The 30 Year-Old Intern
Tuesday, June 15 Well, 29. Anyway, in a move usually reserved for the freshly graduated or students on hiatus I’ve done it. I’ve secured myself as an intern. I’ll be taking up residence for the next 90 days in a 70%-of-usual-size desk in what’s called the “creative pit” at Wirestone’s Boise offices. Admittedly, the move is a bit odd for someone at the dawn of their third decade but I’m through playing chicken with the economy. Any and…
#IB4 and Crowd-sourced Asshole'dness
Wednesday, April 28 Ignite Boise 4 was once again the triumph that I expected it to be. Passionate members of the community came together to hear local presenters drop knowledge. The presentations ranged from the current definition variances between “nerd” and “geek”, to one participant’s view that our contemporary government is far too large to be affective. Twitter was…
The Record Exchange used me (in a good way)
Thursday, March 18 ;)
Recently, Boise’s Record Exchange revamped their website and they asked me if they could use one of my photographs. I was flattered and of course, I said yes citing my love for music, independent spirit, local consumption, and radness. The new site has a randomly assigned header picture and my shot of the record exchange is featured there. Please have a look at the new site! If you don’t immediately come upon my photo you can either refresh their page until you see it or click the thumbnail you’re seeing in the upper right of this post.
Though I haven’t made enough time for new photography lately, this recent use of my work has spawned a refreshed interest in the craft. Please have a look at my Flickr page to see what’s there now. Maybe even bookmark it in the event that I add more.
Viral before viral was viral. The Amen Break.
Friday, January 22 I had seen this video several years ago and was amazed. Until the link I had no longer connected appropriately, it was displayed prominently on my rarely-updated Myspace page (which has somehow avoided deletion for months). I was reminded of it again today while perusing Laughing Squid and the same excitement it first incited returned. I really love this video and everytime I watch it I feel like my pop culture IQ gains a couple points. Viral Audio? It raises so many questions about creative commons vs. intellectual property. Enjoy.
Drift
Friday, January 22 I drift
half awake
half asleep
These are the words that preempt a video called “Drift” that a friend of mine just shared with me. This piece is by a Vimeo user by the name of Mustardcuffins who has a whole bunch of videos I’d encourage you to check out. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. The video was created using digital stills to create a stop-motion animation but it has a fluidity unlike any stop-motion I’ve ever seen. However it was made, it’s a compelling visualization that I’m sure will be emulated and used int he future. I love how technology is giving birth to entirely new creative techniques.
In Search of the Common Chorus
Monday, November 9 This presentation is part of a panel event entitled Notes & Neurons: In Search of the Common Chorus. It took place June 12, 2009 at the annual World Science Festival. Bobby McFerrin was a featured presenter. For those of us that haven’t kept up with him, we may have a dated impression of this man. Though most famous for a little song he wrote called, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” he is a world famous musician, composer and conductor.
This was quite cathartic for me. My background includes choral music so I’ve been a part of a group of people making something out of nothing. I’ve heard phantom tones ring in Grace Cathedral. There is nothing like ending a note abruptly and after nine seconds of natural reverberation looking around to see watering eyes everywhere.
This demonstration is so much more than an amusement. It was beautiful and fun and increasingly amazing. It was genuinely interesting and it raises so many questions about what exactly it was that that Bobby McFerrin did. This is a biological connection; a mass consensus. I think it’s very rarely seen. Only in unrehearsed moments is it demonstrated that underneath our hopes and claims of control, we are truly ruled by instinct. Whether in business or in our personal lives, finding this connection between human beings is what makes for success. When you can identify examples of this connectivity your work can really touch people.
For related content, please view all 5 parts of the full “Notes & Neurons: In Search of the Common Chorus”program at their website.
Bobby McFerrin World Science Festival in Culture, Music, Society 