Challenges are abundant. This I know. But it’s not the challenge itself, but how I deal with it.
Impatience. This new show I’m doing is right on track. Only, that’s too slow for me. I want it to happen yesterday. (Maybe the day before…) But, in my infinite non-wisdom, I make my situation worse by creating my own frustration. …And that’s when I turn inside.
People laugh when you mention the word “meditation.” But I just look at it like this. It’s been around since like, FOREVER. Thousands of years. (Take a look at the David Lynch Foundation to the right) So, there must be value in it. And all IT is, is closing your eyes to the noise of the world in a quiet place and calming things down. Then, and ONLY then, do the answers you seek come.
And boy does it work… Inspiration, Intuition, whatever you want to call it, is trying to get to you. But, YOUR’E SO DAMN LOUD THAT IT CAN’T!! So? Go into the silence and calm things down. Remove the frustration so things can flow.
And when they do, I play with cars. See? Told you it works. Now try it for yourself. BOOM. Time for coffee…
We’re funny creatures. Extremes on both ends. And the last two days were interesting examples of how we can be so extreme.
Day before yesterday, I was on my way to the editing bay heading up the 110 to the 5. Now, any of you who know that transition, know it’s a tight one-laner. Right at the turn, this lady in a Toyota suddenly screeches to a halt. I’m two cars back, watching, in curiousity as to why she would stop, then exit her car in a panic.
A second later revealed a small dog (Freeway Fred) coming around the corner, running along the freeway with a tight cone around his neck. I get out of MY car as it comes towards me, watching as the lady converged. She managed to wrangle the doggie, scoop him up and carry him into the back of her car. An honorable thing in my book and I’m sure most of you who respect animal life would agree. The dog surely would have been killed by an oncoming car on the interchange. And if any of you have even been unfortunate enough to have done that (as I have), it’s a sad moment.
Now, although this was interesting, it’s not my point of extreme. What was REALLY interesting was the man behind me. The one laying on his horn consistently, yelling hugely creative profanities, flipping me off, slamming his steering wheel and carrying on like the world just got the smackdown from aliens.
In the 15 seconds it took to wrangle the doggie, this man worked himself up into a state of complete hysteria. So,… as I walked the 6 feet back to my car, I got a good look at the dood and got to watch his performance up close. And what did I do? Did I get back in my car so that he could pass? Did I try to console him? No.
I walked back to my door, crossed my arms and stood there, …staring at him.
Now THIS was interesting. He REALLY freaked out at this point. So bad that I saw veins begin to bulge in his head and neck. Rage of such intensity that I thought he was gonna pull a “head pop” like that movie SCANNERS. But,… to my disappointment, after about 20 seconds of yelling, he threw up his hands and gave up.
I just smiled at him at this point and stared, him staring back. Then I said… “Are you all finished now?” He sighed steamingly as he watched me get back into my car and move off. A second later, he passed me at a quick clip, waving out the window…. with one finger.
And the doggie? Don’t know. But I’m sure that with a face like this, there was someone out there missing him.
Vampyres. Cars. Action. Destruction. Cool. … Oh, and some badass chases.
Just saw “The International” last night on DVD. Best thing about it is the “Making Of” as they get into the re-build of the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Extremely cool.. One word…. Netflix it. Ok, that’s two words. My bad.
Above and below are upcoming visions of James Cameron’s “AVATAR” and a few other goodies. Looking forward to this, as Cameron knows how to make films, duh.
One to avoid? M. Knight Shyamamamamamamaalannnanananana’s “The Last Airbender.” I could be wrong, but it looks lame.
Anyway, Happy Thursday. Go out and do something completely different today.
Designing cars is cool. But then again, designing anything is cool. Why?
We struggle throughout the day with all kinds of thoughts. Generally, they’re in the past or we’re worrying about the future. Neither a good place to be. But, for the same reasons we love the weekends, designing keeps us in the moment. And “the moment” is where true creativity exists. Case in point… a Brainstorm Session. Ever been in one at your company? They bring in coffee and doughnuts and you hang out around a big table and just talk ideas. It’s fun and keeps you creative and,… in the moment.
On the weekends, you play like a kid. (Or try to, eh?) Kids ALWAYS exist in the moment. And so, they enjoy life. Big smiles and all fun!
Try this. Notice that when you feel good, it’s because you’re in the moment. Enjoying the trees, food, friends, reading, car shows, whatever. It’s why I write the books above. Yes, I sell them… but for the lame ‘o price of $2.50. The point is that I love cars and books help you to stay in the moment. If I can give a little joy in that for a short period of time to someone, then I’m doing my job. Plus, they’re just fun to do and keep ME in the moment.
But regardless, LIVE NOW. Be grateful for what you have NOW. Appreciate good design and design your life the way you want it. STOP WASTING TIME doing what you don’t want. You’ll blink and suddenly be 80.
Then again, my Pop is 81 and he’s still designing. EVERYONE BETTER BE HAVING A GOOD WEEK??!! Don’t make me have to sick my wife on you! She’s got a mean left hook!!
My buddy, Roger, just had this Harley stolen. A beautiful full custom bike. If anyone sees it around town, let me know. And don’t shoot the guy until we get there…
What is it with people… Isn’t there enough problems in the world?
What a ridiculously cool day! All days should be like this, not just Father’s Day. The main highlight was the 2009 Rodeo Drive Concours d’ Elegance. Seriously expensive machines… in the sun.
My son Sean, Kathie and I strolled among multi-millions of dollars worth of machines including Delahaye, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, Bentley, BMW, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Packard, an Electric Cobra, Smarts, Green Vehicles, Tesal and even a Bentley Chopper. Yea, all cheapies, of course. Let me just take them all, thank you. Even Sean sat in the Lincoln from the TV show “Entourage.”
But on Rodeo, it’s no holds barred. The streets were packed with onlookers… even in the trees. The major highlight of the show was this DDR (Dumb Diamond Ring) on display. At the sheer cheap stupid price of $744,000.00 I mean, come on… Let’s get real. Put something in the window that’s REALLY expensive you bunch a’ lame o’ cheap basterds.What moron got cold feet and stuck the small stone in the window??? Sheesh!
Imagine. Strolling down Rodeo and you “pop” into a wee lil’ store to pick up something for your honey squeeze. A tiny lil’ rock for just under a mil. I’m sorry, but that’s just plain stupid in a really stupid sort of way. What could YOU do with $744,300.00??? Let us begin with making a list of 744,000 things, yo!
But the cars were smokin’ hot. SO, here we go folks….
I guess I got up this morning,… only to go back to sleep again later.
Recharge. A full week of “on the go” requires a day of recharging. Case in point, here’s my pooches “recharging” and using me as a bed. I’m kinda lumpy, so not really sure what’s so great about this…. BUT, they seemed to be happy.
Took a hike, went for a stroll on the beach, chilled and read. Good book by Prentice Mulford. Check him out.
TOMORROW! It’s Father’s Day and it’ll be rockin!!! Heading to the RODEO DRIVE CONCOURSE d’ ELEGANCE! Big buck rides and tons of pops walkin’ with thier kids and wives. Photos afterwards.
Have a great Father’s Day to everyone!
Ok, now this is something to see…
Cool cars that have come to me over the week include some serious beasts, but it’s obvious that design trends from aftermarket companies are solid and cool. (Not like you’ll be seeing the above anytime soon, but I’d rock it for sure…) The big thing now is powerplants. Gas is on the way out and alternative is on the way in. An upward spiral shift, raising the conciousness of society.
What will be available in the next 10-20 years? Fuel Cells, BioFules, Electric Hybrids and more. And design? Well, it just keeps getting better.
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