Brad Lucas
Senior Digital Producer
I typically choose different styles of music like a soundtrack. Classic rock while driving, heavy stuff for workouts, Sinatra for cooking, 80s for pool-side chilling, etc. Because it’s been a busy month at work, I’ve been listening to much more instrumental, fast-paced music. One album in particular is a live album by Rodrigo y Gabriela (“Live in France”). I’ve been a fan of them for many years, and their story is pretty fantastic to boot. Two young Mexican artists bonded over their passion for heavy metal, moved to Dublin and made a name for themselves with their classical-flamenco-acoustic-metal-influenced music. Now, they tour to sold-out live shows with little more than a couple of guitars. When I need to hunker down and get a lot of work done, I have been known to hide in a conference room, throw on headphones, turn on some Rodrigo y Gabriela and fly through a few tasks guided by the speed of the talented duo’s strumming and percussive sound.
Theresa Hines
Associate Art Director
I don’t watch TV that often, but one of my all-time favorites is “How I Met Your Mother.” I like it because even though all the scenarios are pretty over the top, I still find it relatable to everyday life. I enjoy the corny humor and think they did a great job with the character development throughout the show.
Kristen Gau
Senior Interactive Art Director
I just finished reading “Wildwood,” which is the first book in the series, the “Wildwood Chronicles” by Collin Meloy and illustrated by Carson Ellis. The story is about young Prue from Portland, who embarks on an adventure into the “Impassable Wilderness” to rescue her baby brother after he was abducted from a red wagon and carried off by a murder of crows. Prue, with her friend Curtis by her side, happens upon a secret world of mysterious creatures, talking animals and a battle over the wilderness land that is known to its inhabitants as Wildwood. I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but the gorgeously illustrated cover is exactly what inspired me to pick up the book. Carson Ellis is terribly talented, and her illustrations throughout are a welcome addition to the story that set the mood and enhanced the personality of the characters. That isn’t to say that the writing is in need of any help. Meloy, who masterfully weaves storytelling into the lyrics of his songs as front man of the Decemberists, does a fantastic job of combining reality and fantasy and bringing to life the magical world of Wildwood. This was definitely a fun, quick read for young and adult readers alike. I’m hoping to add the next two books in the series to my summer reading list.
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