Open Air

There was just something about taking her shoes off at the end of the day that she always looked forward to.

Walking out her office, feet on the cool cement of the sidewalk, se felt more connected to her city. To the building. To the people around her. The sounds, the smells. Everything.

It felt natural.

Urban Unreality

How is this place even real?

I mean look at it. It's so surreal.

Who knows if I'll even make it there in my lifetime - but I don't even know if I want to. I know they have a ton of money and while it is extremely beautiful, it seems like a horrible waste of money.

Dazzling right?


Dubai - Motion Controlled Time Lapse Test from Aaron Mendez (Ahwahnee Films) on Vimeo.

Myst

It was those kind of mornings that he would enjoy rising early and venture out of the house to walk amongst the fields.

He had no agenda. No plan. No course to follow.

He'd never wear shoes - the grass was cool beneath his feet, the dew soaking his pajama bottoms.

He'd make sure he'd breath deep, filling his lungs with the mist. Cold as it went down. Tickling his throat and filling his lungs with the taste of ozone.

The less he could see the better. He wouldn't know where he was going. He couldn't.

He liked the idea of not knowing - lost amongst the dense morning fog.

It meant one thing. It'd take him longer to get home.

Eye for Foliage

Ever since she was a littler girl, fall had always been her favorite season. Not because of the colors, the crisp morning air, or smells that seemed to seep from the Earth, but because thats when people would talk about her eyes the most.

How they matched the hues of the turning leaves - radiating from her face. Brightening any room she'd walk into. Bringing a smile to anyone's face who was lucky enough to catch a glance.

She wasn't self-absorbed, but it was the only time people seemed to notice and she adored it.

People just seemed to be happy when they saw her eyes during the autumn months. They had the ability to warm people from the core, suck people in, let them get lost deep within the browns and greens. Some even said her eyes sometimes would glow a burnt orange, like the trees that were so vibrant they almost seemed to have been ablaze.

When she was alone in the woods, she'd glance up at the canopy of colors and stare - letting her eyes shift out of focus. Only one tiny spot would be in focus, while everything else blurred together, becoming a sea of yellows, reds, oranges, greens, and browns. This blur of color was what she'd imagine her eyes looked like to others.

Looking in a mirror just didn't do them justice.

Soarin'

Ok - so it's Friday, and much like I'm sure many of you are - I'm burnt out from this week.

Straight up. 100% dead.

I'm going to be crawling towards the weekend by the end of the day. Who cares if I'm on my hands and knees though, I will make it there, for two days of rest and relaxation.

But, as I said for this week, I'm focusing on videos, so I shall continue the trend. Plus, I figure since it is Friday, we certainly deserve something that is visually stimulating. So, let's go for it.

While I'm not too into the whole "wing suit" craze that is out there - I do find it extremely interesting. At some point in my life, I do want to sky dive (sorry mom), but I'm not exactly sure when that will be. Probably when I have much more green in my bank account - whenever that will be. I've tried the simulated wind tunnel diving and even though it is basically cheating, it was still some of the most fun I've had. But do I ever see myself strapping one of these things on and jumping off a mountain?

Absolutely not.

Good for these guys - it's clearly the closest we are to individually flying without the aid of a motor, which is cool. I just don't want to have that risk factor. I could totally see myself trying to show boat and fly over a ridge as close as I could and just splatter all over the mountain. Whoops. No thank you.

So, while this is something I'll pass in my life time, I do enjoy watching others do it, especially when they have cameras strapped to themselves. There is just something so majestic about seeing it as a spectator.

Oh and don't feel bad if you don't understand all of what the narrator is saying - at first I couldn't understand half of what was coming out of him either. I guarantee you'll understand him by the end of the piece.


Need4Speed: Insight from Phoenix Fly on Vimeo.

Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Before I really get into this post - I just want to say, something about this week has screamed "videos" to me. It just so happens that I'm finding a lot of cool ones to share with you.

But, let me get back into it...

So I don't know how many of you have had to chance to go out and see Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, or even read the book, but I suggest you do. As good as the original version is - please do yourself a favor and go see the one released in America around Christmas, directed by David Fincher. Yes. You know him, since I have a crush on him.

If you liked the Social Network - then you'll hopefully enjoy this. It's shot in much the same, dark color palette, and each frame is superbly set-up. Where this film may lose some viewers is how visceral and violent this film is. It's not so much that it is gory, but it doesn't pull its punches either. You'll see rape, murder, and be thrown into awkward and terrible situations that Fincher will keep you in by not cutting - leaving you in the situation, handcuffed to the camera. Yes it's raw. Yes it's brutal. But it is still a beautiful film, with an amazing cast, and deep, engrossing film.

Please go see it.

So what does this have to do with a video you ask?

Recently, they released to opening credits online for people to view. You'll be able to tell, right form the beginning, between the dark colors and music choice - they aren't going to be "typical" credits. The really foreshadow who the characters are that you'll meet as well as the direction the film is going to travel (but don't worry - it gives nothing away). Just sit back and absorb it - or let it absorb you. The detail it goes into is numbing.

If you aren't intrigued by these visuals, I'd say steer clear from the film itself, but it is definitely worth seeing.

If you don't like it - go read the book - because it's damn good.

And please...please watch them in FULL SCREEN. The size of this little blog frame just doesn't do it justice.


"Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Title Sequence by Blur from Motionographer on Vimeo.

Feeding Frenzy

This is just nuts!

I know we've all seen Planet Earth and all those other BBC nature shows, but this is beyond anything I've ever seen. At first I thought it was amazing how many dolphins there were breaking the surface, but then the birds joined in, diving beneath the waves (which looked mighty cool leaving a stream of bubbles behind them), followed by sharks, and finally joined by a few whales.

Everything came to dinner in this video.

The camera work is incredible as well - I'm still a little shocked at how well they planned this whole event out. To somehow know when and where it would take place? And to be there on time? It's just awesome.

Nature is a wonderful thing.

ANd though I'm not too into "house" music - the song isn't too bad either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WVP1KNXRb0

(Sorry I couldn't post the actual video - the person who uploaded it was dumb and disabled the option to embed it within my blog).

Paris, Je T'aime Part Duex

This will kind of be a throw away entry (refer to my previous one for something more meaningful) but I was looking through my numerous video and photography sites today, trying to find something to inspire me to write a story, or share and I stumbled upon this.

All of you know I love Paris. While I have only been there once, for a extremely limited time (4 days) - I fell head over heels for it's culture, architecture, food, and women. I will, at some point, live there in my lifetime. It's a promise I've made to myself. Even if it is only for a short time.

But, to not get too far away with where I was headed with this - I was looking through my sites, and I found this photo:

When I was in Paris, I remember sitting at that little cafe, outside, in the evening sipping on an expresso, stirring it with the tiny little dark chocolate bar that they served with it. There is nothing special about this cafe, but I distinctly remember it and I was blown away to see it in a photographer's portfolio.

Such a small world...

And that's it! That is the extent of this entry. I thought it was cool that I saw this and am able to associate with the photo for having been there.

Makes me miss Paris...almost as much as camping, and the woods.

I shall return.  Who's coming with me!?

Nature's Glow

I miss camping. I miss the woods. I miss the lush green outdoors.

Sure, California has all fo these things - but not particularly in Los Angeles - although, to be fair, there are some of these places. They're just not, well, accessible through my back yard like back in Massachusetts.

I hope soon to buy some camping gear and drag my roommates out of the house and into the wild - but who knows if the latter will ever happen. They seem overly content with staying indoors on the couch with the glowing company of the TV.

Any who - the following vide made me realize how much I actually miss all of the aforementioned things.

While I have never actually been there, it is one of my goals to make it there within the next three years (may see like a random number to you, but to me, it is completely realistic and doable).

I don't need to go into great depth about why I like this so much. If you've followed me blog at all, you should know my likes and dislikes.

I'll give you one hint though...time lapse...


Yosemite HD from Project Yosemite on Vimeo.


So god damned beautiful!!

Who wants to come with me?

Korean BBQ

Holy cow.

I've had a food first tonight. It was one of my friend's Birthdays out here and he wanted to go to a Korean Barbecue restaurant. I've heard about them before, but never actually been to one.

The concept is that in the middle of your table, there is a little stove/griddle. Most of the places are pay one price, all you can eat. So, once you're seated, you order a bunch of different kinds of meat and your waiter brings them over to you, raw. From there, you and your dinner mates slap the meats onto the grill and cook it yourself.

Let me tell you - if you have a chance to do it, DO IT.

The meat is extremely tender and excellently seasoned. Yum.

And the variety? Don't even get me started. Tonight I had, bulgogi (korean pork), rib eye, beef tongue, spicy pork, bbq chicken, rib meat, pork belly, pork neck, and probably a couple other things - different types of beef.

On top of all these, you also get rice, kimchi, salad, sprouts, some sort of potatoes, a korean pancake which is like a potato pancake, and some other stuff I wasn't even sure of what it was.

Best part about all this though? Since you're cooking your food and it's bottomless, you go at your own pace and get to talk with everyone at the table. It's relaxing and really nice to just go nice and slow, smelling your food, chatting it up with good company.

I'll definitely be doing this again. As should all of you.

Dry Dock

He loved that pond. Everything about it. The dark greenish brown water that hid the soft mucky bottom. The smell of the leaves that would float by. How cool the water was in the summer when he'd run to the end of the dock and launch himself into the air, waiting for the salvation of the water to touch his skin.

It was one of his earliest memories. Hidden deep within his mind, locked away in a spot he was sure he'd never lose it. He knew what boards on the way to the waters edge would creak below him. Which to avoid in order to not get a splinter in the sole of his foot. He could still imagine sitting on the edge, dipping his toe in the water and feeding the local family of ducks that resided in the marsh on the other side.

Most of all though, it reminded him of his father. How he learned to swim with him - clinging onto the edge of the dock, treading water as hard as he could, only to be persuaded to swim out to his open arms, only a few short feet away from him. He knew it was going to happen, but he still would let go and begin the journey, only to see his father take one step after another, deeper into the pond, further from him as he got closer. He was always scared he wasn't going to make it. That he was going to become too tired and drift below the surface.

Yet somehow, just at the right moment, when he felt he couldn't make it any further, he'd feel the warmth of his father's arms as they wrapped around him.

Ride the Music

Someone showed me this at work today. Pretty cool idea (I just wish the music was a little longer).

It made me really appreciate my Grado headphones.

**Warning - may make some dizzy.***


ZKO Rollercoaster // GREAT EMOTIONS from virtual republic on Vimeo.

Beacon

It wasn't a legend or myth as much as it was accepted.

Out there, beyond the breakers, stood the old light house - a testament of time. It had lived through the crashing surf, howling winds, and nor'easters. It had seen the splitting of the nation, the freeing of the slaves, and the dawn of electricity.

Yet, everyday, its light still shown, bright amongst the lingering sea haze, thundering rains, or snow fall. No one wanted to actually believe it, but deep down, everyone did. The keeper was still there, after all those years - long beyond an age that anyone could live. No one could remember the last time the walkway to the lighthouse had existed, before the waves beat it into smooth shale. The seas were always too rough to maneuver out there, to explore the building standing tall upon its ever slendering base.

There had been those who swore they could see him. Late at night, when the light was spinning slowly around, at just the right time, his outline would appear. Standing against the railing, looking for ships that may wander too close to the shore. He was a myth and a legend. A man who was well over a hundred years of age, with gnarled fingers, salted skin, and thick, powdered white hair. He had to have been lonely. There were stories about how long it had been since his wife had passed. Some said he buried her in the sea at the base of the lighthouse, to be with him forever as he stood watch, protecting those at sea and the coast.

In the darkest of nights, the strongest of winds, giant swells, and swirling storms, the light always shown, never burning out.

A beacon to those coming a shore.

Whoops

I totally forgot today was Monday. I was treating the whole day as if it was a Sunday - until I realized, lying in bed, that I had to post something in my blog!

So, since I forgot and it is late, I'm going to simply post two videos that I saw today that I really enjoyed.




He looks like a great magician. Good crowd interaction, he's charming, and I have no idea how he does the tricks. I've watched his hands closely and I still see nothing.

Crazy!



Look at this thing go! 30+ miles an hour! Thats just absurd. Can we say hauling ass? To think, a cheetah hits 40...


Oh and yeah - happy 400th post!  Wahoo!

It's About Damn Time

I love Wes Anderson. He's directed some of my favorite films - the Life Aquatic being on the top of my list (but also lets not forget Rushmore, the Royal Tenenbaums, and The Fantastic Mr. Fox).

It's been quite some time since his last film came out and today, to my surprise, a trailer for his newest one (can May come any sooner?) came out!

Wahoo!

It looks super quirky, with a whimsical art style (typical Anderson film) - but holy shit, look at that cast! Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Francis McDormand, and of course, the always talented, Bill Murray.

I. Cannot. Wait.

(Please watch in HD and make it full screen for full effect)

FIAP

So one of my friend's from Fantasy Island (Jon Grado) is in town for a few days and I've been hanging with him everyday after work.

It's weird to think it's been almost two years since we last saw one another, but we picked up right where we left off.

It's super refreshing.

Kevin - you're next on my list (you were and still are first actually, but Jon just happened to come to me).

But as a direct result, my posts have been short/videos the last couple days.

Whoops!  Blame Jon.

Braille Burger

Inspiring. Heartwarming. Delicious.

I don't really need to explain that much since the video says it all.

I think this is a BRILLIANT campaign/cause and look at the faces of the people when they realize what their food says. Everyone looks so happy!

Books

I had a long day at work.

Nuff' said.

How awesome are books though? Words, thoughts, ideas - all coming from different people. Fascinating to think about.

Check this out. A lot of work - but the finished product is amazing.

Floating Home

She loved the woods. She'd spend hours there after school. Running through the brush, weaving amongst the trees, giggling in the open air. It wasn't like she didn't have friends, but there was just something about being out there, within nature that called her.

Her favorite thing to do though was to make her way down to the pond that lay deep in the woods behind her house and begin building a new home.

Everyday it was the same routine. She'd walk down there, collecting leaves as she went, ready to kneel at the water's edge and begin constructing.

She'd pull the leaves apart. Gently, not wanting to tear them too badly, but small enough that the leaf was in numerous pieces. One by one, she'd lay them out, over the water and on top of one another, building from the center and slowing stretching out. She'd take her time. She was in no rush.

Eventually she'd end up with an almost perfect circle floating in the water, staying still from the lack of current in the pond. From here she'd dream it was her own little island. Her house was always in the middle of it, so she could see all around, as far as the horizon would allow.

It was her special place. She'd live there alone, but allow people to visit. Her family and friends would come and stay over. They'd run to the edge of the island and deep their feet in the water, no care in the world. She loved her little floating island.

When it was time to get back to her real home on the other side of the forest she would stand up and scour the ground for the perfect size rock. When she found it, she'd pick it up and let her fingers run over it, making sure it was smooth to the touch. Satisfied - she'd throw it at her island, breaking the leaves apart - sending them in every direction as they rode the ripples out further into the pond.

After all - it was her island and no one else was allowed on without her.

Gusty Company

When he needed to get away he's ride his bike down this road.

He never saw anyone all the times he'd roll down it. He hadn't even ever reached the end. For all he knew, it stretched on forever. Carving a path across the prairie.

It was on this asphalt that he would let all his bagged go. The stress would fall from his shoulders, down his back and onto the road below. A trail of emotional liter.

It was here that he'd clear his mind. Empty it amongst the swaying grass. Let it get swept away by the breeze.

It was always just him and the dull hum of the turbines echoing in in between his ears.

Anticipated Chill

There is always that split second before impact that he questioned his decision.

The sun had worn away at his skin, beat it until it was a pink and sore. The water looked to inviting, shimmering in the desert sun, lapping at the corners of the pool.

He wanted it, he needed it. The salvation from the heat.

Even though it was going to feel wonderful against his skin, he knew once he went under, it'd still he breath - so he decided going in backwards made the most sense. He didn't have to anticipate it.

But of course he did.

Even though he couldn't see it, he could sense it. And right there, before the water even touched him, it happened.

The anticipation hit him - sending a tingle through his body.

Bliss.

Bring A Smile

I can't believe it - I'm nearing 400 posts. I know it isn't as monumental as 500 - but it's still getting up there. And yes, I'm aware I post a lot of videos - but looking at it realistically, I have to have about 150 stories in this blog (give or take). Maybe a book is in the future...ha!

Any who, it's Friday (officially here it is) so, HAPPY FRIDAY!

I hope you all had a nice abbreviated week and have fun things to look forward to over the weekend. For me, I don't have anything special planned, but I do have something to lead you into the weekend with.

To be honest, I don't even remember where I first saw this video, but anytime I'm not happy, anytime I'm in a funk, or just need to smile, I'll watch the following clip. Hell - I'm not even sure why I love this so much. Maybe it's his appearance, his voice (which I think it pretty good), the music he is pumping out, how he shuffles down the street, or that he seems to be absolutely enjoying himself. Who knows!

All I know is when I watch it, I can't help but feel the corners of my lips curling into a smile.

I hope it does the same for you.

New Beginning

They lay below them, nestled in amongst the fog like things of the past. He couldn't believe thats what they really looked like. The only images of them had been in books when he was growing up. They were taught about them, how they had been gone for so long - absent from the world as it choked on its own fumes.

He had been sent back with a team, before man had settled and taken root, before evolution had worked its magic. They had sent him back in time with the soul purpose of bringing oxygen back to the human race.

The population had never slowed down. There were scientists that  had sworn it would slow town and taper off, but it never did. Cities grew. Roads sprouted where they had never been before. Cars clogged these new roads, spewing exhaust into the sky. Everyone needed energy. When the gas and crude oil ran dry, trees came next. They hadn't lasted long. It quickly became hard to breath. The sky darkened with soot. People were beginning to fall down in the streets, asphyxiating on each others' breaths.

Thats when it was decided to travel back. To bring to the present the trees of the past. To make the world lush again.

It was amazing how beautiful they were in the morning sunlight.

He couldn't stop coughing, but he wasn't worried - it was only his body learning to breath again.

Backwards Fishing

Ok, I was really excited to get back to writing but I came across the following video and I just have to post it.

There are a couple things about it that stick out to me.

1. It looks gorgeous. The blue tint to everything is certainly eerie, but absolutely mesmerizing.

2. I love scuba diving - so watching this made me miss it a lot. It has been so long since I've been under the surface.

3.  I have no idea how they filmed this. I know that everything is upside down, so the bubbles flow down and everything (weight wise) to float up. But, I'm not sure how the divers stay upside down on the ice. Magnets on the surface maybe? Couples with metal footing? I'm not too entirely sure.

Oh well though, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do: