revjim.net

October, 2008:

Honeycrisp Ap-Poll

Oct 31st, 2008
by Jim Reverend.
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1. Memorable Halloween costume of your childhood? Of your adulthood?
Childhood: In the 5th grade my mom made me a Hermes costume at my request. It was amazing.

Adulthood: A few years ago I went as Charlie Brown… at age 30: Balding, and a drunk wearing his signature shirt covered in stains.

2. Worst/best Halloween candy?
Sometimes you feel like a Nut, sometimes you Don’t.

Almond Joy and Mounds fun sized candy bars are my favorites. Candy Corn, those super chewy peanut butter things, and any “Brachs” candy (except the Caramels) are by far the worst.

3. What are your plans for Halloween? Or the weekend? Or November 1?
Skwid’s Party on the night of 10/31. If I finish my costume today it’ll be awesome. If not, I’ll be me. Either way, I’m bringing a camera and some lighting stuffs too.

Sunrise photos on the morning of 11/1.

Maybe a party with some work people on the night of 11/1. Maybe. BIG Maybe.

Coffee and sunday service with a friend on the morning of 11/2.

Seeing The Mountain Goats Show on the night of 11/2.

Yeah. BUSY WEEKEND!

4. What’s your favorite pumpkin-related thing to eat? Or to make?
I LOOOOOOOOOVE pumpkin seeds. The “David’s” white ones all coated in salty water residue are ok. But fresh ones made in your own oven coated lightly with sea salt. Mmmmm. That’s the best.

I also like pumpkin pie. I don’t think I’ve ever had one made from “pumpkin” vs. being made from “pumpkin pie filling in a can”. I wonder if there is a difference. Does ANYONE make pumpkin pie without the can these days?

5. BTTW/WTTW
BTTW: My wife being awesome, and my friend being awesome.
WTTW: The layoffs at work.

Top 3 audio …
Used to Get High – John Butler Trio
None Shall Pass – Aesop Rock
San Bernardino – The Mountain Goats

Tumblr

Oct 30th, 2008
by Jim Reverend.
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In short, I have a new site you can read: http://revjim.tumblr.com/

There are hundreds of sites begging people to put their cool links into them (delicious.com and the like). But none of them really let you customize the site and make it your own. On top of that, almost every piece of social networking software has some form of link sharing built in (like FaceBook) but most of them are exclusive to the members of that site and require a bunch of hoops to make things start flowing. There’s StumbleUpon which is awesome for finding new content and sharing it but not so good at keeping that content organized or sharing it in a customizable fashion. I find myself sharing lots of things with lots of people in lots of ways, but each of them locked up to a subset of users in it’s own less than desirable way.

And then there is Tumblr.

They are smart enough to not link a single account to a single site. So, any account can post to multiple sites, create sites of its own, or not have any associated sites. They also allow multiple contributors to sites and even allow private posting (though you have to be a member to view).

They offer complete customization even allowing the use of sites like Google Analytics for traffic analysis and Disqus to enable comments.

Their approach to content is intriguing. From short blurbs, to chats, to text posts, to photos, to videos, to audio, to reblogging… the site is based around the concept of formatting differently for different media types and excels at displaying whatever it is you put into it.

It can be used to share links, photos, thoughts, or just about anything else on the web. While most of it’s users tend to focus on sharing found content, it is certainly suited to hosting original content as well.

So, with all that, I’m going to begin using it to share the interesting things I find online. Should I find the content becomming to heavy in anyone topic, starting a new Tumblr specifically for that topic is a piece of cake.

The good news to you is that, you don’t have to sign up for anything to follow along. Just visit my Tumblr and bookmark, subscribe in the RSS reader of your choice, add to LiveJournal (Try LJUser: revjim_tumblr), follow in FriendFeed, ignore it all together or, really, whatever makes you happiest.

I will more than likely start a second Tumblr for the interesting links and photos of a … less than pure nature. Drop me an email if you’re interested in a link.

I’m a photographer, damn it!

Oct 30th, 2008
by Jim Reverend.
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Adrienne and Casey (#18)

steaming tea

catalyst

Liam the Photographer

Fog Covered Path

Jet and Emily

Celeste amongst the gourds (#2)

the warm caress of sunset (#2)

a small step

skins: cranberries

I’m a photographer, damn it! And it’s about time I started acting like one.

Sure, I always have a camera with me. I mean always.

Even on busy work days when I know there is no chance I’ll ever even take off the lens cap, I bring a camera with me. Probably a tripod too, just in case.

When the chances of taking photographs are even slightly greater than that, I bring two cameras with me. You know, something quick and easy, and then something more elaborate in case the occasion allows for it. And, just to be safe, I bring a bigger tripod.

If the chances of there being people involved are high, I bring lights as well. And stands. And remote triggers. And modifiers. I keep it all packed in a light bag ready to go, just in case.

Yes. I’m that bad. Really.

Just ask my wife. When we go out of the house — anywhere — I have more bags and equipment to carry than both she and the baby put together.

I take lots of photographs. And I edit lots of photographs. Just look at all the images in this post that I’ve processed recently. I don’t actually take any photographs.

So what’s the problem?

First of all, despite always being prepared, I don’t take nearly as many photographs as I could. Yeah. That’s me. I’m the dumbass lugging around all this gear and doing absolutely nothing with it. I have the time, the knowledge, and the equipment. Yet I don’t use any of it. When I do take photographs, it’s because I actually planned to and not because the moment just struck me.

Secondly, I have no new photography projects that I am currently working on. I have a backlog of unedited images that just don’t seem all that urgent since no one knows they exist but me. I have no new models lined up. I have no new location prospects. I have no new items on my long list of ideas in need of a model, prop, or location.

In other words, the photographs I am taking, while awesome in their own right, aren’t anything new or challenging or experimental or difficult.

It’s just not right.

And I intend to change that.

Starting now.

First of all, I’ll be taking more photos while I’m out and about. Not in that annoying “oh my god if you take one more photo of me with that damn flash in my face I swear I’m going to kick you in the balls” way as Kyro is prone to. More like the “oh my god, why is the paparazzi here? is there someone famous here?” that Jonathan exudes when he does what he does. Except with an added touch of “why is he taking a picture of THAT?” and “oh my god that photographer is HOOOOOOOOT” and “please, Mr. Photographer, take my picture have let me have 10,000 of your babies”.

Second of all, I’m detailing some new projects to work on and I’ll be revisiting some old projects. Many of them will require models. By models I mean YOU.

It’s difficult to use a model for a project that I’m not already comfortable working with. So, volunteer. Right now. Right this second. Tell me you’re interested in being in one of my projects and let’s set up a time to do a quick session and get to know eachother. Or if you have a project idea of your own, let’s hear it. Now. Don’t wait.

Finally, I’ll be making a more directed attempt at visiting new places that are photographically interesting and scouting new locations for photo sessions. If you like driving around aimlessly, standing in for test shots, and causing trouble with the locals, then you certainly want to come along with me. So say something. Now.

Stay tuned. You won’t want to miss this.

Event: Photography at Eisenhower State Park (11/1)

Oct 28th, 2008
by Jim Reverend.
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When: Saturday, November 1st, 6:15am
Where: Eisenhower State Park near Denison, TX
What: Sunrise Photography on the lake followed by hiking
Who: Photographers, Models, Hikers, and Sunrise Enthusiasts
Why: WHY NOT?

This Saturday, November 1st, I’m heading out to Eisenhower State Park for some sunrise photography on the lake followed by a nice hike on some of the park’s outstanding trails. The plan is to arrive there around 6:15am.

If you’re interested in photographing, being in photographs, hiking, or just watching the sunrise, let me know.

Yes, this is the morning after Skwid’s Halloween party. That makes it a no-go for many of you.

a complete rewrite

Oct 18th, 2008
by Jim Reverend.
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20081012-390014-flickr

It has been said that there is a time and a place for everything. Right now, I feel out of place and without time for anything.

Maybe I’m trying too hard. Maybe I’m so driven that I’m missing subtle queues. Maybe I just never knew how to detect them in the first place. Maybe I’m not trying hard enough. Maybe I need to push myself even more than before. Or maybe I shouldn’t be trying at all. Between the amount of guilt I feel and my ever decreasing self-esteem, it’s amazing I ever actually enjoy anything I do or have any people in my life that I really care about.

Maybe I need to pull deep inside myself. I could be that guy who always says he’s going to do something or be somewhere and then, at the last minute, decide not to go. The limits the amount of complaining I’d have to hear from people who want me to go and yet would still allow me to stay by myself away from people. I’ll stop answering emails and IMs and immediately as possible. I’ll stop doing favors for people. I might even outright ignore a message or two just because I want to. I might not even return some phone calls.

Maybe I need higher standards and a stronger code for what I’ll accept from others. I’ve always been very open both with myself and with others. I’ve always opted to let people do what people will do and have tried very hard not to let their lifestyle choices influence their worth to me. I’ve always been more than willing to let transgressions slide when presented with a reasonable excuse or explanation. I’ve always tried to find the good in people. Maybe I need to be more selective about who I associate with. Maybe I need to be more strict about what I’m willing to accept. Maybe I need to weed out those that don’t represent an immediate or future value to me. Maybe I need to shy away from those that threaten my current line of thought.

Maybe I need lower standards and a weaker code for myself. I’ve always held myself to nearly impossible standards in all aspects of life: at work, at home, with friends, to my country. Not do I constantly consider such things and occupy lots of time and energy on them, but, should I falter in some way, I beat myself up severely over it. Maybe I need to be less honest. Maybe I should be less up front, less truthful. Maybe when I feel I need it, I should manipulate people into saying things or doing things that will help me or make me feel better.

I don’t actually believe that any of this will make my life better and I’m almost certain I would like the person I would become even less than I like the person I am now. But there are lots of people practicing these exact same things and they seem to be sticking by it. Maybe it’s just one of those things you have to try to understand.

Post-Myschievia – back to “real life”

Oct 14th, 2008
by Jim Reverend.
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I want to go back.

Now.

This whole “real life” thing is bullshit.

Ugh.

But, In order to motivate me to actually start life again, I will provide a few pros to NOT being at a burn event:

  • Eating a meal at which your hands do not serve as both your eating utensils and your napkin.
  • Walking into a bathroom that doesn’t already have so much shit in it that you can see it plainly, without a flashlight at night. “Man, it smells like shit in there”.
  • Air Conditioning.
  • A shower.

Much love to the Frenchies, the honorary Frenchies, and the occupants of hotel French Camp alike.

Fuck You, French Camp. My dick is super-sized! Your dick is like two fries!

Now, I must shower and go to work. Yes, work. Like, a job that doesn’t involve walking around in the dirt while intoxicated pretending to do something useful.

I’ll have photos up eventually.