For some reason I felt I needed to ramble on a bit. Now on to the meat of this update. My rough draft is complete for the short animation I am working on. I will begin the storyboards this week and continue my attempts at gathering a strong and dependable crew. I think I will need finances to ensure their reliability, as terrible as that sounds. It is true, though, that I would prefer to pay everyone as it is no easy task to just stroll on up and work on a project with no compensation. I've been there before. Although, when it is a great project, I don't feel as bad for getting nothing in return but screen credit. And I do believe that this will be a great project, although I suppose that is a bit bias. People that I have pitched the idea to have liked it, so I think I'm on the right track.
I've considered some forms of fundraising and will begin following through with some of them. One notion, which I am working on, is setting up the old reliable paypal account. That, though, relies on people visiting my website, which means getting more exposure. One thing leads to another and soon I am on the tele doing an interview. Eventually, that would be grand, but not yet.
In other news: voting has ended for that contest I had entered. So far I have lost in the popularity portion of the contest. That is no surprise as I tend to take the quiet road where people might not see me. Less confrontation equals less awkward conversations. Something like that.
As I completed my rough draft of my animation, another idea popped into my head. So now I am working on a rough draft for that short. Live action this time, a realm I have more experience in. Projects just keep coming. If only I had a producer to assist me, the projects would get done efficiently. Of course, quality comes first, so I will take my time. For now.
Did you know that my grandfather was born on the 4th of July? It's true. I'll leave you with that.
29.6.08
Why limit yourself
I've decided to change my diet for a bit; I'll be doing a vegetarian thing for a while. Why? I just feel like changing things up a bit. In this land of opportunity, I feel such decisions are left in the dust by many. Let's roll back a bit.
Growing up, I knew a bit about cheese. The kind in an aerosol can and the individually wrapped slices of America's best. Now and again, my parents brought home a disc-shaped block of 'sharp cheddar'. That occurred when they felt like splurging. Yeah, we were living the high life. And I got tired of it. As I reached an age of personal adventure, I took the time to check out what else our local market had to offer. Boy oh boy, there was a sea of cheese to select from. Why did we never try the others? When opportunity came and my parents allowed me to pick something, you bet I went to get some unknown specimen. Their reaction was nothing short of disappointment or disgust and I was left to the task of eating my discovery alone. Rinse, remix and repeat for my entire life under their roof. My parents had settled into a comfort zone, like any other species on this planet. They had their home and they had their specific diet, rarely straying from the basics that they enjoyed. BORING, I thought. Try it from this point of view:
You're used to driving, say, a clunker that can not go past 45 mph without shaking up a storm. Then, you're given a vehicle that can top 120mph and handles like butter. You would, at least, try it out at a higher speed than 45, right? You might even like it. Better yet, say you have a television with only one working channel; just go with it, okay? Then you're given a tele that has 10 clear channels. You would check out the others now and again, right? You might even like some of the content they have to offer.
Then, why oh why would you limit yourself from experiencing what the modern world has to offer? It is very simple in this country (USoA) and many others to explore the various products the local markets have to offer. Why not just try some of the items you've never heard of? Last week, at a noodle bar (of sorts), I decided to try a drink that was listed by its lonesome self on the menu. Turns out to now be my favorite drink. If you're curious, it's Iichiko. I would describe it as Japanese whiskey.
My parents haven't changed much and that's okay. At least they have perfected their recipes and I can always expect a delicious meal when I visit. As long as I don't stay too long, or else the menu will tend to repeat itself. Limiting yourself, as I see it, is folly.
And yet I'm going to be a vegetarian. Just for a while, though. I won't get into the whole mess about the beliefs people have with what not to eat because of this and that. See here now: do as you please, but I'm going to take full advantage of being a part of the dominant species and try everything I possibly can.
This, though, also makes me feel guilty. Not everyone can enjoy the luxury of trying swordfish one night and then a curry dish the following night. It's a shame and the guilt weighs heavy on me when I decide to splurge after a rough day of work. I am thankful in the spiritual sense as I prepare to eat my meal, but I am humbled in knowing that many will spend the night hungry. How is that possible?
Growing up, I knew a bit about cheese. The kind in an aerosol can and the individually wrapped slices of America's best. Now and again, my parents brought home a disc-shaped block of 'sharp cheddar'. That occurred when they felt like splurging. Yeah, we were living the high life. And I got tired of it. As I reached an age of personal adventure, I took the time to check out what else our local market had to offer. Boy oh boy, there was a sea of cheese to select from. Why did we never try the others? When opportunity came and my parents allowed me to pick something, you bet I went to get some unknown specimen. Their reaction was nothing short of disappointment or disgust and I was left to the task of eating my discovery alone. Rinse, remix and repeat for my entire life under their roof. My parents had settled into a comfort zone, like any other species on this planet. They had their home and they had their specific diet, rarely straying from the basics that they enjoyed. BORING, I thought. Try it from this point of view:
You're used to driving, say, a clunker that can not go past 45 mph without shaking up a storm. Then, you're given a vehicle that can top 120mph and handles like butter. You would, at least, try it out at a higher speed than 45, right? You might even like it. Better yet, say you have a television with only one working channel; just go with it, okay? Then you're given a tele that has 10 clear channels. You would check out the others now and again, right? You might even like some of the content they have to offer.
Then, why oh why would you limit yourself from experiencing what the modern world has to offer? It is very simple in this country (USoA) and many others to explore the various products the local markets have to offer. Why not just try some of the items you've never heard of? Last week, at a noodle bar (of sorts), I decided to try a drink that was listed by its lonesome self on the menu. Turns out to now be my favorite drink. If you're curious, it's Iichiko. I would describe it as Japanese whiskey.
My parents haven't changed much and that's okay. At least they have perfected their recipes and I can always expect a delicious meal when I visit. As long as I don't stay too long, or else the menu will tend to repeat itself. Limiting yourself, as I see it, is folly.
And yet I'm going to be a vegetarian. Just for a while, though. I won't get into the whole mess about the beliefs people have with what not to eat because of this and that. See here now: do as you please, but I'm going to take full advantage of being a part of the dominant species and try everything I possibly can.
This, though, also makes me feel guilty. Not everyone can enjoy the luxury of trying swordfish one night and then a curry dish the following night. It's a shame and the guilt weighs heavy on me when I decide to splurge after a rough day of work. I am thankful in the spiritual sense as I prepare to eat my meal, but I am humbled in knowing that many will spend the night hungry. How is that possible?
15.6.08
Waking up in the middle of nowhere
So explorer is a poor choice of browsers if you plan to visit my website. Sorry, maybe I'll get around to tweaking it for y'all. Maybe.
A four hour session in a darkroom yesterday has awarded me with some images, of which I will upload at a later time. I am not fully satisfied, but that is due to not having a 'game plan'. My next session WILL be planned. Maybe.
Slowly and surely, my animation is coming along. My attempts at gathering a crew have been fruitful and I would say that's a great way of starting off. Of course, a few more people to join my crew would be splendid. I will begin searching and learning and planning and praying for some finances. Maybe.
If you look on the side bar, there is a link to a competition I have entered. Just as a reminder, you can vote for me every 24 hours. You can, if you'd like, enter it yourself. The deadline is in about two days. Perhaps at the end of the deadline, we will be able to browse all of the submissions. Maybe.
I see you, there, sitting and wondering. Daydreaming, even. This and that, you could be doing, you think to yourself. I am adjusting away from the out-college-shit-i-need-a-job panic and am finding myself, once again, in the damn-things-getting-in-the-way-of-my-life mantra. Like school, always in the way. That is to say, freelancing and the like is sounding ever so sweet with each passing day. It's just frustrating to get an idea and not follow through right then and there due to your day job. The weekend can only provide so much of its time. And I see you there, right with me, daydreaming. These monkey games we play are only to pass the time until... what? Well this monkey will only play this game for so long, so we might as well make it interesting.
Maybe.
A four hour session in a darkroom yesterday has awarded me with some images, of which I will upload at a later time. I am not fully satisfied, but that is due to not having a 'game plan'. My next session WILL be planned. Maybe.
Slowly and surely, my animation is coming along. My attempts at gathering a crew have been fruitful and I would say that's a great way of starting off. Of course, a few more people to join my crew would be splendid. I will begin searching and learning and planning and praying for some finances. Maybe.
If you look on the side bar, there is a link to a competition I have entered. Just as a reminder, you can vote for me every 24 hours. You can, if you'd like, enter it yourself. The deadline is in about two days. Perhaps at the end of the deadline, we will be able to browse all of the submissions. Maybe.
I see you, there, sitting and wondering. Daydreaming, even. This and that, you could be doing, you think to yourself. I am adjusting away from the out-college-shit-i-need-a-job panic and am finding myself, once again, in the damn-things-getting-in-the-way-of-my-life mantra. Like school, always in the way. That is to say, freelancing and the like is sounding ever so sweet with each passing day. It's just frustrating to get an idea and not follow through right then and there due to your day job. The weekend can only provide so much of its time. And I see you there, right with me, daydreaming. These monkey games we play are only to pass the time until... what? Well this monkey will only play this game for so long, so we might as well make it interesting.
Maybe.
8.6.08
whistles blowing
I stood still in the dark, uncertain of where our monkey arm hung. It controls the light in the kitchen. Where I stood was good enough as I had forgotten why I came out in the first place. There was quite a commotion coming from up above, of the debauchery type. "Damn kids", I say, even though they are all probably older than me. Did they not party enough in college? I find myself living in a dormroom state more so now than in my time as a student.
"The stairwell is going to stink of cigarettes and shit beer tomorrow."
That's the other thing that gets me - what is with all the shitty beer? Cheap water for a quick buzz - what's the point? Alternatively - organic cigarettes. These hipster kids got it backwards. Spending more on poison than a good bottle.
That's why I'm down here in the dark, searching for a chimp's arm. Today's heat had been unbearable and I was on way for another bottle of water.
"a ha."
Water, that's what I came for. I reached out for the primate limb and held firmly. I didn't pull it. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of light. Then again. "Fireflies", I thought. In an instant, childhood memories seeped through my consciousness, a flash of happiness and childlike wonder. I like fireflies.
But these were orange. I've never seen a firefly emit an orange glow. The past is crushed beneath my observations as I determine that, no, those are not fireflies, but ashes. "ASHES". Someone up above was disposing their remains, letting them slowly fall down below, winking one last time at me as if to say "Oh, hey, I didn't know anyone was there."
I loosened my grip and let the arm slip out. I wasn't thirsty anymore.
I went back to bed.
"The stairwell is going to stink of cigarettes and shit beer tomorrow."
That's the other thing that gets me - what is with all the shitty beer? Cheap water for a quick buzz - what's the point? Alternatively - organic cigarettes. These hipster kids got it backwards. Spending more on poison than a good bottle.
That's why I'm down here in the dark, searching for a chimp's arm. Today's heat had been unbearable and I was on way for another bottle of water.
"a ha."
Water, that's what I came for. I reached out for the primate limb and held firmly. I didn't pull it. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of light. Then again. "Fireflies", I thought. In an instant, childhood memories seeped through my consciousness, a flash of happiness and childlike wonder. I like fireflies.
But these were orange. I've never seen a firefly emit an orange glow. The past is crushed beneath my observations as I determine that, no, those are not fireflies, but ashes. "ASHES". Someone up above was disposing their remains, letting them slowly fall down below, winking one last time at me as if to say "Oh, hey, I didn't know anyone was there."
I loosened my grip and let the arm slip out. I wasn't thirsty anymore.
I went back to bed.
1.6.08
popular
I have entered a contest for photographers. I'm curious to see where it could take me, and hope it does lead somewhere. The act of entering is itself a good sign that I am moving in the right direction. Perhaps I will earn my reward at a much later time, but I won't complain if it comes sooner. Check it out here. You can vote every 24 hours. I wish I could see who else has entered, seems rather unfair, or completely fair? I would at least like to see their work. Perhaps at a later time we will be allowed to. Vote if you like, and vote honestly. It's all I ask of you, thanks.
Do your thing
Once again I found myself in a church for reasons other than worshiping. That itself is something I have not done in a very very long time. I attended a presentation, held in the Abyssinian Church, by Dr. Oliver Sacks; world renowned neurologist and overall cool guy who has done much in the way of understanding the human condition. My thesis was partially guided by his writings. It is rather interesting, as I now look upon myself, that I DO have heros, even idols. I went through childhood without idols. Sure, I had my spiderman and various other fictional characters, but I never wanted to be them or like them. I just wanted to be and that seemed good enough. Now if someone were to ask me who I consider a hero, without hesitation, I would name Dean Kamen, Oliver Sacks, Gerald Edelman and other individuals that have made progress for human kind. I like my science and medicine tech as much as anyone should. I sincerely hope you are keeping track of the amazing progress people are making.
So I made my way to Dr. Sacks' presentation on Music and the Mind and the relationship therein. What a strange situation, to hold a discussion of science within the walls of a church. But what better place to discuss the power of music on the mind than under the roof that proves God truly exists? My grandfather is a pastor, and as a child I would attend church (somewhat involuntarily) and experience the powerful effect of religion on the people around me. I just observed, as I do, how neighbors and locals lost themselves in the moment. The haunting experience for me, though, was the drum. Such a force would strike me down and hold me in place, heavy on the chest and just as loud in my ears. I swear it changed the rhythm of my heart. Nothing stole my attention as that drum beat, every week that we attended. Now, if a child were to ask me if God exists, if religion is necessary, if there is a point to it at all; I would take the child to a church and let him see for himself that under this roof - one can see the answers to those questions. A shame that outside of those doors the power is somewhat lost, spread thinly over the land, holding on. To what?
Well, the music was grand and the presentation was great. Dr. Sacks is a kind man, and he had the charm of a wise elder plus the habits of a nervous presenter. He has seen much in his life, and it is great that he shares his insight. The choir did indeed move the people, although I must comment that perhaps the reason many rise out of their seats and praise the all mighty is because those benches are the least comfortable seats in the world. Praise the Lord indeed, we are allowed to rise.
All humor aside, I enjoyed it. Rather brief and general, the presentation still provided a new road to explore; a road that can be accompanied by Dr. Sacks' book, Musicophilia. After the presentation, I headed down to get my book signed (my first legitimate autograph by anyone). I wanted to ask him some questions, but all that escaped from me was 'thank you'. I think that must have been enough. I left the church and headed home.
So I made my way to Dr. Sacks' presentation on Music and the Mind and the relationship therein. What a strange situation, to hold a discussion of science within the walls of a church. But what better place to discuss the power of music on the mind than under the roof that proves God truly exists? My grandfather is a pastor, and as a child I would attend church (somewhat involuntarily) and experience the powerful effect of religion on the people around me. I just observed, as I do, how neighbors and locals lost themselves in the moment. The haunting experience for me, though, was the drum. Such a force would strike me down and hold me in place, heavy on the chest and just as loud in my ears. I swear it changed the rhythm of my heart. Nothing stole my attention as that drum beat, every week that we attended. Now, if a child were to ask me if God exists, if religion is necessary, if there is a point to it at all; I would take the child to a church and let him see for himself that under this roof - one can see the answers to those questions. A shame that outside of those doors the power is somewhat lost, spread thinly over the land, holding on. To what?
Well, the music was grand and the presentation was great. Dr. Sacks is a kind man, and he had the charm of a wise elder plus the habits of a nervous presenter. He has seen much in his life, and it is great that he shares his insight. The choir did indeed move the people, although I must comment that perhaps the reason many rise out of their seats and praise the all mighty is because those benches are the least comfortable seats in the world. Praise the Lord indeed, we are allowed to rise.
All humor aside, I enjoyed it. Rather brief and general, the presentation still provided a new road to explore; a road that can be accompanied by Dr. Sacks' book, Musicophilia. After the presentation, I headed down to get my book signed (my first legitimate autograph by anyone). I wanted to ask him some questions, but all that escaped from me was 'thank you'. I think that must have been enough. I left the church and headed home.
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