Off the Page: Illustrations as Gifts

On May 7, 2014May 5, 2014 By James CastroIn ArtLeave a comment

As an illustrator I’m in the unique position of occasionally being able to give friends some very personal gifts for birthdays and holidays.

While “I made it with my own two widdle hands” might seem a bit juvenile, there really isn’t a better gift I can give than a drawing and all of my closest friends have something I’ve drawn for their walls or offices.

My RevPub co-chair has countless pictures decorating her space, my buddy Mike used to have several originals of characters he’d carry in his massive wallet!

I’m not a portrait artist as such. I did some portraits for money in high school and college but I hate the work. It really stifles my creativity and while my artwork does usually lean on the realistic side, doing an exact copy of something, even of a person, kind of takes the fun imagination out of everything.

Instead I do “insinuations” or “approximations” of people I draw for. Not true portraits, just illustrated versions capturing some essence of their character.

I did this piece a few years ago for my friend Misty’s birthday. Not only did I get to have loads of fun torturing her by not letting her know what I was doing for her, I got to get very creative with the drawing. She loves library work and some of the pictures I saw of her working in the field were of her doing a puppet show for kids. She’s wearing some rain boots (she never gets to wear when it’s raining…) and has a nice stack of books behind her.

This is the most recent one I’ve done for my friend Jessica. Her passion is teaching yoga and she is a superlative Hot Yoga instructor. I started doing little pics (starting with my Turbo Snail) and thought this would be a nice birthday present for her. After some minor Facebook stalking so I could approximate her face (my memory is good but not so good I can draw details from it…I’m not Hannibal Lector…) I came up with this.

I’ve never had someone dislike or respond with anything other than excitement upon receiving one of these as a present. Not everyone can draw, or paint, or write, but everyone has something they can do to let their friends know they’re thinking about them. Be creative for your next presents; modern gifts don’t have to begin and end with the gift card!

Artist Spotlight: Meghann Shike (Part 2)

On May 2, 2014May 1, 2014 By R. PettyIn ArtLeave a comment

Thanks to everyone who checked out Part 1 of our Artist Spotlight on Meghann Shike! We love to spotlight individuals who live their passions – whether it’s art, architecture, film or whatever else inspires them.

Here’s the second part of the interview, and if you’d like more info, feel free to contact Meg at megshike@kw.com!

Rev Pub: When did you decide to be a realtor and why?

I decided two years ago when I bought my first house with my husband to get into real estate because our home selling and home buying process was a nightmare. It was also the first year of our marriage and the first year running my previous business. We were so stressed out, and it lasted for almost a year!

Everyone in our process made a mistake. The problems started four days prior to us closing on our new “dream” home that the IRS did not have our taxes. What does this mean? My husband and I are both self employed. If the IRS doesn’t have our taxes, our lender can’t verify our income, which means we cannot buy a house. The house we were currently living in had already sold. It sold in four days!

So, my husband and I who both work at home (he works in the music business and makes a lot of noise every day), and we live with our five pets and had no place to live in four days. To make a very long story short, we eventually ended up in the house we were trying to buy. However, we do not feel like our realtor had our best interest at heart. Two years later, the home inspector appeared to have missed some things, and the contractors we hired to fix the roof, foundation, and completely gut and renovate two bathrooms was off by 40 percent on his estimate. Needless to say, two years later, some things haven’t been fixed, and we’re living in a house we wouldn’t necessarily have bought had we know it was all going to go down like this.

Rev Pub: What motivates you to help people buy and sell homes?

Today, I am on a mission to make sure your experience is the opposite of mine. When you buy or sell a home with me, your experience will be like riding in a limousine. I will plan and help you execute every detail of your loan, home sale, home buy, inspection, appraisal and closing. My job is to make sure everything goes smoothly, so you can ride along in your limousine enjoying your champagne and strawberries until we arrive at your dream home where you will walk inside, take a deep breath, and smile really big because you’re here, and it was so easy!

What motivates me to help people sell their home and buy their dream home is the stress I felt while selling our previous home and buying this house. Buying a home can be stressful, and it is always emotional. My job is to take good care of you. That means, I will manage all of the details while you dream about how you’re going to decorate your new home when you move in. I want you to leave your current house very happy with the price you received for it, and walk into your new house feeling relaxed and excited about the memories you are going to make in your dream home!

We send a big thanks to Meg for her time and look forward to spotlighting more passionate people!

Artist Spotlight: Meghann Shike (Part 1)

On May 1, 2014April 30, 2014 By R. PettyIn ArtLeave a comment

This month, we’re featuring an artist who has two passions: writing and real estate. In order to do anything well, you must believe in what you do, and Meg is a great example of that. The first post will discuss her writing and the next real estate. Feel free to contact her at megshike@kw.com!

Rev Pub: When did you start writing and why?

I have been writing as long as I can remember. I grew up reading Stephen King and Michael Gruber’s, The Good Son, and watching all of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies well before I should have been allowed to be reading or watching any of these. These did two things for me. First, they scared me in the best possible way. Second, they allowed me to disappear into this world that someone else’s imagination created. That’s when I became addicted to writing. I have always wanted to be able to use my imagination to create a world so believable you can slip into it just by turning the pages of my book. Before you know it, hours have gone by and you didn’t even notice because you were so entranced by my writing. While I have been writing all my life, I really got serious about writing in grad school because I learned how to write a novel. I spent the next year after graduation writing my first novel, which is far more writing for my own pursuits than I have ever done in that short a time period.

Rev Pub: Who are your favorite authors and why?

Stephen King: His imagination is astounding and never ending. IT was a pivotal, formative moment in my childhood. IT helped me fall even more in love with Stephen King than I already was. Rose Madder is another one of his books that I really enjoy and feel is a complete world in and of itself.

James Patterson: At this point in time, James Patterson produces, on average, seven books a year. His books aren’t crap either. Believe me. I’ve read a lot of crap. These days, he’s writing all of them with a co-writer. They’re still fun novels and characters to jump in bed with for an afternoon, and when you finish, you only have to wait a month or so for another one. I appreciate that he’s got the creative and business sides of his business rockin! Not all creatives are capable of this.

J.K. Rowling: The detail she creates in her world is incredible. It’s so easy to slip into her imaginary world and live there until I run out of pages. Not to mention the fact that her books are just fun. They got adults reading more and got kids reading for the first time. Both of those deserve major respect.

Rev Pub: What motivates you to write?

What motivates me to write is a need and desire stronger than any other I have felt. Writing is what I have felt called to do since I started reading. I want to give people a world to slip into for an afternoon. As adults, we forget to use our imagination. Sometimes great authors remind us to stop and live a little. I want to be one of those authors. I want you to be able to pick up one of my books and disappear for in a world that is so real it makes you forget about everything on your to-do list.

Rev Pub: Do you have any advice to others on how to work in time to write?

My advice to others if you want to write or whatever your true passion is you just have to do it. If it’s that important to you, just do it. Everything in life that’s worth anything takes work. Writing is the same for me. When I wrote my first novel, it took a year and was my primary focus for that year. I got up every morning, worked out, and then sat at my dining room table/office and wrote for hours.

I will also say, if you want writing to be more than a hobby, then you need to consider it as important as your job. Good writing habits require discipline like getting good at your primary profession does. Also, you have to practice jumping into the writing mindset quicker and quicker. It used to take me hours to get into the mindset and get into the groove cranking out chapters. Today, it takes less and less time. You also have to welcome the moments of inspiration when they come. For me, this means when I see something on the news that’s particular grotesque or ‘effed up that might be inspiration for a future book, I stop and make a note to put with all my other notes. It doesn’t matter if I’m in the mood or if I’m at a party. If you want to write or do something creative, you’ve got to be ready to receive these creative inspirations whenever they come.

Cellphone Game: Bluetooth or Crazy

On April 29, 2014April 28, 2014 By James CastroIn Games, Random FunLeave a comment

In conjunction with the Cell Phone Annoyances post from Sunday I thought I’d share a game I came up with a few years ago.

Allow me to set the stage: When I worked in downtown Nashville my RevPub partner and I used to have lunch two or three times a week on the phone. We called them “car” lunches, though usually I sat on the steps of the state capitol or on a hill overlooking the bicentennial mall.

One time while waiting for her to call I was sitting watching the myriad of people stroll by when I observed something: there is a very thin line between a ponce talking vociferously on his/her ridiculous Bluetooth in public and slightly disturbed street people who mutter loudly to themselves about the voices in their heads.

That experience prompted me to create a slightly non-PC time-waster game for people in urban environments, Wal-Marts, Krogers, all kinds of places all over the world.

I called it “Bluetooth or Crazy” and surprisingly after a quick review of the internet I found I wasn’t the only one to think of this! It’s very simple and played like this:

You can play alone or with friends. It’s kind of a betting game. You can bet change, or snacks, or something similarly silly. When someone walks by chattering inanely to themselves you weigh their appearance and the substance of their over-loud droning. You then declare “Bluetooth!” if you think they are talking to some distant, equally irritating person on a wireless headset, or “Crazy!” if you think they are some disturbed individual discussing the value of their tin foil hat in preventing space rays from harvesting their tooth enamel.

The results can surprise you. In my most memorable play-through I randomly encountered a wild hipster douche-lord. He rambled loudly and angrily about something to do with his job. His velvet blue jacket, striped dress shirt, and corduroys clearly marking out his alignment. As he approached I instantly declared “Bluetooth!” and was shocked as he passed that he had NO earpiece or mic of any kind. He was just shouting randomly to Tennessee’s capital city. I would have lost my precious white powder donut six pack if I’d been betting for real! So you never know!

I now work in a suburb with very little foot traffic, but still when I’m out shopping or dining I seize the opportunity to play.

If I could create it as an app for this it would be interesting to play world-wide Bluetooth or Crazy. Hear all the incredibly awful Bluetooth conversations from Bangkok to Brighton and all the random stuff people rant about on street corners from Lima to Lushunkou. I bet douches are douchey and crazies are similarly crazy world wide, we aren’t that different after all.

It would sure make Angry Birds look pretty monotonous! Oh wait… 😉

Top 6 Cellphone User Pet Peeves

On April 27, 2014April 26, 2014 By R. PettyIn OpinionsLeave a comment

People undervalue the importance of cellphone etiquette. Yes, there is such a thing. Because we are attached at the palm, we forget our manners when we are with other people, and many don’t think twice about it. Using a cellphone in these circumstances has become common practice, and I hope you will share this, so we can work together to stop the madness.

Here are my biggest pet peeves about people and their cellphones:

1. In social settings. If I go out to lunch, dinner, or whatever with someone, and they constantly use their phone, we won’t go again. I find it incredibly rude. If it’s a one-on-one situation, and you text someone else the whole time, you should go hang out with the other person. Plus, it’s boring to watch someone text or play on their phone. I will not bring myself down to their level and do the same. If you’re out with someone, you should respect them and try for an interesting, engaging conversation. If you can’t have one, then suffer through it and don’t go out again.

escape-a-bad-date-rude-date-on-cell-phone-2_s600x600 — Photo from txgrim.com

2. In a semi/public bathroom. Are you serious?! You can’t pee without talking on the phone? I overheard a woman have an entire conversation in a bathroom stall last week, and my initial reaction was to call her out. I considered flushing repeatedly too, so the other person would hear it and maybe say something. No one wants to hear your conversation, and there is no text that can’t wait. AND it’s unsanitary. Do your business, wash your hands, and leave. It’s simple.

3. While driving. It’s cool if you don’t care about your safety, but at least consider others’. People who talk and text while driving place everyone else on the road at risk. If it’s urgent, then pull over or wait a couple of minutes. Unless you work for an emergency responder, you should not be on the phone in the car. Ever. I told someone after being behind them on the interstate while they served and texted, that if they ever hit me, I would beat the #$%^ out of them. And if I survived a 70+mph wreck, I would.

4. At the movies/theater. Thankfully, I’ve seen improvement with this one the last couple of years. I’ve witnessed several people confronting offenders, and one guy kicked out for it. You’re in a movie – turn it off or leave it alone. If you don’t like the movie, leave. No one will care.

5. While hosting. If your family or friends come ever, stay off your phone. At that point, your primary purpose is to make them comfortable and entertain them. Find things to do and talk about. I will not text someone when they have company, and even though they may try to argue about it, I won’t respond. I don’t care if the company is texting – they shouldn’t either – but I can’t control that. I can control whether I contribute to the rudeness and disregard of social etiquette. If you don’t care for them (ie: holiday functions), either remove yourself from the gathering or deal with it. You’ll survive.

6. In the elevator. I enjoy this pet peeve because I like to make people feel awkward or hear their call drop. It’s a metal box, you probably won’t have reception. I love to hear people ramble on about something and then say, “Hello? Hello?” I smile every time. My favorite people are the ones who cannot ride four floors without checking their phone. People will check their phone to avoid speaking to someone else, even though there is no obligation to. I love to stand there stone still and stare at the mirrored doors. It makes the other person very uncomfortable.

Feel free to share your stories and pet peeves in the comments below!

Distant Worlds: The Music from Final Fantasy

On April 23, 2014April 20, 2014 By James CastroIn Concerts/Shows, Opinions, ReviewsLeave a comment

I’ve been a Final Fantasy fan since the 90s and while my adoration for the games has waned of late, the scores composed by maestro Nobuo Uematsu have never lost their charm or virtuosity.

Distant Worlds is a symphonic or mixed-piece performance series that has been touring for years and when my RevPub partner and I found out it was coming to our town we knew it was a must-see. It just so happens my friend Mike and his fiancee found out about it at the same time and went as well. We all pretty much had the same opinion: it was fantastic.

Several of the pieces were from the “Final Fantasy 2002-0220” performances from over a decade ago and haven’t needed to change a bit. Surprisingly a few of the pieces were VERY new, including one from the latest Lightning Returns, which made conductor Arnie Roth’s statement about short rehearsal times REALLY have impact. The music was synched to a video screen showing clips from the games, re-cut to go with music. It was definitely a nice touch, especially for those not accustomed to seeing an orchestra live.

There is something unique about seeing symphonic music live. The sound of a symphony orchestra fills and surrounds a venue like no other kind of music, and with pieces as well-loved and recognizable as Uematsu’s scores it made for a terrific atmosphere. Most of the time orchestras play classical/romantic music, or music composed just to be music. Uematsu composed his music as a score for a story or capture the personality of a character. Even more impactful than film scores, Uematsu’s scores provide the ambiance for a story YOU help tell. So when you hear them it puts you back in the narrative; recreates the mood and the emotion of events and characters we know so well. Not one that is an hour or two, but maybe one that was 16, 28, or 65 hours or more… That’s a lot of time to spend with characters. A lot of time to get attached to their personalities and motives; Uematsu’s music always masterfully captures the essence of each.

From the jaunty and upbeat “Chocobo Theme,” to the intense strains of “Don’t be Afraid;” and from the profound passion of “Eyes on Me” to the mournful and delicate tone of “Aerith’s Theme,” every piece allows you to re-live that story again, put you back in that “distant world” and relate hours and storytelling magnificently in less than four minutes.

The performance was topped off by a surprise encore (that doesn’t happen much in symphonic music, even though it’s where the term originated!) where Roth asked the audience to sing the choral lyrics to “One-Winged Angel” while the symphony played the music. We were asked only to sing the “SE-PHI-ROTH” portion but in an audience full of fans, many of us sang the rest of the lyrics in Latin. Short of a surprise performance of Koichi Sugiyama’s Dragon Quest title music or Uematsu himself coming out to play the Advent Children version of Sephiroth’s inimical theme with The Black Mages, it was an performance that couldn’t have been improved upon.

Uematsu composed his first Final Fantasy music for 8-bit video games. As the technology progressed he composed for 16-bit cartridges, CD-ROM midis, and later full orchestral scores for Final Fantasy games on DVD and even for films. But the purity and beauty of his music is it works in ALL forms. There is as much heart in “Dear Friends” whether you heard it on a Super Famicom, PS1, or in a symphony hall. There is true beauty to be found in the simplicity of it and it is worth traveling to Distant Worlds to find it for yourself.

Uematsu (on the big Korg keyboard) performing One-Winged Angel with an symphony orchestra, full chorus, and his band The Black Mages.