When you blink your eyes...

I made it into Ibiza this morning about 5am. At this point I had been awake for nearly 48 hours, dead tired. I had a few delays and had to transfer airports from Heathrow to Gatwick but somehow the last flight to Ibiza was late as well and I made it on. It left about 1:30AM GMT. Due to my height and legroom requirements I am unable to sleep at all in coach class on the plane. Only maybe for a few minutes here and there but end up with a neck cramp. But that is behind now.

After I got to Ibiza I took a taxi at about 5-5:30am (GMT +1) from the town of Ibiza to San Antonia where our hotel is. It took about 30 minutes and cost about 38 euros. When I arrived my friends where still awake and had been out late. Apparently San Antonio is the more party going city of Ibiza than the actual Ibiza city on the other side of the island.

I went to sleep for about 6-7 hours and felt like a new person. The hotel room is nice and could be much worse from what I've seen of hotels in the area, also the price is right. I went out with Justin today to walk the nearby beaches and lay out in the sun. The weather is perfect. The water is clear and blue. The women on the beaches don't feel the need to wear bikini tops and I am complete agreement. I layed around on the beach making sure to apply sunscreen generously as a sunburn right now could make the rest of the trip less fun. I got some good sun and am feeling good with a nice breeze in a bar with a wireless connection at the moment.

Ibiza appears to be a big British vacation spot. We are some of the few Americans here. Actually I don't think I've met any others on this Island. Tonight we will go out on the town and see what the nightlife in Ibiza is about. I hear they can go all night until the sun comes up. I'm really going to try to pace myself. Otherwise I'll fade early. So far its great, the weather is perfect and people seem to like Americans here. Especially because we are not British as there are a lot of loud and crazy British kids that come out here.

The sunset is coming soon so I need to go. I'll write more once I've had more of a chance to experience Ibiza.

Well I never been to Spain
But I kinda like the music
Say the ladies are insane there
And they sure know how to use it
The don't abuse it
Never gonna lose it
I can't refuse it

....

Well I never been to heaven
But I been to Oklahoma
Well they tell me I was born there
But I really don't remember
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
What does it matter

I am singing the Three Dog Night song in my head as I wake up this morning. It seems fitting right now. I am scheduled to go on a 10-day trip to Spain starting tomorrow morning. It can't come soon enough right now. The only other time I've been to Europe was a trip to the UK in 2004. Its taken me a few years to get back.

I kept putting off a big vacation for reasons such as work and made excuses why I couldn't go. Finally, I decided this summer was the time and I remembered my friend Justin had invited me on his trip to go to Spain. When I realized I still had time to get tickets I went ahead and got the time off approved and purchased the tickets just about a month ago.

The plan right now is to leave out tomorrow from JFK at 8:30 AM and get to San Antonio, Ibiza about 3:30AM local time. I'll be in a country where I don't speak the language in the middle of the night; hopefully able to find my way to the hotel. The current plan is to stay there about 4 nights. It wasn't my first choice to stay there that long but the more I've read about it, it sounds like a fun spot. I read about this place and its sounds great right now, I hope to spend at least one evening at Cafe Del Mar. Also, the beaches on the Mediterranean lined with scantily clad women don't sound to shabby either. The club scene there is supposed to be crazy. While I'm not big into that sort of thing I'm sure I'll go at least a few nights to see what its like. The more relaxed destinations sound more appealing to me to start with.
After Ibiza, we will be flying to Barcelona.

From there the plan is to attend the running of the bulls with tentitive plans to actually run with the bulls at 8AM on Wednesday 7/11. I hear it is actually dangerous and you have to wear white pants and a white t-shirt to participate. I am trying to figure out how I can take photographs as well as run. We may be driving a good stretch across Spain from Barcelona to Pamplona to get there. Either that or take a train. It will be a game time decision but I like the idea of seeing the countryside by car and having the ability to stop along the way.

After a night in Pamplona and seeing and/or participating in the running of the bulls we will head back to Barcelona to finish out the trip on a supposedly swanky hotel on the beach that my buddy Justin got through a large amount of hotel points from traveling at work. I hope to at least have several days in Barcelona to see what its about and check out some museums. I've heard the most positive feedback about Barcelona when mentioning the trip to others who have been to Spain. I'd prefer to spend the most time there, but with the other things going on it may just be 2-3 days right now. We are considering shortening the trip in Ibiza to focus more on Barcelona. Either way it works out I'm fine with it at this point. I can always go back and concentrate on Barcelona on a future trip.
I am going to attempt to write in this journal as often as I can. Hopefully I can get access to a computer with internet most days and update on what's going on. I anticipate taking a lot of photos but I won't really have a way to process or upload them until I get back.

I often think about what makes good art. What makes a piece of art in any form better than others. What are the experiences of those who create this art that allow them to produce it.

One of the best rapper's ever is arguably the Genius from the Wu-tang clan. I was just trying to decide what makes him better than most. His lyrical content is very colurful and intelligent, his delivery and flow are nimble and compelling. There are many good rappers and it there is an amount of personal preference if you like him or not. I have this feeling that even taking into account personal preference, some art is just better than others. I think it comes down to the little details, that is what sets certain art apart from others of that genre or style. Other factors to take into account are timing, influence and originality. The Genius has the originality and started in a strong period for rap music. I think what sets him a part is the small things he does with the delivery and word play that are more advanced than others of his time.

This got me to thinking of Stewart Copeland of the Police. Many consider him to be one of the better drummers ever, if not one of the most original. He has a very unique style of drumming that many have tried to copy. For a drummer it comes down to the details as well. Its the ability to control exactly how hard you are going to hit the drum or cymbol at the right time. I'm no expert on drums, but I do notice that its about not only hitting very hard, but even more so about the delicate precision. Not only does Copeland have the uncommon and original style, its the little details that set him a part.

There are many good artists, but what makes some really great and influential. I think its possible for many people if they try hard enough to learn the skill to create the art, play the music well, what ever the form. But what sets some a part is this extra something where they can originate and put themselves ahead of the rest. I think this comes down partially to several factors including raw talent, life experience and how the person is affected by them, and sheer will to see this talent out to its full potential. I think one of the true tests if something is really great is that it is still compelling years, decades or centuries later.

The Police have stood up well 25+ years so far. I think the Genius' status has increased the 12+ years since he has been out. But how long will it matter. Its hard to deny the genius of Mozart. His work stands up 200+ years after he created it. Maybe the Police or The Genius have no chance of being as great. Its hard to compare, but I think its interesting to think of what Stewart Copeland, The Genius and Mozart all went through to produce "great art". Something about them gave them the ability to originate in their time. I tend to feel a lot of this has to do with the fact that some people are just "geniuses" and are able to focus this power into something amazing and capture it in time through their art. I find this fascinating.

After a long week of work I entered the uptown 1 local stop at 50th and Broadway. As I went through the turnstile I could hear a carnival like sound coming from somewhere inside the waiting area around the tracks. I looked around and saw an old middle eastern man with flowing white hair and a big smile playing on a Casio keyboard. He had on a light colored suit and seemed to enjoy playing this calliope like music. Its common to see people playing music in the subway for change. There was something unusual and interesting about this music. I've noticed a personal trend that I seem to enjoy music with a calliope or carnival like feeling to it for some reason.

As I listened for a bit waiting for the train, I saw a black man doing the Harlem Shake to this music. He was very uninhibited and was very inebriated as I would later find out. There was something about this scene that made me feel very glad to be in this city. I could not help but stand there with a big grin on my face. There was something perfect about the combination of the keyboard player's happy tune with the other man bouncing around wildly to it.

I went back to Oklahoma for the first time in about 4 months this weekend. Just got back to the upper west side. It feels great to be able to come back to the city. I went in and out of Newark because they have a direct flight to OKC, but its a bit of a trek to get out there to take the subway then the bus out there but overall not too bad.
I went to be in the wedding for my friend's Scott and Katie. It was a great time. So much free food and alcoholic beverages and got to see my old friends. I stayed with my friend Dan the former Teenage Hand Model in the rugged streets of south OKC, home to Color Me Badd. Dan said he thought one of the guys from Color Me Badd now owns a tire shop there. I digress, the wedding went well, I'm glad to see that Scott and Katie will be happy together. Its crazy to think they are now married. I got to see the beginning of their relationship less than 2 years ago.

Dan and I kept our tuxedos on all day and went around to several gatherings telling people we are getting our money's worth of the tuxedo rental. Dan took me to his parent's house where his mom who is Nicaraguan was having a tamale party, it was outstanding. The Tejano music was blasting and people were already hotstepping when we came in. After I ate 2 amazing homemade tamales and drank a few more beers Dan's mom didn't have to try to hard to convince me to show my moves. It was good times.

I arrived in New York City last Friday. It was long and tiring to make it here. But, the drive wasn't that bad at all. It was cool to get to see the change in scenery along the way through all the states between Oklahoma and New York. My dad ended up driving the entire way, he likes driving, he said its like meditation to him. I have no need to drive right now which is why it wasn't hard for me to leave my car behind and go to the city relying on public transportation.

We stayed Wednesday night in Indianapolis. I thought that was pretty impressive to make it there by 9:30-10pm having left Oklahoma at noon. We made it to Bethlehem, PA on Thursday night which is just outside of Allentown near the NJ border. Funny enough, there was no room in the inn for Joseph in Bethlehem, at least the first few we tried. Finally we got a room with a double queen for handicapped people that worked out nicely.

It was an easy drive in through New Jersey to Manhattan on Friday, got there by 11:30AM to meet up with my aunt. She has an apartment that I can put all my stuff and stay in for a few weeks until I find a place of my own. That is very nice to have some extra time to look for a place and find a neighborhood I like instead of being in a rush.

I was worried my desktop computer my have had some wear and tear from the long drive and all the shaking and bouncing but it made it in tact and it started up no problem on the other end. We were so tired Friday we just paid some guys to unload all my stuff off of the truck, it was totally worth it. Also, its a 5 story walk-up which makes it an even bigger value. There is no way I wanted to carry my heavy television up there.

My dad is here for a few more days and will then fly out. Then I have a week until I start my new job. Its convenient staying here on the upper west side, not only is it a really nice neighborhood but its an easy subway ride to midtown where my job will be. But I imagine the new place I find will be on the other side of town and farther away. It will be nice to settle into a more permanant spot and spread out a little bit.

Just listening to some Bob James in my aunt's apartment right now drinking some coffee writing this on my aunt's Macbook. My dad and I are going to eat at a diner here in a few minutes. Once I get my internet setup on my computer I'll upload some new photos I've taken. I now finally have the time to relax in new york and have time to fully explore it as much as I want to. I'm ready to meet any interesting and motivated person out there and explore my ideas. Who knows what will happen...

I read that Robert Altman died today. I have only seen a few of his films but I remember liking them, its been awhile. I just finished watching his sprawling 1975 piece Nashville. It really touched me, I have never seen a movie quite like it. Its hard to pin any one word on it. I do believe the man really had a gift for control and carrying out an idea and a feeling.

Its hard to say that there is a traditional plot. None of the characters where very well developed and there were many cameos. Yet, it all holds together as a whole and kept my eyes glued to the screen. It sounds weird, but the picture that came into my head a few times was a bunch of marbles rolling around hitting eachother. Their really wasn't all that much conflict. The characters didn't seem to be that affected by what was happening to them. I feel like it was a profound statement, yet its hard to pin the statement to one thing.

I felt like the pacing and editing was very advanced and well thought out yet the characters really existed in this film on their own. It really made me think differently about what a film can be. Lilly Tomlin was especially great in a way I haven't seen her before. Its hard to single out one character, they were all almost puppets in this environment. Its really kind of creepy when I think about it. The film makes political statements and statements about open-minded thinking but its not preachy.

I can see how some could say it could be edited down further, often times Altman would play entire songs without cutting them at all. Most if not all of the songs are original compositions for the film. In a way it made me think of a Christopher Guest mockumentary, but I don't know that it was exactly mocking any one thing. Also, I felt like he was saying something about the affects of war and the Kennedy's being assasinated and people being desensitized to it. I'm sure there are many other points to the film and it deserves another viewing. But, the choreography of the huge cast and extras intertwining in and out of the frame and allowing the viewer to still maintain context is impressive. I can say I have never seen anything quite like it and I didn't want to look away but wasn't always sure why. In my opinion that is the mark of a great work of art.

Next week I'm moving out of Oklahoma for the first time in my life. Moving to a city I've always dreamed of exploring further, New York City. I decided earlier this year it was the time for me to give it a shot. It took a lot of work to plan for it and get the job I wanted there. Its finally happening.

This will be a big change and I feel like I'm ready for it. I don't know exactly what will happen there, but I have a good feeling about it. I've grown to appreciate Oklahoma City over the past 4 years. I've met many people here I will miss, but this is the time for me to move on. I'm getting rid of a lot of my stuff to make an easier move and I know I won't have as much space there anyway. I'm ready to make a lot of new friends in New York and see what will happen for me there. I will be busy at the new job getting up to speed starting after labor day. Hopefully I'll have some free time on the weekends to start getting into some new photography projects in the near future, but I know the job will be taking up a lot of my time especially at first. I'm not exactly sure what part of the city I will be living in yet, but I will have a few weeks once I get there to figure that out.

When I was there a few weeks ago I mainly went for the interviews which was gruelling. I was going all around Manhattan in 100 degree heat in a suit, trying to make the best impression possible. I did get a chance to visit the Internation Center of Photography on the weekend and was very inspired by one exhibit in particular. It was the first time I saw the work of Atta Kim. The prints were massive. They were also back-lit which really helped them stand out. I read afterwards that Kim had an engineering degree and didn't start photographing actively until later in his life. It reminded me of what I have gone through so far. I don't know how far I will go with the photography or if I may want to move more into video or cinematography, but it was really inspiring. Possibly someday I could be at that level. I hope to meet Mr. Kim sometime in the next few years, I read he was originally from Korea but now lives in New York. Seeing his work and reading his story also reminded me that there is no rush. Everything will happen when its supposed to.

Now what is to happen for me is to move to the big city and meet all the people I can and improve myself and find myself more than I ever have before. Outside of that who knows what the future will bring.

I've made a few changes to the design of the site today including these clouds in the background. I'm not 100% sure if I'm going to keep them or not, but right now I like them. The initial user reaction tests I did people thought it was an improvement for the most part. I think it gives it more character than the monotonous gray background.

I've also started trying to start making everything XTML compliant and replace some of my previous table driven layouts more with CSS. I like CSS and think it can do some really cool thinks but it can also be a real pain for certain things that were trivial with tables. Also, making things look the same in both IE and Firefox can waste a lot of your time trying to figure out certain hacks or bugs, mainly with IE6. It took me awhile to make the layout always stretch to the bottom using only DIV's and make it work in both IE and Firefox.

I have added 2 new sections to to the front page, one to show the recent entries in blink. The other to show the last 5 photos I've posted to flickr. Hopefully this will make it easier to see when something has been updated in one spot. I'm still thinking about adding an about section or something and maybe moving links inside of it. The links section seems out of place to me, but I like having that info there somewhere.

One of my favorite small record labels in the last several years has been Star Time out of New York. I started when I got the first albums from Walkmen and French Kicks and realized they were both on that label. I saw something about The Jogger's on there about 6 months before they released an album, I couldn't get enough of that first single "Back to the Future". They turned out to be one of my favorite bands, I love both of their albums.

A few months back I was on that site again and noticed a band called Foreign Born. I listened to the track on the site called "We Had Pleasure" and I loved it. I have been listening to that one track on repeat for the last few weeks off and on. I was lucky enough to find a used copy of the 5 song EP they have out yesterday. I really like their sound. I read they were from LA which was a bit surprising, reminded me of another band out of LA that I love called Autolux.

Its hard to exactly pinpoint Foreign Born. The EP starts out and I'm thinking Gang of Four and Joy Divison or something. But then they keep meandering in and out of differeng sounds that fit together nicely. We Had Pleasure, the song that got me into them is second and it is a catchy rocker. Great atmospheric synth backing. It also has drum sounds that remind me of New Order and Joy Division or something the way its processed. You can say they have an 80s influence but I wouldn't say its exactly an 80s throwback sound, there is something new in with it. The third track It Grew on You, feels more modern to me, almost Interpol and Walkmen type of atmospheric guitars. Who are some of my favorite bands. Exactly on the Verge the fourth track, is probably the song I've listened to the most so far after We Had Pleasure. It makes me think a little of Jesus and Mary Chain but more hopeful. It has a certain kind of epic feeling to it.

I realized this EP was released a year ago to the day that I purchased it, makes me wonder if they are going to do anything else. I think this is very promising, its a kind of sound I really can get into.