How to master an artistic skill

"mastering the guitar has been one of my greatest accomplishments so far."

How I did it: it's something i worked really hard at, although i've enjoyed it all the way. i don't think you ever really 'master' something in the sense that you couldn't improve somehow. it's just that i've reached a level on the guitar where i can say that i feel like i can do what i want to do with it and make the music i hear with it. how did i do it? discipline, practice, hard work, open mind, listening, and practice... oh... and practice.

Lessons & tips: practice. find a teacher. love what you do.

Resources: videos. books. the internet. other musicians. teachers.

It made me rock!

See more progress on: master an artistic skill

making room for new goals

i just haven’t had the desire to really do this. the idea is interesting to me, and i’ve actually followed other people online who do this. it’s very cool – portable art that people find. i just haven’t done anything with it, and i don’t mind saying that i think i can live without accomplishing this task. it’s not a goal. it’s an idea.

See more progress on: write anonymous, loving post-its for strangers to find

10 weeks of walking to work everyday

it’s been about 10 weeks since i found a new job within walking distance of my home, and i have never regretted having to walk to work. it’s just a short walk – about 10 minutes – but if i get up early enough it is a relaxing time to shuffle down main street towards the office. after work, i love not having to fight traffic. i’ve felt much more free than i have for a long time. now… grocery shopping is a different story. walking home with 5 or 6 bags of groceries really sucks. i did that last week, instead of taking a cab home, and it was a bad idea. the plastic bags stretched almost to the point of coming apart, and they were much too heavy for walking. my backpack can only hold so much, and i am not going to be dragging a wagon down the street or sneaking off with a grocery cart. i’m thinking about an electric scooter or maybe a very fuel-efficient or even hybrid personal vehicle. i’m still walking to work, though.

See more progress on: Walk to work everyday for a year

i've been thinking a lot about design, style, and fashion lately

for most of my life i haven’t really put too much thought into what i wear – the clothes that i pick off the rack. if i have an unconscious liking for a t-shirt, a button-down, or a pair of shorts or pants, then i try it out. however, i’ve mainly shopped in the ‘big box’ kind of stores – target, kohl’s, walmart, marshalls… i haven’t really wanted to spend a lot of time picking out clothes, trying them on, and spending a lot of money. now, however, i realize that i just have no unique style. i just wear these generic clothes that don’t really fit me well. my favorite clothes are usually the clothes that certain people in my life have given to me as gifts. on the other hand, i have all of these other bits of clothes that i don’t even really wear, that i bought, and they just take up my closet space and keep me from buying newer clothes. i see things i like, but i feel like it’s a waste of money to buy them. then, when i feel like i need clothes i go buy clothes that i see on the rack – generic, boring, and tiresome. so, now, i want to empty my closet of a lot of what’s in there and replace them with clothes that i pick out – that i really like and will honestly wear – clothes that make outfits. this is not a gay thing. this is not a ‘metrosexual’ thing. this is an ‘i want to look how i want to look’ thing. the same goes for the haircut. i tend to shave my head when i get tired of my hair being in that mid-way point between short and long. i want a haircut that i can actually maintain and ‘style’ without having to do much with it. that’s what’s so great about a shaved head – no need to do anything. but, i guess i’m bored of having no hair.

See more progress on: develop my own style

getting up when the clock radio chimes

it’s tough to do. i like to hit that snooze button.

See more progress on: Get up when my alarm goes off

stuff everywhere and too much distraction

i’ve got to move a huge pile of things over to a storage unit, or something, and i need to do something with my memorables, cds, books, and documents, so i can have my living room back. i have a very small condo—582 square feet, but it has 13’ ceilings. so, plan on redesigning at some point. i’ve already been looking at books full of design ideas and suggestions.

See more progress on: clean my living room

it's about time i've written more songs

i’ve written a couple dozen songs, but i could have written about 100 times more than that if i wasn’t so lazy and such a procrastinator. i am going to set a new goal for myself: 12 new songs before the end of the summer. that’s only 2 songs per month, and they don’t have to be masterpieces, just songs.

See more progress on: write more songs

How to have a job by feb. 28!

"I moved back up to Ohio without having a job lined up, and three weeks later I was working at my own desk, making money."

How I did it: Well, I did tell some people that I was looking for work to spread the word around. I went to one of my old places of employment and told them I was back. Then, I went on Craig's List and looked up administrative, design, writing, and computer jobs. The first job I replied about, though, was the one I ended up getting an interview for, and I was working for them 7 days later. It was unreal, but it made me realize that I just needed to get in there and start looking and make it happen. Noone else is going to make it happen for me.

Lessons & tips: Do the same. Grab your life by the cojones and take it where you want it to go.

Resources: craigslist.com

It took me 3 weeks.

It made me sane

See more progress on: have a job by feb. 28!

haven't done much...

i haven’t about this goal for a while. i’ve been doing so many other things: reading ‘the tender Bar’, reading a Robert Bly book about freelance writing, learning how to get the most out of twitter and rss feeds, playing with stumbleupon and facebook, and playing a lot of myspace mobsters. on top of all that i’ve recently moved back to columbus from savannah, and i have been unpacking and gradually finding places to put my things. it’s going to take me a long time. i just started a new job, so i might be able to get some drapes for the windows soon. i don’t have a car right now, so it’s more difficult to do any kind of shopping, like that. so, i’ve put this goal on hold for awhile. then, i’ll get back on byki and learn some more kazakh.

See more progress on: Speak Kazakh

How to play soccer twice a week for the next 3 months

"i had a great summer and fall, playing soccer with the guys up at lake mayer. they're awesome soccer players. i suck. i played goalie a lot."

How I did it: i showed up. there were some rainy weeks and nights when i had to work, but i played whenever i could, for about 15 weeks. it was fun. there was nothing hard about it. i looked forward to showing up, so i think the lesson is that if you enjoy what you're doing, then your goal is more likely to get accomplished.

Lessons & tips: find a fun group of people to play with and stick to it. show them that you're as committed as they are, and it will be ongoing. we had about 40 people there on some nights.

Resources: soccer ball, willingness to take a beating, humility

It took me 3 months.

It made me strong like bull

See more progress on: Play soccer twice a week for the next 3 months

The last time I saw LaKari

we chatted about sticky post-it note notes, and she started a blog that featured some sticky notes she had left in random places for people to find. it’s been awhile, though…

Learn more about LaKari

My music on LastFM and AnywhereFM

Me, devilhorns, square
Originally uploaded by docrivs.

Because it's been awhile since I've posted to this blog I thought I'd post up a pic I took a while ago and let you know that I've got music posted up on the web, at LastFM and AnywhereFM.

Hit in the face

Played again tonight with two teams, both of which had some common members. The first game was pretty quick and I blocked 2 or 3 shots and then they were successful at getting it by me. My young defenseman kept standing in my visual area, and I couldn’t see the shot. The next 3 games were great, but I took a shot in the face. I thought it was going to be header level but I didn’t position myself right and I let it hit me in the face. However, I made my first realy head save tonight, as well.

See more progress on: Play soccer twice a week for the next 3 months

headache

headache
Originally uploaded by i gattoni.

Translation of a cat conversation

Through StumbleUpon, I landed on this "People who like pages about cats..." page, and I found this webpage that features a hilarious video of cats doing very silly things. It took me a while to load, for various reasons, but once it did I felt it was worth it. I like the cats that were scaring each other, especially the one staring at itself in the mirror. The more acrobatic cats were a trip, jumping off of tables, falling off of shelves, doing flips, and leaping. If you are in the mood for a laugh you might like this video.

read more | digg story

A Polka Dot Extravaganza

Girls in Astana
Originally uploaded by marusia.

I found this photo, uploaded by "marusia", on Flickr, while learning the URLs for particular search terms. This one was all photos with the words "kazakhstan" and "girl" in the description or title of the photo. You can also search for certain words in the tags. You can search for Flickr Groups that contain certain words in their titles or descriptions. You can search for User Profiles containing certain words in certain sections of the profile, like in the interests. This photo is really cool. It expresses life, movement, human intimacy, contact, and connection. It expresses human artistic expression. I love it!

aneurysm

aneurysm
Originally uploaded by albertiavarone.

Brain Aneurysms

Brain Aneurysms
Originally uploaded by alex_witte24.

in the coma

in the coma
Originally uploaded by Caitlinite.

Aneurysm

Aneurysm
Originally uploaded by [ dg ].

Popliteal aneurysm

Popliteal aneurysm
Originally uploaded by rblachut.

Brain aneurysm CT

Brain aneurysm CT
Originally uploaded by spinneur.

10. Scientific Miracle

10. Scientific Miracle
Originally uploaded by Nirava.

Gray Matters

Gray Matters
Originally uploaded by John Suler.

Aneurysm

Aneurysm
Originally uploaded by Generation X-Ray.

5. Brain Aneurysm

5. Brain Aneurysm
Originally uploaded by Nirava.

Kid Coma #2

Kid Coma #2
Originally uploaded by peterkelly.

Karma Coma

Karma Coma
Originally uploaded by ♥ Unlimited.

Coma

Coma
Originally uploaded by rattlingdjs.

Girlfriend in a coma

Girlfriend in a coma
Originally uploaded by Massi.

DEATH

DEATH
Originally uploaded by Pure_Poison.

Death Notes

Death Notes
Originally uploaded by Ivoryillusion.

Solemn Commemoration of the Passion and Death of. our Lord Jesus Christ Santa Tecla El Salavdor

Solemn Commemoration of the Passion and Death of. our Lord Jesus Christ Santa Tecla El Salavdor
Originally uploaded by CAMARO27.

Life and death

Life and death
Originally uploaded by Cyclingrelf.

death octopus

death_occy2
Originally uploaded by NeedleNoodles.

The Angel of Death

The Angel of Death
Originally uploaded by Violentz.

laughing at death in baltimore city is an every day activity

laughing at death in baltimore city is an every day activity
Originally uploaded by Bukutgirl.

The Lancet: 655,000 Excess Iraqi Deaths

The Lancet: 655,000 Excess Iraqi Deaths
Originally uploaded by k1mk1m.

finality (second in death series)

finality (second in death series)
Originally uploaded by k0rben.

The death of my other life

The death of my other life
Originally uploaded by noemimmv.

The Glance of Death

The Glance of Death
Originally uploaded by ! * Krystian`s PHOTOSynthesis * !.

Death

Death
Originally uploaded by tanakawho.

'The sickness unto death'

'The sickness unto death'
Originally uploaded by miffy_carrotblog.

Death of a horse

BAZTAN-Zaldi batearen heriotza 01 / Death of a horse 01
Originally uploaded by lindatxikiakalea.

A Study of Death..

A Study of Death..
Originally uploaded by Compound Eye.

The Deaths Were Unexpected

The Deaths Were Unexpected
Originally uploaded by The Searcher.

Death Valley

Death Valley
Originally uploaded by Berezin the Bear.

The deaths

The deaths
Originally uploaded by Miss Aniela.

Life, Death and Rebirth

Life, Death and Rebirth
Originally uploaded by musicmuse_ca.

Agent Smith and his Apple Pie

This is pretty funny. Agent Smith and Morpheus are clearly in the scene, but who is that talking about apple pies and atoms?Carl Sagan, apparently.

read more | digg story

Detournement and Culture Jamming for Jesus!

Who knew Jesus was an Adbuster?
Originally uploaded by mediageek.

If Christianity paved the way for Colonialism and TV paved the way for the globalization of Consumerism, then what if we combine all of these techniques and re-appropriate corporate logos and images, put the newly-created art onto t-shirts, and send out the message!

Oh, it's already been done?

Super Marie

super-marie.jpg
Originally uploaded by imazine.

This image is an example of what might be called a "detournement", a type of art, stylized by the founders of Situationist International. These types of images create a contrast between pop iconography, advertising images, media concepts, and the "realities" that exist in the world. They portray the absurdities that often pop up when you consider the meaning of the message that advertising and public relations sends, in the face of what is happening around us.

Another term that is similar to detournement is "culture jamming", a style of activism that employs a similar method.

Internal Combustion - A book I'd like to read

Internal Combustion
Originally uploaded by Miller Info Commons.

Protest Art

Stop War
Originally uploaded by docrivs.

I collect photos of protest art, especially when the art is displayed outdoors, is likely to be illegally placed, and is in a conspicuous location. Graffiti is great to look at, and you can debate all day about vandalism and the crime of defacing private and/or public property, but I still enjoy looking at it. I must respect the skill and audacity of graf writers.

This particular stencil art piece was one I encountered in a park in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was September 2006, the day of the Zozobra festival. It was there all by itself, but I liked how there were little pieces of a flower resting on top.

Blues Fest, YSO, 2007

 
It was raining really hard, and I didn't want any of the people to leave, because we were trying to sell our rugs and crafts. So, I joined a group of guys and we had an impromptu blues jam in the rain. People stayed out there, watching. Some of them danced. Some of them stayed out in the grass and mud and some of the people got up on stage with us and danced to stay out of the rain. It was a pretty good time, I must say.

Stop Bush!

This impromptu graffiti was discovered in YSO, Yellow Springs, Ohio, during the Blues Fest 2007.
 

The Floorwalkers

The Floorwalkers: Kerry
Originally uploaded by eplowry.

I jammed with a guy from work a couple of weeks ago, after we closed, and I had a great time. We played all kinds of cover songs and a couple of originals for a very small audience of our co-workers. I haven't heard his band yet, the Floorwalkers, but I'd like to check them out. This is a cool photo I found of Kerry, on Flickr. I thought I'd let the world know that Kerry can play a mean guitar, and he's got a good, rootsy, soulful singing voice, as well. It's kind of deep, which is good for that music. I'd be interested in jamming again, especially with some electrics, and maybe with a drummer and bass player. I'd like to hear Kerry play dobro too.

Just read a good review

I’ve just read a good review about this book, and after seeing it in so many hands of readers all over, including my sister’s, I just have to check it out. Right now, though, I am reading about 5 or 6 different books about corporations, globalization, and development. They all touch on the environment in many ways and the ideas of sustainable development. As an anthropology major in college, though, I still have my interests in evolution, religion, and the philosophy of science.

See more progress on: read the god delusion

Update on Ryan's Aimless Project

Hey there! I have an update on Ryan's comings and goings. For those who need a reminder, my long-time friend, Ryan, is travelling the country by foot, public transportation, and hitchhiking, with a video camera and a cell phone. Like an amateur anthropologist (as Ryan's buddy, Lew, put it) is documenting what he sees as the reality of America, and he wants to tell the world about his experiences. He's kept up an interesting blog. He posts photos every now and again, and he has his own website that explains what he is doing, why he is doing it, and how he came up with the idea.

If you'd like to see what Ryan can do with a video camera, then check out his "quasi-trailers", as he calls them.

At this point, Ryan is calling on his readers, including myself, to help him replace the gear that he has been using for so long. His tent is too small for him to fit comfortably inside, because he is too tall for it. His belt is too big for him. His pants are too big for him. His backpack has a waist strap that is too big for him. His socks have holes in them. The treads in his shoes are so worn down that it hurts him to walk. His sleeping bag is not insulated enough to keep him warm.

What Ryan hopes is that companies will want to help Ryan by providing him with these goods. In return, the donors (or sponsors) would be able to promote their products on his website. With Ryan's backing on a good product it could only help generate interest and potential sales.

I believe that Ryan would also like to have a light notebook PC and a better video camera and cell phone (that still takes photos). However, I think he is mainly concerned about the necessities of surviving the journey right now.

So, how can we help out Aimless Ryan?

He wants us to contact a bunch of manufacturers, requesting them to help him. He has a page on his website that lays out what it would mean to sponsor Aimless.

The short list:
Kelty --> Contact Kelty about sponsorships
Gregory
Columbia
Coleman
Timberland
REI
The North Face
Eureka!
Therm-A-Rest
Sierra Designs
Amtrak
Apple
Sony
Canon

If you'd like to contact Ryan personally, then go to his contact page.

Thanks for your attention!