Heartbreaker

I started listening to some Led Zeppelin yesterday and I am trying to get more of the band wrapped around my mind with knowledge of the music and understanding of both music and the band. Heartbreaker is a great song with a great riff. I’ve listened to Led Zeppelin since high school. I remember my first battle of the bands experience in high school was as a freshman and a band did a cover of Dazed and Confused. After that, I became infatuated with the songs Stairway to Heaven, Battle of Evermore, Kashmir, and All My Love. With all of the above, I digress and post some images from my first wedding as a photographer. It was a great experience that I am sure I’ll write about more as I edit more photos.

Starlight

I have known Sam and Grady for as long as I can remember. You critical thinkers that are always looking to be literal can say that I can only remember x amount of things that happen in my lifetime, but I am making this statement and referring way back to before my conscious memory even existed, that is if conscious memory is even a correct term. That being said, I was next door neighbors with these great men for at least thirteen years of my life. They moved at one point, but that didn’t falter our friendship. We did everything together, practically. We only left the showers and bathroom related lives to ourselves, and that was about it. Whoever Pete may be, I don’t know, but for his sake, we role-played with each other that we were pokemon trainers traveling around our neighborhood and battled each other with invisible pokemon. I don’t know if it is more sad that we were so kind to each other that we could believe and build off of each other’s imaginations and allow the other to defeat our own pokemon. I wonder what our parents thought if they were to ever look at us through the windows of the house. Perhaps it best not to ask.

All that being said, I talked to Sam for a few minutes on Skype this early morning on Friday and asked him some pretty deep questions that he did nothing but nail on the head with his answers. I first want to kind of share as to what kind of person this Sam character is. Sam might be one of the most motivated people I have ever had the opportunity to come across in life. We may have thought him to be strange a few years back, always whistling while maintaining an imaginary flute, but that was the least of his concerns. If you’re reading this Sam, I still loved you no matter what you did. To continue on, it was great to see and now that I understand and am looking through a different mindset, I am quite jealous of his attitude towards what he loves and desires. He definitely had his head on straight with what he was passionate about and he wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of that. He is one of the smartest people I know and along with his brother, thinks very deeply and is always looking to gain knowledge and understanding. Sam goes to Oklahoma University and is double majoring in vocal performance and vocal music education. If you can’t tell, he might love singing.

Here is a section of our conversation that I felt compelled to share with you few readers.

Casey: “What keeps you going in life? Like, what makes you do what you want to do in life and how do you stay motivated? Also, what makes you wonder if you should be doing something else that you love? Maybe the real question is how do you convince yourself that this is what you’re supposed to be doing for the rest of your life?”

Sam: “Well…WOW! =) I wake up every day with a compulsion to sing Case. I haven’t gone a day in my life without singing in some way. I was lucky to be given a talent and self-motivation. I’m so touched by the sounds around me, that every day I’m inspired to do my best and grow as a musician. Of course, so many doubts exist within my head about whether or not I will make it some day, but I don’t really care. I love music with my being, because it gives my life meaning. I feel it every day in the practice rooms. When I sing I feel whole, when I perform I feel elated. When I sing, I love and hate at the same time. both parts of who I am exist harmoniously. I just know this is what I’m supposed to do. I love it with everything I have, and I know anything else wouldn’t compare to what I do every day.” … “You have to understand Casey, I’m such an exception to the norm…I found out what I wanted to do EARLY, most people struggle with this their whole lives. You just can’t let chances pass by in life, and chances are ALWAYS coming. Life shouldn’t be rushed through. I know that sounds cliche.

Shine

This month has been yielding a busy class schedule. My current itinerary revolves around eight hours a day tuesday to thursday with twelve hour days on monday and friday. This isn’t the end of the world, because I am fortunate enough to be able to have Saturdays off, which was imperative for this month. I get the opportunity this weekend to help take part in shooting a wedding. While it will be my first wedding experience involving photography, it will not be my last. I have two more weddings this month that are actually paid gigs that will hopefully go perfectly well and allow for portfolio building opportunity. That being said, I am both excited and terrified for all of this to happen.

On a slightly less pointless tirade, I will attempt to turn this into something of value and direction. Michael Dalton, an incredible videographer that  has a great website with awesome work that you should go an check out now, and I split costs of a decently priced camera lens, the Canon 65mm MP-E. It is a macro lens with no real focus wheel and a potential zoom range that creates a depth of field of one twentieth of a millimeter. I can’t imagine how awful it would be if 1st A.C. had to attempt to pull and maintain focus with a depth that is only meant to piss off the user by how shallow it is. Needless to say, here are a few pictures from the camera lens.

The Silversun Pickups weren’t scheduled to play until 7:30pm, which meant we had to sit and chill for another hour and thirty minutes. Everyone slowly trickled in for the next thirty minutes and pretty soon the floor was covered. I didn’t look back again until the middle of the show when Muse was performing, but it was quite a sight. Eventually, a few of us decided to get up and talk to the bouncer that was stationed near us. He was a cool guy with several interesting stories and reasons he moved to Atlanta that only involved the name of a woman whom he called his “ex wife”. The bouncers have a pretty good concept and system that they have seem to have mastered over the course of experience. As the show progressed, there were people surprisingly dropping due to locking the legs as well as being dehydrated and other strange reasons. I’d be looking up at the stage and I’d see the bouncers through my peripheral vision pointing fingers and trying to communicate with the crowd off in distance. About thirty seconds later I’d see one bouncer stand on his step and lean in the crowd, grab a limp person, then lift them over the barrier and toss him to nearby bouncers. Poor kids; one of them didn’t even make it to the Muse performance. Lastly, during the show, the bouncers would have water bottles and offer it to people that wanted it or looked like they were going to pass out. It was fascinating seeing society function, though it was for individual desires of the youth, that the bouncers helped out by hydrating people. Sure, I know you’re thinking that they get paid to do that, but it gives me hope in society. Let me be narrow-minded and be surprised doing events like this.

I can’t say that I loved the Silversun Pickups, but I didn’t hate them. Of course most all songs by a band sound the same if you don’t know them, so I won’t say that all the songs sound the same without the disclaimer of understanding that there is a difference that I can’t find over the course of a thirty minute performance. I did enjoy Lazy Eye, the only song I knew from the band with special thanks to Rock Band  for introducing it to me. That being said, Lazy Eye was their last song, they said the usual thanks and what have you, then we waited around thirty minutes for Muse to come on. And so, we waited.

I won’t go into too much detail pertaining to the Muse concert, seeing as I don’t want to spoil any surprises for anyone looking to attend a concert. Of course after I say that, I go on to say that it was the same setlist that was played in the European Tour. I was slightly disappointed when I found this out, but the majority of me was stoked to be there and didn’t care what they played. I don’t know how people explain an experience of their favorite celebrity and/or band without coming off as obsessive and perhaps gay. While I am not gay, I can admit to having an obsession. To be roughly ten feet away from a man that creates music that you have listened to and claimed as your favorite band for the past four years is quite mind blowing. For a few minutes I sat there and stared at the man. It was almost comparable to one of those moments, such as in the movie Saving Private Ryan when Tom Hanks was storming Normandy Beach and everything went muffled and voices couldn’t be understood. I stood there and realized that this is a man that I’ve obsessed over for four years. I’ve claimed him as a genius, creating more than just lyrics in his music, having fascinating theories and ideas about government conspiracies, and being unique with his lyrics and making bold statements about government, gods, and people. I talked about him to others all the time, trying to convert them to be Muse loving hooligans. Wow, I sound like one of them religious folk trying to convert people to anmother religion, which is a whole different situation and blog post that I’d love to share my feelings about. But that will be later, so I digress.

The show was great and I got some decent pictures with the point-and-shoot camera that my father let me borrow. I might have focused a decent amount on the pictures, but in no way was the show inhibited by it. I honestly loved every single song. There are hundreds of people that talk trash about songs they hate that Muse play live, especially Guiding Light and Feeling Good, but I don’t care the song; it’s the appreciation of the band and all that they’ve created. If I do give a personal opinion that judges Muse, it would be that I prefer their old style from the days of Absolution and Origin of Symmetry. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love The Resistance, because I do.

It was great to see the demographic of the concert be of all ages. There were people that said they came because Muse opened for the band U2 and they liked them, there were original Muse loving fans, and of course there were the Twilight fans. The show was rumored to be sold-out, and perhaps it was, but there were a few empty sections of seats. Perhaps not everyone could make it. The show lasted around an hour and forty-five minutes and ended on such a great note. The crowd was cheering so loud that my ears got to the point that it felt like too much was trying to get in and it wouldn’t go through that fast. The show ended, the band left, and the stage lights came up. Pleased by the great ending, we walked up the stairs to the lobby and sat in a corner, waiting for the worst traffic jam I had ever seen in my life clear up. Todd came around and kicked us out about twenty minutes later. We shared our last laughs and goodbyes and went on. We then separated from Tim and Cody, then got in the freezing car and drove to Aaron’s house. No doubt one of the nicest set of parents I have ever had the privilege to come across and meet. We sat and talked for a bit, then proceeded to sleep. I got my first shower in almost thirty-six hours. I can’t think of much else to say about the experience. If you made it this far into a story of a life that isn’t yours, then I congratulate you. It was an experience that I wouldn’t pass up if given the opportunity again. Not just because Muse is my favorite band, but I highly recommend anyone and everyone debating on going to one of their shows and go ahead and do it. Don’t even think about the situation. Personally life changing; absolutely. Until next time, I leave you with a few pictures from the concert.

]]> http://www.caseyfriend.com/archives/1703/feed 0 http://www.caseyfriend.com/archives/1692 http://www.caseyfriend.com/archives/1692#comments Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:02:58 +0000 Casey http://www.caseyfriend.com/?p=1692 The drive from Orlando to Atlanta wasn’t that bad. It was a seven hour trip with minimum stops and new experiences, such as Bojangles. I had heard several people talk up the place but had never experienced it for myself. The chicken wasn’t anything special, but I can’t say that I’ve had such a delicious bagel given to me as part of my meal as I had at Bojangles. I forced a stop at Quiktrip for the sole purpose of being nostalgic and thinking that I was in Tulsa. After all the shenanigans, we were in Atlanta and located the Gwinnett Arena.

It was around 1:30am when we got in the A1 parking lot and decided to wait there until the doors opened. We had General Admission [GA] seats and were prepared to be on the barrier while the concert went down. Armed with a microfiber blanket, an emergency blanket, and a pillow, we walked towards the doors and proceeded to lay down. Two men acting as security walked up to us and asked what we were doing. We talked to them, told them we were there for the concert, shared our laughs and asked our questions, then proceeded to wait. We were warm and content, thinking this would be simple and the day would quickly approach. At one point, I had awakened and realized that my exposed nose was numb and my feet were freezing. Also, was the case that my hands were sweating under that emergency blanket and I woke up to the sweat sticking to the blanket. We  both decided to find the nearest Walmart and look for sleeping bags. Once at Walmart, I convinced myself, quite unfortunately, that I didn’t need one and that I’d man it up. We got back to the arena and this time I stayed in the car.  I’ll have to admit and give both credit and props to Avery, my brother, for lasting longer than I. He went outside in the twenty-eight degree weather while I sat in my car, which was still cold.

I woke up to the light of day surrounding my car and a few cars parked next to mine. I look out over my should and onto the Arena and see a few other people standing out there. Once I readied myself with my jacket and peacoat, I opened the car door and set out to discover fellow “Musers”. There were roughly ten to twelve people out there, and none of them seemed to be Avery. The only reason I affirmed it was him was the use of my pillow. Once located, I confirmed he was alive and still functional, then went off to meet some people.

I walk up to a group of three people talking, and little do I know that I’ll be hanging out with two of those people the rest of the day. I established the connection with the lady as being a member of the Muse forums, while I established connection with the other two gentleman as being Oklahoma citizens, and more specifically students that attend OBU. It is moments like this that I establish how small of a world we actually live in. I threw some names out and sure enough the connection was there. Tim and Cody hung out with Avery and I most of the day and ended up with us at the barrier during the show.

Throughout the time waiting, a few of us ended up going to a mall grocery store across the street to grab some drinks and foods as well as using the restroom facilities. I was about to go to a concert and experience something new in life and I wasn’t going to be one of the people holding it in the whole concert. The sun started to thaw us out and we got warmer as the morning progressed, though the line was in the shade. I went as far as bringing my Gameboy and some games, but ended up only playing around three minutes of Tetris.

Around 10:00am, a lady from the arena came out with wristbands and explained this cool concept that allowed us to get a wristband with a number that coincides with our position in line that allowed us opportunity to leave and do whatever we like and come back to the arena and get our same positions back. Needless to say, we got the positions we got there for. That being said and done, we met up with Tim and Cody at Panera, looking for different things to do in and around Atlanta. We sat in Panera for a good thirty minutes and left with nothing in mind. I wasn’t too thrilled to be spending more money, so Avery and I just headed back to the arena and slept in the car. We met back up with the two at around 4:00pm and waited outside and watched as everyone else was waiting in line, hoping to get good seats.

6:00pm rolled around and the doors still hadn’t opened, as suggested. It wasn’t until around 6:10 – 6:15 that things started moving. The same man, Todd, that met us at 1:00am acting as security, also the same man that came out and talked to the small crowd that we were at around 10:00am, was there as the doors opened and talked with us some more. It was definitely a friendly group of people working. From the security, to the gate keepers, to the bouncers, all of them were friendly and easy to talk to . Our bouncer friend told us some great stories of past experiences and of people dropping from locking their knees and what have you.

I didn’t foresee this as becoming a two part post, but it seems it will be that way. We are getting ready to head back to Orlando and from there I will post the rest of the experience and most important, the show. Until next time.

We went to the ocean on Tuesday, which was quite enjoyable. I’d have to say that Tuesday was our most filled day. Boyd came with us and we ended up stopping at two Ihops, taking part in their free pancakes. Unethical, maybe, but at least we tipped both times; and by we I mean Boyd. The ocean was extremely cold, as expected. In fact, it was beyond being extremely cold. I am not sure if I can recall a time where I had ever been that cold because of pool or ocean water. Certain parts of my anatomical figure felt in ways I had never felt before because of the cold of the ocean. In a way, I felt that I could relate to Simon Birch, if that makes any sense. Why did I bother getting in knowing it was going to be that cold? It is because I am a nice brother that is willing to suffer for my landlocked brother. On that note, I digress and come to mention that I developed another roll of film. I am quite confused as to what establishes the “color curve” of the picture, or more specifically, film, when I use it. Most times I shoot black and white it has a blue curve, but this recent time there is a red/orange curve. It might make sense with the red filter, but at the same time I never used a blue filter, though daylight is blue. Maybe one day I’ll learn.

Yesterday evening we took the time to see Avatar in an “IMAX” theatre. I put that in quotations only because it wasn’t official IMAX, but instead was the theatre’s best screen. I went into the movie assuming the story was going to be something along the lines of Dances with Wolves. In ways it was, which doesn’t give away any spoilers, but aside from that the movie was astounding. Honestly, the first idea that came to mind when the credits rolled, aside from having to piss, was the exact phrase “that was fucking amazing.” I couldn’t think of anything else, nor did I really want to. I am shocked that I waited as long as I had to see it and now that I finally have, I am astounded. More than likely I will go and see it again. With that in mind, I recommend to anyone that hasn’t seen it to go out of your way in the next week and schedule a time to go and see it. Go out with a bang and see it in the best way the theatre has to offer.

To turn this post slightly in another direction, more of the pictures from the roll of film are posted below. Some of the pictures turned out completely underexposed, but as I look at them more I convince myself that they look kind of neat. Perhaps that is my mind trying to justify the amateur photographer in me. That being said, I probably won’t post again until the end of this weekend when I am back from Atlanta and back from the Muse concert.

I can remember having at least four dreams within the course of sleeping last night until this morning. I have to keep in mind that I wake up several times throughout the night/morning and I see things and think of things that allow me to dream of different things the next time I fall asleep. Of the few I actually remember slightly, Sam was running around in a crowd frolicking in the snow and for some reason I was chasing him and eventually tackled him. I believe there was a lady there with him that I had scared away after tackling him. I remember being at Falls Creek again and figuring out the bus ride situation and eventually ended up walking back to my cabin. I remember going to watch the soccer games. I remember being in a dream that involved ghosts and haunted things. Lastly, I remember a dream about arguing with a father about treating his kid fairly and loving him which ended with the man in tears.

Out of my dream world, my group finished our project yesterday and we got out at a normal time of 7:00pm. Over the course of Wednesday to Saturday we successfully worked for forty-eight hours and completed all of our shots and picked up a few that we added. The kids were enjoyable to work with and I am stoked to start editing next month. One slight downfall was a the failure in a camera shot attempt. Camera dollied back, spun two-hundred and seventy degrees, demanded that I step off onto apple boxes, uncomfortably, and walk with it. Should have been able to do it perfectly, but I didn’t. Failure

The Muse concert is in six days and I haven’t been more thrilled. Avery comes into Orlando tomorrow morning and is here until Monday. Now that I am done shooting, I have time to do laundry, change the oil in my car, clean up my room, get groceries, and do whatever else I couldn’t do. Two months left of school and then it is all over. Strange to think that.

1 | a tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen; a lack of hope or confidence in the future. 2 | a belief that this world is as bad as could be or that evil will ultimately prevail over good.

1 | hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something. 2 | the belief that good must ultimately prevail over evil in the universe.

It isn’t that I necessarily want to claim any of the definitions above, but if I had to give myself titles, the numbers would go 1 | 1 | 2 . To quote Margaret Feinburg,

“Make no mistake. Cynicism feels good and gets the laugh. I know I’ve cashed more than my fair share. Yet at the end of the day, it’s still a cheap response. It doesn’t cost us anything. Cynicism is easy. Doesn’t require involvement. Cynicism doesn’t have to hunt for a solution, sacrifice, or compromise. Cynicism doesn’t have to love. Doesn’t have to hope. Doesn’t require faith.

Cynicism is a fast, easy response to complex issues and institutions.

Cynicism is good at making friends. It loves Disengagement. It cohabitates with Apathy. It’s best friends with Smug.”

-

I don’t know where I was going with that, but there it is.

CAVE

Before I go any further, I must urge you to listen to this concert track of Muse playing Cave. I’ll admit that Cave is my favorite song from the album Showbiz that came out ten years ago and I already love the original version. In this version, as you are hopefully listening to, Matt switched out the guitar for the piano and it is such a beautiful new sound from them. I’ve been looking into video files of The Resistance Tour and checking set lists and whatever else I can do to possibly ruin my experience at my first concert without such intentions. I’ve been watching the H.A.A.R.P. DVD, Glastonbury DVD from 2004, and recently the Seaside Rendezvous in which they played back at their hometown. Needless to say, it has been a phenomenal last month being head deep in anything relating to Muse. I’ve even gone as far as registering and taking part in forum conversations on their official website.

At the start of business, Facebook has been deactivated.