Twin Cities Photo and Film

CHALKBOARD Trailer

2011-11-16T10:58:00.002-06:00

Click above to take a look at the trailer for my new film CHALKBOARD!
We hope to have it finished by spring 2012.

Sorry

2011-10-13T12:33:00.003-05:00

The Silent Room: A Worker's Musical
Sorry for those 4 of you following my blog- I have been insanely busy producing a pro-union play called THE SILENT ROOM for the Minnesota Fringe as well as finishing my film and screenplay projects. Our reviews were for the most part really good. We had some performances that were just magical.
Now, I am getting my life back a bit and am turning my energies totally toward writing and still photography.

CHALKBOARD

2011-03-18T01:14:00.002-05:00

Meet Your New Best Friends

The film Chalkboard is underway. I will be posting updates, photos and videos as the production goes on. Above is a photo of the mysterious Men In Black that do the grunt work for the alien abductors that frequent a quiet little patch of woods in Minnesota.

Chalkboard

2011-01-03T12:14:00.002-06:00

I have a new film in the works called "Chalkboard". Its a horror film that I wrote to be filmable with almost no budget. It all boils down to the script and how the film is structured. Is it scary?

Most horror films , especially big budget ones are not scary, they are gross or shocking, but scary is something thats pretty rare now. If I can pull this off and make an audience jump, it will really be worth the effort. I'll be posting casting notices and behind-the-scenes pics as we are further along.

Ted

Christmas in Bayfield

2010-12-28T01:15:00.002-06:00

My wife and I spent Christmas in Bayfield, Wisconsin on the Lake Superior shore. It was storybook beautiful. After checking in at the amazing Victorian B&B The Rittenhouse Inn, we headed to Maggies (The only place open in town) and had fried whitefish fresh out of the lake. It was the best flippin fish and chips I have ever had. We nestled into our Victorian era room and lit a fire and just enjoyed how well the Innkeepers took care of us. It was a really different experience from a hotel. You were really made to feel welcome and the fact that we were only one of three couples staying there, it made for a very cosy experience. On Christmas eve, the owner himself cooked for us, giving the staff the night off. Just look at the photos.

winter hits

2010-12-20T19:39:00.002-06:00

This image should be on the Minnesota Flag. This winter has just begun and its a brutal slog so far. This car in the ditch was right down the street from my house! There was a big 4x4 right down from it. I have a little Japanese beater, so I wonder how it is that the big tanks always go in the ditch first.

Im heading to Bayfield WI for Christmas. I hope to get some good images there to share with you. I have been busy with other things, mostly just making it through the winter thus far.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T22:31:00.000-06:00

Hope that you had a good one!

Hennepin

2010-11-17T11:37:00.000-06:00

mpls

2010-11-17T11:33:00.001-06:00

We're in Minnesota Folks

2010-11-16T00:50:00.002-06:00

Could you imagine, the day before there was green grass and still a few leaves on the trees and then BAM! its winter wonderland. That's Minnesota for ya in case you forgot!

BTW-It is the most dangerous time of year to be in a car because everyone suddenly forgets how to drive in snow!

It's the Buns

2010-11-02T00:35:00.002-05:00

What made these from scratch burgers so good? It was the buns baby! I made the buns dough in a bread machine and then hand portioned them on the cookie sheet. They came out so delicious! In addition, I toasted the buns with a little oil to give it some flavor. Home made bread is just one of the best things ever. BTW-I got the bread machine at the thrift store for

$7 and it works just great!

The Pink Lady

2010-11-02T00:31:00.002-05:00

This drink is called a "Pink Lady" made with gin, grenadine, and cream. It wasn't bad...a little girly for me though.

Town Talk Cocktails

2010-10-21T02:30:00.004-05:00

The Blood and Sand and The Green Fairy

Bacon-Infused Manhattan

The Green Fairy

I went to the Town Talk Diner on Lake Street just a block east of the light rail

www.towntalkdiner.com

Two bartenders greeted me for happy hour. My partner and I decided to share a drink, a Blood and Sand (a Scotch drink) and a Green Fairy (An Absinthe Cocktail). The Green Fairy was not on the menu, but my agile bartender, Freddy, pulled out a reciepie and went to work squeezing an orange and separating egg whites. The drink was built in a shaker and seemed very difficult to make. A pinch of this, a dash of that, then two rounds with the shaker and the end result was the drink you see above. That froth on the top was why they use egg white. The drink was amazing with a hint of the signature star anise flavor.

I chatted with Freddy and the other bartenders and really felt that these guys are dead serious about the art of mixology. I dabble at home, but these folks make their bitters and other ingredients from scratch making their drinks on par with any bar anywhere.

The happy hour drinks were just $6 too. I think I'll be back soon.

More Fall

2010-10-15T01:45:00.002-05:00

Right by the airport. Quite the views for the middle of the city.

fall

2010-10-07T02:28:00.002-05:00

Fall in MN

Model-T Truck?

2010-09-20T20:05:00.003-05:00

I stumbled upon this truck atop a trailer in a parking lot. I'm not sure what kind it is, but it was definitely a Ford of the Model-T era. Were there Model-T trucks? Notice the lanterns on the right and left sides. Those are kerosine lanterns folks. I hope whoever purchased this truck will show it a lot of love.

Old Fashioned

2010-09-13T12:21:00.005-05:00

THE OLD FASHIONED COCKTAIL: I am trying my hand at making cocktails and recently I read about the resurgence of the first American cocktail The Old Fashioned. This drink was changed significantly in Wisconsin to be a Brandy drink and dubbed by many at "The Official Drink of Wisconsin". If you look at the recipies from the 1800's you will find that the drink was originally made with burbon and that is how I made it here. There is some confusion about if it contains soda water or not. I put club soda in the recipie that you see here along with bitters and the fruit garnish. I did not muddle the cherry as some recipies call for. Somehow the muddled cherry became "the thing" to do with an Old Fashioned.

Duck

2010-09-13T00:20:00.001-05:00

our little toy duck had a staring contest with herself

MN Gets Together

2010-09-06T15:32:00.006-05:00

I would be remiss as a Minnesotan to not photograph the State Fair. Our State Fair is like no other I have visited. It has an energy that others only hope to recreate, a frenzy of eating strange food like the top photo of the deep fried candy bar. The barnyard animals that one never usually sees in person. The craft contests that exist in no other places than the State Fair.

The shopping...Don't forget that. It all adds up to an amazing experience that takes over the state. Today is it's last day (Labor Day) and we will all just have to dream about the Fair to get us through the winter. Just think CHEESE CURD...

Smokey

2010-08-28T23:10:00.003-05:00

Dear Readers, this is a photo of a butterfly that landed in my back yard and didn't want to leave. He stayed in this one spot, even though we got up close and were doing yard work. We figured that he was adopting us, so we named him Smokey. I have to wonder if he's migrating to Mexico or if he is just a local beauty that is OK with freezing in a few months. He was a great model, even with me shooting three inches away from his face...he even seemed to smile...do you see it?

a break

2010-08-21T12:32:00.002-05:00

I'm just posting to let you all know I am still here, but haven't had inspiring images to post for the last few days, but these things seem to come in bursts and creativity seems to have dry spells that are beyond the artist's control. I have been busy with my writing, however, and I will start a new screenplay today now that my other projects are finished. I'll keep you posted.

Tokheim Stoneware

2010-08-09T13:05:00.003-05:00

Near my country house is Tokheim Stoneware near Dawson MN. This country artisan gallery is a long way from the cities, but their pottery is sold around the country and through their website. The quality of the pottery is amazing and some of it is intricately detailed (such as the carved horsehead bowls). I didn't have a lot of money, but couldn't resist starting my collection with an oatmeal pot with the distinctive Tokheim stamp on it. The attention to detail extended to the cork used on the pot. Notice that the top of the cork still has the bark from the tree on it.

The pottery is obviously very Scandinavian influenced. Some of the bowls seem to be straight out of Beowulf. One of the treats from my visit there was finding a functioning rosemail designed outhouse. I was afraid to ask, but I think its the real deal. It was beautifully designed with rosemail painings inside and out and a cute little candle at the window. I noticed that it didn't smell at all.

I'm really glad that I stopped in to meet the artists. When I get my country home finished, I will have lots of work from local artists. The pottery from Tokheim Stoneware will be a big part of my collection.

all tore up

2010-08-07T02:27:00.003-05:00

I went to visit my house out in Madison, MN on Wed. and this is what I found. The street in front of my house along with two alleys that access the back were completely torn up as they completely replace the sewer system. I think they are finished laying the pipe, but they have to dig up the dirt to relay the street. It's done with this gigantic machine that is very noisy. The alley was barely passible as I barrelled through the clods of dirt to get to my backyard.

I was there to work on the house and to specifically check to see if the roof was still leaking. Miracle of miracles, it wasn't (finally) thanks to the new Ondura roof panels that I installed over the raggedy asphault shingles. I've been installing the roof myself as there is no way that I could hire someone to do the work. Anyway, that's why I've been busy for a few days and not posting pics and all that.

sky

2010-07-29T02:39:00.002-05:00

Dramatic?

Victor's 1959 Cafe

2010-07-26T11:29:00.002-05:00

Good Cuban breakfast in Minneapolis? Try Victor's at 3756 Grand Ave. South.

I had the Cuban Hash and it was really good. I especially liked the fried plantain and the guava jelly for the toast. It was a nice day to eat on the patio. You might want to call ahead...the lines can be long on weekdays.

7-25

2010-07-26T01:19:00.001-05:00

The name says it all.

Times Square

2010-07-24T23:04:00.003-05:00

Times Square at 2 am. It's like Vegas, all lit up, but without the gambling. It was funny that there were at least two huge Starbucks kitty-corner from each other. Apparently it is the belief that New Yorkers won't cross the street to get a cup of coffee. Strange.

Most of the stores were the same ones that we have in the Mall of America, just more decked out. There was a huge Hersey's store and I was told by a local that it sells T-shirts and stuffed animals and other bric-a-brac. Who needs all this stuff when there are so many hungry and homeless people in our own country. I have never purchased anything that has given me more than a temporary sense of satisfaction. Shopping, I think, is a fix, just like any other. All I can think about is how I can downsize.

What I saw that was really interesting is that people bring folding chairs and sit at 2am with their day's purchases just to watch the huge screen with illuminated advertisements for hours. How sick is that to do on your vacation?

The Dakota

2010-07-23T01:07:00.003-05:00

This is the entryway to The Dakota apartments where John Lennon was assassinated. This was the only spot that I was interested in seeing among the endless rows of 20 million dollar properties. I could care less about all of that. In the end, it is the artists that really shape our memories and experiences through their work. It was a surreal and awe-inspiring feeling to be in such a sacred place.

An amazing view

2010-07-23T00:59:00.002-05:00

Just got back from NYC and it was an amazing experience. I think that I want to, in spite of all of the negatives of living in a metropolis, move to NYC at least temporarily at some point in the near future. This was my second trip there and I found the second time to be the charm. I loved it here and wondered to myself how I ever existed in LA all of those years when this city was out there. Yes, it is inconvienient. Having a car is impossible. Finding a quiet place to yourself is very difficult. It's expensive as hell. Still the energy is something that can't be duplicated elsewhere, anywhere in the world I think.

afternoon

2010-07-14T13:56:00.001-05:00

For My Sister

2010-07-13T01:59:00.003-05:00

This image is dedicated to my sister who is getting the same surgery that I had almost two years ago.

For someone who knows the pain of being mocked and mistreated his whole life for being obese, I am glad that you are taking this chance to get your health back. I can say, for me it was the best decision of my adult life and I wouldn't take it back for anything.

Your health, mental, physical and spiritual are the most important things in your life because when your life is out of balance, you cannot be the example to other people that you want to be. I won't mince words, being a big person was hellish for me and I am so glad you are doing the surgery. I will meet you on the other side of this thing and I am certain you will be successful.

Dog Head

2010-07-13T01:57:00.003-05:00

This driftwood looks like a canine head on the shores of the Mississippi River. Kind of spooky with the last light of the magic hour.

Liquor Bliss In Minneapolisss

2010-07-08T00:05:00.004-05:00

As much as Tiki-Ti is a bar of Los Angeles, Lyle's is a bar of Minneapolis.

It is a distillation of any serious drinker's needs. A happy hour that lasts almost all day...

Strong drinks, cheap food and no frills.

What more could a drinker want?

ducks

2010-07-02T01:00:00.002-05:00

I was out testing my new flash and came upon the oppurtunity to get momma and babies in formation as they made their escape from the nosy humans. These were the smallest ducks of the bunch as many of the others were almost full grown. I'd say the flash did a pretty good job of catching the action on the fly.

Today was supposed to be my day to shoot a lot of photos, but I just can't handle the heat, so I stayed cooped up with a couple of books on film and the collected plays of Sam Shepard. I was still sweating in the coffee house. Ugh.

I did read about screenplay copyright law and found out that the screenwriter has very few protections as compared to novel writer, playwrights, etc. This was really disheartening.

The burden of proof is always on the writer and is difficult to achieve. It really makes you wonder why we have copyright laws at all if someone could steal your work word-for-word and get away with it.

Ugh again.

STORM SKY

2010-06-27T12:13:00.002-05:00

Noone said that living in Minnesota would be boring. Take a look at that cloud straight out of a CGI effects lab, but no, this was real and sirens were going off in the distance. Streets were flooding and people were huddled in their basements. You can't get interesting weather like this in Southern California!

Sun Jun 20

2010-06-21T00:39:00.003-05:00

Stillwater is such a beautiful city, but damn it's hard to park there. With the lift bridge right in the middle of town I have never seen a time when the streets weren't packed with cars.

Even weekdays are bad. Kudos to the antiquing there. It's just the best I've ever seen, period.

I found this one place with a "secret" third floor that housed the most beautiful chests, tables, lamps, and old commercial signs. I spent two hours just on that floor...time literally vanished.

Stillwater Foodie Find

2010-06-18T01:35:00.009-05:00

The Stillwater Olive Oil Company was the best foodie find when I visited Stillwater today.
The store is just over a month old and it had according to the brochure, "30 different oils and vinegars on tap." Lots of different flavors and stregnths of E.V.O.O. and balsamic vinegars. Kim, at Stillwater Olive Oil Co. gave me some great samples and my favorite was Blood Orange. I'm already getting salad ideas with this one.
I have seen stores like this in California, but this was the first I have witnessed in Minnesota. For a foodie like me, it's a real find to have so many options to bring home. Well Done!
Take a look at their website

www.stillwateroliveoil.com

Nurse's Strike

2010-06-11T01:50:00.002-05:00

I went to Saint Paul to support the MNA Strike as an IWW member in solidarity.
The nurses seemed to genuinely appreciate our support and I told many of them that they had taken care of me during two of my surgeries and it was my chance to give back to them.
Solidarity!

booking

2010-06-05T00:22:00.002-05:00

After some persistent work, I think I have my second wedding booked for photography this year. Exciting. I know that I can do really well, but getting people to trust you when you are newer to the field is quite a challenge.

Namaste

2010-06-02T23:16:00.009-05:00

We found a Nepalese restauraunt in uptown Minneapolis while browsing on Facebook. The menu looked so intriguing that I made it a point to go for Happy Hour today.
My wife had the chai tea and it was amazing, as promised. I partook of a Fat Tire on tap.
The appetizers were $2 off during happy hour and we got two of them.
Paapri Chaat (pictured)and Mamacha with bison a dumpling-like dish that also came in a lamb, chicken and tofu version.
The building itself is a charming home converted into an eatery. There was lots of seating outside along Hennepin and we were close enough to the street to see the scowling faces of bus riders as they watched us eat.
There was beautiful art permanently attached to the building and temporary displays of photography and painting on the interior.
The service was friendly and the waitress nudged me here and there to make the right choices with our order. I think she was a Fat Tire fan, and that was a good way to go.
I have yet to try dinner there. The dishes are in the $15 range, so I might wait for a special occasion.
Reflecting to my LA trip, restauraunts like this demonstrate that Minneapolis need not have a inferiority complex to the BIG THREE.

6-1-10

2010-06-01T15:13:00.002-05:00

A conversation by two baristas

2010-05-31T01:37:00.002-05:00

I heard two female baristas talk at length about giving and receiving whilst I was trying to concentrate on an assignment. The one said that she only likes to receive.
I don't think they were talking about Christmas presents.
Awkward....

Where to buy beer

2010-05-29T20:40:00.004-05:00

I would love to buy beer at this place, but I think it is defunct.

Why I love Minneapolis

2010-05-29T00:37:00.002-05:00

Still reflecting on my LA trip and getting over the pain that I felt in realizing I might never be able to move back there as a homeowner, I thought about why I like and sometimes even love Minneapolis. Places like this castle-like brewery are some of the reasons why. Also, when we came back we realized that we got used to the sound of constant traffic and had trouble sleeping back in Mpls because it was so quiet.
Even the hinterlands of the suburbs are not really that far away around here compared to driving in LA. Also, LA traffic enforcement is really mean spirited with all of these cameras at intersections just ready to give you an automated ticket. How messed up is that? I spent the day on Wed going to an unvisited part of Anoka country called Hilltop and had a really nice Ecuadorian meal in a row of Central and South American restauraunts. It was pretty cool I have to say. Not a lot of pretense.

reflecting on my LA trip

2010-05-25T14:36:00.002-05:00

Thinking back on my LA trip I was privilidged to spend a few days with workers and hear their stories about facing adversity and making strides to get their basic needs met on the shop floor. Every story was different, but all of them reflected the courage of those willing to step up and do something about their situations. Too many times, people say "Why don't you find another job." but its the same almost whereever you go.
People have to stand up for themselves or they will be taken advantage of.
Every time I go to an event like this, I leave a different person. This trip was no exception. Though we are all from different parts of the country, we are all very close.

I went to TIKI-TI

2010-05-22T23:54:00.002-05:00

Located at the intersection of Sunset and Hollywood, TIKI TI is the home of the greatest tropical drinks on the planet. I made it my mission to make it there if just for one drink---but it turned out to be a couple. One drink was $18 if you can believe that.

I never did so many cool things.

2010-05-21T23:59:00.002-05:00

I spent last week at an Organizing Summit hosted by the LA IWW. It was amazing and our hosts were so good to us. My wife and I had our own room in a nice woman's apartment. Seriously, sometime, you need events like this to do something that you wouldn't do otherwise, like finally visiting the Watts Towers after how many years of living in LA?
What was I afraid of? Nothing happened to us and people we met in the neighborhood and at the arts center next to the Towers were so nice. We saw a film on how the towers were created and it was quite inspirational.
I have tons more to tell about my trip, but I just wanted to leave you with the image of the Watts Towers.

Out of Range

2010-05-11T02:53:00.002-05:00

Hey my faithful handful of readers. I will be going to LA for a Union Conference later this week and will be out of touch for a while. I will take plenty of photos though and will hit you with a barrage from Sin City. I think I need to not have my computer with me so that I can actually enjoy being in LA in the company of my brothers and sisters in the Angeleno Chapter of the IWW. These gatherings are a great opportunity to get inspired from the heroic efforts of others.
On another note, I am seriously moving toward the stage as another outlet for my creativity. I just finished a musical and it was a really rewarding experience.
I am still a screenwriter first, but I think I would really enjoy the process of writing more plays.
Lastly, I just finished watching a film made here in the Twin Cities and I just wanted to gag. Come on folks, I know we can do better! The last locally made film that I liked was The Hagstone Demon by Jon Springer and that was over a year ago.

I bought a harmonica

2010-05-06T19:49:00.002-05:00

I bought a harmonica playing kit with a how to book. That promises in no time I'll be the next Muddy Waters.
Good yeah?
Well, I did casting for my musical yesterday. I discovered that since I have not yet been able to find a musician to do the score, it was very difficult to get performers on the same page with me. I so wish that I had some musical talent. So, for the purposes of demonstrating the music floating in my cerebellum, I bought a painfully simple instrument, a harmonica, to try to better translate my vision.
I thought that doing a film was difficult, but there is virtually no support for new musicals. Only a smattering of grants and very little in the way of encouragement from the arts community.
I have a feeling that it will be a long slog. Oh well.
At least I will have my harmonica when I go to LA.

ecu

2010-05-04T01:06:00.002-05:00

This image is an extreme close-up of a dining table made from reclaimed wood.
Although I have a full-on SLR system, I shot this with my point and shoot Olympus that has a macro setting. Its a handy little camera that I take everywhere and I think really is more useful because it is so compact.

I spent today in the Stevens area of Minneapolis. It was a pretty depressing day due to weather, but it was great to see my fellow worker Erik again after a few months.
I have a union-related trip coming up to LA and it brings up a lot of emotions for me . If you don't know, LA is where I grew up and though I don't live there any more, it will always be home in a way.
I look forward to treating my Minnesota friends to a round of drinks from Tiki-Ti
and meeting my fellow union members in LA.
It will be a great trip and i'll be posting some photos as i can.

sky

2010-05-03T00:47:00.002-05:00

Another beautiful spring day. This was taken from my seat at a coffeehouse where I sat for 4 hours outside, not too cold, but not being eaten alive by bugs.
I love days like that, so rare they are in Minnesota.

just an extra

2010-04-27T12:32:00.000-05:00

more spring

2010-04-27T12:24:00.002-05:00

This tree looked like a crabapple tree, I'm not sure.
There are few things better than seeing flowers bloom after a long and cold winter.
This winter was really rough and it made me wonder if I want to stay in Minnesota in the cold months. In a few years, I think I will be able to winter in California, though right now, that is impossible because of work.
I hope that I can make this plan happen before my niece and nephew get too much older. I found out recently that my country house is very close to Canby where there are quite a few group homes. This was a remnant of the state institution that was closed down about twenty years ago in favor of ICFMR settings or Group Homes of 4 or less. There are a few companies operating in SW Minnesota and with my job experience, I should be able to get something. We'll see.

Spring is beautiful

2010-04-22T20:24:00.002-05:00

Sorry about the delay. I had some personal stuff come up and I had to take some time off. I will be in LA next month so I will be back in my childhood stomping ground.
The flowers are the best part of spring. This red beauty was right in front of the
Eagan library, a garden full of red.

a slight delay

2010-04-18T01:14:00.003-05:00

Im sorry no photos for so long. I had a couple of personal things come up and I had to take them as my first priority. I will get back to photography in a few days.
Ted

Under the Lake Bridge

2010-04-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

fishing

2010-04-07T02:07:00.000-05:00

HEY!!!
Is this beautiful or what????

Minneapolis

2010-04-06T13:21:00.000-05:00

Lake of the Isles

2010-04-05T12:11:00.002-05:00

This is one of the wealthiest areas of Minneapolis and as such, I get a mild feeling of nausea as I walk by the REAL mansions. Some of them are right out of films. Very beautiful. The funny thing is that on Lake of the Isles you will have an occasional regular house and that must be the "ghetto" part of the street.
I saw a really pretty turn of the last century house for sale...I wonder who has enough money to buy it.

Tree Composition

2010-04-02T15:39:00.002-05:00

There is a community garden near the Mississippi River on the Minneapolis side that is just beautiful. Near here, children constructed a fort out of plywood and other scraps and were holding court in it. In a few weeks the vegetables will be planted and much of the crops will be donated to food shelf organizations. This definitely doesn't suck.

winding path

2010-04-01T22:35:00.001-05:00

dystopia

2010-03-31T11:29:00.002-05:00

I could do whole projects just on abandoned businesses. There is a Denny's that recently closed near me and though all the signs are removed, it is still has that shape and appearance. Wonder why it closed. This pic is more from a mom and pop gas station and the recession is probably what did them in.

sepia gas station

2010-03-27T23:27:00.001-05:00

It's amazing the things you see in small towns. This gas station has been like this for a while. Someone was storing tin cans in what used to be the bathroom.

BTW-I saw flooded homes very close to my country house in Madison. It was very sad to see people losing their homes.

Take Deep Breaths

2010-03-24T23:36:00.000-05:00

Take deep breaths. Sometimes its all just not worth worrying about.

3-23

2010-03-23T01:54:00.000-05:00

Taken during the first walking weather of Spring.

3-22

2010-03-23T01:51:00.002-05:00

spoke too soon

2010-03-19T12:59:00.002-05:00

Just when you have a beautiful day and think winter is over...
Its now below freezing with a wind chill. Now yesterday was a beautiful, slightly chilly day and I had a refreshing long walk.
I got up today and its cold and windy and back to winter again...sigh.
Just a note about yesterday----I saw some footage shot by the 5D and it is incredible.
This type of camera is the future of low budget filmmaking, I am sure of it.

ALMOST SPRING

2010-03-18T20:28:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone. Today I took my first walk in 60 degree weather since October. It was great. You really get an appreciation for the good days when you have to live with so many bitterly cold days here in Minnesota. I hope the weather will help me get on track with my photo a day goal.
I went to a screening of Cinema Lounge at the Bryant Lake Bowl yesterday and saw several good films, one of which was shot with a Canon D5 digital camera that
utilized HD resolution. The filmmakers created a fantastic film shot with this camera that just looked fantastic. The camera itself is not very expensive and he was able to shoot great car shots with simple rigging from a c-stand.
I am behind the times as I was trained on super 8 and Moviolas. The world has completely opened up for young filmmakers now so they can create beautiful images that rival 35mm film for just a couple of grand. Amazing.

MOO

2010-03-16T02:30:00.002-05:00

These guys looked at me like I was gonna eat them.
The calf was so cute.
I have to pass this cow pasture on the way to work. I wonder if these critters recognize me by now.

bent

2010-03-12T12:24:00.000-06:00

An example of overzealous parking on the pole.

3-11---please recycle

2010-03-11T03:39:00.002-06:00

Did you see the Oscars?

2010-03-08T15:18:00.002-06:00

Above is a shot of a baby giraffe. The eyes of this animal make you want to take her home. She was insatiably curious, craning her neck trying to get my attention.
Sweet.

I watched part of the Oscars last night. I am glad Hurt Locker won and not Avatar. I can't say I am a fan of James Cameron's films after ALIENS.
I was watching Mark Boal's win with interest. As I realize that I am more a screenwriter than a director, I look at what he has done with a lot of admiration and
a bit of a prod for me to work harder at my writing. Not that I would ever be collecting an Oscar, but I would like to see some of my scripts actually get produced. I have a long way to go, but at least I know that I can tell the story.
I've come a long way from film school when I could barely pass my screenwriting
class.

Best Laid Plans

2010-03-07T13:32:00.002-06:00

This door was made to access an ATM machine that was never installed, only leaving a
piece of painted plywood over the hole. These little bits of dystopia are not lost on me. As I get ready to write a dystopian screenplay, I can't help but be sensitive to these things.

Yesterday, I went to a PEACE CORPS recruitment meeting. I am impressed with the
process, though it is a very long application (up to a year and a half)
I think it will be fully worth doing in a few years when I have most of my deft paid off. There were only three people in the audience, so we had a lot of one-on-one with the volunteers.

There's something about Highland

2010-03-06T02:25:00.002-06:00

Hey, I love Highland Park. The Highland Grill is one of my favorite places to eat.
There is a great concentration of bookstores, bars and funky shops. I hang out there quite a bit.

I took the photo that will be part of a public offering to a frame store to be mounted.
The subject is a naked man walking on his hands. I always get nervous when I don't know how a clerk will handle the art...if he or she will react negatively to nudity.
Some people have violent reactions to it as if they can't separate art from pornography. The clerk to my relief was nonplussed.
Did you all catch the Spirit Awards?

beautiful grate

2010-03-03T17:34:00.003-06:00

Hey
I saved $600 my changing out my own brake pads. Why $600?
They always say you need new rotors and usually say you need
new calipers and will not do the work unless you replace all
the crap they want you to. The last time I went in to change
my brake pads they wanted $800.
How much did it cost me? With tools, about 50-60 bucks.
Not that it wasn't hard and didn't involve a lot of cursing, but I got
it done and the new CERAMIC brakes are really smooth and are supposed to
last twice as long.
I just can't throw away a grand anymore, especially in this economy.
I think my financial habits have been permenantly changed by this recession.

Uptown is Cool

2010-03-03T00:37:00.001-06:00

This is one of the places I will miss when I finally leave the Twin Cities.

tree and moon

2010-03-01T20:36:00.002-06:00

I went to the public darkroom and printed a very difficult negative shot on 35mm chromogenic Tri-X. That is color film that you can print black and white. The print was a full 360 second exposure and I was quickly running out of time as the darkroom was closing in an hour.
I printed three. One was underexposed, one was ruined by a chemical stain and one, I think was a good print.
I really won't know until I see it dried, but I think I got one useable print that I can mount and present for sale.
It's a lot more work than digital let me tell you. Somehow, the process is more satisfying though.

uptown moon

2010-02-28T00:02:00.000-06:00

winter sucks

2010-02-26T00:37:00.001-06:00

I am so done with being cold, having cold feet, driving over mounds of ice and hitting potholes that our Governor will not finance repairs for.
Some days, even the roaches of LA seem tolerable.

2/25

2010-02-25T01:27:00.003-06:00

Im continuing to write songs for my first and probably only musical about low wage retail workers. I have six songs so far and some of them are actually pretty good.
I hope to actually have this in front of an audience this year...we'll see. It was first concieved as a movie but I didn't have the funds to make it happen, but as a musical, it will cost next to nothing and I can stage it very simply without elaborate sets. It should be a great experience. I'll keep you updated.
Tomorrow seems like it will be the last really cold day, then winter will finally loosen it's grip. I will try to shoot closer to my goal of an image a day as soon as it gets warmer.

2/22/10

2010-02-22T12:00:00.001-06:00

alternative methods

2010-02-21T01:36:00.002-06:00

I just was checking out the website of a photographer named John Coffer, an artist that shoots wet collodian images using a mammoth camera for some of his work.
He offers workshops in New York and I am thinking about attending one of them.
I think this kind of photography is incredibly beautiful.

BTW--The cat in the photo is a Snow Leopard

tiger track

2010-02-19T12:23:00.003-06:00

FOOT IN THE DOOR was crazy crowded. We had to get in a huge line in order to see the art and I am just not able to handle that kind of crush of people. I think it stems from about 32 years ago when I nearly got crushed to death at the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Not a lovely experience. It's probably why I wouldn't do well living in New York City for very long.
The art was great of course, however I do always compare art presentation to Burning Man. I think the playa wins every time.

A REMINDER

2010-02-16T12:09:00.002-06:00

Sometimes I come across photos like this and I realize my gastric bypass surgery was completely worth it.

took a little break

2010-02-16T11:48:00.005-06:00

Where'd that delivery boy go?

Im sorry I had to take a little break...I was coming down with something and also had to work very long shifts during the weekened, hence my lack of posting...but I do have some photos for you so take a look.
Also, I will be in the darkroom this week working on the series that I was talking about. I will have a "singular" photo for sale probably next week. Here's the deal,
this photo will be only one of two printed and will still be reasonably priced...still
I have a special requirement from my buyers...that for all time 10% of the future sales
of the artwork will be made to me or my next of kin. Seriously.
So if fifty years from now this mangum opus you bought from me for a song is worth
100k, slide 10k to me in the nursing home so I can buy more diapers.

view from MPLS Downtown Public Library

2010-02-12T12:04:00.000-06:00

another zoo day

2010-02-11T00:02:00.002-06:00

I spent another day at the Como zoo shooting mostly wild cats. I'm really glad the glass is two inches thick because a Lioness was really mad at me and stormed the barrier pawing at what would be my face. I know I would have no chance if I accidentally fell in one of these enclosures.
I spent the remainder of the day running errands and even managed to write two songs for the pro-worker musical that I'm working on. I've never written a song before, but they were not bad if I do say so.

this greets me

2010-02-08T13:01:00.003-06:00

How much would you like to just stay home when this greets you at the front door?
Sometimes I wonder why I live in this state. I just keep saying to myself---"spring is just six weeks away"
Oh BTW---I decided I am going to adapt my pro-worker screenplay into a stage play and actually try my hand at ---dear God--- songs.
I just can't believe that this journey has led me to a semi-musical about bad bosses and dignity for low income workers...but, hey I'll roll with it.

Mystery Bus

2010-02-07T01:11:00.001-06:00

Hey all. Did you know that rice cookers are cool. I know that's kind of random, but I hate burning rice. I know that has zero to do with the photograph of the bus---oh well.

Foot in the Door

2010-02-05T15:15:00.002-06:00

Hey All...I entered the FOOT IN THE DOOR show at the MIA yesterday. This is a show for any Minnesotan that considers themselves an artist. The only requirement is that it has to fit in a 12x12 box. The lines were huge and it took a while to get my work registered. Still, I think the MIA curators did a great job of making it run fairly snag free. The event opens to the public on Thursday 18th of Feb 6p-9p. It will be loads of fun...I know I'll be there.

Midnightish

2010-02-04T20:34:00.002-06:00

A midnight Clockwork Orange screening. What could be better than that?

My House

2010-02-03T02:33:00.002-06:00

This guy is the boss of the house. He loved the snow and cold, though the lions preferred to stay in the warmth of their pen, this guy acted like a true Minnesotan and
just sat in the cold.

Ta Tonka

2010-02-03T02:29:00.002-06:00

This buffalo had the most expressive eyes. The way it looked at me, I felt it was trying to tell me something. It was so cold when I shot this, but the beast looked happy as it nosed through the frozen ground looking for grass.

Animals are great models

2010-01-29T15:32:00.003-06:00

I shot this image at the Como Zoo yesterday. I am impressed at the patience that animals have as models. This lion just sat and gave me a variety of poses and seemed
not at all bothered that I was four feet away from him. I will be going back there soon. I'll have to get this lion's name.

In other news, I want to produce a script that I wrote for the Fringe Festival next year. "The Quiet Room" proved too big a project to do as a film, but I think it would do well as a play. This is over a year away, so we'll have to see how things go.

1/27

2010-01-27T20:30:00.003-06:00

I photographed these tubs thinking that I would install a claw foot tub in my home one day. They are so amazing to look at in a bathroom, especially when they have a nickel or a gold finish. I am such a DIY-whore, all I can think of is home improvements in my free time.
Today I am writing some of my new horror script that I plan to direct this year.
It's funny, I am writing it knowing exactly where each shot will be in my house. It may be my last film as a director before I completely dedicate my energies to writing
screenplays. We'll see how it goes. The local IFP has some amazing deals on the rentals...much more is possible now that technology has advanced, especially with the new LED light kits and hi-def video.
Speaking of hi-def, today I did a rare splurge and went to the antique store to buy an RCA video disk player---not laserdisk, but video disk. My friend had one of these years ago and I was so jealous. It took 25 years, but I finally have one. :)

1-26--please subscribe

2010-01-26T14:52:00.003-06:00

Hey--If anyone is actually reading this blog, could you please subscribe and let me know that I indeed do have an audience. Sometimes its hard to tell in blogland if one is talking to oneself.

If you live in the Twin Cities and know of some great places to shoot landscapes, please let me know as I am always trying to find new and interesting scenes.

sometimes winter sucks

2010-01-26T01:59:00.002-06:00

Sorry, no pics today. I had a terrible time just trying to get to work and almost wiped out on the freeway. Everyone is so down after the Vikings loss yesterday, it just seemed like a gloom had descended over the metro area. I have to admit, I fell into it myself. I'm not a big football fan, but it was hard not to get sucked into the team this year.

On another subject, I will be announcing the sale of those prints that I talked about.
I haven't set a price yet, but they will be under $100 matted. For such rare prints, that's a great price. I will post a display pic and will be getting the word out on other sites too. More info on that later.

shaver 1-23

2010-01-23T13:48:00.003-06:00

Have you ever used one of these old ones? I think the dangerous part is changing the blades. The shave is really good though.
Today I will be going through my old negatives to figure out what I will be printing for sale this year. Personal images aside, the amount of memorable photos that I have are a modest number, but as anyone who has made prints before knows, making two great prints can be a real bear for 100 negatives.

If these legs could talk...

2010-01-23T13:47:00.000-06:00

crock

2010-01-23T13:45:00.003-06:00

The glazing on these pots is amazing.