Grown Brain
Modeling a brain sounds like a pain.
Pulling points in the wrinkles is driving me insane.
So I’m trying to puff it up with some baking.
Step 1. Rebuild this from scratch. The gyrus need to be smaller and the sulcus (wrinkles) need to be more frequent.
Step 2. Use this popping accident to my advantage.
*UPDATE*
Ok, this looks more like a brain.
MRI: Not Yet Given Up… Yet
I just about gave up on this MRI cloud thing, when I discovered this blog post by a fellow Houdini user, where he mentions a Volume from Attrib node that will allow me to alter a volume using point attributes. I think this may be the answer I have been looking for in order to avoid using metaballs. We shall see.
On top of that, he mentions a major performance issue in Houdini 11 when dealing with instanced shaders. Specifically, it’s an issue with the displacement being calculated, even when it’s not needed. And he posted a link to a fix in the SideFX forums.
And on top of that… through his Vimeo profile, I found this slick MRI plugin for Lightwave.
I also have the opportunity of getting my own brain scanned. How creepy is that?
Networks of the Mind
Some miscellaneous stuff jumbled together with my project brain-storming notes (pun intended).
Chilly Breeze
A few drinks before bed and sub-zero temperatures kept me sluggish this morning, before I pushed myself into the sun for a 10km walk through the trails.
The sun is shining, which kept me warm while the winds tried to push the cold into my hoodie.
Waking Puffy-Eyed
Sleep didn’t go so well last. Maybe it was the terrifying documentary Rise of the Jellyfish (they have EYES!), or maybe it was the interruptions during the night.
I woke up puffy-eyed and groggy.
Solution? Quick n small breakfast of oatmeal, then get my ass outside to get the blood moving. Finally, a salad (w/ nuts n cheese) to fill me up and make me comfy enough to sit down here and tell you about it.
This journaling is going well. Getting more efficient with it and only takes me about 20 minutes to mess with the camera, type something short and get it all online.
I think I got the eye swells down to about 30%. At least I can see now! I think I’ll go back to the fridge and see if some cold cucumbers will help. Now THAT would have made for a more entertaining article photo.
Trail Walking in Oakville
Looking outside I saw it was raining on top of all the snow that had just fallen. For half a heartbeat I felt discouraged and trapped indoors… but then remembered that “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” I suited up and head out for a walk. It was more like walk/dance. Swinging my legs around and skipping over slush, puddles and mud with my big & comfy studio headphones launching Trentemøller into my eardrums. Pushing the work right up from my legs and hips into my core, arms and neck. Though colder and wetter than my jogs in Seattle, the trails made for a very inspired trip.
I used this little My Tracks application on my Android phone. I didn’t start recording till I was about 1/4 way into the hike. I’m guessing that I walked about 9km.
View Oakville 001 Lost in a larger map
I now feel energized for tonight. We’re going to Good Night.
Morocco 2011
Arrived back from Morocco on March 10th. Lots of inspiring photos were taken, but even more video was created. I have 40GB worth of data to filter through and edit.
Here is a link to the entire Morocco 2011 set on Flickr.
For now, here’s an HDR image I created from the view of my apartment at building #007 in Taghazout.
And a video that contains 3 minutes of seagulls and Trentmoller.
Building #007 in Taghazout. from verbal007 on Vimeo.
No Fear
I’m not sure which one requires more nerves. It would be pretty epic just to witness this event. I cannot imagine what it would be like to experience it.
Jogging – Body Maintenance
For the last few days I rushed into a running routine and it has had some excellent effects on my mood. A friend of mine told me that three 1 hour, blood-pumping exercise routines per week can substitute anti-depressants. A quick search revealed this MSN article that does a good job in explaining the grey areas of exercise vs medications.
Yesterday, the day after a 3.3 mile jog, my hips were stiff and sore. I suppose this was a reminder that you have to ease yourself back into activity. Luckily, I’ve taken yoga in the past and there’s a few great stretches you can do to loosen up the hips. I found this video online that has a few simple stretches to get started on. Pay attention to how she uses the blankets, as I tried doing some of these stretches without them, and it was very uncomfortable.
I run in the middle of the day, usually around 2-3pm. For the past few days I’ve been pushing over 3 miles. The neighborhoods down here are perfect for jogs or walking. Plenty of smooth hills and rounded turns. Though I’ve never understood runners in the past, I am now addicted. My sweaty meditation.
Wha?! It’s actually sunny outside! I’m off.
West Coast Swing – Michael and Jen
Michael Kielbasa & Jennifer Deluca win 1st at America’s Classic. So much flexibility in the technique. So smooth. Ok, going to watch this for a 3rd time before I jump off the internet.
