So This Is Goodbye

I'm sad to say it - but this is the end. For the foreseeable future, this blog is shutting down - due to some unfortunate, unforeseen circumstances.

I'd like to thank each and everyone of you out there who joined me on this journey - reading my stories, watching my videos, and listening to my songs. It's been a lot of fun and I never thought I'd make it to 842 posts.

Maybe I'll come back sometime, but for now, this is the end of the road.

Cheers,
-Drew

Bring your love to me. I will hold it like a dandelion. One I want to save, one I want to keep from the breeze that follows me.

Song of the Day (Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay) 10.11.13

Well it's that time. Fall has arrived. The heavier winds are blowing in, leaves are starting to fall off the trees (even though they're still green) and it's cold enough that I can bust out my 'soft pants' (sweat pants).

Oh right - and it's Friday. So chalk another one up.

This has been a hell of a week. One of the worst I can remember but thankfully it's over. And I have the perfect song to kick off the weekend. It's one that I'll always link to my summers spent on the Jersey Shore. Back when I was a kid, without a care in the world - playing in the waves, digging in the sand, when all that mattered was having fun. And after this week, I could use a few of those moments. But hey - the weeks over and behind us. Hopefully as you listen to this, you'll join me in imagining the shining sun, laughing gulls calling in the distance, and the salt of the ocean in your nostrils. This is Otis Redding's "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay."

Faces In The Crowd

I was waiting for this moment to happen. For another music video to pop up and wow me. Leave me speechless.

It's been a while since one has and boy is it a doozy.

I've talked about videos like this before - heck, I've even had a concept brewing in my head very similar to this. Not in execution, but in terms of taking thousands of photos and stringing them together to create a video (not stop motion). So when I stumbled upon this one, I was excited. The concept isn't the deepest, but I respect the sheer amount of planning, preparation, and work that went into this.

From there - I'll just let you enjoy it. And on top of the video being awesome - the song is pretty fantastic as well.

The Paper Kites: Young from Oh Yeah Wow on Vimeo.

More Time

There are days when everything in the world seems to be stacked against you. No matter where you go, who you turn too, or what you do - it all beats down on you. Pushing you deeper and deeper into an abyss - until there is no more light and it's hard to breath. You're trapped, lost - ready to give in.

And in these moments, I pick out a memory.

This time, it was sitting at a table in a bustling street, under an overcast sky. The clouds above, although grey, glowed brightly - leaving the city in a dull haze. It was breezy. The wind was whipping up and down the cobblestones - tugging at the bottom of my shirt and the cuffs of my jacket before moving on to play with your hair. Each gust reminded us how chilly it was. The kind of cold that nipped at the tops of my ears and tried to get to the back of my neck, between my collar and my skin. But it was the pure kind of cold. That cleaned out your chest with every inhale and exhale. It tasted fresh, blowing in off the bay. All around us people were continuing on with their evenings - sneaking in some quick shopping before the sun slipped away for the night and the shops closed. Seeing them so happy, ducking in and out of stores, laughing, smiling, enjoying their company made me happy. I felt a part of it.

By the time the coffee had arrived, my fingers were desperate to wrap themselves around the mug. Even tucked into my pockets, they couldn't hide from the weather. As we sat there, discussing what we were each going to order, I couldn't help but look at you and only you. Nothing else mattered. The busy city around me fell away. It had been so long. I was still having trouble comprehending that I was actually there. With you. At that moment, even looking over the menu with you made me smile - let alone talking about anything else. When the waiter finally came back over, eager to take our order, I took a leap and chose the grilled octopus skewer. I couldn't be more pleased when they brought it out to me. Laid out in a beautiful pattern, accented by charred shrimp and boiled potatoes. I'll never forget that first bite. Juicy and succulent.  Fresher than any seafood I had ever had.

As we finished our meals, we decided to share a couple glasses of wine and relish in the moment. The more I looked around, I realized I was completely at ease. For one of the first times, there was nothing in my mind except the moment I was presently in. And as we sat there, sipping from our glasses, we continued to talk. Nothing in specific. How things were going, if anything exciting was going on in our respective lives - sharing funny stories. It was the kind of conversation that required little to no effort. It just flowed. Our words drifting out with ease, eventually swept down the street by the passing breeze. And the entire time, I kept taking you in. The curls of your hair, how beautiful your smile was - the way your cheeks became rosy in he cold air. All of it endearing.

Then you were plucked away from the table. By a group of raucous older women who had clearly spent the afternoon and evening shopping. Maybe even enjoying a few cocktails - their laughter echoing out between the buildings. They had requested you help them look for a lost earring. One that had just fallen out in front of our table. So I just sat there, looking down at the cobblestones as well. Trying to spot a glimmer in the remaining sunlight. A few times I stopped to watch you interact with them. Laughing along with them. And then almost as if at the same moment, we had a revelation. To look on the bottom of their shoes - hoping one of them had stepped on it. Bingo. There it was, lodged into the heel of the boot of the woman who was looking for it. After an assortment of "thank you's," they were on their way, back into the heart of the city.

And that is where the memory ends. That one singular moment. Lasting no more than an hour. Seemingly insignificant and small. So how would it help me get back on my feet when I'm feeling lost or dejected? That's simple.

It's another moment I get to spend with you.

Night Prior

As the sun had began to sneak into the room between the spaces left by the blinds, she couldn't help but open her eyes a little bit. It took her a moment, but she finally realized where she was. Safe and sound, in her bed - lost amongst a sea of blankets.

The previous night had been a blur. Her mind was struggling to remember what had happened - it didn't help that she was as comfortable as she was - her body pressing her to just close her eyes and fall asleep once again. From what she could scrape together in the back of her head - they had started out like any other evening. Meeting up at a local haunt and having a couple drinks. Laughing and dancing with one another. Completely harmless. Followed by a visit to one of their favorite hidden spots. Someone's house that had been converted into a bar. No one actually knew if it was legal, but no one ever asked or gave the owners any problems. From there, her memories of the night quickly began to wash out. It was all a bit fuzzy - which she could attribute to the alcohol. Her head was just beginning to throb, reminding her exactly how much she had indulged the previous night. 

Looking around the room, she noticed her blouse from the night before hanging on the windowsill - hung with great care. And then it all came flooding back. One round after the next. Round after round. Their talking had become more boustrus. Their laughter louder. As the liquor flowed - their minds' loosened. It had been a great time. But then that fine line was crossed. That singular line. The one that was always a beacon of reference when drinking - that demanded respect because if it was crossed, you'd pay for it. 

But luckily he had been there. By her side the entire evening, joining in on the festivities and raucous laughter. And as she approached that threshold and crossed over, he was still there to take care of her. There were still moments of it that were missing, pieces that she couldn't find, but she remembered him graciously walking her outside - wishing all her friends well before bringing her home. It was nice having someone to lean on during the walk back to the apartment, to hold close against the cold evening air. She didn't remember most of it but there were a few moments she could shake free - seeing the moon between the passing tree branches, his breath against the black sky. And before she knew it, they had arrived. He carried her upstairs and laid her in bed - telling her he'd, 'be right back.' She vaguely remembered him walking in and out a few times - bringing her water, some fresh clothes to put on, hanging her blouse gingerly on the windowsill before finally helping her beneath the covers. 

There were a few more sporadic moments throughout the night that she could remember. How safe she felt in his arms, her back nestled up against his chest and stomach - the way he smelled, the softness of his skin against hers. The radiating heat from his body. How it warmed her to the core. His whispering of "good night," in her ear.

Sitting up in bed, she looked to her side - startled to not see him there. Instead, it was just her comforter, bunched up against the wall. But after a few seconds, she heard it. A low and slow rhythm, coming out from underneath the fabric. Pulling it back just a bit, she could make out his tussled hair amongst the folds. Sliding back into bed, she shimmied over towards him - immediately feeling his heat once again.

She was happy it hadn't been a dream.

Falling Up

It had happened so fast. Before she could even comprehend the situation.

She had just been walking along. Like any other morning - iPod in her ears, grooving to the sweet rhythm N.E.R.D., sipping on her iced coffee. All throughout the park other people were indulging in the same activities. Walking their dogs, jugging down the winding paths - soaking in the fresh morning air. At first she thought it may have just been a passing tremor. One that had occurred far away - sending a few aftershocks or ripples their direction. It didn't last long nor was it that strong, but she had noticed it. Enough that she had to check her footing. But then came another. A little stronger than the last and a little longer. She could tell after the second one it wasn't far away. It was much closer than she had anticipated, but she paid little attention to it. All the lessons back in elementary and middle school were popping up in her mind. She was out in a field, not inside - there was little to worry about. There was nothing around that could fall onto her and it clearly wasn't strong enough of a quake to split the ground beneath her like she had seen in a cheesy sci-fi movie.

But as the second tremor was beginning to subside, she was taken back by the amount of pollen that had been shook lose from the ground. Throughout the park, large plumes were spreading out into the air. Unlike anything she had ever seen. Each mass just hung in the air and continued to rise rather than dispersing back down towards the grass. It was as if something was slowly pulling it skyward - in no rush.

Thats when she heard the first scream.

Looking off in the distance she could see where it was coming from. When she was able to make out what she was seeing - she froze. On the other side of the park was a lady, looking around frantically, yelling out loud. Nothing in particular, but just making noise. In her hands was a leash that was pointing straight into the sky and on the end of it was her dog - suspended in the air and continuing to rise. She could see the woman fighting against whatever force was trying to rob her of her pet. Little by little she was losing her footing - almost pulled onto her toes. Before anyone was able to reach her - she was off the ground herself, floating into the blue morning sky.

And thats when all the other screaming began.

All around her people were beginning to literally take off. Pulled from the ground - along with any other loose objects. Back in one of the parking lots she could see a few cars beginning to rise, blades of grass littered the air around her, even loose dirt was beginning to brush against her face and invade her nose. Not knowing what to do, she threw herself down and dug her hands into the soil. Grabbing as much grass and sod as she could. As much as she fought it though, she could feel her legs lifting up toward the sky. It didn't take long before she was completely vertical - holding on with all she could. And at one point, with one final shutter from the Earth, she could actually feel a shift in the planet. She couldn't explain it, but it no longer felt like she was being sucked up. Now she felt like she was holding on from falling. That if she let go - she'd fall forever, into the sky, until she finally broke through into space and drifted away.

She could feel the grass straining in her fingers - each blade slowing uprooting itself against her weight. All around her people were struggling as well - but failing. Every couple of seconds she could hear someone else fall - their screams echoing out. She couldn't look. Refused to look - holding her eyes shut. She could feel her knuckles beginning to throb, arms start to quake. It wouldn't be long before she fell herself. And at the very last moment before she did - she opened here eyes and looked around. She was all that was left. Everyone else had gone. Fallen down, into the sky. The bright blue abyss below.

When the grass finally did give in, she barely even noticed. It felt as if she was flying. Zooming away from the planet. Even though it felt like she was falling, her mind told her she was taking off like a rocket - blasting into the stratosphere. Everything looked so beautiful - so tiny and minuscule below. It was amazing watching the planet shrink before her eyes the further she fell. It felt like she had been falling for years until it suddenly stopped and everything was plunged into a brilliant white.

As she sat up, she was confused. Almost disappointed it was over. Her entire body was tingling. Each breath she took was more refreshing than the last. She felt wonderful. Light and free. The ground below her feet felt soft and squishy. It wasn't until she felt the condensation collecting on her arm that she realized where she was.

Lost in the clouds.

When I see you, a blanket of stars covers me in my bed

Song of the Day (Mrs. Potter's Lullaby) 10.04.13

Well, we've made it to October. Holy hell.

How did we make it here? Better yet - what am I going to be for Halloween?

But first, lets dive into the weekend with a good tune or two. This week, the song just feels right for the time of year that it is. Yes, sure, it's still warm here in LA, but you can tell it's becoming fall. It's breezier, the nights are colder, and grey clouds litter the morning sky. But most of all, it just feels like autumn. And there is just something about this song that is fitting for the changing weather. Oh right, and that it just always seems to apply itself somehow to my life whenever I listen to it. Most of us can connect to songs depending on our mood - as if they were written for us at the moment we were listening to them - but this song always feels like mine. Regardless of what is going on, I can turn it on and identify with something in the lyrics. Whether it be Fantasy Island, movies, being unhappy with something, the love for someone else - it just always hits close to home. Oh right, and it's a throwback jam from the 90's - so it has that going for it as well. Hopefully you enjoy it as much as I do. It's kind of a classic in my book. This is The Counting Crows' "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby."

Pieces of the World

Yup, just as you imagined, I'm still on my documentary kick. But unlike the last few weeks, I have two to share with you this evening!

The first is literally a perfect example of what a short documentary should be. In under five minutes, it tells a complete story, while managing to keep you entertained the entire time. The music used, the way it is cut, even the footage itself is beautiful. Everything about this video is great. The subects' stories, the way they take pride in their work. And like every video I've shared in the last year, this just makes me want to travel more. Get out and see the world. Appreciate what is out there.

Django Django - WOR from Jim Demuth on Vimeo.


The second piece is also a prime example for what a short documentary should be - but the subject couldn't be any different. Yes, it tells a condensed story. Managing to keep you hooked just like the last. But the overall feeling of this one is less frantic, more subdued. It's much more of an observational piece. It almost hypnotizes you with it's beauty. The crystal blue water, the brilliant green moss dangling from the tree limbs. It makes Canada look absolutely stunning (which obviously it is). Maybe it doesn't do anything for you - but this piece tugged at my heart. Hearing the stories from the workers, of how they want to preserve nature, provide for the woodland creatures, or the little anecdotes about their families. Yet overall, this makes me want to get back into nature. Into the wilderness. Where I have no worries and can relax. Sleep under the stars, breath the fresh air, listen to the crackling of a fire. How it should be.

Restoring The Atleo River from Mark Wyatt on Vimeo.

Wash It Away

It was just one of those days.

When it rained, it poured.

The morning had started off terribly. Somehow in the midst of her sleeping, she managed to reach over towards her alarm no less than three times and turn it off. Luckily for her, she had always had a pretty decent internal clock, which, this morning, woke her up - still way late of when she should have gotten out of bed. So right off the bat she was in a hurry. Banging her leg off the side of the bathtub as she clamored in, cutting her shin slightly and she tried to do a quick spot shave - she was even out of milk by the time she made her way downstairs, head still wrapped up in a towel. So as she stood on the curb, waiting for the bus to arrive, she choked down her coffee - thinking additional sugar would ease the lack of cream.

When the bus finally did pull up in front of her, she was annoyed to see that were no available seats. So she climbed aboard and squeezed in amongst the commuter crowd. Usually lack of personal space didn't bother her, but because of how the morning had already begun, the proximity of everyone around her started to wear on her. She could feel the people around her as they brushed up against her. She could smell their breath lingering in the air - accents of coffee and tea on top of the minty aroma of recently brushed teeth. To her right she could hear the tunes pumping out of someone's iPod - louder than it ever needed to be. Letting the entire bus know what they were listening to. She felt trapped. Confined by these people. Like she was on exihibt. Being tested by her environment.

Thankfully though her stop was just around the block. As the doors opened before her, she lunged at the opportunity to get off. Skipping most of the stairs on the way down - feeling a sense of relief as soon as the cement of the sidewalk made contact with her shoes. As she continued down the block, she felt a slight vibration in her purse. Pulling out her phone, she stopped as she read the message. The big meeting, with the huge client that she had been working on for the last few months had been called off. For one reason or another they had lost the account. Deep down in her chest her heart sank. Behind her eyes she could already feel the tears beginning to form. She had sunk so much of her time into it. Lost weekends and numerous nights of sleep.

As she stood there, bewildered by how horribly the day had not only begun, but continued, she heard the loud clap of thunder echo out above the city and reverberate throughout the buildings. And before she could react, the sky had opened up and was upon her. Thick, fat raindrops pounded into her and splattered against the pavement. In a matter of second she was soaked through - hair matted against her face, blouse and skirt drenched, hugging her skin. All around her people ran for cover while she just stood there with a measly newspaper over her head - the best option she thought of.

But deep down, she didn't mind. The absurdity of the situation brought out a chuckle. And it felt good. Laughing at it all. The oversleep, the shaving accident, the crowded bus, a lost account. It all seemed so silly. Why did she let anything so insignificant get under her skin? There was absolutely no reason.

So she continued on, walking towards her office, unaffected by the rain - the smell of ozone tickling her nose.

And for the first time, in quite some time, she felt a spring in her step.

Drooling

Well, the technological world did it again. Duped me. Kind of like Apple, or any other phone company out there that has the habit on introducing a new product every year, but only changing it ever so slightly, GoPro, the camera company, just did the same thing.

Did what I just say make any sense? Ok - let me try again. A lot of these companies release new products on a two year schedule. The iPhone 5 came out last Sept 2012, and the iPhone 6 will launch in 2014, but a few weeks ago, they released a slightly updated version - just to make a little more cash. You know, to draw in those people who always need the newest and best things (I almost fell for it...but I'll just wait a few more months for the brand new model). Why is this relevant? Well, it took me a long time to finally commit into buying a GoPro and I dove in head first, buying the newest, top-end model a few months ago. And what do you know? Yesterday they released an "in between model"and I'm a little bitter. My major concern with GoPros has always been their rather poor battery life. Well guess what one of the major issues addressed in this new model was? Bingo.

Anywho - it doesn't matter because mine is still one hell of a camera and I'll get much more use out of it before I upgrade again. But that being said - GoPro released a new video shot with their new tech and it couldn't be more drool inducing. Lately I've been playing with the idea of moving. Possibly North up to San Fran and trying to get a job with them. Not in the engineering or designing department, but maybe as an editor or someone out in the field shooting footage. How cool would that be? I'd be able to travel to all these exotic places, doing what I love - shooting and being paid for it. Oh right and I'd be living in San Francisco. Count me in. That's still just a thought though...nothing concrete.

So back on track. No, I'm not writing a story tonight. This video is just too fun and beautiful to ignore. You can be the judge of it yourself, but hopefully you appreciate the imagery, the scope of each shot, the editing, the music, the colors. God. It's so gorgeous.

Yes...and there are lions.