Wednesday, March 7, 2012

I'm Mad as Hell.

Kony 2012 has absolutely erupted. It has taken the world by storm, and as all such things that gain such a quick "following," I'm weary. I understand the basic premise: Bring a sadistic evil motherfucker to justice. I haven't posted any links though, because practically all the people, already know, AND I haven't watched any films. I can get behind the concept of "get the badguy" though.

It's left me with a lot of interesting questions for humanity as a whole, but that is a different blog.

Anyway, someone who I used to be friends with on facebook (After this, I hope you understand) posted the following:



"Holy shit," I thought, "is this person really this stupid?" And then, "Why am I friends with this person?" And promptly deleted this person, despite having a few nice conversations a few years back. (Good excuse to clean out facebook friends: especially these sort.)

Anyway, when I get angry I tend to think. A lot. Way too much for my own good. And then I get mad.

I started thinking about how much I'm weary of the entire Kony thing. I'm pretty certain there are a lot of humans in this world, who do this, on a larger, smaller, equal, scale. Kony has gotten himself some attention. Bad guy, yes. Should he be stopped? Yes. Should we stop pursing bad guys after we get one? No.

Anyway, so I got to thinking of the stupidity behind a fore mentioned post.

Did she really just make that comparison? Is she saying, she would rather a child be born, the mother raped and murdered, the child to grow up enslaved, heavily abused, rather than someone have an abortion? That is what I hear.

And then I thought about how many countries have lax child labor laws, and how common child labor and children are exploited.
I could say a lot of things. I really could. I'm trying to keep a clear head. It is so hard though when you feel so angry at the world for letting these things happen. And a single mother who is so blinded by the desire to "stand for something" she is willing to say, "Slavery and abuse is a better existence than no existence at all?"

Did it not even occur to this person that this is not the thing to be pushing anti-choice propaganda on? Do most people not THINK about what the world is becoming when atrocities are just another part of the daily grind? Is it to the point even ordinary people are thinking about the best "marketing approach" when it comes to tragedies so they can pimp their own causes?
When did atrocities become part of a business model? "Yeah, the world is shit, so what else is new? I've got sweatshop labor to exploit. You call it slavery, I call it maximizing my returns by cutting every cost possible during the manufacturing process."

Hell...do people just not THINK anymore?

Do you see why I'm mad? Do you see why I'm mad, at a large chunk of the world?

I'm mad as hell.

I'd keep going, but I'm so mad that it is hard to stay adequately coherent. So do this one simple thing.

THINK.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

What I have Learned about Film Production

So it has been a while since I updated, but that is how it goes.
Let us jump right in.

Thing's I've learned so far from film production.
1- Never let anyone who says "it's just a student film" or "who's going to see it?" or any other such excuses, make creative decisions regarding the film.
Yes, it is a student film. If we make it as amazing as possible, then people will be blown away and love it. If we cut corners, it'll be not as great, and possibly even shitty, all because someone didn't care to do things RIGHT or do something cool.

2- Make sure everyone is on the same page for what is happening.
So is the shoot time at 12.30 or 1.30? You told me 12.30, then texted me 1.30...which brings me to my next one.

3-Stay on schedule!
First day or 2 is going to be rough. Once everyone gets in the groove and knows how everyone works, it goes MUCH smoother. Also, part of this, means not re-shooting footage you already have.

4- Never let the director do the rough cut.
Yes, they will have to check off on the final version, however, if you let them do the rough cut, they are more likely to hold on to bad editing decisions.

5- Trust the other departments.
Share your ideas, but trust them to make the right choose. this goes for everyone, ESPECIALLY the director.

6- Don't waste time explaining things that don't need to be explained.
This happened a lot on a project I was working on..

7- Bury your bad films. Deep.
And thank god your director kind of hates you, when he doesn't put your credits on IMDB. ;)


In all seriousness, I really enjoy Film Production. My last project, Fanboy Apocalypse, had a lot of potential, but it suffered from a director who just wanted a grade from the class. The screenplay was ok, but it needed more variety. I shared my ideas, and they ignored me.

But I can laugh about it. I did my job. I recorded the best audio I could, and I converted and synced the footage. In the end, I did my job.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Epic Tale of Adventure: March 13, 2011

March 13, 2011
I went on a walk tonight. I left about 9.17, after I put a few podcasts and some new music on my MP3 player. I started listening basically right after I left the house. I noticed my neighbor sitting on the porch. Nothing too suspicious, but my mind drew note to it.

I walked south up the street, then turned west. I ran up this street, just to get my blood flowing, and break from the lazy feeling the day had set on me. I ran past a house that was having a party, or at least a gathering. No one seemed to mind, or notice, and if they did, they certainly didn’t mind.

I stopped running where the street curves south again. I walked across the street, going up a short street that goes west. I stopped to stretch, and then continued, heading south (again) then west (again) and walking west until I got to a main road.

On the corner, before I turned, I noticed an open master lock. It was pretty beaten up. I did a quick search for the key, but didn’t find it. I decided to hide it someplace further south on the main road. I lifted the base cover of a light post, and hid It there. After I hid the lock, I noticed a runner a ways up the street. I considered crossing the street to avoid him, but he did it before I could. Not a problem, I just crossed the street later.

However, before I crossed the street, a red Pontiac Grand Am drove past, at a rather slow speed. Slow enough to take mental note of. A turned west, on to another main road. Nothing of significance happened until I crossed to the south side, and cut through the apartment complex. I paused my mp3 player, and walked through. A few cars leaving, but nothing suspicious, until in the parking lot, a scion xB drove past with its lights off, and at a speed not especially safe for driving at, at night, in a parking lot, with your lights off.

Once I left the complex, headed south once agan, I noticed a truck parked. I didn’t get close enough to read the tiny writing that was on it, but it did have a picture of Jesus on it. I also noticed one of the buildings in the industrial districts fences, missing. Not knocked down, an entire side of the property, the fence was missing.

Continuing south along the road, I saw a red light flashing. I noticed it a little ways off. As I walked closer, walking though an intersection, I noticed it was on a building, and was flashing under the overhang of the roof. I walk past this place enough, to notice this light this time. It has never been there, or at least never been on, until tonight. I back tracked a little bit, to the intersection, turning east, and running down the street to distance myself from the suspicious red flashing light. If it was an alarm, I wanted to be far away from the place. Walking around in lonely industrial areas, WILL NOT, make you any friends of police. At least, I don’t think it will. I would really rather prefer to not find out.

As I walked down this rather dark road, I noticed more red lights, blinking. Not one, but about 6 or 8, in some sort of pattern. It looked like a fire truck ladder from where I was walking, but I couldn’t really tell. I knew further up the road, one of the lots had a motion sensing flood light, with the motion sensor covering the road. Not wanting to trigger this, I walked in the parking lot of a small strip mall of sorts. I successfully made it past without the light going off, so I continued on my way, turning south again.

I recalled another night walking down this road, one of the buildings, I could see a small flame, or a few at least. It looked like candles. So as I walked tonight, I checked to see if I could see anything: nothing. Further up, I heard one of the shops in back of, was active. Usually it’s pretty quiet all around. A few places are still open and running at that time, but most are quiet, dark, and very much not occupied.

As I was turning east on to a dark lonely highway, a black Ford (either 500, or Taurus, new model) came around the corner rather quickly. I was nervous for a second about being hit, but it didn’t happen. I walked out onto the highway, and saw no other cars, coming from either direction.

I walked east, and at one point, turned on my flashlight to make sure I would be seen. I turned it off after the cars passed. Once I got passed OSI industries, I heard a car rev-up. I turned my flashlight, and looking behind me, I noticed it was a lot closer than I thought, leading me to guess it had turned from the street I had turned from.

I kept walking, and once it passed, I ran a little bit, again, just to make better time. But also probably due to some little, instinct. They drove back after a little bit, and they were driving too slow. In city limits, its 35, but we were outside city limits, and its 50 there. Anyone who is going anyplace, generally speeds up rather quick. Again, after they passed, I ran. This time, I was running because I was paranoid. I stopped running, kept walking, turning to check again. They drove past again. I took my hat off, and put it in my pocket, and ran all out again. I saw them turn into the neighborhood up the road, and I ran all out. The second I saw them, I did my best to line their headlights with a power pole to make it harder to see me. They passed, again, going much too slow. I was just about at the corner. I was considering running across the road. I paused, and looked back. They were slowing, and looked like they were going to turn around, again. I dashed north, I stopped. A couple was out for a walk. I walked a bit, and turned and looked. I didn’t see them.

I ran again, turning west into the neighborhood. I slowed down and looked down the street that paralleled the street I was just on. I saw a car, which seemed to be waiting. I went up further, and detoured into a circle. I walked around it once, just to kill some time and to rearrange my pockets. I walked west, deeper into the neighborhood, and then turned north. I walked along the road, slowly. I noticed another car “waiting” but it was far enough away I was sure it couldn’t see me. Later on the road (it curved east) a car did pass me, seemingly going too slow. But I didn’t see it again after that. I turned north, and walked up the street. at one corner, I turned right, just as an SUV entered the neighborhood entered from the main road. I ran west up the street, then walked. I didn’t see anyone, for a while. I turned north again, then walked through a “shortcut” to a main road. Peaked around the corner, and didn’t notice anyone waiting. So I walked west up the road. I saw the SUV again, but it either wasn’t following me, or didn’t see me. At this point my, adrenaline was starting to dwindle. I crossed the road, noting all the cars that were going up and down, making sure I wasn’t seeing repeats.

Further up, crossed then I turned north. (I effectively made a loop: back on the road I saw the Grand Am on) - I was on the west side of the street. A truck playing loud music drove past. After It passed through the intersection, I looked back. Something struck me in away, that reignited my paranoia/adrenaline. I ran again, turning in to the neighborhood, and walking through it, to get to where I wanted to be. I crossed the road again, into the neighborhood on the east, and started walking home, watching everything. Of note, a guy at his home, waiting for me to walk by before lighting a cigarette (assumably: could have been something else.) also, another car waiting in a drive way. Nothing else really comes to mind.

I made it home, and felt accomplished for avoiding danger, real or imaginary. It was awesome as hell.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Ian's adventure into WTFdom - The reason for seagulls

When disaster feels as if it's looming but the flowers they look like they are blooming, on may suggest an explanation for which this has manifest, itself right here, at some part of the year. But at best we only have a guess, a thought, an idea to be sought.

Perhaps there is only one right path but we are granted only one path to be on and that path we are on is the right path since that path can be changed by our minds despite the interference of mimes, can there in fact be a space where due dates are slacked? Or another space where your bags are already packed?

When are am can sand be on land and in water at an impasse to the overpass under the underpass that goes over the underpass over the pass?

Some know who you know but some make predictions of doom in the department of weather which is run by heather who's never been healthier since she stopped trying to be made of recycled coke bottles. But alas the pilot adjusts the planes throttles and through the heavens rocket we with all the grace of a train on a track with no place to go but onwards, with no limits but that which many are forced into for the sake of so called sanity.

"Why," they ask, "can't a crab, very well use his claws to grab? Does this not facilitate the same purpose and promise made by thumbs possessed by those who live under stars, but for whom living under stars is not enough so they may wish to live amongst the stars?"

"Perhaps," some respond, "but I can't really say I've seen a crab grab a knife to stab out of anger or fear of jealousy, so as far as we are concerned, we daren't call crabs equals especially when they have never made any sequels to movies they've made, for which they have failed to be paid, for that is."

"Of course," respond others, "but perhaps the memory centers and the terminals for thinking out the next actions effect on the idea of tomorrow limits a crabs action and use to tools, but can we really say so much for us, a species who thinks so much of themselves they make movies about chipmunk punks and Donald’s of ducks, to waste what hast been so divinely provided?"

But now the conversation breaks down, as i see Bogo the clown cutting another one loose of this shallow chain we call "reality." sinister sisters with synthetic sifters go in search for diamonds in coagulated blood they saw in a flood amongst the mud and soot. "Alas," they sigh, "much of us plan to one day die, without finding a diamond, a ruby, or rhubarb crumble pie. But should this be the case, never let them put me in a coffin without my fair share of cake."

But alas we seems to be drawing to a close, but it really isn't one. it is just a matter of punctuation, a matter of fitting a pose, without breaking your nose, on the glass ceiling, without ether that, such a thing would be a frightful feeling.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Dating Tips

It is up to you if you want to take this seriously or not. Really, it is. I personally feel some of these ideas are good, if not a little funny/wacky/cheeseburger.

When you are dating someone, there is always awkward moments. whether the relationship has just started or has been going on for a while now, you are likely to run into these at some point.

Note - Some of these apply to one gender more than the other.

Appearance Insecurity - In modern society, a great deal of emphasis is placed on appearance. Now, let me say; looks aren't everything, but neither is personality. Fact of the matter is looks matter to most people on some level, and some people think it matters too much. So this leads to the question (usually asked by a girl), "Does this make me look fat?" or " Does this make my butt look big?"
This puts guy's in an awkward position (and a really awkward position for girls). Do you tell the truth and risk the wrath of a woman scorned? Or do you lie and risk the wrath of a woman scorned?
My solution is simple; a distraction.
Effective distractions:
  • Reply with "I don't know, but do these pants make my penis look big?"
  • Reply with "...I've seen you naked. And then we had sex. Do you remember that? I remember that..."
  • Grab a Twix
  • Make sexual advances
  • If all else fails, lie.

First Kiss - There is a lot of awkwardness with this one. Most girls are unwilling to make the first move, and most guys are afraid to make the first move. Usually this involves a lot of close leaning, until finally (usually the guy) decides to kiss and run. Usually leaving the girl confused, angry, or upset. So how can you ease the awkwardness?
  • Be daring. Don't make the first kiss a quick peck and run. sweep her off her feat. Dip her low, kiss passionately, then bring her back up, and smile. Don't say anything. Just smile.
  • Multiple kisses. Again, rather than a quick peck and run, give more than one kiss. think mild make out session in a library or similar public facility.
  • If all else fails, (I mean, if you can't do the others previously mentioned) kiss and run like the hounds of hell are on your tail. Hey, why change a classic?
Other than, all I can really tell you to do is have fun. Oh yeah, note for the women; get closer than close. don't make the first full move, but meet him a little past halfway if he seems nervous.


Meeting Parents - isn't that awkward? Whether you are meeting her parents or his parents, it's awkward. Because there will be questions. There will be strange looks. And there might even be subtle threats. Dress nicely and stand tall; looks help. anyway...
Things to say when asked:
  • Schooling - If you have graduated, say so. however, if you aren't going to college, pretend you want to go at some point (even if you don't).
  • Personal life/Hobbies - stay vague; they don't need to know that you collect novelty condoms.
  • Religion/politics - suicide topics. Avoid them like the plague.
  • Keep your mouth shut as much as possible - you can't get in trouble for what you don't say.
  • If all else fails, pretend you are Irish.
  • If you fail at pretending to be Irish - Pretend you are something else!
Seriously, there is nothing I can really tell you that will ease the awkwardness. The next best thing, is being prepared mentally.


Marriage proposals - While I personally don't believe all that jazz about marriage that wedding planners, jewelers, Christians and other various religions, I'll still try to help.
Where to propose:
  • Avoid public - sure, it might seem romantic, but do you really want to risk her saying no in front of hundreds/thousands/millions of people?
  • Private - it is usually best. Seriously...if she says no, you can both pretend neither of you asked a question.
  • If all else fails, (I mean, all else fails; dams break, earthquakes happen, hell is spilling on to earth) send a text message.
How to propose
  • Be romantic
  • Be sincere
  • Don't use a text message
  • Pick a time you are comfortable with - start off the evening with it, half way through, or near the end. (Near the end is best)
  • Pretend to tie your shoe then pop the question.
  • If all else fails, blurt it out, tell her to text you the answer, and run like the hounds of hell are after your bacon.
Hopefully you found this helpful, if not entertaining. I would like to say, I am Finishing this at about 1 in the morning. So if you have any problems complaints...

Friday, October 23, 2009

Music Downloading

Times are changing; It is now easier to make a few mouse clicks and have music faster than going to a store and buying a CD. Times are changing; Technology now enables us to have a perfect copy of something, with no generation loss.

Copy and paste, copy and paste, copy and paste, copy and paste.

Unlike the days of analogue equipment. You used to have to buy a record to get a good copy, you used to have to buy a tape. You wanted to share that tape? Pop the tape in, play it for a tape recorder, copy w/ generation loss.

Things are changing. Record companies and artists can't make a ton of money now. That isn't really the problem...The problem is much bigger. Money is the problem, this is just a symptom.
Record Companies want money, artists want money, everyone wants money involved with music.

P2P Technology cuts in on these profits, and the old model of business is failing.
Something new is needed. Either radical or minor, something needs to change and something WILL change. Adaptation.

Some artists have been extremely inventive in how to adapt to these new times. The user has to adapt too. If you want the bands you like to continue to put out albums, but their albums, buy their merch, go to their concerts. Support them!

Record Labels...they basically have a monopoly...four record companies controled approximately 82% of the music industry, in 2005. As of recent they have been cracking down on Youtube Accounts that feature audio from their signed artists. One of my favorite videos, that had basically fell into line with "fair use" had the audio removed. Yet, videos, that have the entire song, and just one image, or "lyrics" to it put up by some half wit user, are still up and running. I see a problem here...copyright law is being violated, but not just by users, but by companies.
But who cares, right?

No one. Well, almost no one. Most people don't care and just want to be left alone and not do anything.

God forbid if you are an artist who is starving and speaking up against illegal downloading. People are TOUCHY about it. As I said, things are changing and things need to change and things will change. Most likely for the better. But things might get worse before they get better.

On a side note, I have to ask, would you pay $23 dollars for a Miley Cyrus CD? Most of you wouldn't. Hell, anyone reading this probably wouldn't. Here we get a classic view of manipulation

http://www.amazon.com/Hannah-Montana-Meet-Miley-Cyrus/dp/B000OYC3L6
"List Price: $22.98 "
"Price: $12.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25 "

Good deal? Isn't it? You would think so.
However, I don't feel it is...I Pre-ordered an album, "The Art of Breaking Apart" by Velvet Acid Christ for 12.97. factoring in shipping, $15.47

Let us look back at Miley Cyrus CD. You have to spend twice as much money to get "Free Shipping"

Good Ol' America - Buy more and save money!

If you are buying other things, JUST to get that price break, you aren't saving money. You are spending more money. Buy something you don't want to cut back the price of something you do want. You are getting fucked over. Sometimes it IS worth it...but not usually.
Example:
Sobe buy 5 for $5 and get one free. Good deal for ME because I happen to like Sobe and would actually save money from this deal. But this is food/drink. I like food/drink so it probably isn't the best example.

Anyway, just ranting. Hope you had some interesting new thoughts.
-Ian

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Politricks

Recently, I've become extremely annoyed by politics and propaganda.
One the one extreme, we have the right-wing, "republicans" who hate Obama and who are screaming about how he is a communist, and the next Hitler and what not. [Because our last president who invaded countries for a fake reason, and attacked his own country for an excuse to go to war, definitely was NOT like Hitler, who staged an attack on his own country and invaded other countires. (sarcasm for those of you who can't see it).]
And well...they seem to be the only extremists. At least, the only ones we hear about from at this point.
They get a lot of people behind them; generally all stupid, submissive, unintelligent people, and a few obscenely rich who stand to lose something.
"Socialism" is used as a buzzword; it has basically become synonymous with "communist" - why? because it interferes with the "Free Market" and "capitalism."
Reality: they are upset that it's going to be harder to get your money. Healthcare is an excellent example; Healthcare is ridiculously expensive. But that's why you have insurance, right?
That is the theory...but really, insurance coverage is slipping and prices are rising. So much so, it's almost better to NOT have insurance at all and save your money so you can pay those medical bills yourself.
The National Healthcare plan, was basically an insurance company that offered reasonable rates, and fair coverage plan. Why are the corperations and the rich afraid of this? because it will FORCE them to cover more things and to charge less. Good for the common man, bad for the obscenely rich.
We were NOT talking international health care like in most other countries. everyone gets treated and it takes forever to get treatment, for free.
So, lets see. This isn't quite socialism.
But thats what they scream about anyway. They paint a false picture to get people upset.

Now I want to paint a picture. One I feel is rather accurate.
Products are mass produced for almost nothing and sold for a "cheap" price many times higher than the production costs, to a society dedicated to consuming. In this society there are class distinctions, most of the problems are blamed on the underclass, while the middle class slave away for the upper class to make them richer. The upperclass and their corporations oversee the manufacture of "cheap" products which they can sell to their middle class workers, making them poorer and poorer, and they get richer and richer.
Sound Familiar? This is what we call "capitalism" and "freemarket"
But really...I'd rather call it Global Market Slavery.
Captalism, is a theory.
Theory: The competative nature of the market will guarantee that the consumer will get the best price.
Good theory, but it doesn't work with our money system. If you want to REALLY understand why, I'd watch Zeitgeist (Both of them) http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

So on one side, We have one extreme basically creating the other.
We have the Slave Owners telling tall tales of the Communist Boogy man.

Do I have a solution? Not at the moment. I'm working on it thought.