After a billion hours of working non-stop for the past 2 days on layout, it's finally done on hold for the moment. I did give myself a little break this afternoon though. In typical fashion of my weird sleeping habits, instead of going to bed like a normal person (I haven't slept since yesterday morning), I decided to take myself on a date to see the King Tut exhibit at the AGO. It was actually really interesting, and I love that the audio tour was narrated by hunky voiced Harrison Ford. My favorite part was where you learn about the embalming process, and how they preserved certain parts of the body. Apparently all the organs are removed and kept in separate jars (photo above), that are then placed in your tomb with you. They didn't think the brain was of any importance (???) so they would just throw it away (???) - the only organ they would keep inside a person would be their heart. The Egyptians believed that it was the key to their soul, and you wouldn't be able to carry-on to the afterlife without it.
Another super cool thing was that, almost like a will, the Pharaohs would have named objects that they wanted to be encased with them when they died - things like miniature boat carvings, fans, shoes, and even carved workers - they believed that in the afterlife, the objects they chose would become of use to them there. So like, a mini boat carving would become full-sized and usable. That's kind of awesome! It's like the afterlife is a fantasyland where it becomes whatever you want it to be.
If I were a (modern day) Pharaoh, in my Tomb I'd like: - My ipod - An awesome bicycle or car - or both! - A pizza - but maybe it just keeps regenerating once it's gone, so I always have pizza? - A polaroid camera, with never ending film cartridges - I'd also probably give myself some of those carved out little workers, too. Maybe 2? Maybe they'd be my afterlife friends?
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Okay, that was fun for a minute. Back to work. I'm really, really, really tired right now..................
Megan was having a bummer day, so to cheer her up I dressed up in costume and video chatted her. It made her laugh, and killed my boredom for a few minutes. The weather, over the past few days especially, has been brutal. I sometimes get little waves of feeling stir crazy, so to curb them, I end up doing weirdo stuff like this.
I've actually been pretty busy this afternoon though, designing a layout for one of our Director's bios. I decided to take my laptop over to Starbucks for a change of scenery to work in. I thought for sure I'd be able to connect to our home internet from there, since it's less than a block away, but Starbucks has some kind of block on connecting to any other internet but theirs (which is like $9 or something to use). Eff that! I am now back at home, working, listening to music, and jittery from a coffee I drake at 8pm, that I definitely did not need.
It's -26 with the windchill right now. Hibernation is in full effect. Movies I've watched in the last 10 days:
- Donnie Darko - Home Fries - 40 Year Old Virgin - Wayne's World - Scream - Twilight - 500 Days Of Summer - Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind - Mean Girls - I Know Who Killed Me - Jennifer's Body - 2012 - Heathers - Singles
- The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus (went to the theatre to see this. whoa!)
Happy 2010! Despite having to work, I made the best of it, and actually had a really great night. The bar was packed, so I was constantly busy. When the countdown happened, I felt overwhelmed with emotion, and teared up...I don't even know why!! haha. I appreciate the TTC running all night (for free, even!) and caught the streetcar home at 4:45am. Queen Street was still totally bustling when I got off the streetcar and walked home, at 5am. Like, really? Go home!
I was thinking about how 2010 was always the 'futuristic' year in movies, where the world looked like Futurama or something. Videophones were the hot thing, and flying cars existed. I thought of Back To The Future pt. 2, and remembered how when they went to the future it was 2015. Not that far off from now, however I highly doubt by then we'll have hoverboards. Though, Marty McFly's sneakers are pretty believable...or already a reality, for too hip hipsters?
This year seemed to have gone by SO fast. It's been filled with big changes, growing and learning a lot, moves, family additions, and achieving goals. It's also one of the best years I've ever had!
WORK: Revolver's had it's ups and downs this year, but it was still awesome. Jannie is the best boss ever, who I love dearly. I'm glad to still be by her side (as much as I can be right now) after so many years together.
I got to work with Joseph Kahn on a Kelly Clarkson video, which was super stressful, but really amazing. He is one of my favorite music video directors, so it was a really cool experience.
I also Art Directed the Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains "Who Do We Care For?" video, directed by Graydon Sheppard:
This video was nominated for VideoFact Video of the Year at the Much Music Video Awards, so I'm super proud of it (and of Graydon too, duh!)
In July, I moved to San Francisco, CA. where I started working at the 111 Minna Gallery. I spent the last 6 months assisting Jay Howell - an amazing artist, curator, and now a great friend of mine. Him and I are a super-team together! He taught me how to properly hang art shows, gave me the freedom to design our postcards for each exhibit, and made me the Press-Machine for the gallery. Other than Jay, I love every single person there as well. All kind, amazing souls, who I cannot wait to work with again in a couple of months.
I also interned every Monday at the San Francisco Film Society, researching and developing an Animated Music Video Program for the 2009 International Animation Festival. Because Sean and Joseph had so many other programs to deal with, this became my baby. Since I've been working in the Industry for over 4 years now, I was able to utilize my contacts and pull together a great roster of music videos for the night. It was a success, and I felt really good to have had such a huge involvement in a big international festival.
BIG CHANGES: Christina and I had been living together for 5 years - she's on of my best friends, and the best roommate anyone could have. It was sad to say goodbye, but it's all for the best. She's now now living in New York, and got engaged to Nick this fall. I miss her a lot, but couldn't be happier for her.
In February I took a trip to San Francisco by myself. As soon as I got there, my heart felt like it was going to explode! Since I was about 14 years old, I've been talking about wanting to live in California. I'm so proud of myself that I finally made it happen. I was nervous to be so far away from the familiarity of Toronto, but as soon as I got there, everything just felt right. The transition felt really smooth and natural, which made things so much easier. I worked so hard while there, keeping a busy schedule, making contacts, and creating a solid base to return to when I move back, early 2010.
TRAVEL: The only places I really traveled to this year were all in California. I went to LA twice - the first time was 3 of the hardest days of the year for me. I was really sad and for once, realized that LA can be a hollow, depressing place. The second time I went was in October, when Megan and I went to visit her parents. It definitely made up for my July visit, but I'm not in love with that city like I once was.
For Labor Day weekend, I got to go to Palm Springs with a group of people from 111 Minna. It was ridiculously hot, and super fun! Ruthie and I did funny photoshoots at the waterpark, we spent most of the time drunk and in the pool, and ate really good food the entire time. I'm so grateful to Eiming for giving us such a generous vacation.
I also went to Chicago with Kat, to see Jimmy Eat World's "Clarity" tour - which, I just realized was my #1 concert of the year, and I forgot to even put it on my Top 5's of 2009 list. Oops! That was a really amazing show, and fun couple of days. We explored the city, braved the deep-freeze weather, and of course, went to Pete Wentz's bar. Haha! Our flight there was insane though! It was brutal weather, and the pilot didn't even have time to warn us of turbulence, before the plane swooped up, knocking everyone's freshly poured drinks all over the plane. It was a really scary few minutes, where everyone was so freaked out, we just started laughing our heads off. Kat and I were holding hands, so terrified we were going to crash, and realized that everyone else on the plane were laughing in hysterics too! It was so crazy, and the weirdest flight ever.
FAMILY & FRIENDS: On June 13th, my sister Michelle gave birth to the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen. Her name is Ruby, and I'm proud to be her Aunt. I was bummed that I moved away when she was only 2 weeks old. She was this delicate little being, wrapped like a burrito, that I was afraid to move while holding her. Now at 6 months old, she's a rubber baby who giggles all the time, and likes to be bounced around. I love her!!
My friends continue to blow me away with their love, talent and success. I am lucky to have you in my life, and don't know what I'd do without you! I also made so many amazing friends while living in California, who again, I feel lucky to know. Megan and I have been friends since we first met in LA, 6 years ago. I am so happy she now lives in San Francisco. Without her being there, I'd have never met the group of friends we share, and most likely have struggled a little bit. We became each other's sidekicks, and better friends than we ever were before. Thanks girl! You're the best!
2010: I'm working on New Year's Eve at the Wreckroom, but I don't mine. I'll be at a party my friend Sammy is throwing, so I'll still see friends, plus be making money in the meantime.
I'm looking forward to 2010 a lot though. Being in Toronto for right now is nice, but I can't wait to be back San Francisco. My heart is out there, and I feel like things have only just begun. I finally achieved a huge goal of mine, so to just leave it at that is not something I'm going to do. It's given me the foundation to take it to the next level, and be in California for real. I'm looking forward to new challenges, goals and projects. Focus!
"I'm old enough to know how it works...but I also know that you work for him" - Kevin McCallister on Mall Santas (Home Alone, 1990)
The last time I remember going to see Santa was when I was 15. My friend Elyse and I went to the mall, and thought it would be funny to go ask Santa for our Christmas wishes. That year my wish was to meet Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine (wtf?!). A month or so later, I did. Maybe he was the real Santa? Or perhaps just a very top notch worker :)
TOP FIVE ALBUMS: 1. Lady Gaga "Fame Monster" 2. Yeah Yeah Yeah's "It's Blitz!" 3. Brand New "Daisy" 4. Nick Swardson "Seriously, Who Farted?" 5. Surfer Blood "Swim"* *not technically released til January 2010, but I dowloaded it a couple of months ago, and it rules!
TOP FIVE ALBUMS I NEVER KNEW BEFORE, BUT NOW LOVE: 1. The Good Life "Album Of The Year" (released 2004) 2. The Bats "1000's of Tiny Luminous Spheres" (released 2000) 3. Japancakes "If I Could See Dallas" (released 1999) 4. Lungfish "Pass And Stow" (released 1994) 5. M.Ward "Post-War" (released 2006)
TOP FIVE CONCERTS: 1. These Arms Are Snakes @ Bottom Of The Hill (San Francisco, CA.) 2. Fall Out Boy @ Ricoh Colosseum (Toronto, Ont.) 3. Brand New @ Slim's (San Francisco, CA.) 4. Portugal. The Man @ Outside Lands Music Festival (San Francisco, CA.) 5. Pearl Jam @ Outside Lands Music Festival (San Francisco, CA.)
TOP FIVE MOVIES: 1. (500) Days Of Summer 2. Zombieland 3. New Moon 4. Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince 5. The Hangover
TOP FIVE MUSIC VIDEOS:
1. Passion Pit "The Reeling" - directed by: Hydra 2. Lady Gaga "Bad Romance" - directed by: Francis Lawrence 3. Depeche Mode "Wrong" - directed by: Patrick Daughters 4. Grizzly Bear "While You Wait For Others" - directed by: Sean Pecknold 5. 30 Seconds To Mars "Kings And Queens" - directed by: Bartholomew Cubbins
