When I first saw the new mac ads, of course it crossed my mind that the "PC" resembled Bill Gates. But being that Bill Gates looks like the vast majority of nerds (and I figured "nerd" is clearly what they're going for here), I looked no deeper. Just this morning, however, a/g sent me a link to a blog called, technocato, and suddenly it was all made so crystal clear. Of course the "mac" is Steve Jobs! D'uh! Now how did I not make the connection before? So even though I can't take credit for drawing this conclusion on my own, I do, clearly, have more time on my hands than techocato-guy, and I dug up my own photos to best illustrate the point. Hmm... yeah. There's no way the casting was a coincidence...

Oh, iTalk... i never knew it could be like this. I love you so much my heart aches in my chest. The love feels SO REAL, so, why then? Why is it that you can't you be?! WHYYY?!!!

POWERBOOK 3400
"When it was announced in February 1997, The PowerBook 3400 was the fastest portable computer in the world. After several years of PowerBook trouble, Apple hoped to revitalize its portable market share with this new PCI-based model. Its drive bay was compatible with the older 5300 model, and it was the first PowerBook to utilize the 1 MB IrDA Infra-red standard. The 3400 ranged from $4,500 for 180 MHz and no CD-ROM to $6,500 for 240 MHz, fully loaded. (The 240 MHz model was announced at the same time as the slower models, but shipped several months later.)" (picture credits: John Greenleigh/Flipside Studios)

Who even knows sometimes how these happy accidents occur, but this morning, through linking upon links, I discovered a fantastic portfolio of work by a designer named fiona hewitt. Straight away, her splash page told me I was going to adore her work... but joy of joys! I quickly realized that she is the graphic designer behind the miso pretty cosmetic line: a captivating collection of the most beautifully packaged lotions and potions ever. Now mind you, I have never used Miso Pretty products, but about a year and a half ago, in an Ulta in Scottsdale, I was stopped dead in my tracks whilst perusing their aisles by these gorgeous little boxes and pots and tubes. I seriously stood admiring them for a good 15 minutes, frantically trying to justify buying the whole line based on their packaging alone. I really, really worked hard at it... but in the end, just couldn't do it (I curse you, perpetually meager budget!) But each time after, when I would visit that same store, I'd bee-line to that section yet again to admire the pretty little packages. So I'm very, very pleased to have accidentally found her site. And you know what? All of Hewitt's work is ohso pretty. She's fantastic!

POWER MACINTOSH 9600
"The flagship of what might be termed the third wave of Power Macs, the 9600 was announced in February 1997. It was packaged in an eye-pleasing new tower design, built to make its insides more easily accessible. It ran on 233, 200 or dual 200 MHz 604e's. Although it looked different on the outside, the motherboard was basically the same design as that of the 9500. The 9600 was originally priced at $4,700 for the dual 200 MHz configuration, $4,200 for the single 233 MHz, and $3,700 for the single 200 MHz. In August, the 9600 was "speed bumped" with either a 300 or 350 MHz "Mach 5" chip, a new high speed variant on the 604e. The 350 MHz version barely shipped before Apple took it off the market, partially because of the small supply of 350 MHz chips, but mostly because their upcoming PPC 750-based "Gossomer" Macs (the PowerMac G3) would eclipse it both in performance and price." (picture credits: John Greenleigh/Flipside Studios)

This byte of Apple's history from Wired's "30 Years of Apple Products."

So still stumbling, and I come across an oline portfolio for Tomer Hanuka and I think, "eww, some of his work is pretty graphic, but I guess that's comic book illustration for ya," and then I scroll to a way funky illustration he's done of The Donna's and then immediately think, "wow, I just love the Donna's, because if I was a rock star like them, I would totally commission a comic book illustrator with a name like Tomer Hanuka to draw me, because that is truly cool." I mean, it really is. There's just no denying it.

POWERBOOK 1400c/cs
"Announced in October 1996, The PowerBook 1400 was a partial answer to a number of questions about recent PowerBooks. Powered by the same 117 MHz 603e as the 5300, The 1400 was the first PowerBook to include an internal CD-ROM drive (6X). The bay for the sleep-swappable drive could also accommodate a variety of other storage options, including MO and zip drives. The RAM came in stackable modules (another PowerBook first) allowing for up to 64 MB of RAM. The 1400 also included an Internal expansion slot for video-out or Ethernet cards, and two PC Card slots that could accommodate two Type II PC Cards or one Type III PC Card. Faster models with a small L2 cache and an 8x CD-ROM drive were also released. The 1400 was discontinued early in 1998." (picture credits: Apple Computer)

In keeping with this week's typography theme, the goody I've chosen is truly bookmark-worthy. Of course we are all familiar with VH1's popular Behind The Music series -- but what about... Behind The Typeface? This short film is a masterful parody of BTM, featuring the rise, fall, and eventual whirlwind resurgence of Cooper Black's typographic career -- complete with testimonials from Black's friends and relative's. It's so FUN... and so revealing! I mean, who knew that in the 70's, as a result of being swept up in the tempting, decadent world of rock 'n roll, good ol' Coop developed an unfortunate addiction to cocaine?!?. HaHaHa! This little goody will make you wish, like me, that it's creator, Cheshire Dave, would make a whole darn series of these. It's just too, too clever! Happy viewing.