If you’re in a technology market, or even if you’re not – I highly recommend you check out Flashbelt 2007 – June 18-20. Three days of education and inspiration. I met Dave Schroeder a few years back when we collaborated on a project and have been friends ever since. He had this great idea to promote Midwest flash experts and local technologists. Each year its been bigger and better than the last and this year has some BIG names.

The topics vary and cater to anyone form beginner to serious nerd – something for everybody. Check the official site for details and sign up to attend, you’ll be glad you did.

ArcStone is a sponsor of the event providing the online registration and last year our own Nick Longtin presented his implementation of a multiplayer flash tank game.

A pretty interesting view of of our culture and environmental issues through art. Artist Chris Jordan is working on a series called “Running the Numbers : An American self portrait” – where statistics are converted to images in the form of large format art works. As the description states, I can imagine they are even more impressive when seen in person but these works are pretty astonishing (and startling) at any scale.

Last Saturday night I attended the Artcrank Poster Show in downtown Minneapolis.

The show was at one on one bicycle studio, a place I had never been but wish I had, and will go back. And whatdya know, ran into Mr Tim Bramer! Pretty cool concept – Bike shop/Art Gallery/Coffee House/Local Hang Out for bicycling enthusiasts and activists. They also have a “bike graveyard” in the basement – hundreds and hundreds of old bikes and parts lined and stacked, interesting.

On display was a pretty impressive collection of bike inspired art and design, including this one by one of my design school classmates Adam Turman. He’s got a great style and does a lot of concert posters and album art for an impressive roster of clients. I picked up a couple of Minneapolis-ish prints for my office a couple of weeks ago – (this one and this one), just need to get them framed.

*update – Adam posted pics from the event on his blog

Interesting view of US home pricing data plotted to a 3D rolloercoaster ride. Prices are adjusted to inflation, and mapped from 1890 to the present.

Ride the Rollercoaster>

For years I have been looking for an excuse/justification to get down to SXSW to listen to some good music and have a few days/nights of fun. With the emergence of SXSW Interactive, it may not only be justified, but possibly a good career move – who knows maybe even work-sponsored. I may just have to let it develop a couple more years the way it sounds – or just go for the music

A very funny, well written summary of the state of SXSW Interactive

Might be time for a replacement…

If I did more presentations, or had a reason to use mac’s “front row” tool more I would definetely scrap my apple issued remote and get one of these. Maybe when I get my Apple TV

SiK Remote

Post-worthy simply because its a great design – why didn’t apple think of this?