Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Bedtime Stories with Abraham Willosby



One of my good friends from school, Joe Bennett, did this animation, and is going to enter it into the Vimeo Award Festival. If you like it, paste http://www.vimeo.com/12932882 here to nominate this video.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Life is Good

Like every Sunday, the message today was good, and was very thought provoking.
Today, my pastor lead the message with saying, and writing on his large notepad "Life is Good." When this was written, there were slight noises made around the congregation as if people slightly believed it, or that they didn't believe it at all. So he told us why he wrote that. IF you believe that God is good (which most Christians have said at one point in their lives), and that God's intentions are good, then life, which God created, is good.

This was an example that was given: A father and son are outside. The father is holding a ladder for the son, while the son paints the house. The son falls off the ladder and breaks his leg.

Of course at this point most people would say "Oh my God, how could you let this happen?"

The story continues. 2 weeks later, a letter from the Army comes in the mail, stating that the son is being drafted. The son, however, cannot go to the Army because his leg is broken.

Now, of course, people are thanking God.

So, the son breaking his leg, is that a good thing or bad thing?

Genesis 1:31 reads: And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Then Pastor Bernard ended with a statement, or rather proof to why the "Life is Good" statement is true. (This is me paraphrasing what was said): Things are put on display for a reason. Things are put on display because there's a realization (by the one presenting) that the things are good. Question: And what's the reason for things being presented? Answer: For people to notice the goodness of it, and to be attracted to it. If God wants us, He has to attract us to him.

Interview Magzine's Jay-Z interview

I hope that wasn't confusing. Anyhow, this was a good interview with Jay-Z. I'm sure you think you've read, seen, and heard everything there is to know about him, but being someone who thinks that too, I walked away with something new.

This is a snippet from the interview, in reference to Blueprint 3:

Well, what I was trying to do with this album—which is the same thing I was trying to do on Kingdom Come [2006]—is go somewhere that hadn’t been gone before, to try to chart a new territory in rap. The reason I’ve been grounded, though, and able to make albums, is because I’ve allowed my friends to come with me and voice an opinion. That’s who keeps you grounded—the people who have known you longest. People who don’t know you, you don’t know their motives. They smile at you all day, “Oh, that’s great. You’ve done it again! You’re the greatest!” And that’s not good for an artist. You’ve gotta keep the people that have been around you, who saw you when you didn’t have anything, so they have the confidence to say, “Get out of here. That shit is bullshit!” I welcome that.

Here's the interview.

via Francisco Hui

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Monday, July 19, 2010

What I took away from the movie: Inception

(If you haven't seen Inception yet, come back and read this after you have. I don't want to spoil it for you.)

First off, I think it was one of the best movies that I've seen. From the trailer, some people, and for good reason, thought it would just be a movie dominated by cinematography. But that wasn't the case. Visually, it was definitely well put together, but the storyline and the concept made the movie.

Writer/Director, Chris Nolan, nicely illustrated the concept of ideas and dreams, in a elaborate, yet simple way. When I see movies, hear music, or watch a commercial, I think about what the conception story is. I think Chris Nolan got into deep thought about this very simple question: How can you truly change someones mind?

The answer I got from the movie is that, you can't. Something has to inspire that way of thinking. In Aladdin, it's interesting that Genie tells him he can grant any 3 wishes Aladdin wants, but there's 3 things he can't do; And one of those things is, he can't make someone fall in love with him.

Again, you can be persuaded, but you have to be inspired to truly feel a certain way about a particular issue. And even if someone could truly change your mind, that idea has to be planted so deep within you...(which they did in the movie, and it is what 'inception" is: the establishment or starting point of an institution or activity).

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

My little brown notebooks: The Birth of #2


I'm hoping #2 can be the canvas to my crazy thoughts, that can one day manifest into something you all can see. Alright #2, it's your turn.

p.s. Yes, it does say 20010. Red permanent marker has a way of making things permanent.

My little brown notebooks: RIP #1: 2/2010-7/2010


Over the last 5 months, I've had some good ideas, and some not-so-good ideas. Either way, this is a notebook that I filled with those ideas. I'm happy to say #1 can now rest in peace.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Gnarcade from Mike Benson


There are a lot of temptations for our time

Last night I got out of work early (or earlier), and just started thinking about all the things I could do. My main concern was to watch the Home Run Derby, and I did. But there were other things calling my attention too. I thought about going to play basketball, continuing to catch up on Breaking Bad, watch Funny People, read the Bible, continue reading this mystery book...twitter had a trending topic of "#highschoolconfessions", so i wanted to hear what people had to say, and also tweet about my high school memories. So there was a lot going through my mind. And I'm sure it won't be any easier to decide what to do, once I get a PS3 (I haven't completely decided on it. But I'm about 75% sure that I'll get it.)

My pastor (A.R. Bernard), tweeted this a couple of nights ago, and I thought about it as it got close to my shut-eye time: "Time is not a gift to use as we choose. It is a resource to be managed. Enjoy life, but use your time wisely!"

Shaun White - Transformation

Monday, July 12, 2010

ESPN/NASCAR: Invincible

Didn't think I'd be back this soon, but anyhow, here's a great looking commercial by Wieden and Kennedy, New York.

Sorry I've been away for a while. I'll be back soon enough to post some more stuff.