Bliss

A time in my life when I created something I was really happy about...
Odd thing to ask, but nonetheless, another thing to think about.

I remember a time when I first drew something that other people said 'wow', and it made me happy. I don't recall what I drew, as it was almost in my elementary years, but it did put me in the direction to go to where I am now -- working with things that are related to art and design.

It was something that was...special, per se.

Limitations

They say layers help add depth to a character. They say layers help develop the character's persona, the attitude and the mentality in which it is bestowed upon. But if a character has too much layers, can it be more of a limitation than it is a benefit?

Yes, it can.

There was an instance - or, perhaps many of those instances - in which I found having such a limitation affects the general means to accomplish an action. For example, when I try to describe myself, I find it unable to do so, or with extreme difficulty. With so many layers that cover me, and having so many layers for so many years...

What am I, at the core but a persona that is lost? With so many layers that hide what is within me, what am I?

I do not know.



I do not know.

55 Alive!

In this scenario, 30+ extra years will be added to my life. By then, many things might happen.

A family. A place to live. Some kids. Things of the past like achievements and possibilities will be grounded away to practicality and efficiency, and perhaps worrying about paying the mortgage or taxes to the government. Things might happen in between. Some event in the world that prompts me to change. Some action in the years that prompts a recollection to be shared.

By the time of this post, I am not so sure what I can see from a paperclip. This...thing of an object, being part of a small gear which has no application over me.

30+ years of experience may have changed what I know, what I represent. I do not know - for those years have not made their impact on me yet.

Come to think of it, my views on everything might change. From a world where things are viewed once with intuitive dreams and thoughtless fantasies, to a place where everything is just another practical application to a weary world, a weary heart.

I do not know what the future brings, nor how I will change in the next 30+ years.

Perhaps I'm getting too old in this scenario. I'm rambling on too much. There's so much to say, but nothing to anchor the thoughts down. I can preach about the world with its problems of dealing with realists and moral ideals, or the weary mind from such a long and traverse lifespan that this scenario has entitled me with. I can give my own opinions on how the world was in my childhood, or how things weren't so connected back in the old days to the generations of today, in this scenario.

But even with so much to give, and so much experience to share, what do people really need in the future? A stable home? A comfortable life? Excitement? Dedication?

I do not know. I am not a man of particular importance, that much I know. My opinion may not share the same grounding that other people have, nor would they hold much weight to be listened to. That much, I know.

But if there's one thing that I do know, in this scenario of 30+ years...
I do know, that the only thing I can actually pass down to the generation of the future, is the heart. To put a heart in the cold, lifeless machination we call practicality and efficiency in a place run by money and selfish gains, to a world where such an ideal has been lost, either through such means or through the cogs of the world itself.

The heart to move things.
The heart to do what is moral.
A heart to drive things.

A heart to be human.

Odd, isn't it? To see the world and the importance of the heart through a single paperclip. To review everything there is from an aspect that seemed pointless and insignificant. I mildly wonder though, whether I can share that absurdity when I eventually reach the age of 55.

I wonder.
But we shall see.

5 again - seeing sideways

I used to do make a lot of paper origamis - but usually it's all make believe and whatnot. I would make some super complicated ship-thingy and do some pretend-fights, and when the teacher comes around I just hide it in my notebook or binder - since I can put it between the pages.

Seeing the youtube video and considering the paperclip idea, I didn't touch paperclips in that time. Never had an interest in something that is already developed.

Class Memories - Seeing Sideways

The one thing that really struck out during our "I can't see clearly now" debate, was the discussion about an anniversary for one the classmates' friend's death. While every other person had something that was interesting and unique in their own rights, we were mostly silent during that particular discussion - a drastic change to our usual, jovial behavior.

The mood immediately shifted to a more foreboding, impressionistic atmosphere, and that stood out pretty strong during that period.

I can't see clearly now... - Seeing Sideways

So, about a week ago, my friend asked me if I wanted to join him in fishing. While I was still trying to figure out about how to deal with this abnormal project I was given for this class...well, having heard of his prowess with the fishing pole, I was intrigued to see how good his skills was - and since it was at a place near the rivers, I thought it might give me some good inspiration for class as well in the meantime.

So, I went to fish with him two days ago near Caterac falls, about an hour's drive away from Indianapolis. The sun was awfully strong when I got out of the car, and the familiar scent of the riverbed quickly engulfed me when I approached the creek itself.
I took my jacket off in the meantime, the cold air that permeated through the surroundings being negated by the harsh brightness of the sunlight itself. Bees were flying, minding their own little business of collecting some stuff from the sunflowers on the trail, and the gnats were doing their pesky little job of annoying the crap out of people.

While I set up shop near one of the shades underneath some rocks, readying a crane pole to fish for...well, whatever was in the water, just then, I remembered a story I heard long ago.

And the content of what I remembered fitted perfectly for the assignment for the class. Now what did I just say about getting inspiration from the place?
The good mood that I acquired from the revelation quickly turned sour from watching my friend's godlike skills in fishing. By the time the sun settled in the horizon, I caught nothing...

And my friend, with that silly grin on his face, caught more than 40 fishes, the little orange bucket he had near him teeming full of those little bastards.

In a mental note, I told myself never to bet against him when it comes to fishing next time...

..

...

.....

Oh right. Anyways. The story I remembered when I was at the river creek? If I remember correctly, it went on like this;

"Long ago, before there was words, people conveyed their feelings through the use of stone letters. They would go and find a stone that would fit the feeling they have in their hand - a rough edge on the rock would show concern, or sharp, pointy sides would reveal a troubled feeling...a smooth stone would be happy and peaceful, so on and so forth. When they pass the stone to someone they care, they would essentially be conveying their feelings to the other using the stone itself."

The story came from a movie called Departure, which was a movie about the passing away of people and how a person comes into terms with it. Seeing as how the assignment focuses on things other than sight, I thought this would be a perfect example to bring to class, and see how the people would react to it.

N385 - Seeing Sideways

All right. Suprise, surprise...
I initially had two ideas being done at once, but urgh - logo design is a pain in the neck to work on. In the end, with less than 6 hours to finish this task and having to scrap the logo design I was working on the entire night, the only one I have right now with me is me a doodle of oriental calligraphy for the result.

Now, I'll let the audience ponder at what the hell this thing is while I try and get some shut-eye for now.





















Oh, before I forget... if the audience can't figure this one out, perhaps a 'tilted' perspective to the right is needed. After all, the class itself is to see things in a...sideways perspective, is it not?