Been hustling on a magazine project this week, and haven’t had much free snapshot time to gather my thoughts (or imagery) outside of the project immersion. So now given a little reprieve I figured I would post another view from Tuesday’s snapshot.

Often when taking photos I try to crop them so objects become unique and are taken out of context. In this shot, I used the roof of the buildingand the irridecnent wall to frame the Space Needle off in the distance. I love the juxtaposition of the entirely massive monument in the background, utterly dwarfed by the blobby metal shapes in the foreground.

Took me about 4 tries to correctly frame this shot before everyone got tired of waiting, and entered the museum—leaving me to look up form the view-screen and hustle over to the door. Luckily, the last one turned out well!

Got a few projects in the hopper right now which has prevented me from adiquately pruning this web bush, so… apologies—but remember you can always visit LEGENDmag or BR4DSH4W to tide you over in dry spells.

This photo was taken in Seattle, facing into the Experience Music Project… reflecting the local flora and fauna. I don’t really remember what it was supposed to say, but it reads like “wild river” to me, and when I looked back at the image as a whole, I was reminded of looking into a giant, metal, flowing river.

That the building got built in the first place is a wonder to me, but I am really glad it did. Absolutely beautiful.

Had a fun weekend with my good friends—digging into all the madness that is San Francisco’s Love Parade. Our little crew put a lot of effort into building, displaying, and ultimately dismantling the float. But by the time we set sail for the day… it was vividly clear the separation of those who regularly attended electronic music events, and those who were just poaching the good vibes. Either way, I didn’t let it ruin my fun (and managed to maintain my smile until the wee hours of the night).

This photo was taken at the Experience Music Project in Seattle; of the reflection off the metal substructure and atmosphere. Just one of those right place right time textural snapshots that captures everything and yet nothing.

A lot like my weekend. { grin }

After working for 20 years at various companies, shops, and boutiques; I decided to take a stab at things on my own (owed in no small part, to the constant encouragement of my brother). And after working at it now for a few years doing freelance design and as the Creative Director of LEGENDmag, I can honestly say I like it. Granted there are very different approaches one must take to employment—most notably that the more you work, the more money you make (which stands in stark contrast to a corporate job)—but overall it has been good to me. I have learned how rewarding a good day of work can be, and how equally scary a week-long draught is. I have been able to relax at opportune moments, and had to miss out on fun because something needed designing. But above all it continues to be a wonderful learning opportunity, and I plan on continuing it as long as I can.

This snapshot is taken of the monorail in Seattle, which connects downtown with the Space Needle and EMP. It is actually taken at the end of the line peering straight down into the track, while waiting for the train to arrive. Lovely bands of rusted metal, painted concrete, and mechanical systems; for us to admire and examine, stacked up like a slice of mountainside.

Today marks the release of The Beatles’ complete remastered catalog—including mono versions of many of their previously stereo-only releases; and also the release of their much anticipated RockBand game. And while I understand the hoopla of getting pristine copies of audiophile-quality source material, I can’t see how this will really affect the majority of people out there who already own Beatles releases (aside from the video game fans of course). Whether or not the mono versions are the best thing since sliced bread, they can’t be better-enough to make me dump the $200 worth of Beatles CDs I already own, to go out and spend another $200 replacing them.

Am I just crazy?

Also, today marks the magic time of year when Apple drops new iPods. They always hold a press conference; blogs and press speculate laundry lists of rumors; and then they update the iPods. New cameras? Bigger hard-drives? Better screens? More features? Newer iTunes software? Yes, it’s inevitable people.

The big controversy this year is that Apple is holding a press conference on the same day as the Beatles catalog release (using a quote from a Rolling Stones song no less!?). But, given the history between the two companies, everyone is holding breath for the updated catalog finally onto iTunes—available in its audiophile-perfect form, then remastered into low-quality, digital-audio files to download.

Now, I am just as big of an Apple nerd as the rest of them, but come on. It’s driving me a bit batty to sift through all the uninformed predictions and guesses. Ah, the tribulation of a gadget-nerd, I suppose…

I thought this photo appropriate given the occasion. I snuck the shot in the main guitar exhibit at the Experience Music Project. Took me a few tried to get the composition just right, but I got it finally. No photos allowed? Pshaw.

Gretsch out!

I have never been a big fan of the circus.

Let me clarify. Up until I attended my first Cirque du Soliel, I had never been a great fan of the circus. Something about those caged animals being forced to jump through hoops and wobble around for our amusement struck a nerve. I’m not any big of an animal activist, but even the crappy city zoos push my buttons.

Then the big, gay, frenchy circus came to town.

Ooh, Lah, Lah! They had acrobats and clowns and costume and a band—live rock music (!)—and an attention to detail that I had never witnessed before. And they don’t use animals… at all. Which made me feel a bit better about it all. You know, because at least the human performers have the power to choose. Granted this may be a gross oversimplification, but in my mind it works. And clearly other people must feel similarly to me. There are almost as many Cirque-borne shows in Las Vegas as there are casinos. And every year or two, a fancy new production wheels into my hometown, sets up tents, and manages to outdo itself.

And suddenly, the circus was a spectacle once again.

This is a self-portrait I took up in Seattle in the Experience Music Project gift shop. Something about the natural ambiance, mixed with the lighting and the wall displays combined to remind me of those old fashioned carnival circuses. For better or worse, it had it’s place. See if you can find me in mine!