Fish & Monkeys

Take a look at the image above. If you were asked to take this six-panel comic strip and create over a thousand unique stories by adding some dialogue, would you think it was possible? Ryan North, a Canadian writer and computer programmer, has done just that with his Dinosaur Comics. Since February 2003, he has created over a thousand clever and funny stories using the exact same six-panel image.

We’ve long ago subscribed to the notion that constraints spring creativity and that constraints should be embraced, but it’s always refreshing to see the idea of working within constraints executed on such a consistent and solid level. Below is one of Ryan North’s episodes that we especially enjoyed:

As part of our latest idea, we needed pictures of wine bottles on white backgrounds. Professional lights and tents which are usually used for such jobs cost an exorbitant sum, so we sought out a DIY option. Among the overwhelming versions of tents/boxes out there, we decided on going with the simplest foam board route. Ten bucks and a few hours later we were done. The pictures turned out great so hopefully we can launch the site in a few weeks!

We’re excited that Saira Rao’s Chambermaid is finally out in bookstores (and available on Amazon.com). Having launched her website back in April, we’re pleased to see all the media attention that Saira’s been receiving, and we’re sure Chambermaid will be a big hit this summer. The book is a smart and witty story about a young attorney’s yearlong clerkship for a notorious federal judge - The Devil Wears Prada written for the legal industry. Read an excerpt or check out the synopsis. Be sure to add Chambermaid to your beach reading!

Last Saturday, Sei-Wook and I found ourselves in the Philadelphia area for a meeting with a new client. While we were in the area, we decided to drop by Koja Grille, located near Temple University. About a month ago, we helped to launch Koja’s restaurant website before their grand opening on June 1st. It was great to see the restaurant fully functioning with its friendly staff and great food. Koja got its start as a popular food truck at UPenn, serving cheap and delicious Korean and Japanese dishes. And now, it will open its doors to hungry Temple students. Check it out if you’re ever in the area!

With all the buzz in the media about being green, we evaluated how we could save energy at Barrel. We started with the little things - turning off monitors and putting computers to sleep when going out, turning off lights more often, and opening windows before resorting to the A/C. With simple calculations, it’s clear that all these things add up to many kilowatt hours saved a month. (Using devices like the Kill-a-Watt, you can measure the exact usage of all electronics in your house.) Continue reading…