music

Before it became about droplets, The Droplet Song was about you. It struck me that a really genuine love song -- one that cared about you more than it cared about itself -- would start off by thanking you for just being there. Hence, the first line I wrote is the first line I sing: "Let me thank you for checking out my thing." Other love songs lament, they plead, they get all whiney and stupid and morbidly crybaby. Mine just tells it like it is: You're awesome, thanks for stopping by, let's stir some of that soulful shit, baby.

Somehow, I'm thinking that now is the perfect moment for an image of a preening seagull to interrupt my narrative:

It was when I (in my mind's eye) saw my song's love wrapped in liquid that the underlying meaning of the piece became apparent. Because, by then, the droplets were everywhere. Read more » 

First, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Colleen Wheeler. I'm an editor at O'Reilly Media, publisher of Deke's popular (if currently underpopulated) One-on-One books. And for reasons that no one quite remembers, I was put in charge of Deke. It's a big job, but someone has to do it.

Perhaps you've witnessed the resurgence of dekePod. In which case, as with any time you experience a great work of art, you want to know more, be a part of the magic in some way. How did this masterpiece come about? How many thousands of CGI extras suffered heatstroke or severe chapped lips during the arduous making of this video? How did the production team make Deke look like more of a cartoon character than he already is? Well, my friends, not to worry: here is your behind-the-scenes look at the making of dekePod Pilot #2, "101 Photoshop Tips in 5 Minutes." Yes, you're welcome.

It all started with a dream. Then it all started again with the cast of talented professionals meeting in the gorgeous city of San Francisco. Here is the view from the top of the Hyatt, where Big Time Stars like Deke stay when they're in The City, and where they have their editors purchase Bombay Sapphire martinis while they discuss the two days of arduous shooting ahead. Enjoy the swanky view because tomorrow we're going gritty. Read more » 

On June 24, I and my proud partners will launch the 2008 pilot episode of dekePod, titled "101 Photoshop Tips in 5 Minutes." Half music video, half shortcut free-for-all, half crazy antics (yes, it has three halves), this very special, slightly explicit episode of dekePod is sure to warm the hearts of young and old alike. Honestly, it's magical. Witness me below at the site of our first exterior shoot (as captured by O'Reilly editor Colleen Wheeler). That's not me jumping, that's me momentarily disregarding Earth's gravitational forces. See? Magical.

Anyway, it occurred to the staff here at dekeOnline that the tips might fly by a little quickly. So we thought it wise to publish the verses -- which contain the actual tips -- here at dekeStuff for your amusement. (I thought of including the choruses, but they're mostly just me bragging.) Here goes: Read more »