Prediction: The Small Town America Real Estate Boom

We've already seen the trends of Suburban Sprawl and Big City Gentrification. At the same time we have seen the near extinction of Small Town America as more and more people left the countryside in search of greater opportunity.

My prediction for the near future is quite different: the mass exodus away from smaller communities around America has peaked and over the next 10 years we will see an amazing real estate boom occur in thousands of "ghost-towns" across the USA.

Three significant changes in our society have made this possible:

1) Technology innovation: the ubiquitous availability and affordability of new Internet technologies (Web, Blogs, Email, IM, VOIP, Virtual Conferencing, E-Commerce, etc.) are making it possible for more and more knowledge and service workers to be able to work virtually from anywhere.

2) New distribution models: a new distribution system makes it possible to easily move products anywhere, anytime. In addition to the Wal-Marts and Home Depots that have popped up to bring stuff to rural America, companies like FedEx, Amazon.com and Ebay have made it possible for the average American to have access to an efficient and cost-effective means to send, receive, and market goods from anywhere.

3) Space: quite simply, rural America has the most space left. Big cities are expensive and cramped, and the burbs (which are already reaching into the countryside everywhere) are simply boring and bland.

While technology, distribution and space make this new shift possible, there are several trends that I believe will make it likely that a new boom occurs in the countryside near you:

1) The economy: it is way more expensive to live in or near a major metropolitan center or big city and consumers are demanding more for their shrinking incomes.

2) Corporate incentives: more and more companies are seeing that they can reduce operational expenses and increase productivity by having more of their employees work from home.

3) Family values: more families will want to move back near home to take care of their aging parents, or they will want to live in an environment more conducive to spending time raising children (just think – no commuting).

4) Education: depending on the particular community, many rural areas have stellar educational systems and can provide parents with a greater voice because there are simply less students.

5) Crime: there is less crime in rural America compared to major cities and suburbs.

So that’s my prediction. I’m already looking for buildings and land back near the farm where I grew up. You should too while the getting’s good…

Looking for wearable art? Buy a T-shirt...

Who would have thunk that something once as mundane as the T-shirt would become one of the most innovative and creative forms of fashion this millennium...?

The T-shirt market has been booming as its own category of fashion for a few years now. Trendy stores that sell nothing but T-shirts have been popping up everywhere including the American Apparel franchise which sells blank shirts, often to artists who slap their own designs on the shirts for resale. And according to an article this week in the Wall Street Journal ("By Accident or design, selling Tshirts ont he Web is big business"), many Web sites are generating hefty profits from selling T-shirts emblazoned with logos and humorous one-liners.

From hipsters and skate punks, to mall rats and college kids, today's Youth are crazy for T-shirts. We've all seen the shirts that chains like Urban Outfitters continue to pump out. But what are more fascinating to me are the artists and designers who are using T-shirts as an entirely new medium to display their work. Once confined by painting, photography or other more traditional media, more and more artists are creating Wearable Art. And more and more fashion designers are creating nothing but shirts. Legends such as Shepard Fairey (Obey Giant) have been doing this for years, and thousands of newcomers are now making a living selling their art via T-shirt distribution. Just this week I met the co-founder of Thank Theory who has an amazing line viewable at www.tanktheory.com. And yesterday I met David La Cross of Yes Laboratories in Brooklyn who is fusing currency, various patchwork and print silk-screens onto pre-washed T-shirts ready to wear. These guys are just an example of what's going on out there.

Do yourself a favor and check out what these innovators are up to and support your local artist: buy a T-shirt!

Luna's Last Shows

Here's the set list from Luna's second to last show at Bowery Ballroom on February 27th. Their last shows were moving, fun, and melancholy all at the same time. Thank you Luna for thirteen years of great music and shows. I look forward to Dean and Britta. Visit DeanandBritta.com for the next Act...
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Central Park Gates

One of my images of The Gates in Central Park. February 24, 2005.
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In Memory of My Beautiful Grandmother

My Grandmother passed away this morning at 8:30 AM central time. My mom was sitting by her side as Grandma let herself flow to another land, off to reconnect with the love of her life (Grandpa Stoakes) who passed away nearly 30 years ago.

Charlotte Stoakes, who would be 94 this August, lived a rich life. Like most things of quality and substance and style, she was paradoxically complex and simple at the same time. Born and raised in the center of Iowa, Grandma was a farmer, a homemaker, and best of all a Great Mother and Grandmother. As a farmer she dedicated her life to producing more than she used. As a homemaker, she baked fresh apple pie, tended to her geese and chickens, and sewed quilts for me and my brothers. As a mother and grandmother, she taught by example and shared her love and smiles and hugs to all around.

I have no way to prove it, and it doesn't really matter, except that it represents her character well, but it is very likely that Grandma never uttered a single swear word in her 93 years. There was no need - even when times got tough. Grandma was all about Gee Whiz, and For Heaven’s Sake. She was good to the core.

No stranger to adversity and challenge (like many from the “Greatest Generation”) she lived through many tough times: the depression, World War 1 and 2, Vietnam, and The Gulf War, etc. And back at home, deep in rural America, she even let a pack of fun-loving hippies (my mother being at the center of the group) create the Sunshine Farm on her land which should tell you something about her depth of tolerance, stamina, and experience.

My Grandma memories are endless. But mostly they all tell the same story: she was a good woman who sparkled with soul. To me, Grandma represents all that is good about America, about people, and about family. She was about honest hard work, the golden rule, the land, her community and her family. Simply put she was a giver, a faucet, a warm breathe of fresh air in any room.

The photo above is representative of her - always interested and eager to help, always smiling, always there, always glowing. Here you see her proudly watching mom make her Holiday Gravy recipe at my parents Oxford farm in 2001. Thankfully we will have her wonderful recipes and memories to share forever.

We miss you Grandma and thank you for all of the joy and life you have shared over the years.
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Grandma Charlotte Stoakes shares her beautiful smile.
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This Years' Basset Hound Litter Has Arrived

Click here to see more pictures and view details about this years' new litter of Basset Hound pups from the Stoakes-Hughes clan.
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Vonage Rocks!

Just got Vonage hooked up and it is absolutely amazing. As my old Professor Powers says: technology's great when it works! (Of course, he always says this in jest when something goes wrong as a result of technology).

Anyway, in case you've been curious about the service, I'm another fan. And if you've been thinking about making the switch to VOIP, let me know and I will shoot you a referral coupon so you can get a FREE month.

Seeing Further!

Take a peek at a new project underway by good friends James and Witzy. Read their blog at www.seeingfurther.com and watch their journey unfold as they build a new beach hotel in Buzios. See you soon guys!
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Happy New Years!

Since I have been lame about sending out Holiday cards this year, I wanted to wish you a prosperous and Happy New Year.
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The Bathroom Graffiti Project Is Here

I need your help testing the beta version of a new Web site that I am launching called The Bathroom Graffiti Project (located at www.bathroom-graffiti.com).

The concept is simple: the best bathroom graffiti from around the world.

Currently there are only a few images in the system, but soon there will be about 100 pictures up. The ultimate goal is to have people from all over the world submit their own pictures and build up a database with thousands of images and stories.

Since this is just the beta version of the site and we have many improvements, I am asking for your help.

Here's how you can help:

1) Visit the site and email me your feedback or ideas for improvement
2) Start taking pictures of Bathroom Graffiti and submit it.
3) Tell your friends about the project.

Let the Project begin!

Pssst! Here's The Unity Stoakes Wish List

Ok Mom. You asked for it. Here's my 2004/2005 wishlist. (click here)

And for those of you just passing by, feel free to swipe ideas for your own list.

The cool thing about Amazon wishlists to me is that if you want something nowadays you don't even need to buy it---just add it to your wishlist. You know it's there, just 1-Click(TM) away at all times. Your items are being safely stored on a shelf somewhere in Seattle or Omaha. Whenever you really need it, just click and UPS will bring it to you. Wishlists are the easiest way to collect stuff without ever really having to buy it, store it, or deal with it.

Happy Holidays!

5 Movies To Rent For The Holidays

Here are five great Netflix picks I recommend for this Holiday season:

The Apartment--The good ol' days in NYC during Holiday season. When Martini's ruled and Jack Lemmon was the man.

The Bicycle Thief--Beautiful black and white Italian film about family and the human condition.

Capturing The Friedman's--You'll realize that your family isn't so messed up after all. You'll be thankful again with your own hand.

Central Station--Brazilian film that shows you how we can all have a purpose.

Mark Twain--Perfect for a snowed-in day at home.

Post your own recommendations in the comment section.

Dirty Found

To my friends: Dirty Found is here.

This is the new companion magazine to one of my all time favorite publications: Found. In Dirty Found, the editors publish the more risqué items that people have found over the years: Polaroid pics, lust notes, short stories, etc. There is nothing obscene or anything so don't be scared to leave it on your coffee table. You will want to tuck it underneath your other 'zines though when Grandma stops by.

At only $10 bucks, it makes a great gift for friends who enjoy humor. You'll be giving them a $1,000 worth of laughs.

OJ Simpson Is Innocent

Stop. Just be quiet. Before you rant and rave and call me crazy, go read this book:

"O.J. Is Guilty But Not of Murder by William Dear."

After reading this book, you will understand why I believe that not only is OJ Simpson "Not Guilty" of murdering Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, but he is actually innocent.

The author, William Dear, is generally considered one of the world's top 5 private investigators and has been responsible for solving dozens of major crime mysteries over a 35 year career. You can read more about him when you read the book, which I think will further legitimize the argument laid out in his 6-year private investigation into the OJ case.

Why have I been bringing up the 10 year-old OJ case in recent weeks you ask?

Simple: the context of the recent Scott Petersen trial in which the jury found him guilty of murder based on mountain of circumstantial evidence, again highlights a flawed justice system that continues to be influenced by a biased media, an emotional public, and crafty lawyers.

Don't get me wrong. Unlike OJ, I think Scott Petersen is guilty. With OJ, the problem is that the media and the public crucified an innocent man and continue to do so to this day even though he did not commit those murders (again, please read the book before you try and debate this). Thankfully, the jury did the right thing in this case and listened to the facts of the case. But with the Petersen trial something frightful happened. The media, the public, AND a jury convicted a man of murder without any real evidence. This is serious.

The owe ness must be on the prosecution to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt according to the law, not rely on provocative circumstantial evidence that plays well on Larry King Live. Especially with a death penalty case. It is bad enough for the media and the public to start acting as judge and jury. But if the actual judicial process also erodes, then what protections will the innocent have?

Isn't it better to let a guilty man free, than to take an innocent man's freedom? Let us remember that in many of these cases we are now putting people to death.