Juan Weiss is a designer and illustrator from Buenos Aires, Argentina who mixes traditional drawing and digital media to create his characters. His latest is this man in a bear suit, drinking a cocktail and totally chillaxin. Pick him up for free download on your iPhone, iPod or iPad here.

Somewhere in between twenty minute hikes to stages across Golden Gate Park and those delicious sweet potato fries, I caught up with Chromeo at Outside Lands to find out two things they’re really excited about right now. Coupled with their funny fixation on my phrasing (you’d think I was the first person to ask them what they’re “pumped” about), P-Thugg and Dave 1 gave us the inside scoop on some collaborations from their new album, Business Casual, out September 14th. Hint: it involves an awesome redhead and a blood-sucking indie rocker. Are you ready to get stoked, pumped, and psyched? Watch on.

Hey, who says that drinking needs to be associated with tequila shots and loud, obnoxious people? I would much rather slowly sip on a beer and listen to some jazz with a group of friends. I think that’s the image that Matt Braun and Chris Mufalli had in mind when they created Tuned Pale Ale. Promoting “social spontaneity,” the duo transformed beer bottles into musical instruments — you drink to a certain point, check the label to see what note you’re hitting, and blow on the rim. Get a couple of friends together and you’ve got yourself a veritable jam sesh. (via WooHome)

New ideas are always resisted, even if they’re great. You know that. Maybe the idea seems too far-fetched and ambitious, or perhaps it’s so simple that everyone who didn’t think of it is hoping it’ll fail. That’s it right there – sadly, there are people out there that don’t want an idea to take off unless it’s theirs. Such are humans, unless they know better.

And it’s hard to deal with that. Because maybe you just had the epiphany of a lifetime and no one gives a damn. It’s ignored, criticized, called stupid and pretty soon you’re believing the words coming out of everyone’s mouths instead of how you really feel. So make like Hugh MacLeod and ignore everybody. If you need to vent and shout “Fuck him/her”, do it (in your own privacy). But know that when I say ignore everyone, know that I really just mean ignore unconstructive feedback. Criticism without an explanation drives me mental, but learning from people constructively tearing you down is essential. Learn to recognize the difference and channel any rage you have into energy towards your projects.

Photo by William Mahnken

Just think how ridiculous a lot of things we have today were at conception. Weren’t the first trips into outer space ridiculed by doubters? Wouldn’t social media seem ludicrous to explain to someone 20 years ago? My point is that progressive change doesn’t come from people fearing being shot down. They just find a way to make it happen. Your struggles probably aren’t nearly as insurmountable, unless you’re figuring out time travel, and in which case I REALLY want to meet you. But yeah, don’t be afraid to pursue something just because someone thinks it’s silly. I’ve always liked the Wayne Coyne approach where he admits he makes something he likes and believes there are other people out there that will too. Everyone doesn’t have to. And it might take you 9 different ideas and a whole lot of emotional energy before something sticks, but trust that you’ll get there and it’s worth it.

Ready to take action? Be sure to check out:
Procrastinating Writers – Some guidance for writers but you can apply it to anything really
Best 8 Ways to Deal with Detractors – A great gameplan from the always awesome Zenhabits

Need more reminders? View the entire How To Be Creative series here.

If I was typing these words on a typewriter, I probably would’ve made at least six mistakes and wouldn’t have been able to backspace. What a pain! If you like typewriters but hate making errors on them, you can get a hold of a USB typewriter, a brainchild of Jack Zylkin. It’s plugged into your monitor via USB, replacing the standard keyboard and instantly making you better than everyone else. If you use it at an office space, your co-workers will call you “that one worker with the typewriter” and talk about you in the lunchroom. That is okay. You’re awesome and your choice of technology is awesome. I’ve seen a lot of strange home-made things come from Etsy users, but these typewriters are anything but. See how it works here! (via Wired)

I didn’t really get into Matt & Kim until I decided to check out their set during Pitchfork Music Festival in 2009. But something about that show reminded me that sometimes music’s not just about the music, but the personalities behind it and how they make you feel. The couple’s enthusiasm is just so infectious that it’s hard to imagine anyone feeling miserable around them. I’m probably not the only one that got pumped for their new single Cameras after this interview, but it’s out today and it’s a sing-along so have a listen below.

Matt & Kim – Cameras