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.

Influences: Coats of Arms

Similar to banknotes, I love a good crest/seal/coat of arms. Particularly on a national level, these images can be rife with deep symbolism, representing untold ages of history, and can be a visual representation of a country's heritage. This aside, not all are created equal. Some of my favorites (click the images for larger versions):

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.

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.

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.