Needing more sleep, needing more time

So last week I worked on a book. Okay it is a very rough draft and it actually was a book of the tricks I came up with in a previous weeks challenge. It was tougher then I thought, that is until I started finding my voice (?!?). That being said, my challenge this week is to journal everyday and I will post it here. I hope it will help me work on some of my blogging skills and at the same time keep me somewhat accountable. Unfortunately due to the nature of the stuff I have been working on, I have been unable to post stuff because it is hard to prevent the ideas from getting out there so...

I guess working on something like journaling, I can be somewhat removed and just enjoy the process, hopefully.

February 27th, 2011

I don't know if it's me or not, but I feel like all my customers lately (well at least most of them) have been a bit on the touched side if you know what I mean. Add to the fact that I was super tired today. I had an unexpected late night out. It was a good time to be had and tell you the truth I was happy to be able to come in later at work. Truthfully sleep is not something I have been very good at lately. I really do need to find some time to catch up. For example right now, I could pass out on this keyboaraoijbajgkdabkjbdkj, oops, oh sorry.

I headed to Barnes and Nobles after work (surprise) and then after I nice Venti Chai headed home to figure out some computer issues I've been having.

Reading a great book called "Evil Plans" by Hugh Macleod. I won't be able to describe the entire book in one sitting, but suffice it to say, I have found someone who understands me lol.

Missed yoga last week. I really had to catch up on some sales at work. Hopefully it was worth it. My body feels a little off from skipping it. I should be back to normal this week.

Truthfully, doing so many random things has left me a little unfocused. I have to admit, I am enjoying the challenges and the surprise of seeing what I am capable off, but I really feel focusing on something is such a powerful thing. But ironically, right now my focus is on these 52 weeks.

Managed to take care of most of my computer issues (for now). Was able to to also catch up with my much overloaded DVR. I've also decided to read one book at a time, because it is getting overwhelming. I guess taking action and reading immediately is good, I also feel that I should finish before I start something new. I am also appreciating the value of valuing your time.

Congrats to the PS 22 choir on the Academy Awards. Really, what is possible?

I just realized that there is a lot of stuff for me to finish up. A few loose ends like posting my songs and such. I also have a few people to get in touch with. I am contemplating a personal assistant. That or a personal masseuse. Heck, even better if they could be both.

Can't wait till summer. The weather really has been a tease. Well there I go not being in the now. At the rate time is going by, it'll be summer in no time.

I am realizing in life that you can't have it all. It's impossible. Making choices means saying no to some things. Sad face. While I was out last night, I realized being in the club that it's been a while since I've been out. I was with some good friends so that was cool and it was a good time. I also realize that there are people who do this all the time. I'm not gonna lie, there have been times I've been out a lot. But I realize that I have to do other things as well. I also realize that the stuff I do, not everyone will do as well. Life is about the choices we make. What we do and don't do. What we act on and not act on. Yeah, we could be missing out on some good times, but in partaking in those good times, we are missing others. Hopefully, we know what we value most in life. That being said...I'm gonna try to catch up on some sleep...(yeah right) Peace

Still moving, just very very slowly

Choose your own fortune-






So yes I am still going. It's been a busy week. Last weeks challenge was to do yoga everyday. I managed six days. Someone I know passed away and it kind of set me back for a little bit. RIP F.M.



So this weeks challenge is to write a book. A daunting task you say. You may be right. First off, I didn't get to post everything I wanted to post. I have the songs on my computer but I have been working on some tracks for my friend and that is gonna be a wee bit longer. I also didn't post videos of my magic tricks because I don't want them on youtube just yet. I really liked a few things I created and I don't want them posted due to the fact that someone may take them. It is a lot harder to copyright tricks so that leads to this week. I am writing a book of the material I created. It's only gonna be seven tricks so writing up one trick a day shouldn't be so bad. I am also gonna slow down with making videos so that I could just manage keeping the site current. Not that making videos is tough but I feel for the input there isn't much added to the site. I will make them, just not as often, tending to focus on the writing.

As for the yoga, I actually felt pretty good. I have been neglecting working out as of late. Part of it has to do with a nagging shoulder injury from a recent bout of Brailian Jiu Jitsu. I actually made it to the studio twice last week and the rest of the days were doing yoga vids. Tell you the truth. Yoga is tough. I was actually in pain, from what, I am not sure. I still will manage my weekly visit but I wanna try to get in a few extra sessions during the week. Definitely worthwhile.

Now for the writing. I am just gonna allow myself to write freely hoping to have a rough draft by the end of the week. I then intend to take pictures for the illustrations and then put it together for draft two. After that should be a final draft. I don't know if I am any good at writing but I also know that I don't know if I am bad at it so I might as well.

As for the challenge so far. I realize that focus is not going to be as on point as it should be. I am taking on so many different tasks that I feel almost schizo. I guess that is just par for the course and I'll just take each week as it comes.

Anyhow I hope you guys are all well. Keep doing what you're doing. Life is too short. Some people collect things...I collect experiences...Peace

"Tell you the truth, I'm surprised you're still doing this...What!?!

"Follow the crowd and you will never be followed by the crowd" - unknown








So I was speaking to an acquaintance, and knowing about my 52 week challenge asked me how I was doing with it. I started to explain my latest challenge and he gave me a quizzical look. I very slight one but a look nonetheless. I called him on it and he admitted to me that he thought I would have quit by now. Admittedly he is just a casual person I know when I am out and about but it surprised me that he thought that way about me. He responded by saying that most people are like that.

On one level I guess I know that is true, but I also know a greater truth about human beings by partaking in this challenge. That all humans are capable of more than they realize they are. I guess the surprise to me is why most people choose to live so called complacent lives. But then again I also realize everyone has some part of their lives that there is a complacency. But change is easy and I do think the universe kind of conspires to help you, but you have to be the first one to take the step. And if you don't know what to do, do anything. Nuff said.

Updates and Stuff


So far it's been super busy. I have been keeping up to the challenge and doing yoga everyday. Didn't realize I was so bendy. I've been busy laying down guitar tracks for a friends album so getting my own stuff up has taken a slight back seat to that for now.

I was able to see Brian Greene this past Tuesday. He is a string theorist who wrote a new book called "The Hidden Reality". I have to admit, he impressed me. I'm also gonna meet a big mentalist by the name of Ted Karmilovich later this week. I am hoping to book some classes with Leigh Nash and magic lessons with Aaron Fisher this week as well. I figure I need some coaching in my life today. I usually don't like referring to others but I realize that in itself is just some programming on my part. I mean if it helps me get better. Carolyn got to meet a member of the songwriting team Stargate. I am so jealous, their current hit on the radio is Katy Perry's Firework. Am I tired yes, and some of the lessons cost a bit of money. I have been using tax money to pay for them but I also realize that it has to be done. Growth and change are hard to come by. If you keep following the heard it will never happen. I believe good mentors do make a difference. I believe you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to grow and I also believe the money is well spent if it is something you love.

Anyhow I am about to pass out. I will probably read this blog in the morning and say, what the heck was I thinking...Anyhow, what else is new?

The person on youtube inspiring now is Gabe Bondoc, check out his awesome original. Later

Week 5 and 6

And so continues the journey. It is now week 6 and I start my new challenge. Busy week ahead and many things on the burner. Week 6 challenge is...well watch the video. Be on the lookout for my catch up posts and keep watching;)

Almost Caught Up? Yeah Right!

I love the randomness of life. I guess that's a new thing for me. I don't think I will ever get a grasp on things and even if I do, I have a feeling that having to control outer circumstances mean that the inner circumstances are out of control. The more at peace you are with yourself, the more you can accept external circumstances. That being said, I have a lot of work to do.


So I am slowly catching up to posting and I know they are not concurrent with the week, but I realize to complete the weeks task I have to forego other activities, namely keeping up with this blog (which I will do).

Had a good Yoga class today. I haven't been able to do my normal working out because my shoulder is kind of messed up from Jiu Jitsu. Hopefully that heals up to 100% soon. As for some of the things I have to catch up with, I have to go to a museum for the "art week challenge". I have to post the rest of my songs and start posting some of my tricks, which I haven't gotten around to filming yet. As for meeting some of my heroes:

This is me with Wayne Houchin. Awesome magician.

This is Joshua Jay. He wasn't lecturing but he was there to see Wayne. Joshua actually has a book on magic for beginners at your local Barnes and Nobles. Check it out.

I also got to meet Marcelo but didn't get a chance to take a picture. Hopefully the next time I take his class. Also a new hero of mine is Tara Stiles. She told me today that she is making a video especially for me (due to me participating in a Challenge...check out the video in a previous post). I will get that video up as soon as it goes live. I am also going to see a lecture of Brian Greene next week and another magical mentor in Ted Karmilovich, so next week is gonna be busy. Brian Greene is a writer of physics books and I just read his book the Elegant Universe, really good check it out. 

As for art, I am really into Jhonen Vasquez. He has a comic entitled Johnny the Homicidal Maniac. Not for everyone but reminds me of the art of Tim Burton, which reminds me:

This was from the exhibit last year. Gotta love Tim Burton.

Anyhow here are a couple more songs. Didn't really have time to do a full video, but hope you enjoy anyway. The first is called Can't Let You Go:

And this next one is called Unsaid:

The conditions for these songs were that they were conceived, written and then demo'd all in one shot. I usually would start around midnight and got to bed around 5. Yeah, creativity sucks. I am encountering the same creative difficulties with these magic tricks, but then again that is why it is called a challenge. And as for the Tara Stiles Challenge, this is the original video, and then my response.

And my response:

I hope all is well for you guys and I will be shooting a vlog soon. Now I have to get back to making up a trick...See ya!

Passion, purpose and 3 flat tires

First off, congrats to Green Bay. I am still trying to catch up I know guys. I did happen to go out for a little Super Bowl Party and had a bunch of things happen during the week yet I was still able to get my weekly assignment done, with the help of some modifications. But I will get to that in a second.




I want to start with a rant. Pot holes suck. Especially  for low profile tires. In the past two weeks I have had 3 flat tires. I think my rim has pretty much had it. While waiting for the guy to get my tire off I was able to order one on ebay (gotta love the iPhone).

Re Cap:


Week 1: Fiction Challenge
Week 2: Classic Movie Challenge
Week 3: Contact Celebrity Challenge
Week 4: Art Week Challenge
Week 5: Seven Songs in Seven Days

and for Week 6:

Make up a trick a day for seven days. Yes, some of you know for my love of magic and I was inspired by this up and coming magician by the name of Calen Morelli. He created a blog called the 365 days of magic in which he creates literally 365 tricks this year. Being I am on a creative kick from last week I decided to make a mini version of that trick. I am also contacting some companies and I want to get some of "stuff" out there. I will post some of the tricks as I go...hopefully they will be up to snuff...Snuff said!

Act 2:


How was my music making week? It was relatively successful. Let me first say that it was a lot more time consuming than I thought it was gonna be. I had to come up with an idea for a song. Write it and then demo it. Now near the end of the week during crunch time, I ended up writing the songs and then left them to be recorded because it was impossible with everything else going on in my life. I also realize that making the blog and videos was time consuming so hopefully I can catch up.

I realize that doing this challenge that there really is "no inspiration" and it is all "perspiration". I didn't realize that I could do this actually and I was happy with most of the stuff I came up with. Now realize the songs are in demo form and need to be worked on and polished but overall I learned of what was truly possible.

I also stumbled on a couple of resources for songwriting that I will hopefully take more advantage of. They are:

robinfrederick.com and
songwriteruniverse.com

I know there are many more and I will listen them as I find them. Also note that I am not a singer and more of a musician. I decided to do some vocal lessons (once my tax money comes in) with Leigh Nash (lead singer of SixPence None The Richer). It is expensive and I won't be doing it often but I think it is a boost I will need.

Taming Gremlins:


So much stuff has been happening and I am kind of just riding it out. Somethings lately have been knocking me down, but knowing I have this challenge to get to I haven't had time to wallow in my self doubt like I used to. I realize that there are gonna be things that knock you down, but it is up to us to decide how to respond to it. I could feel sorry for myself or I could say "stuff happens, get on with it". It is up to us to create purpose bigger than what is happening to us. Another book that is really helping me sort out my creative insecurities is "Cad Monkeys, Dinosaur Babies and T-Shaped People" by Warren Berger. It is a design book that really helps me understand where I fit in, in this world. Great book. Not for everyone, but let's just say, it came at the right time.

Anyhow, time to play catch up with my 52 weeks....till next time!

Week 5 Challenge - Song 1

The first song of the seven day challenge. The idea is to write 7 new songs each day of the week. These are demo's that were conceived, written and recorded in about 3-4 hours on average. They may not be the best songs but the challenge and experience is what's important. Keep in mind I am a musician and not a singer so don't charge to harshly. The second video is by Carolyn D'elia who is doing the challenge with me. The video is various footage from the past year or so. Seemed appropriate. Enjoy.

52 Week Challenge - Week 5 and other Randomness

Hey guys. I know, I know it has been a while. I should have a bunch of posts actually going up this week due to the nature of this weeks challenge. By the way, I just want to say thank you to a bunch of you guys for being supportive of this challenge. I am getting lots of positive feedback and it really makes me want to keep going on for the whole year.

I had some setbacks to last weeks challenge due to the weather. Namely, being able to go to a few museums. If you don't know, the East Coast has been bombarded with some pretty bad weather as of late, but I will get them in in the next few weeks. I also found a great site that launched this week. It's googleartproject.com. On the site you can take random virtual tours of some of the worlds most famous museums. As for this weeks challenge, check out the vid. Later