All Things But None

One for Monday.

Something fun, something wicked.

Music ruined me yet it also gave me strength. I was quite a loner back in the 80's, well pretty much all my life. I went everywhere by myself. If I had a 'mobile shell' like a hermit crab, I would've taken it with me everywhere I went. I guess I could've made one back in school! I wasn't a so-called 'recluse' since I still went out! I remember the music that was my all-time favourite back in those days was This Mortal Coil. A trip to Melrose's Rene's All Ears and the old Aron's Records was a blast. Remembering buying their first import album It'll End In Tears... It was such a pinnacle point in my life and at the time, I didn't even realize it [I guess pretty much that's how it works in life!]. How wonderful is that!

Then getting their 2nd and 3rd albums when they came out in 1986 and 1991. Immortal magic. Brings back such fond memories listening to Filigree & Shadow in my room in total darkness. Also when their import CD Blood came out, I bought it for a whoppin' $36. And THAT was waaay too much money for back then! Ouch! But worth every penny. I still listen to it today.

Yesterday I was playing my radio here and heard Bauhaus' Lagartija Nick. Thought of this old picture and revamped it cuz of the song. Have you heard? It's my favourite Bauhaus song, Terror Couple Kill Colonel being 2nd runner up. Then I clicked on Dreams Are Like Water and hands down, I had to use it today. Time and time again, TMC's still my all time favourite band/music. Well, Western music that's. (-:

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Currently listening:
This Mortal Coil - Dreams Are Like Water

I dislike self-portraits, but I think I'll start to post 1 or 2 a month. Why not! Keeps me out of trouble! Thank you all again for commenting. Each one means more than you know. No special reason why I wrote all that this past Monday, I guess I was just reminiscing my time back in Phoenix. Good times. Not so good times. It was another me - same, different. Have a good and relaxing weekend everyone. Much luff.

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Currently listening:
The Hope Blister - Friday Afternoon

The glasses are for hiding the bags under my eyes - seriously. Though not from lack of sleep mind you but Father Time! This was taken yesterday late afternoon. Got home from work and decided to take the picture. Why not!! A picture for keepsake before I decide to shave it all off. So I got some beard wax and - presto! I could've made it curlier, but I was in a hurry! heh!

Couldn't decide on a song to somewhat go with the photo! Hmm... First I thought of Dizzy by The Flying Lizards, or Astronaut by Lush, then was thinking of a track by Sam Hui... finally I decided on Philip Glass. I prefer this particular track to his many others; I find it simply mesmerizing. How can one not like it? :-)

Have a good day everyone.

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Currently listening:
Philip Glass - Opening

Remember that I was going to take some self-portraits every now and then for the Untitled series? Well, I haven't lately so no pictures! *whew!* Though my curly-que mustache is growing quite long these days... I feel like a cat-man.

Well here is artwork of some foliage. It'll do for now. My life isn't all about me y'know! :-) Hope everyone is having a good day today. *big hugs to you, and you [yeah YOU]... and you*

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Currently listening:
Yann Tiersen feat. Liz Fraser - Kala

I've only done 5 or 6 of these Untitled entries since I started ATBN. I've been so neglectful. The last one was from back in June... you might not have noticed, but the branches change - just for you!

The piece in this picture is something we bought on one of our vacations, something that was made from a Chinaberry tree... now the man lives on our bookshelf.

Have yourself a good Thursday! :-)

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Currently listening:
Air - Night Sight

This is how my brain feels [prolly looks like] lately... a big pulsating mush! hmm...

Have you finished your holiday shopping? I'm still working on mine. Getting stuff for coworkers is such a PITA! Yeah, YOU! ahaha, j/k! Actually for this year, I bought most of the gifts for my coworkers back in late September! woohoo! But I'm just finally finishing my cards today. Why do I always wait 'til the last minute? I don't know. I still have packages to send out and I'm afraid to head out to the post office. I'm a professional procrastinator.

Oh yesterday while I was working on my cards and licking an envelope, I paper-cut'd my tongue. *zoinks* I thought something like this would never happen, but it did. A good slice... yet bleeding that it was, it didn't hurt! Now you know!

Hmm... nothing much else to say... See, a blubbery mush I tell you! *toot toot*

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Currently listening:
Penguin Cafe Orchestra - Music For a Found Harmonium

My first attempt to do more self-portraits! Woke up Saturday morning and started playing with my camera. I like how the photo turned out. And thank you everyone for the encouragement.

Reading the camera manual can be quite daunting... 400+ pages in that little big book, sort of like a mini novella. Also seeing some of the brilliant photographs being showcased on Flickr and how much these people know about photography, makes me feel like a tortoise... but I don't mind, I like taking my time! Oh and my 'puter doesn't have enough juice when it comes to processing 'em raw files... a tortoise that I am - I am! :-)

It's Sunday afternoon and it's been raining on and off since last night. mmm... I hope you're enjoying your Sunday!

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Currently listening:
Colder - Crazy Love [Luke Innes Mix]

Got home yesterday and played with my camera for a good half hour. Who said I'm camera-shy? But I am. I used to hate being skinny when I was in school, but now I only wish if my body was once were! [Wait, I don't think that's proper English, but who said I'm ever proper!] But it's quite alright since I've learned to like my body these days, no matter how I look.

And what better model than myself, yeah? I can tell me what to do - go this way, do it that way, play dead... and I'm dirt cheap, more like fur-reee! :-) But I ain't no narcissist cuz I don't like myself that much! This one is a plain black n' white and it's centered [isn't that a big no-no in photography?]... but I like it. Nothing fancy, it's just me.

BTW, thanks to my good friend Bridie, next week we're going to this Captured By The Light seminar on photography lighting. Check it out, they might be in your neck of the woods! And if you put in discount code WHCC when registering, you get über savings! My complete registration is a whoppin' $19. Can't beat eh?

Well, that's it for now! Have a great Tuesday everyone! xoxo

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Currently listening:
Ulrich Schnauss - Gone Forever [Robin Guthrie version]

Not sure if I'm lazy or just uninspired to write these days... or even to copy n' paste! :-) Anyway, hopefully I'll have more to say next time. So before I part, I shall give you this picture as a reminder: Don't forget to water your plants! ehehe!

Y'know I've always wanted to pair this song up with a particular picture. I'll use this one! And nope, no more uploading to Flickr! In fact, I will delete my account up there soon enough and just do a page with a simple picture viewer. It'll be my own little thing.

Enjoy your day everyone!

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Currently Listening:
Cocteau Twins - An Elan

Did you know that Beck participated in this song? Well he wrote and read the 'poem' towards the middle of the track. I heard his name wasn't mentioned in the credits. I saw Air on tour once and Beck popped outta nowhere and got on stage, but he didn't perform. I myself am not familiar with his music, so I guess it really doesn't matter. *shrug* I like the song. Well that's enough of that.

How are you? I've been a bit sick since Sunday. Started out with a sore throat and finally I took Wednesday off... all morning I sat in front of the television with a runny nose while playing on my PS2. My nose's been either stuff'd up or runny. Today it's runny. I should just go home around lunch time. I haven't done anything 'fun' or exciting lately. I did order a few computer books online... books on web designs and website mash-ups. I can never read enough it seems.

Not much of an interesting post indeedy. What else can I tell you?? Hmm... Two men were walking and they spotted a flag waving in the air. The first man said: "The flag is moving." The second man replied: "No, the air is moving." Then came along a passerby and he told them: "It's your mind that's moving!"

Ehehe! Enjoy the weekend everyone!! xoxo

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Currently listening:
Air - Don't Be Light

Y'know I've always wanted to do a photograph like this one... with the lens kissing the sun!

I was a bit inspired last night after work... Alec had dinner engagement with his coworkers so after I got home, I pulled out [and dusted off] the camera and tripod and set it up out in the backyard while the sun was still out. Originally I tried to take the pictures without my tripod, hand holding it at arm's length but I really didn't feel like seeing myself über up close! Bleh! Too scary if you ask me. Took about 20 shots and I think this one I prefer the most. Brought it into Adobe Camera Raw and did some minor tweaking. It turned out mostly how I imagined, though I think it looks a wee bit better at 600 x 400 pixels - a meager 13% compared to its original size at 4288 x 2848! Doh!

Seems like I only snap pictures when I'm inspired. Not much of a photographer really... more so a hobbyist I reckon. By far I don't take as many photos like my fellow bloggers do... Maybe I should just call myself THE LAZY PHOTOGRAPHER. I think Pod might like that... :-)

Good Wednesday everyone! xoxo

PS. Oh crappity, re-reading my post... I realized it's only Tuesday!

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Currently listening:
Cocteau Twins - Dials

I've always loved night photography. A small flash light and the ambient light from the computer monitor... I'd forgotten how much I love taking pictures in the 'night'. Practice practice! I need to do that this coming week.

Have a wonderful weekend everybody. And be safe! xoxo

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Currently Listening:
David Darling - Darkwood IV- Dawn

"Hi! My name is Robert and I'm a lazy-ass photographer." I'm not that lazy but sometimes I feel it. I managed to get a few pictures in this week. For me, I'm not the type of person who carries his camera around town and snappin' pictures. I'm not very much spontaneous. I like to plan things out a bit in my head before I shoot. I need a vision.

Since I'm not out in the middle of nature like 2 weeks ago, these days I can't take pictures of mountains and valleys and rivers and rocks anymore. So since I live in Los Angeles, I might as well take pictures of... Los Angeles. I was never too fond of taking pictures of cityscapes, buildings and the like. Maybe I'll try that. Generally I like taking/looking at photographs that convey a mood... usually something mysterious, brooding or melancholy. That's just me! What do you like to take pictures of??

Well that's it for this Friday. I hope everyone have a fantastic and relaxing weekend. Be safe and enjoy the last weeks of this October!!! xoxo

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Currently listening:
The Hope Blister - Friday Afternoon

Goodness, I haven't worn this for over a decade! There are still quite a few 'stamps' on the one sleeve since the bouncers couldn't stamp my wrists rather. I had to go to the bathroom wearing the darn thing! Funny! Over the years I gave n' threw away a lot of things, but I never had the heart to toss this piece out. I knew it would come in handy eventually. Maybe I should wear it tomorrow to the office? But the 'gloves' might get in the way of productivity I reckon.

What should I take pictures of next? Hmm... I do have an idea or two, but I'll need Alec's help to get the boxes down that are sitting on top of the garage. I can't wait! It's kinda cute and I think you'll have a giggle or two! Maaaybe.

'til next time. Have a safe and fun-filled Halloween tomorrrow! *boo*

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Currently listening:
Justice - Phantom Part II [Soulwax Remix]

How is your weekend coming along? Southern Cal has gotten a bit of rain and I'm loving it. Wait, I think I just stole that from McD's. Yesterday we dropped by the Brewery Artwalk in downtown Los Angeles and it was quite a lovely visit. The place is more like a colony of artists living in their lofts, where once a year they open up their doors to invite people in to view their artwork and workspace and such. The place itself was interesting enough since a good few blocks of buildings were converted into lofts and artist's studios. It was a good turn-out indeed. Three hours in and we barely gotten to see half of everything there.

Was it inspiring? Most certainly. Half way through the walk I started somewhat pondering about my own existence, my own cause... Seeing these young artists reminded me of myself when I was younger, attending art school... Now here they wait for their dreams to happen, to be discovered as an artist, or something... To be Somebody that makes a difference or maybe just to make a living, both with something that they feel passionate about. Waiting...... But aren't we all waiting... waiting for something? As if waiting was some sort of a destination. Through the doorway. Some will get there. Some will not.

Hope you're having a fantastic Sunday!! xoxo

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Currently listening:
Tricky - Makes Me Wanna Die

Take the advice from my favorite blockhead! How can anyone turn down a face like Charlie Brown? :-) 'cept for Lucy of course.

Have an über day everyone!!

These days, I feel less and less inclined to write. I'm not much of a writer to begin with. Lately, I'd rather post pictures. Slowly this blog may turn into a photoblog instead. I stopped uploading pictures to Flickr awhile ago, and back in July a good friend of mine bought me a Pro account for my birthday! That place inspires and intimidates! I still visit there for information and see my friends' creations, but for me, I'll just stick around here in my own little world.

These 2 pieces are actually part of an assignment from this Adobe InDesign class that I'm taking. I'm supposed to pull 2 song lines from a particular song. I picked one, but later on I couldn't find images that I thought was appropriate... and I might as well use my own images at this point. I pulled these lines from a version of Tao Te Ching. The course will be over next month. yay!

Earlier today I took a picture or two of the so-called 'self-portrait'. When I was tweaking them, I thought to myself: "I look so sad." But I thought to myself: That's okay cuz that's just me. I look how I look. Maybe that's just how I feel.

Anyway, I wish everyone a good night and take great care of yourself - and each other. xoxo

Happy on the inside? Sad on the outside? I guess. I very much dislike seeing pictures of myself, either I'm too animated or my eyes are usually half closed... but now that I'm forty something, I'm not as bad as before. One body, one mind... might as well get used to it. I like this particular picture, not so much on the effect but the expression... I think it says a lot about me.

Have a good weekend everybody. Enjoy yourself and each other!!

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Currently listening:
Lunz - Lunz

In between.
Is there really such a place?
Blink of an eye −
then where will we be?

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Currently listening:
Minimal Compact - When I Go

I guess you might call this Officescape. heh! My cube is near the middle on the left. You can't see it, but it's there, waiting for me every week day. The building is like the size of a football field, and this particular building has 2 floors. It's the land of low cubbies.

Last week a coworker suggested that we should bring our cameras in and head out to take pictures during lunchtime. So I did, but on the next day, nothing was mentioned. But early that morning, I snapped a couple of pictures, and that was enough.

What does your work place look like? Enjoy the rest of your weekend!! xo, r

Pink shirt n' a skinny black tie taken in a poorly lit room. Muted. Well it's sort of my new 80's look! I'm gonna try to bring the skinny tie back! You just wait! I'll be sporting a different one to work each and every day next week! woohoo!

Yeah, sometimes little things get me excited! ooh! Have a great Sunday everyone!

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Currently listening:
Bow Wow Wow - Baby Oh No! [Special Extended Version]

A photo a day for the week. Silly innit? This set-up doesn't look much like the 80's though, dang it... but I'm still keeping the theme going with the music! Like I said before, I haven't been taking many pictures lately, so at least this little 'assignment' will get me using my camera a bit. Hmm... after this, what's next!?! Any ideas?

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Currently listening:
Alphaville - Forever Young

Gaah! How long will this last! ugh! This is most silly, but I feel like I must continue! Three. More. Days! :-) Now, what's for dinner... hmm!!

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Currently listening:
The Flying Lizards - Dizzy Miss Lizzie [Extended]

Sam over at Green Acres recently mentioned something about his music player on his blog. It got me thinking [again!] whether I want to have the music from my radioblog to come on on auto-start or not. At times, I still think it's a tad rude to blast the music whenever peeps come to the page, but I don't do it every day. Or should I?? *looks up & pinches chin* jk!

Previous versions of Radioblog used to have this feature where you can generate a link in the body text, and when you click on it the song would start playing. I miss that. So I think I will keep annoying you cuz I like my music too much, and that I'm too lazy to click to activate. One good thing about the radio is that when you set the volume once, it'll stay at that audio level.

Anyway, I love this song by The Furs. It makes me feel all good and happy-like. Shall we dance?

Heaven
Heaven is the home of our hearts
And heaven don't tear you apart
Yeah heaven is the home of our hearts
And heaven don't tear you apart

There's too many kings wanna hold you down
And a world at the window gone underground
There's a hole in the sky where the sun don't shine
And a clock on the wall and it counts my time

And heaven is the home of our hearts
And heaven don't tear you apart
Yeah heaven is the home of our hearts
And heaven don't tear you apart

There's a song on the air with a love-you line
And a face in a glass and it looks like mine
And I'm standing on ice when I say that I don't hear planes
And I scream at the fools wanna jump my train

Yeah heaven...

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Currently listening:
The Psychedelic Furs - Heaven

Darn traffic took forever tonight. I got tired of it and stopped by Costco just to see what's good to get. I bought some fish and a wedge of cheese. Oooooh! Exciting innit?

And this photo... By far not the most exciting. Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow. Don't you just love this song by Marc?? Time to make dinner! Night night!

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Currently listening:
Marc Almond - A Lover Spurned [Extended Mix]

Yay, my little assignment / experiment has finally come to an end! Who knew I would last a whole week. Not sure what took precedence: Me needing an excuse to take pictures or me daring myself to wear a tie [and be geeky] all week long!? Doesn't matter now, cuz on both counts, I had fun. All the photographers I see out there, they all have their 'series' of photographs... Like a set of photos just on, say, chairs... trees, bridges, or whatever. I guess that's how it works. So for me to do this little project is a start of a good habit. I'll certainly do more, but not with myself mind you.

Continuing with the 80's music theme, there were so many to choose from: The Lightning Seeds, Pete Shelley, Talk Talk, Electronic, ACT, Bronski Beat, Bananarama [Hi Jef!!], Altered Images, Toto Coelo [remember them?]... Alas, so many to choose from! But then I thought of Limahl! haha! 'nuff said! The movie came out back in 1984 and I was a young adult then, so it didn't really make much impact on me, but the song did for some reason.

Okay, next time I think I'll post a video! Not of me mind you! :-) Have a great weekend everybody!

xo, r

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Currently listening:
Limahl - The Never Ending Story [Extended]

I read somewhere that there is no higher happiness than peace...

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Currently listening:
Imee Ooi - Tranquility

Work is so mundane these days. Not when you're armed with a camera phone. I sent this to one of my coworkers yesterday [via MMS] and titled it "Funny or Gross?" Maybe odd to a few and more so disgusting to many? I dunno. I like love toilet humor. Does this count?

As far as taking pictures, once I'm over and done with my current job, I'll have more time to spend on my photography 'hobby'. And speaking of time, I apologize for not replying to most of my email since I've been working on a website for the past weeks. I'll get to them some time this week.

Yes. I'll take more pictures soon enough... Pictures that are more risque maybe? One life, we have to make the most of it... Yes, even when it comes to taking 'naughty' photos.

Photos via camera phone

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Currently listening:
Simian - La Breeze

I miss Zion. We were there last October. Arches National Park was amazing as well... I can't decide which one is more memorable. Alec and I will definitely go back to both. As far as taking photos, I think Arches were more accessible. You can pretty much drive and stop on the side of the road and step out and set up your tripod right at the very spot. I wished we had our better camera during our trip to Moab. That was 3 years ago.

We will be going up to see the Oregon coast area for Alec's family reunion this coming July. I'm very much looking forward to seeing his family and the coastline sceneries... Of course, family comes first and foremost.

It's 3 minutes past midnight. Happy Easter! Have a wonderful celebration everyone, whatever you'll be doing. Don't eat too many Peeps and chocolate bunnies!!

xo, r

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Currently listening:
Mairi Campbell & Dave Francis - Auld Lang Syne

I like the photo above. [Click for larger version] I made it infrared to give it some eeriness yet the imagery of the mother and child brings warmth to the overall composition. At least that's how I interpret it. For some reason I like staring at this photo while listening to this piano version of Mad World... It's a bit difficult to see the child though because he's so small in the photo. The other photo that I like from yesterday was a shot of a seagull. I'll post that some other day.

Right now I just had lunch and am off to Borders for some good readin'!

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Currently listening:
The Key Sessions Quartet - Mad World

Today the weather in the Los Angeles area has certainly cooled off a bit, more than 20 degrees! Can you feel it? Last night I set my alarm clock to 3am this morning and as soon as it went off, up I go. Since I haven't a job these days, this photo assignment that I gave myself certainly gives me something to look forward it. It was a cloudy morning, no moon in sight. A lovely drive, took about 20 minutes and I was at the beach. Got there around 4am and was home before sunrise... Just in time to catch Alec before he went to work.

This time I took about 30 photos, only a few I really like. But as you know, there isn't much to photograph at the beach when it's cold, dark and having no one around. It's just sand, garbage bins, public lavatories at every few hundred yards [their lights are blinding anyway], and lifeguard towers, etc. So of course I opted to photograph one of the towers. They turned out well, I'll post that sometime next week. The above gull photo is from earlier this week. Again, another infrared transformation. I quite like it, I even made it into my 24" desktop wallpaper, but not as much as I like the one from Tuesday.

On top of that, today I purchased another domain and it's piggy-backin' to my Mrhappysad website. My current hosting company provided that to me - free of charge! Woohoo! I think I'll put my photography stuff on there, soon. Well that's all for this evening. Have a great night everyone!!

xo, r

xo, r

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Currently listening:
Arturo Stalteri - An Ending [Ascent]