A Magical Life I Lead and I Don't Apologize

On my list of people to photograph resides a brilliant singer, Santigold.  She is brilliant and lovely and talented in so many ways.  Oh and that's right, I get to meet her next Thursday and see her perform...  I'm already trying to remind myself to "be cool, be cool" for I may say some stupid thing that makes me sound creepy.  I mean similar things have happened when I have been so excited!



(by the way it was well worth the few year wait for a purely magical second CD release.  And hey she doesn't use auto-tune.  Imagine that, a real artist!)

-Gawdun

Of Course I Would

'Cobrastyle'
-Robyn

I thought about not posting on the passing of Steve Jobs, but I feel like I should pay respects to one of the great technology innovators.

I get a lot, and I mean LOT of slack for being an Apple fan from social acquaintances, and friends.  My family never really comments now that I think about it, other than my Aunt Dawn, but she's an avid Apple user as well.  I understand and know that a good majority of Apple owners just own them as it is a status symbol and cool factor.  I on the other hand own them because of the line of industry I am in, photography.  I do not need to own every object they invent or revamp.  Heck I still need to upgrade my OS from Snow Leopard to Lion but am fine for now, and currently use and do all my business on my 13inch white MacBook.  (Although it is time to get a desktop from the increase of work and clients I'm now having.)  Let's get to the purpose of this post though...

Steve was not flashy from what I ever noticed in his Keynote presentations.  He and his design team created things with the client and users in mind.  While at a 'Beloved' photography seminar recently we spoke on how your appearance in public can describe your product before the client even sees it.  From my opinion Steve knew that.  Jeans and a black turtle neck is all we ever saw him in.  That translated to his creations... Simplicity and comfort, less confusion, beauty and shine.  I'm always learning something new about his inventions that I own every time I use them.

I guess there is no concise theme to this post except how grateful I am for the awesome and simplified technology that Steve envisioned and brought us.  (I mean Microsoft, really?  Do you have to be so confusing?  Take a lesson.)

Thanks again!

'Deep Blue'
-Arcade Fire


-Gawdun

Oh So This is What My Dream Translates To?!

I posted yesterday but just now was dong some YouTube'n of my favorite bands who's videos never seem to get air play in the states.  Either that or they are still so un-respected as talent that the American mind won't fathom awesomeness in music like this.  However in defense of the American people I know a one, Sydnee, that is trying to help the cause of great music in the States.  :)

Ok I'm off my soap box.  Just enjoy this awesome video and song from the most talented 'Ladytron'



-Gawdun

What Happened to Kick the Can?

'Take You Away'
-Angus & Julia Stone

Last week while I was in the Target I pa roused through the toy isle.  First off let me explain how I am impressed with the latest and greatest LEGO designs.  Bravo Bravo!!!

However what cracked me up was the below video I shot.  Just a advertising fail for Cars and Target...  It still cracks me up...  There was even a tire from another car that had popped off and was laying on the bottom of the display track.  LOL

'Matching Weight'

-Trespassers William

-Gawdun

And Where Has Summer Gone?

'And The Boys'
-Angus & Julia Stone

Summer has been busy.  I've been around.  Sadly won't have my annual August trip to Tahoe.  Sample of of my summer thus far, in no particular order...

Much more to come including a few more CA trips this summer for work and housing and several events.  Hope your summers are going swanky!

'You Can't Keep Me'
-Amy LaVere


-Gawdun

I Was Walking Down the Street...

Years ago back in the roaring 90's there was once a band named Cibo Matto.  This band was amazing with the talents of two Japanese American women, Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori.  They even had the musical talents of Sean Lennon in their band.  They made sweet sweet music that resonated through the ears of many.

Years ago in the late 90's I discovered a band called Cibo Matto as they played one of their songs entitled, 'Sugar Water' on a favorite TV show of mine. (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)  I acquired all their music possible.  My love for them has never faltered like it has with other music talents.  Cibo Matto has been the go to music for every moment in my life and when nothing else fits my mood I return to them.

Unfortunately the band has since dissolved (I hope it resolves in the near future) and all I am left with is the albums of past and their individual projects.  *heavy sigh....  I'm using today to once again introduce you fellow readers to more bodacious music.

(Due to the evils at Warner Brothers Records I can't embedded two of my favorite videos/songs of theirs on my blog. Thus I present you with two links in order of importance to me...)

#1.  'Sugar Water' - http://youtu.be/EN9auBn6Jys
(*Sugar Water will more than likely be a them song at my wedding reception when and if that ever happens, sorry future other half)


#2.  'Know Your Chicken' - http://youtu.be/COMWwwv_MTk

Yes it's true they are amazing and crazy and weird.  Just like me :)

-Gawdun

Ride That Bike Sister

I introduced you to a wonderfully talented singer back in an April 2011 post, Ida Maria.  Her sophomore album finally dropped in the US this month and just like the first one it is amazing.

I found the official video to one of the tracks of the new album, 'Quiet Nice People.'  Beautiful and well shot.  Makes me want to live in a small village in Europe.  Maybe one day...


Ida Maria - Quite Nice People (Official Music Video Premiere) from Ida Maria on Vimeo.

How about them lyrics too, eh!?


-Gawdun

I Always on the Edge w/ a Sax

J'adore the new Lady Gaga album!  She continues to create stunning work and lyrics.  To this day I have yet to see the 'Born This Way' music video.  I have seen the 'Judas' video and loved it, but let's talk about my number *two favorite video of her's ever.  'Edge of Glory'

This video is simple and totally not what I was expecting, but for the song being so brilliant and simple I guess it's best that the video be just the same.  It totally has an 80's vibe to it.  In fact it feels like a modern day version of Flashdance, and oh what a feeling.

In the song Gaga uses the best version of a saxophone I have heard in a long time if not ever (Kenny G makes me vomit and I'm not interested in the saxophone Bill Clinton wants to offer).  And I am very pleased with the visual use of the saxophone.

This video just makes me smile at the simplicity.  Well done Gaga, well done...

My favorite part is the playfulness at 4:35 - 4:38.



THE EDGE OF GLORY - LADY GAGA from jncamez on Vimeo.


I just find it interesting at the amount of times she grabs her chest, pushes it up and out or flashes it out to us.  I counted 45 times.


*the number one video of her's I love is still 'Bad Romance'

-Gawdun

Splash That Red On Me

I remember back on a fall day a week after I returned from my mission in 2008 I learned of a vocal maven known as Santogold, now know as Santigold.  (For reason on name change read this article found on wikipedia.)  But I digress.  My first paycheck once I started back to work a couple weeks later I made my way down to the local record shop (Ok it wasn't really a record shop but more like the Best Buy.  My town sucks and has no record shops... corporate scum and best) and picked up her first album, 'Santogold.'  The guy who helped me find it thought I was crazy as the cover art is simple genius at best, but to him must be insane, this town has no art appreciation :(

Once again I digress.  Needless to say I love her and have been with her since her debut.  I pray she releases more magic this year!  Her stuff is one of the go to albums I blast right before any photo shoot I head off to.

-Gawdun

I'm on Fire

It's true I totally am on fire.  I've been blogging up a storm.  In fact last week when blogger was down for what was just a day but seemed like an eternity I was nervous.  I don't know what has gotten into me but I am back to blogging like a mad man.  However I will refer you all back to 'Jesus Has Me Blogging Again' and most importantly the last section in that post.  I still will not ever go back to posting personal details on my life so this blog I'm posting is just another music discovery post.

Oh how Sydnee has turned me onto some amazing music and this band who's video you will watch is no exception.  How have I, Gawdun, never heard them before?!  The Jezabels...

This is the favorite song of mine now...

-Gawdun

If I Were a Bridesmaid

I have not laughed nor cry-laughed at a film in such a long time till I saw 'Bridesmaids.'  And just like Sydnee and I agree we laughed the ENITRE time.  All I can say is, "Well done Kristen Wiig on such a well written film, well acted and great choice of actors."  I may be seeing it again very soon.




-Gawdun

Bloggin for May

Just another late night music feast/break from work, for them that may not know of this awesome band.

-Gawdun

Late Nights at the Office

Now that I rent space from a friend to use as a creative location for my photography and creative else parts, I tend to spend a few late nights down here.  Either way I remembered that we were all down here the other night and Rachel (one I rent from) wanted to share a favorite song of her's from childhood.  (I think the screen printing paint fumes had sunken into our brains by this point so we were all getting loopy)

-Gawdun

Lines

-Gawdun

"Jesus Has Me Blogging Again..."

(Taken on a recent trip to Laguna Beach:  ARG IMAG Photography)

I would say that the famine of blog postings started back on January 30th when I last posted my most honest blog posting.  All the rest were true but fillers to cover my hectic life making it appear I was alive and well.  I mean yes I was and still am alive.  But as for 'well,' that is debatable.

I don't like rehashing the past anymore as it truly doesn't get you anywhere, but I learned several things in February that I must share.

Caring about someone can consume every ounce of you.  It is raw, powerful, scary, memorable, intense, gentle, overwhelming and the list can go on.  A word that deserves most focus would be CONFUSING.

Unemployment.  Is.  Horrible.

I have come to part of my life where I want a dog.  In the words from the great film, Empire Records...  "Shock me, shock me, shock me, with that deviant behavior."

I am working again part time when not working on photo shoots.  Outback Steakhouse has me now, and actually wanted me to be there from the get go.  I am honored to have been so desired as an employee by the management team.  :)

I really hate the way this blog is turning out to look and sound.  Man I don't think blogging is my thing anymore.

I joined a gym a week ago and have been tearing it up.  I decided to join one after my running habit turned into a 6 day a week habit.  As I tell my friends my lower half is looking all sorts of fit and nice while my upper half is looking the opposite.  Can't look disproportional now can I?  So thus I made it all 6 days to the gym while allowing Sunday as my only day off.  Monday and Thursday I do yoga.  Mon-Thurs I attend the gym at 5am with a friend.  Friday we go at 6am and then Saturday I told her that I plan on going around 10am.  Each time I am there I stay around 2 to 2.5 hours.  I wont lie going super early in the AM is tough but I manage to have self motivation, who would have thought.  Once my friend Trudi get's out of school for the summer I told her I want to start around 9:30 weekdays.  I know it's only been one week but I am loving it more and more every day.

I don't do a lot of personal Facebooking anymore, unless it is on my business page.  I just don't think everyone needs to know everything I am in the midst of.  You want to know, then call me.  :)  Plus there have been people who have been using my posts and such as fuel to create preconceived ideas of my personal and professional life.  This would also explain my un motivated desires to blog.  I just don't care to share anymore :)  We have become a society of "must knows."  So good luck with "must knowing" Gawdun.  Consider this post to be the last of it's kind in the personal life of Gawdun.  Don't fret I'll still blog from time to time but I won't be giving out personal life details.  Once again as Dragonette sings, 'Pick Up The Phone' if you want info...

I'm hungry now and want a steak so go find something else to read  :)

-Gawdun

Ok You Can Stay

'Pick Up The Phone'
-Dragonette

I have been very fortunate to know some swanky and swell people in my life.  If we were to go by my Facebook friend count I would have over 400 friends but then again I don't go by that, let's be honest that is not a perfect gauge on friendship.  (I think several are business contacts and networked friends that will come in handy in the future.)

While on my run today I had the chance to do more thinking even though Madonna kept singing to me about 'Burning Up.'  I thought about those that I associate with now and those that I have in the past.  I created a mental rolodex of all those that have been major impacts and true friendship in my life.  I am going to introduce you readers to them.

(NOTE):  I don't consider this to be a complete image rolodex as I do not have photo's of all of you so if you are not pictured don't be sad you are still good I just need to get a picture of you to post here :-)

Bill, Fred, Me, Kenley:  No matter what your life has for you in difference, that doesn't make the friends, it's the person(s). 

Nicole the perfect roller derby enthusiast

Karyn  

Molly there from year back no matter where we live 

Erin, Alex, Me, and Katie.  Reno isn't a trip without this gang! 

Aunt Dawn, supper supportive and hysterical! 

And MOST IMPORTANT!!!  My family!  Alycia, Me, Lucas, Mom, and not pictured would be David. Y'all worry to much about me but I love it.

'Photojournalist'

-Small Black

-Gawdun

How To Serve A Black Swan

'Come On, Come Out'
-A Fine Frenzy

Many of you, well maybe just a few close in proximity know my current obsession.  We call it the 'Black Swan.'  In the past month I have seen it every weekend.  Ok that is a lie I managed to not see it this weekend but I did see it one and a half times last weekend.

I'm sure many of you are shaking your heads in agony of my love for this rated "R" flick.  You may shake all you want but then again take a look at your lives and tell me it's perfect in what you watch.  I don't think so...  Besides I don't care what you say it was amazing! :-)

Let's get it off the top right away.  Yes there was this awkward girl with girl scene that probably could have been edited down or possibly not even put in the movie at all.  Either way it was in it and shocking, well from what I saw as my hands were covering my eyes.  My friends all thought this was a hoot to witness me doing so.

Acting was beyond amazing.  If you think about it there are actors and actresses who almost never seem to do a new and growing role to their resume.  Natalie is not that girl.  She has grown and continues to grow in each and every role she has done and this one was the top of the top so far.  Just watching the transformation of shy insecure 'White Swan' to controversial, explicit 'Black Swan' was the stuff you want to see in movies.  Don't get me wrong I love a good mindless movie but that seems to be all that have and are coming out anymore so this was a tall drink of water!  Then Winona Ryder's supporting role was brilliant and shows us once again why we love her as an actress.

Music was superb!  It is amazing to listen to the music and be able to envision the entire story line play out in your mind.  When a soundtrack can do that you know it was well scored!

Costumes and locations made my eyes water.  I was so impressed with the entire thing that I was receiving idea after idea for future photo shoot times!

My only complaint and caution is as follows:  I forgot how gnarly and nasty ballerina dancer feet are.  I wanted to vomit several times in the film just from the site of the feet.  SO if you have issues with feet don't eat a full meal before the movie.

OVERALL:

I guess you can say I loved it minus the feet part.  I loved it so much that I actually want to see a ballet this year. On one of the viewings I did one friend told me that he would go as well so now I have a trip to New York to plan I guess, poor me :-)


'My'
-Lykke Li


-Gawdun

2011 A Grand Start

Besides loosing my bartending job this week due to Ruby Tuesday closing all it's franchise locations I am having a FANTASTIC 2011!  I'm sure it will get better but I would like to see it try!

My photography business, ARG IMAG Photography, is growing, and my personal life has taken a huge jolt of "I didn't see that coming but I love it!"

Hope you are all having a great start as well.  February is next week!!

...The End

-Gawdun

It Really Isn't

Just a little something from me to you, (this is not the real video as it is a little risque and don't know who would take it bad so here is a much cleaner one.)




I'm actually doing my best to stay out'a others biz this year too.

-Gawdun

Gimmie Sympathy Sick Muse

I feel I need to share love with others!   Back in 2003 I was watching Leno, (sorry I think Conan is an idiot)and this gem of a band from our lovely neighbors to the north happened to be musical guest.  Every since then I never looked back and have loved them ever since.  I present to you Metric.  Their latest album came out in summer 2009 and never get's old.  In fact I can't think of a band I don't listen to more often in the week.  It's sad but yes I like to play a game while listening to certain songs where I turn the volume down and see if I can sing along and then turn the volume back up and be on the exact verse and word they are on.  I am killer at it.  But this is a "all by myself song."

Anyways here are two visually inspiring videos from their 2009 release 'Fantasies.'






Talent huh!  Best songs though are 'Dead Disco,' 'Blindness,' 'Gimmie Sympathy,' and 'Monster Hospital.'

PS:  If you watch Greys Anatomy you will have heard some of their music on the show.


-Gawdun