This book will change your life

It's unlikely that you walk through your local independent book store (Page One http://page1book.com for instance in Albuquerque) and find a book, outside of the religious or inspirational section, that will change your life. Unlikely, but it could happen. A time ago I was picking up a copy of Juxtapoz, I should seriously just subscribe, when I stopped by the Graphic Design section of the store, as I often do, to look at what books I haven't seen before are there. On this occasion I spotted a small book with Japanese on the spine. Now I have spent 10 days in Okinawa, Japan visiting Phil and Jenn while they lived there, but I can't read a lick of Japanese. So I just had to pull this book out, what was it you ask? It was a book of American Ads from the 60's. Change my life? For a moment at least it has. It's strange to talk about inspiration. Mitch Hedberg had a good joke about it:

I like when they say a movie is inspired by a true story. That's kind of silly. "Hey, Mitch, did you hear that story about that lady who drove her car into the lake with her kids and they all drowned?" "Yeah, I did, and you know what - that inspires me to write a movie about a gorilla!"

In this case I have been inspired by these ads. They're amazing. I can't imagine that the world once functioned in this way. Where strange skinny women in a striped black and white mod dress and a space helmet hocks Vodka. As the introduction to the book points out there is no political strife visible in these ads. All races seem to be getting along with no need for a civil rights movement. Everything is peaceful modern and cool. How times do change.

Anyway I also picked up some high gloss spray paint. You'll see why in Episode 5.

Best All,
BAW