Slow Down

The above photo was shot through a jeep window. The girl on the left is my wife Jessica, and the girl on the right is my sister Jenee.

I've decided to slow down. In a certain way, I've decided to give up. I've been fighting for the last year. Fighting for time, always to be discouraged, because there wasn't enough. There will never be enough, so I decided to stop trying and just slow down for a while; let things happen naturally. Soon after deciding that, I found myself enjoying things more, because I wasn't worried about what I could be doing. The little times I have for art seem more potent, because I'm not competing with life itself.

In the words of James Murphy:

"You got to give it up--if you want to live it up."

Except he was talking about money, but I think it still applies.

I'm still creating things, but I'm not letting it stop me from spending time with people.

Happy New Year

New Years Eve '09 from Tom DesLongchamp on Vimeo.

Happy New Year! Above is a little video I put together with footage from my new years' eve at my brother's place in Seatac, WA. It's got laughter, drama, ice covered pool, blood, hugs, and an unintelligible "Auld Lang Syne." It was an interesting night. Thanks to everyone who made it a fun night.

I saw Clint Eastwood's "Grand Torino" last night. It was the first movie with a packed in audience that I had seen in a while. I forgot how great that is. The audience is so responsive, because it feeds off the movie then off it's own excitement. I really enjoyed the movie. Some of the acting wasn't that good, but the story was so great that I could overlook it. You come out of the film feeling 50% veangful and 50% humbled. Well... maybe more humble, but it was great. I haven't seen most of Clint Eastwood's films, but I'm glad I saw this one.

Snow

In case you haven't noticed, there's a snowstorm hovering over half of the country. The above photo is from last night. It's my dad in his jeep. We went for an evening drive, partly to see if anyone was stuck, but mostly to exercise the power my dad feels when he climbs any snowy hill he desires. It was fun.

Sufjan Stevens' A Christmas Game

The Sufjan Stevens Christmas Game is finished! Many thanks to Leeni, the chiptune artist that arranged some 8-bit versions of Sufjan's songs. Check out her myspace as well. Also, great thanks to Asthmatic Kitty Records and the Bents! Check out the game and let me know what you think! Oh, and there's a whole bunch of other Christmas stuff to play with/watch at xmas.asthmatickitty.com!

In the past, I've made two other 8-bit style flash games: Daily Danger and Tidal Wave. Check those out if you haven't. They're a little rough around the edges, but likable.

I'm a person who avoids drinking coffee... 1. because I don't like the taste and 2. because I don't want to rely on a drink to feel normal, but I'm succombing to its power through free starbucks peppermint mocha twist coupons! They're so tastey and they make me buzz like woody the woodpecker.

I'd probably feel a lot better if I just got more sleep. Maybe I'll try that.

palendrome

I wrote a palendrome: Emo hot sagas to home.

I'm also really excited about the author Anne Lamott. I'm reading her book "Bird by Bird." She's like a female David Sedaris.

I'm working on another Asthmatic Kitty Records video game. Should be done by next week. It's for one of their artists named Sufjan Stevens.

I'm being sarcastic. Super stoked.

dark early

It has come to my attention that this blog has recently become a look-at-what-i-did blog, instead of a collection of things going on in my life blog. I haven't really shared anything emotional recently or thoughtful. I don't think that's good.

Jess and I recently went to our friend Gala's Warm Blooded show. A lot of the drawings are finely rendered unusual animals. They're really fun to look at.

Gala is also a teacher at SPU and we were privileged to speak to her digital illustration class about our experiences as artists.

Check out Gala and her husband Zack's websites at:
zackandgalabent.com

Sweat

Sweat from Tom DesLongchamp on Vimeo.

Asthmatic Kitty Records is holding a music video competition for their artist Rafter, so I very quickly created this with my friend Tim at his house. It's kind of David Lynch-y, but pretty fun. Hope you enjoy it. Rafter is awesome and you should check his stuff out.

If you want to see some of the other music videos people have entered, check out the youtube group.

Judges for the contest include:
The Liars
Dan Deacon
Sasha Bareese - actress (American Pie, The Ring, Legally Blond, The Hulk, etc.)
Christine Starkman - Curator, Asian art - Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
the staff of Yo Gabba Gabba
Leslie Hall (of youtube fame)
Adrian Grenier - actor/musician