Seriously, Tauntaun.

So, yeah, once again ventured out without a tauntaun. Foolhardy if you ask me. The tricky thing about photographing a winter wonderland isn't making your way through the snow, which is often difficult, it's actually in ruining your own shot. You see a shot, but once you walk across it the shot changes, so yeah, challenging. Still, if it wasn't challenging, would it be worth it? Yeah, I didn't think so. Now, where's that tauntaun?

Made it Past the First Marker

I'm honestly not worried about a tauntaun not making it past the first marker, I mostly figure that it would be just as distracted by shiny objects as I am.

And I imagine it would just as easily be distracted by non-shiny, shadowy objects as well.

Hope you're staying warm, cause I am still lacking a tauntaun that could potentially keep you warm on a cold winter night.

I'm A Banana!

I'm actually not, but if you've seen the work of animator Don Hertzfeldt, you would be rolling on the floor laughing, or "ROLF" as the kids say around the interwebs these days.

Don was great to meet and it was a wonderful opportunity to shoot "An Evening with Don Hertzfeldt" and the subsequent "Embarrassing Live On Stage Interview" was, though live, was far from embarrassing. For me at least. I'm not sure about Don. Maybe. Anyway, Don's a real fun guy. He'll sign just about anything.

This is All Going to End Badly

Well, not as badly as I imagined. Just a little cold on the outside, but still warm at heart. I mean, I kind of expected it but "fair play to those that dare to dream," right? Hope for the best, but expect the worse, but in truth I am much more the hope for the best kind of person. But yeah, none worse for the wear (for the most part), and there were a lot of good bits in between that I will look upon fondly. We are the sum of our experiences, so experience, even the bad bits.

And yeah, I've been hitting repeat on Trips and Falls for a while now, which is oddly appropriate considering. And yeah, still no Tautaun. What's up with that?

And yeah three, I've also been hitting repeat on The Swell Season as well. Not only is their music fantastic, there is a great documentary playing at a theatre near you!

Lights and Shadow, Holiday Edition

So just a few shots from this weekend, one of some pretty fanciful icicles doing their thing, you know, hanging. The other of the Parade of Lights, you know a parade in the winter, with lights a plenty, themselves pretty fanciful. The tricky part with the parade is that it is always cold. So next year when you head out, bundle up and get some hot cocoa and you're all set.

You should have been there... Starz Denver Film Festival 34

So, after a summer of actually being able to blog on a regular basis, suddenly I'm gone for two weeks. Well, it was for a good reason as I was once again shooting for the Starz Denver Film Festival. And once again, you should have been there.

So yeah, good time was had by all, including the lovely Judy Greer, the loveable filmmakers behind Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians, and the remarkable Alan Cumming, from the awards, the Q&A's, and the films and you really should make the time to go. You will not regret it.

The Storm Shadow

The storm casts no shadow...

Winter in the city is a peculiar thing. We had our first snow last Wednesday. By today, much of it is already melted. That's not the peculiarity, that's just Colorado. The peculiar thing is that snow just doesn't quite have the magic it once did. There's a very small window in which snow remains magical, before it becomes black and grey and more slush than anything. This is one of those moments, when you believe in the magic of winter, when the wall of white is something worth stopping for. I hope winter doesn't keep you down, cause I know it's trying to.

Steppin' Out of the Shadows

I'm tired. It's OK, it happens. I just wanted to let you know.

Scare Up Something New

See something new in the dark, cause you know, it's that time of season.

Everything I Build

I didn't actually build this. But the construction of things has always been a point of fascination.

And honestly sometimes you feel like everything you build is breaking down, it happens. The world moves and changes and some things get left behind. Sometimes it's by choice and sometimes it has to be, but you move forward and you grow and you change, and ultimately you are the better for it.

Look! Up! The Sky!

Yeah, no birds, but still, there is always something worth seeing.

Zoo Day!

Always fun and always an exercise in looking at the world a little differently.

Also, very inspiring to take a nap.

For the Love of Amy Pond

Yesterday was my third time in Twist & Shout this week. Third. Time. Certainly I make it a point to stop in every time I head over to the Denver Film Center Colfax, and yeah, I'm there at least twice a week, but yesterday was specifically to find Amy Pond. Officially, I am a new Whovian, but I'm not completely clueless, growing up I knew the name as well as the Laural and Hardy baseball routine and was fascinated by the "bigger on the inside" TARDIS, but it wasn't until recently that it really captured my imagination. The entire concept about the show harkens back to what always confused me about the old Star Trek growing up (a planet full of cowboys?): imagination and possibility. Seems to fit right in with what I shoot, so now we know how it all fits together. Anyway, not only did I finally get Amy Pond (they are blind box packaged), I got to enjoy a sweet free concert by Vetiver and the Fruit Bats.

So seriously, think about stopping in the next time you head over to catch a film. The entire Lowenstein complex is awesome by the way, grab some music at Twist, a book at Tattered Cover (I hope I don't offend, but the LoDo location is still my favorite) and grab drinks and a show at the Denver Film Center Colfax.

I'll be headed there shortly for the The Watching Hour presents an Evening with Heather Langenkamp. It's gonna be fun and I expect to see you there.

And as a side note, how can you not love Amy pond (portrayed by the wonderful and beautiful Karen Gillan)? Just sayin.

Celebrate Around the World

Start at home and pick a direction, and just go and see what you will find along the way

You will come to dance, a traditional dance, a dance of culture and of history.

And you will celebrate independence.

And then you will go to Oktoberfest!

Yep, there is always something going in Denver.

Remember the Light

So often we find ourselves in the shadows, especially these days, but we can't forget there is always light.

Just a Taste

As the summer winds down, we get probably the last large event in Denver, the Taste of Colorado. It's a wonderful opportunity to try out small bites or "tastes" from some of the finest restaurants in Denver, as well as some classic fare provided by large inflatable pigs. But it's not all food, why there are fun and games too!

I really like the fact that the shark is in inner-tubes and is having a cold beverage. Not only is he promoting water safety, but staying hydrated, which is extremely important in these hot summer months.

And what would summer be without a car show!

Bicycles and Dinosaurs

Events are great, but I imagine you were already aware that was my opinion on the matter. The best part is that even if you aren't that passionate about something, the right event, pulled off well, will get you excited for it. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge was an incredibly well put together event and even though cycling isn't one of my top ten favorite sports, you cannot deny the energy of it, from the crack of dawn and the race prep to the race itself, it was passionate, fun, and exciting for every one.

And obviously, the event organizers realized that the addition of dinosaurs makes everything awesome! Just look at what dinosaurs did for Cadillacs.

Take a Hike (or a walk, actually)

With summer starting to wind down, there's been quite a few less activity as I would like, so my recommendation: Take a walk. I've probably said this before, but there is a lot to see, even just in your own neighborhood. This gem was taken on my way to the bus stop. The world goes by fast, faster than it used to, but if you don't look up every once in a while, you'll miss something beautiful.

I needed a bigger boat.

After a summer of regular posting, sorry about being late, but I needed a bigger boat.

Hey, it's not Howard Schatz, but it's all about baby steps. You're safe in your comfort zone, so get ready to be uncomfortable.

And as a side note, even though these are of my usual variety, one day I will be among the real things. It's on my list. And of course you're asking, "There's a list?" Yes, there is always a list.

Just Some Things I've Seen Lately