LIKE button for me, it sure would be appreciated. The more recognition and exposure for my work, the better, and you all are a big part of that.

Thank you again for your continued support, and check out these other
sites we have been featured on as well:

CSS Design Yorkshire
CSS Garden
CSS Matter
CSSAwards.net (nominee)
CSS Mania
CSS Light

Part of the Best CSS Gallery

The New iPhone: What To Expect

As we approach the upcoming World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) from Apple tomorrow, many questions are flying around about what we should expect from the technology giant, and one of the main items of speculation, of course, is the new iPhone. Will it be the iPhone 5S released first this summer, followed by a potential release of an iPhone 6 in the fall? Will the ‘Home’ button finally be cast aside, as was suspected for the iPhone 5? When will they launch iOS 7, and will it already be integrated into the new devices? These and many other questions will be answered shortly, but let’s take a look at what the rumor mill thinks will happen.

Due to the ease of scratching that came along with the iPhone 5, there may be a plastic/metal hybrid material that makes up the case for the new phone(s). This could be based on the easy-to-scratch problem, but some also say it could just be used to make a cheaper, budget iPhone to distribute at a later date. Remember, the company has said repeatedly that cheaper versions of the iPhones were on their way, and it appears that we will continue to wait for that as well. Storage may upgraded in these phones as well, possibly up to 128GB. They put that technology into an iPad, so it seems feasible that it could be incorporated here as well. The screen will most likely get an update, too, hopefully to 1080p Full HD resolution, and the camera is rumored to perhaps have a 12-megapixel sensor, which would be a significant upgrade from the 8MP in the iPhone 5.

Other rumors swirling about include wireless charging, an upgraded quad-core A7 processor, and possibly even Gaze Detection Technology, where the device would be able to tell if you are currently looking at the screen or not. Alas, we’re going to have to wait until tomorrow morning to find out all the juicy details, but one thing’s for sure: we’re all hoping that the announcements Apple makes on Tuesday will be mind-blowing, earth-shattering and knee-buckling. With all the technology that other companies are putting out right now, they need it.

*Thanks to Antoine Brieux, Federico Ciccarese, Abel Verdezoto and
Nowhereelse Designs for the concept images*

The New iPhone: What To Expect

Idaho Forest Products Commission T-Shirt is Here

Well, you can finally get your hands on it. The design I created for Arbor Day 2013 for the Idaho Forest Products Commission has been printed, and the shirts are ready for purchase (click the image below).

This was a different approach to design for me, as I hand-drew each individual component, then scanned them onto the computer and put them all together digitally. I think it really gives the design an earthly and organic quality, which works out perfectly for Arbor Day. The IFPC “sees working forests maintained in Idaho forever through responsible management of public and private forests and through an informed public that understands such management. The work of the Commission will help assure balanced and sustained timber, wildlife, recreation and scenic beauty for the welfare of the state’s citizens.” That said, I tried to incorporate different aspects of their vision into the design, and hopefully give people a good idea of what they produce without too much text to clutter it all up.

These shirts are cheap, the money goes to a great company and you’ll get to tell everyone you know that you know the designer, and he is a fantastic fella. This LINK will take you right where you need to go, and once you’re done shopping, check out the IFPC website and see what they’re all about.

Thanks, and enjoy!

Idaho Forest Products Commission T-Shirt is Here

Leftover Salmon: Cajun Slamgrass in Boise

It’s hard to believe that Leftover Salmon was here on the EXACT SAME DAY last winter, but it’s all true, and they rocked Boise’s Knitting Factory once again. With an absolutely unrelenting 2-set, almost 3-hour show, the boys from Boulder threw down like they meant business, and the crowd let them know they appreciated the effort.

Picking up right where last year’s show left off, the band tore up a great opening set, including a couple of Idaho-specific tunes to keep the Boise crowd happy. ‘Idaho Spud’ was a clever take on Johnny Cash‘s ‘Tennessee Stud’, sung with alternate and appropriate potato-themed lyrics. For their debut song of the evening, we were treated to a fast-paced slamgrass version of the Skynyrd classic ‘What’s Your Name’, which was met with a roaring crowd approval.

The second set upped the energy of the first, with the band playing superb music throughout the rest of the night. A band-to-crowd call and response during ‘Hot Corn, Cold Corn’ really connected everyone in the venue, before they wound things up with a stunning ‘Hey Joe’. A surprise ‘Friend Of The Devil’ encore was most enjoyable, and they left the stage with the entire room singing “…Rise Up, Gonna Wake and Bake…”. A great end to a fantastic evening in Boise.

I’d also like to give a little shout out to our new friend Joe, who grabbed a drink with us before the show, then proceeded to put on a da ling display of lights to accompany the music. It’s always a great time when Salmon comes to town, and 16 years after I saw them for the first time, they’re playing tighter and better than ever. Well done, fellas, we’ll see you soon!

3-2-2013 – Knitting Factory – Boise, ID

Set One: Voodoo Queen, Steam Powered Aeroplane, Mountain Top, Woods, Idaho Spud*, Shame & Scandal, What’s Your Name?**, Bird Call, Meet Me In The Morning, 6 Days On The Road, Keep Drivin’

Set Two: The Other Side, Li a, Whiskey Before Breakfast > Over The Waterfall, Get ‘Er Rollin’, Lonesome Dave’s Lovesick Blues, Whisper’ Waters, Keep on Truckin’, This Is The Time, Stay Away Monday, Bosco Strumble, Hot Corn Cold Corn > One Love > Hot Corn Love Corn, Hey Joe

E: Going ‘Round The World > Friend Of The Devil > Wake & Bake

* sung to “Tennessee Stud” by Johnny Cash

** live cover debut – Lynyrd Skynyrd

(don’t forget to follow @LeftoverSalmon on Twitter!)

 

Leftover Salmon: Cajun Slamgrass in Boise

The NEW Facebook News Feed and YOU

A new look and feel is coming soon to a Facebook near you, so let’s chat about it, shall we? I’ve been hoping they would do something a little better with the Facebook News Feed soon, and it seems they heard my thoughts from afar. From what I can gather, it will be more optimi ed and responsive as far as the web is concerned, as well boasting a cleaner, more modern look and feel. Apparently, the images will be larger, the text richer and the overall experience will “…try to give everyone in the world the most personali ed newspaper…” possible.

As with any changes made to Facebook, the verdict will be hilarious. Any time there’s a new switch or development, a vast majority of users (from what I’ve witnessed, anyway) immediately hate it, and are not afraid to let everyone they know in on the secret. All-in-all, this is a pretty big step for the company, too, as this will be the first major overhaul of the News Feed since it’s inception in fall of 2006. Insiders speculate that Facebook is trying to make a more photo-friendly environment, along the same lines as Instagram, to attract a younger, image-obsessed generation. For most social media sites, it’s all about engaging the user and having them stay on the site longer, which the new News Feed is hoping to accomplish, without driving users away.

Another new feature of the Feed is splitting it into subcategories: Music, Photos, Games and Friends. This way, users can pick and choose which information they want to focus on at any given time, and not be overloaded with too much visual stimulation at one time. We’ll be able to see what our friends are grooving to via Spotify, and customi e who’s posts and comments you see in any given subcategory.

This sounds like a lot of new stuff to take in…and it really is. When you don’t update one of the most popular websites in the world for close to 2 YEARS, it may come as a big shock to your users. Hopefully, the transition will be a smooth one for the social giant…complainers aside.

The NEW Facebook News Feed and YOU

Back To The Future In 1 Minute?

This is a great animated short, featuring one of my all-time favorite movies, Back To The Future. 1A4 STUDIO has made a hilarious animated film that wraps up all the major points of Marty McFly and Co. in a quick 60 seconds, and does it with ingenuity and comedy. Comment below if you like it, and don’t forget to check out 1A4 STUDIO‘s YouTube Channel as well.

(thanks to Laughing Squid for the link!)

Back To The Future In 1 Minute?

A Great Real-Time Wordpress Blog Plugin

Liveblog is a great plugin for WordPress that lets you cover a fast-paced event with ease, and lets your followers find out what’s happening in real time. This plugin is beneficial in a couple of ways: First, you keep every one of your followers updated on what’s happening as it’s happening, rather than having them read or hear about it after the fact. Second, it will hopefully draw in NEW readers to your site as the word gets around about your live updates, and someone who may not have been able to follow a particular event will now become a loyal reader of your blog.

The plugin itself seems pretty straightforward as far a use is concerned. There’s a great little intro video on the main plugin page, along with screenshots so you can see what your live blog will potentially look like to viewers. Once installed, you can make any post live by selecting a box, and you can even drag-and-drop images from your desktop right onto where you’re writing a post, and then preview the whole thing before you publish. Quite an ingenious little plugin for live blog situations, and one that will surely be used by WordPress enthusiasts the world over.

A Great Real-Time Wordpress Blog Plugin

The NEW Website Has Launched!

Alright, it’s here: the launch of the NEW M.BERNDT DESIGN WEBSITE just happened. In all honesty, this thing took quite a while to get ready, so I hope that it is something you all will enjoy. There’s some new work on the PORTFOLIO page, as well as here on the BLOG, and on the individual posts as well. A cleaner layout, a few more jQuery toys for your retinal pleasure and an overall more professional feel (I think, anyway!). As always, feedback is greatly appreciated, and if something doesn’t look right in your browser, or a link is broken, or anything else that is incorrect you happen to stumble across, please let me know. And, as always, feel free to join and/or any and all of the social media you find here.

Thanks to you all for the continued support, and thanks for clicking on whatever link got you here! Leave a Comment, Sign Up for the Newsletter, and Stay In Touch! Cheers!

The NEW Website Has Launched!

10 Great Songs You Might Not Have Heard, Part I

I think I'm going to try this experiment out in a couple of parts, so here goes Numero Uno. There's a ton of great music out in the world, and most of it you'll never hear on the radio or SiriusXM, but it's important that it gets heard. This first collection of tunes is eclectic if nothing else, and is a good starting point for my musical ramblings. Some of these tunes you may have heard, some may even seem familiar, and some you won't have a clue about. But really, that is the point. So, open up your mind, sit back and throw on your favorite headphones, and get ready for some new music...

"...let there be songs to fill the air..." - Robert Hunter, 'Ripple'

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1. Blue Sparkle Fade by Freshwater Collins


Now, these fellas hail from the great state of Wisconsin, and were a huge fixture on the Milwaukee music scene during the late '90's and early-to-mid 2000's. Their funky-rock style provided much entertainment for folks all over the country as they became increasingly popular, but alas, they are no more, like many bands in my collection. Here's a tune from their sophomore effort 'The Portable Atmosphere'. (and check out lead singer Chris Vos' new band The Record Company)

Blue Sparkle Fade

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2. A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays" by De La Soul


Definitely one of the most underrated hip-hop groups of all time, De La Soul had a sound and lyrics like no one else. This track, from the band's 2nd release 'De La Soul Is Dead', and featuring Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest, is a funky, danceable tune taking us all back to when hip-hop was hip-hop.

A Roller Skating Jam Named ''Saturdays''

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3. Discovering Japan by Graham Parker


I had never heard Graham Parker until about 6 months ago, when I inquired about who was playing over the speakers at my local record shop, The Record Exchange. Turns out, this tune from the 1979 album 'Squeezing Out Sparks' is awesome. It sure sounds like it's from 1979, but don't let that frighten you. Lots of good music came from the '70's, you can admit it, it's OK, you're among friends...

Discovering Japan

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4. When Vegans Attack by Clutch


This band has been pumping out riff-heavy rock for a couple of decades now, and this track from their 2007 album 'From Beale Street To Oblivion' is no exception. Great guitars, pounding drums and Neil Fallon's signature growl make this band one of the best-kept secrets in the land.

When Vegans Attack

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5. Nappy Heads by The Fugees


Everyone knows 'The Score' was a fantastic album from this fantastic hip-hop Haitian trio. What a lot of people don't realize is that that was their SECOND album...no, it's true, I promise. The writing on my copy of 'Blunted On Reality' got so faded in high school, no one but me could recognize it. One of the most explosive, creative, important and overlooked albums of the mid-nineties, this is one song that will get you bouncing around the room.

Nappy Heads

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6. El Caminos In The West by Grandaddy


This California-based American indie-rock band never really got the recognition they deserved before breaking up around 2006. While rumors of a reunion are abound, for now we'll just have to listen to this jam from their 2003 album 'Sumday'.

El Caminos In The West

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7. Stew by Azz Kitchen


What can I tell you about this band...nothing legal. The 'Summer of '98' was a wild one, and these boys provided much of the musical backdrop. Another Milwaukee band, I was also the lucky one to grace the cover of their only album, 'The Liquid Pocket'. This tune has great instruments, lyrics and attitude. We miss you, fellas... (also check out the Kris Crow Band and Jimmy At The Prom)

Stew

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8. Milquetoast by Helmet


After almost 20 years of waiting, I recently got a chance to see Helmet, and they did not disappoint. Sure, it wasn't the same lineup from the early days, but they still brought the thunder. 'Betty' always seemed to be downplayed a bit to me, especially after the mainstream success they enjoyed with 'Meantime' in the early 1990's, but this record is at least up to par with that one, if not a wee bit better. This song was one of 2 encores they played a few weeks ago, and it was worth the wait. Enjoy.

Milquetoast

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9. Gazzelloni by Eric Dolphy


Mr. Dolphy seems to get overlooked by the Miles Davis' and the John Coltranes' as far as jazz is concerned, but he could hold his own, and how. On his only recording for Blue Note Records, 'Out To Lunch!', his saxophone skills shine, and this piece is a prime example.

Gazzelloni

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10. Plow by Dag


For the last track in this first installment of not-well-known songs/bands, we're going to take a look at Dag. Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, Dag created a mix of soul, funk, jazz and whatever else they wanted to throw in the mix. 'Righteous' was their debut album in 1994, and was well-received, but the band broke up around 1999. They left us with a great collection of music, as is exemplified here.

Plow

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Now, like I said before, some of these tunes may not be new to you, some may be gems you haven't heard in a while, and some (most, hopefully) will be new jams you can add to your collection. Either way, I hope you enjoy all of these rad tracks, and stay "tuned" (hehe) for my next installment, coming soon...