I awoke, healed from the wounds of yesterday
I’m feeling more blessed than stressed today
I commanded the pain in my chest away
And with the feeling there’s still so much left to say
Stories await me, a fresh array
I gather my papers and nest away
09.29.21 – 1:09 pm
Perception is a fascinating concept. We all have a somewhat defined perception of our own selves. This self-image fuels our words and actions every day. It helps us decide how to spend our energy, money, and lives. If, according to my self-image, I enjoy certain things, I will likely try to implement those things into my routine. But what if my actual self does not enjoy those things? This chain of thoughts led me to unpack the idea of who I think I am.
I spent one month in Chicago, documenting my adventures and collecting them into this travel vlog. I genuinely hope it entertains and inspires you! Explore The Bean, Buckingham Fountain, Lincoln Park Zoo, The Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium, First Ascent, and many more astounding locations right alongside me and the wonderful artistic friends I made during my extended visit. Chicago was truly a delightful place to temporarily live.
The monumental architecture, diverse culture, food, art, and nature were just a few of the highlights. I’ve already booked my next stay in the Windy City, and I’m thrilled to return and make more memories.
For one month, I explored Chicago. I made art, memories, and friends. I documented (almost) all of my major adventures throughout the city, and spent the last week compiling them into a 14-minute episode of Adventure Logs for your enjoyment!
09.21.21 – 11:46 am
My stay in Chicago has come to an end, but I will be returning much sooner than expected. My original plan for the fall and winter of 2021 consisted of three different cities… Chicago, Milwaukee, and New York. But after a couple weeks in Chicago, I decided one month was simply not enough. So my scheduled six weeks in NYC were replaced with six more weeks in the windy city. One explanation for my decision is that Chicago and New York are remarkably similar. They both have beautiful buildings, bustling traffic, plenty of people, access to the water, delightful parks, and flocks of pigeons. But simply put, my desire to live in New York was outweighed by my desire to spend more time with my friends.
A young man living alone in Chicago encounters an out-of-place sculpture that literally changes his life. Each time he passes through the sculpture, some aspect of his past changes. The alterations to his history become more and more significant, until he has to question at what point he is no longer himself. This short film was storyboarded, scripted, filmed, and edited during three weeks in Chicago, Illinois. My friends and fellow creators at SAIC (School of the Art Institute in Chicago) made this production possible. I am so grateful.
Created during my 3-week stay in Chicago with the help of my fellow SAIC students. I present to you… RHIZOME, a 22-minute drama with dashes of horror, a sprinkle of heart, and lots of gorgeous shots of the city.
Coming soon… RHIZOME, my new short film created entirely in Chicago. From idea to finished product, this movie was made in three weeks with the help of new and talented artistic friends I’ve met during my stay here. It focuses on some philosophic ideas I’ve explored in conversation with fellow creatives, and it utilizes the beautiful architecture and landscape of the city.
Having lived in Chicago for three weeks now, one aspect of the city that never fails to bring me joy is the dogs. I’ve met so many wonderful dogs on the streets, in the parks, in my apartment complex, and at festivals. I wasn’t able to document all of them, but many of my favorites made it into this video! Enjoy the dogs of Chicago.
Yesterday, I was walking home, hands full of groceries
And as I walked across the street, a car didn’t notice me
I had the right of way, and it was pure light of day
But something surely took the driver’s eyes away
Why were we placed on this strange blue planet?
We’re given one life, and we’re told to plan it
So we spend our todays preparing for tomorrows
But often, we neglect our present sorrows
I had to break out of this repetitive mold
My younger self was confined and needed to unfold
Untouched pages awaited my hands
Worlds abandoned, I returned to those lands
How beautifully unusual that our early selves
Understood some truths we have since shelved
The world taught us to be more practical
Stop being fictional, be more factual
But the world was unaware of its own horizons
The storytellers and artists slowly rising
An artist has more impact than a politician
So like laws, I write my stories with precision
Moments full of fountains, trees, mountains, breeze
I’ve been keeping count of these
I’ve been searching for who I’m bound to be
Quite simply, all I’ve found is me
This Earth and the life therein are wonderful and dark
I ponder every day about my own story arc
I look at what I wrote last year, the differences are stark
I hope I touched the world just enough to leave a mark
I spent so long debating the meaning of my art
Ironically, I had that answer from the very start
We will not know our purpose ‘til after we depart
So rather than some calling, I answer to my heart
Our words and choices in this life could echo forever
But we have no way of telling when eternity is severed
So let’s just celebrate the stories we’ve been given
Perhaps the reason we live is to decide why we are living
I choose to turn every tomorrow into today
I can find my way even when led astray
I choose to tell stories with a fierce persistence
While I absorb the wonders of existence
What’s been made quite clear through the days and years,
Through waves of tears and displays of fears
Is that we know so little, but we feel so much
Life is but a mystery, let’s live it as such
An ambitious short film created in Chicago.
09.01.21 – 8:20 pm
Earlier this evening, I called my Nana to give her an update on my adventures in Chicago. She was not surprised by my answer to the question “What’s your favorite part of the city?” Despite my adoration for the delightful lake, my astonishment with the towering buildings, and the pleasure I take in seeing such an art-centric town, my answer was “the friends I’ve made.”
Anyone who has known me for longer than three months knows that I have been “the long hair guy” for years. My hair was THE most defining aspect of my appearance, and it represented many aspects of my personality and beliefs. So why did I cut it to a standard short length and start from scratch? Let me explain the thought process behind this major change in appearance.
A question asked by many of those who dedicate their lives to art is this: Should I try to create a widespread impact with my art and leave a lasting legacy, or should I live a quiet life and simply allow my art to make me happy and fulfilled? In today’s episode, I discuss this dilemma.
In today’s episode, I discuss creative competition – the action of comparing one’s work to the work of other creators – and whether or not this practice is vital to creating good art. It’s a fascinating debate to be honest, and the conclusion I reach toward the end of the video is a bit two-sided… but I’m excited to hear your thoughts. Rap artists (such as Russ and Eminem, two of my favorites) are some of the most inherently competitive storytellers out there. Should that philosophy be applied to other art forms? Find out my thoughts here!
I present to you a completely free audiobook of my poetry collection CHASING DRAGONS, narrated by me and accompanied by some wonderfully tranquil music. This project has been in the works for quite some time, and delayed for numerous reasons. But at last, enjoy 130+ poems about my youthful emotions and ambitions.
08.22.21 – 8:15 pm
At this very moment, I am writing before a fireplace on a rooftop in Chicago. Magnificent buildings surround me, and the night sky is a gorgeous deep blue. Strangers are eating and conversing in other areas of the outdoor lounge. The day is coming to an end, and this is one of several cinema-worthy moments I’ve experienced since waking up at about 7:40 am from pure excitement.
Three decades after the disappearance of Urbia’s infamous Detective Jacob, The Draggon prepares to launch the first phase of their world domination scheme. Jacob, now The Draggon’s leader, returns to confront his father, who has organized a resistance. The saga concludes in this experimental epilogue.
Our annual end-of-summer vacation took place over this last weekend… the Morrissey Boys Lake Trip! We went to Table Rock Lake in Branson for a weekend of fun, relaxation, and hilarious antics. Enjoy a glimpse at the awesome time we had on our boat, jet ski, and inner tube!