Buckwheat

That made me laugh.Nothing against Fox News in particular. Just...

Sun, 05 May 2013 21:46:00 -0700

That made me laugh.
Nothing against Fox News in particular.
Just American news culture.
It’s time for change.
I hope to be part of that change.

"What's your last name?"

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:00:00 -0700

“Do you guys have a scanner?” Apparently, the name tag makes me part of “you guys.” I’m a library aide—I shelve books and occasionally wipe things down. Anything other than that is outside of the scope of my duties. I am not a librarian. But fellow students couldn’t know that. So I don’t get impatient with the questions. I simply redirect them to the real librarians.

This particular guy who asked me about the scanner was interesting. I’d seen him around campus several times and wanted to say hello. Alas, an opportunity had arisen. I decided to go see if he had indeed found a scanner…and introduce myself while I was at it. We had an interesting conversation—I was pleasantly surprised. I am quiet. And when I speak, it’s about things that matter. Finding someone I connect with or relate to is not always easy—okay, in fact it’s really fucking hard.

After shooting some moderately heavy breeze, he asked, “What’s your last name?” I told him, and then asked, “Why?”

“Because I’m going to look you up on Facebook.”

It wasn’t until after I had already given him my last name that I realized I gave him the opportunity to contact me. (And in this case, I wasn’t that mad about it…) Perhaps, in some ways, this is the equivalent of getting someone’s number. In the past the question was, “Can I get your number?” Now it’s, “What’s your last name?” Congratulations social media. You’re changing the way the game is played.

"What's your name?"

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:28:00 -0700

I’ve been craving some snack-like stuff through out day. I got caught up in art and music all evening. I looked at the clock & realized my local grocery store was closing in 15 minutes. So I threw on some clothes and drove like an asshole. I thought about getting pulled over for driving double the speed limit & getting a ticket.”Well,” I’d shrug and think, “that was an expensive bag of chips.”

I parked and walked towards the doors, where a homeless man was standing outside. He asked me if I had a cigarette. I told him I didn’t smoke. He then asked for a dollar, and before I could answer him, two dollars, and before I could answer that, 75 cents. Then he started rambling about the plastic bag he had being filled with valuable things…something about having a flower business. Somewhere in the midst of that, once I had gone into the store and before the automatic doors closed behind me, he managed to break through the chaos and request some Little Debbies. I turned and gave him a thumbs up, though I’m not sure if he saw me.

Once I grabbed my stuff, I roamed the aisles for the few minutes I had before the store closed. No Little Debbies to be found. Bummer. I wanted to give him what he requested (as unhealthy as they are) because it probably would have been a nostalgic experience for the guy—and that’s what I really wanted to give him. I had to settle and grabbed him a snack from the shelfs up by the register.

When I went back outside, he was standing by the plants talking to himself. I walked up to him and held out the snack and said, “Here you go.” He reached out his extremely, dirty hands to take it and thanked me. He asked if I wanted some, but before I could answer began rambling again. I asked him what his name was, and he continued to ramble without answering. So I asked him again, firmly and with great care, “What’s your name?” “Jon,” he said. And then he spelled it for me. “J-o-n.” And then before I could respond he told me his last name, and I think he spelled that too. I’m pretty sure he started to say parts of the alphabet after that… I had to walk away. But as I walked away, I turned back and I told him to be blessed. & I meant it.

i call this “redemption of a terd.” you know what...

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:43:00 -0700

i call this “redemption of a terd.”

you know what they say: one man’s pile o…

is a fly’s treasure.

i made this real quick like, on the fly.
(can’t stay away from these puns.)

I remember when pig/horse was enough. #hoops #nostalgia #life...

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:27:38 -0700

I remember when pig/horse was enough. #hoops #nostalgia #life #philosophy

“Life is not that dog’s dream. We live in...

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:41:39 -0700

“Life is not that dog’s dream. We live in God’s world.”

- Millie on Freaks and Geeks

Some Friday night Photoshop.

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:33:00 -0700

Some Friday night Photoshop.

Snap, son. #oldschool

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 10:45:18 -0700

Snap, son. #oldschool

Increase creativity.Decrease negativity._ _ Ironically, this...

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 10:00:00 -0800

Increase creativity.
Decrease negativity.

_ _

Ironically, this could be read in two ways with polarized meanings.

Hurry up and get to Facebook.
Or
Get the hell away from Facebook.

I like it.

Read it how you will.

The Fortune CookieIt’s a COOKIE (or, well, a...

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:45:00 -0800

The Fortune Cookie
It’s a COOKIE (or, well, a “cookie”) that comes with a little, piece of paper inside of it. A little, piece of paper inscribed with wisdom, nonsense, inspiration, insight—even if it the grammar is a little off (sometimes those are the best kind). It has “lucky numbers” and foreign characters. It’s a taste of another culture (pun unintended?). As hilarious or irrelevant as the fortunes can be, once in a while I’ll pull one out that’s perfect—just what I needed to hear. I feel like if I was able to spend more time in a Chinese culture, my love for these little “cookies” would only grow because I would be able to better understand the quirks at our attempt to replicate Chinese culture. (Yes, I know. I’ve heard they are an American invention. I’d press to say it’s a fusion of cultures. Just let me enjoy the damn things.)

Of a Calculator Watch

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:05:00 -0800

Context of conversation: the reliance of our nation on oil for every day living, not limited to gasoline. (Note: I love talking with older folk who have no grid for technology.)
Anon: Even that stupid watch of yours is made of petroleum.
Me: My watch isn't stupid...
Anon: Look at it. It's a computer.
Me: (Holds back laughter)
Anon: It has all those buttons. But you have baby fingers so you can actually press the buttons.
__
Can't argue either of those points, can I?
Yes, this was an actual conversation I had. Perhaps not your odd brand of humor, but I found it hilarious. So much so that I had to reenact it through this mini-screenplay.

909miles: They say everyone’s got their own path, so I can only...

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 14:05:14 -0800

909miles:

They say everyone’s got their own path, so I can only share mine but there are some universal truths i think you discover along the way. I went to school for a photography degree, decided to go back for a graphic design degree, worked for a major skate brand in textile design, nannied for a while while I taught art history to grade schoolers, was an art director, and now work in a quiet, sleepy print shop in my hometown so I can be close to my mom. Pepper in a whole metric ton of foreign travel and lots of time REALLY LOOKING for art and inspiration…

I don’t know, there are ups and downs to every job, every profession, every person but you just gotta jump in and see where it all takes you. My parents worked in printshops, when I was your age (leans on walker, adjusts adult diaper) I never thought that I’d do what they did. Nope, but here I am and they’re super proud of their gainfully employed child.

Read some books that will change you to the core, have a signature drink with an non-embarassing name, make a pilgrimage to see your favorite painting or sculpture even if it’s thousands of miles away because that will stay with you for the rest of your life and those are the things that make your heart behave. Know when to play the grown-up card.

You never know who will have your back, your next job, your next love. Be fucking kind to everyone.

Good & real insights & advice.

By the time I was twelve years old I had been exposed to about...

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:25:00 -0800

By the time I was twelve years old I had been exposed to about 480,000 commercials. I remember watching those commercials with wide-eyed wonder, with a whetted appetite for whatever toy or game it was being advertised. I must have that, was the feeling induced. I didn’t know it then, but I learned in a sociology class that my vulnerable and still developing brain was being manipulated by marketers into wanting all of the coolest brands and toys. And without them, I just didn’t feel good enough—like I didn’t measure up to the standards my society was setting for me.

Having grown up in a capitalistic economy, I am now finding it very hard to loosen my prying grip from the pursuit of wealth. I don’t think wealth is a bad thing. I think wealth is necessary for the greater good of humanity, if put into the right hands—with the right heart behind those hands. My struggle is with the pursuit of wealth as a motivator for what I do. I am a creative person. Because of that, I want to use my creativity to make a living, just as someone who is good at business would desire to make a living from owning a business. The difference is a business is built with the intent of making a profit. Making money is a healthy part of owning a business. (Of course when this becomes the sole motivator, greed will be found.) Creativity is a little different because the role of making a profit doesn’t directly play in to the creative process. And when it does, it messes with the creative process. It steals from the creativity. When I am anxious about whether what I create will be acceptable and therefore make a profit, I am compromising my true creativity. It’s hard, because obviously I need to make a profit to make a living. So how can I separate the two?

(That t.v. is the first thing I ever made with Photoshop. Yay.)

Art & a Small StoryI was walking past the art building on...

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:14:00 -0800

Art & a Small Story
I was walking past the art building on campus and noticed this piece stealthily posted at shoe-level. I was delighted when it caught my eye. When I stooped down to take a good look, it read, “OH HEY!” Perfect addition to the element of surprise. Sadly, I cannot give credit to the artist. Ironically, signing her/his name would be to his/her discredit? Since, I suppose, technically it’s vandalism (even if it is on the art building). I think it looks good there. Quite proper.

This just made me so happy. Thank you for making my day, Erin Z.

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:01:48 -0800

This just made me so happy. Thank you for making my day, Erin Z.

"You like films" (Movies vs. Films)

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:38:39 -0800

I realized that I can’t complain about poorly-made films anymore. There are bad movies because there are ambitious people out there making them. So unless I get out there and contribute my own films, I can’t really complain.

Cuz u r.

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 00:36:17 -0800

Cuz u r.

- Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:50:22 -0800

- Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind

I really have no idea how to use this stuff, but I’ll...

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:33:00 -0800

I really have no idea how to use this stuff, but I’ll figure it out… ie have someone give me a tutorial. That’s me btw.

photo cred: m.a. monizzle

Hello world. This is never a good beginning to a story. It means...

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:00:00 -0800

Hello world. This is never a good beginning to a story. It means there is a lot of enthusiasm, and not a lot of substance. It means I am working something up, but there is not something actually there. I was thinking today that art can not be created out of nothing, it can only be discovered. At least in my own personal experience it has been that way. When I try to write music, or sit down to draw something grand, I often come away empty handed and disheartened. But when I sit down without a care, just wanting to enjoy myself or in quiet reflection of my happiness or my sadness or maybe nothing at all, I find myself writing songs and drawing beautiful things. It’s a process of discovery. I do not mean to sound all mystical, as if it’s not at all practical. Because it is. I have to sit down to play, or pick up a pen to draw before I can create anything beautiful. (I use Sharpie pens only. I hope they pay me for this advertisement.) And I have to draw and play 100 things before I find 1 thing worth keeping. Created in discovery. In the wide-eyed wonder of a child discovering physics and thinking it’s magic. I’m talking about me when I was very young (guessing under 5) spinning a bucket full of water upside down, marveling that it wasn’t spilling. I totally thought it was magic and I had wizard powers. Well it may as well be magic, because there’s no gravity in space. What does that mean??? Does it mean that everything’s just floating around up there, no particular order to the particles? And by particles I mean stars, because when you compare the universe with the universe, stars may as well be the size of atoms. And interestingly enough a single atom can destroy an entire city. So what if the power in a star and the power in an atom is one and the same? There I go sounding all mystical again. It’s science. But it’s science wonderful? My God do I sound like a nerd, and a blasphemer. I watched a bad movie tonight. It was confusing. I don’t know how confusing movies get made. Where do they find the money and the people to back them? Do these people seriously not have taste? I want to make movies. And good ones. But I want to do too many things. I want to write symphonies, and books, and photograph the world. I want to write screen play and the sound track. I want to direct and to play all the parts. I want to create the advertisement and do the cover art. I want to reinvent it all.

Gross chips and bad movies. But what would happen if I never ever tried anything new. That’s dumb. It can help in two ways. It can help me love what I love even more. And it can help me discover new things I love when I occasionally stumble upon one of them. I’m so glad I’m in school. It’s getting late. 10:42. And now that I’m getting to be on an early schedule, I really can’t afford to stay up any later. So good night world. Sleep soundly.