netheryonder

Lights, Camera, Holy Cow!

Today marks the first shooting day of a short film I am working on. Also the first film where they let me talk a lot. My character is the protagonist of the story. His name is Olson.

What a strange feeling to go from ‘action’ meaning, “now you all sip your wine in the corner and mouth words but don’t talk” to ‘action’ meaning “20 people are looking at you, there is a camera and boom mic inches from your face, hit your mark, remember these three paragraphs and go!” It was fun and I am tired and we are doing it again tomorrow.

The shoot today was in Hayes Valley Farm, which is really awesome but soon it will be condos. It was interesting to hear how positively the folks at the Farm are dealing with the reality of being shut down. They hope to harvest seeds from their last crop to replenish seed banks around town. They are also transplanting their perennials to various locations around town. Their newest project is to put a farm in every one of San Francisco’s 49 square miles. Gardeners are resourceful by nature. Read more about them at 49farms.org

Also, I have never meditated before but did you know there are chill places to meditate in San Francisco? I learned this today. I think I should meditate. But is that anti-meditation, cause it is thinking? I think I should meditate.

It’s like good ole JC said, “experience is the teacher of all things.”

Do something for the first time. Celebrate the awesomeness of newness. It is scary, but fun. Five more days of shooting left. Film acting. Excited to get used to this. Going to sleep well starting right now.

Feelings of Animate Being

coddle trusted voice,

ears open, breathing

You and I, my friend

(fingers dashing across keys,

doors open easily, frequently)

my friend is here

my friend is

my friend

House Party

You heard of late night Friday.

You heard of staying in.

You heard of going somewhere.

But you ain’t never been.

You stare right through the window,

Eyes pondering the rain.

I swear I saw God shed a tear

Into your pink champagne.

We never met our eyes before.

We never met our skin.

We heard of going somewhere.

But we ain’t never been.

Fearless

Sitting still on a wild and fallen log

A single bee buzzes past my listening right ear

The left, piqued, as he changes his course

a slight detour from the service of the Queen.

I sit,

contemplating silence

fearlessly broken

by the mere existence

of flight.

photo-15

How to make Wallet Art

Beware: Silly and Unsolicited Advice to follow:

The concept is simple. Draw or glue an image onto the back of your business card. Don’t have a business card? Well, when I started making wallet art, I didn’t either. I cut out cardstock into 2×3.5 inch rectangles and drew & pasted on them and viola! Wallet Art. It’s art for your wallet. Most everybody has a wallet, and almost no one has art in it. It’s a super untapped territory in the art world. I hesitate to even share it online cause right now I have almost no competition in this realm. But, hey, nobody is really competing with anyone but themselves.

I always have a lot of variation in the cards, and they are always stubbornly hand-made. No two are exactly alike. And the vast majority of time, I run out of however many I have, cause they take time to make and they are limited in quantity. So far probably 100 or so people have my art in their wallet. I have Ariel’s art in mine. She is a top-notch artist.

The more I’ve been doing it, the more there is usually a person around who already has some of my wallet art and is eager to show theirs off. My brother draws a giant mustache on his business cards, cause he has a giant mustache. People like personal items. People like hand made. People like you. Give them more of what they want. Give them more you. These have all been given a once over last night at a Cloudship Creative drawing party, I will usually also give them a little extra drawing or coloring on the spot, and I’ll probably go into these a few more times before they end up in someone’s wallet. In any case, here is some more me.

Top 5 Photos of the Week

Here you are, Top 5 Photos of the Week Fanatics. This week, there are 8.

1) I ordered business cards for myself for the first time. I’ve had them through other people’s businesses and I’ve hand made some for myself, but this was the first time I dropped into some of that vistaprint cash. I would highly recommend getting yourself business cards. They are relatively inexpensive. You can hand them out to people and get their cards too. It’s like an adult version of collecting baseball cards, except instead of Mike Piazza rookies you get other people who have business cards. It’s pretty fun. Mine also double as Wallet Art.

1.5) Wallet Art.

2) #manvan v. santa platform . #manvan picked up santa platform and put it right where it wanted it, thanks to Dan at Pianofight’s new space at 144 Taylor and Rob at Z-Below. With the help of Variety Show Death Match, Santa Platform transformed into Pope Caesar platform.

3) Saw this castle flag on the back of a Harley on a drive home from an audition this week. Did you know it’s the flag for Hamburg? I did not. Thanks Google. I may have never ever figured that out without you. Who else could I say “white castle red background flag” and they would just get it? Not either one of my brothers or my friend Adam. They aren’t as knowledgable as you, Google. No one is. No one needs to be.

4) Happiness on Mt. Tamalpais. That is Erika being awesome at flying. Every one else needs work. This turned out to be one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen and we all danced around with these blankets and yelled into the crisp April wind.

4.5) I am this happy while we are getting blown around by the wind and yelling to the sunset.

5) I honestly had no idea the other side of these statues looked like this. I’ve only ever seen them from the street side, but I took the fancy route walking to an audition, and lo and behold, this side looks really cool. Turns out it is the Villancourt Fountain. Google, dang bro, you are so useful.6) I am not going to tell you why I am excited about this photo. Yet.

“Leaving You”

Dear World,

Say hello to Derricka Smith.

Download the track for free or donate if you please at noisetrade.com/netheryonder

“Leaving You”

I put my boots on, my own two feet

no time for weepin, get these tears off my cheek

–cause i am leaving, cause i am gone

i’ll be just fine, i’m on my own

cause i am leaving you just where u left me all alone

i was feeling tired, i felt put down

until i stumbled, found myself some solid ground

–i don’t need you, i don’t need no one

cause i can stand up

i can be strong

i will be free

i’ll carry on

and i am leaving you just where you left me all alone

yes i am leaving you just where you left me all along

i won’t ask forgiveness for the things i’ve done

i’ve already suffered more than i have won

–through all the pain, the tears that we shed

the rain never felt so good on my face

as when i closed that door

cleared my mind from that space

and i am leaving you just where you left me all along

yes i am leaving you just where you left me all alone

aaaaa

aaaaa

Music & Lyrics by Andrew Hansen Strong.

Derricka Smith on vocals.

Andy Strong on guitar.

Recorded on February 27, 2013 at Netheryonder Records.

Tamalpais

Sleeping Princess

If I told you why I’m smiling

you would blush

hills beyond hills

crisp April wind

dancing for our sunset

your breath

my skin

mountain against ocean

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaclouds

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaasing

aaaaaaaaaaame

aaaaaaainto

dreams

Kitchen Sink Burrito

everything in fridge

fry with salt, pepper,oil.

wash many dishes.

tomorrow.

Tonight

Thanking the evening

the song,

It’s not

perfect but it won’t take

passions are craving

your touch,