If you’re not already completely absorbed in this morning’s inauguration activities, jump over to SpeechWars and check out their graphs of different words our nation’s Presidents have spoken in their Inaugural addresses – from women to union to world to evildoers (oh, wait, that’s not one) and notice any trends that may have occurred due to such powerful cultural changes caused by the civil rights movement and the rise of feminism. What Obama will say, we don’t know – strangely, unlike CNN we didn’t receive a copy of it – but we have a hunch the word “hope” will pop up more times than it did in the last eight years.

Back when IWearYourShirt.com launched, I swooped in and grabbed today’s date – January 20th. I thought I’d send him some clever Obama inauguration T-shirt to sport proudly for me, but truthfully I never got around to it. Then I thought I’d send him a ridiculously small tank top, and never got around to that. It also crossed my mind to buy a shirt and have my sweatiest friends work out in it, zip lock it, and send that to him. That too never happened.

And then I realized, I’d make him go shirtless on a cold winter day and just asked him to write “Obama” on his chest in lipstick or something. Tape and sharpie had to do, but it worked I suppose.

All in good fun of course. He took the joke very well. Be sure to check out his video and live-cast later today — very funny.

Today is a very important day. We couldn’t be more excited about an Obama presidency. Just to add to our excitement we cracked up over this Obama Run DC shirt. You can pick up your own here for $20. More importantly, we hope you enjoy today’s celebration and historical significance, regardless of whether or not you have a clever T-shirt on.

People are bound to have a spectrum of reactions to the Inauguration Day proceedings, so if your gut is telling you to react by buying toys, it’s ok. Barack Obama’s message inspired an unprecedented array of art toys in 2008 from action figures to vinyl busts. Now’s the time to stock up. Wizard Sleeve Toys is having a one-day 20% off sale to celebrate the inauguration of our 44th president. Whether you go in for urban or herb-n art, here’s your chance to pick up an Obama action figure at a reduced price. Just enter “NEWPREZ” at checkout.

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Toyota just finished sponsoring a design challenge for up-and-coming future minded designers at London’s Royal College of the Art. The contest asked participants to create consumer level electric solutions for the kitchen, bedroom, living room and garage for an intelligent urban future. The Toyota iQ blog takes a look at each space, the finalist and their inventions. In addition to the blog some great interviews with the finalist about the influence of Japanese design and future thoughts. Check them out, some really smart people are involved.

You may recall the name Sruli Recht from such past wonderful design innovations as the Umbuster and the Bound Skarf. The latter — a lengthy accessory of over nine feet — was harvested from the rarest of cottons woven only by the Lantaan people on the border between Laos and Burma. You’d think that after creating a collection of scarves that impressive in length, there’d hardly be a scrap left to even fashion of pair of shoelaces. As it turns out, there were some leftovers. Not content to let such resources go to waste, the Iceland-based design wiz came up with yet another wearable wonder. This time, the remaining thin slivers of fiber were forged into the another desirable addition for the dapper dresser, a bow-tie. Available in both Indigo and Sandstone, these uncommon accessories are sure to add a hint of wordly allure to any formal ensemble. Pick up yours soon, as it may be a while before someone visits the Lantaans and gathers more of this scarce fabric.

DC Shoes have partnered with Portland-based character creators, UNKL, on a limited edition sneaker and toy set. The kicks and figure both feature a black and green color scheme with glow-in-the-dark accents. The figure in question is the SUG, one of UNKL’s signature characters, who hails from Iceland and is here to help the people of the world. The collaboration stays true to SUG’s story, keeping the details consistent right down to the medicine bag he carries. DC is no stranger to working with artists and musicians, though this may be one of their first collabs that is equally appealing to both sneaker and toy collectors. Only 450 DC x UNKL Double Labelâ„¢ Graph and SUG packs have been produced. These will be released this Friday, January 23rd from 6-9 p.m. at 5&A Dime during the AGENDA tradeshow in San Diego.

John Frusciante’s career has had its prolific periods and plenty of hiatus to balance it out, but the man behind the legendary twang on the BloodSugarSexMagik, as well as the later Chili Peppers work and nine previous solo records, has come through with a solo record that has us thanking every step in his progression. The Empyrean is a concept album telling the story set within a person involving two characters. Weird? Avant Garde? It’s in the same thematic vein as his previous solo releases, but with a feel more reflective of By The Way, the RHCP album influenced by Frusciante’s unique style. As the composer himself suggests, pick this one up and play it late at night in a dark living room.

Another year, another Animal Collective album, further refining a distinct sound of their own device. The Baltimore squad’s eighth LP reaches a new level of accessibility, yet retains the experimental heartbeat that made them a favorite noise internationally. Merriweather Post Pavilion is named for a Frank Gehry designed music venue in Columbia, Maryland that the band holds as a symbol for excellent outdoor performances from their youth. You may have heard a leaked track or two from this anticipated album, but keep in mind the full record (with the longest run time of any of their work to date) will surpass your every expectation.