I Wanna Know!

Whoa.

Just finished some design work for Idiro Technologies. They do a lot of work for high-profile mobile companies (Vodafone, O2, etc.) across Europe, and much of their work is based on graph theory, a sub-branch of mathematics (very nostalgic for me, having studied the topic before).

Seen a grip of movies recently, including Iron Man twice; pristine acting, and an excellent cast list (Stay for the credits!). The interfaces in Stark's workroom were most impressive to me, and very much something within the realm of possibility. Also walked out on two movies in as many weeks. A lot trash out there.

Mildred Loving died last Friday. She was a pioneer in interracial marriage in the States. Diversity has always been major on my heart, so I definitely want to try to cop the book.


In Judaism Today (30 Nissan 5768):
Omer 16

Brilliant

Random flickr finds as I was doing some research...

Extremely clever composition, and a great title, "Washington, DC on $85 a Day."


An excellent shot of French electronic group Justice's show setup. The symbolism, the power...


...and this will only be meaningful if you've ever worked in IT (or a related department)...

Top-__ Most Anticipated Albums of 2008

At the moment, my CD wishlist is about 40 entries long (though it's all old(er) material), but here's the unreleased stuff I'm most excited about (it is bound to grow in the coming days)...

Untitled (3rd Studio Album) - Matisyahu
Untitled (3rd Studio Album) - Imogen Heap
The Anti-Mother - Norma Jean
Untitled (2nd Studio Album) - Family Force 5

I'm finishing up a project for a client today, and (as usual) a media search on the web brought me down a completely different path, culminating in my discovery of this amazing quartet of words: Boreal (or Septentrional), Austral, Occidental, and Oriental. While the majority already were in my vocabulary, the fact that they form this elite, four-member association was fascinating. Kind of like when an algorithm makes you see how amazingly integrated the language of mathematics is, or when you see how thorough G-d has been in every aspect of creation (though the latter cannot compare with the former). Wow.


In Judaism Today (25 Nissan 5768):
Omer 11

マジで。。。are you kidding me?!


In Judaism Today (21 Nissan 5768):
Shabbat
Omer 7

The way of the future...

Yesterday evening marked the first day of the Jewish Passover. What an monumental (and intimate) event it was to commemorate with the Lord; He blessed me amazingly. To have heard an account of how He is permeating the lives of others close to me, and then to have been able to spend time with Him last night was really otherworldly. I see Him actively making provision for me in ways too abundant to enumerate. It is good to be completely sold-out for G-d; this is what I yearn for.

I watched "The Aviator" in its entirety for the first time last night. I found extreme parallels between the person of Howard Hughes and myself, and can't help but wonder if certain shades of my being await a similar fate.

Hughes allegedly watched this film over 150 times, and I find myself intrigued by the allure it held over him:

In Judaism Today (16 Nissan 5768):
Passover Day 3
Omer 2

In Judaism Yesterday (15 Nissan 5768):
Passover Day 2
Omer 1

China, in the news

An amazing experiment conducted recently in Dafen, China, has produced an even more amazing commentary on just how much we as human beings are influenced by what we engage ourselves in.

In other news (and also related to China), well,... $500,000. It would be amazing to live in a world where this was the best thing we could do with our money, but we don't. I mean, that's special, having the means to be able to do this, but... Couldn't do it. There is too much hurt, too much need in the world.

I gotta go represent now. Time to work. Been waiting for this for much too long.

Polish girls have beautiful eyes

I'm not much of a gamer anymore, and I most certainly haven't played the online phenomenon that is World of Warcraft, but the social and fiscal dynamics taking place within this virtual world are, quite frankly, fascinating. You can find an article about just why here.

Yes, hi. I'd like a Café Mocha Grande with an extra shot of Espresso, please.

What in the world is this I'm listening to...?

I've given up all my rights. I have none for myself.

Influences: Handwritten Text

Handwritten text can be one of the most beautiful, most personal interpretations/declarations of one's identity. Just as amazing are the plethora of ways in which one can engage the medium.

While researching Japanese (or more generally, East Asian) signatures, I created for myself this fanciful (but wholly worthwhile) pathway through the digital annals of written language, spanning the globe, as well as many continental cultures (Asia, Oceania, Europe...).

I had no intention of doing a full-out entry on just what captures me so about this medium (Perhaps a 'Part 2' is in the works for the future?), so I am content to merely share with you three of the more interesting styles from my hunt:

Hebrew Ashuri Alphabet:

More generally, Hebrew scripts:


Chinese Zhuwen- and Baiwen-style seals:


In terms of more Western fare, I happened upon a brilliant (English) calligraphy studio owned by one Mrs. Alison Furminger, who also happens to be a Christian. Very encouraging.

Art done by those at the top of their craft is one thing; art created by those who pursue Yeshua faithfully is an altogether much more beautiful and driven labor. It's done right. Whatever your vocation, if it is not done with Yeshua as the Lord of your life, it is meaningless, like chaff in the wind (as warned of in Ecclesiastes). When you become a Christian, the work finally has sense and meaning and a literal purpose behind it.

France, Mauritius, England, Ireland, Alaska

I'd rather waste my time on a figment of her perfection than the reality of -... hey, my keyboard works!

Drake & Josh is always on Nickelodeon here in Ireland, so I've become a fan. Clean, wholesome, honest, funny... how could I not love it? Well, I saw that D&R co-star Josh Peck was in the new film, 'Drillbit Taylor', so...

It was definitely funny. Didn't offer anything new, but there were some good laughs and very awkward one-liners (like when one of the co-stars is told by his stepfather, "...and put some posters of chicks up on these walls. It's like a geek paradise in here!"). Hahahaha. It was... worth the money.

...and this is why "When I Am God" is on top of my summer 'To Buy' list...

I spend the time it takes my computer to load practising football tricks

Yahoo! says Muslims outnumber Catholics now. I'm neither, and one isn't any worse than the other; it's solely about Yeshua. Everything else falls short.

... I love you. So does G-d, only infinitely more. His is the better covenant.

Love & War

Wow, interesting stuff in Chicago.

Ever wondered why there are two completely separate graffiti paint companies called Montana? Well, here's the answer.

29,442 + 7,042

('The Saltwater Room' plays in the background.)

Bought tickets for Alaska tonight.

I'm really sorry that I had to.

I want to go, but I don't want to go...

You don't truly realize how deeply something is grafted within you until you accept the inevitable.

Taken from Wikipedia's page on Calvin and Hobbes:

"Watterson later stated in the "Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book" that he liked the fact that his strip was a "low-tech, one-man operation," and took great pride in the fact that he drew every line and wrote every word on his own."

That is my vision for animation.

Lightboxes are amazing

Awhile back, Good Charlotte lead guitarist Billy Martin put up a blog on his deviantART page dealing with sketching, scanning, and coloring digital pieces. Artistically speaking, we're on different ends of the spectrum, but it had been awhile since I heard some of that stuff, and it felt good to reminisce. Kyoto seems like it was so long ago...

Influences: Banknotes

I get inspiration from lots of places, and I don't think it possible to leave such sources out, so I'll be throwing up shout-outs to artists/mediums which have particularly influenced and/or impressed me. This is will be my first occasion to do so.

Bright colors and patterns which intermingle well always catch my eye; I've often found myself buying CDs back in Alaska solely because the album art speaks to me (which is a task in itself - this is the case for maybe... three or four albums out of an average of probably 500+ I search through on my routine Best Buy hunts).

Traveling internationally has given me chances to mingle with new people and cultures, but it has also helped to reveal the aesthetics of world currency to me. The USD bills never really impressed me much up until their recent color changes (their new subtlety is brilliant), and the EU Euro is arguably the most generic, elementary currency I have seen, but there are gems.

Of course, I'm being predictable by saying that the Japanese Yen is a favorite (for a roster of Yen bills from today and yesterday, check this, but beware - it's a pretty sizable PDF file), but the vibrant geometry, unsaturated colors, and sharp details make it a standout. This collection of factors also (in my mind) evokes parallels with traditional Japanese woodcuts.

Also on the faves list is the First Series of the Israeli New Sheqel. Vidid colors, breathtaking geometrical creations (on the back side of most of the bill denominations), and images that jump off the paper. What's not to love? The Second Series unfortunately dresses a bit too much in Euro-bland (しょうがない？), but that's why I'm not showing any pictures of it, hahaha.

Grace and peace tonight.

"It's like a house of mirrors!"

People are the most important thing in life. Christ knew this. How easily I forget.

Security Sold Separately

Anyone who appreciates graffiti (and/or is familiar with the methods its creators employ) is probably aware of the fact that artists often don't lay their pieces in easy-access areas... Hahahaha. This makes sense, after all - it gives them a measure of stealthiness, protects their anonymity, and is a common-sense alternative to tagging in high-traffic areas. However, such areas put a strain on graffiti photographers, and make shooting pieces exponentially more difficult. Fortunately, I've been blessed to have two capable and absolutely mad compatriots (G-Town and J) to share the fun with.

The amazing thing with regard to our circumstance is the unmerited level of risk we put ourselves in merely by (completely legally) chronicling these pieces. Merely by virtue of photographing graffiti, we are placing masks upon ourselves; everywhere my colleaues and I have photographed work in Dublin, it has been assumed that we are graffiti artists, which does not cease to merit reactions from passerby ranging from amusement to keen interest to disdain. Ultimately, I feel as though we all have found the risks to be worthwhile.