After seeing My Neighbor Totoro last month for the first time, I was really inspired by the great art in it, as well as the cuddly creature, Totoro! Some artists at Pixar have organized an incredible event called the Totoro Forest Project. Its an art show/ auction that will take place in September at Pixar. Proceeds will go to benefit the Sayama Forest, where director Miyazaki was inspired for the film.
A lot of you might have already seen this - but its worth a post! Sure my blog has turned into a lot of YouTube postings, but there isn't really anything too adventurous going on with me at the moment, so why dont we just watch a video of Matt dance around the world. This video is really quite interesting and becomes quite touching after a while - imagining the human spirit just letting loose and having a little dance... well here it is!
Go Here for a high quality version. (click high quality below video)
Ahem, to all 3 of you reading this blog (2 are my parents, the other... me), I want to take a stroll down memory lane, join me will you?
While on the phone with Diablo Cody prodigy Hilary Davis (who has a knee slapping blog btw), we discussed some beautiful things from the 90s: mainly Raffi and .... Highlights magazine, among others:
Fruit Stripe Gum You know, the "artificially and naturally flavored fruit chewing gum that is notorious for its strong but fleeting flavor?" The one packaged in zebra wrappers. Less we forget Yipes the zebra - who always seems to be filling his day with inline skating, hang gliding, basketball, or some extreme sport.... just wish the flavor was as intense as he was.
Next, I want to honor the man, the Legend... the reason I slept so soundly some nights. Raffi. Who would have known that:
a) he was Canadian b) he was born in Egypt
I am also elated to say that there is an official term for us children who grew up on a strict diet of Raffi...... "Beluga Grads" - yes, thats right.
I cant say much more, because his words do all the talking:
Ill be the first to admit that any form of japanese animation looked pretty lame... I never had an interest in Anime or anything remotely close. Recently, lots of people at work were buzzing about the great films of Hayao Miyazaki. I decided to educate myself and check out what all the buzz was about. Id heard a lot about the Academy Award winner Spirited Away, which after a watch was very interesting - beautiful visuals and a Narnia/ Wizard of Oz type of adventure. I also rented My Neighbor Totoro - which was just great! About a cuddly tree spirit that flies on a giant spinner; he is just too darn cute. See for yourself!
Can you believe this thing even exists? You could probably skip through TSA security with this in your pocket.
"Among the many top Swiss Army knives, the 24-tool Champion is often ranked among the most prized and efficient, but the craziest one of all has to be 2007's Swiss Army Knife XXL, left, (created by former rival Wenger, after its 2005 acquisition by Victorinox). Selected by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's Most Multifunctional Pen Knife, the XXL includes 87 tools and 141 functions. But doesn’t it defeat the spirit of the original's weightless portability?" Jose Fermoso.
Some sketches from today's gesture drawing class - its uninstructed and the model holds the pose for around 2 minutes. This was by the end of the session, as I was speeding up - and finally included all of the limbs... it took me a while to loosen up. Im learning a ton by simple trial and error, and really trying to focus of weight distribution and movement. I love my job.
"About three things I was absolutely positive: First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him - and I didnt know how dominant that part might be - that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him"
- Twilight
Two weeks ago I was walking around a Barnes and Noble, Mint Mocha Frappuchino in hand, and came upon a huge table displaying books from the Twilight series. A series about vampires? In the teen section? Dosnt sound too promising. I thought Id go ahead and buy the first book since the back proclaimed "An Amazon 'Best Book of the Decade'. Needless to say, I got home, and devoured the book - what a great read! It dosnt get creepy or silly like I thought it would, just a simple love story that is well... not too simple. Im on the 2nd book and enjoying every page.
Click here to become involved in a great project between Apple and Baz Lurhman's new movie Australia. You can have a chance to design the movie poster by downloading production stills. These photographs by James Fisher are beautiful. Also, check out this site to watch the video podcast throughout the summer; its beautifully done.
* You must be a High School or College Student to participate in the contest. If not, still check out the great podcasts.
