Over Here, Over There

Hmmm, be on the lookout for the new version of Movable Type to accompany many changes up in here. Very Soon. Yeah, change is good. For real.

I usually tell people that the best way to reach me is by e-mail. Well, now it's almost the only way, because I don't currently have phone service. And I'm seriously considering letting Verizon keep their phone number. Lately, I've been experimenting with the almost-free VoIP offerings of Skype and, even more recently, the Gizmo Project. Both are free - IF you can get your peoples to download the software AND optimize their audio situation. (This headset has been working lovely for me.) So far, I've had extremely little success getting my peoples to jump on the bandwagon, so I buy minutes that let me call them on their regular, archaic phones. Hmph. Still, with very limited success. It's kinda weird sometimes, because a weird number shows up on their caller ID boxes, and sometimes the sound quality isn't great. For the most part, though, the sound quality is really good. When I'm chatting with either Philippe or Al, the sound quality is excellent. So good, in fact, that I'm thinking about starting a podcast using it, particularly using the Gizmo Project, since they make it so easy to record calls. And although I love (and own) Sound Studio from Felt Tip Software, Audacity giving it a run for its money. (See the trend? Free phone service? Free audio editing software? Free is good!) Now, if I can just get Darrell up on it, y'all will be in for a REAL treat!

So, as I make my debut at The Studio Museum in Harlem, I've been thinking even more about what it means to be in that 'art' space. For the most part, creating art is still something I can't afford to do. And that feels really fucked up. On one hand, yeah, I have an eye and I have some cameras and I'm getting some notice, but on the other hand I'm still trying to wrestle rent, web hosting and a tripod out of this penny-anny job. And I still want to educate myself. If anything, just for reinforcing what I think I know. I wanted to go to Woodstock to do this workshop with Eli Reed, but the coins were just not there. And Deborah Willis teaches at a school that I could only afford if I worked there. (Yes, then it would be free.) Now, mind you, I believe that most of art is just doing the damn thing and expressing myself and honing the craft that I do know, but what I wonder, especially with these two, is if they have anything to share with me about telling the story/a story/my story/our story (or stories) through photography. Something tells me that they do. So, Mr. Reed and Ms. Willis, maybe we'll be together this fall ...

Okay, other stuff to push out into this entry before I pass out:

• Go see Bernie in this film tonight! And later this month, too!
• Happy Belated Birthdays go out to Misters Kelly, Polk and Flavors!
• Soul Summit Music Sundays in Fort Greene Park! Yes! Go!
• The Ski Trip, featuring lovely director/writer/actor Maurice Jamal, premiers tonight on Logo. Show your love, change the channel.
• 'Bad' Vybez, but no 'batty boy' shit in The Cookbook: Okay Missy, you said you didn't know and you switched it up. Thank you, but, honey, how could you not know more about who you feature on your own album? And, okay, that shit is not on your record anymore, but you're still blowing them up by featuring them. When they're bragging about gunshots, who do you think is in their crosshairs? And do you think they won't use your money and fame to go hate somewhere else?
• R.I.P. Ab Fab? Please, Jennifer, say it isn't so ...
• And speaking of art! *swoon!* Am I in love with him or do I just want to be that fine and that talented when I grow up? I haven't made up my mind just yet.