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Pinback @ Neumos

Last night I met up with Dave, a new friend I met on Capitol Hill the weekend prior. Coincidentally, he’s from Mt. Clements, Michigan. Dave highly recommended that I checkout Pinback, from southern California, so there we were. East Side crew in full effect for a concert at Neumos. Dave is a musician. He shared with me stories where he almost played for some very well known bands, and that he would do just about anything to play with Pinback.  Well, little did we know, life had some interesting stuff in store for him.

The opener, Little White Teeth opened. They were pretty good, though we only caught the last half of their set.

Next, Pinback came on stage.  One of the two members of the band was not able to make it to the show due to a recent addition to his family.  The newborn child was projected on the screen to emphasize the point. Daddy was not going to make it to his performance. So, Rob Crow performed solo, so that his partner could be with his newborn baby.  Rob was having a hard time, as he only had one day to prepare. Luckily, members from the opening band helped out a bit.

Soon the crowd was making requests that Rob was having a hard time fulfilling. At one point, he said, “I just need someone to sing this.”  I pushed Dave forward, toward the stage.  He turned and smiled before running up and jumping on stage.

Rob said to the crowd, “I don’t know what lyrics he singing, but it sounds better than ours!”  At times like this, it certainly pays to be a musician… because Dave nailed it. A little flower girl ran up to Dave as he stepped off the stage. That was the last I saw of Dave that night.

Night Out In Capitol Hill

Friday morning was an early morning, despite having gone to bed at 3:30am. Toy Story 3 was good. Simple & sweet… as expected. I have yet to be disappointed.  Thank you Pixar.

Friday night I was determined to go out dancing.  Though I’d prefer not to go dancing alone…  well…  it was time to use my car for some downtown exploration. I took a 90 minute nap in the evening and then head towards downtown.

I ended up on Capitol Hill (where I took a picture so I would remember where I parked).

I walked around for a little while, stopping into an art gallery that was hosting an art show opening. The hip-hop tunes and crowd standing outside were what caught my attention.  Familiar artsy crowd and nice beats. I spent a little time there before continuing on.

I walked all the way up the hill before asking someone where The Baltic Room was.  He told me that it was, “back down at the bottom of the hill…   and one more street up.”  Doh!  I was on the wrong street.

On the way back down the hill I met “J”. Our conversation was priceless. We ended up walking around talking for over an hour, before being led back to The Baltic Room. I bought a round of drinks and we hit the dance floor. Later in the night some guys showed up that had some great dance moves.  The floor was packed and everyone was going nuts till 2am.

My head was distracted earlier in the night, but the dancing brought me back into the moment.  Even got some dance tips, which included, “I love your style… but you should slow down. Focus on every other beat.”  Slow down.  Such a nice coincidence that brings me around, full circle. So much time spent locked into the details, missing the bigger picture.  Somewhere during the last 3 years I tripped off my path.

Simplicity, patience, positive intentions & determination.  These core elements, in the right balance, are amazingly powerful. Keeping things simple has always helped me see the bigger picture, but only when I am patient. Determination has helped me work through the hardest challenges, but if I’m not patient, then I tend to lose my intension.  Seems complicated… but it’s simple…   SLOW DOWN (again).  I did it 7 years ago when you decided to move into a creative field, but then I got pulled into the world of tech support. At least this time, I remember how…    and it’s working.

“Slowing down”, is why I’m here. Only through slowing down can we see the big picture. My eyes are open… as is my heart.  I’m aware of my intentions and there are no more excuses to hold me back. I have bought myself some time, so I must use it wisely. I know what I will be doing and, most importantly, I know HOW and WHY.

I have been aware that something was missing and I have been searching for what it might be.  Lost in all the overlapping challenges, with no break. The funny part is that it was me that was missing. A wise man once said, “You can’t save the world till you find yourself.”  How true…   how very, very true.

Now I understand why so many artists take long vacations between jobs. Unfortunately, my situation never allowed for it…  till now.

I remember you…   you are Jeremy, right? Glad you stayed in touch, I’m looking forward to seeing what you will build out of this chaos.

This posts seems a little too emotional for a “Night Out” posting…  but it was a hell of a night. It’s been a hell of a week.  Shit… it’s been a hell of an hour!!  However, if you’re read this far then I should reward you with something a little lighter… especially considering how AWESOMENESS the night was. The most interesting part…  I present to you, the tree biting girl! One night only.

Toy Story 3-D in IMAX

Who goes to see a midnight sneak showing of a 3D animated family movie?

Me, myself and I.

I was just driving around and saw the midnight showing. I couldn’t resist. Can Pixar do 3 in a row?  I’m think so.

First Trip to Vancouver… in a SAAB

I just returned from a week trip to Vancouver.  The house was being worked on (painting, etc). I bought a car ($1800 SAAB), so it was time for a Vancouver road trip.  The 3 hour trip was smooth and sunny. On the way back down, I noticed a familiar shape being pulled up Interstate 5.

Checkout the video.

Thomas the Tank Engine on Interstate 5 from verbal007 on Vimeo.

Rain Rain, Go Away

The rain is starting to get to me. Luckily, I have a rain coat, so I can still go for walks…  but it would be nice to see a little light when I’m out.

Looking at getting a cheap car so that I can get out of here and see some more of the state.  Originally a VW Golf… but now I’m looking at a Jetta.  Little stylish, great gas mileage and just enough style.

Leaving for Vancouver for the weekend in a few minutes… but wanted to first do a quick update and dump a quick doodle online.

Come back Sun…   you’ve been missed.

Lines to Blog from verbal007 on Vimeo.

End of Week 2

This week we were kickin butt.  We start every day at around 9:30 and continue on to around 6pm, with breaks in between. Travis was teaching me some tips about drafting (draw from the elbow!) and complimentary colors. It seems I’ve missed out on a few things by not attending art school.

Our workstations are lean, mean and…   clean!! The clutter has been reduced significantly, which has helped our focus (and will probably set Cecilia at ease).  He have some a little furniture, but a couch will help fill everything out.

We spent most of the week building a character and R&Ding new rigging components. I have been spending a little time in Maya and Houdini, as well as drawing little doodle animations in Plastic Animation Paper.

It has been raining like mad the last week and a half. Apparently, the weather in Vancouver hasn’t been much better. I suppose this gives me plenty of time to get some stuff done, though dancing around the living room isn’t the best way to get my exercise.  Though, I have to admit that I do love living in a house again.

Working at home has its advantages. There is a lot of stuff to absorb and there was a  little bit of push to get this character completed, so we decided to take yesterday off to recharge.

Tomorrow I head to Vancouver for the weekend…

Now if only this weather would let up!!!

Just About Settled In

Thanks to Greg & Karen for having us over their house for a few nights. Such a calming experience to be by the lake, and playing catch with their labrador “Blue”.

Karen helped us get some household necessities and Greg helped pick up a little dining table set.  Travis drove me to out to purchase a TV/monitor (a Samsung 37″ LCD that buzzes) & some Ikea Jerker desks. On CraigsList I found a construction guy who came into possession of about 55 desks and was selling them off at $45 a piece.  When Travis saw the desks & the price, he also grabbed one. Lucky me!

I’ll be living near Seattle and working with Travis (and a few others) on a short film. 4 bedrooms gives us space to keep our “work” areas separate enough from our common rooms.  Travis took some pictures with my camera.  I’m hoping to put some interior photos up soon.

We are already getting to know the neighbours. Of special note is a gentleman we met yesterday who claims to have known Howard Hughes, who taught the gentleman how to fly…

…  oh… and there’s a labrador next door named “Yoda”.

Cecilia left for her cross-Canada road trip. She expects to be gone for almost a month. I’m sure the trip will be quite an adventure and I’m looking forward to seeing lots of updates in her blog. The heat is on… but I know it will a cold night. :\

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