Internet Incapacitated

I remember my first experience with the internet. I think I was in Fourth Grade, at a very small school named Edison Elementary. It didn't mean much to me then, if anything. I didn't understand what it was, why it existed, and I especially didn't see it reaching this kind of milestone back in that day.

With the emergence of Facebook, Twitter, and other sites in that related category, movements and protests and causes have become as simple as clicking a mouse button, if not easier. People can spread their message, gain supporters, submit and receive donations, and receive national media attention, all while looking up their high school girlfriend.

What amazes me most is the fact that a mere website that even my Grandparents use, can help to change the course of history for an entire nation. Iran may never be the same after seeing protest after protest after protest, with support spreading worldwide via social networking sites, including messages and groups and profile photos all depicting a nations' cry for change. With the existence of these sites, their cry can be answered with a unified shout from the world over. Facebook is the world's largest town hall meeting.

Opportunity Ahead

Take this key..

and learn from me..

the things you may need..

to take life at your lead..

Decisions, decisions.

I'm closing in on a decision of what I want to do with my life at the moment. I'm leaning towards moving back to Columbus and getting an apartment there. I also really want to go back to school there, and quite possibly even go back to CCAD.

I know they are really an expensive school but I didn't hate it as much as I led on, and I miss how much I was challenged there. I don't really know what's going on with me right now, or what was going through my head when I attended CCAD the last time and left.

As of right now, I don't feel like I have my own life. I feel like I'm just alive, and that I'm not living.

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Hearts, they break

and people, they change

one thing that should

just stay the same

is your outlook on life

and the course that it takes.

Prioritize this,

Just recently I turned 21. I'm not a big drinker, well I'm actually not a drinker at all so it wasn't a HUGE birthday for me. One thing that turning 21 has done for me though, is made me start thinking more about my future and what I want to do as apposed to what I'm doing. I have a job, so I realize I'm in a better position than a lot of people are right now, but I wouldn't consider myself content.

I would have no problem quitting my job and jetting off in a new direction. The only thing is, I don't quite know what direction to go. I could finish school in Fremont at Terra, or I could move back to Columbus and finish school there, find a job and get an apartment. One thing I am sure of, is that where ever I go, it will be for Photography. I could simply pack my bags and hit the road, taking photos every minute of everyday and every mile. I would write and blog about my experiences, combining words with pictures on some occasions.

I also want to step up my writing. Blogging is becoming more and more popular, and everybody does it whether it be for personal use or some even have a large fan base of readers and commentators.

I still want to do my clothing line. It's something that is always in the back of my mind and I really think it's worth putting some time and energy into. My idea is more than just clothes, but a cause for people to follow their passions and do what they love, because there's two kinds of living.

I have a lot of prioritizing to do.

Scene One, Act One

I'm making a scene, so walk this with me

Reveal to me the destination,

that this twisted uphill pathway leads.

Replace the tracks and treads of the mainstream

As I keep from stumbling for those who hinder us,

using their bait as stepping stones and bridges

to walk high above the raging river.

And when the waters are calmed may they see your reflection

in this desire fueled by faith and endurance.

We walk with concentrated visions

and hearts like open books,

a story after your own, with alternate endings

and admissions of guilt,

you stand beside us with the turning of every page.

Unyielding

What lies before me is unknown to myself

But still I forge ahead

Without knowledge but without fear

And with every step, my vision is strengthened

and yet how I perceive what is seen

is dependent on where my heart lies

At this place and time.

Sometimes letting go is the answer...

When fall comes 'round,

all the leaves drop from their limbs

but even if a single one can manage

to withstand the harsh winter winds

and spring returns and brings back life

that leaf that held on so dearly to it's place

will no longer fit in

and just be a waste

Even the good things are contagious.

Most days when I come into work, I'm a little grouchy. I let grumpy people make me even more grumpy when I have to deal with them. This morning when I woke up, I decided to take a different approach, and try my hardest to love every moment of everyday.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Since I've been gone.

So it has been awhile since I posted a self portrait. This one is far from professional, but it fits with the modern day cyber culture. Since the appearance of myspace and facebook, the cell phone camera in the mirror portrait is a guarantee.

It's funny how it rained all day.

It's funny how everybody varies in how they deal with a broken heart. Most listen to happy, upbeat music. This type of music has almost no effect on me when I'm that down, and I really go for softer, sadder music and songs. I like my music to match my mood, rather than have it change my mood.

In times like these, my work ethic increases as a way of coping. I cover the feeling by becoming more outgoing and unintentionally hiding the fact that I'm feeling down. As I've gotten older, and it's been a long long time since I've felt this way, these tendencies I had don't seem as predominant, and I think I'm coping in a more mature and adult manner.

Or maybe this time it's to the point where it has numbed me beyond realization.

Swine flu who?

I think this may be my first time living during a "pandemic". The swine flu is getting worse and more threatening everyday, they tell us. Its not a threat here yet, hopefully it stays that way.

If people start becoming zombies, I'm taking my left 4 dead skills on the road to mexico city.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Going through idea after idea, thought after thought, and reference after reference, I have finally decided on my next design for a T-shirt. Quill!

Not Even Close

Since the day I got my car, I always dreamed on when it would be a street car but never actually expected it to get this far. The more I change though, the more I want to do. It's an addiction and I'm not even looking for a cure.

Banning Black

On my drive home from work a couple of days ago, I heard on the radio that the EPA or another similiar organization wants to ban black cars. Their reasons being that in the summer time, black cars attract more heat and require more energy to cool it off, resulting in more pollution being given off by that car.

In that case, shouldn't white cars be banned for colder areas, seeing as they take more energy to warm up? Sometimes...

Back to Bay Point

Today was my first day back to work at Bay Point. At this stage, all I have to say is that it's going to be a long summer. The way things are going around there, it would seem that I'm lucky I even get to come back. Two people I worked with last year have already been let go, and another one will be soon due to financial problems.

I think Bay Point has been ruined. The landscape was destroyed to put in houses that nobody can afford, so now it's just a bunch of empty lots with a generic subdivision-like street running through them. A potentially one-of-a-kind resort is now a ghost town.

Our Spot

This is my favorite place to be.

70.365

So I've gotten way off track with my "one photo per day" quota. I'm still going to continue taking self portraits and posting them, I just may miss a day or two every now and then.

I'm finally getting back into the scene. I have 3 or 4 shows coming up that I am shooting, and another band added to my list for promo photos. I don't even care if I don't make a lot of money off of it, it's photography.

The weather recently has been really warm, and if you set aside the fact that it rained cats and dogs, it was beautiful out. Of course, it has to get cold again though. Oy.

67.365

So I've recently learned that 18" rims are not worth the look it adds to your car. Ever since I got a set of 18" rims with low profile tires, they have been nothing but trouble. From nails to potholes, and bad seals to zero traction in the snow, I'm calling it quits and going back to the old reliable stock tires.

I'm still in love with my new car stereo though. I can't wait to get my windows tinted and put a lowering kit on her. I just can't stop putting money into my car.

The weather is getting a lot better outside. It has been warm enough this past week to wear flip flops and shorts, which I did. The thunderstorms tonight made it really feel like summer is getting closer.

66.365

I'm guilty of missing a few days of my photojournal. It's not because I've been too lazy or that I forgot, I've just finally had a lot of stuff to do with shooting bands and hanging out with friends. It feels good to actually be busy, and do photographer things.

Anyway, this is what happens when your flash is too bright.

Later on I will post some of the best promos shots I did this past week.