familia...

I miss my family, and I just found my dear friends in Canon Falls (whose blog I do not read often enough), and subsequently I became more homesick. However, Ann's sister and her two kids have been here all week, and even though I'm not getting as much schoolwork done (which is stressing me even more), it is good to see them. They live in New Mexico in a late 1950's schoolbus, and they are soon to be converting a bread truck into a bath-house (not a brothel, but a hippy bathing area). I must hand it to them, they've managed to stay away from what most of us consider real life, and have managed to remain off the grid and under the radar of any governing party for nearly 7 years now. I really respect them for that even though I would never do it, and Lennon who's 10 now and was in our wedding a couple of years back is quite the smart kid. He is constantly reading good books, and Ava (Ann's sister) has been home-schooling him. I'm still not sure about the fact that he doesn't get to hang with other kids, and when he is around them he puts on his headphones and retreats to a different room.

In any case, without getting too sappy, I'm looking forward to graduation next spring and getting back to my family and friends who I also consider family.

crazy holidays...

We all know the song and dance around the holidays, but what's so damn important about them anyway? I do miss my parents and friends, but I think of Public Enemy's "Don't Believe the Hype" whenever the holidays roll around. Everyone talks about going to see their relatives and how it will be shitty or great or some such thing, and then this whole cycle of repetitive conversation or small talk begins whether we like it or not...

So, where do your parents live? Damn, must be cold there right now. What are you going to eat? Shit, I'm gonna gain 10 pounds and watch grandpa fall asleep on the couch with his mouth wide open, snoring louder than the football game in the background. Oh, my sisters' kids are so irritating, and my aunt is annoying as hell always talking about the latest romance novel, or what Oprah had to say about homeless kids around the holidays.

Fine, we all get the point, it pains me just to write about the pointless conversations that go on. My point is that we all know what goes down, let's just talk about other things. In closing, please do not tell me about how much food you ate when I see you, instead, talk to me about what kind of crazy shit your grandmother said. All of us designers are "weird" enough to have some hilarious stories about what our relatives think of our decision to "decorate bottles."

Take care, I love you all, and happy holidays!

More Interesting...

I promise to write some interesting and funny stuff soon. This has been a bit too serious thus far. And my time is limited because of schoolwork. Although, I have seen some overachievers who manage to write brilliant words everyday and still get all of their homework done.

Alright, I'll try harder, I swear!

Discovery...

It is simply amazing that I know so many brilliant people. I received an email from a dear friend in regards to a new band that I was honored to work with on their album art (well, building it in the computer anyway, they did all of the art). The email was a word doc that was full of reviews by other genius musicians that we all know. And when I returned to the original email, there was a link to a website that I found to be absolutely incredible (see Mental Contagion link in "my pals"). It is a website created by two friends of mine in addition to many other great creators, and it features artists and writers. Sounds like alot of other emerging artist sites, but this one is truly exceptional, and all of the contributors and editors have some serious credentials. They are truly doing some great thinking, writing and creating.

It is because of people like this and all of the people around me here in Atlanta that keep me inspired and passionate about what I do, and to challenge myself to push my work further than I think is possible.

Thank you all for being in my life, I am honored and priveledged to know each and every one of you!

Take Care...

My official blog...

I'm joining this world of blogging because I have been inspired by some friends and teachers at PC. This crazy school has been the best decision and experience of my life so far (aside from marrying Ann of course), and everyone that I have met here has been inspirational and amazingly supportive.

In any case, I just wanted to fill a little white space, get my proverbial feet wet, send some love out to the people I look up to and respect.

More soon, take care, greg

On Tom Waits...

For the first time in my life, I saw Tom Waits. I had missed him twice in Minneapolis, and I swear it was a sign, because tonight was the most amazing show I have probably ever seen. He played nearly all of my favorite old tunes, 9th and Hennepin, Blue Valentine, Singapore, oh too many to mention. I was in awe and practically lost it when he played 9th and Hennepin. For those that do not know, it was the once infamous street corner that was nothing but hookers and drugs back in the mid to late 70's, years before I would even know who Tom was.

He was in true form and his son played drums and percussion. It was epic, and I simply could not contain myself as the night went on. I haven't been this moved by a show for years, and it was worth every penny of the $75 dollars I paid for it. Actually it was worth more than that, because in my humble opinion, Tom Waits is the best damn songwriter and musician that I've heard in this lifetime that I am in right now. I listened to him practically non-stop while being on tour with The Pacers thanks to Mick the guitar and keyboardist.

I think it was around 1986 that I first put "Small Change" on permanent rotation in my meager record collection. It was probably the second time that I was ever so flipped out over a musician, the first being Louis Armstrong, which is why I played trumpet for a time.

In any case, I've been rambling about this for long enough in a more than buzzed stupor, and if you are not familiar with Tom Waits, you better run (not walk) to your local record store and buy "Rain Dogs!"

I love you all, take care,