Bruises

Can't help it, I love this song.

Elephants and Cuddle Fish

Over the past month(ish) I've been staring at the stars every time I come home. It's so dark out here that I can see more than I've been able to see for a long time now. This reminds me of all of the things that I wish I could be doing...like working as an astronomer. I can't figure out why I chose the path that I did. No matter what I do, I always wish I was doing something else. I don't feel like movies are for me, no matter how much I love working on them. I just feel like I'm not that good at it. The problem is that I don't feel like I am good at art either. I do, however, miss art, now more than ever. I miss making art, I miss talking about art, I miss going to shows, I miss going to museums, I miss so much about it. But I'm starting to question how I am going to live. Do I work on movies? Do I paint? Do I go to get a completely different degree? Well for now, I'm just lost.

The only good thing about this? It's finally fall. I love that I can wear a sweater and not sweat my a** off. It feels nice outside, it smells nice outside, and I can't wait for the colors to finally change. It's my favorite time of year.

I like orange, and I like berries, and I like fall.


Oh, and recently I've decided that Elephants are my favorite land animal. Cuddle Fish are my favorite water animal.

Arty Farty

I have a proposal. Right now, all of my thesis paintings are just sitting on the floor at my parents' house, which is not at all where I want them to be. I would like to hang them up in the house, but our walls are old and falling apart already without a heavy painting on them...conundrum. So here's the plan, I am offering them up to friends and family to hang in their houses under one condition, that if ever I need the painting for a show (unlikely as that is) I will take it back for the duration of the show, then return it. I really just want them to find a good home, and not have to go to the happy farm (aka the barn). Let me know if you want in on it.










The Michigan Theater painting is already claimed, but I thought it would look odd without it.

First Day Off

Today is the first day that I've had off in nearly two months, and I don't even really have it off. I have to go to work later, but I feel so bored. I haven't had time to just sit and watch a movie in so long that I forgot how boring that really is. I like being with people, and now that I'm not, it's starting to suck...a lot. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do now that everything is done. It's confusing to have something to do everyday and then just have it be over. Also, school's starting soon, but not for me, and today I just had this realization that the art school is going to continue on without me? Really? How? I don't get it. Not that I want to be back in school, it's just that I think I lost the one and only consistent element in my life. Every year, school has started in the fall, ended in the spring, and now what?

Ok just going over things and apparently I'm doing it online. I need to find something to keep me busy. Being bored is an unfortunate symptom of relaxation.


I think I may just miss my girls. Not only is it hard going from being busy to bored, it's hard not seeing the same people everyday, and may not see all together again...forever...sad.

NOWAY!

Haha, I'm on IMDB now. Wooooooooo.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3095163/

Also, here's a neato photo from the Olympics...


I wish I could get back into archery. Maybe that's something I can work on when I am at home by myself in the coming weeks. Just to keep myself busy. I'm too busy right now, and I know when that ends I'll go crazy. I'm going to have to get a few jobs or pick up a few extra hobbies. ARCHERY! Woot.

Movies

I feel bad because I haven't been in contact with a lot of people recently, but that's because I'm working on Art House now. It's making me busy. Happy, but busy. I'll be much more free to do fun things once we're done.

Love you all!

Shut Up, It's Fun

iTUNES! What?!

How many songs? - 2,671
Hours worth? - 6 days, 22 hours, 43 minutes, and 6 seconds

Sort by song title:
First song: A.M. World -Loudon Wainwright III
Last song: /=/=/ -Andrew Bird

Sort by time:
Shortest song: Muh Nuh, Muh Nuh -Space Ghost (0:17)
Longest song: Troubadours The Annoying Noise Of Death -Rilo Kiley (22:03)

Sort by album
First Song: 3 A.M. -Matchbox Twenty
Last song: C'mon N' Ride It (The Train) -Quad City DJ's

Sort by artist
First song: On The Table -A.C. Newman
Last song: Let Me Go -3 Doors Down

First five songs that come up on shuffle:
1) A Better Son-Daughter -Rilo Kiley
2) The Sound Of Silence -Simon & Garfunkel
3) I Want To Break Free -Queen
4) Hey You -Pink Floyd
5) Madonna -CocoRosie

Search the following and see how many songs come up: (and favorite song):

Sex: 8, I'm Too Sexy -Right Said Fred
Love: 132, One More Night (Your Ex-Lover Remains Dead) -Stars
Hate: 3, Whatever Gets You Through The Night -John Lennon
Death: 60, I Will Follow You Into The Dark -Death Cab for Cutie
You: 327, You -Rogue Wave
Heart: 46, Kicking The Heart Out -Rogue Wave
Rain: 22, Red Rain -The White Stripes
Day: 96, Salesman at the Day of the Parade -Rogue Wave
Night: 30, The District Sleeps Alone Tonight -The Postal Service
God: 35, Motorcade -Beck



I don't know I have some of these songs, don't make fun of me because I have some crap music on my computer. (I don't know if you can tell from the last section, but I still love Rogue Wave the best.)

Mural

So, I painted this mural for a friend's movie. The direction I was given was this; I need a guitar, minimal colors (no neon), needs to be big, and you know those abstract desktop designs that apple has as a default for macs? yeah that's your inspiration. This is what I came up with...




It was fun painting it though.

Out in San Francisco

So here I am, reading my April 1932 edition of National Geographic, just like any other typical Sunday afternoon, when I come by this article. It's titled, 'Out in San Francisco: Fed on Gold Dust and Flattened by Sea Trade, a Pioneer Village Becomes a Busy World Port.' Naturally, this catches my eye. First of all, apparently grammar was different back then, 'today' was not one word yet, it was spelled 'to-day'. Little things like that make me happy, like I'm getting a backwards glance at our society. Anywho, this article goes on about San Francisco, of course, but I came across this section labeled 'Masterpieces of the Tattooman's Art.' It's slightly laughable:

To-day, new structures rise where old ramshackle frame hotels housed the visiting sailors. The tattoo artist still survives; for this is a seaport-and seamen like it. (what?!?!)

Odd are the tales the needlemen can tell-of women patrons asking to be decorated with patterns of scorpions, spiders, and other creepy things; of a wealthy woman who had her will tattooed on her back, and an English sailor with a portrait of King George on his bald head; a zealous missionary with a picture of the Last Supper on his chest, and another who was tattooed with the Ten Commandments.

"Dragons, lodge emblems, anchors, cupids, fat women in tights and out-all these are favorite designs," said the tattooman. "But the most interesting case I ever heard of was that of a sentimental sailor, whose favorite song was 'Where Is My Wandering Boy To-night?' He worried because so few people knew the words and music. Finally he had them tattooed on his chest; then, when he was lonely, in some far port like Capetown or Sydney, he could stand by a music-hall piano, take off his shirt, and have the 'Professor' play and sing to him."

The advertisements in the back are pretty amazing as well. Here's one:

DAME FASHION can't lead American men around by the nose!
'The Big Chain is Back'
Why are more and more of our best dressed men turning to substantial, man-size watch chains-the kind their dads and granddads wore when they were 'young men about town'? Why are the up-and-coming fellows who set the pace in social and business circles giving any chain that might be called 'dainty' or 'delicate' the go-by?
It's because 'the big chain' is smarter and more sensible. It looks as if it were made for MEN! It's strong, sturdy, masculine. It has character and bulk enough to 'set off' a man's clothes to better advantage.
The smart new designs in the 'big chain' are put out by Simmons. And, incidentally, this famous old house was making fine watch chains back in the days when the 'old timer' in the photograph above was shopping for his.
The better jewelers in all cities handle Simmons Chains. Why not have a look at these smart new, big calibre chains for yourself!

These people must have loved their watch chains...right, cause that's important. The bigger the watch chain, the bigger the...well you get it.

Nothing's changed really in the past 70 years...well, I guess I can't say nothing, we spell 'today' differently, but that's pretty much it...haha, yeah right.

Why Not?

Why can't this happen to everyone?

Wow, just wow

TURIN BRAKES - Dark on Fire
Uploaded by supershorts

I love this, I mean, I can't express how much I love this.

It makes me want to make some costumes out of some old clothes and go play cowboys and indians.

Hylophobia

...is the fear of forests.

Glad I don't have that. Or these:

Ideophobia- Fear of ideas
Geniophobia- Fear of chins
Euphobia- Fear of hearing good news
Cholerophobia- Fear of anger OR the fear of cholera (that's an odd combination)
Aulophobia- Fear of flutes

AND, the best for last...

Numerophobia- Fear of numbers (REALLY glad I don't have that one, my IP would have gone so much differently...haha)

I swear I didn't make these up.

http://phobialist.com/

There's some pretty awesome ones in there, and obviously there are those out there that have these fears, otherwise who would have gone to all that trouble to research latin AND then name a phobia without there being a large portion of the population which it affects. That was a long sentence, but if you have Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia don't read this next word:

Antidisestablishmentarianism.

There, I just had to get that off my chest. (By the way, Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words. Do you think the person that created that phobia name just did it for shits and giggles? I think that may be true irony...am I right?)

Tell the World

Let everyone and anyone know about this. We are looking for all kinds of art, everything from the smallest of small, to the biggest of big. We need to fill a house with art. Email me if you would like to submit, or if you know someone who wants to, forward them my address.

emilyemilton@gmail.com

The best part is that those chosen to show on screen will get film credit, and free publicity.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

Dream Big

I think this is one of the coolest drawings I've ever seen. And it's just a self portrait. Creativity meets the new world, where anything is possible.

Too Much

There's just too much hustle and bustle in town. I like being out in the country where it's slower and quieter. I was taking care of my parents house for a couple of days and now I miss it. I haven't really stayed there for that long over the past couple of years, especially in the early summer. It smells different. Yes sometimes it smells like manure, but hey, I grew up with that, it's just 'fresh country air' as my dad used to call it.

Right now all I hear outside my window is people speeding around in their noisy cars and the occasional scream and/or yell from someone walking on the sidewalk. Every once in a while there will be an accident, or someone with road rage, or some drunkies coming back from the bar. It's just not a peaceful environment.

Don't get me wrong, I love Ann Arbor, but I think I love nature more. I wish more people were ok with just going to hang out at some random park, but alas, most people want to be inside when it's time to decide what to do with the day. I guess I don't get it. Summers were always filled with slow days for me when I was little, just hanging out, doing whatever you felt like doing. When I'm in town, I feel like unless I'm alone, I'm supposed to do my hanging out inside.

I want to go on picnics. I want to go to the park, just to take a walk. I want to go swimming. I want to go canoeing. I want to go biking. I want my life to slow down.

Everyone is telling me to speed up, go faster, there's more out there to do, but what if all I want in life is to slow down? Take my time, spend it doing the things I love, and with people I care about. I like being myself, letting my mind wander when I feel like it, and taking my time figuring out how I want to live my life. I don't want to make a wrong choice, so just let me figure it out slowly. Just because I'm graduated from college does not mean I have to have a job, or even have a job in mind. As long as I can pay the bills and keep food on the table, that's all that matters to me right now. Heck, that may be the only thing that ever matters to me.

Just let me be myself right now. That's what will make me happy in the long run.

I want to be like Josie. Carefree and loving every minute of it. Just let me be the 5 year old at heart. It was good times.

Just(ice) Dance

Probably one of the greatest music videos out there. At least I think so.

I Got One

Just thought you might wanna know.

Meet the Eames'

Blows my mind.

I love Charles and Ray Eames. They have so many amazing videos. It makes me want to be a better person, and artist. Makes me want to be lots of things. Mostly, makes me want to explore every aspect of this world. I hope I can live up to that.

BEST MOVIE EVER

I think if you listen real hard you can here a 'derp' in there.


I wish I could do this. (There might be a derp in there too)


Craziest part.

I think these two movies were the best part of my childhood. Both GREAT.





I miss being a kid. Can I go back? Please?

Dreams and Screams

I have been having a lot of weird dreams lately. I don't know if it's because I'm actually getting real sleep every night, or because something weird is happening. The other night I had two separate dreams (separated by awakeness) that we had to move to Seattle. The only good thing about the move was I got to see Michael. In my dream though I never actually got to see him, only had the intention of calling him. When I woke up from the second one of these dreams, I almost picked up my phone to call him, to say that I was in Seattle. Then I remembered that I was still in Ann Arbor. Oh god that was confusing. Severely. Then I actually did call my mom to ask if anyone was moving in the family. She said not to her knowledge. I don't know if this dream means that I'm going to be moving soon or not. I'm confused. And slightly concerned.

Last night I had a really weird dream including sparkly costumes, Terri Sarris with pink streaks in her hair, art students, film students, my high school auditorium, children and a white yak that I brought back from the bathroom. I don't get it. It's just plain weird. Oh yeah, and Shoshana made cookies. WHAT is going on in my head?

I've been doing a lot of reading lately, maybe that has something to do with it? Unsure. I just hope I don't have anymore stressful dreams. It puts me in a mood all day if I have weird dreams. A weird mood.

I Like Dogs

I also like the Brits.


Couldn't believe this one until I saw it. And then I cried. Shut up I'm emotional. Ha.

I Like the Randoms

So, I'm officially bored. Out of my mind. Doing a bit of sewing to keep my mind off the fact that I have nothing to do anymore, but obviously that's not working. It's been weird since school ended. I mean, it ended so abruptly. All of a sudden, everything in my life changed. And all the people in it. Friends are leaving, but I'm staying here. It's odd. Whatever, because of this boredom I've been finding random things on the interweb. Here are some of my discoveries.

Apparently, according to Urban Dictionary, a 'pfeiff' is a 'girl who is similar to a hermit crab'. Ok, what does that mean? I don't get it.

I do like this one though.

'pewpew'
-a noise that laser beams makes
(notice the grammatical error. Even with the error though it's still funny)

This is intense, how do people think up stuff to do like this?!

You have to admit though, this is kind of awesome.

Now I know this one's kind of a throw back but I still love it. And boy am I not coordinated enough to even try a stunt like this.


Ok yet another thing that I am just not coordinated enough to do.

This one's pretty amazing. And creative.

This movie looks beautiful, anyone want to go see it with me?

It looks like how my dreams are. Finally, someone who sees into my head.


On Saturday Meg and I are going to see these guys play. I'm really excited. If you haven't seen 'Once', it's definitely one of my recommendations. And not just because I love the land of Ire, which is where the movie is set, but because it's an amazingly inspirational story. Just go see it.


I think I may have over done this one a bit, but like I said, I'm bored. Give me something to do, please.

PUHLEASE!

It's Just Not Going to Happen Anytime Soon

And I guess I have to be ok with that.

Spontaneous Generation

I never really just play around on youtube, but apparently I should. There's some great stuff out there.

Yumm

It smells like rain, summer and flowers outside my window right now. Today is such a good day. I hope all my days are like today.

But I already miss Michael. Tears and sadface. Come back to me! Or maybe I'll just drive out west to visit you. Ok that's the plan.

Keep an Eye Out for This One

Music Video by Marty Stano

Keep an eye on this one, he's going to go far.

I also really like the song.

Yet again...

Yup, got another sunburn today. This is a good start isn't it? I need to invest in some good...no great sun screen.

I don't want to be tan. I want to not get skin cancer thank you very much.

Ok that's all.

Really? Already?

I got sunburned already. Geebus. My skin is too fair, and my brain to small to think to put on sunscreen.

I'm so smrt.

We're famous!

Ann Arbor News Weekend Webcast | April 13-19

The Warehaüs is still going to be open all week until this Friday. Each day from 1-7 if you missed it.

It's not just that I want them, I think I need them

I've been thinking lately, and there's some things that I really do want.

I want to go back to Europe.
I want someone to love me unconditionally.
I want to love someone unconditionally.
I want to be a great artist.
I want to be recognized for who I am and what I've done.
I want my friends to stay my friends.
I want to stay ok.
I want to live.
I want to be.
I want to go out and have fun.
I want to sleep in.
I want to sleep.
I want to like who I am and who I've become.

Can anyone help with this?

MALL WALKERS

Everyone should get excited! Now.

Other people use the term derp?

So, there seems to be a lot out there of people using 'derp' in different ways. This is one such way, it made me laugh.

I Met the Walrus

I went to the AA Film Festival last night and this was by far one of the best films there. It's John Lennon in an interview from the 60s where this kid randomly jumped into his room with a voice recorder. The animation makes me...well, it makes me happy. It's great and whomever gets to see this film is lucky as shit.

Go to the film fest.

WEBSITE!

Soooo, I know I announced it before when I got my website, but now I've uploaded much more than just the basic layout. All should come and have a visit. It's still not done obviously, but it's getting there!

http://www.emilyemilton.com/

Woop!

I'll Put You on the Streets!

I might be going crazy...

Had another crazy weird dream last night. I can't really explain the whole thing for many reasons, mostly because words can't describe it. However, I can tell you that Shia LeBeouf was there. We were in the mall hiding in the bushes (you know, the fake ones) because a monster was coming, we saw a bit of it, and in its wake there was a cliff type thing, another object it left in its wake was strawberries. Shia decided that it would be a good idea to figure out how to get a strawberry, and when he did, he sprouted wings. This is only like a two second part of the dream which was good and long, all like this too. CRAZY! Lots and lots of colors, which I hear only certain people dream in color. I should really get my dreams analyzed.

Yael Naim

This is my new favorite video. It reminds me of summer, and all of the fun random things that happen in the summer.

She kind of reminds me of Feist, especially with the freeness of her video.

A few things...

So, comforters, you know the things you sleep with at night? Yeah, try comfortNOT! No matter what, the tag always ends up at my face. Tickling, scratching, doing everything annoying, and it can't be stopped. I turn the comforter around, tag at the end of my bed, and it ends up back in my face. Some might say, well you probably just twist and turn enough in your sleep that it would go back the other way too. WRONG! Once the tag is at my face, the comforter doesn't shift, even if I sleep with it like that for a few days. Come on now universe, give me a break.

Another thing. Today, my alarm did not go off again, luckily I set 3. Two on my phone and one on my clock. The two on my phone, kind of woke me up, but obviously not well enough. I woke up at 10 am, guess when I have class. Yup, that's right, 10 am. I quickly threw a bunch of clothes on and shot out the door. I saw one of my friends from art school as I was walking down the stairs to the sidewalk, he was crossing the street, I turn out onto the side walk rather quickly only to find a patch of well hidden black ice. Now, I've gotten away with this whole year without a fall yet, but of course, on what ended up being one of the warmest days in recent months, I slip and fall. Right on my side, giant bruise awaiting reply. Luckily I took my computer out of my bag before I left the house, otherwise I would be in a much worse situation right now.

I've got a lot to do before tomorrow, I should probably get going. Kthnxbye.

Thesis Paintings

These are the paintings I've been working on all year. Soon to be all done and showing on April 12th. There is where you can see them in real life, but for now, here's some pictures.

Farmer's Market One

Farmer's Market Two

Famer's Market Three

Wave Field One

Wave Field Two

Wave Field Three


There we have it. There are three more for that I'm currently working on which I will put up later, if at all possible, before the show goes up. YAY!

Couldn't Help Myself

I love Elijah Wood, even when he's doing this.

Mall Walkers

So there's this movie called Mall Walkers that I'm workin' on for a film class this semester. We started film in the Summit Place Mall up in Waterford this weekend. We have to shoot during off hours so our schedule involves many all nighters locked in the mall. It's fun but extremely tiring. I'm acting as the production designer so I'm in charge of hair, make-up, costumes, and sets. It's a lot of work, but fun at the same time, especially once we hit and pass that point of insanity in the night. This weekend we shot the coffee shop scenes in the mall, here's some pictures I took during my down time, which is plenty, but only once we start filming.
The Coffee Shop

Rehearsing for the shot.

This is crossing the point of insanity.

We're kind of a big deal.

The actors, they get antsy too.

Sometimes you have to get on the floor for the betterment of your art.

We have fun with the simple things (read the sign)

This is our director...being a banana phone?

She could be a JC Penny ad.

Director + Dolly = Amazing

Eeeep!

I've got a website. Of course it's not done like everything else in my life right now, but I'm working on it, I swear!

http://www.emilyemilton.com

I feel so professional and stuff. PROFESSIONAL!

I'm heading into the home stretch for school this year (or maybe for the rest of my life) and I couldn't be busier. I hope to be able to keep in touch with everyone, but I can't promise that I won't become a hermit. See you all in a month or two! Ha.

They Learn Early

Oh kids.

Bilal's Stand

This is the film that I helped out on with the re-shoots this past summer and fall. The premier of it is at the Michigan theater on April 3rd. All should come to support Sultan (the director).

WOO HOOOO!

Crayons

This is by far my most favorite Sesame Street tangent ever. I remember as a kid waiting in each episode to see if they were going to play the crayon factory clip. Apparently I still love it. The music is sweet. All of the old workers in the factory, smiling huge because they love making crayons. And then all of the colors! Man, so much about my life makes sense now. I really think this must have had a big impact on me, and that's why I'm so crazy nowadays.



I also loved all the freaking wonderful guests they had on Sesame Street. I wonder if they're still doing that.



The animations were key too.

Valentine's Day

I still don't understand why people make such a big deal about Valentine's Day. Don't cry if you don't have a date. Hang out, relax, have fun. Watch a movie with a friend, go out to get some coffee and just chit chat. Eat a heart shaped cookie. I repeat, HAVE FUN! Don't you remember when you were little and V-Day was all about getting silly little cards in your heart shaped bag taped to the edge of your desk. And the best ones were the ones with candy? Don't you remember that? That's how Valentine's Day should always be. Just because you don't have a date does not mean you need to mope around.

Everyone, life will go on. The world did not end. I spent the day with friends and doing things I enjoy. I had a good Valentine's Day, WITHOUT A DATE!

Maybe that's just me.

Whatever.

(St. Patrick's Day is the same way, just replace dates with alcohol, and replace the red with green)

The Universe Revisited

I just bought this book called 'Universe: The Cosmos Explained' which basically gives a simple explanation to most of the aspects of astronomy. I love it. All I'm doing right now is reading the glossary and I find it completely fascinating. Wonderous.

I also just bought the new Jack Johnson album, it's pretty much amazing. There's something about it that just gets me in a way that his other albums don't.

Now I'm reading about the Superstring Theory. Geebus this is interesting.

But I'm supposed to be painting. Woops.

The Universe

Apparently somewhere in the universe every second there is a supernova. That's roughly 30 million supernovas per year. This has been happening for the past 10 billion years. To put it in perspective to something closer to home, there are about 2 supernovas in the Milky Way Galaxy every century.

Holy effing shit. The universe is huge. I can't even think about it. There has to be life somewhere other than just here. We can't be the only ones. There's no way. I don't believe it for one minute. They're probably thinking the same thing, wondering if we exist. Do we exist if there's no one else out there to wonder if we exist? And if we stop wondering if there are others out there, do they, in turn, stop existing? Existence is like that tree falling in a forest not making a sound puzzler.

I know I exist, but I don't know if you exist.

I don't know if you noticed...

But it's February. Of 2008. Crazy. Life's crazy.

At least I'm not as bad off as some of these people. Saxophone lady? Really?

Bob Dylan? Really?

I remembered another dream. It's a weird one because it connects to another that I had the other day. I guess I should start with the little bit of that one and then explain the dream I just had.

Well the other day, as a part of a few other dreams that I was having, I was suddenly on the set of a feature film that was about Bob Dylan. Not that strange right? Especially since I just saw Factory Girl which has Bobby in it and also saw an add for I'm Not There. The strange part wasn't the fact that it was about Bob Dylan, it was the fact that the director of this film was so invested in it, that he felt whatever Bob was supposed to feel in that scene, if Bob had a stomach ache, he had a stomach ache. So that's the dream leading into up to the dream I just had.

This morning, I woke up just after I had it and found it so strange that I made myself remember it. It started out with the same scene that I had seen the director fall down from a stomach ache in. So Bob wasn't feeling that well. (Don't ask me if what I was watching in my dream was a movie or if it was the real event because I don't know) However, he had to go out to greet his fans. He was in the basement of whatever arena or stage he was playing at and when he walked out of his door into the hallway (all concrete), there was this long table set up with people standing all around it waiting for his autograph. He started writing them right and left, but he was still feeling kind of sick and weak. So when the art on the walls, which was his, started getting looted, he could barely do anything about it. It was a frenzy to get all of the art and he gave up caring. Some kids were taking down mixed media pieces and pulling them apart, this led him to run over to them and say, "If you're gonna steal it, don't take it apart!". Bob then left the hallway and proceeded to give his concert, where he played, not the harmonica, but a small keyboard with his mouth. It was rigged up and everything just like the harmonica would have been around his neck. Then I woke up.

Now, normally, I can't really put two and two together on why I have the dreams that I do, but this one makes a lot of sense as just a jumbled mess of things I've been thinking about recently. Such as:
-Had a lot of Bob Dylan references recently
-Juliana's been feeling sick to her stomach
-I've been watching Lost, where there are strange hallways made of concrete
-Lost is just messed up so weird things happen to people all the time
-I've been afraid about my art getting damaged while in storage
-I've also been thinking a lot about the harmonica, don't ask why

Jumbled mess, that's all this dream was.

Weird. Just weird...

So tonight when I was waiting for the bus to get back to the homestead, I thought little of the odd weather, warm and foggy. That was until I saw lightning. Now, I mean, lightning in February, rare, but not unheard of. BUT THERE'S STILL SNOW ON THE GROUND! I mean, wow, something crazy is going on. I'm all for spring coming, but not this early. This is too early. Oh boy, here comes global warming.

One of the reasons I may find this more than just slightly off is because I've started watching Lost, boy is that a weird show. They have all the seasons in HD streaming online. It was a BIG mistake on my part to start watching them on Friday night. However, I have made a deal with myself that the only way I'm allowed to watch them is if I am at the art school painting. Therefore, I get really excited to go up to the art school to paint. It's basically a win win situation. I was loosing some of that vital motivation to work on my project, now it has been renewed.

Oh by the way, like I said, I started watching it on Friday...I'm already halfway through the 2nd season. I got a lot of painting done this weekend. Go me.

Summing this post up:
Weather's weird
Lost is even weirder

Conceptualizing the Concept of the Conceptual Artist

So that thesis. Here's my introduction, just to give all you salivating salamanders out there a taste of what I've been working on.

'Due to my past and current frustration with understanding the 'true' meaning of contemporary art, I have decided to create pieces presenting others with the same frustration. However, with the word frustration comes a dark connotation; in my life, frustration leads to a learning experience, which in turn leads to a creative endeavor. My journey through the process of conceptualizing the concept of the conceptual artist has become a passion. I want people to look at my art, initially confused, but slowly have ideas come to fruition. My hope is that those viewing my paintings will create stories and narrations of their own, walking away with a very individualized experience. Geometric shapes of varying colors, sizes and forms make up my paintings based on three Ann Arbor-specific locations, the Farmer's Market, Maya Lin's Wave Field and the corner of State Street and Liberty Street. Each individual place has its own essence, therefore each painting will reflect on it. It's not my intention for my audience to understand every step I took to arrive at the final destination, it is however my intention to force them into a completely visual experience.'

Have fun figuring out what it means.

It's the Circle of Life

When I'm sick, I can never remember what it's like to feel healthy, but right now, I'm at that stage right between being sick and getting healthy, and it feels GREAT. I mean, kind of. Still can't really breathe out of my nose and still have issues sleeping, but hey, I'm gettin' better.

I haven't been able to work on my paintings for a bit now because I've been trying to rest up whenever I can. This has really drained a lot out of me. I've been busy writing my thesis though which has been oddly fun. I think this has been the scariest part of working on IP this whole time, but like I just said, definitely not as bad as I thought it would be. Weird.

Just an FYI to all those sick ones out there, Puffs nose blowing tissue with Vick's...AMAZING! Invest in some and your nose will be in heaven.

Only Rogue Wave

There isn't too much music out there that I feel like I can just close my eyes and take it in. I'm just not that kind of person. But, Rogue Wave does it to me. I get my kicks from 'em. I can't really explain it.

http://www.roguewavemusic.com/music/player/id/3

Go there and try it. Close your eyes, take a minute out of your busy schedule to relax a bit and listen to the music. It just gets you.

Music

I put my iTunes on shuffle, and this is what came up. Somehow it's partially true.

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
3 A.M.
-Matchbox Twenty (I sometimes say random things)

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Fly
-Sugar Ray (Totally)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Foolish Games
-Jewel (This one may or may not be true)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Barely Breathing
-Duncan Sheik (This one's real true, I'm getting sick, and I can barely breathe)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Missing
-Everything But The Girl

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
The World I Know
-Collective Soul

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
I Love You Always Forever
-Donna Lewis (Me too)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
I Can Love You Like That
-All-4-One (Well that's a nice thing)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Sleep To Dream
-Fiona Apple

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
I Feel It All
-Feist (I failed math)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BESTIE?
Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey
-The Beatles

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Tragedy
-The Fleetwoods (This does not bode well for me does it?)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
The Little Green Valley
-Elana James

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Memory
-Elaine Page (I hope I'm not only a memory)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Deserted Cities Of The Heart
-Cream

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Golden Loom
-Bob Dylan

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
A Well Respected Man
-The Kinks (Apparently I'm in for a sex change)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee
-Stockard Channing

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
You
-Rogue Wave (Didn't know that one)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Drunk Again
-Porchsleeper (HA!)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Careless Love
-Madeleine Peyroux

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Anyone Else But You
-The Moldy Peaches

Oh music, how you make me laugh sometimes. I like you though.

I Feel it All

I love Feist. I also think this is the best song on her album.

She's so playful, and her videos tend to be just one shot, which makes me like them even more. You can tell she's always having fun with them.

I also love this one.



Yay colors. Yay one shot. Yay Feist.


I'm tired. I don't want to paint. Tell me I'm done.

Mos Def Big Band

is my new favorite thing. Chelsea and I just went to see Mos Def Big Band at Hill. It was incredible. The bassist and drummer were phenomenal, and I never use that word. When we got there I really didn't know what to expect because I just said I would go with Chelsea since she loves Mos Def. I thought it would be fun, and if not, an experience. When the first beat started, I knew it was going to be good. In the beginning, I was just appreciating the music for what it was, everyone in the band was amazing, and the energy Mos Def had was amazing. Then I started to notice my head bobbing along with the beat, and then my toe tapping, then I just started to feel it through my body. I couldn't help but move along with the music. Not all music does this, but I love it when it does. I had such a great time. I suggest everyone find the music that makes you move, and makes you smile, it's amazing when you do.

LOVED IT!

Sleepy face

Karaoke is fun. Now I'm sleepy.

Dreamz

I had another very strange dream last night. I can't explain all of it because I only remember bits and pieces of it.

There was a giant disappearing, progressively more albino shark that the locals liked to call a 'land whale' because it came up on land? There were also giraffes that walked around under water and above water. This whole thing took place on an island on stilts that was a combination of Greece, the whole of Africa and Australia. This was a continuation of a dream I had the other night where I learned about this island in a class. I had memory flashbacks to this 'learning experience' in the classroom in said previous dream. In this dream I watched a news report about this 'land whale', which was a flashback. There was also a woman that fainted, a guide that didn't like where we were going, mountains that led to the beach (which is apparently where we were trying to get to), a tourist group watching dolphins, and a melon thing that when opened looked like brains.

I think there must be something wrong with me.

I looked up 'Land Whale' on Urban Dictionary and this is what I got:

1. land whale
The big blobs of people who can't move and get crushed by their own weight.
2. Land Whale
A person who is obese and has a big enough overhang to shelter a moose.
3. Land Whale
A fat, stupid sidekick with no real purpose except for to make its companions look better. (in most cases land whales are needed or else its friends would appear hideous)

And this is one of the images of a 'Land Whale' that I found on google.


Go figure.

By request...

So, my dreams are pretty strange most of the time, and only rarely do I remember them. I can recall random bits and pieces which allude to the fact that my dreams can be effed up. There are the select few that I consciously tell myself I must remember. This is one of those dreams.

A little background on my life when I had this dream. It was fall of 2006 and I was mentally preparing myself to go abroad. And I was stressed about school. Two important factors.

For whatever reason, probably because I was about to travel to Europe, I needed to learn French. But of course, I would have to go back to my high school to do this (obvious I know...what?). In high school I took Spanish, so of course I never saw the classrooms where French was taught. When I got to the school, I went to the classroom where I was taught Spanish 2 and 3. This was the wrong room. I figured out that this was more advanced French and I needed beginners. I left and walked down the hall to the room where I had Spanish 1. This was the correct room and I knew it (don't ask me how, I just did). However, when I got there, a girl that I graduated with was in there serving horderves and coffee to all these elderly people. So, I joined in. Once they were all done, the room was magically cleaned and Kaitlyn was no longer there.

In walked one of my friends from high school Joe, accompanied by a few of his friends from MSU. They were there to learn French as well. We were all standing at the front of the classroom waiting for the teacher, when the back of the room transformed into the facade of a palace, separated from us by rocks and water. Logically, we all decided it would be a good idea to jump off the rocks into the water for fun while waiting around. Don't ask me to explain how this all fit into the classroom, but there must have been some form of trickery...because, well, it's a dream where gravity and space physics don't apply. We were jumping off into the water, and I don't think I did it more than once because of my fear of water (or at least large bodies of it). This is the point where I realized that this was a dangerous thing for us to be doing because the waves were smashing on the rocks. I tried to warn everyone but nobody would listen to me. This kid jumped off and got smashed.

I almost freaked out, but THEN, I went back in time about 5 or 10 minutes. This meant that I could save this kid's life. I told him he couldn't jump off, I tried to warn Joe that he would die if he jumped, but the kid did it anyways, but not without someone trying to stop him. This led to him getting injured but not dying. I then proceeded to use the phone to call 911. I told the police on the receiving line that someone was hurt and we needed an ambulance. They told me that they couldn't pick us up at the school, and that we would have to walk to the hardware store (which is not close by any means). I hung up the phone stunned, and decided we should just take him in my car. He was kind of coming around at this point and was able to walk, with help, so we went out to the parking lot. However, I could not find my car, and Joe's little brother Nick just happened to be there so he said he would help us.

Right then, a shuttle bus drove up that said Saline Hospital on it, so Joe and his friend just said that they would take the shuttle to the hospital, and they left. I still needed to find my car though, so I was walking through the aisles. Another one of Joes friends came up to me to try and tell me something, when a HUGE machete came through his chest as if someone had stabbed him from behind. This is where it got weird. The picture stopped moving, and it was just paused on this image of this kid getting stabbed. Then the credits started to roll. This is where I woke up. Apparently I watched a movie in my dream, and woke up when it was over.

See how strange my brain is?

Four, 4, For, F'r

This was the piece that I put into the All Student Exhibition this year. It's called 'The Natural Number Following 3 and Preceding 5'. You figure out what it means. (I think it's obvious)

Pretty Much Yeah

The winner of the cookie challenge was Ms. Chelsea Hoard. And she was within the 24 hour time limit so she will be soon receiving not one, but two kinds of homemade goodness. YAY COOKIES!

Here's another video by Michel Gondry. I cannot even begin to wrap my head around this man's talent. With this one, the song kind of sucks, but the video is amazing.



Tonight before lecture a few of us went to Ashley's for a drink and to relax a bit. They had this beer on special called Vanilla Java Porter from the Atwater Block Brewery in Detroit. It has actual chocolate in it and I can't begin to explain how good it is. The best part about it you might ask? It tastes like Guinness, and by that I mean real Irish Guinness, not the crap they export to all the undeserving countries out there. I mean, it's a bit more chocolate a little less coffee, but it's the closest beer that I've found in the States to come close to the amazingness of Guinness. Definitely a dessert beer, and definitely something you should try out.

Here's a link to their website... http://www.atwaterbeer.com/brewery.asp

Ahh Detroit, you keep on surprising me with your splendid goodness.

This That The Other

This:

So this is an experiment I think will be a fun one. The first person to email me at emilyem@umich.edu will be a winner. A winner of what you may ask? Cookies, I will bake the first person to email me cookies. And if you email me within 24 hours of this post, I will bake you two kinds. No I am not the type of person to use store bought cookie batter, this will be from scratch. This is mostly for me to see who is reading this, and it should be fun for all...or at least the person who gets cookies out of it. What have you got to lose? Nothing, only cookies to gain.

That:

I've been thinking, and I don't know what I am going to do this summer. A few of us have been throwing around the idea of taking a road trip out west which is something that I have been longing to do for, well, forever. And it will be a good way to say adieu to the whole crew after graduation. This puts me in a weird position for going back to Ireland. I would not have very much time to make enough money to live there before I go. Conundrum. I am throwing around the idea of only going for a month or two just to make art. Then there's the problem of not making money. Maybe I should go for the four months and just do everything. But then they suggest going early in the summer because there aren't too many job openings at the end. But where's the money going to come from for my plane ticket? And for living there? I don't know. It's frustrating, I want to do so many things and I don't know which are more important to me at the moment. I'll be doing some soul searching for a while now.

The Other:

School is going to be crazy this semester, but I feel like it's going to be much more productive. MUCH more productive. At least it has to be...hah. I will post some photos at some point soon.

P.S. I love Michel Gondry

Who knows where or when?

When I settle down, it will be for good. I refuse to believe moving is a good idea.

Champagne and Bacon Bits

It's almost 2008. I don't get it. I'm gonna celebrate a good year tonight, hopefully with friends, and champagne (and bacon bits). You'll understand the reference if you come over. Thank my mom for all the yummy snacks, and I am bringing a little bit of Ireland into the new year as well.

It's nearly been a year since I left for Ireland, which blows my mind. Life is speeding up from about 25 mph to around 38.5. What happens when time starts going 55?

Schedule

For whatever reason, I wanted everyone to know my schedule for next semester just so you know I'm not ignoring you, I'm just really busy.

Monday:
8:30-11:30 IP Studio time
12-1 IP Professional Practice Workshop
1:30-3:30 IP Class time

Tuesday:
10-11:30 Ancient Egyptian Religion and Culture
1-2 Discussion section for Ancient Egyptian Religion and Culture
5:30-9:30 Work

Wednesday:
8:30-11:30 IP Studio time
1:30-4:30 IP Class time

Thursday:
10-11:30 Ancient Egyptian Religion and Culture
5-6:30 Lecture Series

Friday:
1-4 Screen Arts and Culture 423

Saturday:
2-6 Work

Sunday:
Homework

I believe any free time that there seems to be in my schedule will not actually be free time, but work time. I'm sorry in advance for not being able to play.

I'm Done, but in a good way

I'm done with classes FINALLY. I just took the Buddhism exam and I'm almost positive I got an A on it. Oh man am I good in the times of cramming information into my head. Now that I am done, I plan on doing whatever I want for a long time. Right now, I want to sleep. So I'm gonna. You can't stop me. Later, we're gonna have some funs, all of us left in Ann Arbor. Fun I tell you! That's the plan.

I quit.

I quit school, I quit art. I'm done.

Weddings and Funerals

Does anyone else find it strange that wedding invitations are now being sent out on Facebook? I do. I also find it slightly disturbing to have been invited to a funeral just now on Facebook. What is happening to the world?

The British Are Coming!

Schoolhouse Rock is one of the greatest collections of anything ever made.

My favorite part of this one is the map of the US at the end. It's so accurate.

Times-a-Changin'

I've figured out a lot of the logistical problems with my project recently. I finally have a good idea of what I am doing and why I want to do it...which is definitely a step up. I wrote up my grant proposal tonight...well last night and this morning (notice the time). It's back to weird sleeping patterns again for me. Overall my project is progressing even though I haven't painted for a while.

I registered for classes today, for the final time. It's a bit odd, but oddly relieving. Next semester I am taking IP, our weekly lecture series, a one credit minicourse that ends in the middle of February on Planets and Moons, and Ancient Egyptian Religion and Culture, where the required course reading is the Book of the Dead. I may actually read for this class (which will be a first). I am not taking a studio course so that I will be able to work solely on IP and then be able to do little projects on the side. I also realized today that I won't have Friday classes or even morning classes. The earliest class I have is at like 10. This is going to be a good semester.

Ohio State Game sucked. That's all I got to say.

Thanksgiving rocked. That's all I got to say.

I am now a frame building, canvas stretching, gesso priming master. Be proud.

I still think I may be Buddhist.

Tryptophan

I'm ready for my turkey coma. It's almost time. Happy Thanksgiving (a bit early).

Did you just spit?

I stole this from Zac but only because it's amazing.


Shameless plug:
All Student Exhibition opens today at 6 and runs until December 15th. There is work in the Robbins and the Slusser galleries in the art school and in the Work gallery on State St.

One more shameless plug:
My work's at the Work, downstairs. Go look at it.

Love You

Ha.

My number 4

This is my reaction to the number 4. I don't think it's done yet. I have to do some mock ups and or models.



Each of the canvases are 4inx4in. There are 16 of them all together (4x4). There are 4 squares in each of them. And the symbol that each individual grid makes is the original glyph for the number. Also I used the colors CMYK which are colors that printers use to print (if you've ever had to change ink cartridges you should know this). It's all about the number 4.

Do you think I'm done? Do you have any suggestions? Please help!!!

4

When I say the number 4, what do you think of?

Here's something to think about: 4 is the natural number following 3 and preceeding 5.

Have you ever tried to define a number? I find it interesting because I never have thought about the definition of a number before. I have always just had the understanding of them. Numbers are the same as symbols. No matter how much we think the letters of the alphabet are letters, they are really just symbols, abstract and don't mean anything. ABSTRACT!



That's the evolution of the number 4 as a glyph. I am completely boggled by the fact that none of the glyphs mean anything to me until I reach the end, and then it seems to be instinct of numbers that kicks in. It's so embedded in our brains that 4 means a number to us, it's a representation of a number, that's all.

It's weird to question something you think you have such a grasp on.

I'm gonna go back to thinking about numbers.

Blech

I feel kind of sick, and I think it has something to do with all of this stupid technology. My stomach hurts because I spend so much time in front of my computer. I want to go out into the world and forget about this so-called interweb. It just makes things more complicated, most people think it makes things easier, but that's a lie. I liked it better when I had to look words up in the dictionary and read my encyclopedias. Why is the world moving at 5,000 miles per second? I am going to slow down. Kthnxbye.

I don't know what this means...

I had a conversation with my mother the other day.

"Mom, I think I'm Buddhist."
"Yeah, I've always wondered about you."

This makes me feel funny, but kinda special.