2009-11-07_Jeffers-041

2009-11-07_Jeffers-041
Originally uploaded by Occidental College

ALL I NEED IS 35 MM OF MAGIC AND LIGHT

I've decided that, no matter what, I want photography in my life -- always. What a revelation, right. I mean, obviously 'cuse it's super badass, but also because all I need these days is 35 mm of magic and light ... all I need is to hear that snap of the shutter to feel all artsy and shit. And, seriously, looking through the view-finder of my heavy, bulky Leicaflex SL makes everything look just a little bit clearer, and a little bit sexier. 

We Are Scientists - Hoppipolla (Sigur Rós Cover)

I just found this pretty good / interesting cover of Hoppipolla by We Are Scientists on The Hype Machine ... and I thought I should post it, because you know, it's what's up.

London Town

I can't believe it's been a week since I left for London. Time goes by so fast here, I don't know how I get anything done. When I got into London last Thursday night, I went right into town with my Mom and met up with Galdi for a few hours. Riding in the cab back to Victoria Station made me feel like some obnoxious VIP, as we drove by Buckingham Palace at 2 AM ... the streets deserted. The next day I picked up a new lens for my Sony Alpha DSLR, a twenty year old Minolta. Too bad we were in the car all day, though, to get it. It was worth it, the lens rocks my socks off. 

We hit up this really cool Design Museum, right on the river in central London. It had the best museum store I have ever seen, tons of sweet books on typography and graphic design ... including one with just page after page of logos ... everything from the EPA logo to AOL and GM. We saw Alex for some drinks and some cards before we went back to Croydon. 

On Easter, we had a delicious delicious pub lunch.

Being back in Amsterdam feels strange, like I just got here all over again. Like I have to re-learn everything as I go, which is fine, it just feels like the city is completely new again. Maybe it's the sun? I am so used to seeing everything in shades of grey ... now everything is so bright! 

SPLAT!

I found this little oddity near Stavangerweg, and I love the texture and the pure randomness of the thing ... it seems pointless and yet, almost strangely defiant ... like someone got fed up and decided to do something, and the first thing that came to mind was ... splatter paint against a brick wall.  

Obama Obama Obama

Diplomacy is back in fashion in the West Wing, it appears. Check out this story from ABC's Senior White House Corespondent, Jake Tapper. Seriously, this is why / how Obama won the election ... the man got mad skill ... 

Where The Wild Things Are

Check out the trailer, it looks amazing.  

A Cork In The Current

I'm currently researching Jean Renoir for a class on film / Europe / and Hollywood, here in Amsterdam. I just found this interview and it's fascinating. It's nothing like I expected, especially after watching This Land Is Mine. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I think the man rambles like crazy in this interview, but, what he has to say about technique and art (especially in the second part) really resonates with what I've studied recently (particularly Walter Benjamin's idea of "the aura"). I completely disagree with Renoir's anti-intellectual philosophy, yet, his comments on beauty (although somewhat too general) really stand out: "It's obvious that in a nontechnical era, each action was an artistic act." All and all, it's well worth watching -- even if it's a little heavy handed. 

"Songe D'une Nuit D'emeute"

They're a week late, but here are some photos of our trip to Belgium. Bruges has this whole texture about it, a beautiful run-down, weathered look ... it's hard to describe. I would love to live there, even though it's impossible to find a place to eat at on a Saturday night, awkward.

All That Graffiti

I went searching for a new lens today, and, dismayed at the 240 euro price tag, ended up window shopping along Haarlemmerstraat, instead. I saw some great graffiti, thought, especially this wall on Binnen Brouwersstraat, right before Prinsengracht.

I Turn My Camera On

I dropped off a roll of film last friday at this insanely overpriced shop on Haarlemmerstraat (the one with the big, red, "LEICA" sign). I checked it out even though a few weeks ago, when I asked another shop owner about it, he just grunted, saying, "Nothing in there's under 100 euro." They made good prints though. 

I just picked them up today ... after being really excited all weekend. I'm into them. Plus, after I dropped the roll off on Friday, I finally went into this other photography place -- it's a school -- where I can rent a darkroom. It's really cheap too ... 50 euro for 10 trips to the DOKA (Donkere Kamer -- Dutch for darkroom). Unfortunately, they don't have a full set up where I can process film ... only photo enlargers. I have to get the film processed somewhere else. But, it will be great to mess around with some of the negatives I just got back. 

What else? Oh, yah, my mom came to Amsterdam this weekend. It was a short trip, but we did a lot. On Saturday we rode our bikes north to a small town named Holysloot. There, we ate a pretty delicious, delicious, meal and then made it back to the city in time to check out the Architecture Museum. Sunday we hit up the Van Gogh Museum and had the greatest tomato soup ever at this awesome cafe on the Herengracht.

I hope this was a long enough post for you, Sara, and I'm glad you like the pictures.

Donderdag 19 maart!

I just bought GIRL TALK tkts.

Go Go Gadget One Euro Beer

Wednesday night at "The Containers" is one euro beer night. Which means, twice the beer for half the price ... no wait ... that's not right. Half the beer for half the price? No. Whatever. I'm not good at science, obviously.   

60 % Of The Time, I Blog All The Time

I know. I know. I still have not figured out this whole "blog" thing. Don't even worry about it.

Nights In Tucson

Night driving in Tucson ... that's what's up. I swear, I think I've gunned down River between 10:00 pm and 2:00 am at least thirty times in the last week. Don't even get me started about Swan or Campbell. It's crazy how much driving you do here -- it's like, "you wanna hang out?" 

"Yah. Gimme 45 min to get there ... gotta drive."

The streets are dead at night and the city is so spread out. And when it rains, the asphalt shines in the yellow-orange glow of towering street lights -- moving in and out of focus as the cold air rushes by. River road twists and turns around these lights, through washes and past homes -- right up against the street. The dark mountains loom in the distance ... barely there, yet menacing. Like you can crash into them at any moment even though you know you're miles away. And you keep driving.