Sleep Log
Monday 5:00am–1:30pm,
Tuesday 5:30am–2:30pm, 9:30pm–1:30am
Wednesday 8:00am–10:00am, 6:15–7:00
Thursday 11:00pm–9:30am
Saturday 4:00am–12:30pm, 5:30pm–11:59pm
Sunday 10:30am–2:30pm

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My immediate plan is to buy a cheap car and travel light for as long as I can, and if a job happens to find me, then maybe I will stick around somewhere. I really have no idea what I will do, but the act of publishing this to all nine of you that read this will be one more bit of motivation to make something happen in my life. I almost bought a car on eBay tonight, and it was a very exciting process. I love the internet.

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One of my resolutions Is to be more knowledgeable on politics. My biggest issue is where to start?—First by going to what I hoped were unbiased sources: c-span, bbc, npr, pbs, guardian. Then to a lot of progressive web sites MoveOn, commondreams, michael moore, wonkette, vitw, in these times. And a few conservative outlets: fox, cnbc, drudge. My conclusion—shit is impossible to crack. I still don’t know what the hell is going on. This whole project has made me feel even more powerless in the system, and reinforced my belief that govt. interests are with corporations first, and common Americans second (or lower). In my opinion, the whole process is ruined from the very beginning with the cost of running an election, and the need for politicians to look to special interests and corporations for money.

It is now clear to me why so many are ignorant to politics. The media tells us what to think, and mostly they are saying “there is nothing you can do about it.” I believe this is about the only real truth I discovered. This last sentence is my official declaration that I have reentered the populus and don’t give a shit anymore.

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I talked to my old boss at gripdesign Tuesday and he was saying how he is getting connected with Step Inside Design magazine and he is pitching an article titled “5 designers the AIGA doesn’t want you to know about” [me being one of them (the AIGA is a professional org for graphic designers)]. I think the premise is that it is trying to promote the idea that designers can be good and didn’t have to go to Yale or RISD or work for Tibor Kalman and maybe us peons deserve a little credit. (The funniest thing to me about this whole notion is that when I was working at grip, 80% of my duties were non-design related, and when I did do some things, few were produced, or my work was critiqued for not having strong concepts—that is probably why AIGA doesn’t want me out there!)

I am about 99% certain the article will never go through. But my mind is racing—what if it did? What would I have to show for myself? I haven’t done shit for shit in the past year. What if he wants me to talk about Humble Empire? Well, we made some posters for some people… I really want to get together (virtually or physically) and define a sort of press release for humble. When the reporter called from the Kansan last summer I was really at a loss of words. I almost wanted to come clean and say “we don’t do shit” -—that might be a funny spin/approach to a press release.

The boss is really stoked on The Book of Matthew (my next promo). Previously I was advertising it as concept only, but now it has turned into a tangible, gonna happen project. I have to get moving on that. I would like to make this promotion focused on self-awareness, personal priorities, the idea of a life map, etc. highlighting only personal projects, what they mean to me and my decisions. Do not have to be tangible “graphic design” objects. Can include activities I participate in as a whole. This is very scary as I don’t want people to think I am getting too lofty or stuck on my own ideas (nor do I want criticism). But I really want to share my point of view on life in hopes that others will do the same. Illustrate the sleep log, in chart and an alternate information, emotional sense. Answer the questions of why I am turned off by design, then why I am inevitably going to be a designer. Other topics include; what, in my own mind, I am accomplishing in my life right now—as far as building up a portfolio, not a lot. As far as building relationships with people—tons. My erratic, short term living situations, internship after internship is quickly building a small network of Matt Cassity supporters. I am also on the search for a mentor.

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This weekend I made a journey to Kansas City and hung out with the old college chums, and there were a lot of us. I don’t think I have chilled with a group of more than 5 people for a long time. I was really worried that I was missing out on something at the other end of the table.

I don’t remember saying anything stupid. But I came away from the night feeling like I had been arrogant or nasty in some way and that maybe some people weren’t too stoked on me.

Also on the way home I stopped at Nebraska Furniture Mart (in Kansas) to look at mac laptops. I think I will get one as my old imac has a hum that really hurts my ears.

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I mentioned to some friends this weekend that I am reading a book that will hopefully change my life. I will have that conclusion by next week.

I also got some other potentially influential book in the mail, as well as a couple Andrew W.K. cds. A great week for my mailbox.

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Diner and 3 Days of the Condor are both excellent movies.