I have been watching the new series on Bravo TV called "Work of Art -- The Next Great Artist," and I am really amazed but often disappointed in some of the artists' work. I admit the show comes up with some very difficult challenges for the artists, but that's what makes it so compelling. I also try to imagine how I would handle the projects if I were in their shoes. It is interesting to watch the artists concept each project and come up with the end result. The show is down to the final three contestants, and of course most of the artists I thought were deserving of the title Next Great Artist have been eliminated. Not sure where the show got these judges, but I usually disagree with all of them. The front-runner is the artist Miles, whom the judges seem to really favor. He could puke on a plate and they would think it is absolute "genius"!   What bothers me most about him is that the artists are given a certain subject matter for the week, and oftentimes Miles disregards the theme and does what he wants. To make matters worse, the judges don't seem to care. I admit the guy can be creative, but most of his art I would never consider viewing in an art gallery, much less buying one of his pieces of crap ... errr ... art. There is only one artist left in the competition who I feel deserves the title of "The Next Great Artist." Abdi is by far my personal favorite. Most of his art is very creative, inspiring and visually interesting (see image below). To find out more about this series and to view some of the artists work, visit http://www.bravotv.com/work-of-art

While I was out of town this past weekend visiting a friend, he took me to a local restaurant that he claimed had "the best" deep-fried cauliflower I would ever eat. I tried it, and sure enough it was probably the best I had ever eaten. Then I thought to myself, "Self, what are some things you have tried over the years that you would consider to be "the best"? I decided to share with you some recommendations over the next few months that I would call "Bobbo's Best."

- Is it just me, or is that Geico guy really annoying? - Is the Internet dead??? - The Omaha Nighthawks' new logo is actually pretty cool. - New iMac -- $1,600 Husker Football Tickets -- $150 New Blog Post -- $0 New Ad Campaign for MasterCard -- Priceless!!

Ends up on Facebook?? I'm heading out to Las Vegas this weekend and I am going with some friends who can't go anywhere without their smart phones. So you can find me on someone's Facebook page either drunk, passed out or in my Speedo by the pool with a cocktail in one hand and a bookie sheet in the other. Somehow Vegas just isn't the same.

The parody stickers spoofing classic '70s products such as Crust Toothpaste (Crest Toothpaste), Band-Ache (Band-Aid), Cap'n Crud (Cap'n Crunch) and Hostile Thinkies (Hostess Twinkies) are back with a brand new series. I remember when I was a kid, I would love to walk to the corner drug store, pick up a pack and open them on the way home while I chewed on the flavorless gum and laughed at the funny (and sometimes very cheesy) product parodies. I think I was most captivated by the goofy and gross illustrations. Maybe this is what made me get into graphic design. Who'da thunk it??? Check out all the wacky products at http://www.wackypackages.com. There is even a new app for your iPod (which I had to download). Oh, the memories...

The receptionist here at SKAR knows I love dogs, especially bulldogs, since I have one of my own. She clipped an ad in a magazine for Brawny paper towels that had the cutest bulldog puppy and gave it to me. The little guy apparently just had an "accident," and the expression on his face is absolutely hilarious! He looks like he just got yelled at and is now feeling very guilty for doing his thing on the kitchen floor. Brawny to the rescue!!! I love this ad so much, I have it posted in my office and whenever I look at it, I get a big grin on my face. Some people might think it's a bit gross, but I think it's potty good.

About a month ago I was tired and getting ready for bed one evening and decided to floss my teeth so I wouldn't have to bother with it in the morning. I went about the usual routine when all of the sudden a piece of the floss got stuck between my teeth. It was a cheap brand and it basically shredded between two of my back teeth. What started out to be a short floss job turned into a half-hour of prying, brushing, picking and panicking! With my gums bleeding and in pain, I was finally able to dislodge the dreaded piece of shredded matter out from between my teeth. Now I could finally go to bed. RIGHT! I was so freaked out that it took me over an hour to fall asleep. The next day I decided to get some new dental floss. I went to Walgreens and was just about to buy another off-brand because it was so cheap when I remembered what happened the night before. I opted for the Crest Glide, which cost quite a bit more but I thought what the hell. I used it on my teeth the next morning and WOW, this stuff was like butter!!! It "glides" in and out of your teeth and would never even think about shredding. No more cheap dental floss for me. I almost look forward to flossing now. Almost.

My Favorite Color (this time of year) is Grinch Green! Most everyone acquainted with me knows that I am not a big holiday guy. I absolutely hate the dreaded Christmas songs every year. But what gets me the "Grinchiest" are those holiday commercials. It's bad enough they start airing them in October, but when they use Christmas carols and change the words to go along with the products they try to sell, it drives me nuts!!! Please, can we stop with these annoying commercials so I can start watching TV again without changing the channel every 5 minutes? About the only thing I like about Christmas these days is the Grinch character and his slime green color. It's very nontraditional and seems to really stand out. I have a giant Grinch that sits on my kitchen window opening and Grinch-colored lights that line my fireplace. Not to mention a Grinch tie and boxer shorts for those special occasions. Have yourself a Grinchy little Christmas...

I took a trip to Arizona recently and on the plane ride I started flipping through the latest edition of SkyMall Magazine. I found some very interesting items and thought I would share them with you...Hey, Christmas is just around the corner. Feel free to purchase any of these great gift ideas at SkyMall.com.

Last weekend I was out and about with my brother doing some grocery shopping, and we decided to stop for lunch at Five Guys Burgers and Fries. This was the first time I have eaten there, and I had heard people raving about it. It's a very casual and somewhat LOUD eating establishment. We sat down to eat our juicy, extra large burgers when all of the sudden a guy walks in wearing his flannel pajamas AND slippers and orders his food like nothing is wrong with his overly casual attire. Is this a growing trend in today's society? I'm surprised the guy didn't bring his teddy bear along for the ride. Just a month before, I had stopped at the grocery store and the guy in front of me had on the same type of flannel PJs and slippers. Are people getting so lazy that they can't even throw on a pair of jeans and tennis shoes to go out in public? Is this asking too much??? Don't get me wrong. I love my flannel pajamas and I admit I sometimes go outside in them to get the paper or run out to my truck for something, but that is as far as it goes. May I suggest a drive-thru for those too lazy to put on a pair of pants! Speaking of pants, what's with those new pajama jeans anyway?

Whatever Happened To My White Space? Once upon a time, at an ancient educational facility where I first became a designer, there was a silly little thing known as white space. I was often encouraged to use it in my layouts to provide interest, readability and cleanliness. I realize in today's "information age" it is hard to be able to use it effectively anymore, what with all the social media icons and website/email information that needs to be included on everything these days. Have you seen a business card lately??? But this story has a happy ending. I've decided to get "medieval" and use a little white space so I can once again experience a layout that is actually clean, simple and somewhat eye-catching.

In college one of our first projects in Graphic Design 101 was to redesign a gum package that was poorly executed to begin with. Looking back, my design was pretty crappy. Back then we had to render our layouts with markers and "greek in" type with black lines. Oh, how things have changed!

Almost every time I go to the grocery store, I can't resist playing the crane machine game as I am heading out the door with my groceries in hand. I know this is an addicting game for kids who want their parents to spend their last 50 cents on a piece-of-crap stuffed toy. Regardless, I too find myself spending my last bit of change trying to win one of these cheapo things.