Oh man, I’ve got some shit to talk about. Here goes:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – NO. 01

New DDC shelves! Sometimes you gotta take the bull by the horns, and I did just that. Needed some new shelves in the shop. After months and months of wondering, waiting, window shopping and web surfing I came to the simple realization that “If you can’t find it, build it.” And I did just that. I got on the ringer with Dave Seaone and told him what I was thinking. A day later he came in with a sketch. The day after that he bought a pile of 3/4” plywood. Then a couple days after that he shows up at the shop with a 95”x111”x13” plywood shelf unit. Just like that. Dado cuts, some glue, some nails with a strategic, maximizing of cuts and sizes for absolute minimal plywood waste. And man, we installed that sucker this morning, and to my left, as these word go to press, some 42 cubes sit empty and ready to be filled up with the finest books from the DDC Archive. Thank you, Mr. Seaone. Holy hell, these things rock.

——————————————————————————————-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – NO. 02

This Friday May the 1st! Glass vs. Draplin in Layer Tennis! A fight to the death, or, we take on the world. Hard to say what will go down. May Day. International Workers Day. Oregon vs. Ohio. Dave Cuzner from the incredible Grain Edit is handling the play-by-play commentary, too! So good.

This ain’t my first Layer Tennis rodeo either. Just know that. I battled my Portland arch-nemesis Nakamoto a little about a year and half ago, and man, things got pretty unruly. I can’t really comment on it, as Nakamoto will walk across the shop and fight me or something.

——————————————————————————————-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – NO. 03

Our very first art show! Holy hell, I can’t believe it. The good people of Office asked me, and I cheerfully accepted. May 27th. My favorite Portland store! I’ve got a some fun stuff being worked up, so please come by for a visit. Mom and dad will be there, too, so come and get some wisdom from the greastest parents ever. Here’s what the Office site says about the deal,

“05/27/2009 - 06/20/2009 > Join us for the international debut of artwork and art-related goods created by none other than internationally award-winning graphic designer, AARON JAMES DRAPLIN. Draplin graduated from the prestigious Minneapolis College of Art and Design, interned for design legend Charles S. Anderson then become “Art Director of the Year” for his work for Snowboarder magazine. He then started Draplin Design Company, which features company mascot, Gary, on select items. Draplin’s art show for OFFICE PDX will incorporate Draplin’s love of ephemera and typography for a one-of-a-kind show — along with a slew of custom gocco prints. Some special art type goods will be free with purchase of DRAPLIN ART. Stay tuned.”

Sounds pretty good and kinda official, eh> I promise I won’t let you guys down. Pinky promise.

——————————————————————————————-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – NO. 04

Heading back to the homeland tomorrow for an impromptu visit. Been missing mom and dad real bad, so I up and bought a ticket and I’ll be on their couch tomorrow night, not doing a goddamned thing. Michigan in the spring time. Yay.

- - - -

FUCKIN’ REPUBLICANS, AGAIN: This time, messing the Flaming Lips. Now you guys have really crosssed the line. Bad form.

- - - -

AMPERSAND HISTORY: Hoefler Frere-Jones breaks it down for you. Required reading. Learn something here.

- - - -

BEYOND AWESOME: The Sonic Youth “Illustrated Equipment Guide.” These guys just get cooler and cooler. Wow.

- - - -

ANOTHER PROUD CUSTOMER: Jeremy Miller loves his DDC-031 “Reversible Screwdriver with Magnet Top. Use that thing, man! Thanks for believing in the DDC! You too can own one of these must-have tools. Get it going.