The Manrilla Blog | Life. Art. Religion. Culture.

Yeah, I love being a photographer. It’s hard to put into words the feeling that one gets when you capture that magical moment. That one moment, when you heart slows down and you can hear the rhythm of the Universe. One such moment happened last night when the guys from Adult Swim (Venture Brothers and Aqua Teen Hunger Force) came out to do some kind of a promo for the new upcoming season. My brother had worked with Chris McCulloch, A.K.A., Jackson Publick. I had never really watched the show before but it was funny. They were having some sort of a film fest where they had newbies come up to the stage and pitch their animations to these guys. Man, it was horrible! HORRIBLE!! It looked like some of that stuff had been scribbled by wild pigs. They had a sort of burlesque/strip show that was weird. They even had a brotha’ there, Black Lightning, to give the ladies a little somethin’ somethin’ (no, not really). Like I said, folks. High Art. Do you have any idea the level of intimacy this kind of shooting requires? It is not for the faint of heart. You can’t learn this kind of photographic empathy in a classroom. You must go out into the world and embrace it. The sensitivity, the passion. Okay, who in the hell am I trying to kid here? I have to admit, for a geeky crowd I had a really good time. I’d have to say, all in all, that I feel that I have grown as an artist on this trip. It has expanded my horizons and given me plenty to think about. Perhaps I will do a show, all big prints of this work. I love to see my work big. Julia! It was Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Venture Brothers! I thought of you, girl.

Is that possibly so? Who knows. I did start my day out with a smoothie today and it did go smoothly. Took the “L” down to center city today to shoot a bunch of lawyers doing law’ish things on the streets of Philadelphia. It was cool. I worked with John Madere and Scott McDermott. Two really nice guys. We made the shoot as fun as it could be - c’mon, we’re talking lawyers in business suits here. John Lives in Conneticut and Scott in Queens (he’s moving to Manhattan next month). After the shoot we all sat around and talked about each other’s work. They both asked me what I was doing in the Midwest. They and a couple of other photographers thought I definitely had what it took to make a go of it in New York. When John finished school for photography he packed his bags and left for NYC. Man, that is what I should have done years ago. It was refreshing to hear such good praise from those guys but at the same time, I already knew it. What it did do was reinforce the thought of “what the hell am I doing in Wisconsin again?” Wasting my time and talent? Is it time for another go of it? Man. NYC. That place is no joke. Neither was San Francisco. I get the feeling that it’s gonna come down to Los Angeles or New York. One of the two. One of the two.

I’m not ashamed to say that I need something to chill my behind out when I fly. Truth be told, I fall to pieces on a plane. Take-off and landing are the worst, especially take-off but all of it’s unnatural if you ask me. But thanks to Michael I got the hook up (I may be asking Yaelie for more in the future!!). What a magic, little pill. It just calms you out like you wouldn’t believe. I smirked at take-off, giggling as the ground pulled away. There was a ton of bad turbulance at landing time. I just laughed as the plane swayed heavily back and forth. People were wild eyed and I just sat there, looking out the window, indifferent, laughing! Man, what a way to fly! So I made it here to the Philthy. I’ll be back the 13th. Hold my calls.

Pete and I went out early this morning to shoot the director of Side Effects. Mom. She buys me shoes. She needed some head shots done for the site and the DVD shot as well. She stays way out in the country. It was fun and easy. She’s got a very easy going personality. She’s also really gorgeous. Some days my work really isn’t that hard. Pete’s off to Miami for a few days. I know it feels good to be working. Holla’ from the road, kid. I think I’m gonna head up to see if Julia needs any help with her studio shots today and then I guess I should do laundy and sorta start packing. I also need to keep working on all my new Web site shits. Oh, thanks, mom, for the shoes. They fit, and that’s no small miracle.