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Month: June 2008

365 Days, Imported From Flickr

6-30-08

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6-30-08

Day 689 of 365 More.

You know, looking at this makes it seem a lot more depressing than I thought I felt at the time.

I actually had a few really good ideas the last couple days. I was really happy with them. It was a good three or four day run. And I’m burnt out again.

A mere ghost of my former self.

It’s funny. The main reason I started this project was to push myself to come up with new ideas every day. I had serious doubts about being able to make 365 days. After the first year I kept going because I enjoyed the process and the challenge. Today is day 689 and half of me is amazed that I’ve been able to keep coming up with shit. The other half s]is in constant fear that the well is dry.

Maybe I’ll have something tomorrow.

365 days

365 Days, Imported From Flickr, Photoshoot

6-29-08

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6-29-08

Day 688 of 365 More.

How much is petrol? 82 million a gallon? Fuck this machine!

I’ve been looking for a new car. For those who don’t know, I drive a 97 Blazer. To be generous, one might say its on its last leg. I have a oil leak problem that no one can figure out. I broke off my passenger side mirror. I’ve had problems with everything from the fuel pump to the transmission. It’s old and it sucks. Also, it get like negative 83 miles to the gallon. And that’s a real problem these days, seeing as how putting twenty dollars in your tank can only almost get you to the next gas station.

Spent this weekend looking at hybrid SUVs. Now I don’t want to hear anyone’s nonsense telling me to get a nice little practical smart car or any shit like that. 1) I am a photographer. I routinely carry a huge amount of equipment and models with me on random trips, and I need the space. 2) I live in Pittsburgh. At the top of a hill. Really, in the 11 months out of the year when we have 18 feet of snow on the ground, one really wants four wheel drive.

Anyway, I’ve recently decided that for my lifestyle the Ford Escape is the perfect vehicle for me. It doesn’t have quite the luggage capacity of my Blazer, but it’s good enough, not to mention, nice and comfy and gets better than twice the gas milage I get right now. I might even be able to drive to the corner store and back for less than $47.

The problem is, a brand new one is like $30,000. Problem number two is that I don’t have $30,000. I’ve never actually owned a new car in my life. It just always seemed kinda silly. What with the "you lose $3000 just driving off the lot" and all. I’ve always been perfectly happy with used cars. The problem is motherfuckers who bought the Ford Escape Hybrid in the last 3 years (the came out in 2005) haven’t traded them back in yet. They’re hard as hell to find, and even when I do, the cheapest I’ve seen is like $19,000. Most people still want like $25000+ for them, and at that rate, I might as well have Ford custom build me one that’s decked out and pefect for like $32,000.

Fuck I hate life. I remember like in 1998 when I was driving a Cavalier Z24 and and less than a dollar a gallon, 20 bucks would fill up my tank and leave me more than enough change for a (much cheaper) pack of smokes and maybe a candy bar or something.

I blame freedom. In a world where I am ruler we would not have these problems. Again, I implore you citizens, in the polls this fall, vote for me. Not just as president, but as sovereign lord of all I survey. We tried the little democracy thing. Gave it over 230 years. Let’s face it. It just isn’t working out. Chalk it up to a lesson learned and appoint me as ruler and I promise a utopian society beyond you’re wildest dreams.

Or at the very least, I promise that you’ll fucking be able to fill up your tank for twenty dollars.

No, well, at the very least could you all pass the hat around and get me some scratch to buy a new vehicle? I swear, $30,000 and I’ll never ask for another thing again.

I’m worth it, right?

365 days

365 Days, Imported From Flickr

6-28-08

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6-28-08

Day 687 of 365 More.

A few weeks back on the 365 Days Podcast, James did a tutorial raving about macro filters. A few weeks later Stephen picked some up and started shooting every tiny thing he could find. I finally got around to getting a set for myself today while Steph and I were out shopping and figured I hadto show them off. It’s been a while since I did any abstract kinda self-portrait, so I figured now would be a good chance.

I love hand shots. This brings a whole new essence to them.

365 days

365 Days, Imported From Flickr

6-27-08

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6-27-08

Day 686 of 365 More.

Ah, refreshing.

Steph and I finally got a chance to use the pool tonight. It was quite nice. Not quite as warm as I like it (I like my pool water to feel warm… almost like the hottub) but it was quite nice anyway, probably just the temperature that most people like it.

Anyway, initially I had intended to do a shot of me floating underwater, but then I got the idea of doing a jumping out of the water shot (as opposed to my cannonballing into it that I did last year). This is what I finally came up with.

Aquaman, eat your heart out!

365 days

365 Days, Imported From Flickr

6-26-08

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6-26-08

Day 685 of 365 More.

You know, I gave serious thought to quitting smoking today. I really did. In fact, I only had 3 cigarettes in my pack when I woke up this morning and i was like "well, that’s it. Today is the day. Just think of the money I’ll save."

Made those three last til after work. Had the last one at like 6.

I made it til like 11.

I just had to get my fix. It is so very sad.

Mike Tyson once said to Barbara Walters that he was on Zoloft for the world’s protection. "I take Zoloft to keep me from killing you." Truer words were never spoken. That Mike Tyson is a genius.

365 days

365 Days, Imported From Flickr

6-25-08

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6-25-08

Day 684 of 365 More.

You know, sometimes I think I’m losing my mind. No particular reason. At least not one that I can put my finger on. I only realized tonight when my face started itching that I haven’t shaved all week. It’s 2:30am and I’m up and not really doing anything just because I can’t sleep. That’s nothing new really. I never sleep. I’ve mentioned that before. But usually I utilize that time working on something creative. The comic, pictures. Something. But I got the comic posted hours ago, and I just don’t have the mental energy to work on any thing.

So instead I’m sitting up and watching the World Trade Center movie, when i should be going to bed so I can go to work tomorrow.

Pretty sure I’m losing my mind.

Yep. Pretty sure.

365 days

365 Days, Imported From Flickr

6-24-08

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6-24-08

Day 683 of 365 More.

Hey look, it’s a TTV. Well, kinda anyway.

I’ve been really burnt out lately. Long day at work and had a lot of work to do on Thursday’s comic when I got home. On top of that, I have to get into work early tomorrow, which means I need to force myself to go to sleep soon, and it’s not even 12:30 and I’m totally not used to that.

Sigh… I’m burnt out. I really need a vacation. And a party. And a pony. Any two of the three would probably do.

365 days

365 Days, Imported From Flickr

6-23-08

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6-23-08

Day 682 of 365 More.

Blah… you know some days I just can’t think of anything interesting to say. Basically I just didn’t really do much today. I worked. I came home. Watched some TV. Shot the podcast. Tried to get some rest. Really, its the same basic thing I do every day.

I really need to inject some excitement into my life.

365 days

Imported From Flickr

Four of Cups

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Four of Cups

And I am caught up with my tarot cards. I still have a couple I want to redo slightly (moving some pictures to different numbers) but at least I’ve finally gotten through all of the ones that I was backlogged on.

This is Leia. She was nice enough to sit for a Tarot shoot a few weeks ago (ended up in my 365 for that day). There’s some other photos of her as well that I’ll hopefully get to sooner rather than later.

365 Days, Imported From Flickr

6-22-08

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6-22-08

Day 681 of 365 More.

I had a very interesting day. Spent the early afternoon with Steph’s family for her nephew’s birthday. It was full of all the… ummm… interesting conversation that I expect when spending time with my inlaws.

After that we spent the evening at a grown-up birthday party for a friend of mine with further interesting conversation.

It’s all very interesting the path that an encounter can take given the participants. There aren’t just two Americas. There are like 87.

365 days

365 Days, Imported From Flickr

6-21-08

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6-21-08

Day 680 of 365 More.

I should make an indy film.

I mean, lets be honest, I don’t really have time to make an indy film, but I would so love to. I actually studied screenwriting in college. I even know how to do it. And up until a few months ago when I decided to start writing a comic strip, I was basically wasting my whole creative writing degree, but now that I’m doing it, I totally love it. I love doing creative stuff, and I’m a total junkie for doing more.

While coloring Monday’s strip tonight, I sat down and watched Kisses and Caroms, and indy film that Amazon recommended to me. I’ve mentioned before that I’m a movie addict, so whenever I hear about a film that’s even half interesting sounding, i just kinda buy it on the theory that sooner or later I’ll want to watch it. So I picked up Kisses and Caroms. The reviews on Amazon kinda panned it, saying it was highly derivative of Kevin Smith. The thing is, I watch a LOT of indy film and 90% of it these days is highly derivative of Kevin Smith. Credit to Vince Rocca (the writer/director) he’s 18 billion times better at ripping off Smith than most people. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

So now I have something else to add to the list of things that I need to do with my life. ARRRGHHH!!!! I so don’t have time for this. I can’t get everything I need done now. Sooner or later, I’m really going to have to quit my job. A shame really, I actually kinda like my job, but having to work 8 hours a day is really depriving the world of like 33% of my creative genius, and I think the world deserves better than that.

I’m all giving that way.

In other words, I need your help America. Give me money. Go out and buy a copy of Hellcats. Buy my 365 Book. Hell, just paypal me a grand or two. The world is depending on you, the heroes to support me so I can make it a better place to live in.

Or, on the other hand, if there are any wealthy socialite trophy wives, bored of their rich husbands who want to set me up and be my benefactor/sugarmomma so I can afford to not work and spend my time creating great works of art, I am accepting applications. Oh, and I put out.

And I said, what about Breakfast at Tiffany’s?
She said, "I think I remember the film,
And as I recall, I think, we both kind of liked it."
Well I guess that’s one thing we’ve got.

365 days

365 Days, Imported From Flickr

6-20-08

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6-20-08

Day 679 of 365 More.

I want to change my hair. I’ve actually been thinking about it for a while which is why I’ve let it grow so crazy. I think I want to get braids of some kind. I just can’t decide what.

Sometimes I think I want cornrows. Sometimes I think I want braids. I’m not sure which style of either. Every once in a while I really want to just go all natural and pick it out into a huge 70s afro. Unforunately, I don’t think that would allow me to exist in the day to day working society I have to frequent. Oh to be a full time artist.

Anyway, what do people think? I’m totally open to suggestions here.

365 days

365 Days, Imported From Flickr

6-19-08

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6-19-08

Day 678 of 365 More.

Got a new 50mm lens. The world is good again.

Last year I dedicated a photo to Juneteenth. Sadly I was late doing it. I didn’t get around to doing the photo up til June 21st. Two days after Juneteenth. I considered it apropos as the entire point of Juneteenth is being late, but I vowed to make sure I did a commemorative Juneteenth photo on the right day this year.

For those of you who didn’t see last years photo, and are too lazy to click on the link, allow me to excerpt it and explain the meaning of Juneteenth:

The base idea of Juneteenth is that back on September 22, 1862, Abraham Lincoln announces that the civil war is over and that all slaves would be freemen effective the 1st of the year (you know, you can’t just end 200 years of slavery and oppression, you have to ween people off of it. Give Masa a chance for a few last beatings and rapes… and you know, the harvest was coming).

Two and a half years later, Union Soldiers by led by General Gordon Granger rode into to Texas and were surprised to find that, goshdarnit, there were still slaves there. Apparently "news hadn’t gotten that far." Of course, I’ve always felt that news had gotten that far and Whitey just decided that since the nigros couldn’t read, maybe if no one said anything out loud they’d never catch on. Anyway, on that day, the slaves were "freed" in Texas. Of course, General Granger advised them to continue doing the same work they were doing, living in the same houses they were living in and proceed exactly the same, you know… except now they would be getting paid (slaves wages). And thus slavery died and the ghetto was born.

I commemorate this joyous day by symbolically breaking free of my chains.

Yay! I’m free… And yet still poor… No 40 acres… No mule… hmmm… Can a nigga get a table dance?

So there you go. By the way, I have marked this pic flickr safe, even though technically I am naked. I figure, I’m a boy. I’m showing no naughty bits, it’s not even remotely sexual. Here’s hoping that I don’t get myself banned again. I’ve pretty much given up on explore. 🙂

Happy Juneteenth. Now how about that table dance?

365 days