Having started my day feeling sick, tired and achy, the present I received in my inbox just a short time ago really made my day: "CNN Breaking News: Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party, multiple sources tell CNN."

I have had a great deal of respect and admiration for the senior senator from Pennsylvania for quite some time. He has shown for years that principles count more than party loyalty. He is a shining example of public service and MANY democrats could learn more than a thing or two about the grace and dignity Sen. Specter has shown for his office. Like many people on both sides of the aisle, Sen. Specter understands the true meaning of patriotism—using it for unification, not obstruction.

I look forward to following where Sen. Specter and the White House lead this nation. He deserves not only our gratitude for making the right decision today, but more importantly, recognition for his nearly thirty years of honorable service to this nation in the U.S. Senate.

Get the news from every perspective::
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/28/specter.party.switch/

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/28/source-specter-intends-switch-political-parties/

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/specter-will-run-as-a-democrat-in-2010/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/28/arlen-specter-switching-p_n_192298.html

http://specter.senate.gov/public/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlen_Specter

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124093451028864031.html

http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2009/apr/28/specter-seek-re-election-democrat/?subscriber/national

http://www.amconmag.com/blog/2009/04/28/specter-switches/

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/politics_nation/2009/04/arlen_specter_switches_parties.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21798.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30456741/

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/04/28/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry4974413.shtml

http://www.wtov9.com/nationalnews/19311990/detail.html#-

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/specter-to-switch-parties.html?hpid=topnews

http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/index.ssf/2009/04/us_sen_arlen_specter_of_pennsy.html

http://www.npr.org/blogs/politicaljunkie/2009/04/ap_reports_sen_arlen_specter_t.html?sc=fb&cc=fp

Labels: Arlen, Big News, Democrat, News, Newsworthy, politics, Republican, Republican Party, Specter

Justin's photography will be appearing in the latest issue of Washington Spaces magazine, a sleek and informative shelter publication without the pretense. Emily Lyons' article about The Erie, an 11-unit luxury condominium residential experience. Carl Becker of Premiere Properties is the principal broker.

Take a look at the article featuring Justin's photos and to learn more about this magnificent structure, click here: http://www.washingtonspaces.com/2009/3/articles/embracing-change-in-adams-morgan

To view more photos of The Erie not appearing online or in print, check out Justin's Flickr.com photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/justinschuck/sets/72157613578253654/

Labels: Justin Schuck, News, Newsworthy, photography, washington dc

I've said this before, but it bears repeating: my friend Yogstar (Matias Vellutini) is one of the most brilliant musical minds in the world today. His proprietary console program for mixing sound by manipulating video is the most forward-looking and forward-sounding production I have ever witnessed. I am not usually struck in complete awe of someone, but the talent of Matias never ceases to astound me. His sound is fresh and the experience he creates is spectacular.



The Lemur Yogstar Show from Yogstar on Vimeo.

Since I am in DC for a couple of days working, I thought it would be fun to stop by and check in on his progress. Matias performed a portion of a set he was putting together for his first show at an event in DC on Saturday. It was sick, wicked sick. Here are some snapshots I captured of Matias working the Yogstar Show Controller (YSC) which he developed specifically for his music/video.






See the rest on my Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/justinschuck/sets/72157616907914143/

Please check out Yogstar online:
Yogstar.com
vimeo.com/user554973
www.myspace.com/yogstarmusic
www.facebook.com/pages/Yogstar-Matias-Vellutini/21759302532

(He does events. Some of his ideas for a truly transformational musical experience should be explored, sooner rather than later.)

Labels: Justin Schuck, Matias, Music, Newsworthy, Photo, photography, Podcast, Vellutini, Video, Yogstar

Yet again, I've uploaded the new JustinSchuck.com to the site, Version 6.3. What's appearing there now is just a holding page. I'm still working on the sub-pages and additional features, but I thought it made sense to get this out there. What had been up there since January contained no photos above the fold which is just silly and goes against my own advice. Also, once the new site is online, the blog you are reading now will be 100% integrated into the design of the main site.

I think you'll like the new design direction. I want the site to be clean, colorful, and easy to navigate. I really want to thank all my friends for the valuable free market research they've provided the last couple of weeks.

Labels: Blog, design, Identity, JSDS, Justin Schuck, Justin Schuck + Company

Beelzebub (pictured above) makes for a great alarm clock snooze button. Unlike conventional mechanical snooze buttons, Beelzebub stalks his prey and positions himself for maximum effect and to ensure proper waking.

Yes kids, that CREATURE (Scutigera coleoptrata) you see above is what was on my left eye this glorious Easter morning. I was a bit overtired from a night of reverie with old friends celebrating Scott reporting for duty in the United States Air Force — Lt. Scott, I'm very proud of you buddy — so I wasn't entirely aware of my surroundings. Beelzebub sat on my eye, waiting for me to hit the snooze button just one more time (Alarm Clock Pro for Mac is what i use - amazing!). Instead of my normal routine where I bargain with Satan for just a few more minutes of shut eye, I could feel the creature sitting on my eyelid. Somehow I managed to calmly brush it off. Not wearing my glasses, I couldn't see anything except for the large hind leg Beelzebub surrendered to my eye socket.

SIDEBAR: I promise to make this telling of my really-long-telling of a relatively-short-story actually short. When I was 14 I had a bug about the size of a cricket crawl up into my ear canal. It burrowed deep, fiercely bit me, and made a horrible sound that was amplified by its proximity to my ear drum. As a result of this incident I have partial hearing in my left ear almost 15 years later. This why I constantly ask "what?" Maybe I should get a little hearing aid.

Beelzebub resurfaced this evening when Kalli was doing her ablutions. Thankfully Chris was near to kill it! Now it's very late and I can't sleep because I can't seem to get images of this creature out of the front of my mind.

I think I'll watch some Jack Bauer online. Jack Bauer isn't afraid of centipedes.

Labels: Bugs, Justin Schuck

Check out my Flickr.com photostream at http://flickr.com/photos/justinschuck to see a good selection of images from the Jamaica job. I was hired by Travellers Beach Resort to take photos of the hotel for their new website designed by my partner Andrea.

Labels: Andrea Kuchinski, Jamaica, Justin Schuck, Social Media, Travel, Travellers Beach Resort