NEW SHIRTS ARE HERE

This is a quick post just to confirm that the first shirts for 2010 are here. Already we have almost sold out of the Live+Learn+Lead black shirt. We sold our clothes at Capital Funks 3rd annual showcase. Once our new site is up all NF fans can get a shirt for themselves. Until then..here are some prelim photos.

Look what came in the mail?

Ah see this nice box from stickerrobot.com came not too long ago. And you know what came in it? Our first batch of stickers. Already have been painting the DMV with them. For anyone else who wants to do that same just let me know. Take a look at the stickers and let us know. I think they came out pretty good or well or however you want to say it.



B-J-R

Non-Fiction hearts Johnny Cupcakes.

Every now and then we run into another brand/designer whose quality of work we can't help but salivate at, and in the case of Johnny Cupcakes we've been known to make the occasion dribble (good thing we have these). What we love most about JC, is not simply the mash-up of Cupcakes x Crossbones, but the way in which Johnny Earle, JC's creator, is virtually synonymous with the company that bares his name. Earle embodies all the qualities, that he hopes to have associated with his brand. No better display of this than his current Back To Basics: Suitcase Tour. Johnny is touring all over the U.S., getting back to selling shirts out of suitcases, catching up with his fans (NF @ 4mins), and sharing his overall appreciation and thanks. We recently caught the tour in Annapolis, and after getting to chill and pick the mind of the visionary, we can't wait for the stop in Georgetown. Oh! and the best part, most stops have been at the local Cupcakery. Check out the dates to get your fix, of all things sugary sweet and Johnny Cupcakes.




Learn+Live+ Lead

-RIO

SEGA

As I go through all of my old toys and gadgets...I really wonder what it will be like when I have kids. When Brandon Junior has his Playstation 6 and knows nothing about blowing on game cartridges or CD read errors. How many of you remember the iconic SEEEGAAAAA when booting up Sonic 2? Or the opening screen to Super Mario 3? These memories have honestly helped spawn a creative mind, an interesting and curious mind. Video games have helped stimulate who I am and many of you all. While they are not your typical bread and butter when it comes to learning mechanisms. I think they definitely have had a huge impact on generation Y. We have learned so many things about the world and our selves through digital media. This trend will only continue as games are used more frequently as a teaching tool. Lets remember and keep it moving. For our kids...so long Super C Contra and hello Math Blaster 2025!

Live+Learn+Lead

B-J-R

New Design

So I am working on a few new shirts. This one is the secondary logo in black on black and teal. I am starting to get exciting about bringing new product out. It only is fitting that we drop clothes 365 days after the last drop.

B-J-R

Capital Funk wins Fr3sh's Main Event Hip Hop Dance competition

Our good friends Capital Funk represented the DMV at Main Event 2010. This competition, hosted by Fr3sh dance troupe, included a dozen teams from the east coast battling it out in NJ. There were some nice special guests such as Fanny Pack and Kaba Modern Legacy. Take a look at the video. Be careful though the opening may make you rethink what "Tutting" is.

Discover Life

If you haven't seen it already, Discovery's Life is an incredible series documenting the lives and stories of our not too distant cousins in the Animal Kingdom. Introducing never-before-seen footage (see Komodo Dragon feeding or Bowerbird mating), and narration from none other than Oprah Winfrey, Life's magnitude is amazingly captured in this first in this lifetime presentation. Introducing the audience to entirely new worlds, the series also works to reinforce many traditional human ideologies, such as survival and parenting. The 11 part series has almost come to a close, but with two weeks left, there's plenty to see as the show has still yet to explore "Hunter and [the] Hunted", "Insects", "Plants", and "Primates". On, Sundays @ 8pm E.T. this is a must watch for those who Learn + Live + Lead.

- RIO

The rails take you places

Trains.

I was obsessed with trains in my youth, always asking mom and dad about them. I liked watching them, riding them, and building model layouts of them. Looking back at the things that make you tick can be such an interesting experience. Now that I am older I am starting to understand what has kept me so mentally invested in trains. It is the process...

When I was young I could watch a model train go in a circle forever and still be amazed. However the older I got the more complex of a toy layout I would demand of myself. During this process Amtrak trains suddenly looked all too common and I started to study European high speed trains and asian mag-lev trains. See while they all accomplish the same thing, I was consumed with the process.

Are there switches? How many? The speed? Capacity? Things that normal people in their free time wouldnt focus on. But for me it was liberating. To be able to see trains switch tracks, or stop at safety signals continued to intrigue me. My most recent poem I wrote was inspired by when I was riding a train from Philadelphia. From start to finish of a train ride you will typically see many different areas up close. I noticed the run down cities and rich office buildings. Each has a story to be told, but we probably will never know it. Well this is just a random post as you can read haha. However please take a look at my Thomas the Tank engine picture I found. (this used to be my favorite show)

B-J-R

Peter Parker

I got a secret so...

Ima try to whisper and not yell

I'm Peter Parker Shhhh

So please don't tell

Now I know what your thinking...Peter Parker was white

But was he? Did you meet him in person or in plain sight?

So real talk! I'm Parker

I--kid---you---not

I got a heart of steel with some holes and leaks

Got acute senses and a couple of cents to keep

Don't believe me? shit

Order some pizza

On call tonight and I would be the one to deliver

So keep this close to chest

Don't blow my cover

I'm Peter Parker

Even if there are plenty of others

You may know a few of us

1,

2,

or maybe 3

Ordinary thorns to societies homogeny

So humble and yet hungry

So regularly overlooked

Whats a goon to a goblin if you got both shook

Venom in my veins

And carnage in my chest

I still don't let my insecurities overtake my best

Peter Parker thats me

My professors are pressed

Smarts so subtle even when I pass the test

Don't need to be gassed

I know my own worth

We are dimes in a billion on this box called earth

So im straight

Im ok

Flashy only when I see fit

When you need a super hero Jane

I can be it

So i grind and I grow

Quietly tinkering all day

I won't quit even if yall fault me every which way

For I am

one man

Not an army or savior

I do my best with the least

its my natural behavior

So now you know my secret

I hope you wont tell

And next time your in need just give a good yell

I started writing this poem on the train back to DC. We all want to be something great and maybe we get side tracked. Being great and being "powerful" are not linked in any way. But we sometimes see power as great and thats an ultimate goal for many of us. Peter Parker is just a normal dude, he just happens to get some super powers. But when you really think about his every day life its one we wouldnt want to live. Always trying to find himself and balance his power with his wants. What Parker needs/wants is so confusing that even he isnt sure. With great power comes great responsibility. However irresponsible people will mess that ish up. Hope you liked it. Im sure I will edit it before I record it.

Live+Learn+Lead

Nonfiction

B.J.R.

Working on the new Logo Shirt

Yes new shirts will be coming out before may 1st. One of the three in mind is a new logo shirt. Here is one of the few concepts.

Can the iPad fuel e-text books?

As we all know apple has finally dropped the bomb on everyone. The iPad is Apple's version of a tablet-kindle device. We can debate whether or not the $500 price is worth the admission for such a device, but I want to think about the impact it can have on school. Apple is pushing this device as THE unit to use when reading books digitally. I am sure Amazon disagrees but what the iPad can do that most other e-ink devices can't do is provide color multimedia build into the books. For instance... could you imagine reading about chemistry and not fully understanding how electrons work and with a click of a button you get a video SHOWING you how they work. So much for bonus cds in your $200 college text books. This device could really make an impact on different learning methods. I am not sure what to still make of the half a grand pad Apple has made, but I will not deny its potential. What do you all think about the iPad?

How are you all feeling?

Each day is different (Hello captain obvious). You can wake up happy as ever and be ready for the day, only to end up feeling like you need a hug. The thing is, those who can cope with the rollercoaster ride of emotions tend to do the best. You don't let life hold you down and make every opportunity to change a negative spiral. I consider myself one of those people... Except for today. Now waaait a second. I am not saying I am some poor guy who wants to remove himself from the world.

I simply am having a bad day. And for me, a bad day is one where it is hard to figure out the source. Not one terrible thing has happened. This is why it is frustrating because your mood is way below the norm but your not positive why. If you have ever had a day like this you know what I am talking about. Anyway... Let's hope this changes---fast.

Live
Learn
Lead

-bjr-


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NonFiction supports EDUCATION

Months ago we asked 'What is to be OUR Generation's Fight?'. Mentioning past generations battles for Freedom, Human & Civil Rights, we began to shed some light over what we believe is to be the trademark of our own. While we'd like for you to believe that the time past was an attempt to build the suspense-- key to all great Blogs, really (typically) we just began something, and left it unfinished.

But typical no more, fighting our fight, NonFiction supports EDUCATION.

EDUCATION - the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.

Naturally, by that definition, EDUCATION is something we all partake in knowingly & unknowingly, from the perspectives of the educator or the educated. What we do regularly through this blog is an attempt to educate and be educated on the cultural, social and world issues that concern us and others.

While we will resume addressing social, cultural and World issues, over the next few weeks we'll be taking particular interest in EDUCATION, specifically providing insight pertaining to EDUCATION in the academic and standardized sphere. With one recent college Grad -- go BJ it's your birthday! -- and one soon to be, hopefully we can provide some helpful insight on the current EDUCATION system.

until' next time ....

live + learn + lead
- RIO

DJ hero is the truth

As a birthday gift to myself I decided to buy DJ hero. One would figure that's what all 23 year old men do anyway; purchase fake DJ equipment and pretend to rock a party in their pajamas. After spending a bunch of days mixing the Jackson five and daft punk, I am impresssed. Every one if my friends who have tested the game out agree. If you have the money and want a party game. Thus is where it is at. The tracks are amazing and the mixes will blow your mind!

Cop this!

Bjr

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Get on them sticks boy!

Bottom line is... My money is tight. However I can not pass up a great video game. With all the talk of Uncharted 2 there was no way I was going to let everyone ruin the story for me. Today I sucked it up and threw down some money so I can put that playstation 3 to use. Maybe in between working full time and thinking about Non-fiction I can fight some pirates.



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Business cards

What is interesting these days is the death of the business card. Everyone wants to get all "techno" up in this place and not use good ol'e paper cards. I think that something tangible however is better than any digital iPhone bump. So I am working on a fresh card to give out to everyone who says "hey nice shirt what is that??" I am basing the front of the card off of the yellow school paper and a hand drawn NF logo. What ya think?


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Mobile blogging...

I am trying out a new iPhone app to get my blogging back on point. Does it work? Let's see


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Build it Better

When you have all of these ideas in your head, you get excited. You start placing additional parts together and wondering how to execute them. Nonfiction is that puzzle. It one of the many puzzles that I have been trying to build for a few years. And although I have some pieces, I want more. Think of it is a lego set. We got the base parts, colored parts, boards, and other fancy ish. When I first start some of my dreams I jump right to the end product and forget to build a base. Right now I am building (rebuilding) Nonfiction's base. Look out for a new look, a more refined look, and something that has been in the works for a while. Until then, keep playing with them legos.

-BJR-

Letting Go/Getting Back to a Familiar Place

My whole collection of boxed kicks, sneaks, steps -- whatever you may call them -- I'm handing over the rights to BJ to sell and do away with. While I made up my mind a while ago, that really I can do without, I'm still finding it difficult to let go. Not because of the depth to which I collected, but simply because of all the great memories that came along as a result of.


The picture above is the moment after the time my brother and I picked up the same pair of shoes, hysterically I'll much more remember the memories that subsequently followed. Moving and grooving to "Thriller" & "P.Y.T" in our underwear, high above the hills of San Francisco. They were cool shoes, but FUN times I'll never forget.


So I'm letting go and I'm also getting back to a place where several of my fondest memories occurred. The next few weeks will commence a new start, but gratefully I'll be able to get some rest and relaxation, headed back to California to revel in memories created and live in the ones to come.

-RIO

Throwback - My first shirt

Nonfiction has come a long way in 2 years. Just like our slogan "live + learn + lead", Nonfiction has continued to change and evolve. This picture here was the first design I finished and produced. I still love the colors to death. With little to no experience with Adobe Illustrator I tried my best with this one. I will always remember this shirt (and will def keep a bunch of dead stock for the future!).

Do any of yall own a shirt that you will never forget? If so feel free to post a comment bout it. What was it? What colors? and why do you think you remember it?