Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Lookin sideways like my man Pele

Favorites? I don't play favorites, but then again, I don't always tell the truth either ;)
There would some really good projects. Luke for example. Actually, all of Luke's projects this semester were really good. Kudos Luke. But then there are people like Stephanie and that other kid that sits in the corner with us, Scott maybe? I don't know at the moment but I do intend on replying to his proposal (identity ring a bell). Where was I? Oh yeah. Here's an observation...the class was heavy on the sides...I mean, it was the extreme left and right side of the class that always had the most input, kudos to us. Then there was the blue man, that took some courage, kudos to you. Mark, what's up Mark? Kudos to you for making that video at the end and taking this class in stride. I was worried about how you would react sometimes but I was happy to see you outside of your comfort zone. Beth, thank you for stimulating my brain, kudos to you.

But, to be completely honest, I think mine was the best. It could have been executed better but the thought behind it and the correlation to the research was spot on. I surprised myself. It came to me at the last minute and I was glad to take the time to make it happen even though I had another project ready to go.

Anyway, I will miss this class. I love you all, seriously, even if I do think you are crazy.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Cycle of Death

Inspired by Bruce Nauman



"Cycle of Death"

Sunday, October 26, 2008

BurningMan

So...This past weekend I attended a Halloween party with my GF. It was much fun. These people put on the best Halloween show I have ever seen and they do it every year. Planning begins in spring and they work all summer to get it together. Much respect.
It was nice to get out of the city for a while too. I miss the country.

A little info about the photos: Canon powershot A630. Full manual settings (unless you see a flash) but the fstop sucks, 2.8-8.0. Use a tripod!

So there we are. Some Brit and some 80's chick.
Like I said, they do it up right. Here are a bunch of pics of the stuff they put together. A lot of detail and innovation.


"Punch"


There were a couple of bands. These guys were pretty good. Props to the drummer for playing in that mask.
And then there was this .
I really like the picture below. It puts things in perspective. That thing was huge, spitting out some of the biggest flames I 'd ever seen. It took a while for it to get going since it rained on Friday. Still impressive.

Oh, and Micheal Phelps was there. AND HE WAS SMOKING!
Needless to say this was my gallery. It was nice to see all the hard work they put into this. Watching the BurningMan was inspirational. It's too bad it didn't go as planned. The wood got wet. If not, when they lit the base it would have stayed lit and lit the fuse that went up the body and into the head. Under the face was a skull made of some ceramics. The idea was that the fuse would lead up to the fireworks in the head and ignite the face and leave a burning skull. It didn't work out like that but I would have to give an A for effort.

Then the cops came about 1am. I guess the music was too loud even though the closet house was a half mile away.? It pretty much killed the party even despite no one getting in trouble.

I got home a little after 2am. I have to admit that I was inspired. I was up until 6am working on some old tracks that needed revamped. It was a great night.

Foreigner

Perspective. I find myself most inspired by the story of a 'foreigner'. Of course we can see or read about what else is going on the world but it's different to have someone tell you the story. Sometimes it's hard to grasp what people have had to go through. I'm always inspired by the stories my co-worker tells me about traveling the Pacific or what things are really like where he comes from. We are very lucky to be here (US). Not to say someone from the US could not share their experiences in the same way but being born in a different country and growing up with a totally different perspective, it's amazing and often overlooked. Much love.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Storming the brain

Where have I been? I am way behind in the count...

Brainstorming is a great thing but I still think it should be focused and realistic. I'm not very realistic sometimes but some things should be. It's nice to come up with funny ideas that entertain the class and the moment but in a few years we won't be getting paid to waste company time thinking up a grand scheme to have a 'parade', again no offense b/c it was fun. Time is against us and we need to use it wisely. Coming up with ideas can be easier if you know a few vital things; TA, budget, platform, medium, etc. To think that you can reinvent the wheel or make a time machine is a little whack. Portraying a time machine in some manner, like a skit, would be plausible but making a functioning time machine is out of the question. We are 'new media' and not scientists.

Something better?

Most of the videos we watch in class I really like. especially the PBS stuff, i like PBS.

Bruce Nauman was an artist that we looked at. While listening to him in class I chuckled a lot. He was saying all of these things I had thought about before. It was like taking a glimpse of what I would be like when I get older. When he said "Don't watch anything so you can pay attention to everything" it sold me. That and the steps/stairs. You really don't realize how we take stairs for granted. Do you ever think about walking down a flight of stairs? I mean, left foot, right foot, left foot right foot...you probably don't. They are so systematic, all in even increments. It's hard to 'miss a step' b/c we know it will be just like the last one.

Research is to come but haven't started.

Hooray!

So, my dreams came back in the weirdest way(On a sidenote, my feelings came to surface too. I cried and it felt good. What if...). I woke up this morning, dreaming that I had missed this post (midterm). I walked into class 5 minutes before it started and Beth was just standing there glaring at me and said 'You know you are going to fail this class now right?'.

It was funny but I was rather freaked out. My dreams are so scarce but so so vivid.

Anyway...I love this class. If I choose, I can do something NewMedia-esque or I can do what I have been and just blog. Never blogged before but I kinda like it, to some degree. Class is usually good. Conversations, at times, stimulating. I really like these things. What I don't like is accountability. It seems (and no offense to anyone) that most people don't take this seriously. Some don't post blogs at all or what they do post is bs, and there is nothing wrong with that, the door was opened to do so. But I find myself becoming unmotivated too. It's nice that everyone succeeds and gets an 'A' but I think there should be difference in like an 'A' and a 'B'. I mean, if you aren't doing shit you shouldn't be rewarded like the person who is putting forth the honest effort. An 'A' shouldn't be guaranteed. Make us work for that, everyone else should get a 'B'. Again, no offense but it would create better results, more stimulating conversations and more/better blogs for others in class to read and respond to.

Couple more things. I like the blog b/c I can be a critic. Not to tell people they are wrong or right but just to be able to express a point a view (not so much what I believe but just a different perspective). It also allows 'shy' people who may not talk in class a chance to express who they are and how they feel.