Up on Mt. Okay

Much to speak of, but so little desire to write at the moment. Perhaps tomorrow after a good sleep. However I wanted to share the new work of Christian Faur that I've seen making the rounds. Crayons as pixels. Creative and stunning to think of the logistics of creating these.

Familiar Ground

Things No One Else Saw - Cedarwood 2008 from Joel Schwab on Vimeo.

Shadows/Doorways

It might be the lack of sleep, the caffeine wearing off, or a combination of every event that has happened in the past few days, but life feels surreal. I took in my paper work to the Manitoba Film Training office last week completing my full application for the internship to work on the production of 'Less Than Kind'. I find out in the next few days whether I have it or not, but the anticipation is killing me. If I get the internship I have a paying job for 3 months, not to mention the experience gained. But the reality of it would mean I need to get a car and cell phone. It scares me a little that I might need to go in to debt to get these things. If I don't get the job I don't have these financial obligations, but I still need to find work. And then today the radio station phones me after a month plus of radio silence. It appears they still remember that I work for them. They told me that I will be going to Steinbach on thursday to talk about more work opportunities with them as the program director is going on mat. leave. It's work, but I'm not sure if it's work I want. As well, a friend who works for Siloam Mission told me that they are looking to hire some staff and that I had come to his mind. While I was out at Cedarwood this weekend the idea danced around in my mind, positioning itself as a very viable option. This isn't a fork in the road, this is the metaphorical cousin to Winnipeg's confusion corner. And here I float in limbo unsure of where to step to. I'm just going to sit here and pray while I wait for the pieces to fall into place.



Abraham and Issac by Sam Webber


The Gaurdsman by Sam Webber

Oh my blood accordion

February as a whole carries the emanations of Valentines Day. Its proximity causes every day to be a pondering of relationships past and hopefully yet to come. My own history books of the heart are spotty and interesting, but I know for certain that I still don't know what love is (in this context). The infatuation I know, but not the deeper burn and yearn. I think I look forward to that buried deep intertwining roots love of security and acceptance more than the initial flush and blush (though it does have it's charm).

Here's a quote from the blog of Lee Bozeman (All Things Bright and Beautiful) that made me think forward and deep.

"worked on a new song this week that I am calling "Stationery" and it has a nice feeling to it. just trying to put some words together that work. I suppose it is a love song though I don't know exactly what that means. when you are with the same person for sixteen years, that idea changes and you can't just call it love. it's too heavy. I wonder often why my wife loves me. the old things that brought us together are still there but buried beneath layers and layers, branches and branches of blossoming. there are no good images in this world of middle marriage. we long for young infatuation and we find old people in love adorable. in the middle, it is a wasteland. I wonder how things will change for us. it is a quiet afternoon. my wife is asleep upstairs."

Behold the River

Every time I watch any sort of video/movie I dissect it. I can't help it, it's just what I do as a result of my schooling. On the rare occasion that some especially inspired piece crosses my path, especially simplicity done well, I want to create something of equal beauty. These two pieces have particularly inspired me with their perfection in simple camera movement combined with a good shot, all in an effort to support a good core idea.


Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn from Crush + Lovely on Vimeo.

A Heart Has Asked for the Pleasure

Usually when I go to the WAG I'm impressed by one exhibit or a few pieces only. This week I was privy to visual inspiration of a magnitude I have never experienced before. The Impressionist prints, Albrecht Durer, the photos of Arno Rafael Minkkinen. It was my most enjoyable visit to date. Below is only a taste of what crossed my palette.


Count LePic by Marcellin-Gilbert Desboutin


The Knight, Death, and the Devil by Albrecht Durer


Self-portrait, Fosters Pond, 1989 by Arno Rafael Minkkinen

Christmas 2.0

The Christmas tree is still up and twinkling while the piano is still decorated with garland and glass angels. Being late January this would speak of pathological Christmas cleanup procrastination if it wasn't for the smell of turkey and stuffing filling the air. With Jon and Danelle visiting it is time to have the Christmas we would have had if they had been here on December 25th.