30.6.09
Kicker. Fussballspiel. Foosball.
Kick It!
When Harold S. Thornton came up with the idea for this game back in 1923 I don't think he knew that his invention would eventually become a contender for the best bar game. I must say it does have the potential to be a permanent feature in any respectable bar. Even if the so called "high society" will always see it as a working class game.
The game is simply fun. And without even knowing it you find yourself playing with new people. There for this is not just a game of technical skill it's also a game of social skills.
Here in Berlin the "Kicker" is common and there are good players all around. To keep up I have to start my training, especially after a humiliating defeat last Saturday. Or maybe it was a lack of teamwork that made us lose. Then again it could also have something to do with the alcohol.
Anyway, my training will begin tomorrow.
The Best Stuff I See/Max
29.6.09
Nike Air Force 1 Low , White /Total Orange
Brave new week.
Sneaker Monday brings you a Air force 1 sneak this week. It's low and it's orange. A very nice color combination even if the orange can get hard to match with. The Air force splatter is not to big and located on rear. I was never a big fan of the splatter but mixed in with orange it not bad at all.
I hope you all enjoyed the guest spot from Olle last week. I know I did. Hopefully we will all hear more from the Tetris man in the month to come.
And now a new week faces us. I think there is going to be a lot more work but hopefully there is going to be a lot more fun as well. Berlin in summer is a nice place.
And don't forget to spread the word.
The Best Stuff I See/Max
26.6.09
Tetris.
Game or a Lifestyle?
by Olle.
I’m looking at the wrist-watch before I start my Lexus LF-A. It doesn’t really matter what time it is though, I am thinking as I drive through central Manhattan on my way to work. I get to set up my schedule quite on my own anyway. I start the day with some finger-relaxing movements. Some stretching and some bending - it’s important to loosen up any possible numbness and rigidness in my fingers. I use professional finger-stretch utilities, and my personal coach is scrutinizing everything I do. After doing this for about half an hour, we’re going through some neck-stretching techniques and some other body exercises in order to get my body in a perfectly relaxed condition before we go through the tactical part and talk through the goods and the bads of yesterday. I need to be 100 % fit for my task, my mission – it’s another day at the office.
I work as a professional Tetris player and have been doing so for three years. Among my merits I have gold from Tetris World Cup from 2007 and 2008, Tetris Olympics 2009, silver in Tetris Grand Prix Slam 2007, and a also humiliating bronze from the Annual Uzbekhi Tetris Pride Festival Competition in 2005. I have also, of course, participated in the World All-Star Tetris Team every year since 2003 (a world team will come in handy in case we one day face an invasion from aliens ready to battle us in Tetris).
My career started off with a normal childhood Tetris-obsession, the one I think all normal kids born after 1980 have had for at least a couple of weeks. Only for me it never stopped. I never got bored and quit, I just kept playing. As we all know, the goal of Tetris is to place the randomly falling pieces (or “tetrominoes”) together so that one line of the playing field (the so called “matrix”) gets filled without any gaps. There are seven different tetriminoes, and they can all rotate with 90-degree steps (but the so called “O-piece” doesn’t change as it rotates, for logical reasons). They fall, you rotate them and try to fit them in to clear a line. When a line is cleared, it disappears and gives more room for the upcoming tetriminoes. And on it goes. Faster and faster. Its genial in its simplicity.
Basic facts about Tetris: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetris
A Tetris wiki: http://tetrisconcept.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page
Tetrisfriends’ Tetris games: http://www.tetrisfriends.com/
Tetris forum: http://www.neoseeker.com/forums/3422/
Twitter: @tetrisfriends
25.6.09
Retro Ashtray.
I smoke and there for I need ashtrays. For a smoker a ashtray can have many sides to it. I sometimes think that the ashtray I use tell something to my surroundings. Even if might sound strange, if I use a small some what "classic" ashtray I then feel a bit more stylish. Using a old commercial ashtray will not make me feel better about myself or the fact that I smoke.
After collecting a couple of ashtrays you soon find your favorite. And that favorite is then more worth than something that has a higher financial value. At the moment this retro ashtray in blue and white is my favorite. It does not only give you that retro 70's feeling it is also practical. It's always good to have a ashtray that you can close. It looks better not seeing the old cigarette butts and you reduce the smell. Which is good for all.
So if you have a friend that still smokes search out a nice ashtray that fits to his/her home or fits to his/her personality. It's a gift that is always appreciated. And there is a lot of them out there.
Now I'm heading out for a smoke. You shouldn't do it but I'm going to.
The Best Stuff I See/Max
24.6.09
Kultiration.
Swedish Reggae.
A friend played me one of there songs the other day and I must say the songs are something else. Somehow a bit sad. Giving me a Sunday feeling, that feeling that is a mix of questioning what has bin done and what will come. And the Video itself is nicely animated.
The lyrics are also a bit philosophical. But if you don't understand Swedish then this song might not give you more than some nice melodies and beats.
Ether way, play the song and relax.
Don't really know why I feel like listening to so much music lately. Can it have something to do with the weather? Or that in times of change the urge to float away in a music world is just that much greater. Hmm...
The Best Stuff I See/Max
23.6.09
Just Another White T-Shirt.
Sssssnake Tee.
As we all know there is a lot of Tee's out there. Here's one of them.
To wear a v-neck Tee is in at the moment. And it seems as if it has now hit the hip-hop/casual scene. Not only the followers of cheap Monday will be sporting it this summer and fall.
And this one is clean to say the least. I haven't seen that many casual wearers out side of the H&M crowd wearing v-necks, so hurry up if you want to be the first :)
Remember to follow on twitter @thebeststuffic and if you like what you see digg it!
The Best Stuff I See/Max
22.6.09
Nike SB Dunk Low Premium SB
White sneaks, or off white?
New week, new sneaks, new chances. Here is one of Nike SB new releases, known as "White Gum". It is simply a clean sneak that will work for most people. The gum sole really takes it back to PE-class. Haven't seen that for a while. But this pair will stand out without being loud in the world of sneaks. And I guess that is a good thing. Well at least the combo of being discreet and standing out.
And Happy B-day to Rozbeh "USB" who kept me up with his birthday party yesterday. The guys know how to party. But hey, you only have your birthday ones a year.
And with that I say - Carpe Diem.
The Best Stuff I See/Max
19.6.09
Midsummer.
Midsummer's eve the pagan holiday.
Today millions of people in north Europe will be celebrating this old holiday. It is actually the most celebrated holiday next to Christmas. The pagan holidays are just more fun. And for good reason. As you can see in the picture people will gather on fields and in meadows and erect big fallos symbols to symbolise fertility. Hoping that the harvest will go well. It's the summer solstice. After the big midsummers pole is up people start to dance around it and traditional music is played.
After the dancing is over the real party starts. People gather with friend and family for a feast that must contain at least three things, pickled herring, potatoes and Snaps. You eat some and then you sing a drinking song and then you drink. And you drink. And after that you drink some more. You sing and then drink. It's a lot of fun. Nice food, drink, friends and family.
It is also said that you can see in to the future on this night. You can see who is your one true love. All you need to do is to pick seven different flowers in seven different meadows and then place them under your pillow. During the night you will dream about your big love.
Trevlig Midsommar! And have a nice weekend. See you Monday with a new pair of sneakers.
The Best Stuff I See/Max
18.6.09
Dusty Springfield - Son of a preacher man
Wanted to bring some sound to the other ways quiet blog that you are now seeing. This song is one of the songs that I can listen to ones in a while and it always has a good effect. Well made and she has a nice voice. It's amazing that this is a show she did 68. Didn't think that the sound would be so good back in the days. The clothes and the hairdo might not be so stylish but it has it's charm.
But a simple thing like looking for a music video on YouTube has change from what it ones was. More and more songs are being removed because of the greedy record company's. Soon we will be forced to pay to see clips on YouTube. The freedom that the Internet ones gave us is now in jeopardy. I hope that the pirates will fix this.
Enjoy the song and stay tuned, there is more to come.
The Best Stuff I See/Max
17.6.09
The Coffee Table.
Die Fabrik. Tisch 433
The coffee table is one of the more important things in the living room. So choose wisely.
Stefan Hoelldobler designed this table by putting venetian blinds together to create a original look. I love the way it plays with the different colors of wood. I really good idea. The name of the table is Tabel 433 after the 433 pieces that it's constructed of. This table will go really well with the other things in my virtual living room here on thebeststuffic.blogspot.com.
Good news on the hunt for shelter. After a visit in a WG in Neuköln I have now found a place to stay. Moving will begin on Saturday. And until the move I'm staying with my friend Olle in another excellent WG. I like there apartment and especially there kitchen. Keep an eye out for Olle he will post here on his addiction to tetris in the up coming weeks.
Any questions or comments? Send a twitt or a message here. And if you like what you see, digg the thing.
The Best Stuff I See/Max
16.6.09
Wind Power.
The Wind Turbine.
Imagine a world where the city's reach for the Sky's and the turning of this wind makes the turbines spin and sway like trees among the green rooftop parks and gardens. Imagine the dreams you has about a clean future city being real. That is not a utopia that we should see only when we drift off to sleep, it's what we should see when we wake up.
When tracking down a way to make things better it is all about energy. It is the foundation that makes us what we as a civilization are. Energy is what makes things happen. Wars are fought over energy and the ways to produce it.
Are we not cleaver and rich? Are we not able to take what we have bin given and create clean energy that is for the better of all who lives on this planet?
I believe we can, I believe we must. Let's build wind turbines and solar panels. Let's build the future we are all hoping for.
The Best Stuff I See/Max
15.6.09
Supra Footwear TUF Muska Skytop
Kick it!
Here we have sneaker Monday with a clean pair of black Supra. The clean part must be this combo of the basics, black and white. Will work with almost everything. Might even give a call to my brother over at caliroots.com and see if he can hook me up with a discount. If you like higher cuts this could be a cornerstone of your collection. I'm not saying that you need a collection but you should have at least two pairs of shoes. One white and one black. To be able to match you stuff. And a pair of shoes will break and get bad if they are worn everyday. So change sneaks every other day and they will last longer.
Stay tuned, monday to friday it's...
The Best Stuff I See/Max
11.6.09
The Hunt for Shelter.
The Hunt has begun.
Today I started to look for a place to put my hat. And in Berlin it can go fast. I have send a couple of mails to people who have advertised that they have rooms that are available. And already I have two appointments.
In Germany a lot of people live in so called WG's. Wohngemeinschaft means flat-sharing community. And that is not as hippie as it sounds. It more of a sharing the cost and making friend at the same time thing. Off course there's good ones and bad ones. But if you get a good one you can have a very nice time. I'm gona go and have a look at two WG's later today. I hope that it's nice in at least one of them.
And check the picture I found, here we have an excellent example of how nice it can get if you combine the black/dark couch, the rug and the lamp. Hmm, nice table?!
Cross your fingers that I find a good one...
The Best Stuff I See/Max
10.6.09
Andy Warhol.
Mr Warhola.
Have you ever seen a painting by Warhol. You should.
I don't know much about art, but I do know what I like. And Warhol's pictures are something that really makes one think and one can enjoy. Simple and cool. My favorite is Mao. A painting of the Chinese leader Mao. The painting it self is very big, many meters across. It takes something that is uses as propaganda and changes it into something more. But you all knew this stuff from before.
If you get the chance, take it!
The Best Stuff I See/Max
9.6.09
The First Day of the Rest of Your Life
I could talk about making the most of this day and you would just think that's crap and go on with your day. So why say much at all. Just try to keep in mind that the only time you can really feel and change is this exact moment. You can remember yesterday and dream about tomorrow but today and now is the only time that exists.
This off course is hard to realise but if you live in the dark red zones statistically your happy.
That's all for this day and I hope that this strange new world will be kind to me. Cross your fingers.
The Best Stuff I See/Max
8.6.09
NIKE SB PREVIEW (HUF)
Nike SB HUF?
Welcome to a new week with The Best Stuff I See. And today is Sneaker Monday. New to the market is among other sneaks like this one. It's a classic design with colors that are very clean.
It's a lot like any hi-top sneak but since it's being dropped by SB it must have some difference to it. This sneak was launch together with four other's that all have that Nike look. It think you can get these ones over the net or you have to find yourself a Nike SB store.
And now to something completely different. The EU elections are over. Millions of people went voting yesterday. But only 43,4% of eligible voters went to the polls. That is a crappy turnout. And the really bad thing is that the right wing party's are in control of the parliament. It's not long now until we are as fare right as the U.S. We have more crises ahead of us. They will make sure of that. The only good thing is that the Pirate Party of Sweden has gotten a seat. At least that is a sign that people care about the Internet and that information should be free.
The Best Stuff I See/Max
5.6.09
Persian Rug.
The Classic from The East.
"That rug really tied the room together. " The Dude.
And yes a Persian rug does tie a room together. It is amazing how a this rug can look good in any home. Off course it's not going to change the room from one to another but in it's own way it will make the room look better. Even if you have a fake, and most of the times you should get a fake. These rug's are often made by children in a country far away. But this rug will still give a feeling of luxury. And it's always nice to rest your bare feet on the red and soft treads.
It fits very well with black and will go perfectly with the black leather couch and off course the red chair and the lamp.
Have a nice weekend! See ya Monday.
The Best Stuff I See/Max
4.6.09
European Election.
Go Dammit!
Today the race begins, England and The Netherlands go to the polls. And the rest of the 27 countries will follow suit.
This is not really a post to say that the EU is good or that we together can do good shit. I don't know if the EU is such a good idea, I mean do we really know what is going on so far from our home? It is a valid question. I wonder who is really checking what they are doing in Brussels.
And that we together can make good things happen, well I know that we can do more if we work together but I also see that the main reason that we have the problems we have is because of the greed. Over the years ultra-right wing morals has blown over Europe and the world, spreading greed. People don't really care about there fellow man.
But I care and there for I just want to say, Go vote! Any one that can vote should go vote. These people in Brussels have move power that we can imagine. Make sure that there are good people in the Parliament. So tell everyone that it's time to vote. Do you have a friend in Europe tell that friend to vote. Do you live in Europe tell everyone to vote. Vote Dammit!!!
The Best Stuff I See/Max
3.6.09
Magic Eight Ball
Oracle.
The magic of eight ball. It would be nice to have a true voice that knew the future.
I like the Eight Ball, and I guess I'm not the only one. It's clean and it's a classic. Something that you can have standing around and it's just nice to have it there. Off course unless you actually find a magic one it's not gonna know shit but it can create a dialog, give you new ideas. Or you can let it take the decision away from you, let fate do your bidding.
A way to float to somewhere else.
The Best Stuff I See/Max
2.6.09
NIKE DUNK HI ND X CASSETTE PLAYA.
Aztec Playa.
Sneaker Monday! Yeah, oh okey it's not Monday but it's still sneaker time. And this time it's something for you baller's out there.
Here we have a colorful design by Cassette Playa or should I say Carrie Mundane. Don't really know who that is but apparently she has designed some sneakers for Nike before. And here is the latest collaboration with Footlocker. They seem very proud of this sneak.
For the one's out there that like black and has black as there main color, it's not going to be a problem to match with this one. And if I played basketball this would be a sneak for me.
The Best Stuff I See/Max