When you blink your eyes...

I woke up this morning and everyone else was asleep and I decided to just go out on my own and explore. My initial plan was to just try to find a better beach than I'd been to so far.

I ended up wondering around San Antonio past some shops and taking photos of buildings and random things that I fancied. I walked into an area I hadn't been to before which I realized I was near a large bus station. It had a big modern egg-shaped roof. I saw the bus to Elivissa, the main city which I came from before from the airport, was only 1.65 EU for a ticket. This is much cheaper than the 40 EU I paid for the taxi ride out in the middle of the night when I first came.

The ride itself was also much more interesting. If you look on a map of Ibiza San Antonio is kind of on the north-west side. Elivissa is on the south side. It was approximately a 25-30 minute drive which went fast as the countryside and small mountain were pretty. The island is much bigger than I initially imagined and it seems to have a decent amount of industry thats not just clubbing, beaches and tourism. The road was new and every intersection on the highway was a roundabout.

When the bus stopped in Eivissa I could tell I was in much more of an actual city than San Antonio. More of a gridded street structure, and generally taller buildings it seemed. I also felt like I was in much more of a foreign country as nearly all I heard was Spanish being spoken. There was some English being spoken here and there but it was definitely the minority. I didn't look at a map and just started to wonder in whatever direction seemed most interesting. I liked the feel of the city. It was relaxed yet more sophisticated somehow than San Antonio. I walked through a city square that had a fountain and beaituful flowering cactus plants. I kept walking about 10-15 blocks in different directions. I finally saw where the roads started to end and tall apartment buildings where located there. I also saw more and more people in beach attire and I knew the sea must be near. I came to a break in the buildings a few blocks later and saw a beautiful promenade next to the blue Mediterranean.

I was impressed with the layout of the walkway along the beach and all the shops, restaurants, bars and hotels. It definitely felt more chic than San Antonio. I could tell the hotels must be more expensive. More of what appeared to be local Spanish people where here. The people who did appear to be foreign where more the minority and seemed to be from all different places. I saw beautiful French, German and Italian people. I enjoyed overhearing the different conversation of which I couldn't understand. This area reminded me of pictures I've seen of the South of France which I haven't yet seen in person yet. These places don't seem so far away now.

I noticed the Spanish I heard was different than the Mexican Spanish I'm used to mainly hearing in the US. I had heard before there is a big difference just between Madrid and Spain. It sounded like it may have more of a French influnce in it which makes sense as its geographically next to France.

I walked all the way up and down the promenade. Enjoying the salt air and the amazing view. I finally stopped on the beach and took some late afternoon sun and took a swim in sea. I really enjoyed this.

I took a few photos here and there but not too many on the beach as I didn't want to be one of those creepy guys taking the photos of the women on the beach. I thought a lot about the cultural differences in the beaches in the US and Europe. After a few days seeing the topless women on the beach really isn't that big of a deal. I did catch myself taking a bit too long of a look a few times.

I could see some land mass off in the distance and was trying to decide at first if it was mainland Spain, then realized that Elivissa is to the south. Also, I didn't really think you could see all the way to the main land as Ibiza is a good ways out into the middle of the Mediterranean. It got me thinking about how you never really get a feel of exactly what something is until you experience it in person. I thought of how I saw lake Michigan for the first time and wondered if I could see Canada on the other side or not. It turns out you can't, but its not completely obvious if you don't know. I mean, I knew lake Michigan was very big, but hadn't been around bodies of water that big before. It turns out you can't see from Ibiza to mainland Spain, at least I don't think you can as of now. I do know that you can see from Coney Island, Brooklyn to Sandy Point New Jersey which I saw last week. When I think about it, this is a much shorter distance than from Ibiza to to mainland Spain. The ferry ride from New York to the Jersey shore is only 45 minutes or so. But the ferry from Ibiza to Barcelona is more like 7 hours. Granted you do have to go a good way along the Spanish coast to come to Barcelona.

I'm not sure what to think of the pictures I've taken so far. I definitely like some of them but they are mainly of architecture, places and random things. Not so many of people. There will definitely be many more photos taken as I still have a week left. My goal is to just keep pushing myself to experience more and meet more people and take photos when it feels right. Things will fall into place in time.

When I was back relaxing at the hotel after a shower I was watching some Spanish show that was like a blooper highlight type of show. They showed some guys at the running of the bulls getting stomped and thrown about by the bulls horns. I hope it will work out so we will be able to participate and see it. We thought of going out of here early but it didn't work out. There is still more to see here in Ibiza and I am enjoying the beaches for sure.

I need to get some sleep now. I just wrote this twice as I lost the first one with this borrowed laptop and unreliable wirless network setup. Live and learn.

I'm sitting on the sidewalk by a busy street a few blocks away from my hotel. This is the only area I could steal some network access from right now. People are walking by in their swimsuits on the way to the beach which is just behind me.

On Friday night we went out to this huge club called Manumission. They were saying its the largest in the world, thousands of people can fit in there. I'm not much into the club scene but that's a big part of what Ibiza is about so I gave it a try. It was a good experience but I wouldn't go back. The drinks were like $10-15 euro's a piece and the ticket were like 40 EU to get in. But the show inide was very interesting. They had a live dance show every hour which was quite cool. The place inside was pretty impressive, it was like a Las Vegas show or something with tons of people dancing inside of it. Justin and I got tired of it about 4:30 am and came back and went out around our hotel. That didn't last too long and we came back and went to sleep.

Yesterday I walked a long ways and found a great beach. It was n icer than the one I went to the previous day. (A girl in a small bikini jut walked by me). I was out there several hours and then walked back. I was lost on the way back as all the streets look pretty similar to me. I just know a few signs that I look for but its hard to know which direction to go next sometimes once you do find them.

My impression of Ibiza so far is that almost everyone you see here are British on vacation. I have seen some Spanish people and a few French and German. The least I've seen are Americans. I talked with a few and they were also surprised to see us as well. Its weird hearing someone speak American English after only hearing British English and Spanish for several days. The beaches here are beautiful. We watched the sunset last night which is a big to-do around here. Everyone gathers around and cheers when it goes down. The nightlife is crazy for sure. We went out last night around our hotel. The area there is pretty tacky actually. Its almost like being in Manchester or something. They have transplanted British pubs and other types of things and all British people are there.

On the way back from Manumission the other night I was talking with the cab driver who could speak English pretty well. He said he had done the running of the bulls himself and it was a good experience. He suggested we take the bus up there and definitely don't go out drinking the night before if you are going to run. We have discussed changing out tickets to leave Ibiza a day early so we can get more time in Pamplona or Barcelona. I always thought it was too long here when I first saw the schedule. It is a fun place, but it turns out being too much of the same thing after awhie I think. We'll see how that works out. I really don't mind either way, but I wouldn't mind having more time in Barcelona. We have talked to some people who stay here for a month at a time. I am looking forward to goin to the beach again today though I don't get tired of that. I want to find a new one. The cab driver told me of one called Salinas where all the celebrities go.

We had been hanging out with these guys from Manchester for a few days who were staying in a hotel room next to us. They were crazy for sure, professional drinkers. They reiterated similar things I've heard about drinking in England. Everyone drinks because the sky is always gray and it rain so much. They are fond of England but think its a horrible place at the same time. So far its been as much like visiting England as it is Spain. The architecture, weather and environment are all Spanish but the people here are a lot of British. These girls last night were even saying how tacky the West End area is that is basically copies of British places. They also had never met "real Americans" before, they couldn't believe we were real.

Well, I'm going to go out to the beach. I've already got a liberal amount of sunscreen applied. Its really nice here because its hot, but not too hot. And there is usually just the right breeze coming along. The weather really can't be much better right now.

I made it into Ibiza this morning about 5am. At this point I had been awake for nearly 48 hours, dead tired. I had a few delays and had to transfer airports from Heathrow to Gatwick but somehow the last flight to Ibiza was late as well and I made it on. It left about 1:30AM GMT. Due to my height and legroom requirements I am unable to sleep at all in coach class on the plane. Only maybe for a few minutes here and there but end up with a neck cramp. But that is behind now.

After I got to Ibiza I took a taxi at about 5-5:30am (GMT +1) from the town of Ibiza to San Antonia where our hotel is. It took about 30 minutes and cost about 38 euros. When I arrived my friends where still awake and had been out late. Apparently San Antonio is the more party going city of Ibiza than the actual Ibiza city on the other side of the island.

I went to sleep for about 6-7 hours and felt like a new person. The hotel room is nice and could be much worse from what I've seen of hotels in the area, also the price is right. I went out with Justin today to walk the nearby beaches and lay out in the sun. The weather is perfect. The water is clear and blue. The women on the beaches don't feel the need to wear bikini tops and I am complete agreement. I layed around on the beach making sure to apply sunscreen generously as a sunburn right now could make the rest of the trip less fun. I got some good sun and am feeling good with a nice breeze in a bar with a wireless connection at the moment.

Ibiza appears to be a big British vacation spot. We are some of the few Americans here. Actually I don't think I've met any others on this Island. Tonight we will go out on the town and see what the nightlife in Ibiza is about. I hear they can go all night until the sun comes up. I'm really going to try to pace myself. Otherwise I'll fade early. So far its great, the weather is perfect and people seem to like Americans here. Especially because we are not British as there are a lot of loud and crazy British kids that come out here.

The sunset is coming soon so I need to go. I'll write more once I've had more of a chance to experience Ibiza.

Well I never been to Spain
But I kinda like the music
Say the ladies are insane there
And they sure know how to use it
The don't abuse it
Never gonna lose it
I can't refuse it

....

Well I never been to heaven
But I been to Oklahoma
Well they tell me I was born there
But I really don't remember
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
What does it matter

I am singing the Three Dog Night song in my head as I wake up this morning. It seems fitting right now. I am scheduled to go on a 10-day trip to Spain starting tomorrow morning. It can't come soon enough right now. The only other time I've been to Europe was a trip to the UK in 2004. Its taken me a few years to get back.

I kept putting off a big vacation for reasons such as work and made excuses why I couldn't go. Finally, I decided this summer was the time and I remembered my friend Justin had invited me on his trip to go to Spain. When I realized I still had time to get tickets I went ahead and got the time off approved and purchased the tickets just about a month ago.

The plan right now is to leave out tomorrow from JFK at 8:30 AM and get to San Antonio, Ibiza about 3:30AM local time. I'll be in a country where I don't speak the language in the middle of the night; hopefully able to find my way to the hotel. The current plan is to stay there about 4 nights. It wasn't my first choice to stay there that long but the more I've read about it, it sounds like a fun spot. I read about this place and its sounds great right now, I hope to spend at least one evening at Cafe Del Mar. Also, the beaches on the Mediterranean lined with scantily clad women don't sound to shabby either. The club scene there is supposed to be crazy. While I'm not big into that sort of thing I'm sure I'll go at least a few nights to see what its like. The more relaxed destinations sound more appealing to me to start with.
After Ibiza, we will be flying to Barcelona.

From there the plan is to attend the running of the bulls with tentitive plans to actually run with the bulls at 8AM on Wednesday 7/11. I hear it is actually dangerous and you have to wear white pants and a white t-shirt to participate. I am trying to figure out how I can take photographs as well as run. We may be driving a good stretch across Spain from Barcelona to Pamplona to get there. Either that or take a train. It will be a game time decision but I like the idea of seeing the countryside by car and having the ability to stop along the way.

After a night in Pamplona and seeing and/or participating in the running of the bulls we will head back to Barcelona to finish out the trip on a supposedly swanky hotel on the beach that my buddy Justin got through a large amount of hotel points from traveling at work. I hope to at least have several days in Barcelona to see what its about and check out some museums. I've heard the most positive feedback about Barcelona when mentioning the trip to others who have been to Spain. I'd prefer to spend the most time there, but with the other things going on it may just be 2-3 days right now. We are considering shortening the trip in Ibiza to focus more on Barcelona. Either way it works out I'm fine with it at this point. I can always go back and concentrate on Barcelona on a future trip.
I am going to attempt to write in this journal as often as I can. Hopefully I can get access to a computer with internet most days and update on what's going on. I anticipate taking a lot of photos but I won't really have a way to process or upload them until I get back.

I often think about what makes good art. What makes a piece of art in any form better than others. What are the experiences of those who create this art that allow them to produce it.

One of the best rapper's ever is arguably the Genius from the Wu-tang clan. I was just trying to decide what makes him better than most. His lyrical content is very colurful and intelligent, his delivery and flow are nimble and compelling. There are many good rappers and it there is an amount of personal preference if you like him or not. I have this feeling that even taking into account personal preference, some art is just better than others. I think it comes down to the little details, that is what sets certain art apart from others of that genre or style. Other factors to take into account are timing, influence and originality. The Genius has the originality and started in a strong period for rap music. I think what sets him a part is the small things he does with the delivery and word play that are more advanced than others of his time.

This got me to thinking of Stewart Copeland of the Police. Many consider him to be one of the better drummers ever, if not one of the most original. He has a very unique style of drumming that many have tried to copy. For a drummer it comes down to the details as well. Its the ability to control exactly how hard you are going to hit the drum or cymbol at the right time. I'm no expert on drums, but I do notice that its about not only hitting very hard, but even more so about the delicate precision. Not only does Copeland have the uncommon and original style, its the little details that set him a part.

There are many good artists, but what makes some really great and influential. I think its possible for many people if they try hard enough to learn the skill to create the art, play the music well, what ever the form. But what sets some a part is this extra something where they can originate and put themselves ahead of the rest. I think this comes down partially to several factors including raw talent, life experience and how the person is affected by them, and sheer will to see this talent out to its full potential. I think one of the true tests if something is really great is that it is still compelling years, decades or centuries later.

The Police have stood up well 25+ years so far. I think the Genius' status has increased the 12+ years since he has been out. But how long will it matter. Its hard to deny the genius of Mozart. His work stands up 200+ years after he created it. Maybe the Police or The Genius have no chance of being as great. Its hard to compare, but I think its interesting to think of what Stewart Copeland, The Genius and Mozart all went through to produce "great art". Something about them gave them the ability to originate in their time. I tend to feel a lot of this has to do with the fact that some people are just "geniuses" and are able to focus this power into something amazing and capture it in time through their art. I find this fascinating.

After a long week of work I entered the uptown 1 local stop at 50th and Broadway. As I went through the turnstile I could hear a carnival like sound coming from somewhere inside the waiting area around the tracks. I looked around and saw an old middle eastern man with flowing white hair and a big smile playing on a Casio keyboard. He had on a light colored suit and seemed to enjoy playing this calliope like music. Its common to see people playing music in the subway for change. There was something unusual and interesting about this music. I've noticed a personal trend that I seem to enjoy music with a calliope or carnival like feeling to it for some reason.

As I listened for a bit waiting for the train, I saw a black man doing the Harlem Shake to this music. He was very uninhibited and was very inebriated as I would later find out. There was something about this scene that made me feel very glad to be in this city. I could not help but stand there with a big grin on my face. There was something perfect about the combination of the keyboard player's happy tune with the other man bouncing around wildly to it.

I went back to Oklahoma for the first time in about 4 months this weekend. Just got back to the upper west side. It feels great to be able to come back to the city. I went in and out of Newark because they have a direct flight to OKC, but its a bit of a trek to get out there to take the subway then the bus out there but overall not too bad.
I went to be in the wedding for my friend's Scott and Katie. It was a great time. So much free food and alcoholic beverages and got to see my old friends. I stayed with my friend Dan the former Teenage Hand Model in the rugged streets of south OKC, home to Color Me Badd. Dan said he thought one of the guys from Color Me Badd now owns a tire shop there. I digress, the wedding went well, I'm glad to see that Scott and Katie will be happy together. Its crazy to think they are now married. I got to see the beginning of their relationship less than 2 years ago.

Dan and I kept our tuxedos on all day and went around to several gatherings telling people we are getting our money's worth of the tuxedo rental. Dan took me to his parent's house where his mom who is Nicaraguan was having a tamale party, it was outstanding. The Tejano music was blasting and people were already hotstepping when we came in. After I ate 2 amazing homemade tamales and drank a few more beers Dan's mom didn't have to try to hard to convince me to show my moves. It was good times.

I arrived in New York City last Friday. It was long and tiring to make it here. But, the drive wasn't that bad at all. It was cool to get to see the change in scenery along the way through all the states between Oklahoma and New York. My dad ended up driving the entire way, he likes driving, he said its like meditation to him. I have no need to drive right now which is why it wasn't hard for me to leave my car behind and go to the city relying on public transportation.

We stayed Wednesday night in Indianapolis. I thought that was pretty impressive to make it there by 9:30-10pm having left Oklahoma at noon. We made it to Bethlehem, PA on Thursday night which is just outside of Allentown near the NJ border. Funny enough, there was no room in the inn for Joseph in Bethlehem, at least the first few we tried. Finally we got a room with a double queen for handicapped people that worked out nicely.

It was an easy drive in through New Jersey to Manhattan on Friday, got there by 11:30AM to meet up with my aunt. She has an apartment that I can put all my stuff and stay in for a few weeks until I find a place of my own. That is very nice to have some extra time to look for a place and find a neighborhood I like instead of being in a rush.

I was worried my desktop computer my have had some wear and tear from the long drive and all the shaking and bouncing but it made it in tact and it started up no problem on the other end. We were so tired Friday we just paid some guys to unload all my stuff off of the truck, it was totally worth it. Also, its a 5 story walk-up which makes it an even bigger value. There is no way I wanted to carry my heavy television up there.

My dad is here for a few more days and will then fly out. Then I have a week until I start my new job. Its convenient staying here on the upper west side, not only is it a really nice neighborhood but its an easy subway ride to midtown where my job will be. But I imagine the new place I find will be on the other side of town and farther away. It will be nice to settle into a more permanant spot and spread out a little bit.

Just listening to some Bob James in my aunt's apartment right now drinking some coffee writing this on my aunt's Macbook. My dad and I are going to eat at a diner here in a few minutes. Once I get my internet setup on my computer I'll upload some new photos I've taken. I now finally have the time to relax in new york and have time to fully explore it as much as I want to. I'm ready to meet any interesting and motivated person out there and explore my ideas. Who knows what will happen...

I read that Robert Altman died today. I have only seen a few of his films but I remember liking them, its been awhile. I just finished watching his sprawling 1975 piece Nashville. It really touched me, I have never seen a movie quite like it. Its hard to pin any one word on it. I do believe the man really had a gift for control and carrying out an idea and a feeling.

Its hard to say that there is a traditional plot. None of the characters where very well developed and there were many cameos. Yet, it all holds together as a whole and kept my eyes glued to the screen. It sounds weird, but the picture that came into my head a few times was a bunch of marbles rolling around hitting eachother. Their really wasn't all that much conflict. The characters didn't seem to be that affected by what was happening to them. I feel like it was a profound statement, yet its hard to pin the statement to one thing.

I felt like the pacing and editing was very advanced and well thought out yet the characters really existed in this film on their own. It really made me think differently about what a film can be. Lilly Tomlin was especially great in a way I haven't seen her before. Its hard to single out one character, they were all almost puppets in this environment. Its really kind of creepy when I think about it. The film makes political statements and statements about open-minded thinking but its not preachy.

I can see how some could say it could be edited down further, often times Altman would play entire songs without cutting them at all. Most if not all of the songs are original compositions for the film. In a way it made me think of a Christopher Guest mockumentary, but I don't know that it was exactly mocking any one thing. Also, I felt like he was saying something about the affects of war and the Kennedy's being assasinated and people being desensitized to it. I'm sure there are many other points to the film and it deserves another viewing. But, the choreography of the huge cast and extras intertwining in and out of the frame and allowing the viewer to still maintain context is impressive. I can say I have never seen anything quite like it and I didn't want to look away but wasn't always sure why. In my opinion that is the mark of a great work of art.

Next week I'm moving out of Oklahoma for the first time in my life. Moving to a city I've always dreamed of exploring further, New York City. I decided earlier this year it was the time for me to give it a shot. It took a lot of work to plan for it and get the job I wanted there. Its finally happening.

This will be a big change and I feel like I'm ready for it. I don't know exactly what will happen there, but I have a good feeling about it. I've grown to appreciate Oklahoma City over the past 4 years. I've met many people here I will miss, but this is the time for me to move on. I'm getting rid of a lot of my stuff to make an easier move and I know I won't have as much space there anyway. I'm ready to make a lot of new friends in New York and see what will happen for me there. I will be busy at the new job getting up to speed starting after labor day. Hopefully I'll have some free time on the weekends to start getting into some new photography projects in the near future, but I know the job will be taking up a lot of my time especially at first. I'm not exactly sure what part of the city I will be living in yet, but I will have a few weeks once I get there to figure that out.

When I was there a few weeks ago I mainly went for the interviews which was gruelling. I was going all around Manhattan in 100 degree heat in a suit, trying to make the best impression possible. I did get a chance to visit the Internation Center of Photography on the weekend and was very inspired by one exhibit in particular. It was the first time I saw the work of Atta Kim. The prints were massive. They were also back-lit which really helped them stand out. I read afterwards that Kim had an engineering degree and didn't start photographing actively until later in his life. It reminded me of what I have gone through so far. I don't know how far I will go with the photography or if I may want to move more into video or cinematography, but it was really inspiring. Possibly someday I could be at that level. I hope to meet Mr. Kim sometime in the next few years, I read he was originally from Korea but now lives in New York. Seeing his work and reading his story also reminded me that there is no rush. Everything will happen when its supposed to.

Now what is to happen for me is to move to the big city and meet all the people I can and improve myself and find myself more than I ever have before. Outside of that who knows what the future will bring.