As most of you know, I have started to neglect my blog due to various other projects which, thank God, I’m about done with. Right now, I’m working full steam on a site for a clothing company out of L.A. called Newestra. The site has been more than the average… set up the wordpress blog, mod a few things, and its done. I’ve needed to code over 1000 pages of php code, customize the wordpress loop to fit seamlessly into the sites custom design, and all while making sure everything is 100% legit as people will be spending thousands of dollars on this site. A very close, and highly respected friend of mine, Robert Afnani and I have been working on developing a sunglasses forum site, which will, without a doubt… rule the sunglasses online scene. Rob and I have also discussed numerous other sites, which… just like all these sneaker sites, will dominate. I also have been working on a few other sites, which have already launched… and I plan to discuss those later… its still too soon to spill the beans about them.

Anyhow, as you check the blog and see nothing posted… I want to share a few sites which I check daily to keep up on current news, knowledge, and design. Enjoy.

1. Digg

Most everyone has heard of digg these days.. If you haven’t you have been living under a rock. Digg features hot news from alike. All you have to do is sign up, login, and submit any story you wish (under a few simple guidelines). You’ll start to notice, a lot of sites try and cop content fresh on digg… heck’ I’ve even seen my local paper feature stuff digg has days ago, and deny they are late on the news.

2. TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog)

If you’re an Apple fan, you’ve been to TUAW. The Unofficial Apple Weblog features some of the hottest most fresh news about Apple on the web. From the iPhone, iMac, to artist renderings about concept products… TUAW usually has it first!

3. Smashing Magazine

I feel, not to be cocky, I’m on of those people who tends to judge a book by its cover. When I stumble upon a site and its looks like someone just took a dump on it, ha… I’m closing that tab as fast as I opened it. Thanks to Smashing Magazine, I can design/implement better (still suck) than I once thought was possible. This site features tutorials of all kinds to get you rollin’. Graphics, fonts, themes… etc, you need it… they got it!

4. Uncrate

Uncrate is one of those sites, all men love. I mean, who doesn’t want a 6 Gallon Beverage Dispenser. It also one of those sites, that make you feel as if you need every product they offer (well done guys!) and you tend to waste money you wouldn’t have spent otherwise. Either way, sites awesome… if you’re bored… check it out!

5. Engadget

I LOOOOOOVE gadgets, who doesn’t, right? Ha, I have a lot of gadgets around my room, half of which I should sell on ebay and buy other stuff. Engadget is a one of a kind site that brings you news about every type gadget imaginable. Unlike TUAW, engadget covers a wide variety of brands… half of which you will see featured on digg, reddit, slashdot, etc… check it out!

Close Calls:

John Chow (some love some hate, he seems to be an o—–k guy)

Sneaker Files (if its sneaker related… they have it first)

Yanko Design (Modern Industrial Design News aka… awesome stuff)

The Real BWS (ha, F MTV, soulja boy, and 50 snitch… this is where rap is)

The Pirate Bay (who doesn’t?)

Sorry for such the long pause without any posts, I’ve been extremely busy with school and other things. On top of school, I have about five other internet projects going, some of which you might have already seen. I’m filming a weeding next weekend, so be on the lookout for a little teaser of that. Not to mention, GTA IV is out, which takes A LOT of time, LOL!

Till the next post, keep your eyes out for more 3G iPhone news, I think I need to get one of those and trade the old in… check it out.

Well here’s an interesting one. French iPhone blog iPhon.fr got these pics from an anonymous and unverified source, and while there’s no way of telling if the shots are legit, they certainly have a truthy ring to them. They follow what we know so far about the shape, size and color of the upcoming 3G iPhone, and while there’s always the possibility of knockoff, a Photoshop job, or some other evil plot to mislead us, we’re certainly not going to discount these shots entirely in the runup to iPhone’s second coming.

Update: Some commenters have pointed out that the size and shape of this phone bares a striking resemblance to LG’s Vu. As we said up above, we’re not ruling out some handy editing work here.

via EnGadget.com

Boys’ basketball
Add Indiana All-Star to Butcher’s list
Monroe County’s all-time leading scorer first from Edgewood named to team
by Lynn Houser 331-4381 | lhouser@heraldt.com
April 20, 2008

As a kid dreaming about a high school basketball career, Garrett Butcher made out a list of things he wanted to accomplish.

He wanted to lead Edgewood to places it had never been before.

Check.

He wanted to become the school’s all-time leading scorer.

Check.

He wanted to get a college scholarship.

Check.

He wanted to become an Indiana All-Star.

Check and mate.

As of today, Butcher is a member of the Indiana All-Star team that will play Kentucky in the annual series in June. Although Monroe County has been represented by 21 other players in the 70-year history of the series, Butcher is the first Edgewood player, boy or girl, to receive the honor.

“This is a huge accomplishment for any Indiana high school basketball player,” he said.

Having attended several Indiana- Kentucky All-Star games as a kid, Butcher can’t wait to put on an Indiana uniform June 13 in Indianapolis. He gets to do it again June 15 in Louisville. The series has been compressed to a single weekend this year. “It’s going to be a weird feeling to put that jersey on and think about the people throughout history who put it on,” Butcher said. “It’s good to be put in that class.”

MORE HERE!

Thought the iPhone was pricey? You haven’t seen NUTHIN!

The perfect cosmopolitan travelling companion, uniting formal purity with functional perfection, the MERIDIIST ($5,300-$6,100; Sept. 08) will change the way you communicate forever!

• Swiss engineered and hand assembled from 430 components
• Constructed from corrosion-resistant, watch making 316L steel
• Unscratchable 60.5 carats sapphire crystal dual displays
• Front independent time unit
• 28 days power reserve
• 7 hours of talktime

A timeless iconic design for a unique communication instrument!

More Here!

New York Media Relations, 212-367-4447 Nike and Kobe Bryant today launched the Nike Hyperdunk, Nike’s (NYSE:NKE) lightest and strongest basketball shoe ever and one of the many superior, lightweight performance product innovations the company unveiled to support athletes from over 100 countries who will compete for gold in 32 sports in Beijing this summer.

At only 13.0 ounces, the Nike Hyperdunk is 18 percent lighter than the average Nike basketball shoe. Kobe runs an average of 2.5 miles a game–less weight on his feet means more energy on the court. Kobe is expected to play in the Nike Hyperdunk when the Lakers meet the Clippers in April. The Hyperdunk hits US retail in late July.

Washington’s Tyler Zeller is state’s Mr. Basketball… I’m first to report it. Thursday 12:01am.

Zeller averaged 33.1 points a game (PLAYING AN UNBELIEVABLY EASY SCHEDULE) for the season and scored a record 43 points, PLAYED ALL BUT… WHAT 2 MINUTES, in the 84-60 win over 9th RANKED Fort Wayne Harding for the championship. He was named on 257 of the 345 ballots cast by media and coaches from across the state, GOOD WORK GENE.

The rest of this year’s Indiana All-Star team for the annual series against Kentucky will be announced by the Star on April 20.

-If you can’t tell, I’m still VERY bitter about the robbing that went on down in W. It would have been a shame for Tyler to get beat twice, by another Mr. Basketball candidate. Way to let GB play 13 minutes.. I’ll give you that.

Whats up, people? Lately I’ve been really busy with school as its nearing the end of the semester, working on a few internet projects, and most of all enjoying the warm weather. I hope to get back to posting random junk for your (and my) entertainment as soon as I can… But, in the mean time, check out this video… its pretty hilarious.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL
H-T All-Area Boys’ Team
Butcher unanimous choice for Player of the Year
By Jim Gordillo 331-4355 | jgordillo@heraldt.com
April 4, 2008

With little left to say about Garrett Butcher’s storied career at Edgewood we’ll simply add one more sentence: He is our unanimous choice as the Herald-Times Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year based on voting by the sports staff.

The record-setting, 6-foot-7, Butler-bound forward leaves as Monroe County’s all-time career scoring leader (1,820) after scoring 635 points this season. He averaged 24.4 points and 9.3 rebounds and set a school record (one of 60 he owns) with a 43-point outburst against South Vermillion while leading the Mustangs to a 23-3 season and a return trip to regionals.

Mr. Basketball candidate was named All-Western Indiana Conference, first-team All-State by AP and among the Top 15 Seniors by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Academic All-State by IBCA as well. By the way, he also accomplished the rare feat of being named to four H-T All-Area teams, the last three as a first-teamer.

And while we’re at it, we’ll make Edgewood head man Jay Brown the H-T’s Coach of the Year as well with South’s J.R. Holmes also getting strong consideration.

Brown took a team that lost seven seniors and molded another big winner that stayed near the top of the 3A poll all season had the Mustang Corral packed for every home game.

FIRST TEAM

EDGEWOOD, 6-0, SENIOR, GUARD

Heroic in defeat at Washington when Butcher was hamstrung by foul trouble, he was deadly from the 3-point line, leading the state with 106 makes in 232 tries for an impressive 45.7-percent clip. Averaged 16.7 points while shooting 46.7-percent overall. Leaves with school marks in 3-pointers for a career (191), season (106) and game (8). Undecided on college choice. All-Area second team last year. All-Western Indiana Conference, IBCA All-State honorable mention.

Jordan Hulls

SOUTH, 6-0, JUNIOR, GUARD

Already garnering attention of several Division I schools with his steady jumper and hard-nosed defense. Led the team in scoring (16 ppg) and steals (2.2 pg) and also averaged four rebounds and three assists per game while leading Panthers to 19-2 season. Hit 52 3-pointers while still shooting 48 percent overall and made an amazing 50-of-55 free throws (91 percent). All-Area first team last year. IBCA Top 15 Underclassmen. AP All-State honorable mention. All-Conference Indiana.

Ray McCallum

NORTH, 6-1, SOPHOMORE, GUARD

High-flyer led team in scoring (20.4 ppg), rebounding (6 pg), assists (2.5 pg), blocks and was second in steals (29). Shot 52 percent and 72 percent at the free throw line (76-of-105). Had 38 points against Broad Ripple. Missed two games to injury, but already has career stats of 607 points and 207 rebounds. Improved defense in second half of season. All-Area third team last year. All-Conference Indiana pick and high honorable mention All-State by AP.

Derek Bailey

SOUTH, 6-5, SENIOR, FORWARD

Bailey was versatile big man for Panthers, averaging 10.5 points and 4.4 rebounds with a deadly mid-range jumper. Shot 51 percent and 77 percent on free throws. Good passer. Second on team with 14 blocks. All-Conference Indiana and IBCA Academic All-State. Looking to play basketball and baseball and small college.

Read More!

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Band of Brothers
Switz City’s Graves brothers left mark at Butler, White River Valley
By Lynn Houser 331-4381 | lhouser@heraldt.com
March 31, 2008

When A.J. Graves walked off the court last Sunday, a unique chapter of Butler basketball came to a close.

For the better part of 15 years, a member of the Graves family of Switz City has distinguished himself in the Butler blue and white.

From 1993-98, Matthew Graves played for the Bulldogs and helped them make it to the NCAA for the first time in 35 years. Younger brother Andrew joined Matthew in 1996-97 and was a part of four straight Butler teams that qualified for the postseason. And the baby of the family, A.J., just wrapped up a four-year career that saw the Bulldogs reach the NCAA twice and set school records for victories each of the last two years.

Butler wouldn’t mind if another Graves or two was coming down the pike, but A.J. is the last in the line manufactured by Rick and Melonie Graves. The parents already are feeling the empty nest syndrome.

“It wasn’t so bad when Matthew and Andrew graduated because we knew A.J. was coming up,” Melonie Graves said. “But this is so final.”

“It’s over. The book is closing,” A.J. said by phone Wednesday, three days into his life after basketball. At the moment, there is no more basketball on A.J.’s horizon. He plans to enter grad school following his graduation in May.

. . .

“At the end of the day, I just hope how people look at our time here is that we represented Butler in a first-class manner,” he said. “That’s what you hope for — nothing more, nothing less — just being great ambassadors for the university.”

Butler will continue to look for that kind of player, Matthew says.

“I feel our system is the right way to play basketball, but even beyond that, it goes to the type of people you surround yourself with and want in your program. You want quality people.

“If you surround yourself with the right people, you don’t have to worry about kids going to class or getting into trouble at night. You can just concentrate on coaching basketball. We have another good one coming in next year.”

Graves was referring to Edgewood’s Garrett Butcher, who signed with the Bulldogs last summer.

“He is the type of player you want in your program — a student first — but a player who plays with tremendous toughness, a team-first guy with a high skill level. We are looking forward to getting him in here this summer.”

Read More!

10 Area Basketball Players Honored by Associated Press

Ten Indianapolis-area players, seven girls and three boys, were chosen to one of the top three all-state basketball teams as selected by The Associated Press.The teams were released Thursday and include three squads of five players, a high honorable mention list and an others receiving votes list for both boys and girls.

BASKETBALL ALL-STATE
Selected by the Associated Press

Boys First Team
Tyler Zeller, 7-0, Sr., Washington
Garrett Butcher, 6-7, Sr., Edgewood
Zack Novak, 6-5, Sr., Chesterton
DeShaun Thomas, 6-7, So., Fort Wayne Luers
Julius Mays, 6-2, Sr., Marion

Boys Second Team
Braydon Hobbs, 6-5, Sr., New Albany
Kyle Kuric, 6-4, Sr., Evansville Memorial
Randy Davis, 5-11, Sr., Plymouth
Julian Mavunga, 6-8, Sr., Brownsburg
Gordon Hayward, 6-9, Sr., Brownsburg

Boys Third Team
Tyler Koch, 6-5, Jr., Winchester
Derek Elston, 6-7, Jr., Tipton
Chase Stigall, 6-3, Sr., New Castle
Zavier Sanders, 6-6, Sr., Northwestern
Larry Stone, 5-9, Sr., Howe

12 Area Players Awarded IBCA First-Team Academic Honors

Twelve players from the Indianapolis area, including seven boys and five girls, were named first-team academic all-state by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

BASKETBALL ACADEMIC ALL-STATE
Selected by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association

Boys first team: Colin Agan, Salem; Dalen Allee, Turkey Run; Derek Bailey, Bloomington South; Anthony Buell, Angola; Garrett Butcher, Edgewood; Chris Carlino, Hamilton SE; Michael Case, Southport; Kent Crick, Evansville Central; Kevin Dawson, Fort Wayne Northrop; Stuart Douglass, Carmel; Jason Eckstein, Oldenburg Academy; Sean Haseley, Zionsville; Levi Holscher, South Knox; Michael Isaacs, Evansville Memorial; Chris Kolger, Richmond; Dayton Merrell, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian; Daniel Moore, Carmel; Greg Moore, Evansville Reitz; Zach Novak, Chesterton; Luke Sprague, Castle; Michael Sustarsic, Union County; Alex Sylvester, Perry Meridian; Steve Tillman, Tippecanoe Valley; Grant Toliver, Plainfield; Pryce Underwood, Harding; Jeff Wysong, West Noble; Tyler Zeller, Washington.