Tuesday, May 30, 2006
The Return of Dr. Octagon
Please note, my blog has moved to www.DocPop.org/blog Check it out for my newest writing. Please don't link to this blog entry, you can use http://www.docpop.org/2006/05/30/the-return-of-dr-octagon.html instead.
10 years ago Dr. Octagon (a.k.a. Kool Keith) released Dr. Octagonecologyst, one of the most influential hip hop albums of the 90's.
3 years later, Dr. Octagon was killed by Dr. Dooom (a.k.a. Kool Keith). Keith swore off the Dr. Octagon character that he felt was too limiting a character to be locked down as.
So I couldn't believe that not only does a new Dr. Octagon album come out on June 27th, but some of it has already officially been released.
Perhaps Doc Oc went back in time using his 7XL to prevent himself from being killed? It'd be funny if he actually addressed this on his album.
The original Dr. Octagon was one of Keith's best selling records to date and was also the debut of the amazing production skills of Dan The Automator. In fact the concept album was supposedly Dan's personal project and he recruited the skills of Keith and DJ Q-Bert. Dan also released Dr. Instrumentalyst as the instrumental follow up to Dr. Octagonecologyst. It should be noted that Keith played bass on most of the album though.
This week's remix is a 20 minute megamix by San Francisco DJ, Mike Relm. I saw Mike a month ago opening for Kid Koala and he blew me away. Totally recommend seeing his live show, it's full of video scratching, comedy, mashes, and sick scratching. Be sure to grab it tonight before it's gone!
Supposedly there are 8 issues of comics to be released before the cd as well, any one seen those?
extra links:
The Return Myspace Page
Dr. Octagon release site on Worlds-Fair.net
songs:
Al Green
Aliens
Trees
Ants
10 years ago Dr. Octagon (a.k.a. Kool Keith) released Dr. Octagonecologyst, one of the most influential hip hop albums of the 90's.
3 years later, Dr. Octagon was killed by Dr. Dooom (a.k.a. Kool Keith). Keith swore off the Dr. Octagon character that he felt was too limiting a character to be locked down as.
So I couldn't believe that not only does a new Dr. Octagon album come out on June 27th, but some of it has already officially been released.
Perhaps Doc Oc went back in time using his 7XL to prevent himself from being killed? It'd be funny if he actually addressed this on his album.
The original Dr. Octagon was one of Keith's best selling records to date and was also the debut of the amazing production skills of Dan The Automator. In fact the concept album was supposedly Dan's personal project and he recruited the skills of Keith and DJ Q-Bert. Dan also released Dr. Instrumentalyst as the instrumental follow up to Dr. Octagonecologyst. It should be noted that Keith played bass on most of the album though.
These new tracks, which on initial listens seem very electro, were produced by One Watt Sun, a European production trio and features DJ Dexter on the turntables (check out his scratching on Ants below).
For the eight weeks leading up to The Return of Dr. Octagon, official mp3 remixes are being made available. Remixers possibly include Prefuse 73, Rob Sonic, and Aesop Rock. New remixes are being put online every Friday, and will only stay up for a week. So check the site often.
This week's remix is a 20 minute megamix by San Francisco DJ, Mike Relm. I saw Mike a month ago opening for Kid Koala and he blew me away. Totally recommend seeing his live show, it's full of video scratching, comedy, mashes, and sick scratching. Be sure to grab it tonight before it's gone!
Supposedly there are 8 issues of comics to be released before the cd as well, any one seen those?
extra links:
The Return Myspace Page
Dr. Octagon release site on Worlds-Fair.net
songs:
Al Green
Aliens
Trees
Ants
Thereoke
Thereoke
After the films, the Punk Rock Quintet took the stage. This was their first time not performing with a full orchestra, and it worked pretty well. PRQ performed 70's and 80's punk songs with violin, cello, two operatic female singers, and a male vocalist. Their set started a little week, but they hit their stride by the third song. I wouldn't mind seeing them again.
During intermission I chatted with my buddy Matt (Bomarr Monk). Matt is an obscure music buff as well, I'd love to hang out with him sometime and make beats or go over music collections. Matt, if you are reading this, I just got all of my records from Minneapolis shipped here, check 'em out. It's a shame that Passage wasn't here to meet John, they could've chatted about gameboy music.
After intermission Otis Fodder and tradeMark G gave a little history about the theremin, followed Mark's performance of the Star Trek theme on their Moog Etherwave. Then they asked for volunteers for Thereoke. The first two performers both chose Abba songs, the backing tracks where midi files, not full live bands. Dancing Queen sounded like elevator music. I'm glad Otis asked me to step up, I'm usually too shy to volunteer for this sort of thing, even if I really want to do it. I requested Girl From Ipanema, and I believe I did a pretty good job until after the chorus, the song had a breakdown or something weird happening. I had a blast rocking it.
After a few more songs, John and I took off. We went to Arinell's for a slice, and came back right as ATA was clearing out. I took this chance to inquire about the Optigan. Apparently it wasn't working well that night, but Mark gave me a little tour of the device. I had never seen an Optigan in person, and just loved all the cool shit about it. All the sounds are read off of a 12 inch circular piece of celluloid, using light. The sound was surprising, basically the notes on the keys sounded like samples of organ notes, but the "chord" keys on the left of the keyboard actually triggered loops. So basically this was like the first commercial sampler on the market (am I wrong on this?). The Optigan discs had great sounds too, one was a break beat loop kit, with 12 different loops in different keys. The loops had funky ass bass and tight drums, seriously some amazing kits to choose from. Another disc had a choir singing "doo doo be-doo be-doo waaah" lines, totally ripping off Esquivel sounds. Actually I bet with some research it might turn out they where actually Esquivel conducted, I seriously would not be surprised. When you press a key, it doesn't always start at the beginning of a loop, as it just plays what's on the Optigan loop. The keyboard sounds suffered because of this, they had this clipping sound when you struck a note, and you couldn't shape the wave at all. Learning about the Optigan was the highlight of the evening, I'd love to document some of the sounds on these killer optigan discs sometime.
Let me take this oppurtunity to say I get mixed up with tradeMark G when I go to some San Francisco events.
me:
Evolution Control Committee's tradeMark G.:
Christopher Lloyd:
It was 8pm, Josh had some wikki stuff and BAC pics to update, and Dan had 3 hours of film to log.
So that left John and I to head over to ATA for the show. I'm glad he went, because I really wanted to go, but didn't want to force any of my guests to come to the show.
When paying admission the ticket taker asked for our phone numbers for the "Cell Phone Orchestra".
We (I) kicked off the evening with some with some whiskey from ATA's makeshift bar. 1 dollar a shot, and the shots where about 4 fucking ounces. I had two "shots" over ice. Afterwards, they started playing obscure music related short video clips. One, made by Xerox, was a cartoon about a lovely lass that could only be woo-ed by a unique new form of music, so her suitor learns to play the theremin for her love. Then there was this awesome excerpt from this VH-1 adaptation of Gene Simmons autobiography, has anyone else seen it? It was all done with still photos then animated in really cool ways, funny story too. Then there was William Shatner's rendition of Rocket Man from '78. Not only was that great to watch, but we had actually been talking about it several times earlier that day, what a surprise to see it at the show.
After the films, the Punk Rock Quintet took the stage. This was their first time not performing with a full orchestra, and it worked pretty well. PRQ performed 70's and 80's punk songs with violin, cello, two operatic female singers, and a male vocalist. Their set started a little week, but they hit their stride by the third song. I wouldn't mind seeing them again.
Before intermission there was one more act, the cell phone orchestra. The audience members with cell phones drew numbers from a hat, and were "conducted" into playing ring tone symphonies by dialing those numbers. The end result was not anywhere near as interesting as one might think. I think I heard three phones ring.
During intermission I chatted with my buddy Matt (Bomarr Monk). Matt is an obscure music buff as well, I'd love to hang out with him sometime and make beats or go over music collections. Matt, if you are reading this, I just got all of my records from Minneapolis shipped here, check 'em out. It's a shame that Passage wasn't here to meet John, they could've chatted about gameboy music.
After intermission Otis Fodder and tradeMark G gave a little history about the theremin, followed Mark's performance of the Star Trek theme on their Moog Etherwave. Then they asked for volunteers for Thereoke. The first two performers both chose Abba songs, the backing tracks where midi files, not full live bands. Dancing Queen sounded like elevator music. I'm glad Otis asked me to step up, I'm usually too shy to volunteer for this sort of thing, even if I really want to do it. I requested Girl From Ipanema, and I believe I did a pretty good job until after the chorus, the song had a breakdown or something weird happening. I had a blast rocking it.
After a few more songs, John and I took off. We went to Arinell's for a slice, and came back right as ATA was clearing out. I took this chance to inquire about the Optigan. Apparently it wasn't working well that night, but Mark gave me a little tour of the device. I had never seen an Optigan in person, and just loved all the cool shit about it. All the sounds are read off of a 12 inch circular piece of celluloid, using light. The sound was surprising, basically the notes on the keys sounded like samples of organ notes, but the "chord" keys on the left of the keyboard actually triggered loops. So basically this was like the first commercial sampler on the market (am I wrong on this?). The Optigan discs had great sounds too, one was a break beat loop kit, with 12 different loops in different keys. The loops had funky ass bass and tight drums, seriously some amazing kits to choose from. Another disc had a choir singing "doo doo be-doo be-doo waaah" lines, totally ripping off Esquivel sounds. Actually I bet with some research it might turn out they where actually Esquivel conducted, I seriously would not be surprised. When you press a key, it doesn't always start at the beginning of a loop, as it just plays what's on the Optigan loop. The keyboard sounds suffered because of this, they had this clipping sound when you struck a note, and you couldn't shape the wave at all. Learning about the Optigan was the highlight of the evening, I'd love to document some of the sounds on these killer optigan discs sometime.
Let me take this oppurtunity to say I get mixed up with tradeMark G when I go to some San Francisco events.
me:
Evolution Control Committee's tradeMark G.:
Christopher Lloyd:
My body may be hot...
But my head has a cold.
I don't remember having sinuses pre-Bay Area, but the first bad sinus infection started around the time of last years 24 Hour Comic Day:
I think it stuck with me for about 3 weeks.
Two new pieces of glorified litter. They are based on Poyzner's Robot Friend. After work I'll feed one to the ocean.
I don't remember having sinuses pre-Bay Area, but the first bad sinus infection started around the time of last years 24 Hour Comic Day:
I think it stuck with me for about 3 weeks.
Two new pieces of glorified litter. They are based on Poyzner's Robot Friend. After work I'll feed one to the ocean.
CASIO pr0n
casio pr0n *
I posted this on my www.DrownRadio.com blog**, but I thought some of ya'll might care about it so...
The Casio SK-1 is one of the absolute greatest sounding, cheap keyboards evermade. Even without any bends, put that bitch on monophonic, hit the portamento button, and listen to the fullness of that freak flute sound!
Gotta love the SK-1, the greatest of Casio's SK series, and you've gotta love the people that take a classic device apart, short the circuits, add a bunch of knobs and a patchbay, then rehouse it the proper Moog-esque casing it fucking deserves.
Michael Stein's bent sk-1. Link found from http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2006/05/simply-astonishing-casio-sk1-mod.html
I haven't been able to find anymore info on Michael Stein, but his construction is fantastic and the bends look great. I love the mod wheel on the left and the x/y potientiometer joystick on the right. Note that this isn't technically a Casio SK-1, but a Realistic Concertmate 500 (an exact duplicate of the SK-1 made by Radio Shack).
Built by qrsrstcdetuvcde
More info here.
This was the first super sk-1 I had ever seen. The switches on the yellow strip are for a step sequencer, the posts on top (over the orange) are bend points, allowing the bends to be turned on and off depending on the sequencer. So the bend points, speed of the sequencer, and number of steps (up to 8) are all adjustable.
Built by Casper Electronics
"The right side of the panel is the glitch patch bay. On the left side is a timer module and four modular switches. The bottom left panel holds three modular adjustments with on/off switches and momentary ON pushbuttons."
There are sounds availlable on the site, also check out the super sk-1 on the home page... Amazing! Casper is truely doing some unique stuff, although his case work may not be up to par with Michael Stein or Highly Liquid's, his ideas are great. Also worth checking out is his custom made step sequencers here. these can be used with any patchbay device.
This is more of an honorable mention, than a super mod, but going along with a case mod theme, Highly Liquid was working on a keytar kit for SK's. Due to tons of trouble working with an online metal worker, I believe he has decided to hold off with the project until he could get higher qaulity work. Here is a closer view of the bends on the neck. The bends on the neck are all temporary on buttons. Cool for activating one or two bends (if they are close together) at a time, but a little difficult for multiple bends. Still it's a good solid and consisten sounding device for live shows.
*(lube not included)
**I'm hoping to start posting on www.DrownRadio.com again about musical devices, so we'll see how that goes.
I posted this on my www.DrownRadio.com blog**, but I thought some of ya'll might care about it so...
The Casio SK-1 is one of the absolute greatest sounding, cheap keyboards evermade. Even without any bends, put that bitch on monophonic, hit the portamento button, and listen to the fullness of that freak flute sound!
Gotta love the SK-1, the greatest of Casio's SK series, and you've gotta love the people that take a classic device apart, short the circuits, add a bunch of knobs and a patchbay, then rehouse it the proper Moog-esque casing it fucking deserves.
Michael Stein's bent sk-1. Link found from http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2006/05/simply-astonishing-casio-sk1-mod.html
I haven't been able to find anymore info on Michael Stein, but his construction is fantastic and the bends look great. I love the mod wheel on the left and the x/y potientiometer joystick on the right. Note that this isn't technically a Casio SK-1, but a Realistic Concertmate 500 (an exact duplicate of the SK-1 made by Radio Shack).
Built by qrsrstcdetuvcde
More info here.
This was the first super sk-1 I had ever seen. The switches on the yellow strip are for a step sequencer, the posts on top (over the orange) are bend points, allowing the bends to be turned on and off depending on the sequencer. So the bend points, speed of the sequencer, and number of steps (up to 8) are all adjustable.
Built by Casper Electronics
"The right side of the panel is the glitch patch bay. On the left side is a timer module and four modular switches. The bottom left panel holds three modular adjustments with on/off switches and momentary ON pushbuttons."
There are sounds availlable on the site, also check out the super sk-1 on the home page... Amazing! Casper is truely doing some unique stuff, although his case work may not be up to par with Michael Stein or Highly Liquid's, his ideas are great. Also worth checking out is his custom made step sequencers here. these can be used with any patchbay device.
This is more of an honorable mention, than a super mod, but going along with a case mod theme, Highly Liquid was working on a keytar kit for SK's. Due to tons of trouble working with an online metal worker, I believe he has decided to hold off with the project until he could get higher qaulity work. Here is a closer view of the bends on the neck. The bends on the neck are all temporary on buttons. Cool for activating one or two bends (if they are close together) at a time, but a little difficult for multiple bends. Still it's a good solid and consisten sounding device for live shows.
*(lube not included)
**I'm hoping to start posting on www.DrownRadio.com again about musical devices, so we'll see how that goes.
When I was an ugly child...
I went to Scot's Comic Book store last Saturday on 23rd street and Mission.
The store is very small, and packed with comics, basically there is only enough room for one customer at a time and browsing of any form is not encouraged. It's a real trip. You go in, Scot says "What can I get for you?" and if you say something like "I'm just looking around" then he'll scoff at you and go back to reading his comic muttering something like "whatever, man.". Only Scot knows what he has and where he has it, your welcome to try, but he's not gonna make it any easier.
The store is very small, and packed with comics, basically there is only enough room for one customer at a time and browsing of any form is not encouraged. It's a real trip. You go in, Scot says "What can I get for you?" and if you say something like "I'm just looking around" then he'll scoff at you and go back to reading his comic muttering something like "whatever, man.". Only Scot knows what he has and where he has it, your welcome to try, but he's not gonna make it any easier.
"What comics are behind that Grendel on the wall?"
"Oh, just some other comics."
"..."
So I dropped in and started looking around, which was obviously bugging Scot, when I found a copy of Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children ..2. Score! I picked it up, and behind it was ..1... and ..6... ..8... ..4... ..20... ..24... Ding ding, high score! It's like the only time I've ever gone in there to browse and actually find anything.
BSUC is one of my all time favorite comic series, and absolutely made the biggest dent on me artisticly at the early age I found it. I think I first came across issue number 5 in 1989. It was in the $.50 boxes at Great Escape in Nashville. I first started scraping through those boxes in an effort to maximize my comic book money to it's fullest. One copy of Superman or 4 copies of the Tick/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/or other great indie comics.
BSUC are illustrated short stories, usually with a large/sketchy piece up on top and writing on the bottom. The art was dark and humorous, usually the main character would have one dull expression throughout the whole book, no matter what was happening around it. Many of the pieces reminded me of Bill Plympton's heavy handed pencil style. The writing was bare bones and full of irony. Usually it would just be some proposterous scenario told so simply and beautifully that it just seemed like an every day occurrence. Each issue was a different short story, so collecting them piecemeal wasn't annoying.
BSUC are illustrated short stories, usually with a large/sketchy piece up on top and writing on the bottom. The art was dark and humorous, usually the main character would have one dull expression throughout the whole book, no matter what was happening around it. Many of the pieces reminded me of Bill Plympton's heavy handed pencil style. The writing was bare bones and full of irony. Usually it would just be some proposterous scenario told so simply and beautifully that it just seemed like an every day occurrence. Each issue was a different short story, so collecting them piecemeal wasn't annoying.
At the age of 14, the concept of comics with no re-occuring main characters was mind-blowing. I was also pretty touched by the main characters, they where usually losers of some sort, for instance, Confessions of a Blood Junkie is all about a vampire that attends Vampires Anonymous and paints pictures of the sun in his spare time.
So I continued picking up these bizare titles, collecting maybe 18, without knowing how many issues there were out there. As I moved from Lewisburg TN, I thought of Beautiful Stories often, in fact whenever I walked into an old comic store it was always the first thing I asked about. Well it's been about 10 years, and I've never ever seen a copy of these books aside from the ones I bought at Great Escape, in fact it never even occurs to me to check online or in comic shops anymore (note, holy shit there are a bunch on ebay!).
So yesterday was a total score, I can't wait to get the chance to re-read these old issues. After picking up the books, I found out that Dave and Dan seem to have been very busy recently sort of repackaging Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children. In fact their website just went live recently and features "animated" versions of the comics, so far the art doesn't really do the comics justice though. Still it's cool to think of my favorite comics team working again, I haven't seen a single thing from either of them since Dave illustrated the American Freak comics for vertigo in the mid 90's.
psst- I just found an online copy of A Cotton Candy Autopsy!
This is really hard of me to ask this of you but.
Doing some of the things that I do, my name (and consequently my email) gets spread out on the internet. This results in many bizarre email exchanges.
Often times I'm assuming I'm talking to a kid, and then find out several emails later that I am actually dealing with a 25 year old man from Brazil, or a 40 something woman from poland that wants to know if faith in god is what provides my yo-yo skill. I get a lot of "please fly me to stay with you and learn yo-yo" emails. I also get other shit that I am forced believe is just sent to fuck with me. Like the following email exchange from last week:
This is the movie he is referencing.
Note, I definitely appreciate exchanges like this one. Definitely one of the neater requests for a video.
Often times I'm assuming I'm talking to a kid, and then find out several emails later that I am actually dealing with a 25 year old man from Brazil, or a 40 something woman from poland that wants to know if faith in god is what provides my yo-yo skill. I get a lot of "please fly me to stay with you and learn yo-yo" emails. I also get other shit that I am forced believe is just sent to fuck with me. Like the following email exchange from last week:
From: asafestud
To: Doc@DoctorPopular.com
Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2006
HEY DOC
This is really hard of me to ask this of you but. I really love your video of you smashing the record. Have you done that alot before? I really LOVE IT! I was curious if you would consider makin a sport out of it. Would love to see you smash it barefoot too if possible. I know its an odd request but if you had anymore record smashing videos I would more then appreciate it. Thanks!
doctor popular wrote:
Howdy, no other smashing videos.
I have smashed the hearts of those who have chosen to know me, and smashed the egos of those who've opposed me.. However, neither of these things make for good video.
From: asafestud
To: doctor popular
Subject: RE:
Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2006
well either way I really loved it very much and if you choose to do it again with any other vinyl records. I would love to see it. I know sounds odd and takes a lot to courage to even ask you. I appreciate the response though.
A quick myspace search and I linked the address to Joseph of New Mexico, who coincidentally last logged in the day before sending these emails. His only listed friend on there seems to be a dj, hence the record obsession?To: Doc@DoctorPopular.com
Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2006
HEY DOC
This is really hard of me to ask this of you but. I really love your video of you smashing the record. Have you done that alot before? I really LOVE IT! I was curious if you would consider makin a sport out of it. Would love to see you smash it barefoot too if possible. I know its an odd request but if you had anymore record smashing videos I would more then appreciate it. Thanks!
doctor popular
Howdy, no other smashing videos.
I have smashed the hearts of those who have chosen to know me, and smashed the egos of those who've opposed me.. However, neither of these things make for good video.
From: asafestud
To: doctor popular
Subject: RE:
Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2006
well either way I really loved it very much and if you choose to do it again with any other vinyl records. I would love to see it. I know sounds odd and takes a lot to courage to even ask you. I appreciate the response though.
This is the movie he is referencing.
Note, I definitely appreciate exchanges like this one. Definitely one of the neater requests for a video.
One year and 24 hours later
One year and 24 hours later
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
A year ago I was sitting with a bunch of other cartoonists and conspirators working on my second 24 Hour comic book.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
A year ago I was sitting with a bunch of other cartoonists and conspirators working on my second 24 Hour comic book.
The goal of the 24 Hour book is the complete creation of a 24 page book in one consecutive 24 hour period. Any book less than 24 pages is still considered a success I guess, because you took part in the challenge, but the year before I only finished 23 pages. So my goal for this most recent 24 Hour book was to spend less time perfecting the pages and get as much done as I could.
There where a few obstacles, including a raging cold and a yo-yo performance in San Francisco that took 6 of my 24 hours, but I completed my book with minutes to spare and I was very proud of it.
I never published my first 24 hour book, about a day in the life of the first caveman celebrity artist, for two reasons: 1. The combination of drinks, lack of sleep, and the choice to not use any text made the ending of my caveman story hard to follow (whose idea was it to have the last 12 hours of drawing in a bar anyways?). 2. I decided to use an extra color. My comic was a great looking black, white, and green book that still has some of my favorite illustrations I've ever done, however printing a 2 color comic is about the same price as printing a full color comic. I mean it costs like a billion dollars or something to print.
So, upon completion of my most recent 24 Hour book, "Ideas", I decided nothing on this planet would stop me from printing this mini masterpiece within a year.
It turns out that I accidentally used some cursed size and format, making printing "Ideas" a bit of a nightmare. Add to the fact that kinkos in this city pretty much only takes digital scans now and not hard copies (unreal, right?). So when I saw that year deadline fast approaching I pulled out all the stops and found a printer to do this for me no matter the cost. Luckily I bumped into Stephen Gretsch at APE a few weeks ago. Stephen was one of the organizers of last years 24 hour event, and is now a manager of Fast Imaging in Oakland... Score!
So I spent an entire day (10 hours at least) scanning and printing this book and the most recent Cartoonist Conspiracy comic "The Hamster That Wasn't There". More work needed to be done on "Ideas", but we got most of it done that day. About a week later (this Saturday evening), the books were dropped off at a wordless exchange in the lobby of a BART station at midnight. Thus, meeting my one year goal and making for quite a weird site for the BART police.
So now, thanks to Fast Imaging and Stephen, I have 500 copies of my 24 hour book, and 150 copies of the Hamster story. I dropped some off at some stores yesterday and they seemed quite happy to have them. Ideas retails for $2.50 and The Hamster That Wasn't There sells for $3. I have plans to nicely print up other cartoonist conspiracy books, I mean we've made some nice comics, but have never properly printed any of them up before (at least not since You're Name Here). It would be my goal to have an actual library of Conspiracy books, so we could have a little section in some of the local stores. I mean we do plenty of work, it just needs the proper follow through.
So anyways, I'm always looking to trade comics. I might try to put my 24 Hour Book on my website sometime in the next week or so too. I'll have plenty at BAC.
Oh, and another thing... My good friend Josh is driving ALL of my stuff pre 2004 to my new home in San Francisco. It's been almost two years since I've seen some of that stuff and I'm just dying to get it. This shipment should include the art for my first 24 Hour Book "Trog!" and the almost entirely complete "Super Top #2"!!!
Super Top #2!!! After 3 years of only having Super Top #1 to show, I will finally be moving up to issue #2.
So that stuff should be here in about a week, Josh be willing. Maybe at some point I'll actually have a catalog of my own comics, as in more than two. That'd be dreamy!
Labels: comics
Still life with Office Supplies
Get to work at 8:30, check email, check myspace, check email again, check all my other myspace accounts then I grab a piece of paper and start doodling.
I spend most of my day doodling, using what ever is around. Pilot V8, highlighting pens, white out, spilled coffee, etc..
Sometimes I keep a piece, sometimes I ship it with an order from my webstore, and sometimes I throw it in the ocean.
Glorified trash
Glorified trash
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
A friend of mine has a large cache of unique little bottles in her cabinet. They are empty remnants that once contained delicious Spega Yogurt. So I started begging her to save me some glasses from any future Spega snacks.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
A friend of mine has a large cache of unique little bottles in her cabinet. They are empty remnants that once contained delicious Spega Yogurt. So I started begging her to save me some glasses from any future Spega snacks.
About a month ago, she obliged me with my first Spega bottle. Around that time she was going through some real rough emotional shit. One day, at the lowest part of that period, she left me a very sad note about how she felt.
One week later, she was doing much better, so I put her note into the Spega bottle, sealed it with tape and told her I was throwing her bad day into the bay, for the ocean to carry it away.
So, yeah, that sort of started a thing.
I started asking her for more bottles.
I filled them with notes and sketches. Each one contained a "message" of some sort. They were decorated with highlighters, white out and other office supplies; then sealed up and chucked into the bay.
Here is yesterday's:
It's a "Massage in a bottle".
I sit in my office/cube listening to new records, typing stories and working on the message for that day. I've thrown probably 15 of them since I've hucked that bad day into the water last month. Of those, I've actual only been lucky enough to have personal eaten the yogurt before cleaning the bottle and disposing of it.
Message in a bottle is not an accurate term, this is glorified litter. I'm taking glass garbage and dumping it into the ocean. I get that, nobody will probably ever see them but me.
It's even occurred to me that many of them might not even make it into the bay.
I think Elvis might be getting them. I throw them from a channel underneath the 3rd street bridge and the absolutely brand new bridge they have been building from scratch but it has a sign that says "historic bridge 1916" on it. Elvis, our local crackhead, camps out on the other side of the channel. His sheets and tarp have been out there so long, it fits into the landscape, providing great cammo. There is a very good chance that Elvis may be collecting them before they escape the currents embrace into the bay.
That thought "bums" me out, but I keep "crack"-ing ahead. I guess I'm addicted to it.
Thanks for the pic-pics Sonia.
Thanks for the pic-pics Sonia.
worst party ever.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Saturday night I went to the big A.P.E. post party at the Cartoon Art Museum. I had spent all day vending a table at the Alternative Press Expo, and was really looking forward to actually hanging out with some of the other vendors that I didn't get to see while I was at my table.
Nobody from A.P.E. showed up. Not a single person. However, there was a big crowd there for the Queer Comics exhibition that was currently up at the Museum. For some reason, people seemed to think it was perfectly normal to walk up to me and rub my arms or hips while I was checking out the art. So that was frustrating, and the exhibit sucked, it was pretty much the worst party of any sort I have ever been to in my life.
Here is an example of what a typical conversation was like:
So then that happened.
The blonde wig was a nice touch though.
The blonde wig was a nice touch though.
After the A.P.E. party I met up with Karen and we went to an underground absinthe party. That was great. Very very good times. Very good times. Although I spent tons of money on drinks. Maybe around $60. The night was debacherous, the drinks where good, and the conversation was great.
Kay-Kay, I hope you enjoyed yourself there. Did you sip much 'sinthe?
Worn Again- Escapes
Yo, I got some new kicks in the mail and I love 'em.
Worn Again makes them (with Terra Plana), they have a couple different styles.
I got the Escapes and I love 'em so far. The shoes are sweatshop free and almost entirely made from scraps and recycled rubber. Worn Again uses old car seats, coffee bean burlap sacks, old tee shirts, blue jeans, and puppies.
Just kidding.
They don't use the coffee sacks, that'd be gross
So like I said, I love practicing my "Ian Knot" in my hot new kicks, and as long as the product lasts me for a decent time, I don't regret the steep price tag on 'em.
Here's the thing though, some of ya'll know that I got a pair of Blackspot V2's from Adbusters and have been bitching about them ever since. These shoes, looked great, but actually where very poorly made. Then I found out how bad their customer support was on top of that. It's a shame, the V1's where killer shoes! But the second design they did just fell apart so quickly. It really soured me from the idea of buying shoes responsibly. Meaning, I don't mind spending more money for shoes that I know are well made in decent conditions, but the Blackspots are very poorly made.
V.2
V.1
V.2 V.1So, here's to hoping these Escapes don't fall apart in a month. Shalom
Shoelaces
This is what the internet was built for... an entire site dedicate to shoelace tying. It's sooo cool. Do not miss the detailed directions for "Ian's Knot" aka the World's Fastest Shoelace Knot. Can't understand the video? Read the text. Can't follow that, see the step by step illustrations (with or without fingers). No? Well try the flip book then.
Upon further study I have identified myself as guilty of accidentally tying "slip knots" while attempting to tie "reef knots". The end result is a sideways bow that constantly comes undone. Fascinating.
Did you know footbag players have a popular lace pattern they use to make catching footbags easier on their shoes?
edit: This will go along great with my new shoes that I just recieved from Worn Again!
Two examples of "Zipper"
Two examples of "the ladder"
Loopback lacing.
edit: This will go along great with my new shoes that I just recieved from Worn Again!
Two examples of "Zipper"
Two examples of "the ladder"
Loopback lacing.
Sketches
I did these with scrap matte board, white charcoal, and ink.
The whole white highlight thing is real fun to do.
Labels: crafts
My remains
Monday, April 03, 2006
She kept screaming and I went back to sleep.
Kid Koala was good. He played a dj set, lots of upbeat danceable stuff and hip hop turntablism, which isn't exactly what somebody would go see Kid Koala for. But in-between tracks he would play some of his quirkier "musical turntable" stuff. He played some tracks from his next graphic novel (a book about a mosquito trying to learn to play the clarinet), and he played some stuff off of Dan the Automator's next album (which has been shelved for now). Because I was press, I had access to the VIP area upstairs, and actually video taped 30 minutes of the show, might put it together for something if I get the time. The interview went well, of course he's a real nice guy, no surprise there. Mike Relm opened, he was so socially awesome btw.
This weekend is APE, busy busy week ahead of me, including a birthday party at the Climate Theater on thursday. In May some of my friends from the Midwest are coming up to visit with me, yay! BAC, yay!
Monday, April 03, 2006
Woke up this morning to the sound of some lady screaming "Motherfuckers!!! Aaargh! Are any coffee shops open in San Francisco!? ... What about now?!"
It was 5 a.m.
I think daylight savings time might have thrown her for a loop. Either that, or the crack.
She kept screaming and I went back to sleep.
At 7:40 I bumped into her on the street. She screamed "God Damn it's cold, MOTHERFUCKER!" at me.
I got to work and wanted to play a prank on someone here, so I wrote up a "fax" from Mirah Maines, the human resources director at Mountain View Funeral home. I added a cool letter head from Mountain View's site, and addressed it to an employee that no longer works here.
"Dear Chris,
Hope you are well. We'd like to run a 1/4 page ad in your employment section for the next month. Can you please call me with your current rates? Thanks- Mirah"
I left it on the fax machine, knowing that Ari would probably pick up the sheet, go back to his desk and call on it. I'm glad I was around when he did...
"Hello, I'm looking for Mirah Maines.... Is this Mountain View Funeral Home? I'd like to talk to Mirah Maines in your human resources department. No? Maybe she's in your marketing department... Are you sure? I received a fax from Mirah Maines at this morning... M - I - R - A - H... Yes that's right, Mirah Maines, is she around? We'll I have a message from Mirah Maines at Mountain View Funeral Home, looking for an employment ad. Maybe she's new there? No? Okay, I'll try back later today and see if she's in, thanks."
Victory is mine, motherfuckers.
Kid Koala was good. He played a dj set, lots of upbeat danceable stuff and hip hop turntablism, which isn't exactly what somebody would go see Kid Koala for. But in-between tracks he would play some of his quirkier "musical turntable" stuff. He played some tracks from his next graphic novel (a book about a mosquito trying to learn to play the clarinet), and he played some stuff off of Dan the Automator's next album (which has been shelved for now). Because I was press, I had access to the VIP area upstairs, and actually video taped 30 minutes of the show, might put it together for something if I get the time. The interview went well, of course he's a real nice guy, no surprise there. Mike Relm opened, he was so socially awesome btw.
This weekend is APE, busy busy week ahead of me, including a birthday party at the Climate Theater on thursday. In May some of my friends from the Midwest are coming up to visit with me, yay! BAC, yay!
Caught hobnobbing with the Frontalot...
Friday, March 31, 2006
...Busted!
The photographer from Other Magazine took 'em. Lot's of good pics of the Damain for those who really want to know what he looks like. Here are some good ones from the batch.
...Busted!
The photographer from Other Magazine took 'em. Lot's of good pics of the Damain for those who really want to know what he looks like. Here are some good ones from the batch.
Fish and Rings
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Totally surreal. Band practice with MC Frontalot, this guy I've been listenin' to for many many years. I know these songs by heart, hairs raise when Listen Close starts up. When I'm not using the mic, I pick up a pen and draw shit.
The practice space was in Oakland, at Cat5's place, the studio was packed with ensoniq sampling keyboards, speak and spells (/reads/math), casio sk1s, casio sk5s, casio kermit keyboards, rhodes piano, whurlitzer, ARP Odyssey, novelty and sound effect records, and various classis drum machines.
I'm spitting verses with Front in a room filled with electronic toys, total nerdgasm.
Afterwards we all grabbed din din in Alameda. I couldn't wait to get back across the puddle.
Afterwards we all grabbed din din in Alameda. I couldn't wait to get back across the puddle.
Blah blah, felt like shit last night, and I'm so surprised how nervous I am about tonight, but it's been a real long time since I've done something musical on stage, and I'm still memorizing my verse. I think the show will get recorded somewhere. Doubt there will be video though.
Right now, all I'm thinking about is Fish and Rings... Fish... and rings...
Right now, all I'm thinking about is Fish and Rings... Fish... and rings...
Fuck MUNI
Friday, March 24, 2006
I wait on the corner of 4th on Market on the mornings I don't ride my bike to work. I don't fully know all of the buses, but my destination is pretty simple, just a straight ride down 4th, and all the buses that go there have "Caltrain/Stockton" written on their marquee.
This morning, at around 8:00, the number 30 pulled up. I don't think I had ever taken this bus, and it's sign only said "Stockton". I waited, but it never changed. That's weird, I had never seen a Stockton bus that didn't say Caltrain on it too. So I got at the end of the line, and when I boarded I said "Excuse me, does this bus go to Caltrain".
The driver was overweight african american lady with shades on. She just sat there, so I said "Hi, I'm sorry I'm just wondering if this bus goes to Caltrain. I'm new to this route, and I don't want to take the wrong bus."
She just stared over my shoulder. The bus was stopped, she knew I was there, I was just asking a friendly question. I got in her line of vision, so she looked at slightly more to the right. I moved there... she moved her head back to the first position.
"It's just that I think your sign is broken, the buses I'm looking for usually say Caltrain... But your sign seems to be frozen... I'm not being rude here... If I'm doing something can just tell me... I can handle it honestly." I tried to bring the mood up, in case all she needed was just to smile before she could talk.
So I stepped down a step "this is neat, your not going to talk to me?".
On the curb away from the door, I grabbed my sketchpad and copied the bus number down, 5586. "I need your name please, of course I'm going to have to call MUNI."
I wait on the corner of 4th on Market on the mornings I don't ride my bike to work. I don't fully know all of the buses, but my destination is pretty simple, just a straight ride down 4th, and all the buses that go there have "Caltrain/Stockton" written on their marquee.
This morning, at around 8:00, the number 30 pulled up. I don't think I had ever taken this bus, and it's sign only said "Stockton". I waited, but it never changed. That's weird, I had never seen a Stockton bus that didn't say Caltrain on it too. So I got at the end of the line, and when I boarded I said "Excuse me, does this bus go to Caltrain".
The driver was overweight african american lady with shades on. She just sat there, so I said "Hi, I'm sorry I'm just wondering if this bus goes to Caltrain. I'm new to this route, and I don't want to take the wrong bus."
She just stared over my shoulder. The bus was stopped, she knew I was there, I was just asking a friendly question. I got in her line of vision, so she looked at slightly more to the right. I moved there... she moved her head back to the first position.
"It's just that I think your sign is broken, the buses I'm looking for usually say Caltrain... But your sign seems to be frozen... I'm not being rude here... If I'm doing something can just tell me... I can handle it honestly." I tried to bring the mood up, in case all she needed was just to smile before she could talk.
So I stepped down a step "this is neat, your not going to talk to me?".
Another step "Neat."
On the curb away from the door, I grabbed my sketchpad and copied the bus number down, 5586. "I need your name please, of course I'm going to have to call MUNI."
The door shut, and as the bus pulled away.
It turns out that the #30 does go to Caltrain, the sign was frozen. I HATE HATE HATE MUNI. Thank god for BART.
Remember 415-673-MUNI for complaints.
Remember 415-673-MUNI for complaints.
The Buddha Returns
In my dream it was a rainy day... Everywhere.
Not that we had noticed in San Francisco, it was often times grey this time of year, but the clouds covered everything.
I was outside, on a corner somewhere in the mission, when a beam of light broke through the clouds. It was like the curtains on a lazy Sunday morning. Behind the clouds was Buddha, giant and radiating light through the cracks in the clouds. He's legs were crossed and he had the smile on his face of someone who is ultimately content, like he just eaten the perfect size burrito (not too much, not too little).
He was visible to everyone, everywhere, and when he spoke everyone could understand.
"Uh, hi... Hey, I don't want to trouble you guys. I just wanted to thank you for all the offerings you've left for me, but I just really felt that I should let you know I don't really like rice. Again, thanks, but I've just never liked it all that much. The fruit and stuff is good, and you know whatever.. I'm not trying to be picky, I've just never really cared for the stuff. I mean, if you have to leave rice, would it kill you to cook it first or something. Perhaps some seasoning. Butter, soy sauce, salt or something. Okay, so yeah, again thanks, but I've got more than enough rice."
After some 2500 years, the Buddha had returned and his only godly words where about statues and rice. Needless to say, the result was mixed.
It sort of felt like the split between Judaism and Christianity, there were the Reformist Buddhists who would leave delicious treats such as Nestle Crunch bars and Pumpkin Ice Cream. And there where the ultra orthodox who felt this apparition was a hoax, perhaps a conspiracy orchestrated by the Atkins Center. Not only did they still leave rice at the foot of statues, but it was not uncommon to see an entire Buddha statue made of rice in the home of an ultra-orthodox Buddhist.
As for the rest of us, the world seemed unchanged after the return of Buddha. There were people like me who simply made a mental note not to bring any rice if I was going to a Buddhist temple and thought nothing else of it.
Wars still happened, diseases came and went, we were still at the height of progress or at the low point of civilization, depending on whom you asked.
Oddly enough, the return of Buddha had no effect at all on the world's sales of rice. For every person not buying rice, there was someone buying twice as much. For every farm that decided to grow one less acre of rice crop, there was another farmer increasing his rice growing.
In the end, everything was just as well balanced as before.
Sexy Party
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
So last year I wrote about an Absinthe party I attended here in the city that had a decent amount of public sex going on. It wasn't a sex party, it was just an underground party that sort of evolved into something a little heavy.
I had been back to the venue for several parties since then, but they remained primarily absinthe related with no signs of sex.
Last week I went to this same venue for my first fetish party. I have somehow gotten on a little more exclusive list where I can attend all of these underground parties for free, and often times get a good deal of free Absinthe in the process. I don't know how I got on this list, I'm the biggest fucking square at most of these parties. I just know a bit about absinthe and stuff.
Anyway, I'm not into the leather and spandex fetish scene, but I felt obligated to go to one of these parties, at least once. It was a fun experience and it's pretty much true that anyone can get laid at one of these parties, as long as your not picky.
Standing in line you might be passed by a woman on all fours being walked by her dom. Or maybe while sitting down and enjoying your drink, you'll get into a chat with a co-worker that you bumped into. She tries a sip of your drink and asks a few questions about the fax machine at work seemingly oblivious to the fact that her skirt is hiked up and her date for the evening has her bent over and is smacking her ass. The rest of the room notices, it's one of those sounds... Wherever you are in the room, you hear that "smack" sound and you know exactly what's happening. A crowd forms and we are still casually conversing, "Sometimes you have to hit 9 to get the outside line-OW! but usually you just have to send the send transmission button."
"Make her scream my name" Cat the bartender says, then she leans over to me and says "I love that trick."
smack... smack... smack- "CAAAAT!"
I heard some of the greatest quotes while at this shindig (a few of the actual quotes are on the sketch). A few of the folks at the party where over fifty, you could say that I saw some pretty unattractive stuff, but when your in this environment you don't really tend judge people. It's their world, you have just stepped into it, so I didn't really find myself imposing my rules of beauty or morality on anyone there.
The strange thing is, nothing there was that shocking. People were hung from crosses and spanked or humiliated. There where lots of exposed body parts. I guess sex was implied, and/or occurring in some places. But the whole thing to me was just comedic. I mean you see a guy in a leather vest, a huge black mustache, and those ridiculous shiny police officer hats and you can't help but laugh. Really, it's like somebody came up with the looks 40 years ago, and it's never really occurred to most folks that styles and fetishes change. That stuff might have been shocking then, but I can't imagine that it hasn't changed in all these years.
For me at least, it's far more exciting to see a couple ordinary people going at it in near the absinthe bar then a couple of costumed people going to such extreme measures to give the appearance of kinkiness. What it comes down to, is that I obviously don't get it. I'm not saying what I think is "hot" is better than other peoples views. I just can't get the appeal of the "Fetish" scene... and the Cure does not make me want to fuck.
I'm also assuming that this was a milder event than others, I'm not looking to go to some huge (and well publicized) fetish ball, I like 'em underground and grimy, so maybe I'll check out another one and tell you what I think.
The Weather is Karen's Arm
Monday, March 13, 2006
Friday night I was walking to my birthday party at Bender's in the rain. Luckily I had grabbed my umbrella before I left the house, in case it started raining on my walk back home.
Friday night I was walking to my birthday party at Bender's in the rain. Luckily I had grabbed my umbrella before I left the house, in case it started raining on my walk back home.
The rain started suddenly and seemed to be a surprise to most folks out on the street.
At the time, I was on the phone with my friend Karen, who was in her car 10 blocks north of me on Mission ST.
"I have to go." she said suddenly, then adding "It's hailing right now."
I hung up the phone and walked up to the nearest stranger, a man in his forties with an umbrella identical to mine.
"Shity weather, isn't it?" I asked him.
"Yep." He replied.
"At least it isn't hailing though." Before he could reply a hailstorm burst out all around us.
I walked away in the storm, but I caught a look at his puzzled face before I left. That was priceless.
Thanks Karen, it's what I've always wanted.
The Oldboy DVD is nice too.
Thanks Karen, it's what I've always wanted.
The Oldboy DVD is nice too.
I am hip hop
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
I made a coffee stop this morning, mostly because I needed change for the bus.
I made a coffee stop this morning, mostly because I needed change for the bus.
I stopped by starbucks and ordered a medium cappuccino.
Then I headed over to the Barista and wait. He called a couple of drinks and eventually called "Venti cap for (mumble mumble)"... He looked around a bit then repeated "Venti Cap For (mumble mumble)!".
I stepped up and said, "My name is Doc, but the lady didn't ask for my name, I think this might be my drink though". He agreed, and I took off barely catching the bus.
Later I was staring at the cup and realized there was a name written on it, it's what the Barista was saying that I couldn't understand. The name on the cup was "Hip Hop".
Hip Hop? WTFS?
I thought you should know
So hey, I don't know if it's me or what, but I've been flushing the toilet early.
I just thought you should know.
Maybe I'm taking longer to pee than I used to.
Maybe premature flushing is common with men my age.
I used to be able to time it, you know... Like starting the flushing process while still urinating but having it all synched up where the last of my fluid leaves me before all the toilet fluid leaves it.
I wouldn't say it was an art form, but it was something I had a lot of practice at. But now, I flush, toilet empties then fills back up, but I'm still peeing. I'm not even doing it consciously, I just walk up, unzip, reach in point, release, pause, pause, flush, wonder why I just hit the lever, pause, pause... Shake, flush.
I try not to waste, I feel kind of bad about it, but it's just an instinctive thing. Like I said I don't know if it's me or what, maybe these new fangled machines flush faster on the west coast or something.
Hey you know what's fun? If your chewing gum, blow a bubble, pinch it closed with your mouth, spit it into a toilet and try to pop it while you pee. If that's too easy try flushing it... Moving Target!
ps I had like a billion ideas for the subject line:
Dear John,
Don't Cross the Streams
ps I had like a billion ideas for the subject line:
Dear John,
Don't Cross the Streams
Swords for Teef
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Here are two quick sketches I did today.
Swords for teeth is based on something some kids created while I was illustrating a story at 826 Valencia. It was about an arachnophobic spider with a pet alligator with swords for teeth.
The Monies sketch is just some weird thing.
These both took a few minutes to draw, then about 4 hours in photoshop.
Here are two quick sketches I did today.
Swords for teeth is based on something some kids created while I was illustrating a story at 826 Valencia. It was about an arachnophobic spider with a pet alligator with swords for teeth.
The Monies sketch is just some weird thing.
These both took a few minutes to draw, then about 4 hours in photoshop.
New Muse plus reviews
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Today I got an unexpected package from my homeboy Sandman (the Rappin Cowboy). I used to do some shows with Sandman when I still lived in Tennessee, I was playing in a band called God Damn Midget. Sandman came up and freestyled at a couple of our shows at Victor/Victoria's in Nashville.
Today I got an unexpected package from my homeboy Sandman (the Rappin Cowboy). I used to do some shows with Sandman when I still lived in Tennessee, I was playing in a band called God Damn Midget. Sandman came up and freestyled at a couple of our shows at Victor/Victoria's in Nashville.
So I saw that Sandman had an album coming up on Scream Club's new label "Crunks Not Dead" and I contacted him right away to congratulate him and stuff. Ever since then I've been waiting for it's release, but was surprised to actually receive a copy from Sand this morning with a note attached asking if I'd like to hook up a remix for a track or two. Hell ya. The album is great, it continues on his Slippery Goodstuff rock-opera from last year, with way tighter production. It's 19 tracks and features some nice cameos (including Scream Club's Cindy Wonderful and K Record's Calvin Johnson). I've been listening to this album all day, it's sexy at times and funny/funky at others. I should mention he does a neat little cover of "Pony".
Also received Jel's solo debut on anticon and a few why? cd's (a new single with a killer video and an old e.p.). Jel is one of my favorite producers, grimey white boy hip hop, sort of the basis for the anticon sound, but it's weird to hear him rap, I was expecting an all instrumental piece. The rapping is good and unique, and makes the whole album flow better. To say this album has been long anticipated is an understatement. He's put out some cheap cd-r stuff, but I've been waiting for YEARS to hear him put together a solid solo album.
While I've got my reviewers cufflinks on, seen some Asian films worth mentioning. Oldboy is a killer flick from Korea, the production qaulity is top notch and the story telling and direction are really unique, like watching a new style of movie or something. Shouldn't be too hard to find. I had been raving about this movie to friends and kept hearing people say "you should see Audition". So I did, last night. What a boring movie. I guess if you like the gory Japanese movies like Battle Royale, this movie will get ya. But for me it was slow and pointless, actually it was very much like a David Lynch film. Just strongly depending on "shocking" images instead of substance and originality.
Speaking of Audition, I'm dying to hear P.O.S.'s new album (and hear new beats from Emily Bloodmobile).
Speaking of Asian cinema, you know I love Stephen Chow, right? Well, now you do. I knew he had done many movies that haven't been translated to english, so I went looking on ebay and found a seller from Hong Kong with a bunch of Stephen Chow movies on dvd. I figured they would be bootlegged copies, but still would be worth seeing, so I paid $9 plus $40 for shipping. I got the dvd's in about a week, and I couldn't believe it was actually a nice box set with little bio books and 48 movies! 48!!!! And the dvds are high Qaulity, probably bootlegged, but the whole product could pass for a real honest to god box set. Can't wait to watch these, hope at least five of the films have subtitles. I know Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer will.
Oh, still no word on progress of the short film, the editor is wrapping it up in Seattle this week hopefully. I've received my PXL 2000 too, so it's time to work on some more movies. I'm writing a script for another short comedy, and hoping to do a doc on mariachi bands in the mission. Also wanna do some smut films with my new PXL 2000, then try to colorize them. Blah blah blah.
Trainsetting
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Trainsetters
Jetsetters, Trainspotting, Trendsetters...
Last weekend was an experiment in a train and the completion of a goal I had set last year. I took my first great train ride about a year ago, as part of my move from Minneapolis to San Diego to San Francisco. San Diego to L.A. is beautiful and slow, the ride was four hours, just the right amount. When stuck in a situation like that I find the creative half of my brain get wild. I've created some of my favorite stories and sketches on those stupid little trays on airplanes, so I figured a nice long train trip would be ideal... room to walk around and much better tables to draw on.
I was just waiting for the right oppurtunity, so when I found out my friend Remy hadn't taken a long train ride on the west coast yet I proposed we both take a long ass train ride together to draw.
Last friday I rode the San Joaquin to Bakersfield and drew a bunch of sketches of a yo-yo friend o' mine and devoloped a story idea about a first date at the church of scientology. When I reached LA, I met up with Scot Nery and Remy to do a cabaret show.
The next day was supposed to be spent on a train back to San Francisco with Remy, but shit happened. So we spent the day on Melrose (many of you have seen my new necklace!). Then for dinner we got cheap (read: not cheap) sushi with Mark McBride.
We did catch the Coast Starlight on Sunday though. I spent most of the ride wide eyed and pointing at things ("Remy look! That kid is mooning us!"). I spent the trip storyboarding my Dianetics comic and inking every time we made a stop (the train was too bumpy to ink on while it was moving). Remy did 4 or 5 pages of beautiful pencils about a train trip and an old lady that doesn't die.
We talked to folks we had just met about intense things.. For instance I had this conversation with the guy at the deli bar:
me: We saw the new X-men posters.
Deli guy: Cool, I can't wait for the movie.
Me: You know, in relationships I often times feel like Rogue. I mean when I get close to someone, maybe move in or something, I feel like I'm absorbing the other persons super powers. You know, their interests and stuff. Like if they like sewing or graphic design, I share that interest with them, maybe learn about it and how to do it myself. But then things go bad, but even when we seperate I still have some of their powers and psyche shuffling around inside of my brain.
Deli guy: Woah.
Being on trains can force people to share intimate things like that. I went on to describe how girls are like Jean Grey before she turned into Pheonix while your dating (before you move in) and how I'm like Night Crawler sexually.
13 hours on the train, when we got out Owen was there to pick Remy up and take her back to LA. Straight of the train!
So Remy left with some beautiful pages, and I left with a nice train trip... and a story that will never get penciled and sketches that will never get inked. So basically the train trip was a success! I can't wait to do it again. On the way back I asked a train guy to give us the tour of the front of the train (which was pretty much the same as first class on a plane). It was awesome, everything was wooden and old fashioned, and they had a movie theater (with theater seats). "They are just starting their wine and cheese tasting now, would you like some?".
So I'd really like to do this type of thing again with several friends, in the nice section. Bring a movie or something. Who would like to ride the train with Doc and Remy? Maybe a cartoonist trip? Maybe a yo-yo trip? Sex party? Woah, an absynthe party would be nice.
Trainsetters
Jetsetters, Trainspotting, Trendsetters...
Last weekend was an experiment in a train and the completion of a goal I had set last year. I took my first great train ride about a year ago, as part of my move from Minneapolis to San Diego to San Francisco. San Diego to L.A. is beautiful and slow, the ride was four hours, just the right amount. When stuck in a situation like that I find the creative half of my brain get wild. I've created some of my favorite stories and sketches on those stupid little trays on airplanes, so I figured a nice long train trip would be ideal... room to walk around and much better tables to draw on.
I was just waiting for the right oppurtunity, so when I found out my friend Remy hadn't taken a long train ride on the west coast yet I proposed we both take a long ass train ride together to draw.
Last friday I rode the San Joaquin to Bakersfield and drew a bunch of sketches of a yo-yo friend o' mine and devoloped a story idea about a first date at the church of scientology. When I reached LA, I met up with Scot Nery and Remy to do a cabaret show.
The next day was supposed to be spent on a train back to San Francisco with Remy, but shit happened. So we spent the day on Melrose (many of you have seen my new necklace!). Then for dinner we got cheap (read: not cheap) sushi with Mark McBride.
We did catch the Coast Starlight on Sunday though. I spent most of the ride wide eyed and pointing at things ("Remy look! That kid is mooning us!"). I spent the trip storyboarding my Dianetics comic and inking every time we made a stop (the train was too bumpy to ink on while it was moving). Remy did 4 or 5 pages of beautiful pencils about a train trip and an old lady that doesn't die.
We talked to folks we had just met about intense things.. For instance I had this conversation with the guy at the deli bar:
me: We saw the new X-men posters.
Deli guy: Cool, I can't wait for the movie.
Me: You know, in relationships I often times feel like Rogue. I mean when I get close to someone, maybe move in or something, I feel like I'm absorbing the other persons super powers. You know, their interests and stuff. Like if they like sewing or graphic design, I share that interest with them, maybe learn about it and how to do it myself. But then things go bad, but even when we seperate I still have some of their powers and psyche shuffling around inside of my brain.
Deli guy: Woah.
Being on trains can force people to share intimate things like that. I went on to describe how girls are like Jean Grey before she turned into Pheonix while your dating (before you move in) and how I'm like Night Crawler sexually.
13 hours on the train, when we got out Owen was there to pick Remy up and take her back to LA. Straight of the train!
So Remy left with some beautiful pages, and I left with a nice train trip... and a story that will never get penciled and sketches that will never get inked. So basically the train trip was a success! I can't wait to do it again. On the way back I asked a train guy to give us the tour of the front of the train (which was pretty much the same as first class on a plane). It was awesome, everything was wooden and old fashioned, and they had a movie theater (with theater seats). "They are just starting their wine and cheese tasting now, would you like some?".
So I'd really like to do this type of thing again with several friends, in the nice section. Bring a movie or something. Who would like to ride the train with Doc and Remy? Maybe a cartoonist trip? Maybe a yo-yo trip? Sex party? Woah, an absynthe party would be nice.
A Penis Story
4 years ago I wrote a story titled PENIS. You can read that here.
I had no idea that my mom had googled me about a year ago and found the story. That doesn't really bother me either, it's not a dirty story, and although I can't recall ever saying the word "penis" to her, there are probably worse things of mine online she could have found (re: Hot and Bothered or any of my recent blogs in , oh say, the last year or so).
Anyways, I never knew (or cared to know) that my mom had done a seach for "Doctor Popular" and found a silly story I wrote about the weird way my head works until tonight. I was talking to my folks and mom had mentioned to me that she was worried to read anything of mine online anymore.
Mom uses the computers in the library at the local comunity college. She doesn't quite understand computers and often times has weird things happen to her while she tries to learn. For instance, she found the penis story online, and thought it was funny, so she decided to print up a copy to take to my dad. So get this the paper jams while my mom is printing out my story. She couldn't get it out, it had just printed "PENIS" in a huge bold font, then started printing an image and jammed. She had to ask for help, if you knew my mother you'd realize how embarrased she would be at this moment. So someone comes over and helps my mom get the paper out, my mom tells them the whole story. But wait, she goes back to her computer, and attempts to print it out again. Again, the paper jams. Again, she gets help. She quits Explorer and signs out, but then she hear's someone at the printer say "What is this?", they had tried to print something, and instead of their article, the printer spits out (and jams) the word PENIS.
When my mom came back two days later, she was told that every time someone tried printing anything at all, the printer would just spit out my PENIS.. for almost an entire day after she had tried to print out my story.
PENIS (*jam)
PENIS (*jam)
PENIS (*jam)
PENIS (*jam)
That's funnier than the penis story itself. It was especially hillarious hearing my mom talk about it, apparently she still feels that they were extremely angry at the student library about this incident. So all this came after I had told her that I'm finishing the sound for a short film. "That sounds nice, will I be able to download it at the library?" she asks. "Yeah, it'll be online by Valentines" I say, "Oh wait, uh.. actually, you might not want to do that at the library.. It's a love story... about a flasher... and the girl that falls in love with him".
I can totally imagine the scene now... Everytime someone opens up a quicktime video, a video of a man opening his trenchcoat comes on and loops.
I had no idea that my mom had googled me about a year ago and found the story. That doesn't really bother me either, it's not a dirty story, and although I can't recall ever saying the word "penis" to her, there are probably worse things of mine online she could have found (re: Hot and Bothered or any of my recent blogs in , oh say, the last year or so).
Anyways, I never knew (or cared to know) that my mom had done a seach for "Doctor Popular" and found a silly story I wrote about the weird way my head works until tonight. I was talking to my folks and mom had mentioned to me that she was worried to read anything of mine online anymore.
Mom uses the computers in the library at the local comunity college. She doesn't quite understand computers and often times has weird things happen to her while she tries to learn. For instance, she found the penis story online, and thought it was funny, so she decided to print up a copy to take to my dad. So get this the paper jams while my mom is printing out my story. She couldn't get it out, it had just printed "PENIS" in a huge bold font, then started printing an image and jammed. She had to ask for help, if you knew my mother you'd realize how embarrased she would be at this moment. So someone comes over and helps my mom get the paper out, my mom tells them the whole story. But wait, she goes back to her computer, and attempts to print it out again. Again, the paper jams. Again, she gets help. She quits Explorer and signs out, but then she hear's someone at the printer say "What is this?", they had tried to print something, and instead of their article, the printer spits out (and jams) the word PENIS.
When my mom came back two days later, she was told that every time someone tried printing anything at all, the printer would just spit out my PENIS.. for almost an entire day after she had tried to print out my story.
PENIS (*jam)
PENIS (*jam)
PENIS (*jam)
PENIS (*jam)
That's funnier than the penis story itself. It was especially hillarious hearing my mom talk about it, apparently she still feels that they were extremely angry at the student library about this incident. So all this came after I had told her that I'm finishing the sound for a short film. "That sounds nice, will I be able to download it at the library?" she asks. "Yeah, it'll be online by Valentines" I say, "Oh wait, uh.. actually, you might not want to do that at the library.. It's a love story... about a flasher... and the girl that falls in love with him".
I can totally imagine the scene now... Everytime someone opens up a quicktime video, a video of a man opening his trenchcoat comes on and loops.
A Major In Consciousness
Monday, February 06, 2006
It was actually sort of romantic, I mean it sounds so technical, but in the end we were just staring into each others eyes. Although actually I guess I was staring into her eyes, and she was staring AT my eyes.
I wonder if chiropractors or urologists have similar sexual obsessions.
What would dental practitioners do?
Would a cardiologist use stethoscope to listen to a heartbeat skip in the throws of passion? I can imagine dating a hot cardiologist with a special studded leather stethoscope that she keeps under her matress.
disclaimer to all of my smarter friends (which is most everybody); please feel free to correct any technical stuff I might have fouled up here, OR please feel free to share any dirty stories involving an otoscope and some twinkies!
I once dated a girl who was a had a major in Consciousness. I guess this was a unique major that N.Y.U. allowed her to create, it was a blend of psychology and neuroscience. Basically blending chemistry and biology along with Freudian psychological reasoning.
She had one of the most unusual quirks in bed, it was definitely one of my favorite sexual perversions. During the moment of male orgasm, she would stair into my eyes eye watch my pupils dilate. I guess post-ejaculation a man's pupils constrict due to excess adrenaline (epinephrine). So she would tightly hold my head in her hands, using her thumbs to keep my eyelids open.
It was actually sort of romantic, I mean it sounds so technical, but in the end we were just staring into each others eyes. Although actually I guess I was staring into her eyes, and she was staring AT my eyes.
I wonder if chiropractors or urologists have similar sexual obsessions.
W.W.D.P.D?
What would dental practitioners do?
Would a cardiologist use stethoscope to listen to a heartbeat skip in the throws of passion? I can imagine dating a hot cardiologist with a special studded leather stethoscope that she keeps under her matress.
disclaimer to all of my smarter friends (which is most everybody); please feel free to correct any technical stuff I might have fouled up here, OR please feel free to share any dirty stories involving an otoscope and some twinkies!
Moose Attack
Friday, December 30, 2005
I've had this strong image in my head of these moose with human hands.
I drew up some quick concept sketches, then didn't do anything with them.
I wanted to get them up before the new year, but I also wanted to get some practice with my pathetic photo shop skills.
Here is what happened:
Have a year.
-doc
I've had this strong image in my head of these moose with human hands.
I drew up some quick concept sketches, then didn't do anything with them.
I wanted to get them up before the new year, but I also wanted to get some practice with my pathetic photo shop skills.
Here is what happened:
Have a year.
-doc
