A tribute to Hilly Kristal

Thanks for giving us an alternative to popular music. Before the computers there wasn't much to offer when it came to listening to unknown bands. Hilly doesn't really like punk but his club gave birth to legends like the Ramones.

2 Steps Back, 1 Step Ahead

I haven't slept at all and it's like 7 in the morning. I found out yesterday that I had screwed up all my paper work regarding my Company's invoices. I managed to make a document with a JavaScript that calculates all my hours, total pay and tax. It took me 3 hours to work out the programming but I finally got it. I feel like I have totally mismanaged my time in the past few months but sometimes life is about taking a few steps back to get ahead.

I feel so happy and content even though I've been working insane hours and not sleeping enough. I'm so incredibly happy that I'm making this dream come true, but I've felt like giving up twice a day since September. I'll get a panic attack and think I'm crazy for trying this out. It's better to take a chance than live with regret; I can't imagine growing old and having a bunch of dreams that I never had the courage to pursue.

My son is up and it's time to go eat some breakfast. I love the silence this early in the morning and the neurotic high of not having slept for 2 days.

Brain Storm 040107

2006 has totally blown my mind away. I've basically found out the truth about life and it has changed me. It actually makes me sad to think that most people never question their authority or do their own research when they see something wrong in this world.

I met a homeless person on the Lower East Side a few days ago and I've been tempted to join his way of life. I spent some time with him and felt something inside of my heart open up. Why do we judge people for what they own? This person gave me so much more than most people in my daily life; he shared his wisdom and was grateful. The truth I've been searching for since I was a kid is getting closer to me.

I ended up photographing a few other homeless people and some interesting people and places in the Village. New York has changed a lot but spending 2 days in the city with a camera uncovered what I always miss about the place. You can meet strangers in the park and listen to someone play the guitar and before you know it, it feels like home.

Anyway, I'm going back to my insane work schedule in a week. I happen to have the best son on the planet, which makes all this working and struggling more than worth it. He takes computers apart and puts them back together; he's only 15? He's going places with good and honest intentions.
- A picture of my homeless friend called Ninja Art. I bought him a cup of coffee and he gave me some drawings and a book about The Diamond Sutra.

Stephen Hawkins Universe

Everything you wanted to know about black holes / the concept of anti-matter.

Septic Love

Septic Love , a documentary following the dysfunctional relationship of two men in the west end of Vancouver.

It's Snowing!

I just got up and this is what greeted me when I went outside to have a cigarette. It was so peaceful and nice outside, I stayed out there for a while watching the snow blow around in the wind. The lighting and sounds change when the earth is covered in snow, that has always appealed to me.

I might not be able to get my car out of the long driveway for a few days, but I need some exercise anyway.

Cherokee Teaching

An old Cherokee teaching his grandson about life.
"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather which wolf would win.

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

-Source unknown

10 Ways to Become a Better Person

1. Exercise patience in everything you do and understand that change will take time, devotion, and hard work. Accomplishing one simple goal right now will make it easier to accomplish larger more difficult ones later on.

2. Judging others is easy while judging oneself can be extremely difficult. Look at yourself honestly and ask: What would I like to change about myself? What are my strengths and weaknesses? What do I have to give?

3. There is no growth in resentment. Emotions are often directly related to your perception of the world around you. Viewing things in a positive light can make your world into a better place, and foster confidence and self-respect.

4. As you meet the needs of your body, nourish your soul as well. Each of us requires relaxation, love, and acceptance. Spend at least five unrushed minutes each day in meditation or another relaxing activity.

5. Listen to your heart's counsel. The logical, profitable, or fastest course may be in opposition with what you truly believe would be most rewarding. Following your heart can lead to great wisdom.

6. Accept that you have no control over the actions of others and discover the freedom of forgiveness. Letting go of old emotional wounds carries benefits to both body and soul.

7. Understand that failure, while painful, can be beneficial. Learn from your mistakes. Give the people in your life the chance to experience and learn from their own.

8. Never stop learning. True wisdom comes from knowledge and knowledge will only increase if you keep your mind open to new ideas and suggestions.

9. That which is in your power to do is also within your power not to do. Self-discipline is the foundation for all virtues. Avoiding toxic substances and keeping your body and mind healthy will help you break bad habits and adopt positive ones in their place.

10. The means to growth and change are within you and cannot be delegated to another. Live your own life as you wish it to be, cultivate self reliance, take responsibility, and love yourself.

Brainstorming Through the Endless Night

I couldn't sleep at all last night and felt like I was going to go nuts. It's a really busy week for me and I hate it when my sleep is messed up like this.

I decided to start working on my own corporate identity which I have been having major problems with designing. I dug up an old book from when I went to the Art Institute and started reading it. It's about graphic design principals, written by Armin Hofmann. He is basically writing about all the fast changes that started happening in the Design world after WW II and how schools haven't been able to adapt to it. Hey and I realized this book was written in 1965, long before computers were being used for designing.

So, I'm reading this book and realize why I have been feeling so burnt out lately; I feel like my ideas are always repeating themselves in some way or another. Armin talks about how we get so caught up in the stress of designing what is popular instead of listening to our creative instinct. So while I'm laying there in bed I start getting these ideas from these simple dot exercises he has in the book. All of a sudden I start thinking, that isn't going to sell, it's too weird and different? Anyway, I'm going to listen to my instinct and try a whole new approach to how I'm setting up my site.

Long day ahead of me but I feel some optimism creeping in ;-)

What the hell am I getting into?

I haven't blogged on here in a while, it's been a crazy year so far. A lot of changes going on and I like to think that they are for the better. I started taking a class last week that teaches you how to start your own business. I woke up this morning and got a panic attack and thought "What the hell am I getting into?" I have a fear of not succeeding and I'm starting to think that the 9-5 office environment is a lot safer than working on my own.

I've been trying to come up with a name for my company and finding one is no joke. I want one that sounds good in Icelandic but can also be marketed on an English speaking market. BTW, any ideas are welcome my dear friends ;-)