Happy Thanksgiving!

No matter how you celebrate it: friends, family, staying in, going out... from the entire Citizen Reindeer team we wish you a safe and extremely FUN Thanksgiving holiday! Love, -Citizen D

Election Day 2008

Tomorrow, our country will vote for a new leader: President of the United States of America. All elections are important. Each and every one. And this could be an historical election: the first election of a mixed-race leader as President of the United States.

Citizen D encourages you to do your homework before you vote. Don't vote blindly - no matter your choice. Do the work; make your decision; vote with your brain. Opt for the candidate who will work and govern for the betterment of this cool, troubled, beautiful country that we call home.

It's an exciting time - be a part of it!

Peace.

-Citizen D

It's a Festivus Miracle!

Moses the camel and CoCo the pony have been found!! Both were left in a secured field, spotted, and their owners at the Capital of Texas Zoo contacted. You know, just when you thought there was nothing but bad news in the world.

The owners of the zoo, however, are still planning to press charges against the thief and/or thieves. In the State of Texas, the penalty for being found guilty of stealing a really sweet camel and a totally cute pony? Life. Without parole.

Peace.

Starting Their Own Zoo?

The Capital of Texas Zoo is reporting that their 500 lb. camel, Mo, has been stolen. Additionally, their pony, Coco, has also been stolen. Hmmm. Why would someone steal a camel and a pony? Honestly, nothing comes to mind other than it is a really lousy thing to do. And so we are posting this APB:

If you see Mo and Coco, please call 911 immediately and report where you saw them.

The group at Capital of Texas Zoo has pulled together $400 as a reward (they are a volunteer group), and really miss their pals.

Too, please don't ever steal a camel and/or a pony for your own pleasure/business.

'Nuf said.

http://www.capitaloftexaszoo.org/

-Citizen D

Get those kids some shoes!

This is fantastic. TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a needy child with every pair that it sells retail. Check out this article on CNN...

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/09/26/mycoskie.interview/index.html?iref=intlOnlyonCNN

Citizen Reindeer is working out a plan to plant a tree in Houston's third-ward for every 25 shirts that we sell. We'll keep you posted, but we learned about third-ward activists in Houston that want to bring nature to the community...where it is desperately needed and wanted!

"The new phone books are here...the new phone books are here!!"

-Steve Martin in *The Jerk*

That's kind of the way we are feeling here at Citizen Reindeer today! The new website is here, the new website is here! Launched officially today: 19 September in the A.M.

It's an awesome feeling. Citizen Reindeer was conceived as an idea very nearly exactly one year ago. From name, to concept, to design... And here we are. Soon, there will be an online store (we will not be underselling our retailers - no Reindeer games here, my friends.). But it will give those of you who don't live in cities where Citizen Reindeer gear is sold to get in on the action.

Have an absolutely awesome day!

Oh, and for those of you who need a reminder of how incredibly funny Steve Martin was in the *The Jerk,* and for those of you who have never seen it:
http://blogs.tvland.com/movie_database/?id=772

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears... Oh My!

So we hear there is a tiger running loose on Galveston Island. Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough was quoted as saying: ``Turns out there's a tiger, and I understand he's hungry ... so we're staying away from him.''

Good idea.

WEBSITE

The Citizen Reindeer website will be launching next week! Product is already selling, and we are super excited.

More to come. Just wanted to get this post out.

-Citizen D

New Images - Citizen Tees

Finally! A few images for everyone to take a look at!

Enjoy!

-Citizen D

Yep, we're still here...

Not posting lately due to getting the product ready.

The shirts are in and they look awesome! We are now just waiting on tags to be delivered from Boston so everything can be put together and made available for all of you guys to wear (after you buy them, of course).

We'll keep you posted.

Thanks for all the support!

2008 Tribeca/ASCAP Music Lounge

For all of you visiting, or living, in NYC: Check this out:

April 29 Is Print Day!

Fantastic news! The Citizen Reindeer lyric tees will be silk screened on April 29. If all goes as anticipated, the shirts will be available for the public by mid-late May.

We will keep you posted. Too, we are already working on the designs for the fall release and the website will be up and running soon.

We're getting there!

Dr. King

sigh.

Stop the Slurs!

Citizen D spent Saturday at the county convention in Austin, TX. What a site. 13,000 members of the Democratic Party under one roof...at some points trying to yell each other down...but mostly being civil and good to one another.

The TX caucus system is nuts. No one wholly understand it and there is so much room for error, that it is no wonder it gets called into question repeatedly. But somehow...the votes got counted...state delegates were chosen...and everyone got in their cars and drove home.

No matter what your affiliation, there is one thing that needs to stop: accusations of racism.

People are voting because they feel one way or another about a candidate, and to go to that very easy slur of "racist" does nothing but takes us back 50 years or more.

We are better than that.

5 Years is Long Enough!!

Yesterday marked the 5th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. As of yesterday, the United States has lost 3,992 solders, 370 of those from Citizen Reindeer's home state of Texas.

Bring them home now.

Photosource: CRIOonline.com

This is a riot

Okay, if this ain't "a girl with a song," we don't know what is.

It's fun. It's brash. It's music.

Photo: Merkley

I know Merkley has a blogspot. When we get the address, we'll post it.

Eddie Van Halen

We're not sure what's up, but we know that we wish him well: News reports state that Van Halen has canceled more shows due an "undisclosed" illness that Eddie is battling.

Read up, or we'll keep you posted.

http://www.reuters.com

Photo: Robert Padgett/Reuters

Politics as UNusual...

Citizen D has been kind of involved with all the political activity in Texas this week and asserts that caucusing is insane! Obama supporters pulling up and destroying signs, Clinton supporters questioning the validity of votes (probably rightly so, given what Citizen D saw), and then there were moments like these:

Sitting alone at the end of a table at one of the caucus sites on Tuesday night, sat a woman dressed in a burka - head to toe - only a slit for her eyes. Two of the monitors from one of the campaigns were completely nervous over this - they were from Boston, they said, were pretty much conditioned at this point to fear such things. And because the woman was blind and holding a long, white cane, this added even more mystery to her and her appearance. And her reason for being there...

But guess what? She was a citizen and was there to vote. Her voice was sweet and small, and her eyes, though unable to see, were a most beautiful shade of shallow-water blue.

She got signed in. Participated. And left with the assistance of her friends.

A lesson for all that night on so, so many levels.

Citizen D Loves the Fashion...

Fashion week is oh so entertaining...

Eric Taylor

So, you get yourself together for a quiet night of music at a local house concert, settle in, and wait for singer-songwriter, Eric Taylor, to take to the stage. It's a simple setup in front of a fireplace: a couple of microphones, a throw rug, basic equipment, and two acoustic guitars.

Eric takes the stage and begins and you realize that only a few words - a few chords - into the first song that this is not a typical performance. That this is not a typical performer. This is a man who has a poetic hold on the English language not only in his lyrics, but in his theatrics. His storytelling. His essence. A glimpse into a songwriter's soul that maybe you didn't come to see...or expect. But then there it is: a gift most unexpected.

This is not a review of the night. Merely an opportunity to introduce those of you who might not know Eric Taylor - at least this Eric Taylor - to his music: www.bluerubymusic.com.

-Citizen D

(photo: Eric Taylor: 2005 Woodyfest by Annette C. Eshleman)

Unicef

Citizen Reindeer was turned on to this ad by http://copyranter.blogspot.com. And while he sort of rails on the tried and true "doe eyed" child in advertising, as he puts it, and we kinda' agree, it is a pretty amazing image in terms of its message: world over, more kids die of dangerous water sources than die in wars.

Anyway, just something to think about.

Citizen D

www.unicef.org

photo source: http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/unicef_water_kills

Dolly Parton Just Busts Us Up

Dolly Parton is, quite simply, the best. Her voice is memorable and rich, and she is one of the finest songwriters ever. Don't believe us, you can check out very nearly anything she has ever written, but, specifically, may we suggest her 2001 "Little Sparrow" produced by Steve Buckingham. It is a haunting and beautiful record.

Dolly is in the news today because her big bosoms are giving her back problems and she has had to temporarily cancel her US tour. Dolly was quoted saying, "You try wagging these puppies around and see if you don't have back problems."

We love Dolly.

(Image: PA Photo)

Citizen Reindeer Has Been Naughty...

... and ignoring the post for the past few days. No excuses, but many apologies! More later, but in the meantime, we found that Rolling Stone has a nice photo gallery from the Grammy Awards that you might want to check out: www.rollingstone.com.

This picture is of Amy Winehouse and her mom. Very sweet...we all love our mamas.

Music Anywhere

Music is wherever you make it: like this elderly woman in NYC.

Or music is where you find it.

For Citizen D, music was found on the 'B' side of "Hey Jude" when I somehow got hold of my older brother's 45s and put one of them on my record player. I've told the story before, but I still remember listening to the sweet, unobtrusive "Hey Jude" and feeling quite sweet, serene and calm. But as curious children are want to do, I flipped it to the 'B' side and was changed in an instant when "Revolution" began: the electric version: guitars aching; the screaming primal.

If music can transport a person in an instant, and I believe it can, that was my moment.

And while this woman might not be of the strip the flesh from the bone type musician, I suspect that she's experienced life on the 'B' side a time or two. After all, that's where life really is found and...if we're extremely lucky...transformed.

Peace.

Citizen D

(Photo: www.slate.com) (images from 2.8.08)

Recruitment Protests

No matter what your take is on military recruiters, love 'em or hate 'em, this is an interesting story from CNN: www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/berkeley.protests/index.html

Read. Learn. And decide.

Love,

Citizen D

We don't think Monica will be singing...

... but the Grammy Awards are this Sunday, 10 February. Check it out. You can find the list of all nominees, etc. at: www.grammy.com.

More later.

(Photo: www.images.usefulzero.com.)

Elections and Other Stuff that Can Make You Crazy

So... lots going on in the country with elections, delegate counts, primaries, SUPER (WTF?) delegates and such. Basically, we here at Citizen Reindeer are not endorsing any candidate right yet. However, we do encourage you to get to know those that you are planning to vote for. There is an enormous amount of information online and every candidate lists their take on the different issues. So educate yourselves, and then vote. That's all we're sayin'...

Too, our current Prez Junior is actually kind of sweet looking as a baby.

(Photo: www.linkinn.com)

"Love a Freak" (final)

"Skip Confession" tee (final)

The designs are complete! Many thanks to Nick Ramos of Graphismo:www.graphismo.com for doing a fantastic job!

We will post thumbnails of all at a later time...but for now, the final of "Skip Confession."

"Skip Confession" tee (rough)

Hmmm...

We here at Citizen Reindeer are trying to decide if we think this is tacky, or cool? Just not sure...

(photo: Hard Days Night Hotel, Liverpool, www.harddaysnighthotel.com)

Depeche Mode Flashback

So Citizen D was waiting for an order of chicken and broccoli at the local Japanese fast food, when she found herself bopping her head and keepin' time to Depeche Mode over the speakers. The guy behind the counter, he was keepin' the beat too, and soon they were both singing: "Never again is what you swore the time before." Classic Depeche from the early 90s: "Policy of Truth," the song, record: Violator.

Awesome.

Musical moments.

Brought to you by Japanese fast food and really cool guys behind the counter.

Peace in music.

(Photo: Depeche Mode website: www.depechemode.com)

Rough of New Design: I'm Just A Girl...

Musicians' Village - New Orleans

Being a creative person is awesome on so many levels: the relationships with others, with oneself, with art...but oftentimes artists don't have the resources to rebuild if their lives are upended by health or other tragedies. There are a lot of great groups out there: from the SIMS Foundation (www.simsfoundation.org) for musicians in Austin, to retirement villages for actors in Los Angeles and New York. Artists try very hard to take care of other artists and that is one of the very unique thing about creative people.

The Musicians' Village in the Upper Ninth Ward of New Orleans is no small example of this sort of concern. Harry Connick, Jr. and Branford Marsalis spearheaded this effort to create new homes for artists - extremely talented musicians - whose lives were scattered by Hurricane Katrina. Do a google search and you'll find lots on this project... It's definitely worth knowing about.

(Pictured: Branford Marsalis, Harry Connick, Jr., and Jim Pate at the Musicians' Village site: photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity: www.habitat-nola.org.)

(Photo: ravaged New Orleans: photographer: Scott Landis: www.scottlandis.net.)

Cool Images

Click on this link for some awesome images from around the world: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7215283.stm

(photo above: AP Services)

Series I - Sometimes wonderful...

Just a sneak peek at one of the designs for Series I: Sometimes wonderful, sometimes tragic. This shirt was inspired, as we mentioned before, by lyricist Deborah Dalton and the song she performed with Burden of the Blissful: "When it's Real."

We love it.

Hell-e-copters

We are thousands of miles from the nearest war zone, but right now a thundering, military helicopter is flying over the Citizen Reindeer headquarters. There's a military base close by, so it makes sense...but, damn, wouldn't it be so much better if they weren't necessary? Reminds us of Burden of the Blissful's song, "Machines":

I'm tripping down denial road

High from meeting with Sir Halliburton

Up above, a Black Hawk's singing

Who's the voice behind the oval curtain?

But I'm alive in helmet and tie

So boys and girls

See "Steel Boats" and "Iron Men"

In your mouths taste the engine's ride

Close your eyes

Your "Angels Over America"

Citizen Reindeer no like military recruitment videos - especially when packaged the way the US military puts them together. However, to be completely legal: The references (very tongue in cheek) "Steel Boats," "Iron Men," and "Angels Over America" are titles of US Military recruitment videos.

The good news is, you can't copyright titles and that left it wide open for Burden of the Blissful to create, create, create.

Peace.

http://www.myspace.com/burdenoftheblissful

UFOs

Citizen Reindeer has no official statement on the recent UFO sightings in Texas, and other parts of the world.

(photo courtesy of http://www.ufocasebook.com)

Music & Video

Music and visuals together truly kick when well crafted...

The group at Pitchfork Media has put together a list of what they title "100 Awesome Music Videos." From My Chemical Romance you'll find "Helena," 2005, all the way back to "Hot For Teacher," Van Halen, 1984. This collection is definitely a trip down the musical runway.

From where this Citizen D is sitting, however, one major exclusion: Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." I don't know anyone who could not get up and throw some things around after watching that video that captured the angst of an entire generation (R.I.P., Kurt). No matter, this is definitely worth a visit where you'll find a vintage 1978 video from Kate Bush: "Wuthering Heights," and The White Stripes's (not brother and sister, that's an urban myth), "My Doorbell" from 2005. Too, can we ever get enough of William Shatner doing "Rocket Man"? Apparently so, because that one is not included...

For a few hours of major musical indulgence: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/36588-staff-list-100-awesome-music-videos

Not preachin', but...

It takes diligence to make sure that the products that are being produced these days are being produced in accordance to the basics that we hold near and dear: that people shouldn't die while gathering diamonds or making clothing. And yet it happens all over the world. Every day. We've all heard of blood diamonds, we know why Wal-Mart can sell a pair of pants on the cheap. Education for all of us is key, no matter what the product.

We also need to protect the wildlife on the planet. There are plenty of fabrics to keep people warm...warmer than fur (unless you live in Siberia where the temperatures are life-threateningly-cold). SO when you're buying that cute jacket or micro-purse that has soft, fur trim, please consider than an animal had to die in order to make that fashion statement happen. The button pictured here can be purchased for very little at http://www.peta.org.

Thanks for listening.

A Lovely Portrait

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Democracy Now (http://www.democracynow.org) has a less well known speech by the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. posted, speaking on the Vietnam war. It's definitely worth a look. To learn about King's Nobel Peace Prize: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html

Citizen Reindeer Logo Revealed

Edun-Live Tees

The blanks for our logo tees will be supplied by this awesome group started by Bono (U2) and his very cool and creative wife, Ali Hewson: http://www.edun-live.com/. We are looking forward to working with them and I encourage every designer or individual looking for a blank tee shirt supplier to give them your consideration. These shirts are humanely manufactured - NOT IN SWEAT SHOPS - and the villages in Africa where they are produced are closely monitored. This level of consciousness by suppliers as well as designers, like Citizen Reindeer, is not the wave of the future -- it has arrived.

For now, they'll have to go naked

We've had some inquiries about the new line. For now, at least for the first two series of shirts, the designs will be for women only. However, we will introduce a guy's line no later than spring of 2009. For now...you guys will just have to frolic naked.

(photo: ceiling of the NY Public Library, 5th Avenue, NYC)

People makin' it happen - Kiva.org

There are awesome opportunities for individuals - not just the wealthy - to make contributions to others to help them get their businesses off the ground. These loans are small, are paid back, and, should you choose to, can be reinvested into another individual's business goals. Choose your country - make a small loan (as little as $25) and watch as you make a difference in another person's life. One group that we know a lot about is http://www.kiva.org/. Fantastic. Check it out.

Indie artists making it happen

SXSW 2008

Working our arses off to have shirts ready by the festival in march: http://www.sxsw.com. Above, a picture of The Good, The Bad & The Queen (http://www.thegoodthebadandthequeen.com) from 2007. A very fun show, indeed.

Damn. He was just taking a piano lesson.

Christopher Rodriguez, a 10 year old boy from Oakland, will probably be paralyzed for life after being hit by a criminal's stray bullet. He was in the middle of a piano lesson when the bullet penetrated the window near where he was seated.

This kid loved music: he played African drums, listened to classical music...was learning the piano. His family is putting off telling him that he is paralyzed - hoping that he can heal a bit before receiving the news. And maybe, with stem cell research, this kid can get his life back. But for now, here is the story of what happened to him: http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_7975615

Love and quick healing from Citizen Reindeer, Christopher. We're pissed too.

Hello Citizens of the World

So "hello citizens of the world" is a bit lofty - but it's all in fun. We are working hard to get Citizen Reindeer lyric tees out to the public. Anticipated launch: spring 2008. We will be updating this blog with interesting aspects of the design cycle, as well as anything cool, interesting, or outrageous that you might want to know about.

The Citizen Reindeer website is being constructed, but we anticipate that here is where the real dialogue will take place. We can tell you that Series I will be made up of the following:

I'm just a girl with a song
Sometimes wonderful - sometimes tragic
Skip confession!
Love a freak with all your heart

These shirts were inspired by the lyrics of Deborah Dalton's: "Broken" and "When It's Real," two songs that she performed with the band, Burden of the Blissful (Todd Dalton, http://www.myspace.com/3rdcontrol, and Steve Rincon).

More on when the shirts will be available soon. In the meantime, check out the World News on http://www.bbc.co.uk/: best place for world news...we have it on right now.