Super Mario: Revisited for the SXSW Crowd

It's like Nintendo meets Baz Luhrmann/Fear in Las Vegas! On E!

This is at least one reason why I'm morose about not being at SXSW, even though I wouldn't like half the people anyway and would probably just complain about spending too much money on ice that tastes vaguely of vodka.

The other reason is, Austin is awesome, and if something awful happens to California I highly recommend colonising this city and claiming it for our own.

Oh, of Course

Ariel, another compulsive owner of gadgets. (And gizmos.)

Me: Chéri, I really think I need to have this.

Him: Of course! It's not even that expensive. We should also get one of these.

Me: We're like those sad gadget people.

Him: We're nothing like those people. All our gadgets are useful.

Undeveloped

When you decide to turn a small occurrence into something bigger than the sum of its parts, your life can change in unexpected ways. I love this story of a guy who found a roll of film in the middle of a blizzard in New York, then committed himself (and his girlfriend) to finding the owner by broadcasting the photos and turning them into a project bigger than himself ... and bigger than their origins.

It's a quest that brings them to Europe for the first time and culminates in a number of new experiences and friendships. His reflection on the owner is also telling: everyone they met along the way "opted in" to participate in this project, but her own participation was not her choice. It is something that happened, something that brewed and mutated on the other side of the world while she was back home, living her life. Eventually it found her and drew her unwittingly in, a tidal pull whose impact vastly outweighs the mundane act of losing a roll of vacation film.

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All Eyes on Libya

Countries, like people, in positions of power have enormous and nuanced responsibilities. When you see recurring evil and do nothing about it, you are nourishing a young and virile hatred that will grow with a new generation. And it will dedicate itself to the destruction of your institution.

Image credit: Al Jazeera.

Video: Starbucks Logo Unveil

Here's some footage I took of Starbucks unveiling its new logo at the Opéra store in Paris, the first French Starbucks location to open seven years ago. The logo unveil happened yesterday in New York, London and Beijing. The marquee didn't show up that well on the camera, so to see the different logos (and read what each represents), click here.

There was plenty of symbolism behind this gesture, from the grand to the mundane: every logo change has represented a change in the Starbucks story, and this one, according to US President Cliff Burrows, represents the "liberation" of the Siren - which also, as previously discussed, liberates Starbucks to explore new paths to profit.

The logo change also coincides with the brand's 40th anniversary. Back in Paris, proofs of its strengthened commitment to go green are also visible in the revamped store (for which we also fêted its 7th year in business): nearly everything down to the Haussmann doors has been recuperated for reuse. (I did wonder where all the old aprons and cups with the old logo went, but nobody seemed to know.)

Finally, champagne and a round of "joyeux anniversaire" kicked off concurrent celebration for store manager Nicolas' birthday. What a happy coincidence. Are the stars aligned over Seattle?

I'll have footage of my interview with Burrows up in a bit. More videos below the drop.

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AdVerve Episode 67: Politicosi

Play the show now.

Did we go off on a thematically classic – for us anyway – stream of consciousness sojourn? Bet. Our love for Franco-American political discourse was matched only by our love for Franco-American recycling schedules.

We then became winners as we discussed the fall and further fall of Charlie Sheen, replete with fond tales of rehab glory. How else to complete this trifecta of gray matter than with a look at the Oscars. THIS SHOW HAS IT ALL... AND NOW YOU DO TOO.

Also, quick note: when I talk about "redistribution," I'm referring to redistricting. >_<

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