There has been a lot going on since I last updated. Lots of big stuff that I really don’t have the time to post about now, but starting next week (Mon 6/29), there will be a LOT of stuff up here.

Healthcare CEOs Shoot Themselves in the Foot

Even if you pay your premiums for years, once you get dangerously ill, the bastards at private health care companies will do their best to find a way to cancel your insurance.

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) said that a public insurance plan should be a part of any overhaul because it would force private companies to treat consumers fairly or risk losing them. “This is precisely why we need a public option,” Dingell said.

I would never ever kill anyone in my whole life, but if someone was to knock off these CEOs, I’d understand.

As some of you know, I’m 1/2 Iranian. I was raised Iranian. I grew up Iranian. 98% of the family that I know and interact with on a regular basis are Iranian. Genetically I’m 1/2, but for all intents and purposes, I view myself as an Iranian (American).

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few days, you’ll know of the sham election in Iran. The government has killed internet and text message communications, shut down news stations, and put dissenters on “house arrest”. They are trying to quell the will of the people. In this age of the Internet and vast communication, there will always be a way for people to communicate.

As it’s been used in the past, Iranians have harnessed Twitter as a means of communication. I’ve stumbled across a Twitter Grid that is streaming information as fast as it comes in real time from people IN IRAN. If you’re Iranian, or if you just want to know what is really happening, as it’s happening, from people who are there, follow the link now.

AT&T for the win once again. What a SWEET provider. I’m glad to pay the $100.00/mo.

Makes perfect sense.

So this morning a very close friend of mine (who happens to be a little publicity shy) sent me a track he’s been working on. I’m compelled to share it with you because: a) I think it’s a dope track. Good beat AND great samples, and b) it will make you laugh out loud. This artist, who prefers to not be named, is an up and coming electronic musician. Very talented dude.

If you want to download the mp3 of the track, use this link. Can you pick out where the three samples are from? I only got two right.

True.

So I felt like sharing a little bit of one of the projects I’m currently working on. This piece is a work in progress for a current client. Can’t really say TOO much about it until the piece is done except for the fact that it’s an abstract 3d piece that said company is going to use in it’s 2009 demo reel intro sequence. This is just the first scene of three scenes. The other scenes are rendered, but aren’t really polished yet. This scene is the first scene, and it’s the furthest along. Still a little tweaking to do, but for the most part I’m happy with where it’s going. Thoughts?

Looks like things are finally starting to move a little for me. I got laid off from my job back in January which essentially forced me to become a freelancer in the worst economic climate since the Great Depression. Needless to say, it has NOT been fun. I’ve had to curtail a lot of my old habits. Learn and develop entirely new ones. I cook for myself a LOT now. I don’t go out nearly as much, and when I do, I’m much more careful with how I spend. There was a time where I used to lament my lack of a girlfriend, but due to my financial situation, I couldn’t be more thankful to be single right now. There is now way I could show a girl a good time on my negative income right now. Plus, the kind of girl I want to be with would not be impressed if I decided to splurge and super-size her combo meal. That’s not a metaphor mind you.

As I’m sure the 3 people who read this intermittently updated blog know, I’m trying to become a director. Yeah yeah, I know the whole “kid with big dreams moves to L.A. to chase that Hollywood fantasy” is a bit cliche, but it’s true in my case. I want to be a director. My time away from being a 3d animator (after getting laid off) has allowed me to really explore if that’s what I want to do, and it’s an unequivocal and resounding “yes”. During the downtime (what I say when referring to my unemployment) I’ve actually had the opportunity to direct a live action piece. I can’t say much about it because it’s still under wraps and in post right now, but I wanted to thank the people that I worked with on it, and those that gave me the chance to do something like that. They know who they are, and it’s greatly appreciated.

So that little taste of the action solidified me in my quest to become a director, and I’m happy to say that things are finally starting to show some signs of life. I spoke with a friend of a friend of a friend (seriously) yesterday who is an established director here in L.A., and he and I are gonna meet up and discuss the best possible path on how to get there. On top of that, I’m flying out being flown out to San Fran by current_tv to interview with them for a position with their broadcast division and/or freelance work. I’m pretty psyched to just check it out. Always good to have more contacts. On top of that, my good friend Hana helped me out and possibly has something with a friend of her’s that needs an AD (assistant director). If that weren’t enough, my old employer Nau might have a job coming up where they need me for a bit.

All in all very promising. Nothing has actually come through yet, but it’s a great, wonderful thing to finally have some traction after spinning my wheels since the end of January.

I know this was more of a boring post than what I usually put up, but it’s 4:15am. I can write whatever-the-hell I want.