Girl Talk

I recently discovered an artist known as "Girl Talk" who makes mash-ups, otherwise known as remixes, using tons of pop songs. He is awesome and what he's doing is innovative. I'm sure he's not the first to do this, but he's good at it. He just came out with a new album called "Feed the Animals." He is also featured in a documentary I just watched on hulu.com called RiP! A Remix Manifesto that deals with copyright law (specifically relating to mash ups/sampling) etc. It's a an entertaining documentary you can watch- and remix (if you'd like) for free. Anyways... Girl Talk is cool- check him out at myspace.com/girltalk.

My friend Nolan and I have been entering video contests to try and win money. Here are a couple of our entries...

Here are some funny signs posted on street corners that I found on UrbanPrankster.Com

My Good Friend Chuck Tells A Story...

Nancy Lee Ring Tribute Video

You can watch a tribute to my mother Nancy Lee Ring here:  

http://vimeo.com/5277283

Korey Dane

I happened to run across some Korey Dane's videos while searching for video shot with the Panasonic HPX170. Anyways, Korey is very talented. Show him some love on Facebook and hopefully he'll have an albulm out soon. Here are the links to some of his clips:

http://www.vimeo.com/3795024

http://www.vimeo.com/2600472

New Things

            I’ve learned that life is a limited time offer.  There are so many things to experience, enjoy, and learn about.  Unfortunately too many people don’t realize how important these things are.  They spend their time securing a job, a status, or building a bigger bank account.  Don’t get me wrong, it is smart to plan ahead and work hard, but you have to play hard too.  Experiencing new and different things is one of the most remarkable feelings in the world.  It’s the perfect mix of uncertainty and excitement, topped off with a hint of understanding.  You will walk away from any new experience with knowledge whether you realize it or not.  So take a moment everyday or just once a week even, to try something new.  You could try a new food, start a conversation with someone you don’t know very well, or participate in an activity that you haven’t tried before.

            I hiked the Manitou incline and bought a python in the last month and it was fun.

Questions Everyone Should Ponder

            How does one deal with the death of a loved one?  Sure there are many books and articles and counselors and religious leaders and specialists who claim to know how to cope, but how can anyone cope with death unless they’ve themselves died?  How do people know what dying is really like?  How do people know there is an afterlife?  Has anyone ever truly died and then came back to life to tell about their death experience?  I’m not talking about a near-death experience.  I’m talking about full on dead and gone for good experience.  Why does the prospect of non-existence terrify me so much?  Before I was born I didn’t exist, so does that mean that I will cease to exist when I die?  Or is it true that once life has begun and a soul is created it cannot simply cease to exist?  Must a soul live on forever?  Are souls even real?  Is there scientific proof that humans have souls?  Or is it something we’ve conjured up to keep ourselves sane?  Are we making up theories that comfort us as a way to avoid thinking of the awful possibility that our lives that we are living right now might be a once in eternity thing?  Is it possible that when we die there is absolutely nothing beyond our last breath?  Is the pain one feels in life is better than the feeling of non-existence?  Is it better to be alive and in pain then to be non-existent?  For me the dilemma of dealing with the loss of a loved one is this:  how can I be certain the person I love is in a state of peace when no one has died and lived to tell about it?

I try not to make this blog too serious, but hey sometimes life leads you to dark places.

Nancy Lee Ring

On Monday May 18, 2009 my mother Nancy Lee Ring passed away.  I was fortunate enough to be with her during her final moments.  I will always remember her loving heart, wise smile, and her selflessness.  She was a special woman who realized the power of a positive attitude and triumphant spirit in the midst of intense trials.  She encouraged others to be joyful, strong and of a good courage.  Any success I may achieve in this life should be directly attributed her willingness to sacrifice her dreams to help make mine a reality.  I love you Mom.

SHEPARD FAIREY, OBEY, TATTOO?

I am a fan of Shepard Fairey's work and will soon be pouring over his book Supply and Demand.  I am looking to get a full sleeve tattoo that will incorporate SOME of his work and style.  My arm will not be a shrine to Fairey or Andre the Giant, but I felt that his influence in my artistic tastes are worth noting in the flesh.  As far as the AP controversy is concerned, Fairey is right.  The associated Press cannot pretend that they don't use other people's property to generate their own content to use in an attempt to make money.  Fair us is fair use.