What I want, need, should, and will do this summer.

I feel like this whole year I’ve been attempting things that on the surface seem too much for me to handle but in the end, if you put your mind to something (yes, the cheesy sayings are true) and really pull your shit together, it’s easy to accomplish things.  Now, I’m talking experiences in the bigger picture… traveling the country, opening my horizons to different forms of education, friendships, relationships, the aspects of life you will hold onto forever because they mold your future…

Now, it’s summer! And I’m ready to use my creative mind to look past the more important things and start creating… I’ve had lots of things I’ve wanted to do, to make, etc… nows the time to do it. I’ll keep a list. Lists are easy to navigate. Sometimes. If you’re a good blogger. And in this case, I am not. But it’s also 2:30 AM and I am bored (productivity starts in small stages…..)

1. More abstract photography.
Now, I don’t really dig the photography medium. I used to, it was my passion, it’s a long story as to why I drifted away from it. But I’ve noticed I like making really out of the ordinary shots… sure, I could pick up a plastic camera made by Lomo to do that…but I decided to use a 35mm camera I already have (well, it is a lomo i picked up off Craigslist…the Action Sampler) and I’m turning the sucker into a medium format.
I don’t know how it will work, but basically I removed the back and just covered a piece of cardboard, a little larger than the size of the camera with a space big enough to fit a roll of 120. I’m going to make a door for the film, then loading it/advancing it will be the hard work.
There should be some sick shots though. Nice vignettes for sure. We’ll see how that works out. Working on an Oatmeal Box pinhole as well.

2. Screen printing
If I don’t accomplish it this summer, this will be the third year i’ve put this off. Either a class or just on my own, i don’t care. I really want to screen print. Problem being I have absolutely no visual arts talent so the designs themselves would be pretty shitty..or I can use premade designs… I just want to do it.

3. Get travel plans started
I’ve never had such a desire to travel the world…well, I’ve always had that yearning but the last few weeks it has been killing me. I need to study abroad, so I’m thinking next year.  Prague would be my first choice…a bit of a stretch, because of course I know absolutely no Czech. But I’d much rather experience a culture/language that I do not know at all…i know going to a Spanish speaking country would be the most practical, but since when do I of all people focus on practicality? Italy would be the second choice. Beyond that, I haven’t really thought about it.
I want to get plans for a trip to Israel put together as well. I could not handle studying there, so I think I’ll try to go with a group…but not one that is brain-washing…because chances are a group like that, I’d have very different opinions in regards to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. I could talk for hours about that, so I will restrain.
San Francisco/New York isn’t going to happen this summer…between Florida and Mexico and working I don’t think it’d fit in well, especially because UCD starts August 11th because of the DNC. I’d rather work my ass off and have a good time with that scratch, then as class starts I’ll still have my job and save those funds for a trip over winter break. Man, wouldn’t life be nice if I could just hop on a train right now?
Something about the trains…so romanticized, yet so grueling…but so beautiful… I just want to do it again.

5. Yoga
My best friend, Emma, and I have been planning to start doing Yoga since January and just haven’t gotten around to it.  I’m a very conscious person when it comes to health and I think yoga would be a positive thing for both fitness reasons and mindful reasons. When I exercise, I like it to have a positive effect on my mind rather than just my body…that’s why I really enjoy cycling. It’s a natural high.

6. Build up a bicycle
Simple enough, if funds persist. Which they probably won’t.

7. Play music
This is something else that always sounds easier/better in my head. I’ve been blowing a saxophone for like six years and I still cannot play shit. I think partly it’s because I grew completely out of my ska-obsession…I used to play with hopes to be in a ska band or some shit.  Hope for that is gone. I wish I could sing…i’m almost tempted to look into buying a moog or something ridiculous. re-teach myself keys…

8. Keep on writing
I go through phases with that… I need to do something worth reading. My writings from my trip across America are fairly cool. I’ve written some philosophical pieces in the past few months I’m happy with. But if I really want to pursue writing, because that really is my favorite form of expression and hobby… gotta keep on doing the short stories, the real life journalism, stick in some poetry….. i’m so self conscious about it but only cause that’s what i really dig.

Will add more later.