It's late. I'm drunk. I'm tired. I'm pleasantly salty from a day of work, training and more work. And best of all, I'm stoked to give advice to those who probably don't want it. Also, please note that this is totally directed at West Coast Swing dancers. Specifically those of you who are obsessed with competition (#errrbody), and even more so those who pride yourselves and pride your...pride? Really? Guh... On coming in first. Not doing well or feeling good or having a dope ass time, but coming first and basing your value on how skilled you twirl. There's more to life than trying to beat the other guy!
Okay. OH! And this should seriously be taken with a grain of salt, though it does contain actual advice. Seriously. I wrote this at 2:25 AM on a Thursday after three glasses of wine (a normal persons six shots) and not much time away from the computer all day. In summary: contains advice and a potentially toxic amount of sodium if you take it too seriously. Seriously. Take this post as a letter written to a younger, much more dickish ME. Not you. Me. Okay. Ass mostly covered.
Want to win stuff and be a pro AND have a great dance life as a west coast swing practitioner? I'll break it down to the most basic stuff using the three T's: Timing, Technique and Teamwork, and a few hidden letters as they occur to me.
TIMING (it should also be noted that when I fully capitalize something in this post that it should be read full on screaming like 50% of Eddie Redmain (spelling?) in Jupiter Ascending. One more time: TIMING!! (Also, exclamation points denote volume)
- Stay on time. Like...like on beat. No, for real, I can't believe this is even a thing, even an issue in this art form. It's dance! Dancing to the music is kind of important! Okay, modern dance gets a pass because due to the existential nature of the form and the reliance on expression vs rhythm and its inherent use of physical spectacle...It gets a pass! But not this! No way! At the very least stay on beat! That's like...the bare minimum!
- REAL ADVICE: Relax and grab a metronome and count it out. Learn the simple cadence without a song and the pomp of pop music or the lyrics that we feel the need to interpret. Just work the beat. Seriously, this helps so much to just get used to a beat, especially if you're not a natural with musicality. I have plenty of friends who are more thinkers than they are feelers. This is for ya'll and it will help you. It'll help if you're a feeler too! Break it down to the basics, which don't get more basic than a single even tick like the Telltale Heart. Also listen to shit tons of music! Get familiar! Especially whatever is being shoved into conventions, venues and competitions. How did Kyle hit that? He knew the damned song!
TECHNIQUE
- Practice like a motherfucker. When your teacher tells you (if you've been learning from another human in some fashion) to clean up your basics...do it. It's super boring to run a triple step over and over and over for a while, but there is actually this sweet spot after it gets so boring you think you might shave your eyelids off with an old flip flop you've let sit in the sun and harden before forming it into a razor sharp shiv. Do that. The practice thing, not the...shiv...thing.
- REAL ADVICE!: Treat learning dance like learning a language. You start off stuttering but eventually your steps become fluent Japanese. This should and SHOULD be applied to damn near everything you do! Take your time and enjoy the journey and don't expect to be a master in twenty minutes. It takes time and patience to be good, never mind world class. WORLD CLASS! To be among the best in the world takes time! You want to be the next Jordan? Practice! He's got like...five moves and knows exactly where to put them because he's so comfortable with them that he can shove em anywhere in a song and make them look like a slice of fried gold! No one thinks about breathing or rarely thinks about conventions used in a casual conversation. Treat dance like learning a language and you'll be mostly fine. Also: learn a solo dance! Learn how to actually move your body! Sweet lord on a biscuit learn a solo dance! If you're wondering: THEY'RE ALL GOOD!!! Pick one! Refine your personal movement and your leading/following techs to their most simple and clean self.
TEAMWORK
- Fuck. I mean...fuck. This drives me crazy. Pay. The fuck. Attention. Seriously, if you take the advice from the tech section and add a few more drops of patience with the ability to engorge (yup...engorge) your partners moves/movement/swag, then you'll at least get into a final. I have, on a good day, five to ten things I do in a dance. I just take a page from the Bruce Lee Guide to Not Sucking and make sure I'm really good at those five to ten things. After that I just pay attention to what my partner is doing and augment what they do to make it even cooler!
REAL ADVICE!!: Relax. It's the best thing for teamwork. Chill out and have fun and wait for your partner, leaders and followers. Don't jump the gun. Wait until the last possible second and then react if you can't come up with a flashy new something. WAIT! Don't just gurk out something because you felt you had to and Mom wasn't home so now was the time! I highly recommend practicing with them peepers you've got. Get really good at recognizing rando stuff that your partners may do visually and then do your best to embellish what they do, copy what they do or just do jack shit. Seriously. Just setting the framework or going with the flow has won me plenty o comps and, more MUCH MORE importantly, it helps me have a better time. Your ideas are probably great, but you AND your partners ideas are fucking awesome! Treat it like a spirited conversation about something you two are super passionate about. No one likes the dick bag who dominates the conversation with only obscure Watchman references. Ugh. Neat. You're both named Bernard. Totally worth the near 3 hour adaptation.
ALSO EYE CONTACT. It's scary, yeah, or at least it can be, but it's truly intimate to look into another persons eyes and seek that kind of nonverbal communication and agreement. It's also the most respectful and one of the most powerful techniques for teamwork (BOOM, threw both in there) that you can implement right off the bat. Eye contact: act like you're in it together!
CREATIVITY
- Some people are thinkers and some are feelers. If you can come up with a move-set that blows minds or sets up victory in some fashion or another, sweet. I can't. I'm the other guy. I'm the guy who feels and reacts and goes with the flow. Embrace who you are! I'm not too good planning out my next forty moves and I don't really want to, even in songs I'm biblically intimate with. But I can come up with rando shit with my partners I'd never be able to do otherwise just by looking them in the eye and taking my sweet as time and keeping my basics basic. After that the magic happens. Also I know how to dance three styles professionally solo, and a few others WITH a partner. Which leads me to my next piece of advice...
REAL ADVICE: Learn and never stop learning, especially from douche-bags who beat you in comps because they had a dope set of moves you'd never thought of. Everyone is valuable and everyone has great ideas and you should totally learn from them and get over 9000 yourself! Don't stop learning because you're frustrated that so and so whipped your ass last month at Boogie. Learn from them!
COMMUNITY
Okay...I need to slow it down for this one. Take a second and open up your favorite spotify playlist (I suggest mine). I want you calm for this one. Okay. You good, Fam? Great.
REAL ADVICEHOLYSHITLISTEN!!! Dont. Be. A. Selfish. DICK!!!
- On the real though, there's no sense in being in it for yourself, especially in the arts and especially in dance and especially in partner dance. We are literally in this together! For this advice I'm using the immortal words of the late and brilliant Michelle E. McNamara: It's all random. Be nice.
BE NICE. You will go through life and meet people who positively or negatively embed themselves in your existence. You will deal with things both great and terrible, as well as profound and positive. Meet them all with the positive attitude (as best as you fucking can) that, at the very least, you can be a nice person. It has served no one ever in the long run to be a shit head. If you are out for yours and yours alone, you'll eventually piss someone off and create rifts and bad times where you could have either been a positive force and potential benefactor or beneficiary. It takes no effort, no energy to be nice. None. It can only serve you to be a decent human being. The world is filled with chaos. Be nice. Even avoiding that one dick who chose to be mean is being nice! There's no need to talk shit and bring people down or take your sweet time to ream that inconsequential asshole a new consequential asshole! Be nice! Being nice includes peaceful communication. Have a problem with someone? Peacefully explain yourself. I highly recommend this vs the alternative of just leaving it be, especially in communities as small as WCS ones. Yes! I just said you can avoid people, but if its an issue that's easy and more importantly WORTH talking about, do it. Most problems are solved in a matter of minutes if you explain yourself (#alsonice). It's all random. Be nice. The world is so fucking random. Be nice!
And now I sleep! For the wine has become heavy, as have my eyelids. Again, take this shit with a grain of salt if you're sensitive and don't know my personality. There's good stuff here too. Be nice. Learn. Care about each other. Be nice. Be nice.
Sweet dreams.
Have the best day you've ever had.
Andrew
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Mirrors in Hotel Rooms
I'm looking in the mirror right now - Side note, yes, already: I'm in a hotel and sitting at the desk and... Why is there always a mirror at desks in hotel rooms? Who's idea was this? It's creepy. Unless you're an animator. If this was some elegant plan by animators or hotel professionals for animators then kudos to the hotel industry and your support of cartoons! - I'm looking in the mirror and I'm seeing an adult for the first time in my life (which I may have said before but this is a blog and I give only the fucks given by the writing team of Lost (tm)). This is the first time I see an adult staring back at me that I can recall.
I'm letting that sink in. You have to sort of imagine your me at this point - unless you're 31, a quarter Italian, a professional dancer and have a background in acting, are an aspiring writer and - all things considered - fairly optimistic even though you have your down days. I'm letting it sink in that I have never before looked at my reflection and thought a man was looking back at me, only a boy. It's interesting.
I'm grateful for what I have, too, which is bountiful! Mostly I have the best things - love, family, hard earned talent and so on, friends... Money though, and the lack of worry about money most importantly continues to elude me.
I made this declaration that I was shifting and focusing careers this year. Working on it. This point...
Fuck this is boring. It is. Writing updates about my life is sooooooooo dull!
Demons are fun to write! Metaphorical ones: Somehow I see a fat shit when I take off my shirt and think I'm ugly. That sucks. What else? Bitch complain. So on. Blah. What else?
Jealousy is fun to write too! I'm a jealous prick about my friends when I'm in this mood. I have no advice other than you should just ride it out. A lot of people tell me to focus on what I can do and all that, but that is annoying. Helpful too! But annoying. I'll get over it eventually.
My friends work hard, me too, but when they succeed (and boy howdy do they ever), I sure wish I were them. That hurt to write.
Disclaimer! I had a hard few months and this is me venting. Sorry. It's all I know how to do aside from play a video game to clear my head, and I'm without my console ATM.
Manifesting is I think where I was going to go at some point. Not that it's the savior tool, so to speak, but more that I hate being told that the universe will provide if I manifest - especially wealth. It takes work, hard work, to get the things you want. Me? I want attention (selfish, I know, but I like being payed attention to), enough money to not worry about money (healthcare for my folks would be nice, paying for it that is), and to do whatever the fuck I want outside that...also abs and health for myself and love. I've got most of that (spoiler: abs are coming in season 2).
I'm a lonely person who still wants privacy to decompress. It's not uncommon or special to be like that. Pretty common actually.
I worry people I love think I hate them. I don't. I love them.
I worry people I don't like think we're homies. We're not. Ditto to the people who take advantage of me. Fuck you guys. You're terrible.
I like me, but I wouldn't say I take care of me yet. Working on that. Self esteem is new to me (at 31...jeez), and I'm still getting used to self care or whatever new buzz-term is ala-mode.
YEAR Goals:
Edit Crossroads (yes, the same first book) then sell the fuck out of it.
Finish book - project name: A1B
Housework - get rid of stuff that doesn't make me feel good.
Train - Gym, yoga (Megan is awesome), Dance (The D is the homie) / Project Code Named: JWDC...command?
Write book - project name: FEELS
Raise quality of self image and general life.
Spend more time doing the things that feed you, as little time as possible doing the things that feed off of you.
"Fuck you!" feels good to say!
I'm scared that after the next person I lose I will say this, "I wish..." because there isn't ever enough time.
I fear death. Not my death; others. So many people I've loved have died. I wish my kids (who aren't born or anything really) could have known my cousin. He'd be a better uncle than I am for damn sure.
I just got a great idea for a new show.
Destiny might be a thing, but I don't think so. Some people end up in a ditch on fire. Some never have hardship. No matter what, things just happen and you roll with it. Then again, maybe destiny is a thing and it's just not predetermined. That would make sense. Destiny is the last period in your story. Kind of a cool idea. I think Neil Gaimen should write it. Not Brandon Sanderson....though I bet the magic would be cool!
Dear 18 year old me,
You have a beard. Yes, still. You basically look the same except now you have muscle tone and a few wrinkles. Also tattoos! So many!
You will mostly be a writer, a dancer (and good at like...so many! Hard work! HARD FUCKIN' WORK!), and an entrepreneur! Also Taiko. Not kidding. You'll take a break from acting though. I know. I know.
Standard future stuff: No flying cars. Trump is president (Are you surprised? I wasn't). Shake weight...just...just wait for it. Your phone is more powerful that most everyone's computer. Racism is still a huge problem (Are you surprised? No?), as is sexism and gender equality (Surprised?). Electric cars: yes. Artistic revolution: yes. Real estate market...feh. BUY STOCKS IN AMAZON AND APPLE AND GOOGLE AND FACEBOOK! Don't worry about what a couple of those are, just do what I tell you!
You will have 9 shitty room mates and 1 good one. This includes wives. Shit. Spoiler alert.
You get married in four years! No joke! Spoiler: divorced in 8, therapy for 1, then nothing, then 1 again. Don't worry. She sucked. You're over her by my age, but you probably figured that, right? I won't spoil the good stuff. But do you remember seeing Fight Club? Keep that in mind.
Dude! You're really good at stuff! Like really good! Scary good! Don't let anyone ANYONE tell you otherwise or use you! Don't you dare join up with anyone but Mike Lenneville. Mike is bae! The way Joe is, and Ryan. Also you'll run into Kindell and Jenny and Cambam and Zach. These are your people! Love them. There are others too! A girl named Delancey and a dude named Forrest! Latch! There are more good folks too! You are going to be surrounded by love!
Also: School! You drop out in one and a half years and travel the world and see and do beautiful things. You're welcome!
When you're my age your favorite movie will be about that guy who guest starred on friends as Monica's boyfriend who got his ass kicked in the UFC (which is a huge fucking deal now!), being a shitty dad and a depressed dude and a chef! Then fired because reasons, then Robert Downy Jr. will be there, then Sofia Vergara (you're welcome in advance on behalf of the universe), then food truck! #happiness. Oh! And a pound sign is called hashtag now! Who knew?
School! You try to go back and they fuck you out of money! Yeah. American education FTW, ameyeright?
You will perform all over the world! Even at Ted! Oh, right, that's not a thing yet... Think lalapalooza but for your brain! Also start a youtube channel now! Just trust me. You don't know what that is, but DO IT! Record yourself doing fuckin' anything! I'm not kidding! People will eventually just throw money and acting gigs at you because you are there. It's a joke, but for real, do it! Do it!
Love... Romantic: Sorry Skeech, no spoilers here, but she's dope and makes weird furby sounds when she sleeps.
Love... people: You give yourself to others too much. Knock that shit off. Calm down and don't worry, the cartoons and your third grade teacher was right: quality. Not quantity. Thanks Miss B.
Oh! A big thing for your to do list: Find your silence. This is huge. Also be a nerd. An obsessive nerd! A huge freak about the things you love! Be loud! So loud people can't help but give you a venue!
Lastly 18 Me: It gets better, then worse, then better, then worse, then better... But you're still you. You're a badass, and you've gone through more already, done more and dreamed bigger than almost everyone else on the planet. You're amazing, but you will forget that. I don't have advice for that other than remember that you are always you, no matter the version. Do your best to love yourself.
OH! Also you get a cat named Lantz! He's the dopest!
Oh! We have yet to go to Japan, so start saving!
Also: Get some sleep. You deserve a good nights rest. You're kicking ass.
Have the best day you've ever had.
(That's your sign off. It makes you smile.)
I'm letting that sink in. You have to sort of imagine your me at this point - unless you're 31, a quarter Italian, a professional dancer and have a background in acting, are an aspiring writer and - all things considered - fairly optimistic even though you have your down days. I'm letting it sink in that I have never before looked at my reflection and thought a man was looking back at me, only a boy. It's interesting.
I'm grateful for what I have, too, which is bountiful! Mostly I have the best things - love, family, hard earned talent and so on, friends... Money though, and the lack of worry about money most importantly continues to elude me.
I made this declaration that I was shifting and focusing careers this year. Working on it. This point...
Fuck this is boring. It is. Writing updates about my life is sooooooooo dull!
Demons are fun to write! Metaphorical ones: Somehow I see a fat shit when I take off my shirt and think I'm ugly. That sucks. What else? Bitch complain. So on. Blah. What else?
Jealousy is fun to write too! I'm a jealous prick about my friends when I'm in this mood. I have no advice other than you should just ride it out. A lot of people tell me to focus on what I can do and all that, but that is annoying. Helpful too! But annoying. I'll get over it eventually.
My friends work hard, me too, but when they succeed (and boy howdy do they ever), I sure wish I were them. That hurt to write.
Disclaimer! I had a hard few months and this is me venting. Sorry. It's all I know how to do aside from play a video game to clear my head, and I'm without my console ATM.
Manifesting is I think where I was going to go at some point. Not that it's the savior tool, so to speak, but more that I hate being told that the universe will provide if I manifest - especially wealth. It takes work, hard work, to get the things you want. Me? I want attention (selfish, I know, but I like being payed attention to), enough money to not worry about money (healthcare for my folks would be nice, paying for it that is), and to do whatever the fuck I want outside that...also abs and health for myself and love. I've got most of that (spoiler: abs are coming in season 2).
I'm a lonely person who still wants privacy to decompress. It's not uncommon or special to be like that. Pretty common actually.
I worry people I love think I hate them. I don't. I love them.
I worry people I don't like think we're homies. We're not. Ditto to the people who take advantage of me. Fuck you guys. You're terrible.
I like me, but I wouldn't say I take care of me yet. Working on that. Self esteem is new to me (at 31...jeez), and I'm still getting used to self care or whatever new buzz-term is ala-mode.
YEAR Goals:
Edit Crossroads (yes, the same first book) then sell the fuck out of it.
Finish book - project name: A1B
Housework - get rid of stuff that doesn't make me feel good.
Train - Gym, yoga (Megan is awesome), Dance (The D is the homie) / Project Code Named: JWDC...command?
Write book - project name: FEELS
Raise quality of self image and general life.
Spend more time doing the things that feed you, as little time as possible doing the things that feed off of you.
"Fuck you!" feels good to say!
I'm scared that after the next person I lose I will say this, "I wish..." because there isn't ever enough time.
I fear death. Not my death; others. So many people I've loved have died. I wish my kids (who aren't born or anything really) could have known my cousin. He'd be a better uncle than I am for damn sure.
I just got a great idea for a new show.
Destiny might be a thing, but I don't think so. Some people end up in a ditch on fire. Some never have hardship. No matter what, things just happen and you roll with it. Then again, maybe destiny is a thing and it's just not predetermined. That would make sense. Destiny is the last period in your story. Kind of a cool idea. I think Neil Gaimen should write it. Not Brandon Sanderson....though I bet the magic would be cool!
Dear 18 year old me,
You have a beard. Yes, still. You basically look the same except now you have muscle tone and a few wrinkles. Also tattoos! So many!
You will mostly be a writer, a dancer (and good at like...so many! Hard work! HARD FUCKIN' WORK!), and an entrepreneur! Also Taiko. Not kidding. You'll take a break from acting though. I know. I know.
Standard future stuff: No flying cars. Trump is president (Are you surprised? I wasn't). Shake weight...just...just wait for it. Your phone is more powerful that most everyone's computer. Racism is still a huge problem (Are you surprised? No?), as is sexism and gender equality (Surprised?). Electric cars: yes. Artistic revolution: yes. Real estate market...feh. BUY STOCKS IN AMAZON AND APPLE AND GOOGLE AND FACEBOOK! Don't worry about what a couple of those are, just do what I tell you!
You will have 9 shitty room mates and 1 good one. This includes wives. Shit. Spoiler alert.
You get married in four years! No joke! Spoiler: divorced in 8, therapy for 1, then nothing, then 1 again. Don't worry. She sucked. You're over her by my age, but you probably figured that, right? I won't spoil the good stuff. But do you remember seeing Fight Club? Keep that in mind.
Dude! You're really good at stuff! Like really good! Scary good! Don't let anyone ANYONE tell you otherwise or use you! Don't you dare join up with anyone but Mike Lenneville. Mike is bae! The way Joe is, and Ryan. Also you'll run into Kindell and Jenny and Cambam and Zach. These are your people! Love them. There are others too! A girl named Delancey and a dude named Forrest! Latch! There are more good folks too! You are going to be surrounded by love!
Also: School! You drop out in one and a half years and travel the world and see and do beautiful things. You're welcome!
When you're my age your favorite movie will be about that guy who guest starred on friends as Monica's boyfriend who got his ass kicked in the UFC (which is a huge fucking deal now!), being a shitty dad and a depressed dude and a chef! Then fired because reasons, then Robert Downy Jr. will be there, then Sofia Vergara (you're welcome in advance on behalf of the universe), then food truck! #happiness. Oh! And a pound sign is called hashtag now! Who knew?
School! You try to go back and they fuck you out of money! Yeah. American education FTW, ameyeright?
You will perform all over the world! Even at Ted! Oh, right, that's not a thing yet... Think lalapalooza but for your brain! Also start a youtube channel now! Just trust me. You don't know what that is, but DO IT! Record yourself doing fuckin' anything! I'm not kidding! People will eventually just throw money and acting gigs at you because you are there. It's a joke, but for real, do it! Do it!
Love... Romantic: Sorry Skeech, no spoilers here, but she's dope and makes weird furby sounds when she sleeps.
Love... people: You give yourself to others too much. Knock that shit off. Calm down and don't worry, the cartoons and your third grade teacher was right: quality. Not quantity. Thanks Miss B.
Oh! A big thing for your to do list: Find your silence. This is huge. Also be a nerd. An obsessive nerd! A huge freak about the things you love! Be loud! So loud people can't help but give you a venue!
Lastly 18 Me: It gets better, then worse, then better, then worse, then better... But you're still you. You're a badass, and you've gone through more already, done more and dreamed bigger than almost everyone else on the planet. You're amazing, but you will forget that. I don't have advice for that other than remember that you are always you, no matter the version. Do your best to love yourself.
OH! Also you get a cat named Lantz! He's the dopest!
Oh! We have yet to go to Japan, so start saving!
Also: Get some sleep. You deserve a good nights rest. You're kicking ass.
Have the best day you've ever had.
(That's your sign off. It makes you smile.)
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Love, Happiness and Truth
I had a clear head when I sat down to write this. I don't now. See, it was going to be another advice piece - as I am want to do - but I don't have advice so much as I have a request: Please make things.
Create something where there was nothing before. Add to the world in a positive way.
I tried to come up with an analogy involving cheese for this line. It did not go well. Something about aging. You get the idea. But it is worth noting that as I sit - at what is essentially a retirement community (Holler, Maui!) - I find myself clear, motivated and a little saddened.
It's very late.
Okay, here's where the post actually starts.
I've done many things. I'm proud of my life. I've lived enough that three would be exhausted and done things the likes of which most would only dream. I am proud of my accomplishments, my experiences, and I have become strong because of the terrible and wonderful things I've experienced.
I've created many things; those physical and not. I'm 31. I still feel like a child. Which is 80% good! I still dream and can still see the good in the world first. But like a child, everything I've done has been for me first. I've helped others and been a good man as best I can, but I've yet to create something that is for the first purpose of serving others.
I dance, write, sing, eat, learn and so on for myself, my growth, my benefit first. Even teaching - which allows me to help others - has always been to make myself feel real first. Dance makes me feel alive, as does song and food and learning, while writing makes me feel powerful and... You get the idea. These are all done with positive intent, and mostly end up serving others, but I find I want to do more.
My guiding light or some other such analogy that fits here. I've been looking for something bigger than myself to pilot the ship of my dreams and here, today, I find what that is, and find that it was right in front of me all along. Love, truth and happiness. As long as I've done right by me and mine - especially me - everything I've created and done has been with the intent to create those three things: love, truth and happiness for others. I am most happy when I entertain, when I bring joy and help others realize their potential or help others in any way. Simply put: time to make it a job, this business of helping.
This year I will begin the shift to a career in motivation and inspiration. I will write books and throw 4 conventions of varying sizes and types with the purpose of helping people discover their greatness, their worth and their place in life. Basically a Tony Robins with a slightly smaller head or a TedX with a whole lot more crowd participation. I've always had a knack for believing in people and encouraging folks and helping others reach new levels of their potential. It makes sense for me to do this as a focused career.
My operator is love and truth. Love for self and those things and people you hold most dear, and the simplest truths that make us who we are.
I give a great deal of myself to the things and to the people I love. I do this because I believe in what I am and what I stand for. I am here to help others find their happiness and their worth. I am good at doing just that, and I am proud of that.
My business is to create belief in ones self, to create love and help guide you to knowing the truths that make up who you are. Alone we are great. Together we are mighty. Together we will create a better world.
My goals are simple for year one.
1. Write 3 books.
2. Produce a festival that celebrates you, me and us and what makes us real and amazing.
3. Quit my day job and focus on the arts and motivation/inspiration.
4. Make $50,000.
That's enough for now. It's late and I'm well past my quota for declarative statements.
Thank you for your time.
Have the best day you've ever had.
Create something where there was nothing before. Add to the world in a positive way.
I tried to come up with an analogy involving cheese for this line. It did not go well. Something about aging. You get the idea. But it is worth noting that as I sit - at what is essentially a retirement community (Holler, Maui!) - I find myself clear, motivated and a little saddened.
It's very late.
Okay, here's where the post actually starts.
I've done many things. I'm proud of my life. I've lived enough that three would be exhausted and done things the likes of which most would only dream. I am proud of my accomplishments, my experiences, and I have become strong because of the terrible and wonderful things I've experienced.
I've created many things; those physical and not. I'm 31. I still feel like a child. Which is 80% good! I still dream and can still see the good in the world first. But like a child, everything I've done has been for me first. I've helped others and been a good man as best I can, but I've yet to create something that is for the first purpose of serving others.
I dance, write, sing, eat, learn and so on for myself, my growth, my benefit first. Even teaching - which allows me to help others - has always been to make myself feel real first. Dance makes me feel alive, as does song and food and learning, while writing makes me feel powerful and... You get the idea. These are all done with positive intent, and mostly end up serving others, but I find I want to do more.
My guiding light or some other such analogy that fits here. I've been looking for something bigger than myself to pilot the ship of my dreams and here, today, I find what that is, and find that it was right in front of me all along. Love, truth and happiness. As long as I've done right by me and mine - especially me - everything I've created and done has been with the intent to create those three things: love, truth and happiness for others. I am most happy when I entertain, when I bring joy and help others realize their potential or help others in any way. Simply put: time to make it a job, this business of helping.
This year I will begin the shift to a career in motivation and inspiration. I will write books and throw 4 conventions of varying sizes and types with the purpose of helping people discover their greatness, their worth and their place in life. Basically a Tony Robins with a slightly smaller head or a TedX with a whole lot more crowd participation. I've always had a knack for believing in people and encouraging folks and helping others reach new levels of their potential. It makes sense for me to do this as a focused career.
My operator is love and truth. Love for self and those things and people you hold most dear, and the simplest truths that make us who we are.
I give a great deal of myself to the things and to the people I love. I do this because I believe in what I am and what I stand for. I am here to help others find their happiness and their worth. I am good at doing just that, and I am proud of that.
My business is to create belief in ones self, to create love and help guide you to knowing the truths that make up who you are. Alone we are great. Together we are mighty. Together we will create a better world.
My goals are simple for year one.
1. Write 3 books.
2. Produce a festival that celebrates you, me and us and what makes us real and amazing.
3. Quit my day job and focus on the arts and motivation/inspiration.
4. Make $50,000.
That's enough for now. It's late and I'm well past my quota for declarative statements.
Thank you for your time.
Have the best day you've ever had.
Friday, November 11, 2016
Core Experience Robbed
I originally named this Games That Are Basically Masturbating Whores.
You read that right. And if you made it this far: thank you for coming!
I was going to do this as a vlog, and maybe I still will, but I'm out of the house and no where near my camera so a good old blog will do nicely. Also, this is just a quick thing that was on my mind while I had a decent headache.
Games have evolved a few times, bringing new subjects and systems and so on and so forth. There's two that fascinate me these days more than most.
1. Idle Games - I couldn't believe this was a thing when I first saw it. A game that is designed to accrue you points or money or whatever the digital currency it's slinging so that you can check in here and there and feel accomplished.
I'm actually kind of okay with these! It feels good to accomplish something, or in this case to have something accomplished in your name. I support these (thank you cookie clicker and hero clicker), and that's pretty much all I can say about them. They're games, I guess.
2. Free to Play Games - Free to download and play and probably has some form of energy or stamina that limits your playtime. They come with in-app purchases typically and allow you to buy things like said stamina/energy to keep playing, or just go balls out and unlock incredible power from the get go. These games, specifically the systems, are pretty broken, and there are plenty that are just bad games. These also have tremendous potential to be powerful forces in the gaming community and I honestly think there is something here for entertainment, education and economics, but the formula is still much greater geared toward greed.
The folks at extra credits can give you more detail on this subject (f2p games) and I'm a big fan of theirs. Check them out in this order:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwI0u9L4R8U
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBtXyv0Q1Eg
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxDz6RWncVM
I never...NEVER thought these two game types would have a demon baby. You take the free to play aspects, especially the stamina thing and the monetary transactions, and you combine it with an idle games standard of it playing itself. This becomes something that demands your money while not really even having you play. If you buy into the system, you are no longer playing and merely watching the game play itself. You're watching the game masturbate for money. Score?
The only argument I've heard in favor of this type of entertainment was something along these lines: It's like watching TV but with a cast of characters you picked. Fair enough. That doesn't sound too bad! I'd love to watch a version of Firefly with an all Wash cast!
My counter to that argument is simple: It's not TV. Really, aside from the potential ethical implications of select f2p/idle games, there's nothing wrong with this formula beyond that I think it's shit.
Games are meant to be played. They assist in the advancement of the self and relaxation through basically tinkering. They are a safe place that can increase hand-eye coordination (insert another masturbation joke there...insert...). Games have been shown to assist with all manner of stat-growth, as it were, including coping mechanisms, communication and reasoning skills. More importantly: games are meant to be played because it is fun to play. Sitting and watching has never been more exhilarating than participating. And if you take the purpose of a game away, to be played, then you remove it from being a game.
Pretty much all I have on the subject right now. My head hurts from studying these things for the past couple weeks. I must have played two dozen of them, and they all basically function the same way with different skins.
Like I said, these have great potential, F2P games, as do idle games, but together they remove the core experience from what a game is. I for one felt like a middle management zombie during playtime and then a chunk after. Hopefully it gets worked out. Hopefully these don't take up too much real estate in the gaming market.
I'm going to shower. My head is mush now.
Have the best day you've ever had.
You read that right. And if you made it this far: thank you for coming!
I was going to do this as a vlog, and maybe I still will, but I'm out of the house and no where near my camera so a good old blog will do nicely. Also, this is just a quick thing that was on my mind while I had a decent headache.
Games have evolved a few times, bringing new subjects and systems and so on and so forth. There's two that fascinate me these days more than most.
1. Idle Games - I couldn't believe this was a thing when I first saw it. A game that is designed to accrue you points or money or whatever the digital currency it's slinging so that you can check in here and there and feel accomplished.
I'm actually kind of okay with these! It feels good to accomplish something, or in this case to have something accomplished in your name. I support these (thank you cookie clicker and hero clicker), and that's pretty much all I can say about them. They're games, I guess.
2. Free to Play Games - Free to download and play and probably has some form of energy or stamina that limits your playtime. They come with in-app purchases typically and allow you to buy things like said stamina/energy to keep playing, or just go balls out and unlock incredible power from the get go. These games, specifically the systems, are pretty broken, and there are plenty that are just bad games. These also have tremendous potential to be powerful forces in the gaming community and I honestly think there is something here for entertainment, education and economics, but the formula is still much greater geared toward greed.
The folks at extra credits can give you more detail on this subject (f2p games) and I'm a big fan of theirs. Check them out in this order:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwI0u9L4R8U
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBtXyv0Q1Eg
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxDz6RWncVM
I never...NEVER thought these two game types would have a demon baby. You take the free to play aspects, especially the stamina thing and the monetary transactions, and you combine it with an idle games standard of it playing itself. This becomes something that demands your money while not really even having you play. If you buy into the system, you are no longer playing and merely watching the game play itself. You're watching the game masturbate for money. Score?
The only argument I've heard in favor of this type of entertainment was something along these lines: It's like watching TV but with a cast of characters you picked. Fair enough. That doesn't sound too bad! I'd love to watch a version of Firefly with an all Wash cast!
My counter to that argument is simple: It's not TV. Really, aside from the potential ethical implications of select f2p/idle games, there's nothing wrong with this formula beyond that I think it's shit.
Games are meant to be played. They assist in the advancement of the self and relaxation through basically tinkering. They are a safe place that can increase hand-eye coordination (insert another masturbation joke there...insert...). Games have been shown to assist with all manner of stat-growth, as it were, including coping mechanisms, communication and reasoning skills. More importantly: games are meant to be played because it is fun to play. Sitting and watching has never been more exhilarating than participating. And if you take the purpose of a game away, to be played, then you remove it from being a game.
Pretty much all I have on the subject right now. My head hurts from studying these things for the past couple weeks. I must have played two dozen of them, and they all basically function the same way with different skins.
Like I said, these have great potential, F2P games, as do idle games, but together they remove the core experience from what a game is. I for one felt like a middle management zombie during playtime and then a chunk after. Hopefully it gets worked out. Hopefully these don't take up too much real estate in the gaming market.
I'm going to shower. My head is mush now.
Have the best day you've ever had.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
I made you this for to put on your body!
Regard the day as not in which you took too long to find your car keys, but as one where SWAG was brought to you by your favorite geek, dancer, writer, DJ, life coach and an incredibly convenient crowd funding service!Today is the day that we bring you the first
official chknfoot T shirt! (click here)
Cue the procession! (procession is represented below)
Too much? I thought it had a certain...proper flair?
Not-jokes aside, I'm very proud of me and mine for finally taking a step forward with the brand. I'm something of a timid person when it comes to my own success beyond the toil required in writing and the arts in general. There's a definite solitude in those pursuits that lends itself well to a few of my learned fears. That being said, there's no benefit in remaining afraid of what might happen. Thus: shirt.
There's a great deal I've been working on and that I've been able to start pursuing thanks to having a solid team; a crew, if you will. Without getting in to any real detail, my personal, professional and specifically my love life have all become pretty darn acceptable. The short: we support one another and properly assist and push each other to our awaiting goals/dreams and so forth. I am pleased.
Other upcoming projects include (but are not limited to): motivational seminars (this is the big one), new dance productions, short/full length films (no joke...I'm sweating), new books and further apparel. I'm also shifting my focus on the tubes (the you-TUBS, if you will). It's not anything dramatic/declarative statement worthy, but I am feeling this natural shift away from lets plays toward higher frequency vlogging. It feels good to vlog. More on that later.
Now I am off to shower and proper start the day... and also hunt for sweet kicks.
NETFLIX Recommendation: Sneaker Heads. It's great. Solid soundtrack, great subject and a surprisingly in depth look into collector culture. Watched it three times in two days. Give it a look.
Have the best day you've ever had!
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Because There's Only So Much Time
Like a shotgun BANG!
Shoop is surprisingly deep... No it isn't. It's about banging.
Segway: I am a shotgun blast. Have been for years. I do ten thousand things and expect them all to work out in equal, high-end glory. They don't. They can't, because no one person has enough willpower to do ten thousand things at a professional level for their entire life without something failing/suffering.
Thing suffering: me.
What to do when you're suffering: clean. Do the dishes, vacuum, clean your website, quit projects that don't serve you, focus. Focus. Focus. Focus. Focus. Focus. Repeat ad nauseam.
I've never focused. Maybe once in college, but we all experiment in college.
This is just an update, but I have a whole thing about focus and willpower that I'll share perhaps on the morrow.
TWO BIG THINGS: Website is cleaned up and my first novel, Crossroads, is back on the market!
I cleaned up the website because I've learned to properly care about myself and my career. I like it more now! A tad of nostalgia thrown in here and there and a bit more like what I was going for and less like angelfire (RIP).
That's all I've got for you today. Just an update that we done cleaned this place up and Crossroads is back on the market and better than ever.
To illustrate my joy, here is Sam Cooke. Have the best day you've ever had!
Shoop is surprisingly deep... No it isn't. It's about banging.
Segway: I am a shotgun blast. Have been for years. I do ten thousand things and expect them all to work out in equal, high-end glory. They don't. They can't, because no one person has enough willpower to do ten thousand things at a professional level for their entire life without something failing/suffering.
Thing suffering: me.
What to do when you're suffering: clean. Do the dishes, vacuum, clean your website, quit projects that don't serve you, focus. Focus. Focus. Focus. Focus. Focus. Repeat ad nauseam.
I've never focused. Maybe once in college, but we all experiment in college.
This is just an update, but I have a whole thing about focus and willpower that I'll share perhaps on the morrow.
TWO BIG THINGS: Website is cleaned up and my first novel, Crossroads, is back on the market!
I cleaned up the website because I've learned to properly care about myself and my career. I like it more now! A tad of nostalgia thrown in here and there and a bit more like what I was going for and less like angelfire (RIP).
That's all I've got for you today. Just an update that we done cleaned this place up and Crossroads is back on the market and better than ever.
To illustrate my joy, here is Sam Cooke. Have the best day you've ever had!
Thursday, June 23, 2016
WeWritten - A Blurb
I realized this morning that I haven't been posting my new podcast on the website, which is one part stupid and one part due to stress brought on by unrealistic expectations. Enough of that.
Observe the following! WeWritten in its thus far accumulated glory.
Truth: I love this series so far, which is far more than I usually say about my own work. I'm gravitating toward the primary reason being that it forces me to open up and write about and in ways that I don't usually. LONG WINDED AS FUCK.
If you don't know, WeWritten is a collaborative serialized story told from different perspectives of different characters/narrators each week. Some weeks might be a recurring character/narrator. So far I've been the only one reading, obviously.
The short of the why I'm doing this is that I usually feel under-represented as an artist, and that there are very few opportunities for artists to get their work out there. Thus I am doing what I can to facilitate my dreams and help other artists at the same time. Together we are unstoppable and all that.
So take a second, take a listen and tell your friends! For real, spread it around if you like this to people you know so I can get some money for working my ass off! That money will go to help other artists, to get better equipment, to afford food! All things good!
WeWritten is also available on YouTube and iTunes. Subscribe! Do it. I'll only spam the absolute hell out of you, which is totally high art!
Have the best day you've ever had!
Observe the following! WeWritten in its thus far accumulated glory.
Truth: I love this series so far, which is far more than I usually say about my own work. I'm gravitating toward the primary reason being that it forces me to open up and write about and in ways that I don't usually. LONG WINDED AS FUCK.
If you don't know, WeWritten is a collaborative serialized story told from different perspectives of different characters/narrators each week. Some weeks might be a recurring character/narrator. So far I've been the only one reading, obviously.
The short of the why I'm doing this is that I usually feel under-represented as an artist, and that there are very few opportunities for artists to get their work out there. Thus I am doing what I can to facilitate my dreams and help other artists at the same time. Together we are unstoppable and all that.
So take a second, take a listen and tell your friends! For real, spread it around if you like this to people you know so I can get some money for working my ass off! That money will go to help other artists, to get better equipment, to afford food! All things good!
WeWritten is also available on YouTube and iTunes. Subscribe! Do it. I'll only spam the absolute hell out of you, which is totally high art!
Have the best day you've ever had!
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