When I was a little kid, all I wanted to do was be an artist. Well, not BE and artist. I just always knew I could draw and I enjoyed it. After I graduated college I felt a little spent with creating art. I had my degree in graphic design and I was now embarking on my career as a graphic designer. And for nearly 10 years... I shelved my fine art pursuits. I was burnt out on creating art for other people, which is what I did the last 2.5 years of college. I also didn't feel like I had a voice. Actually, I felt a lack of personal voice in my art for most of my life. I could replicate something and could draw pretty pictures but there just wasn't any of ME behind it. Then, after getting back to reading recreationally, I found that I was very interested in writing. Mostly fiction, free verse, poems, etc. I actually wrote a novel which I completed in 4 months, entitled October. It was never fully revised due to losing my focus in the revisional process. Then, once again life got very complicated and closed the door on my creative outlet, once again. I'd piddle around but for the most part, I was not writing or creating visual art. I was busy living and experiencing I guess. Then, I moved to Gainesville, Florida... and all of that changed.
Within a few months of living in Gainesville, I found myself very much out of sorts. I missed my old Orlando haunts and friends. Gainesville quickly proved to lack what I felt I fundamentally needed. And, I was very bored. I had my lady and my cat and a few add on friends... but felt my ability to connect with people (which I pride myself on) was somehow disarmed. I really felt myself going through a major metamorphosis. Forced to adapt and change many things about my life. It was a very unsure, turbulent time for me in many avenues of my life. And with the boredom and lack of place... came the birth of MY art.
I believe that the single major factor in my art finally coming out and being produced was when I got a sketchbook. I began writing in my sketchbook mostly at first. Talked about the shit I was going through and generally vented. I felt like noone really understood where I was coming from. Many of my friends felt like I just missed Orlando and couldn't adapt to Gainesville. There were a lot of factors involved in my unhappiness so I needed something to hold myself together. Something to make me feel like ME. Art was what I needed.
Within the 1st year of getting my first sketchbook, I had produced various drawings and created my first 2 major art pieces; Bliss and Captive Pleasure. They were shown in two art shows that first year and I learned a lot from those experiences. I felt like I was finally back on track for being who I felt I truly was meant to become. Kris Bristol - ARTIST! It was a title and personality designation I felt fit me the best.
In my second year of creation, I showed Bliss at another art show and had a very good response which almost led to me selling my very first art piece. When that deal fell through, I was a little bitter but it became my motivation to produce more and to push my art even further. This led me to produce my next two pieces; Calor and Primp, which are scheduled for their first exhibition in mid-February.
Also, in my second year... I found a platform that I felt fit what I wanted to share with the world. The graphic novel. This mixes my story telling and illustration, allowing me to share what all of the stories inside me in a visually appealing way. Ironically, when I first got back into making art again... I choose to tackle the two things I felt I had never mastered but had always been intrigued by. Pen and Ink & drawing the human female form. Two things that involved a high level or delicacy and restraint. Having always been a very gestural, fast paced illustrator, I knew I had to pull back and dig deep to grasp my new medium. I dove in with both feet and practiced until I got it right. I could see my improvement as the months went by and everything just seemed to take on a mind of it's own, almost in a serendipitous way.
After deciding to make graphic novels, I began my first graphic epic, the Home Film series. I started developing the 1st of 7 novels which combined made one seven-part series. Also, along the way I too a break to produce something for the Art House - Sketchbook Project. I decided to create a new graphic story for this book, which when finished showed a full story illustrated in rough form. It was my 1st completed graphic novel and it helped me learn about what I would need to do when I began illustrating the Home Film series.
All along... I have made it my mission to maintain my own ideals when producing MY art. I explored myself and the message I wanted to covey taking all of the skills I acquired in my day job as Art Director to produce a legitimate professional graphic novel, 100 percent independently. I felt that it was time to begin work on my personal legacy. To take my tools, hash out what was inside my head and finally see the concept of NOVEL, before me in a visual form. Anticipation of the end product is what continues to drive me forward.
I have also continued to develop my t-shirt design illustrations. I've research screen printing and ways which I can make shirt myself. Many amazing little gifts have been revealed to me along the way. Each step I make in my art career, I feel my confidence grow, my path clearer revealed and my creative fulfillment satisfied. The journey continues.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Victory to those who voted Democrat
The fight is over. The smoke has cleared. A year and a half of campaigning has come down to one day. November 4th, 2008. The dawn of a new era. A new leader. A new President elect. After eight long, hard years, we now have a new man to be seated the big chair, at the White House. For those who campaigned for him... victory is sweet. Oh... so sweet. For those who fell short, the world seems bleak. Who will hear OUR voice, you ask? How will OUR ideals be considered and will this country reflect that which WE believe? To those people, I have one question... "Do you think the country was run well the past 8 years?" If you think so, then I strongly disagree. I exercised my right to vote on two previous occasions and I didn't feel as though my vote was counted. In two very close races with suspect results... a man who's face looks less than honest, who's actions seem anything but noble and a MAN who did not seem to have the best intentions for this nation and it's people, was appointed to rule. I feel strongly that this man and his cabinet failed us as an American people. On two different occasions I saw the votes being cast for this man by the people of this country and asked myself HOW? WHY? I had little hope for the people of this country. Still, after so many years and so many leaps forward, it seemed as though this country was still too backwards, racist and preoccupied by the wrong thing to make a decision that seemed based on logic and good intentions. I am one man... I cast one vote and I have one viewpoint about life and how I'd like this country to be run. In every American lies this right. To believe as you wish and to cast your vote based on the ideals you hold true, to yourself. I may not agree with them, but it is your right as an American citizen.
Now, the shoe is on the other foot. We (the Democrats) have cast our vote and finally feel that our voice has been heard. That the ballots were finally counted correctly and there was a clear- cut winner. No chads... no thrown out ballots... not even a close race to spark questions of doubt. Therefore, we are lined up for four years of a very different government. I personally have never seen a candidate that I felt to strongly would have the best intentions of this nation in mind. One who is ready to push for change, fairness, equality and liberty for all. Concepts I once felt were forgotten in the White House. The first black President in history. Someone new... fresh and different. With a different style and demeanor. A man who claims to break down the walls of old school politics... and put a fresh face on what America is REALLY all about. Not the good ol' boy network. Not greed and preserving the one... but attempting to hear the voice of the many.
Republicans, you had your shot. You voted in the man from Texas, not once but twice and where are we? In a war that seems without end. Attempting to avenge the violence taken out on our citizens on 9/11. Yet, 8 years later we're still left unfulfilled and the wrong has not been set right. Our country is in a Recession and our morale is low. Eight years to make the right decisions... but they have not been made. And what does the Republican party provide as a leader to bring us out of this state of harsh adversity... McCain/Palin. A ticket that appears to have the same in store for us and no new tricks up it's sleeve. Out dated (McCain) and painfully inexperienced (Palin).
And what does the Democratic party provide. A man who brings HOPE... who preaches of CHANGE... and makes promised to rebuild this country. A country that is no stranger to adversity and difficult times. But what of our resilience as a people? America has always stood up to it's challenge and moved into the face of fear, only to prosper and refuse to sit down and stay down. Yet, this can only be done with existence of good LEADERSHIP! A word that has long since been forgotten by the American people, when it comes to it's government.
I couldn't be happier with results of 11-4-08. I feel the candidate that was elected to lead US and who is given the grand task of rebuilding this country is exactly what we need. No one man or one government can please everyone it governs. There will always be criticism... especially from apposing parties. But... this is democracy. Majority rules and is given the chance to rule in our political system. People often seem afraid of change, but when the alternative is MORE OF THE SAME... change is not only desired but NEEDED if we are to move into the future as the strong country we have always been.
Barack Obama is the FACE of CHANGE. Different ideas... different skin... different from all who have come before him. And with good right. The representative of this country... as we are as a people... here in 2008, should be someone that's NOT afraid to take new chances and think outside the box. Our international world view right now is HORRIBLE. Most of the world sees America as a bunch of old, closed-minded, bullies who have only greed, power and selfishness in their heart. That does not represent ME? Does that represent YOU? Let's do things the right way. Working in alliance with the world and not against it. Because the problems or our time require the world help.
So much emphasis has been put on Obama being the first black President... but why should the color of his skin over-shadow his character as a person. We've come a long way... and there's no room for prejudice and racism in todays world. We should ALL be created equal... white, black, gay, straight, Christian and Atheist. This is AMERICA! We are made up of all shapes and sizes and always have been. It's what sets us apart from many nations of the world. We are EVERYONE and EVERYTHING. Yet, there are still closed-minded people in this nation who are afraid of change. Fearing that THEIR standard of living will be compromised. Change is inevitable people... just like death and taxes. Nothing ever stays the same and what would we be... how would we grown and prosper if it DID stay the same? There will always be a fight between the Conservative and the Liberal. We will never change each others minds... but we must always strive for tolerance, understanding and acceptance if we're ever going to grow.
The task at hand is running the country and it's quite a big task at that, especially at this time in history. So, here's to 4 years of something new. Something different and a change in the way things have been done for the past 8 years. Because no matter what you political affiliation... or personal beliefs... I think we can ALL agree... the country has not been run very well in the 2000's and we need CHANGE in order to set our course straight.
And to all those our there who think us Democrats are crazy for electing Obama as President of the United States. That he is an Elitist, A snob, a Communist figure-head... Well folks, we've had to endure 8 years of someone we considered a plague to American government, who had NONE of our ideals in mind. So basically... sit down and shut up... it's our turn! You had your chance and you failed.
President Barack Obama... I like the sound of that. It's nice to have HOPE again, and it's refreshing to have a President that I feel I can respect... because I feel he respects us in return. More than I can say for the current powers that be.
And to Bush/Chaney... don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out! PEACE!
That's my time - Kris
Now, the shoe is on the other foot. We (the Democrats) have cast our vote and finally feel that our voice has been heard. That the ballots were finally counted correctly and there was a clear- cut winner. No chads... no thrown out ballots... not even a close race to spark questions of doubt. Therefore, we are lined up for four years of a very different government. I personally have never seen a candidate that I felt to strongly would have the best intentions of this nation in mind. One who is ready to push for change, fairness, equality and liberty for all. Concepts I once felt were forgotten in the White House. The first black President in history. Someone new... fresh and different. With a different style and demeanor. A man who claims to break down the walls of old school politics... and put a fresh face on what America is REALLY all about. Not the good ol' boy network. Not greed and preserving the one... but attempting to hear the voice of the many.
Republicans, you had your shot. You voted in the man from Texas, not once but twice and where are we? In a war that seems without end. Attempting to avenge the violence taken out on our citizens on 9/11. Yet, 8 years later we're still left unfulfilled and the wrong has not been set right. Our country is in a Recession and our morale is low. Eight years to make the right decisions... but they have not been made. And what does the Republican party provide as a leader to bring us out of this state of harsh adversity... McCain/Palin. A ticket that appears to have the same in store for us and no new tricks up it's sleeve. Out dated (McCain) and painfully inexperienced (Palin).
And what does the Democratic party provide. A man who brings HOPE... who preaches of CHANGE... and makes promised to rebuild this country. A country that is no stranger to adversity and difficult times. But what of our resilience as a people? America has always stood up to it's challenge and moved into the face of fear, only to prosper and refuse to sit down and stay down. Yet, this can only be done with existence of good LEADERSHIP! A word that has long since been forgotten by the American people, when it comes to it's government.
I couldn't be happier with results of 11-4-08. I feel the candidate that was elected to lead US and who is given the grand task of rebuilding this country is exactly what we need. No one man or one government can please everyone it governs. There will always be criticism... especially from apposing parties. But... this is democracy. Majority rules and is given the chance to rule in our political system. People often seem afraid of change, but when the alternative is MORE OF THE SAME... change is not only desired but NEEDED if we are to move into the future as the strong country we have always been.
Barack Obama is the FACE of CHANGE. Different ideas... different skin... different from all who have come before him. And with good right. The representative of this country... as we are as a people... here in 2008, should be someone that's NOT afraid to take new chances and think outside the box. Our international world view right now is HORRIBLE. Most of the world sees America as a bunch of old, closed-minded, bullies who have only greed, power and selfishness in their heart. That does not represent ME? Does that represent YOU? Let's do things the right way. Working in alliance with the world and not against it. Because the problems or our time require the world help.
So much emphasis has been put on Obama being the first black President... but why should the color of his skin over-shadow his character as a person. We've come a long way... and there's no room for prejudice and racism in todays world. We should ALL be created equal... white, black, gay, straight, Christian and Atheist. This is AMERICA! We are made up of all shapes and sizes and always have been. It's what sets us apart from many nations of the world. We are EVERYONE and EVERYTHING. Yet, there are still closed-minded people in this nation who are afraid of change. Fearing that THEIR standard of living will be compromised. Change is inevitable people... just like death and taxes. Nothing ever stays the same and what would we be... how would we grown and prosper if it DID stay the same? There will always be a fight between the Conservative and the Liberal. We will never change each others minds... but we must always strive for tolerance, understanding and acceptance if we're ever going to grow.
The task at hand is running the country and it's quite a big task at that, especially at this time in history. So, here's to 4 years of something new. Something different and a change in the way things have been done for the past 8 years. Because no matter what you political affiliation... or personal beliefs... I think we can ALL agree... the country has not been run very well in the 2000's and we need CHANGE in order to set our course straight.
And to all those our there who think us Democrats are crazy for electing Obama as President of the United States. That he is an Elitist, A snob, a Communist figure-head... Well folks, we've had to endure 8 years of someone we considered a plague to American government, who had NONE of our ideals in mind. So basically... sit down and shut up... it's our turn! You had your chance and you failed.
President Barack Obama... I like the sound of that. It's nice to have HOPE again, and it's refreshing to have a President that I feel I can respect... because I feel he respects us in return. More than I can say for the current powers that be.
And to Bush/Chaney... don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out! PEACE!
That's my time - Kris
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Who The Hell Cares? Really!
I have a firm belief in everyones right to do whatever the hell they want to do. I mean aside from killing a bunch of people or taking a deuce in a community punch bowl. I think you know where I'm coming from with this. I just think if someone wants to be different... let them be different. If they want to have purple hair, tattoo their body from head to toe, pierce their clit and run a chain from it to their nostril, that is their RIGHT! I am very big on everyone having the ability to make their own decisions. I don't believe their is really a right and wrong way to do things, only preconceived ideas of what right and wrong is.
Example: Johnny Fingers decides to do A. but Sally Smooth thinks it should be done THIS way. Johnny does the task his own way and it's accomplished just done in a different way than Sally would do it. Now, if you get to the same place and the task gets accomplished, then what's the fucking DIFFERENCE on how it's done? Because a book says so? The internet? A guide book? Eff that! If you can figure out how to do it in a way that is pleasing to you... and you get it done... do it. Who the fuck cares how anyone else does it. Johnny is getting it done... then we're done here. And if Sally doesn't like it... she needs to lighten up. If Johnny isn't telling her how to do things... then she shouldn't do it to Johnny.
As a society we are taught the right and wrong ways to do things. Dress, speak, act, walk, talk, believe. Who makes up these standards? Do I care to impress this person? Nah... not really. Am I on this planet to impress anyone? No! If something that I do impresses you, sweet. If you are not impressed... it really makes no difference to me. Many people say that but do they mean it? Well, I mean it like I am saying it. If you like what I am cooking... sit down and have a helping. If not... there a plenty of other restaurants in the area who would love to have your business. I've meet people who are bent on pleasing others. I mean to a fault. They feel all broken up inside if they don't do something the way someone else expects them to. I've been that person in my life and over time you come to realize that it's a fleeting concept. Impressing someone, for what? Acceptance? HA! We grow up believing we need to be accepted in some way by people deem worth of this acceptance. Family, friends, society, peers. WHY? People should spend more time being who they are and less time giving a FUCK what other people think. Sure, be polite and treat people as you would like them to treat you, but bending over backwards to be accepted is a no win battle. Because if you do meet this persons standards... you find you lose a lot of yourself in the process. And what's that? Ill productive. You be you... I'll be me... and if we like what each other has to offer, awesome. If not... you have your pick of everyone else in the world to choose from.
We must always strive to grow, adapt and change in ways that are productive and healthy... but being expected to be something for someone else is flat ludacris! We all talk about each other. It's human nature. Look what he did! Can you believe she's wearing that? And on and on! BUT... does it all really matter? If you walked up to someone and told them how they were being different and the turned around and did it the way you preferred... would you respect them? NO... you'd see them as a puppet. You'd LOSE respect for them. And respect is all we ask for in this world. Not to be the same... not to be popular or have the coolest shit. Just to be respected by your peers. And when it's all said and done and I look back on my life... I'd like people to respect me for being me. For doing what I choose to do with my life. For finding my rainbow and little piece of heaven.
I look around and try to figure out if I am consorting with people who do this. Yeah, I know people who judge other people and I have a name for them. Acquaintances! People who are real and down to earth and are really more worried about you being a good friend than if you are doing X, Y or Z to please them... those are people I call friends.
I spent a good part of my childhood being called names and judged because of what I didn't have and didn't do to make people like me... then I woke up and started doing things the way I like to do them. And do you know what? People started doing this really weird thing... they started RESPECTING ME! WOW... crazy concept.
So, to everyone out there who is playing the game by their own rules... respect. And if it's not the way I do it... shit... all the more respect. You are doing what you want with YOUR life. I respect that. There are no written rules of how anyone should live their life. This is not like football or waterpolo, it's life. Everyone has the right to make their own rules, should they choose to. There are laws but that's not a rule. You can choose to break a law and if you get caught breaking a law, you suffer the consequences but that was your choose. The Bible is not a set of rules. It's a book written by man about a human being who existed. Many of the things in the Bible are fact, many fiction but for some person to walk up to me and tell me that I am WRONG because I am not doing what THEIR bible tells them to do, ha... well that person better be ready for me to laugh in their face.
I am not asking anyone to believe with or agree with what I think or believe. Quite the contrary. I want you to have an opinion about something based on who YOU are and what YOU believe. If we differ... so be it. There is a pretty good chance that every person on this planet, no matter how similar, will disagree about a number of things. We are not clones or robots. We were built to have a complex mind with our own individual thoughts. Some the same as others, some different. That's part of being human. What I don't understand is those people who are bent on making everyone think and believe like they do. Or their religions believes. Or their political affiliation or sports team or... you get my drift. If someone wants to root for your sports team... then they can and you have another member in your group. We like to group up and be around people who think like we do. Understandably so. But don't PUSH your politics on people. If someone wants to find out about what you are selling, they'll stick around. If they aren't... become familiar with what the back of their head looks like.
When I was in high school during my senior year, the time came to make our senior t-shirt. Well, everyone had their little catch phrase for 1994. Out the door in '94. Blah blah blah. I saw what was offered for slogans and also t-shirt designs and I was not happy. Being an artist and at the time a member of the art department, I felt like I needed to throw my hat in the ring and see what I could do. Long story short, my design got picked and the slogan was something which pretty much left an impression on me the rest of my life. I remember where it came from too. While sitting in homeroom... I was trying to come up with a slogan that worked with my design. Something out of the ordinary and unexpected. Well, it came from a kid who sat next to me. This kid was very different. He had a mohawk, dressed different and pretty much walked and talked individuality. When he said the words, I knew they were the ones I wanted on my design and ones I wanted to represent me. "Dare to be Different". Perfect! So, my design was voted in and many of the people in school who prided themselves on running in their own little conformity groups and thought they were all the hot shit ended up buying and wearing my design as their senior t-shirt. And the day when all the seniors were asked to wear their senior shirt for the big group picture in the gym... I chuckled to myself. Now, every time I look at my senior year book and gaze upon that picture, I think about how I made a little bit of a mark. I was not on any sports teams... wasn't the top of my class and I did not date the head cheerleader, but I made an impression. I said what I had to say and everyone had to listen to it because it was on their t-shirt. My point isn't that I did good or I changed the minds of people... it's just that I did something 'different' and it made me feel good.
Through my life I've not always done what I wanted to do. I've compromised myself to a fault and given too much power to what people have thought of me and everything I preach against in this blog. But I have always made the effort to be an individual... not for the sake of being an individual but because it's who I am. I'm sure plenty of people might have their opinion about that, but I feel pretty confident in saying that I walk what I talk everyday of my life. I do my best to anyway.
In life, we often have disappointment. We are disappointed by something or someone or we do the disappointing. But each time that happens, I ask myself... what does it all really matter? Did I learn from my disappointment? Yes! When I did the disappointing, did others learn... perhaps, you'd have to ask them. But in the end... we are here to impress one person. One person who our decisions really effect most. One person who has to live with the decisions we make on a daily basis. That one person is ourselves. So, in an attempt to make a good impression on ourselves and to be all that we can be, for ourselves... we must always keep ourselves in mind when making choices in life. I'm not saying to be completely selfish... but to always consider how we want to do things. Because if we walk through life in an attempt to please everyone else, we find that we leave very little for ourselves.
I've seen people close to me sacrifice years and years of their lives in an attempt to make others happy. People they love and who they think love them back. Making all the sacrifices they can to make the other person happy. And as time moves on, they find out that those people did not do the same for them. And now they are left holding the their hearts in their hands asking why? Did I not do enough for that person? Did I not give enough? Love enough? Do enough to make them happy? But what they failed to realize was that the person who was being slighted was them... and the reason they were slighted was because they let themselves give too much of themselves to someone else and got nothing in return. No consideration for who THEY were. What their hopes and dreams were. Life is full of lessons and we have plenty of situations to learn from. So, be who you are and live your life how you want to and don't let anyone tell you that you are doing something wrong.
Just remember... people who follow all the rules in life are not the ones who are remembered. Those who push the limits... draw outside the lines... create their own persona and take the road less traveled are the ones we read about in history books. Do it the way you want to do it and let no one tell you you can't or that you are doing it wrong. And if you don't like what I have to say... GOOD... you are already expressing your own thoughts and opinions. :)
Keep on truckin'.
Example: Johnny Fingers decides to do A. but Sally Smooth thinks it should be done THIS way. Johnny does the task his own way and it's accomplished just done in a different way than Sally would do it. Now, if you get to the same place and the task gets accomplished, then what's the fucking DIFFERENCE on how it's done? Because a book says so? The internet? A guide book? Eff that! If you can figure out how to do it in a way that is pleasing to you... and you get it done... do it. Who the fuck cares how anyone else does it. Johnny is getting it done... then we're done here. And if Sally doesn't like it... she needs to lighten up. If Johnny isn't telling her how to do things... then she shouldn't do it to Johnny.
As a society we are taught the right and wrong ways to do things. Dress, speak, act, walk, talk, believe. Who makes up these standards? Do I care to impress this person? Nah... not really. Am I on this planet to impress anyone? No! If something that I do impresses you, sweet. If you are not impressed... it really makes no difference to me. Many people say that but do they mean it? Well, I mean it like I am saying it. If you like what I am cooking... sit down and have a helping. If not... there a plenty of other restaurants in the area who would love to have your business. I've meet people who are bent on pleasing others. I mean to a fault. They feel all broken up inside if they don't do something the way someone else expects them to. I've been that person in my life and over time you come to realize that it's a fleeting concept. Impressing someone, for what? Acceptance? HA! We grow up believing we need to be accepted in some way by people deem worth of this acceptance. Family, friends, society, peers. WHY? People should spend more time being who they are and less time giving a FUCK what other people think. Sure, be polite and treat people as you would like them to treat you, but bending over backwards to be accepted is a no win battle. Because if you do meet this persons standards... you find you lose a lot of yourself in the process. And what's that? Ill productive. You be you... I'll be me... and if we like what each other has to offer, awesome. If not... you have your pick of everyone else in the world to choose from.
We must always strive to grow, adapt and change in ways that are productive and healthy... but being expected to be something for someone else is flat ludacris! We all talk about each other. It's human nature. Look what he did! Can you believe she's wearing that? And on and on! BUT... does it all really matter? If you walked up to someone and told them how they were being different and the turned around and did it the way you preferred... would you respect them? NO... you'd see them as a puppet. You'd LOSE respect for them. And respect is all we ask for in this world. Not to be the same... not to be popular or have the coolest shit. Just to be respected by your peers. And when it's all said and done and I look back on my life... I'd like people to respect me for being me. For doing what I choose to do with my life. For finding my rainbow and little piece of heaven.
I look around and try to figure out if I am consorting with people who do this. Yeah, I know people who judge other people and I have a name for them. Acquaintances! People who are real and down to earth and are really more worried about you being a good friend than if you are doing X, Y or Z to please them... those are people I call friends.
I spent a good part of my childhood being called names and judged because of what I didn't have and didn't do to make people like me... then I woke up and started doing things the way I like to do them. And do you know what? People started doing this really weird thing... they started RESPECTING ME! WOW... crazy concept.
So, to everyone out there who is playing the game by their own rules... respect. And if it's not the way I do it... shit... all the more respect. You are doing what you want with YOUR life. I respect that. There are no written rules of how anyone should live their life. This is not like football or waterpolo, it's life. Everyone has the right to make their own rules, should they choose to. There are laws but that's not a rule. You can choose to break a law and if you get caught breaking a law, you suffer the consequences but that was your choose. The Bible is not a set of rules. It's a book written by man about a human being who existed. Many of the things in the Bible are fact, many fiction but for some person to walk up to me and tell me that I am WRONG because I am not doing what THEIR bible tells them to do, ha... well that person better be ready for me to laugh in their face.
I am not asking anyone to believe with or agree with what I think or believe. Quite the contrary. I want you to have an opinion about something based on who YOU are and what YOU believe. If we differ... so be it. There is a pretty good chance that every person on this planet, no matter how similar, will disagree about a number of things. We are not clones or robots. We were built to have a complex mind with our own individual thoughts. Some the same as others, some different. That's part of being human. What I don't understand is those people who are bent on making everyone think and believe like they do. Or their religions believes. Or their political affiliation or sports team or... you get my drift. If someone wants to root for your sports team... then they can and you have another member in your group. We like to group up and be around people who think like we do. Understandably so. But don't PUSH your politics on people. If someone wants to find out about what you are selling, they'll stick around. If they aren't... become familiar with what the back of their head looks like.
When I was in high school during my senior year, the time came to make our senior t-shirt. Well, everyone had their little catch phrase for 1994. Out the door in '94. Blah blah blah. I saw what was offered for slogans and also t-shirt designs and I was not happy. Being an artist and at the time a member of the art department, I felt like I needed to throw my hat in the ring and see what I could do. Long story short, my design got picked and the slogan was something which pretty much left an impression on me the rest of my life. I remember where it came from too. While sitting in homeroom... I was trying to come up with a slogan that worked with my design. Something out of the ordinary and unexpected. Well, it came from a kid who sat next to me. This kid was very different. He had a mohawk, dressed different and pretty much walked and talked individuality. When he said the words, I knew they were the ones I wanted on my design and ones I wanted to represent me. "Dare to be Different". Perfect! So, my design was voted in and many of the people in school who prided themselves on running in their own little conformity groups and thought they were all the hot shit ended up buying and wearing my design as their senior t-shirt. And the day when all the seniors were asked to wear their senior shirt for the big group picture in the gym... I chuckled to myself. Now, every time I look at my senior year book and gaze upon that picture, I think about how I made a little bit of a mark. I was not on any sports teams... wasn't the top of my class and I did not date the head cheerleader, but I made an impression. I said what I had to say and everyone had to listen to it because it was on their t-shirt. My point isn't that I did good or I changed the minds of people... it's just that I did something 'different' and it made me feel good.
Through my life I've not always done what I wanted to do. I've compromised myself to a fault and given too much power to what people have thought of me and everything I preach against in this blog. But I have always made the effort to be an individual... not for the sake of being an individual but because it's who I am. I'm sure plenty of people might have their opinion about that, but I feel pretty confident in saying that I walk what I talk everyday of my life. I do my best to anyway.
In life, we often have disappointment. We are disappointed by something or someone or we do the disappointing. But each time that happens, I ask myself... what does it all really matter? Did I learn from my disappointment? Yes! When I did the disappointing, did others learn... perhaps, you'd have to ask them. But in the end... we are here to impress one person. One person who our decisions really effect most. One person who has to live with the decisions we make on a daily basis. That one person is ourselves. So, in an attempt to make a good impression on ourselves and to be all that we can be, for ourselves... we must always keep ourselves in mind when making choices in life. I'm not saying to be completely selfish... but to always consider how we want to do things. Because if we walk through life in an attempt to please everyone else, we find that we leave very little for ourselves.
I've seen people close to me sacrifice years and years of their lives in an attempt to make others happy. People they love and who they think love them back. Making all the sacrifices they can to make the other person happy. And as time moves on, they find out that those people did not do the same for them. And now they are left holding the their hearts in their hands asking why? Did I not do enough for that person? Did I not give enough? Love enough? Do enough to make them happy? But what they failed to realize was that the person who was being slighted was them... and the reason they were slighted was because they let themselves give too much of themselves to someone else and got nothing in return. No consideration for who THEY were. What their hopes and dreams were. Life is full of lessons and we have plenty of situations to learn from. So, be who you are and live your life how you want to and don't let anyone tell you that you are doing something wrong.
Just remember... people who follow all the rules in life are not the ones who are remembered. Those who push the limits... draw outside the lines... create their own persona and take the road less traveled are the ones we read about in history books. Do it the way you want to do it and let no one tell you you can't or that you are doing it wrong. And if you don't like what I have to say... GOOD... you are already expressing your own thoughts and opinions. :)
Keep on truckin'.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
What I'm All About
I'm 6 foot nothin'. 100 and nothin'. I gots bad grammar & can't spell worth a shit. I have skills to pay the bills and also skills that don't earn me a damn thing. I have unnaturally soft hands for a man. There is a method to my madness but I'm still trying to figure out what that is. I mumble... curse a LOT and I've been known to make people laugh on occasion... but I am not a joke teller. I'm very random. Sometimes I have a pattern in how I do things and at other times there is no rhyme or reason to it what-so-ever. I am very liberal but I expect a lot out of people when I need them to do something. I don't like wasting my time and I dislike fakeness, people who are preachy, people who expect me to be something I'm not and I generally don't like to be told what to do. I have a forgettably-memorable face and I've been told I look like a lot of different people. I have a doopleganger who's a homeless man who walks around downtown Orlando. I drink soda by day and vodka drinks by night. My favorite color is red and I enjoy traveling, music, movies and a variety of other things. I'm a really nice guy unless you cross me... then I shall kiiill you. :) I have a kind heart but a very deviant mind. I'm pretty much a million different people from one day to the next. - (The Verve). I say what I do and do what I say. There are plenty of things I don't know. Some by choice... others by chance. I don't want to rule the world. I don't have any hidden agendas. I like a lot of things and I'm always willing to try something new. Being forced to do anything makes me crazy. I'm not AMAZING at a bunch of things like sports or games but I can definitely hold my own. I like being underestimated and surprising people. I'm very passionate about certain things but I don't really go out of my way to make those things known. If I were rich I'm pretty sure I'd stay that way because I don't have super expensive tastes and a little goes a long way for me. It's mostly because I was raise a poor black child. :) I talk a lot around people I'm comfortable with and I'm more quiet when feeling out a situation. I'm a kid at heart and hope to stay that way always. I have a number of flaws as well as good qualities. I'm not on this planet to intentionally impress anyone... but if I do manage to impress... that makes me happy. I like being asked specific questions. I look in the mirror a lot to make sure my shit is tight. I was a very self-conscious kid so now I really don't give a fuck too much what people think. But at times that's not completely true. I'm real. I'm human. I'm me. That's about it.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Choosing to Believe & Interpret
Are we here to figure it out? Is no grand explanation to it all? There are two schools of though. Those who quest to know the 'hows' and 'whys' and those who are simply satisfied with that fact that 'it just exists'. Does the later lend itself to giving up? I don't think so. There is a simple satisfaction in knowing that all that is around us is brought about for some specific reason, but that reason can and will remain unexposed. I enjoy knowing that it's just there. Why do we need to know the answer to everything? Isn't there beauty in personal interpretation? Viewing that which IS, through your own eyes and making it what you desire. Feeling as if there might be a connecting factor between you and that which exists.
What does Bill Murray say to Scarlett Johansson at the end of Lost In Translation? Is Donnie Darko really a hero? What is Darren Aronofsky trying to tell us in his movie, The Fountain? Why do we all need to know the how's and why's? Curiosity? The demand to catalog everyone and everything that we see into some self-created designation? Who tells us what category something should go into? Society? Peers? The fight between right and wrong... good and evil? All of these are concepts that have followed man through the sand of time. Lore and legend. But who makes this stuff up? I am upon the belief that each and everyone of us has the right to make a decision about how we choose to live. What we choose to believe and in which way we choose to learn and interpret things. Once you get the fundamentals of learning out of the way... as a child/young adult, each individual should reevaluate if what they are doing and how they are doing it is based on programming or individual thinking. Of course it is wise to get all the facts you can about something before you devise an opinion about it... but who says what's right and wrong? Morality verses logic.
There is one place within us all that no one can touch or taint. Our minds. How we see the world. What we think about and how we process each and every beautiful detail. The old poker face trick. What is he thinking? Don't attempt to figure out that which has many different interpretations. No man is an island, but there is a beautiful, frustrating, ever-growing oasis within us all. We can make it what we choose. Emotions and human nature shapes our mind into something new each and everyday. We all start with a blank canvas. Then as we grow, develop and meet new a different experiences, we build upon our selfs. How we think. What we would do in any given situation. How we act and react. Built up through people we meet... traits we adapt, etc. The sky's the limit.
All of this said... I personally believe in looking at the landscape of the world and all that exist and doing my best to make it work for me. Falling into a set formula lacks originality. Of course, there are plenty of systems in the world that are backed up by logic. Mathematics & Science work on a set formula. Math is more cut and dry but science is ever growing and expanding. Most of the advances in science have to do with technology and not always expanding the mind. We can only comprehend so much with our feeble human minds... but if we continue to always challenge the laws of nature and what is designated as FACT... we may be able to see more and more.
Throughout history, man has been taught to believe curtain things by society and those in power. Most of these teachings have to do with control. Religion was created as a means of control. Some civilizations a societies believed that you should do as you are told or you'll be seen as a witch or heretic. The world is round! WHAT? Blasphemy! But people throughout history who challenged the status quo are the ones who are remembered for their genius. Why? Because they did not accept what they were told but went with what their hearts told them. deciding to step outside the box and collect information that contradicted what they had been taught. Not simply follow all the rules and fall into the drone mindset. Whatever you choose to do and however you choose to do it is your business, but let no one tell you that you can't or that you are wrong for believing in something. If it is right for you... then it is right, period. Who can stand in judgment of a belief.
Religion is one belief system that's become corrupt by man. The principles of religion are noble and just... but when they are used as a means of control and sold as fact, our human nature bastardizes this belief system. You can't make a mass of people to believe. You can only present the material and hope that it will touch them in some way, leading them to believe. Preaching to people and telling them that they are living their lives wrong as a means to scare them into believing is not belief. That is bullying. Fear & pressure should never enter into someone's belief system. That's where control enters the equation. I'm personally more fond of the religions that don't have a belief 'system' but more of a lose explanation of elements. Buddhism is one for example. There is no specific figures to praise. No set of rules that you must follow for fear of going to hell. It leaves a lot to your interpretation. If someone chooses to believe and use a form of organized religion as a guide for their life... by all means, do what you choose to do. 'Choose' being the operative word. But not man should be forced to believe something due to pressure. Because if he does, he loses the entire meaning of the word BELIEF.
Continue to push the limits of though and feel good about interpreting everything in your own way. There are plenty of things in this world that we can keep from becoming mainstream and watered down so maintain where you can and push when you choose to.
That's my time...
What does Bill Murray say to Scarlett Johansson at the end of Lost In Translation? Is Donnie Darko really a hero? What is Darren Aronofsky trying to tell us in his movie, The Fountain? Why do we all need to know the how's and why's? Curiosity? The demand to catalog everyone and everything that we see into some self-created designation? Who tells us what category something should go into? Society? Peers? The fight between right and wrong... good and evil? All of these are concepts that have followed man through the sand of time. Lore and legend. But who makes this stuff up? I am upon the belief that each and everyone of us has the right to make a decision about how we choose to live. What we choose to believe and in which way we choose to learn and interpret things. Once you get the fundamentals of learning out of the way... as a child/young adult, each individual should reevaluate if what they are doing and how they are doing it is based on programming or individual thinking. Of course it is wise to get all the facts you can about something before you devise an opinion about it... but who says what's right and wrong? Morality verses logic.
There is one place within us all that no one can touch or taint. Our minds. How we see the world. What we think about and how we process each and every beautiful detail. The old poker face trick. What is he thinking? Don't attempt to figure out that which has many different interpretations. No man is an island, but there is a beautiful, frustrating, ever-growing oasis within us all. We can make it what we choose. Emotions and human nature shapes our mind into something new each and everyday. We all start with a blank canvas. Then as we grow, develop and meet new a different experiences, we build upon our selfs. How we think. What we would do in any given situation. How we act and react. Built up through people we meet... traits we adapt, etc. The sky's the limit.
All of this said... I personally believe in looking at the landscape of the world and all that exist and doing my best to make it work for me. Falling into a set formula lacks originality. Of course, there are plenty of systems in the world that are backed up by logic. Mathematics & Science work on a set formula. Math is more cut and dry but science is ever growing and expanding. Most of the advances in science have to do with technology and not always expanding the mind. We can only comprehend so much with our feeble human minds... but if we continue to always challenge the laws of nature and what is designated as FACT... we may be able to see more and more.
Throughout history, man has been taught to believe curtain things by society and those in power. Most of these teachings have to do with control. Religion was created as a means of control. Some civilizations a societies believed that you should do as you are told or you'll be seen as a witch or heretic. The world is round! WHAT? Blasphemy! But people throughout history who challenged the status quo are the ones who are remembered for their genius. Why? Because they did not accept what they were told but went with what their hearts told them. deciding to step outside the box and collect information that contradicted what they had been taught. Not simply follow all the rules and fall into the drone mindset. Whatever you choose to do and however you choose to do it is your business, but let no one tell you that you can't or that you are wrong for believing in something. If it is right for you... then it is right, period. Who can stand in judgment of a belief.
Religion is one belief system that's become corrupt by man. The principles of religion are noble and just... but when they are used as a means of control and sold as fact, our human nature bastardizes this belief system. You can't make a mass of people to believe. You can only present the material and hope that it will touch them in some way, leading them to believe. Preaching to people and telling them that they are living their lives wrong as a means to scare them into believing is not belief. That is bullying. Fear & pressure should never enter into someone's belief system. That's where control enters the equation. I'm personally more fond of the religions that don't have a belief 'system' but more of a lose explanation of elements. Buddhism is one for example. There is no specific figures to praise. No set of rules that you must follow for fear of going to hell. It leaves a lot to your interpretation. If someone chooses to believe and use a form of organized religion as a guide for their life... by all means, do what you choose to do. 'Choose' being the operative word. But not man should be forced to believe something due to pressure. Because if he does, he loses the entire meaning of the word BELIEF.
Continue to push the limits of though and feel good about interpreting everything in your own way. There are plenty of things in this world that we can keep from becoming mainstream and watered down so maintain where you can and push when you choose to.
That's my time...
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