We’re all going to die – 100 meters of existence

One of my favourite pastimes that I sometimes have to remind myself to do is people-watch. It’s that part of my psyche that loves this link:

We’re all going to die – 100 meters of existence

Photographer Simon Hoegsberg set up his camera in the same spot for 20 days and took photos of passersby, then (I assume) stitched them together to make one 100 meter long image capturing a shutter-blink glimpse into the lives of 178 people.

When I move the slide bar and look at the assorted faces and body languages, I temporarily abandon my own small reality and wonder what the different people are living in that moment.

• Did the mutton chops man really intend to wear that T-shirt with his business suit, or is it just laundry day?
• Is the boy in the black hoody stifling a sneeze or crying?
• What’s with the yellow armband on the little old lady with the cane?
• Two people with eye patches?!? Was there a fight, or a sale?
• Was that haircut intentional, or did he pass out at party and someone got out the clippers?
• Is the cigarette-smoking, bird-flipping, James Dean dude a good guy or a prick? Did he practice in front of a mirror, or is he just naturally that bad-boy yummilicious?

Then I have more wine, and my ponderings become more philosophical. What are these people feeling? What’s going through their minds?

Are they going to something, or coming from something?

Are they pushing forward, or running away?

If they’re just meandering, are they hoping they’ll get somewhere, or are they savoring the unknown?

I can’t help but feel… something… I can’t put a word to it… “reassured” maybe?… when I consider that each one of these people has a huge, complicated, challenging life filled with moments of fear, boredom, joy, excitement, love, loss….
As long as we remind ourselves to stop and watch, how can any of us feel alone? Unique, sure. But despairingly so? No.

Simon has more cool-looking projects on his main site that I intend to explore when I’m not getting drunk.

Nick Vujicic

Hello, wall.

I haven’t written anything lately largely because I’m dragging my ass through a ton of responsibilities, an ongoing bout of insomnia, and a client project that I loathe and resent for keeping me from doing other work I enjoy. And shame for feeling that way about the project, because the client deserves better from me than that.

I am into the SIXTH month of what was supposed to be a six week commitment, and the end is not yet in sight. Things are getting even more tedious and frustrating, and I am having to carefully negotiate with a subcontractor whose work – and relationship with me – is rapidly deteriorating in quality and trust.

Here, let me illustrate:

From: Heather
To: web design artist
Subject: project status

So we currently need:

- the source files for horizontal flash menu
- the Flash header banner as detailed below

Thanks,

Heather

His reply (which included my above text)…

From: web design artist
To: Heather
Subject: RE: project status

Ok, did you want the flash source file for the horizontal flash menu ?

Maybe if I bang my head against the wall a little harder, I’ll knock myself out and get some much needed rest.

San Francisco Bush Man

Ah, Monday. The first day back to the regular grind. A chance to start off the new year renewed, rested, reinvigorated, and excited about the future.

At about 2:00pm, I stifled a scream of frustration, closed my email program before I told a sub contractor to “stuff it”, and started hitting the “Stumble!” button as a temporary stress relief before I cracked up completely.

The very first site that came up was the Wikipedia entry for the San Francisco Bush Man. Another click took me to this YouTube video.

A decade ago, if someone had sent me this, I would have squinted a bit unconsciously, smiled awkwardly, maybe cocked an eyebrow, and either said nothing or made a sarcastic joke as a cover. I would have looked at that video and been confused. Is this supposed to be funny? Is there something intelligent about this? Do people find this interesting? Seriously, what the hell is the point?

That was me then. This is me now. Somewhere along the line, and I don’t even know where, I lost the prerequisite need to always see the usefulness and intelligence in everything. Now I look at that video and I feel myself being charmed by the absurdity of it. The total disregard for normalcy and reason.

I’m way better now at recognizing the magic and entertainment – and even strength and bravery – in that which makes no bloody sense at all.

The universe isn’t always fair and reasonable, so why expect that playing by the rules is the only way to go? Where’s the logic in that? I’m going to try to remember that if someone can sit on a wharf behind a bunch of leaves and make a living reaching out and scaring people walking by (and not just make money but make people LAUGH and be delighted in the process!) then by god, I don’t have to always be brilliant and responsible and perfect to meet other people’s expectations.

As for my own expectations… that’s a lot tougher. A work in progress.

Going to try to remember this year….

Ready.

Aim.
Aim.
Aim.
Aim.
Aim.
Aim.
Aim.

Your arm gets tired and you put it down, only to find yourself shooting yourself in the foot.

Ready.

Fire.

Your aim will get better the next time around.

(hat tip to www.briankim.net)