2007 Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival

In a city that loves its festivals, The Arts Festival is, hands down, the best event Pensacola has all year. I have been looking forward to this past weekend since I knew I was coming back to town for awhile. I volunteered quite a bit throughout the weekend so I didn't get to spend as much time walking around as I would have liked, but I definitely stumbled on several pieces and artists I am excited about. Too bad I have to wait awhile to be able to spend money on art. As soon as I am able, I have some great stuff picked out for when the time comes.

Some of my favorites from the weekend:
Mike Behr - Photography: I revisited his booth more than any other over the weekend because I just couldn't get enough of some of his pieces. I especially loved his "Fall Color" and "Alto de Chavon Collection" pieces.

Larry and Sherry Paulsen - Digital Art: I actually ordered some of their Pensacola prints to display in my apartment in LA when I moved out there, but when I visited their booth this weekend I was pleased to learn that they are starting a Boston series and I (of course) had to purchase the first print in that new line, a print of the Union Oyster House. I made Larry promise to do a Fenway print and he hopes to have the Boston series out in January.

James Gary Richmond - Photography: We almost bought a few of this guy's prints for my dad's house. He does some strange color work and cliche beach scenes that I don't really care for, but he also has done a good bit of things that I do like including vibrant blue and red focal points, stairways/doors, and some beautiful work in the Mediterranean (I am sucker for that amazing blue water peeking through in photos).

Jim Morris - Photography: Sadly, he does not appear to have a website, which is really quite a shame because I didn't find him until Sunday afternoon and only got to spend a few moments looking at his work, and some of those pieces I could have stared at for hours.

The one realization I had this weekend is that I find art without people in it infinitely more interesting and appealing than art that features people, whether or not they are the focus of the piece.

How About Here...Can I Move Here?

Great Big Monolith

If you love the Sims...

When I grow up...

I'm going through one of those periods where I feel like I need to decide what I want to "do" - you know, when I "grow up". I mean, obviously I cannot (nor do I want to) be an assistant forever. I just can't quite seem to figure out what it is I'd rather do.

The things I'm good at and enjoy (quoting, movie knowledge, random online research, etc.) don't really translate well to a career - at least not any career I am aware of.

Help!

Across the Universe

Am I the only one who is excited for "Across the Universe?" I honestly don't even really know what it is about, but the Beatles covers I've heard so far are fantastic and the visuals are incredible. Even if the story sucks or doesn't even exist, I think it will still be great.

I'm obsessed (this may actually be an understatement) with the song from the AMC FirstLook (you know those wannabe trailers before the trailers at the theater): "I've Just Seen a Face." The lead actor in the movie performs the song. I think his name is Jim Sturgess. Anyway, this version doesn't seem to exist anywhere other than at the theater in these pre-trailers. There are one or two bootleg versions on YouTube, but nothing I can transfer to my iPod or have for practical listening purposes. I guess I'll have to be patient until they release the soundtrack - whenever that will be.

I'm making John learn how to play the song on his guitar as I type this. Like I said, I'm obsessed.

Harry Potter reactions

So we're talking about reactions to the new movie, not the new book. Speaking of the book, I'm planning to put off reading it as long as I can stand it (and I'm not a patient person so this is likely not going to be too long) because I know I'm going to be so sad when I have no more of these books to look forward to.

Aaanyway, the movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it while I was watching it. It was well-paced, suspenseful, and sufficiently dark. It advanced the story without trying to cram in too much detail. I was pleased. Maybe I was just tired, but I didn't really notice the crappy dialog, etc. that everyone has been complaining about. I also didn't, at the time, notice too many incorrect or missing details. Maybe that is because it's been so long since I've read the book that I've forgotten many of the details. Who knows.

Well afterwards, details started to come back to me and what I thought was a fantastic movie, slowly started to fall to pieces - errors, missing details - it all started to pollute my original enjoyment. I still wouldn't say it is my least favorite of the movies, which I tend to love, but it certainly was not the best. And, as the book was my favorite so far, I personally think there was a lot of potential. Perhaps the biggest disappointment is that the dark and twisted aspects that were left out were perhaps the aspects that would have translated best to the screen.

I guess in the end, I did enjoy the movie. I think it was really well done, but fell short of its great potential. Maybe they'll do better next time around.

Not happy

I have a cavity. Probably not such a big deal to most people, but to me it is. It's the first cavity I've ever had. Yes, ever! I'm getting a filling on Monday and am positively terrified. I'm still in denial...

Does anyone remember...?

Does anyone remember those trading cards (or were they stickers?) that were big in, oh, say middle or elementary school that were gross/weird versions of products or ads for products? The only one I can remember was "Donkey Nose Pizza" for Dominos.

Yeah, random. No real reason I need this info either - it's just one of those things that popped in my head just now and it's bothering me that I can't remember more about them.

That's right, I'm back!

Well not in quite the same way as the original speaker of that line, but it still works. I think.

Anyway, so my boss is gone for 2 whole glorious weeks on a much needed vacation (for both of us). So far, there has been little to no communication from him. I've been assured by my co-workers that this won't last, but damn if I'm going to let this fantastic free time get by me.

Here is my list of things to accomplish while he is gone:

1. Update blog on a regular basis
2. Attempt to do some Yelping (that's right L and F, get ready! :-) )
3. Find gifts for the weddings we will be going to in Sept.
4. Send emails to the 10 billion people I have neglected to keep in touch with recently - this actually should be much higher on this list. Eh, too lazy to re-type so mentally move it up. Thanks.
5. Clean out inboxes - work and Gmail because both are getting out of hand.
   

Yeah so check back often as I'll be updating as much as possible in the next two weeks.