Okay, I admit. I rent my movies at the library. I'm in there all the time as it is, getting books, and their DVD case is just sitting there waiting to be plucked clean.
I check out books because I ran out of room in my house for books, books to keep that is, so now I find myself "renting" what I read.
So I designed a 160-page book today, was nearly out of my mind with wrath toward the computer, so I ventured to the library to get a flick and leave the evil computer machine behind.
Every so often, once in a blue moon, a movie character comes along that truly makes me feel a little uneasy. You would think it would be a mainstream bad guy, but for the most part, movie bad guys don't scare me all that much. In fact, mainstream movies in general don't scare me, or interest me, all that much. If a movie takes in $200 million in the first eight minutes, chances are, I won't even bother to see it. There is just something about mass produced entertainment that seems to hit a little outside the target with me.
Now obscure, bashed by critics, in release for less than one week type movie, now that is more up my alley.
Harsh Times is such a film, and it's lead character, played by English actor Christian Bale, was one of those roles that just made my skin crawl.
This movie was wrong in so many ways I lost count as my level of depression pressed my body deeper and deeper into my horribly uncomfortable mid-century couch. In fact, the movie was so twisted, dark and wrong I ended up lying on the floor, figuring maybe I should feel the same pain the main character is spreading like a blanket over everyone and anyone in his path.
Iraq war vet, looked to be Special Ops, home from the war, and let's just say finding it a smidge difficult to blend into the old nine to five world rife with rules, regulations and those pesky laws we have.
Drugs, guns, nightmares, bad deals, violence, scams, missed opportunities, and just for kicks a South of the border love affair that can't possibly end well. In fact, the opening credits were enough to tell me that NOTHING in this film was going to end well, or even start well for that matter.
Now I'm not saying this was a great movie, or that torturing yourself with violence and depression is a great way to spend two hours on a Thursday night, but I have to say, there was something so wrong with the main character that he was actually right.
I kept mumbling to myself, "Ooohhhh nnnnoooo,"" because I knew that not only was there something horrible around every bend, but I also knew that this story just might be how this entire mess would go down in real life.
You ever pull a half gallon of milk out of the fridge and smell it, LIKE YOU SHOULD, only to be confronted with not really knowing if it is good or bad. It's on the line!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's six am and you sure don't want to drive to get more.........and then, my friend, it is YOU that is on the line.
THAT is what this movie was about. The other characters were somewhat irrelevant, but it was the main guy that I couldn't get a bead on. The accent was here then there, he was calm, then total rage. I just kept thinking, "I think I know this guy."
The truly scary character is the guy who is clearly whacked out of his skull, but who can ride that line, JUST close enough to make you think twice, and this is what Bale's character did.
How many guys like this are out there?
The script was good too, authentic you might say, and come to think of it, the storyline was also solid.
Again, is this a GREAT movie? Probably not, but I'm no judge of anything Hollywood(As you can tell from this post.) I'm not sure it was even in the real cinema. They might have just driven it by on the way to Blockbuster to drop off the DVD's.
But like I said, I rented it at the library, which has a selection a touch smaller than the major video store. It was either this or "Breaking Two, Electric Bugaloo," and I"ve already seen that too many times.
31 May, 2007
26 May, 2007
Spring Cleaning
This is the time of year that most of us looking at that garage, that storage area, that extra room in the house that has become the landing pad of all the stuff you don't know what to do with, and realize, "Okay, it's time."
The same thing happens now in the digital age. We acquire things. We store things, too many things, and every so often we have to stop and say, "Okay, I've got to deal with this."
Me, I've got a system. Whether or not this system is the best, or correct, or perfect, can only be answered at some time in the future. Saying that your system of storage is "fantastic" or "fool proof," cant' be proven, at least at the moment.
Talk to me in ten years, twenty, or even forty years.
So today, at the moment, I'm transferring things from one electronic place to another. It is tedious, boring if you will, but very important. Of course I do this all the time, on an ongoing basis, but several times a year, I go through the spring cleaning, fall cleaning, etc.
So right now, around me, there are lots of progress bars, flashing lights and negative sleeves, contact sheets and archival boxes brimming with collected film.
The same thing happens now in the digital age. We acquire things. We store things, too many things, and every so often we have to stop and say, "Okay, I've got to deal with this."
Me, I've got a system. Whether or not this system is the best, or correct, or perfect, can only be answered at some time in the future. Saying that your system of storage is "fantastic" or "fool proof," cant' be proven, at least at the moment.
Talk to me in ten years, twenty, or even forty years.
So today, at the moment, I'm transferring things from one electronic place to another. It is tedious, boring if you will, but very important. Of course I do this all the time, on an ongoing basis, but several times a year, I go through the spring cleaning, fall cleaning, etc.
So right now, around me, there are lots of progress bars, flashing lights and negative sleeves, contact sheets and archival boxes brimming with collected film.
22 May, 2007
21 May, 2007
Palm Springs Photo Festival Snaps
Okay, just a tiny sample my friends. Next year, put it on your books and go.
17 May, 2007
16 May, 2007
Reality
I needed to write this post because I, once again, ran into someone who said, "Wow, you have the best job in the world." "A photographer, just driving around all day taking pictures."
Well, I do have a great job, but it might not be exactly what a lot of people think it is. Now I can't speak for all photographers, or all kinds of photography, but I can speak for me.
My life is about 5-10% actual photography, and the rest is work. Now I like some of this labor, but much of it is work, just like any other line. I've worked on a ranch, installed hot tubs, worked construction and did some of the world's worst modeling jobs, and while some of these endeavors are more physical than what I do now, they all contain a similar level of attentiveness.
In fact, I work far more now than I ever have. My job is a 6-7 day a week job, all year long. It wouldnt' have to be this way if I made it easy on myself, just did one thing, outsourced, turned over control, but anyone who knows me knows that ain't gonna happen anytime soon.
You see, I was born this way. This photography thing was in me from the beginning. I'm a collector, of stories, of histories, of images, words, scrapes of this and that. I can't turn it off, leave it at the studio or forget about it, even on vacation(I don't go on them). And because of this, I'm cursed with always being on, always working.
If my wife and I have day when there is "nothing to do," we don't know what to do. This happened recently, not a full day mind ya, but a partial day with NOTHING on the books. We looked at each other and laughed.
"People do this all the time," I said to her. "Like every weekend." More laughs.
You see, I'm the one man band. Marketing, yep, that's me. Advertising, me too. Fulfillment, delivery, design, editing, archiving, creating, brainstorming, traveling, bookings, taxes, payroll, accounting, etc, etc. Me.
Sometimes when all this is on your plate it is easy to lose track of the fact that these days we are living, these days, right now, I'm talking about days like today, are the days that we are supposed to be enjoying. This is life.
For me, I reconnect, I remember in a way, by going out and making pictures, not for a client, or an assignment, but for me only. It is not that these photos don't have uses, don't get me wrong, but they originate inside me, for me. Selfish I know, but real all the same.
In short, I've go no complaints. I work my butt off, true, but I can't imagine it any other way.
Well, I do have a great job, but it might not be exactly what a lot of people think it is. Now I can't speak for all photographers, or all kinds of photography, but I can speak for me.
My life is about 5-10% actual photography, and the rest is work. Now I like some of this labor, but much of it is work, just like any other line. I've worked on a ranch, installed hot tubs, worked construction and did some of the world's worst modeling jobs, and while some of these endeavors are more physical than what I do now, they all contain a similar level of attentiveness.
In fact, I work far more now than I ever have. My job is a 6-7 day a week job, all year long. It wouldnt' have to be this way if I made it easy on myself, just did one thing, outsourced, turned over control, but anyone who knows me knows that ain't gonna happen anytime soon.
You see, I was born this way. This photography thing was in me from the beginning. I'm a collector, of stories, of histories, of images, words, scrapes of this and that. I can't turn it off, leave it at the studio or forget about it, even on vacation(I don't go on them). And because of this, I'm cursed with always being on, always working.
If my wife and I have day when there is "nothing to do," we don't know what to do. This happened recently, not a full day mind ya, but a partial day with NOTHING on the books. We looked at each other and laughed.
"People do this all the time," I said to her. "Like every weekend." More laughs.
You see, I'm the one man band. Marketing, yep, that's me. Advertising, me too. Fulfillment, delivery, design, editing, archiving, creating, brainstorming, traveling, bookings, taxes, payroll, accounting, etc, etc. Me.
Sometimes when all this is on your plate it is easy to lose track of the fact that these days we are living, these days, right now, I'm talking about days like today, are the days that we are supposed to be enjoying. This is life.
For me, I reconnect, I remember in a way, by going out and making pictures, not for a client, or an assignment, but for me only. It is not that these photos don't have uses, don't get me wrong, but they originate inside me, for me. Selfish I know, but real all the same.
In short, I've go no complaints. I work my butt off, true, but I can't imagine it any other way.
Times Are A Changing
Well, it has been five years, and my internal clock, the one I can only rarely hear, has decided things have grown too normal, too routine. So, big changes on the way yet again.
For some reason, much to the chagrin of those around me, about every four or five years I make a change like this. I stop one thing and I start another.
What am I going to stop? What am I going to start?
You just have to wait and see.
For some reason, much to the chagrin of those around me, about every four or five years I make a change like this. I stop one thing and I start another.
What am I going to stop? What am I going to start?
You just have to wait and see.
Palm Springs Photo Festival 2
This post goes out to Maggie who was nice enough to send me a note.
In short, always go. As a "newbie" I think you would have been totally fine. If you have the passion for photography, want to learn, then it is never a bad thing to attend something like this.
The great thing about this event was that it was a true festival. Even though many of the photographers in attendance are "significant" within the industry, they are all there to look at work, and a range of work at that. People are relaxed, and everyone I met was kind and thoughtful in their reviews.
Although I did see a good amount of really nice work, the level of participant was far ranging.
You can take a workshop, attend a seminar or symposium, and at night you are treated to two amazing slideshows.
I think this event had something for everyone. Plus, great location, as you know, and a good sense of people just hanging out, relaxing and enjoying photography.
In short, always go. As a "newbie" I think you would have been totally fine. If you have the passion for photography, want to learn, then it is never a bad thing to attend something like this.
The great thing about this event was that it was a true festival. Even though many of the photographers in attendance are "significant" within the industry, they are all there to look at work, and a range of work at that. People are relaxed, and everyone I met was kind and thoughtful in their reviews.
Although I did see a good amount of really nice work, the level of participant was far ranging.
You can take a workshop, attend a seminar or symposium, and at night you are treated to two amazing slideshows.
I think this event had something for everyone. Plus, great location, as you know, and a good sense of people just hanging out, relaxing and enjoying photography.
13 May, 2007
Palm Springs Photo Festival
Put it on your books for next year. Jeff Dunas and crew really pulled it off. A true festival of creativity, inspiration and dedication. More later.
02 May, 2007
01 May, 2007
24 April, 2007
15 April, 2007
13 April, 2007
Holding Up
So I don't watch a lot of TV. I have a TV, but don't have cable, so the only thing I get is the smattering of local channels, plus an odd assortment of "fringe" channels shall we say.
So last night I turn this thing on. My remote control is partially broken, so only certain buttons work.
As I was trying to get to one channel, one of the buttons stuck and I was taken to a mid-20's channel that was showing reruns of Charlie's Angels.
Wow, I have to say, this show REALLY DOES NOT STAND UP OVER TIME. Your shocked I know.
I am old enough to remember this show during it's original run, and I have say, I thought Boseley was God. I worshipped at his church, wanted to be him, wanted to smell like him. Three woman, working for him, armed, dangerous. I was too young to think about acting, script, storyline, reality, reason, or anything else.
At the time, I think it was Sabrina that really was the center of my total fixation. I mean Farah was Farah, and still is, Farah. Just say it, Farah, Farah, Farah. But there was something about Sabrina, at least I think that was her character name, that hooked me.
My sister, three years older, but not much wiser, was physically trying to be her own Angel, buying red pants, berets and wearing all the facial products she could get her hands on. My brother, six years older, was too cool for any of us, and was in the middle of his 10-year , teenage isolation period, so I had and still have no idea his views about this poignant and world-changin show.
But this time around, watching this rerun, I was stunned. In one action sequence, two of the three Angels are chasing "the bad guy" through a park, and when it comes time to tackle the guy, in comes the MALE stunt double. This guy was "subbing" for Cherly Ladd, a sub herself, and he was built like a middle linebacker for the Raiders.
One minute Cheryl in her red hot pants, the next minute someone who looked like my dad is tackling the bad guy. Then, in an instant, there is Cheryl again. No grass stains, hair in place, etc.
I was thinking, "Gee, how did they fool me with this when I was eight?"
Oh, and the script. I was nearly in tears. Then, the bad guy, in a final and apocalyptic fit, tries to act menacing as he blacks out or passes out or something along those lines. I was hysterical with laughter. Hysterical at this guy's acted pain. And it was this hysteria that snaped me out of my haze, forcing me to realize I was actually watching a rerun of Charlie's Angels. Good God, what is next? Magnum P.I? The Fall Guy? Hardcastle and McCormick?
In short, be careful people. Those shows of our glory years come with a price. If you want your memories deflated, just search out those lost channels and prepare for the worst.
So last night I turn this thing on. My remote control is partially broken, so only certain buttons work.
As I was trying to get to one channel, one of the buttons stuck and I was taken to a mid-20's channel that was showing reruns of Charlie's Angels.
Wow, I have to say, this show REALLY DOES NOT STAND UP OVER TIME. Your shocked I know.
I am old enough to remember this show during it's original run, and I have say, I thought Boseley was God. I worshipped at his church, wanted to be him, wanted to smell like him. Three woman, working for him, armed, dangerous. I was too young to think about acting, script, storyline, reality, reason, or anything else.
At the time, I think it was Sabrina that really was the center of my total fixation. I mean Farah was Farah, and still is, Farah. Just say it, Farah, Farah, Farah. But there was something about Sabrina, at least I think that was her character name, that hooked me.
My sister, three years older, but not much wiser, was physically trying to be her own Angel, buying red pants, berets and wearing all the facial products she could get her hands on. My brother, six years older, was too cool for any of us, and was in the middle of his 10-year , teenage isolation period, so I had and still have no idea his views about this poignant and world-changin show.
But this time around, watching this rerun, I was stunned. In one action sequence, two of the three Angels are chasing "the bad guy" through a park, and when it comes time to tackle the guy, in comes the MALE stunt double. This guy was "subbing" for Cherly Ladd, a sub herself, and he was built like a middle linebacker for the Raiders.
One minute Cheryl in her red hot pants, the next minute someone who looked like my dad is tackling the bad guy. Then, in an instant, there is Cheryl again. No grass stains, hair in place, etc.
I was thinking, "Gee, how did they fool me with this when I was eight?"
Oh, and the script. I was nearly in tears. Then, the bad guy, in a final and apocalyptic fit, tries to act menacing as he blacks out or passes out or something along those lines. I was hysterical with laughter. Hysterical at this guy's acted pain. And it was this hysteria that snaped me out of my haze, forcing me to realize I was actually watching a rerun of Charlie's Angels. Good God, what is next? Magnum P.I? The Fall Guy? Hardcastle and McCormick?
In short, be careful people. Those shows of our glory years come with a price. If you want your memories deflated, just search out those lost channels and prepare for the worst.
Landis
Okay, nearly a year after the infamous "positive" test, Floyd Landis still finds himself entangled in his million dollar defense of the Tour de France crown.
Yesterday, a governing body ruled the lab could test the backup, or B samples, from Landis, to help with other ongoing aspects of the evidence they are gathering against him.
I'm a little confused. I've been confused about this for a year, but I keep thinking SOMEONE will answer some of these questions about the case.
And yet, no, nothing, nada.
The "mainstream" media has completely dropped the ball on this case. I think a collective, "doping fatigue" and complete ignorance of procedure, history and science is to blame, not to mention most of the "mainstream" media seems to know little about cycling, and probably can't win any awards by writing about it. Harsh, I know, but think about it.
Landis failed a test for synthetic testosterone. He failed one test, in the middle of SEVEN tests throughout the Tour de France.
How does that work? How is that possible? Doesn't this seem a little strange? Would someone take testosterone for one day? I'm not saying he wouldn't but what benefit would there be?
You would think that someone would have tried to explain that, but as far as I know it just keeps appearing in print as a sidenote.
Oh and remember, the "mainstream" media first reported his testosterone level was too high, then too low, then the ratio was too high, then too low, etc, etc. They had NO IDEA what they were reporting, yet they did it anyway. Better to run a retraction than coming in second?
Also, the lab that conducted the tests is the same lab that has made countless procedural errors in past tests, and was the same lab that went after Lance Armstong, over and over. And yet this is the lab that is still being used for the testing? Nice!!(in Borat tone)
I don't think anyone is disputing the fact that this lab has made several errors, and yet the idea of using another lab hasn't occured to anyone? Nice!!(in Borat tone)
Believe me, I think most of the guys who are competing at the highest level in cycling are DOPED TO THE GILLS, but that does not eliminate the fact that something isn't right in the Landis case.
And, when I hear a report about this case, in the "mainstream" media, it is the same rehashed mush they were reporting when the case first broke.
Funny, of all those riders to ride last year, just one positive test. Just one. American Floyd Landis. Winner.
Oh, and that "event" a few months ago regarding the second place finisher, and a "abnormal" test of some kind. THAT was an accident. The Spanish anti-doping investigation. Oh ya, were gonna throw that one out too.
In short, the entire industry of cycling stinks, and I would not be surprised to find out that the crowd watching the race is doping. But, again, that still does not make me wonder what is really going on behind the scenes in the Landis case.
Yesterday, a governing body ruled the lab could test the backup, or B samples, from Landis, to help with other ongoing aspects of the evidence they are gathering against him.
I'm a little confused. I've been confused about this for a year, but I keep thinking SOMEONE will answer some of these questions about the case.
And yet, no, nothing, nada.
The "mainstream" media has completely dropped the ball on this case. I think a collective, "doping fatigue" and complete ignorance of procedure, history and science is to blame, not to mention most of the "mainstream" media seems to know little about cycling, and probably can't win any awards by writing about it. Harsh, I know, but think about it.
Landis failed a test for synthetic testosterone. He failed one test, in the middle of SEVEN tests throughout the Tour de France.
How does that work? How is that possible? Doesn't this seem a little strange? Would someone take testosterone for one day? I'm not saying he wouldn't but what benefit would there be?
You would think that someone would have tried to explain that, but as far as I know it just keeps appearing in print as a sidenote.
Oh and remember, the "mainstream" media first reported his testosterone level was too high, then too low, then the ratio was too high, then too low, etc, etc. They had NO IDEA what they were reporting, yet they did it anyway. Better to run a retraction than coming in second?
Also, the lab that conducted the tests is the same lab that has made countless procedural errors in past tests, and was the same lab that went after Lance Armstong, over and over. And yet this is the lab that is still being used for the testing? Nice!!(in Borat tone)
I don't think anyone is disputing the fact that this lab has made several errors, and yet the idea of using another lab hasn't occured to anyone? Nice!!(in Borat tone)
Believe me, I think most of the guys who are competing at the highest level in cycling are DOPED TO THE GILLS, but that does not eliminate the fact that something isn't right in the Landis case.
And, when I hear a report about this case, in the "mainstream" media, it is the same rehashed mush they were reporting when the case first broke.
Funny, of all those riders to ride last year, just one positive test. Just one. American Floyd Landis. Winner.
Oh, and that "event" a few months ago regarding the second place finisher, and a "abnormal" test of some kind. THAT was an accident. The Spanish anti-doping investigation. Oh ya, were gonna throw that one out too.
In short, the entire industry of cycling stinks, and I would not be surprised to find out that the crowd watching the race is doping. But, again, that still does not make me wonder what is really going on behind the scenes in the Landis case.
11 April, 2007
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