In just a few days I’ll be boarding a plane to Austin, TX to join the SXSW festivities. You will most likely find me sipping a Lonestar and attending something nerdy between the days of March 13th through the 18th. I’ll also be VJing at an event on Congress called House by Southwest on the 17th, (St. Patricks day!)
Keep checking back here to the Dangerblog, because I have decided to create a daily write-up for each day that I’m out there.  I will be experimenting with a pocket Mino HD flipcam lent by my good friend Jack from Steelblender. Thanks Jack!!  It shoots 60 minutes of HD footage, is as tiny as an ipod, and has a built in USB for quick import. I’m sure by the end of this trip I will want one for myself.
I’m looking forward to all of SXSW, documenting the trip and meeting a lot of new folks. Drop me a line if you’re going, or stop by the show on Wednesday night at Silhouette!
It’s been quiet over the last few days, as the city has been under blankets of ice & snow.
Two quick pieces of news!
I’m excited to announce that I will be getting my very own studio space dedicated to all of my Danger visuals work!! I was waiting to blog about this until I had some photos to go along, but they will have to wait until after I’ve signed the lease and retrieved my keys. I will be setting up shop at the Loft Artists building in Stamford in just a few days!  More on that to come.
I’ve also just bought a gold pass to the SXSW festival in Austin which starts in a month. I’ll be bringing my VJ equipment along for the ride and see what events might let me hop in. If anyone knows of any opportunities, please send me an email or leave a comment here.
Dec 22, 2008 |
Inspiration,
travel
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Simultaneous shot taken by Holly & Jeff
I’ve just recently returned from an excursion down south, where I spent a week in Austin, Texas. This was my second visit there this year, and it is quickly becoming a favorite little oasis-getaway of creativity, music, healthy fresh foods, mental clarity, clean air and cheap booze!
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Here is my collection of favorite spots & eateries in Austin:
Bodicelli’s – Best italian food I’ve had in years, mixed with live outdoor music & beer garden.
Bouldin Creek Cafe – Muraled space with fresh healthy vegetarian dishes & board games
Vivo – Tex-mex all the way!Â
The Continental Club – Good music all night, every night.
Saxon Pub – Great divey bar with fantastic rock shows.
Zilker Park – Gorgeous place for hikes, kayaks, lush trees..
Jo’s Cafe – My favorite coffee spot hangout on congress.
San Jose Hotel – Hands down favorite hotel. Classy, cool and very well designed.
Uncommon Objects – Super funky collection of antiques & thrifty goodness.
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This time while I was there, I schemed some ideas for future work-living potential in the area. Austin is absolutely beautiful in the winter. 75 degrees and eternally summer. I’m not used to being able to walk outside without getting in my car, and have access to tons of great shops, cafes, music and life right out the door. The idea of living seasonally struck me during both visits there this year and I’d like to try and put this into action come 2010. Ideally I would love to spend a year (or more, depending how it goes) living a few months at a time in different locations. My aim is to work on a variety of projects throughout the US and if possible, even a few outside the US.
These are a few of the places I’m considering living seasonally:
Austin TX
Portland OR
Boulder CO
Northern California
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Brussels, Belgium
Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver, Canada
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2008 has really put me in a place of stability. I’ve worked really hard over the last 2 years to pay off my college & car loan debt, and to invest in a collection of video equipment to get myself off the ground as someone who can work independently.
2009 holds a lot of that same potential and I’m really excited. As I am approaching the new year, I am beyond thrilled to say that I am one pay check away from owning my car and being completely debt-free. My living expenses have gotten more affordable with the help of a really sweet house-mate, and my work situation is quite liveable for the time being. Going into 2009, and my third year of corporate video editing as my day job, I’ve earned 5 weeks of paid vacation. I’m going to use this time wisely to save money for traveling and the future of wherever I’m headed. I want to spend a few weeks of that vacation traveling around Europe and more importantly, putting energy into a documentary project that I’ve always wanted to complete.
I never thought these ideas would come into fruition, but the possibilities are proving to be possible afterall, and I can’t wait to see where I can go…