Had a jam session yesterday, and I didn't fully get to get my bluesy side out. I had to bust this out now, its about living in the city. I was thinking about where I've been, how old these great cities are (New York and Chicago) and how fantastic and lucky I am to share these things with my great girlfriend and my best friends. And also how some people act like they own these places, a lot of them don't even LIVE in the city but whatever. I'm still grateful to just be here.


Extended Stay
(Adams)

These shoes have seen a lot of sidewalk
They seen dirt too, probably gravel as well
Been all over, stepped on some tall stalks
Cooled off in heavenly home, after days in hell

These eyes have recorded some fantastic sights
Blue skies over bluer waters, sail boats fighting seas
The Modern hippys hitting on cute girls in tights
saw it all, and somehow still found those lost keys

My old jeans have brushed through buildings of ancient pasts
Old stone monuments with infinite stories full of heart and soul
Been sopping with rain that came down on these things that last
forever, at least longer than I will, just hope to make a mark somewhere I go

Gone farther than I thought I would
All these great things,
All these great places,
It was worth the price to pay
all for this, extended stay

Snow on my hat melts on the table near a door
In my apartment with the 14 windows
Looking 23 floors down at some people going in a general store
Humming comes from my vent while the heat blows

Living an unnatural way, depending on who you are
I got my paint, and got my girl, she's got a blanket
Towers of glass and steel rise up into the canvas of stars
City lights blink as we get to call it another night

My lips taste once again, another fine dish prepared with affection and care
Seasoned with the perfect company any humble man could ask for
Friends and a lover in a place many call home, they're kind to share
This place, these people, a high amonst 1000 lows in this, life's tour

Gone farther than I thought I would
More than a guy says I should
All these great things
All these great places
It was worth the price we pay
all for this, my extended stay

Thank you, oh fair people of this mixing bowl
I do appreciate being allowed to toil
It''s been fun, thus far, in my adopted abode
I could bring up your hypocritical nature, but Im not that shrewd
Although there are many, try to treat the next adopted son more hospitable
No matter how wondrous this place may be, they might not be as grateful as me
And I am

For this, my extended stay
It was all, every bit of it, worth the price to pay
all for this, my extended stay

Had to use a Beatle reference there, with all the stuff happening this week with them. I also mean I need to get back to using DA and having a life as an artist! My work schedule now sucks up ALL of my day again, 4 hours of driving and 12 of working...16 hours consumed by it. So when I get that trapped, my mind gets its most creative. I realize thats what happened in college too, when I was frustrated with all the core skills classes in the beginning I was thinking more of the character development and story aspects of things. That's what I'm doing now, I have more time to look and think over my ideas and say 'thats been done better by better artists' or 'I might get some attention with this!'. I've unfortunately started to ease away from the kids book thing, I'm not sure what will happen but its not flowing right between me and the writer. I love to collaborate though...

I've also begun some new songs, and I'd like to regularly post those on here again. I used to write so many in High School and College, I don't want to stop or else I feel like I'm getting old. So soon, maybe those will be up here too.

I hope anyone who checks out my stuff looks at my Pink Robot Guy! stuff, it was another one of those things I tried to just let be an excercise in character creation but turned into something big. I hope to finish the comic pages, and I have a lot done for an animation that tells the origin of the character. It's very fun and The Tick-like. I would love feedback and to know what you think so far.

Hey everyone! Well, everyone who still reads journals anyway. I must be getting used to my hectic, on call, ever changing railroad schedule because I've had another spurt of creativity and this time - things are getting done! Ah! I'm excited! So I'm working on several projects, both 2D and 3D! I really forgot a lot in 3ds Max, it's amazing, but its coming back and thankfully the program is loaded with tutorials. The ultimate goal is to churn out some new videos/animations. I'm really trying for 3 this year. I should try for 1, because I tried 3 last year and by doing so, didn't finish a single one. But then again, I was brand new at work, and life sucked because I had no real involvement in the art world anymore. Now I'm back! I hope...but you should, with luck, see some of my new stuff up here soon. I feel like I'm breaking into that next level, closer to the professional level I need to be at.

Yoda had a good point. It's great for a nerd like me to see Star Wars remains as a source of wisdom after college. I feel like the first year after college was panic time. What the fadooley am I supposed to do?! Well, I could've acted on some lesser opportunities and probably actually be in an art job now. However, I'm glad where I am now, I'm finding ways to continue working in a manner like I did college, with similiar work ethics and a variety of projects. I do like what I'm doing again, everything isn't filled with stress, and not everything revolves around getting that perfect art job. I'm just me, an artist, unique as any other, with both talents and downfalls. I'm growing again, and it feels good. The stressful period I hope is behind me.

I miss college, I was a little more focused and only had time on my hands to do all these things I was working on. Had I finished more, I wouldn't be working every moment of the day. I've been trying to suck it up and just practice and get things done, but with all this 'real world' and 'grown up' stuff, it really is hard to be an artist. I look at my deviations and think 'ugh', and hope next year its full of more accurate perspective and better colors. So I guess thanks to my friends from the past few years, and the newer ones for any and all suggestions and critiques. Here's to a better few months to finish off the year...