Tag: culture

Put your feet up

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How is it possible that time seems to slow in the summer?  Is it because the days are longer? Is it because the sun makes us forget about our busy schedules?  Is it because we somehow have less to do?  I’m pretty sure it’s not because we have less to do but it’s the perfect time of year to spend more time “hanging out” and a little less nose-to-the-grindstone like we do the rest of the year.

As we are at this lazy time of year…

July--feet

Take some extra time to relax with friends and maybe leave the office half an hour earlier than usual.  And, in case you can’t make either of those things happen, take a quick break with what I have in store in the next few weeks.  Short and simple and hopefully a quick break from the every day slog – something to make you want to say “Cheers”!.

 

Tracks

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Film festivals have become the center of my life in the last few months.  Between working on getting  current projects into  festivals and attending films at festivals, I’ve become dependent on festival catalogues and spend far too much time looking at what films are playing at what time.  It’s almost like I’m back working for a festival again but for once I’m on the other end of the phone asking the questions instead of having to know all of the answers.

Now normally I would try to see documentaries to see what other people are working on but I’ve been mixing in narrative film as well.  One film in particular, Tracks, is an interesting mix of the two as it is technically a narrative piece while being based on a true story.  Now perhaps some scenes aren’t exactly the way that it happened, but for the most part the story is in tact.

Dir. John Curran

I know that the idea of watching a girl walk across q desert with four camels and a dog, interrupted periodically by a photojournalist, may not sound like the most invigorating story, but somehow it captures your attention for the full two hours.  I love the cinematography in this film.  It’s beautiful and it moves the viewer through the film so seamlessly (with many thanks to the editor and the composer too) that it’s pure eye candy.

The film also has another draw for me in that photojournalist Rick Smolan is featured in this film which adds an interesting connection for me.  I happen to work with Rick’s brother and at times with Rick.  It’s a surreal experience watching a film where you see the same name that’s sitting in your inbox pop on the movie screen.  I know better than to think of this person on the screen to be the true Rick, but it’s amazing to see someone who looks and sounds so much like him.

If you have the chance to see this film, I would highly recommend it. And, for those who are completely entranced by the story and want to know more, there is a book and the original National Geographic article.

Food + Friends + Nature :: The Friends

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Friends are one of those things that a lot of us take for granted.  It’s when we finally see those we haven’t seen in a long time that we realize how important they are to us.

Friends

In the last 10 years, I’ve moved around a lot, met a lot of people and made some great friends but I don’t get to see many of them very often.  In fact, there are some that I don’t see for years at a time.

Last month was a nice change for me because even though I was very busy with work I was able to see friends I hadn’t seen in several years, ran into friends I hadn’t been in contact with in a long time, made new friends and met the next generation of friends because lets face it, I’m at that age where my friends are having babies.  All of which I’m feeling very grateful for.  Why so nostalgic at the moment? I’m not really sure.

While looking back over the last few weeks and contemplating how nice it’s been to see so many people that mean something to me, I found this article: The 5 Types of Friends Everyone Should Have. Now this may not be the be-all-to-end-all list of friend types that we should all have, but I thought that it made a good point.  We really should all have:

  1. The friend who is always down for whatever.
  2. The friend slightly cooler than you.
  3. The friend you admire.
  4. The friend that doesn’t know any of your other friends.
  5. The friend whom you’ve known forever.

I probably have more of no. 4 than I would like- but I like that I have so much diversity and that they live all over the glove.  I also have several no. 5 which is always a comfort.

I know that I’ve moved away from my usual video analysis, but just for this week, I want to take the time to acknowledge all those people that I like to spend my time with and can only hope that I get to see them more over the summer months and beyond. Because really, what is life without the people we share it with?

Food + Friends + Nature :: The Food

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Last month, I worked for a small start-up in Seattle called ChefSteps.  If you like food and/or science, you must check them out.  It’s a very unique place where food and science come to you and inspire you to be a better cook.  That’s my mini plug over.  I’ll probably talk about them again in the future so don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The project had me working with an amazing group of chefs who, like any one who cares about what they produce, are passionate about what they share with their customers.  They weren’t dishing up ramen, but the passion and intensity that they put into everything they do comes through in this film (I don’t think they are quite this intense when they’re driving though):

Nowness

 

Besides making me very hungry for ramen, I love this video because it conveys the personality of the main character so well.  I guess it’s a toss up between the Ivan Orkin and the ramen, but either way, you know who they are by the end.  The camera work is good, although I would have liked to see some more color in some shots, but overall I loved it.  I don’t know if it’s inspired me enough to go and make ramen for myself (there are a few more steps than I have time for) but I’m ready to go hunting for the best ramen restaurant that I can find.

Another month gone…

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May was one of the busiest months I’ve had in a long time and to be honest I loved every moment of it.  It was one of those good types of busy where I was exhausted by the end of the day (in a good way) and I looked forward to the next day.  I hope June can bring something like that because I’m feeling very fulfilled at the moment.

What was keeping me so busy?  I don’t know if I’m quite ready to share that yet as there is a lot in post-production to be done, but to give you an idea, it involved:

  1. Spending time up in the mountains.
  2. Food.  Lots of food. Really good food.
  3. Visiting with friends.
  4. Camping.
  5. Puppies.
  6. Watching films at the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF).

I know.  Not a lot to go by, but like I said, post-production is going to take a while.

I don’t have much of a theme for this month but after reflecting on this last month, I’m using themes from the last few weeks to inspire my next few posts.

Food,-Friends,-Nature

A broad topic I know… stay tuned.

Wanderlust :: Aloha

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Makai Creative

Be honest.  When you hear the word Hawai’i doesn’t your heart begin to flutter and the idea of going to the islands in the middle of the Pacific intrigue you just a little- even to the point of distraction?  Well it does for me.  When I’ve had it with things at home, Hawaii is usually one of the first places that I think of escaping to.

I’m not entirely sure what it is about the small chain of islands but it always sounds heavenly.  I’ve been once.  For four days.  Yes, all that way for four days and I loved it!  Someday I hope to go back for a lot longer than an extended weekend and hope to visit more than just the island of Oahu.  It is a beautiful place but I would love to see all of the other terrains.

Perhaps this video isn’t what we all expect of the Pacific island but it just shows the diversity of whats sitting there in the middle of the ocean.

Wanderlust :: Vino

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filmit

Now I’ve never been to Slovenia let alone to a vineyard in Slovenia but I have been to several vineyards.  There is something so serene about these specialized farms and they are the perfect getaway for just a few hours.  Its possible that after several wine tastings its just the fermented grape juice that I’ve been sampling that makes me feel that way but I beg to differ.

Since I can’t travel overseas at the moment, perhaps a visit to a vineyard is the perfect antidote… For now I will settle for a glass of wine.

Wanderlust :: Making the most of where you are

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After my rather whiny post last week I think I’ve gotten it out of my system.  Don’t you hope!

Now that we are well into May I feel like things are looking up.  The promise of day trips to the mountains and adventure lingers in the air- summer is rapidly approaching!  This makes me happy just thinking about because maybe soon the weather won’t be so grey. Yahoo!

I found this video that made me appreciate the ability to be outdoors even when you live in the city.  I really don’t have room to complain because I live in a city that is sparsely populated compared to NYC but I was inspired none-the-less.

indoek

 

Happy nearly-Summer!

Wanderlust :: Mexico

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Ok ok, so I just got back from a quick trip to Mexico for a friend’s wedding, and you would have thought that would have helped with the travel cravings.  But like I’ve said before, it only made me want to travel more.  Tough luck for me because I’m not going anywhere for a while.  Or at least its looking that way…

So to help commemorate my time away I present to you this video of Mexican food.  I warn you- it will make you hungry so try not to watch on an empty stomach:

The Perennial Plate

 

Don’t you just love all the colors?!

If you’re into food and especially into trying new food when you travel, make sure to check out The Perennial Plate.  They have a great catalogue of videos celebrating the diversity of good food in the world.