July 10, 2006
July 02, 2006
sunset on sunset
Finally a second to stop and smell the salt air...sunset on sunset
June 30, 2006
high in the custerdome
I don't have a spangled leather poncho...but I can still listen with bated whimsy. Wonder if they boys will play this on the '06 tour?
Just when I say
"Boy we can't miss
You are golden"
Then you do this
You say this guy is so cool
Snapping his fingers like a fool
One more expensive kiss-off
Who do you think I am
June 21, 2006
time's a wastin'
Time to throw away this paper knife. And start playing some music. Get priorities straight. Make it count. I'm so tired of the Omegaman. But the ghost doesn't have to run the machine.
June 20, 2006
lyric turn
while I contemplate my sad behavior
I sit and drink it in quiet displeasure
those cruel shoes laugh and giggle
and remind me that the journey is stained
June 14, 2006
surf philosophy
"don't be afraid of death, be afraid of the half-lived life"
June 13, 2006
a snippet
amazing what you find in the emails drafts folder...
how do you take it as it comes
how do you learn to walk, not run
a world that turns so fast
makes today feel like the past
June 08, 2006
mad skillz
This guy is good. REALLY good.
May 24, 2006
more on the half moon
May 16, 2006
am i chinese?
While I've played "Turning Japanese" quite a few times, I think in fact I'm actually Chinese. Previous lives burbling through? Wishful thinking? Not really sure, but too many personality traits and feelings of comfort and ease associated with things Chinese. Well, except for the damn language...but I'm working on that.
我们都是中国人
May 09, 2006
right and wrong in class
Instead of a cut and paste job, I'd like to actually get a discussion and perspective on what is wrong (and also what is right) with post secondary education in the US today. I'll preface this by saying that I know this arena well: as undergrad, grad student, postdoc, faculty, administrator, and now research fellow (on soft money). I have argued with and to colleagues that the system is pretty broken and we are at a tipping point wrt higher ed: digital technologies and the network have forever changed the way that we consume and produce content (and by extension, knowledge from information). Unfortunately most of education and associated industries (most notably publishing) either are in denial or don't fully comprehend the implications.
May 07, 2006
ready for takeoff
another day at the park
May 01, 2006
two quickies
April 29, 2006
a hazy shade
Time, time, time, see what's become of me
While I looked around
For my possibilities
I was so hard to please
But look around, leaves are brown
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter
court and spark
Love came to my door
With a sleeping roll
And a madman’s soul
He thought for sure I’d seen him
Dancing up a river in the dark
Looking for a woman
To court and spark
screened
Well, the am session of the netpublics conference is over and our video pieces premiered to decent response. Somebody said I sounded like the guy who narrated the Googlezon piece. I retorted (in the backchannel) that he sounded like me. Always the card...
April 28, 2006
i've got your netpublics
Spending the day in the DIY conference put on by netpublics, of which I'm a part of the cohort. I have a love/hate relationship with conferences. I like learning and seeing new things (and some amazing video/machinima/etc), but it makes for a long, long day. But pretty much everyone has laptops, there is an active backchannel, and I can blog and whatnot during it. So could be worse...
April 27, 2006
in production mode
Cranking on some multimedia productions. Like a silly goose, I opened my mouth when some colleagues were talking about making their "future scenarios" more compelling. Hey, we can make a slide show with narration. We. Hmmm. To be fair my colleagues worked their butts off doing the script and getting the images together. But the devil is in the details, and there are no proper tools for doing this kind of thing easily. But you can see for yourself: future shock
April 25, 2006
alton 2?
gingerbread unleashed (9.4mb qt video)
Not the director's cut though...have to pay extra for that.
April 08, 2006
hardcore no more?
For a long time I've been considered "hardcore." No, we're not talking porn, but rather just life in general, and sports/hobbies in particular. It goes way back when, to those days when I was a kid and would field grounders until I couldn't see the ball any more. It continued from there, and I remember having trouble in my first serious relationship in college because I was playing on three or four different softball teams, gigging, doing school full time, and tutoring for cash.
April 03, 2006
light and others
April 02, 2006
i need one of these
Everybody needs art. Here's some art. I like art.
March 29, 2006
morph the cat
be on the lookout for this character...
High above Manhattan town
What floats and has a shape like that
Fans like us who watch the skies
We know it's Morph the Cat
four of 4
March 25, 2006
it's the journey, stupid
Just back in town from 600+ miles in the last two days. A somewhat long-planned pilgrimmage to Las Vegas to meet a bunch of online friends for drinks and dinner. I did a similar journey last year. But this is this year. Things are different. I'm different. The world is different. And so I rode...
right now
words from the video. Sure, not all are deep...but sometimes deep isn't needed.
Right now, Ed is playing the piano.
Right now, people are having unprotected sex.
Right now, justice is being perverted in a court of law.
Right now, blacks and whites don't eat together very much.
Right now, you could be outside.
March 23, 2006
copper and lines
4 more (or maybe 5)
March 22, 2006
reflect on 4
March 21, 2006
sometimes projects fall apart
One of the more interesting collaborations that *almost* happened. I was active in an online community of Steely Dan fans. We put out a compilation CD of tracks from people on the BBS. Some were Steely Dan covers, others original tunes. I submitted "Lovin'" by Simpleflower, and info on the disc is at the Banyan Trees site.
The interesting part is when I heard another track on the album, "Ingen alskar dig" by Clas. You can hear the original on that site...nice pop ditty. I liked it so much I wanted Simpleflower to cover it, but with English lyrics. I contacted Clas and he said he didn't have a translation and suggested I just write some. So I did. And here they are. I'll see if I can find the quick and dirty rough track that Simpleflower recorded right before we broke up
For fun, download the original track, listen to it while you read along with my lyrics. I tried to match a lot of the pacing and tones. Clas said his lyrics are a "silly love song." Mine are much more bittersweet. Maybe the us v. eu thang...or just that I've been living in Melancholy for so long...
March 20, 2006
calvin poetry
The boy is 9...so far so good (riffing on Langston Hughes):
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a sun
That is not bright
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a ball
That does not bounce
March 19, 2006
more calvin shots
blue dragon
well....I see the dragon...
March 14, 2006
pipe down
I have no idea what this shot means. I don't know what a lot of my shots mean. Maybe someday I will. Probably the day that I figure out what my "battle" is...
March 13, 2006
streaks, stars and the draft
March 12, 2006
streaks
March 09, 2006
wish you were here
a fellow pelican posted these lyrics on a sort of "where are they now" thread. Nice work Syd...
So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell,
Blue skys from pain.
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
And did they get you to trade
Your heros for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?
How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.
March 01, 2006
calvinations
Yesterday while driving in the car, the Van Halen song "Right Now" comes on. A fav of mine, the boy has heard it many times. Towards the end I ask him if he recognizes it. He says, "hmm, sounds like Red Rain."
And I think about it....so it does. Same chord progression. Same minor feel. In 15+ years of listening to both of those songs, I'd never noticed the similarity.
That's my boy...
February 28, 2006
your trivial for the day
I used the word "sea change" in an email today, and wondered about its origin. Google is your friend (for now):
The phrase is a quotation from Shakespeare. It comes from Ariel’s wonderfully evocative song in The Tempest:
Full fathom five thy father lies:
Of his bones are coral made:
Those are pearls that were his eyes:
Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange.
February 25, 2006
these are days
These are days you’ll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You’ll know it’s true
That you – you are blessed and lucky
It’s true – that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you
These are days you’ll remember
When May is rushing over you
With desire to be part of the miracles
You see in every hour
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you are touched
By something that will grow and bloom in you
These are days –
These are the days you might fill
With laughter until you break
These days you might feel
A shaft of light
Make its way across your face
And when you do
You’ll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning
You’ll know how it was meant to be
Hear the signs and know they’re speaking
To you, to you
February 23, 2006
stagefright
Just can't help myself...on a roll. More of The Band (one of the most under-rated groups ever):
Now deep in the heart of a lonely kid
Who suffered so much for what he did,
They gave this ploughboy his fortune and fame,
Since that day he ain't been the same.
February 22, 2006
i just can't help myself
More uncompressed (although this is a shrunk jpg...you should see the originals)
February 20, 2006
writing fuel
Been fiddling with uncompressed images on a dSLR. What fun...of course, the usual subjects...
foam elixer
February 15, 2006
it's a disaster
Spent the morning at the LAPD training facility for a multi-agency simulated response to a terrorist bombing at LAX. I shot some still photos and short video clips with my Canon digital elph. Then put together a pair of short videos. Rough cuts and far from perfect, but the target delivery is to handheld devices (this is for a course I'm teaching on portable video).
The first piece is copyright challenged (sorry lads) and was about 20 minutes work. The second one is an "augmented" sountrack consisting of Apple loops with my overdubbed guitar. I've got another longer soundtrack that I haven't added visuals to yet. This was done backwards from traditional production: I cut the audio track first, then cut the video and stills to fit the music.
February 08, 2006
pop secret?
Fascinating site. I haven't posted anything there, but this one would work...
February 03, 2006
not even close
This one has nothing to do with burritos...
and you thought i was done
Nope...more pics to come. This was while waiting in line to order a burrito. I'll let you guess where...
January 31, 2006
i've just met a zombie named maria...
January 27, 2006
published, baby
More fodder for the cv. I helped write what originally was to be a single chapter for Springer's "Encyclopedia of Multimedia." Problem was we evidently had too much to say, so they broke it into three chapters (hmm, that means three publications, right? ;-) Buy it here, a deal @ $449 (no, I don't see any money from sales).
January 25, 2006
no free milk
There is a saying, "why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?" Indeed. For years I've sat in on meetings, planning sessions, etc...almost always for free. And almost always giving away good ideas. Flash forward to the present, and lo and behond, I'm a bit of a recognized expert and pundit in a number of areas. And ad the behest of more than one friend, no more giving away the store. So now, you're gonna have to pay. Well, not you the loyal reader, but the royal you, meaning others who want my expertise and ideas. A taste for free, but if you want the whole-brain experience, you can pay for it. And it appears as though people will. So there ya go...
January 24, 2006
more magic light
dancing with the sun
Well, I'm in Utah at Park City. No, not for Sundance directly, but I'm staying with friends who are...
January 23, 2006
foamy muse
I had to write a proposal, so it was off to Peets in the late morning to hack away on the powerbook. Luckily the foamy muse was in place, and I was done in time to get shrunk. Damn good coffee...
January 22, 2006
house of the rising light
I'll admit it...I'm a sucker for these shots. I love 'em. Again, no photoshop involved...just my twisted mind and trusty Canon SD400.
green and yellow
Sometimes you take a bunch of shots, and none of them really work. This was the closest to what I was "seeing." No photoshop involved...
lost in translation
January 21, 2006
one continuous mistake
Maybe a sane person wouldn't find this comment of any consolation, but to me, it actually gives some hope and perspective. Especially to a perfectionist, grade-seeking, problem solver like myself. Suzuki Roshi says that the process of finding your own true nature (and my extension, life) is one continuous mistake. My interpretation of the comment is that failure is inevitable, so don't get so upset about it. If you accept that you are involved in a continuous mistake, it makes trying easier...just enjoy the ride, and take pride in "showing up."
NoHo redline station, taken 3Mar04, and used in some Simpleflower flyer art
January 20, 2006
start, middle, finish
January 19, 2006
bars and rust and the boys of summer
Sometimes we stare through the bars and wonder, and wince as we fight to break the rust. Rust never sleeps. But my love for you will still be strong, after the boys of summer have gone...
January 17, 2006
swirly-gig
wear your love like heaven
Well, the 60's were a different time. But interesting to look back and ponder the deeper meaning almost 40 years later.
Colour in sky prussian blue
Scarlet fleece changes hue
Crimson ball sinks from view
Wear your love like heaven (wear your love like)
Wear your love like heaven (wear your love like)
Wear your love like heaven (wear your love)
January 16, 2006
how i spent my vacation day
"Lecturing" in IMD 499 (a cinema-tv class on portable video). It only meets once a week, so we couldn't blow off the entire week. We spent the time screening videos and trying to get a better handle on viral video, and what sorts of things will "work" on a small form factor. More on the breaking story...
January 15, 2006
really strung out
strung out
January 14, 2006
gimmie shelter
The Glimmer Twins wrote some doozies. This one has always been a favorite. On the studio recording you can hear when the backing vocalist Merry Clayton's voice cracks...sends chills down my spine every time.
Oh, a storm is threat'ning
My very life today
If I don't get some shelter
Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away
January 13, 2006
orange v. red
more light
too tired to write right now...so more pictures
January 12, 2006
magic light
Well, this was shot digital, but the light is pure late afternoon analog magic.
I.G.Y.
International Geophysical Year. Fagan's ode to the future sung from the past. Irony comes free with the meal. No substitutions.
January 09, 2006
blue and green
just because...
January 08, 2006
king and his court
Not sure where it came from (genetically speaking), but the boy is social as all get out...
December 31, 2005
new years
Shooting new year's eve...well, with a camera.
shot on PCH near Sunset Bl. just past sunset
trajectories for '06
As much as I attempt to eschew the holidaze, and especially "year end roundups," I think that new year resolutions have some use, as long as one doesn't get too hung up on metrics, or just use them as an opportunity to beat themselves (or others) up. And with that caveat, I offer my "trajectories for '06." In no particular order...and remember: no wagering.
December 28, 2005
found lyrics
I found the beginings of lyrics that I wrote a month or two ago on my Treo. Funny how things pop up...
The magic is found on the edge
the ragged edge
make it dance
not step and fetch
always pushing until I let it go
let it flow
empty mind that I can find
but notice and it's gone
you can't chase it
you can't erase it
you can't base it
on where you've been before
It means so much
to let it go
seek it you will not find
a voice standing
imagination landing
on top of it all
December 27, 2005
anne revisited
I was turned on to Anne Sexton by PG. I stumbled on an old blog posts with some of her stuff, and I felt it deserved to be repeated. Not sure why. These days I'm not sure of many things...
December 24, 2005
stand and deliver
Hey, I just stood up for myself. And despite all of the myriad emotions swirling about, part of it feels good.
December 22, 2005
big wednesday
A buddy shot this picture of San Clemente pier yesterday. 8'-10' with 12' sets. Closed the pier at high tide as it was breaking over the top. I'm ditching out of work early today to try and see the sights in person. I won't be going out as I don't charge big surf anymore. But xmas eve and/or xmas I'll be at Zuma, as it should drop into the 5' range which is *just right*.
December 19, 2005
few and far between
and yet another one that just lays it all right out there. 10,000 Maniacs, front and center (with the JB Horns...mmmm)...
December 12, 2005
anything worth doing
There is a saying: anything worth doing is worth doing right. I was talking with a dear friend about this, and something bothers me about that phrase (although I have invoked it many times). And it struck me today...the problem is attachment. Doing something "right" implies that there is a desired outcome...that we have a stake in the final "product." And that sets us up for a fall.
So I rewrote it today: anything worth doing is worth *really* doing. Engagement. Not attachment.
Now to put it into practice....
December 05, 2005
love v. lust
A heavyweight bout? The new hit drama on Friday nights? A hopeless battle? All of the above. A friend writes about the seemingly unsurmountable difference between XX and XY wrt love v. lust. While I agree with some of the sentiments, I'll weigh in with a few random thoughts.
Speaking as XY, I can say that lust is pretty constant. Now I'm a sensitive guy (relatively speaking), but I have to admit that I look at almost all women, and have a physical attraction to many. Does that mean I act on that attraction? Almost never. Because for me the whole "casual sex" thing just doesn't work. Many, many years ago I had a one-night-stand or two, but that was it. It just doesn't work for me. It isn't fun unless I've got some sort of "connection" with the partner. So what is the process?
September 21, 2005
memory rush over me
great line...
October 28, 2004
breakdown, go ahead and give it to me
From the title you''d expect Tom Petty, but instead I''m sticking with PG. SSRIs can do weird things to your brain. Combine a bad chemistry with some heavy stress and you get a breakdown. A bad one.
So during the worst of it, you search for some mercy. In this case, Mercy Street. I''d be crazier than I already am without music...
February 08, 2004
age and treachery
There is an old saying that age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill. I didn't used to believe that (when I was 20), but now that I'm over 40, I hope it is true. Today I had an example firsthand. I try to play basketball every weekend to get some exercise. I play at the local playground on the outdoor courts, and the pickup games range from spirited to...ummm....*spirited*. There are plenty of people out there who's ego is wrapped up in the score of the game. But I've yet to see a full on fight, so I have to say it could be worse.
January 27, 2004
future music
An interesting review of some of the mainstream articles regarding the MUDDA formed by Peter Gabriel and Brina Eno. Suffice it to say that this issue is near and dear to my heart as Simpleflower is in the studio right now. I also had a meeting with people from Sony music last week, as we will be working with them as a partner in the Campus Action Network. It is interesting to see how various parts of the industry try and "battle" the problem that the digital technologies have created.
I''ll stay away from my Digidesign, Microsoft, and other rants, but instead just stick to a brief bit on the recording industry. The elephants are still desperately hanging on to a model formed int he 60''s. It''s like ProTools is a "fad" (kinda like the radio industry when TV came along). DIGITAL CHANGES EVERYTHING. THE NETWORK CHANGES EVERYTHING. Sorry to yell, but a lot of people still don''t seem to get it. While we haven''t worked out very much of the real implications and permutations induced by living digital, even the tip of the iceberg is large. And fascinating.
Working...
January 01, 2004
new year, old year
Well, the new year is here. To paraphrase Pete Townsend, "meet the new year...same as the old year." 2003 ended on an ausipicous note, as I had to pay out of pocket for many thousands of $$$''s in repairs on my car. It could have been worse I suppose...it could be medical bills being paid.
The new year starts off looking towards recording an EP with Simpleflower, cranking out publications at work, and working on my album. I''ve got a bunch of new tunes, and they just need to be worked out.
November 17, 2003
why web communities matter
I run into a lot of people who either don't really do much web stuff (talking consumption and/or production), and still others who say things like, "waste of time", etc. While I concur that a great amount of your life can dissapear down the pipeline, there are reasons that the web matters.
June 11, 2003
Welcome to the nostatic blog
Hey, we're a joiner...what can I say. At any rate this provides a running commentary on "stuff", and your ability to comment.', 'By joining the nostatic.fm blog, you can rest assured that we don''t do anything funky with your email.