Spunky Muffin Z

Lookie!

2009-12-15T00:32:33Z

Check out this jacket! It is so awesomely nerdy and still kinda subtle at the same time. If you don't know what you are looking at it just looks kick ass, and if you do recognize the pattern the nerd in you squees!

Yeah I can't handle the awesome.

Gramophone Tax

2009-12-02T19:24:33Z

www.marriedtothesea.com

Leonid Meteor Shower 2009

2009-11-12T23:28:55Z

It is going to be very great with one of the biggest meteor shower events of our lifetime. I would recomend everyone mark their calendars for this historic event. Plus it is just going to be mad cool.

On Nov. 17, 2009, Earth will pass through the 1466 stream again, but this time closer to the center. Based on the number of meteors observed in 2008, Vaubaillon can estimate the strength of the coming display: five hundred or more Leonids per hour. The times provided are optimal view hours for PST, but the Leonid Meteor shower may last up to two days so there may be other times for optimal viewing.

Start Time:	Monday, November 16, 2009 at 11:00pm
End Time:	Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 4:00am

Zombie Girls!

2009-10-14T03:45:39Z

I have the zombie shoot almost finished, it's down to details with the photoshop work. I need to pick my top three for the show. Let me know what you think. I welcome all sorts of comments. This will be my first show so I would really like to know what people think good and bad. :)

BEAUTY AND BRAAAINS!

Very Old Story That Makes Me Happy

2009-09-12T12:25:55Z

The Tale of Eric and the Dread Gazebo
by Richard Aronson (aronson@sierratel.com)

...In the early seventies, Ed Whitchurch ran "his game," and one of the participants was Eric Sorenson. Eric plays something like a computer. When he games he methodically considers each possibility before choosing his preferred option. If given time, he will invariably pick the optimal solution. It has been known to take weeks. He is otherwise, in all respects, a superior gamer.

Eric was playing a Neutral Paladin in Ed's game. He was on some lord's lands when the following exchange occurred:

ED: You see a well groomed garden. In the middle, on a small hill, you
see a gazebo.
ERIC: A gazebo? What color is it?
ED: (Pause) It's white, Eric.
ERIC: How far away is it?
ED: About 50 yards.
ERIC: How big is it?
ED: (Pause) It's about 30 ft across, 15 ft high, with a pointed top.
ERIC: I use my sword to detect good on it.
ED: It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo.
ERIC: (Pause) I call out to it.
ED: It won't answer. It's a gazebo.
ERIC: (Pause) I sheathe my sword and draw my bow and arrows. Does it
respond in any way?
ED: No, Eric, it's a gazebo!
ERIC: I shoot it with my bow (roll to hit). What happened?
ED: There is now a gazebo with an arrow sticking out of it.
ERIC: (Pause) Wasn't it wounded?
ED: OF COURSE NOT, ERIC! IT'S A GAZEBO!
ERIC: (Whimper) But that was a +3 arrow!
ED: It's a gazebo, Eric, a GAZEBO! If you really want to try to
destroy it, you could try to chop it with an axe, I suppose, or you
could try to burn it, but I don't know why anybody would even try.
It's a @#$%!! gazebo!
ERIC: (Long pause. He has no axe or fire spells.) I run away.
ED: (Thoroughly frustrated) It's too late. You've awakened the gazebo.
It catches you and eats you.
ERIC: (Reaching for his dice) Maybe I'll roll up a fire-using mage so
I can avenge my Paladin.

At this point, the increasingly amused fellow party members restored a modicum of order by explaining to Eric what a gazebo is. Thus ends the tale of Eric and the Dread Gazebo. It could have been worse; at least the gazebo wasn't on a grassy gnoll.

Astro for Today

2009-09-07T01:09:40Z

Taurus

By Rick Levine

Today is a perfect day to go into hiding but you may feel so guilty that you cannot enjoy your great escape. The Moon in your 12th House of Secrets reveals that someone may be working against you in some subtle matter. You cannot confront anyone directly now, for avoidance seems to be the word of the day. Instead, just go about living your life and plan on taking action once you know more about the situation.

Don't i know it!

WANT!

2009-08-30T21:15:43Z

Seriously, can somebody make these for me?

Sneak Peek!

2009-08-17T04:23:15Z

Wanna see the Zombie Girls? Well too bad! I'm not sharing until they are completely finished. What I will do is sare a couple photos of the girls and the place we were shooting at. Lemme know what you think! :)

This is Jen's Kitchen, Amazing huh?

I am really excited about this project. These photos were taken today in a second shoot the girls wanted to do sans zombie make up and damage but they have the same flavor as the zombie shoot. As soon as the photoshop and editing is done I will share all the zombie goodness!

Relief!

2009-08-16T17:28:19Z

My Zombie shoot went better than I could have hoped. Everything went so smoothly and I got some fantastic shots! I have decided not to post any until they are entirely done. They still need some photoshop work done, just to complete the zombie look I want. My models are amazing ladies and did a fantastic job.

I have a couple other things I want to try this year before work totally consumes my life. I am finding that I really enjoy this sort of outlet and I know I do good stuff and have nowhere to go but up! I have have the Ideas, and concepts down. Now its just time for practice, practice, practice!

MC Chris

2009-08-13T23:47:26Z

How about some Nerd Rap today?

Advice I Needed!

2009-08-05T23:39:49Z

1. Document what you are responding to regularly. *journal/sketchbook, blog, listmaking, photo journal, bulletin board collage, internet bookmarks, Allow yourself to go deeper into an idea. Find influence outside of your field. Consider that you are ALWAYS working for yourself.

2. Start to challenge yourself on a regular basis to try new things, (not just for work. *i.e. new foods, colors, processes, classes, travel, become a guerilla artist, etc. Your hobbies are your greatest source of play.)

3. Go back to your childhood, (the formative years). What were your favourite things to do? In this lies some clues as to where you want to focus your energy as an adult. What makes you burst with energy?

4. Do something that is not for money. For your own enjoyment. (Your greatest work will come from here!)
*examples…
-newsletter
-zine
-website
-x-mas card
-product concept
-toys
-gifts for friends.
Design for yourself. *See handout on guerilla art.

5. Use sources that are based on your daily life. Your life IS your art. What are the things that are most important in your current life?

6. Become a collector. Collecting allows us to look at one thing in a contemplative & mindful way. Giving you new insights and perceptions. Examples: Maria Kalman -purse contents, Steven Guarnaccia -shoe sole
rubbings, Ian Phillips & Grant Heaps -Lost & Found pet posters, Mark Ulriksen (former art director) -misspellings of his name, Charles & Rae Eames -toys from other countries

7. "Pay no attention to the man behind that curtain." Ignore what other people are doing. It has no bearing on your existence or vision of the world. The times we feel the most discouraged are usually due to the fact we are comparing ourselves to others. Most times reading awards annuals, and industry mags only serves to make us feel inadequate. Try cutting it out entirely. Designer Bruce Mau recommends not entering awards competitions. His reasoning, “Just don’t do it, it’s not good for you.”

8. Don't promote to target your audience. By all means send things out into the world, but don't think in terms of "promoting to get work". Send stuff out because -you're proud of it, -you want to share something with the world, -it's fun to get mail, -to have good karma, -you want to spread your germs, -you like licking stamps. Try sending a postcard of something you made for fun, (i.e. directions on how to make a finger puppet). When thinking of subject matter for promotions look to your current life. If you deal with topics that are important to you a piece will have much more life to it.

9. Take a lighthearted approach (Don't take yourself too seriously). If you feel stuck, you can always reinvent yourself, (re: try something else).

10. Study other artists or creators who followed their own vision. Research.

Ambition

2009-07-31T05:51:03Z

It seems that my ambition levels wax and wane alot. I started several projects this summer and am just about finished with the little ones but my big pin-up shoot is coming up next weekend and I am starting to freak out.

I am stressed because so many people are involved. I am shooting in two (maybe three) locations. it turns out that one of my models' sister has a completely retro 50's style home, it is more than perfect! I am so lucky to be able to shoot there. The sister wants to be a model too, this is fine except now I have a third person to shoot that day and I think it is going to make for a very long day. I don't want to say no because it is her home.

I have a friend coming from Denver to do make up. Which is awesome and beyond anything I ever expected. I have people willing to help with photoshop, since I have never really messed with it and don't think anything I will do will look good enough for a show by October. My biggest fear is that since I have so many people involved I want everything to be perfect, because if my photography isn't good I feel like I am disappointing everyone involved. My other fear is that with depending on so many others for their talents my vision will be lost. I have a very specific imagery I am trying to achieve and I have to sort of put that in other artist's hands. The perfectionist control freak in me is pulling her hair out.

I spent the afternoon with a friend who does stuff like this all the time. After talking with him I was both excited and terrified. I learned a lot and took some notes on tips and tricks. I also realized that there is much I don't know and I think I am in way over my head.

I have one model to shoot Saturday and three on Sunday. My first day of shooting for work is that following Monday. After that its back to the constant on the move sort of lifestyle that goes with my job until Christmas. I have also agreed to do some props for a production of Cannibal the Musical that is being put on by some former Cabaret people. Why would I do this to myself? I think I am crazy. Maybe I love the stress. I don't know.

Gotta Love the Shat!

2009-07-28T21:22:21Z

William Shatner reads Governor Palin's farewell speech.

Analyze This!

2009-07-15T04:56:37Z

Meme, stolen from </a></b></a>rabidline

1) Post ten of any pictures currently on your hard drive that you think are self-expressive.
2) NO CAPTIONS!!! It must be like we're speaking with images and we have to interpret your visual language just like we have to interpret your words.
3) They must ALREADY be on your hard drive - no googling or flickr! They have to have been saved to your folders sometime in the past. They must be something you've saved there because it resonated with you for some reason.
4) You do NOT have to answer any questions about any of your pictures if you don't want to. You can make them as mysterious as you like. Or you can explain them away as much as you like.

Science!

2009-07-11T00:16:21Z

Today is Nikola Tesla's 154th Birthday! So, if you enjoy all of your electricity, radios, robots, and computer science he's the man to thank!

Mesa County Fair

2009-07-09T05:33:24Z

This year I am thinking about entering some of my photography in the Mesa County Fair. I am having the worst time selecting photos. Can any of you think of a particular piece that you especially remember? or go look at my photobucket!

100 Snapshot album
Everything else

These are the categories I can have ONE black and white and One color in each category.

Division: 112 – Black & White
Division: 113 – Color
Class:
1. Animals, domestic, pets
2. Animals, wild
3. Animals, farm
4. Architectural
5. Birds
6. Children
7. Computer assisted/enhanced
8. Flowers/Floral
9. Fair Theme “Best Six Days of Summer” Tropical
Fun!
10. Landscape, deserts
11. Landscape, lakes, rivers
12. Landscape, mountains
13. Landscape, pasture, fields
14. Natural phenomenon
15. Night scene
16. People
17. Seascape/marine
18. Special effects, motion, action
19. Sports
20. Still Life
21. Sunrise/Sunset, please identify
22. Super closeup
23. Trees
24. Underwater
25. Any other, please identify

Thanks!

Shake it Like a Polaroid Picture!

2009-07-07T04:17:23Z

My first belly dance class was tonight. Dayum its hard! Coupled with the yoga we and doing with Shannon and Chris I think eventually I may be happier with my body. I have wanted to take belly dance classes for years and have talked my self out of it. This summer has been pretty interesting. There has been some soul searching and priorities have been re arranged. I am finally calm and almost centered...I think. Let's see how it goes.

SO Excited!

2009-07-04T23:40:05Z

I know that there hasn't been much from me in the way of posts for a while but in truth there hasn't been much to tell. I am working a shitty summer job to cover bills until I go back to MJT for the fall. I have nothing but contempt for the job so I choose not to dwell on it. l

But here is something post worthy, cuz I am super excited. This year I have decided to enter "The Dark Show" which is a Halloween art show here in GJ at one of our "galleries". I'm looking at it as a foot in the door so-to-speak. I am finally sorta confidant in my work to try to publicize it and hopeful sell a bit. If my work is popular enough at the dark show I could be awarded my own show at the gallery sometime next year.

I am bursting with ideas and am getting some amazing people together for my first project. It's been an exciting process. Today I had a surprise when I was dragged along to a car show. (Somewhere spunky REALLY didn't wanna be) I found this beauty...

I know she's a bit strange and totally ratty looking but believe me when I say she is absolutely perfect for my project. I have contact info from a friend of the owner who was very optimistic about my plans and said the owner would probably love the idea. I am going to contact him on Monday and see if he would let me come out and take some photos. Wish me luck. I always talk myself out of doing stuff like this because of many stupid neuroses but I think I may just have enough guts and enthusiasm to make this one happen. :)

Gimmie!

2009-06-30T19:46:28Z

Read!

2009-06-27T20:58:54Z

David Carradine Dead In Bangkok:

2009-06-04T17:53:32Z

From the Huffington Post:
BANGKOK — Actor David Carradine, star of the 1970s TV series "Kung Fu" who also had a wide-ranging career in the movies, has been found dead in the Thai capital, Bangkok. A news report said he was found hanged in his hotel room and was believed to have committed suicide.

A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy, Michael Turner, confirmed the death of the 72-year-old actor. He said the embassy was informed by Thai authorities that Carradine died either late Wednesday or early Thursday, but he could not provide further details out of consideration for his family.

The Web site of the Thai newspaper The Nation cited unidentified police sources as saying Carradine was found Thursday hanged in his luxury hotel room.

It said Carradine was in Bangkok to shoot a movie and had been staying at the hotel since Tuesday.

The newspaper said Carradine could not be contacted after he failed to appear for a meal with the rest of the film crew on Wednesday, and that his body was found by a hotel maid at 10 a.m. Thursday morning. The name of the movie was not immediately available.

It said a preliminary police investigation found that he had hanged himself with a cord used with the room's curtains. It cited police as saying he had been dead at least 12 hours and there was no sign that he had been assaulted.

A police officer at Bangkok's Lumpini precinct station would not confirm the identity of the dead man to The Associated Press, but said the luxury Swissotel Nai Lert Park hotel had reported that a male guest killed himself there.

Carradine was a leading member of a venerable Hollywood acting family that included his father, character actor John Carradine, and brother Keith.

In all, he appeared in more than 100 feature films with such directors as Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman and Hal Ashby.

But he was best known for his role as Kwai Chang Caine, a Shaolin priest traveling the 1800s American frontier West in the TV series "Kung Fu," which aired in 1972-75.

He reprised the role in a mid-1980s TV movie and played Caine's grandson in the 1990s syndicated series "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues."

He returned to the top in recent years as the title character in Quentin Tarantino's two-part saga "Kill Bill."

Stare into the loving eye of the following video

2009-05-30T18:51:35Z

Downtrodden

2009-05-18T15:01:06Z

Downtrodden
~Abney Park

Once I was complete,
The earth, firm, under my feet,
My back was strong, my body fleet,
Now I ache allover.

I learned each virtue I was told
I worked hard to avoid the mold
But as I saw my life unfold
There was no place for me.

It was hard when I begun,
Each day harder it has become.
My only future was undone,
And nothing has replaced it.

There is nothing left to gain,
All that's left is to maintain.
Just to stand is too much strain,
But there is nothing else

I once believed in everything,
I once had faith in my ring,
Of my own world I was the king,
And now I am a beggar

I'm tired guilt, I'm tired of crying.
I'm tired of work, and finished trying.
I'm tired of living, and scared of dying.
But there is nothing else

I've been beat, I've been broken
I asked for a place, the world has spoken
I was asleep, but now that I've woken,
I preferred my dream.

It will take great strength to pull me through,
This challenge unseen, which I must do.
To make a "me" I never knew,
But I'm already spent.

Antique Adventure

2009-05-07T19:14:33Z

I took off on Sunday to de-stress and chill. Lookie at what I found!

Slide Show Here!

Guuuhhhh.....

2009-05-05T05:45:25Z

So damn tired....Can't wait for springg season to be OVER. Three more days, I can do it...I hope.

Here's the major points of the last month or so:

- Lots of work and travel
- We moved...Again
- Read Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett ( Ty You gotta get ahold of this one)
- I'm Depressed
- Have some photo shoot Ideas and I need models
- My birthday was kinda disappointing
- Wolverine origins was total crap
- Nickie is knocked up
-I gotta get a summer job.

More on these things later after rest and recharging