We’re so excited about entering this new decade, undoubtedly will be full of surprises and many more pink clouds in the sky that we could have never imagined!

Yesterday I got to take a special tour of the JPL-Nasa facilities with Dan Goods (seen above) and his colleague David Delgado, whom I think are two of the luckiest men alive. Dan’s job is to create, develop, and commission art pieces and visual aids for the public communication of JPL’s projects. David also does similar work, focused on the planet Mars. The tour included a view of the new Mars Rover, which had a really cute pink “eye” / camera for a quite menacing and powerful structure, a look at a Data+Art exhibit they mounted which had visualizations of the wind, a piece by Aaron Koblin, and beautiful illustrations that brought imagination and data together.

But the best part of the visit was spending time with Dan and seeing some of his new projects about Jupiter, gravitational pull, and thinking through some of the projects that we are bringing for showcase at TEDActive in Palm Springs this February. Unfortunately, also the part I must keep a tight lid on. But if you are coming to TEDActive (or want to apply here), you can talk to Dan about his work yourself! Or, get on the 6 month waiting list to take a tour… also, highly recommended! Lastly, Dan is also working on a very cool installation at the San Jose Airport. You can see his work there on your travels or visit his website here to watch a movie: directedplay.com.

It’s time to party again with Pink Cloud for a great arts cause! We’re supporting Pasadena’s own SIDE STREET PROJECTS in creating an imaginative and wild silent auction to benefit their educational programs for artists and students. Up for auction at “BOOKMEAT” are hundreds of rare, even one-of-a-kind books that have been donated by the most generous and creative art community members in LA - check out the video above (or more on sidestreet.org) to see what people have been sending over.

Even better, buy a ticket or volunteer with Pink Cloud and come join in the fun! Pink Cloud favs of Large Marge Sustainables, Tom Peters, Honest Tea, Barefoot Wine, and dublab are keeping it going for us from 6-10pm. Hope to see you this Saturday!

Excited and Excited. Dino Dinco’s music video of Dorian Wood’s Pianos and Bricks song is having a launch event to include a live performance of LA choreographer Nina McNeely and a rare, solo performance by Dorian Wood. Friday, 9pm, Gallery 2023 (Santa Fe, Dwtn LA).

On Monday, I went to speak at the Environmental Charter High School’s Career Day, hoping to inspire the kids in Lawndale, CA for planning their own great futures. When I was desperately searching for the great career - the “somebody” I would become - I remember Barbara Stone (a fine jewelry maker that works with pearls and stones in the Cape Cod oyster town of Wellfleet, MA) telling me that careers usually find you, and it’s not the other way around. While I think there is some validity to that, there is much to be said about knowing when to answer the phone when the career calls. So, my talk to the ECHS kids was about giving them an exercise that they could take with them throughout their lives - how to make the right decision about the best career for you, which is diagrammed above. I hope that helped! Those kids at ECHS are all truly amazing and have a bright future ahead of them!

Really excited for Jake Simon getting some love for his music - last week he rose to the top 50 most popular tracks on hypem.com with his remix of Boyz Noise “Trooper”, which has also been available elsewhere in the blogosphere and on the DJ sets of DJ Don Rimini. Go Jake! He’s coming out with a new EP in the coming weeks - hope all you music industry people out there are listening, this kid is going to blow up!  Check out his myspace, the Fancy Sounds blog he contributes to (1 million people listening!!), and Twitter.

Feed your brain this weekend with two great conferences happening: Bioneers in San Raphael, and LA Idea Project in…well..LA of course! If you’d like to attend LA-IP with Pink Cloud, send us an email and we will provide you with a very special discount.

Also, coming up is Opportunity Green in Nov. Pink Cloud Friends also have a discount to this conference… just drop us a line and we’ll hook you up! (info@pinkcloudevents.com)