TRUTH

Mike Daisey has a new show opening in New York City.

Check it!!!

Still Job Hunting

Guess I'm not looking in the right places, because I haven't found a job yet.

Not much to say beyond that...

If you know of a company that needs a creative person who can also manage established customers, send me a note.

Jobless and the difference between Advertising and Marketing

Well, it has been three weeks since I got word that there aren't any more projects for me (right now) at CHOICE, my previous employer. I really appreciate the time I spent with them, and understand their need to reduce costs. So I'm not upset.

But...

Coming back from a vacation that I'd been planning for months to find out I didn't have a job anymore was quite a hit. "Onward and upward," as the saying goes in our family.

So I've been lurking the major job sites, sending out the e-resumes, had a couple false starts with interviews, and come to the realization a week later than I'd have liked to.

Marketing is not Advertising! Yes, they're attached, but in the world of job hunting they mean different things. You see...

Marketing actually means "Direct Sales." This means that when you want a job in marketing, you're saying that you want a job in sales. I don't really want a job in sales. I don't have a commission based mentality. I have a project based mentality. Give me a project and I'll go go go until it's bright and shiney!

Advertising actually means "Account Management." This means that you work for a company that works for a company, and someone above you does the sales. That's more like it. Shmooze away kids, I'll be here to make you're crazy promises bright and shiney!

Bright and shiney, bright and shiney, bright and shiney. My new favorite phrase this month.
Ooo shiney!
Sna!

Dusty Blue xB

Forgot to show everyone the xB after I returned.
I'm still getting the playa out from between it's *bleep*!

They Come to Burn!

After a painstaking 4 hours of photo processing for the Burning Man photos that I'm passing around to the gang, I went a touch crazy and had to create a little easter egg for the gang...

Enjoy it while you can... run monkeys run!!!

I still remember.

Burn On Space Cowboy

How did he do it, how did he get on the machine Fish O'Death. He's a Space Cowboy!!! Rock on Space Cowboy!!!!!!!!!

Burn On

I'm off to Burning Man.
We're probably going to try to be around 4:30 and Esplanade.
See ya...

Up The Creek Without a Paddle

Strangely, I didn't get a shot of the actual house... It's beautiful. People were having such fun at the river, I didn't even think to shoot the house. Enjoy...

Notice the Golf-quality Lawn...


M working to get back to shore, and the soaked ass to prove it...
Come back young one, come back!!!
All the moms, so concerned. Notice the concern... ;)
I really was having too much fun to actually "try" to take pictures I guess. Oh well, next time I'll get some "Better Homes and Gardens" shots...

Perrott Island

Three acres of beautifully manicured Nortwest Oregon. It seems that each of my Mom's nieces and nephiews are finally coming into their own. My cousins MK and K have a beautiful 3 acre property outside Eugine. It's actually an island and has a melodic river that splits around it. Absolutely gorgeous! I've got pictures... soon...

S and M's "Support an Artist" Party

S and M were wonderful hosts this last weekend. They were gracious enough to let me put 25 pictures up on their walls and have friends and family come over and critique my work. I was surprised that 15 people I didn't know so well came, and gave me some great advice. Also, I had them vote on their 6 or 10 favorites. So now I have a better idea of what people want to see.

I was surprised by the responses. I didn't think that some of the pictures would go over that well, and was doubly surprised when some of my favorites didn't make the cut. The comment that I was most interested by was the support of my black and white imagery. I never really considered myself an exceptional B&W photographer, though that's where all of my training has been. But, a woman who lives across the street told me that I may actually have an eye for it. I'll have to go back and check it out again...

Also, for other photographers out there, she made a great point. If you want to see if you have a good shot, change your image into a B&W version and see if it stands up. If the subject of your photograph stands up to a B&W image, then you've got a good shot. Then you can leave it in color, and continue...

Again, I'm so happy that S&M hosted this party. And it was okay that very few of my friends came up to see it. I knew that they would tell me how cool everything was. I didn't really need that, though I would have appreciated it.

I needed some opinions from people who didn't know me.
Here's the proof sheet from the showing.

From 17 to 347 in Three Days

Well, it shouldn't be any wonder that I've had the xB for several days before I post. I was too busy driving, dont ya know...

What a cool car. Yeah, it's a bit underpowered. But, I've only filled half the tank once since I started driving. It's a great exchange. Plus, the it gets the job done.

So, from the pictures you might be able to tell that I lowered it. Also, I tinted the front windows. And put some REAL wheels on it. I've always hated stock wheels. Tacky plastic hub-caps. So, at long last, I don't have to think about HUB CAPS!

And, yes, the stereo pumps. Stock, sure, but it PUMPS.

::crickets::

# Still waiting for the xB!!! #
Here's a photo for now... Sunny G, the best muzzle model in the USA!

Skid Marks

I'm thinking of buying a Scion xB (Called Toyota bB in Japanana). I fell in love with the cars over there, and though the reviews I've read say that a tall person can be comfortable in them, my Pop and I decided that some aftermarket seats to move the seat back 2 more inches would be perfect. Plus, it's aftermarket goodness. And that's part of the culture, right.

More than meets the eye...

But ya know it's a hip vehicle when you can find Skids, the autobot Scion!!! Yeah, this is right up my alley. Underpowered sportiness, with that cartoon feel. Gunna love it I think.

I'm the weiner!!!

FINALLY!!! I've won something... The BetterPhotos people have given me a gold medal. Yeah, I'm really a winner now. I've been submitting photos for quite some time now, and have gotten both a silver and gold in the details and macros section. Here's the image that just won!!!

I'm still here... things are just a little crazy right now.

Plus my friends have told me that I'm on the wrong site. Like they know... Just wanted to let you know that I'll be posting more in the near future. I promise more images for you to daydream over soon. Just gotta get this last "super-panic-project" out of my hair.

Stay tuned.

Pant

It's been hectic, and I feel like all I've been doing is e-mailing and replying to e-mails... The job is great, and it makes me happy most of the time. In two weeks, I spent 1800 minutes talking on the phone. I know this because my parents tripped out when they found out how much time I'd used. They had said that it would be okay to just use my phone. I told them... but... Anyway, it's all solved, so there's nothing to worry about. The only time I get upset is when the people I'm talking too complain about how they haven't had enough time to check their ad. They feel rushed, and it's actually all their fault. They wait until the last minute to purchase their ads, and then they get whiny when we press them. The truith is, the deadline was on the 22nd of March. Now, I know the secret print date, but these people... well, you get the idea. Suffice to say, I'm quite happy with the one or two people who say they'll sue me or won't pay or something. That's not my area, and I don't have to worry about that at all. So, I don't.

The Dongle Did Me In...

They are akin to shoelaces. Have you ever gotten home from a store in the old days with a new pair of shoes, and then when you went to put them on, there weren't any shoelaces? It's like that... Brand new super-spiffy graphics card that would have let me try Oblivion 5 days after I bought it, but NO, I needed a DONGLE!

Would you like a business card?

So, it's time to make a go of it. Sure, I keep saying that, but I'm really trying to get this thing called artist happening. Problem is, I don't have a muse, persay. And I can't ask my friends to keep me propped up. They have their lives, and they do the stuff that they want. And that's what it's supposeed to be like. That's what's really supposed to happen. Meanwhile I'm still here, trying to figure out if what I'm doing is for me, or for other people. Guess the meds aren't working as well as I'd thought when real dissapointment comes creeping up. But the point is, I've got to get this freaking artist thing going. I've been given many very nice comments, and I may actually have made a sale from Sakura Con 2006. Though they haven't purchased anything yet. And of course I have to remember that Japanese people don't want photos of Japan so much. Still, I guess it's good to be home, it was good a couple days ago, and it may be good again sometime next week. So, who's complaining? Not me. Not actually...

Sakura Con 2006 Hand Outs

Oh Hanameeeee....

Sakura Con 2006 is Here

So, I've got two big projects running at the same time. So, the lack of posting here is dissapointing, but I gotta sacrifice something in all this mess. So, des ne.

Visions of Japan Tryptich by: Jason Gehrman

Here's the other image that will be featured in our show. My tryptich of the Nara Statues, and then this Tryptich that I put together for Jason Gehrman. His central image won the second place award for the Internationally acclaimed Website Better Photos.com. He's someplace in Asia right now, heading toward Australia and eventually Parague.

Sakura Con 2006 @ the Seattle Convention Center

I've been working feeverishly to get all the frames put together, because I'll be showing 12 works in the show. Turns out I may be the only one there that's showing photographs. I may also be the only one that's framing... But, I am going to be the only one with class enough to not wear cat ears... tabun. So, there will be ample opportunities to see all the cos-play kids, and maybe some of them will be cute, like in Japan... tabun.

O Hanami in BP

Two trees is all it took to get these beautiful Cherry Trees. I was always amused that many Japanese people thought that Cherry Blossom Season only existed in Japan. Sheesh kids, it's everywhere. When I was a baby living in Longview most of the roads leading from the central park had cherry trees along them. I remember going back later and being amazed at how many there were. They were the super pink kind, and truithfully, I think that the pale pink ones are a bit more beautiful. These are in between... Ya know, there are over 100 kinds in Japan. I would agree that Japan IS the place for Cherry Trees. It's not the only place, but probably one of the best. Enjoy the season. I've seen a bunch more trees along the wharehouse section of Fife. It's strange where they put these trees. Not really concerned with the trees themsleves I guess, just that they ad color once a year. It's nice though, sorry the job is keeping me from doing some real photography. It was money before, now it's job. That's the way it works I guess. Anyway, enjoy the season, and go out and take som e pictures yourselves... Show me how pretty the trees are in your part of the world.

So NOW it's official...

Okay, so before when I said I'd been hired by CHOICE, that wasn't exactly true. Actually I was considered a Sub-Contractor at the time. After a little bit of consideration, and a few conversations that considered my worth and risk, they finally decided that I should be hired. SO NOW I'M HIRED! Not a really big deal, I just let them know what I expected, and let them decide what to do. I'm glad they put me on the payroll. I feel better about working in a situation where it's not about doing the time, but doing the job. If they'd kept me on as a sub-contractor, I would have been more concerned with getting the hours. Now, as an employee, I'm more concerned about getting the work done. I have a responsibility to the company now, and any thing I do to make the job more satisfying is helpful, both to me and them. Anyway, I'm glad I'm getting to do some great work. It's time to make myself invaluable now.

Connecting Back

Had an opportunity to finally see what me mates are doing back in J-land. Rob T had his son, and Bren and his wife have taken some really great photos. Check em out... Bren's shot of Kyoto in the snow, and T's son Kai.

Flexibility to accommodate 15% travel.

(So, what does that mean?)

I'm the winner!

HA-RAY! I gots me a job. I'll be working for Choice, a Senior Resource Network. I'll be joining the ad design department, and assisting my friend A with her work. My boss L is a great guy, and seems to understand how people work. I felt like I was being given a big present when he said that it would be great to get my help. Nice guy. I spent the afternoon with A, and she took me on a tour of their system. Very slick though they think they need to upgrade. And best of all, they haven't limited me to doing only one aspect of the ad process. I can learn as much as I can as fast as I can, and do as much work for them as I can. You notice how many CANs I just used. No "have to" no "must" none of the usual. Do as much as you can is a great idea, because I intend to give them exactly that. Not your usual "as much as I'm paid to do" thing. Anyway, I'm excited to get this opportunity, and I'm SO ready to "step up and represent." More next week, we'll see what I feel like at the end of the first week. Can you say "learning curve?" :)

Central Image for Sakura Con '06

I've been invited to be part of the Sakura Con '06. (Still have to pay, but whatever...) I'm putting a group of photos from JaR Imagery up, and they'll be for sale to all the happy J-philes. Weeeeee... I love the angry monkey show!

JaR Imagery Logo Design Idea #85794.3

Wish I knew about Graphic Design... Hey J, whaddya think?

Party Foul!

Rob, as usual, holds great parties (not me, the other Rob). And though I don't know more than two or three people at each, it's good to meet someone new now and again. Last night's party started out wonderfully, but then people started freaking out. Not to get into detail, someone was asked to leave cuz they hit their girlfriend. Kinda put a funk on things. But, all in all it was a really fun party. I got to take a few pictures, and did my party shot style. I'm glad I have that to do when the party isn't as exciting...
Anyway, glad Rob throws parties. As he says, "I am the one pig with horns, loudest of all, strongest of all." And I always respond, "hamster without a tail." Yes, things never change... Oh, and someone busted Rob's downstairs sink. We tried to get him to drink a whole Colt 45 (which was warm), but the little chicken didn't do it. I still think he needed a much worse punishment than that. Something with brooms maybe. Or bunnies. Thanks 'Obbie!!!

Fellow Photographer Found

Wen't to Little Rob's Party Last Night. No reason for each word to be cap'd... Anyway, met a photographer, and checked out her portfolio today. Great stuff. She has been really lucky getting some great models. Though this picutre is my favorite of all of her stuff. But then, my favorite Tarot card is nearly the same...

GO SEE HER!
www.shattered-vision.com
WONDERFUL IMAGERY!

XTL: The Xtreme Theater League

XTL returns to CHAC February 21^st featuring The Cody Rivers Show ! Vs. Train of Thought! Two teams will battle it out February 21st in the CHAC Lower Level at 10pm. XTL Commissioner Jordan LaRue has announced that a battle of Seattle's hottest two sketch comedy groups will take place. The Cody Rivers ShowTrain of Thought (currently running their smash hit "Leviathan" at Re-bar) will take to the XTL stage in combat against (currently running their smash hit "Breaking Up" at the Northwest Actor's Studio) in three rounds of

Hot Comedy Action.

This is a great project that my friend Cory Nealy and his friends started up a while back. I'm going to check it out. It'll be a good chance to see some of the goofy friends that Cory has found since I've been gone. I forgot to plug his show a few weeks back, when his old roomie Ian Bell (sp?) and his crew re-did (from the original script) Dirty Dancing... Yes! Dirty dancing!

Macha Monkey Presents - The Cowgirl Play

THE COWGIRL PLAY

WHO: Produced by Macha Monkey Productions
Written by Desiree Prewitt & Kristina Sutherland
Original songs by Rick Miller
Directed by Kristina Sutherland

WHEN: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays through March 11, 2006

WHERE: Freehold East Hall Theater
Capitol Hill’s Odd Fellows Hall, 1525 10th Ave., 2nd Floor, Seattle, 98122

HOW: Tickets available now at www.brownpapertickets.com ($15)
Student, Theatre Puget Sound Member & Senior discount tickets available at the door ($12)
Reso line -- 206-860-2970

Japanese Maple in Autumn Series

Way back, when Molly was a few months younger, I had a conversation about how some autumn pictures would match well with her living room. She had said that she was hoping to get a set of five pictures to put above her couch. I said, way back then, that I'd see if there was a set of images that I could produce for her. I wonder if she'll like these...

Dark Project

This guy's awesome, check him out! I've got most of my GUI using Dark Project images.

In the Same Vien

Something I'm considering putting up at JaR Imagery.