Daily Front Row

2010 March 16

Will the Real Michael Bastian Please Stand Up?

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The real Michael Bastian
NEIL RASMUS/PatrickMcMullan.com View Gallery

(NEW YORK) If you're looking for Michael Bastian, you will not find him at MichaelBastian.com. That domain belongs to "a finance professional, a Fellow member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, the most widely acknowledged hat in financial management." We get it, we get it---good domain names are hard to come by, especially if you're a designer on a budget and some random dude with the same name has taken your potential site hostage. But c'mon, darlings. It's time to make these imposters an offer and get your identity back. Here's who is holding you hostage...
ASHLEY BAKER & VALENTINE UHOVSKI

JasonWu.com: The online home of the Jason Wu photo studio in Oakland, CA. "Specializing in Weddings, Children's and Studio Photography."

GarethPugh.com: Steel framed buildings, from construction to build. "Gareth Pugh started off in 1987 as a sole welder / fabricator, expanded his business and quickly found his place amongst the elite Steel Fabricators / Erectors in Mid Wales."

RickOwens.com: Can it be? Nobody has bought this domain? All we found: advertisements. "Bowtrol is an all natural herbal colon cleansing treatment that has changed hundreds of thousands of people's lives through our gentle and effective whole body safe and effective internal cleansing."

Acne.com: Sponsored by Proactiv.

Willow.com: "All things Willow, Alaska."

PeterJensen.com: A Pilates instructor, designer and "sometimes" builder of fine furniture, this accomplished professional also designed Pollen.com. "This is a personal site which I update *very* infrequently. I've posted photographs from a few of the trips I've taken, from passions like flying and sailing and, time permittting, I'll post more of the shots from the mid-60's to early 70's of the major rock and folk acts I photographed."

Lorick.com: "Since 1937, Lorick Office Products has been committed to exceeding Columbia's expectations. We offer personalized customer service backed by an experienced and knowledgeable staff."

Issa.com: The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association.

Adam.com: "We are A.D.A.M.. We create innovative online information and technology solutions for employers, benefits brokers, hospitals, healthcare organizations, and others."

Y3.com: "Y3.com is a directory of free flash games. Play a game now!...Unlike other sites, we don't throw tons of ads and popups at you. Our servers are not overloaded so the games we have load fast!"

Madewell.com: "The Name That Says It All"; the home of the Madewell Products Corporation.

JonathanSaunders.com: Another photographer! Jason, you are not alone.

GaryGraham.com: The website of the actor, famous for his cameo role as "The Smoking Jacket Guy" on The Jace Hall Show. "Gary will be chatting with fans LIVE on the [FORUM] on Monday March 22, 6:30 PM PST/9:30 PM EST!!! Registration is FREE! Join now and interact with other Graham Fahans!"

VPL.com: Veterinary Products Laboratory. "VPL is proud to introduce an effective thrush treatment product that is packaged in a revolutionary no-pump, no-mess aerosol!"