….could you read us a bedtime story?
Please, huh, please?
Alright, you kids get to bed, I’ll get the storybook
Y’all tucked in? Yeah, here we go

- Slick Rick, from Children’s Story

Want to hear a story? It’s about a man (me), that get’s a creative idea (this) and all his dreams come true (pic below).

A proud Roomba owner

On a whim and for fun, I wrote to iRobot the company, declaring my love of the Roomba. Unexpectedly, not only did they love my post, but they also sent me one. As a massive THANK YOU and follow up to this very kid & fairy tale-esque story, here is me on camera.

Awkward, lacking personality, monotone and very me, it comes straight from the heart. It’s a miracle I come off even displaying any life and for that, we should all thank Dan Dark for his shooting, editing and miraculous skills.

Do yourself a favor. Buy a Roomba. And like them on Facebook. They’re a company that not only produces an incredible product, but they get the power of the digital social community.

Back in October of last year, I wrote about luggage, but with a little too much swagger in my opinion. It focused on an old fashioned throw down between Rimowa and Tumi, two high end luggage companies. It was an offer for me to demo, test drive and travel with their brand – providing honest feedback via this site. Neither bit. And I moved on, not convinced I had found my next luggage maker.

In December I found myself in New York City for work, and as luck would have it, staying just blocks from the Muji store.  I have a strong infatuation with everything Japan – food, vending machines, robots, culture, the country, soap balls, the people, technology, and fashion. Muji is the manifestation of all this, and as a result, I spent a lot of time and money in their store. During this in-store experience, I caught a glimpse of their luggage. Boring story, I know. But it sets the tone, or more specifically, foreshadowing.

Fast forward a couple of months, and I’m at my laptop searching for Muji luggage and after a while, Japanese luggage. It didn’t take long to stumble upon Hideo Wakamatsu.

The Muscular 28" in Silver

This is man of many layers and talents. He not only studied art,  but also literature. And it wasn’t just Japanese, but also French. He spent a decade working in Europe, earning his design stripes – then brought this all back to Tokyo. Imagine that design aesthetic – Paris combined with Tokyo. I love it.

Mr. Wakamatsu is an artist, a scholar, an Asian and European creative, and most importantly out of all this, a brilliant designer.

His work is primarily Japanese in design, but you’ll notice elements of Parisian subtleties. Some of it’s a detailed focus on modernism, some of it’s unexpected, some of it’s quirky and some of it’s just simply, perfectly French and Japanese. Browse his entire body of work and you’ll see – it’s all evident from the his luggage, to briefcases, to backpacks, and even wallets.

His work isn’t mass produced because he plays a part in the process. It’s a finished product with a story and a real designer behind it. It’s got a soul, a personality of sorts. It has French confidence with Japanese coolness. That’s where it becomes a connection to me. It’s different from all other luggage brands.

Now I can finally say, I’ve found my future luggage. Phew.

Now I wonder if Mr. Hideo Wakamatsu will be on one of my flights? That’s actually one person I’d like to talk to while flying.

First of all, his last name is Wonderly. Not Superbly, or Greatly or Ironically. Wonderly – possibly the greatest surname in the history of our species.

Me and Wonderly in Times Square

Dan and I connected instantly – films, creativity, photography, humor, thrift store clothes, robots, surrealism, odd haircuts and great conversation. We collaborated on lots of things together. We worked like comrades in arms on an exhibition for Indy’s 1st Jazz Fest. He was the recipient of my first ever sculpture. He photographed my wedding. And along the way, despite not being a follower, I have landed in Dan’s many worlds in some form, including Portland, Oregon, Santa Barbara, CA and New York City.

Dan is a wonderful friend that not only taught me how to bush dive, but showed me that leading a creative life is okay. He has embraced creativity fully, allowing the path to unfold as he experiments, innovates and takes the leap that comes with creative expression. In that regard, I have always looked up to him.

As I got older, I looked to Dan’s world for inspiration. Without knowing it, Dan has shown me a creative path. I’m incredibly thankful for that.

He is prolific. He is ever changing. He is a caterpillar that became a butterfly that became a sauropod that became a robot. That might be jibberish to you, but Dan speaks this language. His work speaks this language too – paintings, photography, video, sculpture, drawing and in his thought. Besides being an artist, he’s also a philosopher.

Mr. Dan Wonderly

He paints. He writes. And he shoots. I urge you to explore. He’s been an explorer his entire life.

I’m forever thankful I took a painting class. Everyone needs a Wonderly in their life.

Get to know this Biscuithead a little more – some of my questions and his answers below. ENJOY!

BTW, you can read more in this Series, here.

May I present to you, Dan Wonderly.

What drives you?
I’m driven by a slightly hyper-active, imagination.  It’s just always been that way.  Somewhat of a running dialogue of thought (not always that intelligent) streaming in combination with normal conversation and visual interpretation.  Kind of like having a moving filmstrip in a type of overlay-heads-up-display…

Window or aisle seat?
I would say 75% window.  Unfortunately, I’ve started to feel trapped by the window seat recently.  I love my clouds though, so the window seat always draws me back in.  I also have a fascination with aerial/overhead patterns and how they relate to macro photography.  So it’s always fascinating to be so high above and imagine how a system of fields or rivers looks fairly similar to sidewalk cracks, and gutter streams from an alternate, close-up vantage.  I think if there was a window seat that had an attachment to a high end digital-capture back/camera I would leave the aisle seat in the dust.

What has the internet done for you?
The internet has made me think long and hard about the branding/marketing/publicity strategies of my past, present, and future work.  I’ve designed, built and deleted about 10 websites that have ranged from visual diarrhea to very sparse image based interaction.  It was necessary to go through that breadth of basic design to narrow down my focus.  Mainly for me, it boiled down to personal, professional, and then random.  I have about 4 different URLs that encompass those themes.  So, in a way the internet has made me think about my career/work trajectory more than anything  else.  I try and do the google search about once a month to see how my buck-shot approach to threading my name and art is working.  So far it is pretty interesting and the immediate interactive quality of the “web” never ceases to amaze me.

Are you an artist? Why, why not? What are you?
Yes.  It’s always been in the cards, and I’ve fought it for a long time.  In fighting it, I think I became more of the stereo-typical artist that I hated.  The whole tortured part is actually real and rather narcissistic.  All that aside, at 33, it’s what I do and will always do.  Create images and objects because it is more out of function and daily habit rather than a forced effort.  I’ve just really not had any choice-which is good and bad, but coming to grips with this has been pretty liberating.  Art can be really therapeutic and it can also be really silly and selfish.  I try and keep it silly in my mind

What influences your work?
Open spaces with clouds-thanks to Indiana.  Alternate Dimensions.  Science Fiction.  Machines and our relationship as a race with them.  The calculated random quality of chaos. Macro/Aerial photography.  My daily environments…NYC has had an interesting affect on my sense of space over the last five years.

If you could go anywhere tomorrow – where and why?
Giant’s Causeway.   It’s in Ireland and it is named, “The Giant’s Causeway”  I’m pretty sure that I belong somewhere in those highlands between N. Ireland and Scotland.

Robots. Go.
Let’s just say one of the first memorable drawings I made was probably in Kindergarten.  It was a profile of a motorcycle with a front fork and wheel, and then a rider, but instead of a rear assembly to the bike, the rider had four legs and was this weird minotaur man-motorcycle.  So, I’m a big fan of robots and cybernetics in general.  From personal mythologies that I’ve been developing for years and even more out of escapism, I love the mechanical and efficient quality of robots.  Friends will refer to me as Danbot-partly out of dancing styles and partly because my voice and expression are sometimes rather robotic.  I’m screaming with emotion and vigor on the inside, but it just never registers in a physical, outward way.  I just attribute that to years of admiring robots. 

How do you make it living in the Big Apple?
In 2003 I took out an expensive gamble on myself and went back to school.  That has afforded me entrance into a world where I get to work in the commercial-photo industry.  In a given week I’ll retouch, assist, shoot, video-edit, web-design/maintain, archive, or tech-support for myself or other clients and photographers.  Most of the last 5 years has been working for other people and making a living in more of a secondary position.  It is slowly transitioning into a more primary role, where my work is from projects that I create and finish for a client.  That is the goal with the freelance dance.  It has been a rough and challenging road, but I can say that I’m working in a creative field and am setting the future up for continuing that work in the years to come.  That was the idea in the long gamble of going back to school and student loans.  As far as living in the Big Apple-it is a literal grind.  I can say that I’ve never dreamt-and remembered-as vividly and crazily as I have since living in NYC.  It’s a fairly good companion to my overactive imagination.

Choose (3) people, dead or alive, to eat dinner with.
Nina Simone, Clint Eastwood, Egon Schiele

Describe your creative process.
It can be extreme in terms of pace.  I’ll either process information, contemplate, gestate, and then execute a project over a period of years or speed that process up into a couple of months.  Much of that depends on deadlines, or upcoming shows.  It is a great work-lesson in how setting completion dates can greatly effect one’s process.  I tend to procrastinate, but can also turn out high quality and volume in tight time allowances.  Not the greatest motivator, but sometimes that push will open my creative flow into the “zone.”  When I’m in the zone it is fairly fluid and it marries into the whole explanation of natural vs. forced art or creation.  When you don’t have to think too hard about what is happening on canvas or screen or in the darkroom, then you know it is good.  Also, usually when projects or ideas scare the shit out of me, I usually know it will be a beautiful end result.  The trick is to just keep barreling into that fear.  It can be crushing if I let it.  I think in the end you have to have vision as well.  There are decade-benchmarks I want to hit into my 60′s or 70′s if I’m still around.  Knowing that this one project or moment isn’t the end of the entire body of my  work definitely helps my process.

It doesn’t mean I’m going to become a racing blogger (I prefer to keep my racing opinions to myself)- and besides, there’s already a good group of bloggers covering that spectrum for all of us.

What do I know? I know style, gadgets, fashion, and cool stuff. So that’s what you get from me today (and possibly subsequent posts).

Whether you’re a driver, mechanic, photographer, blogger or dedicated race fan – you’ll find the following items, ideal additions to your racing season.

Add a little style into your life, while giving a nod to the sport you love.

First up – I’m going with an easy win. And it involves Steve McQueen. Grab a pair of these Persol Steve McQueen Special Edition sunglasses. They may cost you around $250.00, but how cool will you look walking around the Milwaukee Mile? Answer: exceedingly.

Steve McQueen™ Special Edition Collection

After you’ve eaten 6 brats and arrived home from the Milwaukee Mile, you’re probably going to want to sit on the couch and relax. If you’re tired of watching Driven over and over (I know I am), go ahead and treat yourself to Senna on Blu-ray. I’m a big fan of this film, despite no interviews with Gerhard Berger. Regardless, sit in your man cave and watch Senna drive the sh*t out of these machines.

I am in love with these Autodromo watches at the moment. They’re a bargain at $425 and combine a vintage race feel with a classic, contemporary look. Buy one and you’ll feel like Sir Stirling Moss or Juan Manuel Fangio. You will, trust me.

Beautiful watches from Autodromo

A comfy IMS t-shirt

May is just around the corner and you’ll need a hip racing related t-shirt. This might be the most comfortable t-shirt I’ve ever worn (aside from anything produced by RobotoWear). So grab this from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway gift shop or online, for just $28. When you call in ‘sick’ on carb day, this shirt will make you feel better. Maybe you can get ZZ Top to sign it, too. Seriously, buy it.

This is slightly old news, but still decently cool. If you’re like me when you travel, you get lost constantly. I’ve learned to drive with an iPad in my lap using Google Maps and invariably missing exits, turns or a donut shop. If you like gadgets, driving and not getting lost, invest in a GPS device. Or even better, a TomTom device with voice instructions from Juan Pablo Montoya, Dario Franchitti or Scott Dixon. Here’s a quote from Franchitti, most likely written by a PR person or intern:

I’m lost without my TomTom, and use it daily whether I’m in the US or back home in Scotland. It’s impressive to see a company like TomTom leveraging their relationship with the race team and doing some real activation by getting all three Target drivers’ voices online for race fans. I hope a lot of people will get a kick out of this.

Who am I to judge? It’s a cool device and brilliant idea, so well done TomTom. Now how do I get a version with Tomas Scheckter giving directions and advice?

Spitfire tie

People don’t wear enough ties. So whether you’re going on a job interview, a date, an awards dinner or prepping for a court appearance, you always need a good tie at your fingertips. What says “I’m an affluent race fan” better than this Spitfire inspired tie from The Goodwood, Festival of Speed online shop? For one, it’s INSPIRED BY A SPITFIRE. That’s enough by itself. But it’s also got strong ties (see what I did there?) to Goodwood – one of racing’s holy lands. And let’s face it, it’s a rather dapper tie – I’m wearing three right now.

I used to want to be Nelson Piquet when I grew up – so I hung up posters and got stickers and so on. Nowadays, technology lets us get even closer. Now you can pretend to be Nelson Piquet, Jr., with this incredibly well (and beautifully) designed SimRacingWorld Steering Wheel. It’s compatible with a slew of video games/platforms, including the incomparable iRacing. Boot up your Commodore 64, don your Piquet Jr. sweatpants and start racing with this geekalicious steering wheel. Oh to be a kid again…

One amazing steering wheel

That’s it for now, but I plan on adding in some more ideas as the race season progresses. Start shopping – it’s not a bad way to spend a $1000.

If you’ve got suggestions or ideas, I’d love to hear them. Zoom Zoom.

This Friday, I’ll be departing 16th and Georgetown to begin the next step in my career with ExactTarget and their interactive marketing department.

I’m both sad and excited.

I’m proud of the work I accomplished in two years.  I’ve met colleagues that will be friends for years to come. I spent hours on planes. I took hundreds of photos. I was part of some very special events and exceptional digital projects. I saw web analytics sky rocket and dealt with more content than I could ever imagine. I was challenged. I made mistakes. I got stronger. I grew. I learned a great deal about myself. And I got better professionally.

Me and dad

I’m especially proud that I worked at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway while my father was still alive. I know he was proud of me. And it offered me a new opportunity to become more connected to him. What a gift.

There is a lot I’ll miss about IMS. It’s especially difficult to walk away from such a sacred institution. It’s given me something indescribable. It will always be a part of me.

The Pagoda at sunrise

I’m thankful for the unconventional path my career has taken.

I went from an art museum to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And now I’m headed to ExactTarget with a lot of energy, excitement and at least one million ideas.

I’m so thankful for my opportunities.

Here’s to the next adventure.

This is not a statement on death. It’s a celebration of life. An idea came to me several years ago about creating a fictitious cast of characters that would perform in cemeteries on flat screen monitors installed into the ground – almost like a coffin. As time passed, this idea shifted into more personal connections. But throughout my thought process, this remained a celebration of life. It is not a statement, mockery or slight on dying, death or loss. Trust me. I know the pain and sadness that comes with that.

Original sketch for Coffin Chatter

I spend a lot of time in Crown Hill Cemetery. I visit my father’s tree once a week and I enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with thoughtful reflection. I think we’re supposed to be that way. Right? Or maybe not.

This is a new time. The digital era. The life we live in today allows anyone to be an author, creator and producer of memories. And these days, we’re talking digital memories – memories or quips or jokes or laughter or stories or performances or advice. Think about what we do with digital files.

I thought about some of my favorite people over time – Earnest Hemingway, Kurt Vonnegut, Steve McQueen, George Gershwin, Edie Sedgwick, Gandhi, Peter Sellers and lots more. I would visit their graves at the drop of a hat.

I would also jump at the chance of visiting an interactive grave – incorporating digital files from their life – music, comedy, writings, teachings, advice, quotes, video, historical information, and dialogue.

A family of talkers

It’s a cross between the moving images in the Harry Potter picture frames or newspapers and a traditional grave – all produced with thought, grace, respect and ideally, moments of laughter and tears.

A lonesome, interactive grave

When I consider digital strategies, I often think about the longevity of digital projects. The digital content we produce today via Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, blogs and YouTube, in theory, will last forever. Technology will always support converting our current files into future file extensions and uses. Unlike the generations before us, we are generating more personal data than ever before. Digital memories. Our digital footprints will outlast us and it’s our own way of leaving an impact in this world. Billions of us are doing it.

Maybe in the future, our kids or grand kids will visit Jim Morrison’s grave in Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. They’ll encounter a headstone and maybe, just maybe, a new cemetery interaction with digital memories such as poetry readings, photographs, album covers, concert footage and interviews.

It gives rest in peace a new meaning. I write, take photographs, think creatively and develop collaborations because I’m focused on creating my own digital memories.

After all, this blog post and crazy concept will live longer than I will.

Renderings courtesy of Michele Jasper.

Daytona – not the prettiest spot in Florida, but filled to the brim with sunshine, fresh seafood and fast, fast cars.

Welcome to Daytona

I’ve never quite understood endurance racing. There are big cars, small cars, different series and classes and the whole 24 hour thing with multiple drivers. Nonetheless, I found myself incredibly excited for this event. In the past year, I’ve had the honor of covering the Centennial Running of the Indianapolis 500 and now the 50th Anniversary of the 24 Hours At Daytona. How lucky.

The cars are incredibly beautiful. I’ve become accustomed to open wheel cars, but these sports cars offer familiar and innovative lines. Some look like a car you would drive (if you’ve got bank) and others are directly from the drawing board. There is diversity abound.

Familiar and innovative machines

The sultry blue Corvette

The crowd is not incredibly diverse, but they’re certainly devoted. Many camped out for the full 24 hours. A few stayed the whole time. Most of the fans left for some shut eye, but returned at day light. That’s incredible commitment. This is a different level of race fan – passionate, in it for the long haul, and incredibly knowledgeable of their sport. It’s more like a cult (a good cult of course).

It’s also an environment where young up and coming drivers mix with sports cars superstars, IndyCar drivers, NASCAR drivers and legends from the past. And when I say legends, I mean Sir Jackie Stewart. Wow. I simply love this photo and it all came down to luck and timing – like most things in life.

Sir Jackie Stewart

Staying up for the 24 Hours is tough. Like most race events, I turned my thoughts to the experience of the mechanics. I’m just not sure I could stay so switched on for that long. I remember one of the Ganassi cars coming in after about 18 hours for a gearbox change! That’s insane. The mechanic responsible for that change not only has to respond quickly, but also without error. The real superstars of this event? The Crews.

The Crew

In terms of an event – impressive. GRAND-AM runs a professional race and a superb media center. The members of SPEED were as always, a joy to work with. And I was absolutely blown away by the power of a brand, specifically Rolex. Before this race, I associated endurance racing with Tag Heuer and Steve McQueen. Not now. I get the romance and allure of a Rolex. When I watched the winning drivers receive their watches, it all made sense to me. Like IndyCar drivers chasing a taste of milk at the Indy 500, these drivers all chase one thing – a Rolex they’ll wear for the rest of life. It’s a brand, it’s a memory. Well done Rolex.

Rolex 24 & Champagne

When I landed back in Indianapolis late Monday night, utterly exhausted, I tweeted that this had been on of the best weekends of my life. Sure I got grumpy during periods of the night. I was cold walking around at 3am. And I might have cursed when I realized I had to start our camera to get time lapse footage of the sunrise. But you know what? A 24 hour race is a challenge, a test, an endurance race and I made it.

We’re all chasing something in life. I’m still going.

Now I just need to get that Rolex.

I’d like to put my name forward as a tester for any of your vacuum cleaning robots. I’m in awe of your adaptive technology, clever design, innovation in the field, and the fact that you’re creating purposeful, hard working and tidy robots. Nothing like that perennial show off, ASIMO.

Fancy Pants ASIMO

I think you’ll find my qualifications unique for this role. In fact, if had to provide a resume, I have no doubts you’d be impressed. I’m bring a lot of Robot street cred. And my home is the perfect testing ground. It’s like being in the trenches.

In regards to my Robot credibility. I can recite Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics. I have an extensive Robot collection, you can view HERE. And I’m CEO of a clothing company called RobotoWear: Clothing for humans, inspired by robots. I also used to teach kids how to build LEGO Mindstorms robots. You get the idea.

As for being in the trenches. I live in a hundred year old condominium with my wife, 2.25 year old son (I hate saying ages in months) and a 11-year old deaf cat named Ludwig.

Ludwig would treat the Roomba like his brother

It can be chaos. My cat has a tendency to knock things off counters, drag things into rooms, puke in the most inconvenient spots, shed everywhere, and when we do vacuum, he loves to ride the Dyson. Did it really take Dyson 10+ years to develop that vacuum cleaner? I digress. My cat would love to befriend a Roomba.

As for the humans. We do our best to keep the place clean. But 2.25 year old Oliver isn’t drinking our corporate family kool aid. He likes to hide toast. After a few days, it actually resembles a ceramic tile that flakes rock solid crumbs. His obsession for Gold Fish leaves an orange glow around the house with fragments of fish everywhere. It’s like Old Man and the Sea meets The Cove.

A messy Father and Son

Our old home features great hard wood floors, area rugs and plenty of obstacles – Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head parts, the occasional hair ball, or an old piece of waffle Oliver has strategically placed in a location we’ll never find. If the Roomba was being sent to the real trenches, it would experience boot camp at our house first.

The fact is we need a Roomba. And with my hand on my heart, I swear that we’ll use it. That poor robot has it’s work cut out for her/him.

In return, you’ll get full documentation – photos, videos, blog posts and positive publicity, as we welcome the newest (and favorite) member of our family.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely, Daniel (and Ludwig)

A rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-size copy of the whole. – Benoit Mandelbrot

I visit my Father’s tree at least once a week. As I stop to grab my breath and save my lungs (I usually run there), I’m always struck by its perfect symmetry. It’s shape is actually etched in my mind. Sometimes I think it’s a tree made up of identical leaves. Fractals.

Dad's tree - waiting for the leaves!

Nature presents some incredible patterns.

It’s pretty amazing when you think about it.

Fractal from Nature by Flickr user jacl_o_lantern

Fractals 3 - Symmetry by Flickr user marosh

No title by Flickr user aseloph

If you look closely around you, you’ll notice fractals or repeating patterns in trees, plants, clouds, lightning, waves, snow flakes, and more. They even find themselves represented in art – from Jackson Pollack to mandelas to modern day artists.

Fractal ART - monad AIWASS - モナド

You can even create your own fractal, based on the Mandelbrot set (from the guy who’s quote I used at the beginning). It’s based on mathematics, sequences, infinity and lot of other stuff I don’t understand. No doubt, Benoit Mandelbrot would have been really good on The Price is Right.

There are also fractal generators online. And thanks to PBS and NOVA, you can create your own Mandelbrot Fractal. Here’s mine.

My Mandelbrot Fractal

I don’t pretend to understand the science and mathematics behind fractals. I mean, what does this really mean? zn+1 = zn2 + c = NO IDEA.

But I am observant and I notice patterns. You strip away the science, the math, and the patterns and it comes down to something completely unscientific – beauty and sum of all parts.

Now is the perfect time to find your fractals. Snowflakes come and go, and Spring is hitting the snooze button. Leaves will be here to mesmerize you before you know it. Or if you’re the impatient type, look up at some clouds.

I always do.

T.P.S. Report by Flickr user Philhouse

Have you filled out your T.P.S Report? Let’s get on with it.

I’ve been reading ya’ll.

The Lotus Magazine is beautiful in every possible way. It’s also surprising. It does a superb job of representing the Lotus brand without over selling. They manage to blend history with contemporary culture in way that makes perfect sense. The latest issue features Mario Andretti, Swiss Beatz, Lindsay Lohan and Steve McQueen. Not to mention the gorgeous Lotus Cars. Definitely check it out.

Lotus Magazine

I’m also reading the Kurt Vonnegut Biography, And So It Goes, by Charles J. Shields. It’s incredibly well written and obviously well researched. But, I will say, it’s kind of like discovering your idol is just as damaged as you are. News flash: Kurt Vonnegut was a human being.

And music.

Oliver and I are really into Lupe Fiasco’s Laser’s at the moment. It’s addictive!

Also, still into George Gershwin. His collection An American in Paris is not only the perfect name, but features an offering of his best work.

And watching. A lot – TV and movies.

Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Modern Family, Californication, The Cove, Kung Fu Hustle, The Natural and Super 8 – which I thought was brilliant and sentimental and endearing. Watch it! I’m looking forward to more laughs, escapism, and thought provoking films and shows in the coming months. After all, there are new seasons of Archer and An Idiot Abroad debuting soon…

Archer Season 3

So while I wait for my web nuggets to be mined?, I’m staying busy with lots of ideas, but also with a lot of reading, listening and watching. It’s been a long time coming.

Did I miss a great book, song or film? Please let me know.