assignments for self

From the desk of Thomas Typewriter, August 10th, 2020 edition

assignments for self, From the desk of Thomas Typewriter, Puppet play, scripts, The Great Works Project scripts

When I was growing up, I had this overwhelming feeling that the world had lulled. As in, I felt like maybe I had been born in one of the times that was not too volatile nor too peaceful. The savagery is in the past and the wonders are in the future. I look back at that naive kid and shake my head. You had it so wrong buddy. I am still on furlough from my day job. No answer for when the movie theatre will reopen. I miss movies. Movies and museums. 

But with every sour, there can be a little sweet. Working the late hours of a movie theatre Manager’s schedule, I felt like Primo and Secondo were slipping through my fingers. Not them physically, but more like time with them. Now that we have all this time, they have convinced me to play Minecraft with them. It is a lot of fun. Relaxing too. (Secondo asks me “Dad, what do you want to do in Minecraft?” I responded, “Dig ditches.” He did not find that answer as humorous as I did.)

Progress moves forward on The Great Works Project. Next week should see the posting of the next script for Season Two. I am nearing completion of the Season Five rough drafts. Plus, while on vacation I was able to plot out Season Six. 

In a continuing effort to improve myself, I return to working my way through a list of great works of art.  Hopefully, I’ll discover something inspiring. If not, that is okay too. The exposure itself is the most important thing.

Cinema Assignment: Alien (1979)

Literature Assignment: “Altered Carbon” by Richard K. Morgan.

Music Assignment: “Alien Lanes” from Guided By Voices

Thank you Brighid for the gift of this artwork and the spark of all art. Thank you Above, Below, and four Corners born between for your love, guidance, and gifts.

The Two x Twos #8

Art thoughts, assignments for self, The Two x Twos

Previously on Assignment #7

Surprisingly, mainly to myself, I have really been on top getting through the various artistic works in the assignments. In the past, I struggled. It was so hard for me to find the time. With raising my kids, a day job, a night job, going back to college…you know, life…I would miss works. That was why I changed the Two x Two’s from weekly to bi-weekly. Yet with assignment #7 something changed. Shifted even. I am not tired anymore. I hunger. (Mother Wolf could this be you and your pack running through my life again?) Could art be like a salve during a chaotic time. Good art can move you, as the saying goes, but can it heal?

And now Assignment #8

Albums

  1. Aladdin Sane from David Bowie
  2. True (Avicii by Avicii) from Avicii

Cinema

  1. Aladdin (1992)
  2. Dinner For Schmucks (2010)

Literature

  1. Along For the Ride by Sarah Dessen
  2. The Columbian Orator by Caleb Bingham

Comic Books/Graphic Novels

  1. Astro City Vol. 04: Tarnished Angel
  2. Astro City Vol. 05: Local Heroes

Video Games

  1. Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash (3DS)
  2. Bomberman GB (Gameboy)
  3. Dr. Mario (Gameboy)

Update: My Bomberman GB cartridge is not working, so I am substituting it with Dr. Mario.

The Two x Twos Episode 7 (June 22nd, 2020)

Art thoughts, assignments for self, The Great Works Project assignments, The Two x Twos, thinking

PREVIOUSLY IN EPISODE 6

Episode 6 had a few surprises. Ocean Waves and All Systems Red were great. Something I was thinking about was time and connection. Like how events in our lives may be in different points in our lifespan but sometimes a connection occurs. In my head, I visualize this connection like a long ribbon of sunlight and at each end of the ribbon are the two connected moments. The ribbon spreads through time shifting and twisting so that I now feel as if these two moments are one moment, right now. Distance is an illusion. 

Watching Ocean Waves was one of these moments. 

As I watched it, and loved it, I started to think about when the film was made. It was produced and aired in Japan in 1993. Why didn’t I see this movie in 1993? I wouldn’t because it takes time to translate and travel overseas. So maybe I could have seen it in 1994 or 1995. Then it happens…two moments meet. I remembered that I first saw Metropolitan in 1994 one late evening on Channel 11 WTTW (Chicago PBS station). What I felt watching Ocean Waves were the same feelings I felt watching Metropolitan the first time. Wow.

THE TWO X TWOS EPISODE 7 (06/22/2020)

Albums

  1. Aja from Steely Dan
  2. Playlist: The Very Best of 311 from 311

Cinema

  1. Akira (1988)
  2. You Might Be The Killer (2019)

Literature

  1. All’s Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare
  2. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas by Frederick Douglas

Comic Books/Graphic Novels

  1. Astro City Vol. 01: Life in the Big City
  2. Astro City Vol. 02: Confession

Video Games

  1. 80’s Overdrive (Nintendo 3DS)
  2. Crusader of Centy (Sega Genesis)

One last thing I should mention is that doing the Two x Twos on a weekly basis feels too rushed. I would like to have a little more time to spend exploring each work. Starting today, the Two x Twos will be bi-weekly.