pearlharbor

It's a day that will live in infamy- and in the memories of historians... and the grandchildren who were told the stories at the knees of grandparents who were there.

This weeks Illo Friday word was:brigade.... being the daughter, granddaughter etc of US veterans... well... it brings much to mind- but considering the date of Dec.7th- this stuck out far more.

My house sits under the flight patterns for an international airport. When 9-11 happened and air traffic went dead for a day or two the silence was deafening- those planes so high above, never noticed them before that. I read recently about how the "zeroes" flew into the harbor on that terrible morning over family homes and people just waking up.
I though about how weird that'd be if all the planes that fly over me all the time suddenly weren't passenger planes and flew far too low for comfort. Since Vietnam the media has in different levels desensitized us to the horrors that happen- and suddenly something like Pearl Harbor is no more terrible than an episode of NCIS and less frightening than SAW (one two or three). These events and tragedies are something that happened "over there", and like a bad TV movie- the mind can change the channel if it's not invested.

If grandpa's assignment had followed through rather than being changed... he'd have been on the Arizona sleeping in his bunk- or as an officer on deck giving orders. Mum wouldn't be here, my uncle or my sister and I. It's amazing to think on and for me it's personal, it's part of my family history.
I hope I'm wrong- I hope people never forget- because remembering is learning.... and learning is to not repeat mistakes. There's no need to dwell on awful things- but it's important to repeat our cultural knowledge for future generations.

Anyhow- in this case- it's an amazing image I hope we never see again.

TheVeteransLetter

theletter, a photo by Kairn Design on Flickr.

Today we celebrate the fallen, the brave, the silent and the missing.

North South East West- no matter the location there are those willing to give their lives to protect something greater than themselves- to safeguard homes, families and friends.
Behind each of those brave souls is a loved one waiting and wishing for their safe return home. Not everyone gets the happy ending, some get the letter often dreaded.

For my grandfather Richard Bulman USN- who narrowly missed Pearl Harbor and must have lived with heavy ghosts after his ship sunk off the coast of Africa.

For my great uncle Kenny Driscoll USAF- a fighter pilot who was last seen on the wing of his plane in the middle of the Atlantic.

For my father John Desmond USMC who lost an eye, has survived 2 bouts of cancer due to agent orange and cricks in his neck from shrapnel... PTSD hasn't been kind to his gentle spirit.
He left on patrol in a group of 3, he returned a group of 1. Semper Fi.

To these brave men and many many more- thank you. For your service, your bravery and your lives.
To the families, finance's, friends and loved ones- stay strong for them, your sacrifice is appreciated as well.
May they come home safely and soon to you... have hope.

Semper Fi.

While this is a different era- I find the song rather suits the sentiment.

Scary Mr.Darcy/Stripes

dancewdead, a photo by Kairn Design on Flickr.

Ilo Friday! yes a bit late but seeing the subject matter is "late" as well... you can't fault me TOO much.

This weeks theme was "scary". Now I'm a big fan of "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen... I also realize it's fiction (much to my dismay).  And a lovely commenter pointed out it's stripes too! (this weeks theme) so bonus! Two for one! :)

What I find personally scary isn't monsters or disasters, boogie men or highway robbers (all scary yes.. but that's what heroines are for). What I find scary is hoping and waiting for a Mr.Darcy that will never come... to spend a whole life waiting for love only to find what this Elizabeth Bennet has discovered... she's too late.

A Note of Thanks.

I'm a designer and illustrator well schooled in the art of Apple- but I also had the privilege of working for one the best companies in the world for just over a year.  It transformed my life- I drank the "kool-aid" and it has since become a part of me and altered how I see and interact with the world- for the better.

My goal was not to use this blog for personal means- but more business and creative- however in this case the two have crossed paths. As I posted earlier the CEO of Apple has passed from this world into the great unknown iCloud in the sky.  It's been a year since I departed from the big glass cube building that was my second home for a year- to follow my own dreams and creative passion, but even so I'm grateful and wanted to add my own lil note of thanks for that time and those experiences.

(And while I have photos from my life "behind the white door"- I still follow the "rules" so sorry if you're looking for insider-info.)

My first day, as a newcomer I was shown this video, and it's stuck with me ever since.  And even now it makes me lil bit teary and proud to be a part of a movement and a vision. This is what I wrote in remembrance of a (yes magical) transformative stepping stone in my career and life.

I was 8 when we got our first mac. An apple IIC... and man I loved that thing, long before graphics programs and photoshop I was drawing rudimentary images with my mouse and feeling like I was in the future. Twenty years later I was a freelance illustrator (art school grad) trying to make ends meet and taking design courses to "make myself more marketable".  
I needed a PT job, and figured "why not be somewhere with things I love?"  Apple was already a part of my life- why not use those skills to help others and make a lil money? I figured if I was hired I'd be in some suburban mall, it would be a typical retail job with long hours and occupy all my weekends. But then Boylston Street called me in, and everything changed.

The summer I was hired to work in the then largest Apple Store in the USA- I had no direction, in my life- not really. I was too afraid to take chances with my own artwork and put it out in the world. I hadn't give up my dreams, I just couldn't really identify them with any clarity. I was making mirrors and paintings but not really doing anything with them- and all kinds of ADD when it came to sticking to any one design or product idea.
 
Each day I hopped on a train commuting with tons of people... walked into "the cube", donned my (then neon orange) shirt, laughed with co-workers over coffee and started my day for the first time feeling ike I was a PART of something.  


Everyday I saw first hand the WOW moments Steve helped to create with his vision and innovation... how these tools we carry about all day connect us to those we love, to the businesses that support us and fuel the daily lives of people all over the world. The "family room"/third floor was always abuzz with learning and repaired lives, stories in the making.
When I would go home my face would hurt from smiling.  Not just because I started out as a concierge, but because I was happy to be there... to this day all the things I learned in core- have changed how I react and interact with people- for the better.  

Four years of art school didn't teach me how to sell my work or myself as the creator of it- Apple did.  Believing in what you make, following your passion... it's because of what I learned that I left Boylston Street to start up my own company Kairn Design.  My manager always said to "follow your passion and believe in what you do, never just follow the money"... even though I left the building I never really left apple- I now draw about 60% of the time on my iPad and spend a huge chunk of my day on my MBP.  My whole family has converted to apple- and a year later I still am in contact with almost all of the 200+ people I worked with. As much as I believe in myself, my illustration and talent- it's because of Steve's passion, belief and company that I finally have the courage to go for my own dreams.  

I don't like corporations as a whole- it feels unnatural and full of "airs"... much like politicians trying to get something for very little because of a handshake and plastic smile.  Apple is different- it's not just perception- it's a lifestyle and type of person- "we are only as good as our people". Thank you for making me one of those people. One day I hope to work with Apple again in some capacity and am grateful to have been a part of the Apple family during such an exciting time. 

For the tech that keeps me going, the tools to know how to get there and the courage to follow my passion- thank you Steve.

~Kerri Desmond
Concierge/Specialist 2009-2010




The day I left my name-tag and store for the last time as a Specialist... 
I walked into South Station to see this, which pretty much says it all: