Stop Asking for Permission

I just read this short article by Seth Godin: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/07/a-definition-of-a-leader.html

It reminded me of last weekend at PhotoCamp, where a lot of people listened to a few of us ramble on about DSLR filmmaking and photography. I find it astonishing that so many people have a psychological barrier to beginning creative pursuits.

If you want to be a filmmaker, make a film. If you want to be a photographer, make photographs. If you want to make video games, make video games. If you want to write a novel, write. The key is to identify what you need to reach your goal, and do it. Things like training, tools, software, hardware, materials, time. You do NOT need permission.

And if you still don't believe me, fine. I hereby grant you permission to make and do anything you want. Problem solved.

Swimming Lessons. Also the first photo to take the 7D-to-CF-adapter-to-iPad-to-Twitter path.

One of a few keepers from today's excursion:

Melting...

It's official. I'm all over the website now. I also need to work on a logo. #fb

@Lightroom Not sure if this is my best, but it's the best I have on hand. Love #Lightroom. #Twitterwalk

Creativity in the Unlab

One of the things that has most inspired me about working in creative industries is the opportunity to collaborate and share ideas. Simply bringing an idea out of your head and into a group environment seems to improve it immeasurably. This is why I decided to get a membership to the Unlab.

With the inception of Unlondon and the Unlab, I can't help but think that this is an environment that has so much potential to grow beyond it's humble tech origins and evolve into a cross-disciplinary collaborative space. I want to foster an environment that allows individuals to flourish, to become part of a collective, and to build a creative community that can rival anything done by anyone, anywhere. I see a future where a photographer can use the space for a experimental art shoot, collaborate with another Unlab member (Unlab rat?) to turn this into an innovative live show with video and music, hand it off to another member who builds a custom iPhone app with the whole interactive experience. This is just a simple example, but if we can concentrate talent and skill under one roof, who knows what kind of things can happen?

I plan on speaking at SMarts London to introduce the concept of the Unlab to the artistic community, and to discuss ideas on how to build this Creative Community Co-Operative, including an hackathon-like event with a creative focus.

If anyone is interested in this effort, please contact me: andy@berdan.ca or via @twitch on twitter.

Chevré Quiche Tart

Over time, I've perfected this quiche recipe. It is an easy recipe to make, but NOT a quick meal. Don't expect to eat it until at least 6 hours after starting. This is because the shell is scratch-made, and most of the ingredients are slow-roasted.

However, with the exception of the final quiche step, everything can be made a day or two ahead of time and refrigerated. One warning, however... slow roasted plum tomatoes are FANTASTIC. You may want to make extra.

Ingredients

Shell

• 1/2 package chevré (herbed or plain) [usually found as a sausage-shaped log]
• 1c. basmati rice
• 2c. water
• butter

Filling

• 2 bulbs garlic
• 5 plum tomatoes
• 8 large eggs
• 1/2 package chevré (herbed or plain) [usually found as a sausage-shaped log]
• 1/4c. 18% cream
• 1/4c. grated parmesan

Directions
Shell

1. Cook rice normally in water. Do not add anything.
2. Once rice is fully cooked (and drained), mix in half the package of chevré and stir until well combined. This works better if the rice is still warm.
3. Preheat oven to 350F
4. Grease a pie plate with butter, and form rice-chevré mixture into a shell with even thickness. Bake at 350F until firm and browned (1-2 hours)

Roasted Fillings

1. Preheat oven to 250F
2. Place tomatoes, halved lengthwise, on aluminium-foil-covered cookie sheet
3. Cut tops off of garlic bulbs, and place on cookie sheet
4. Roast tomatoes and garlic for 4 hours at 250F.

Quiche

1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Use a small spoon to remove garlic cloves from roasted bulb.
3. Arrange tomatoes and garlic in pie shell
4. Beat eggs and cream together, and pour into pie shell
5. Season with salt & pepper
6. Cook until egg mixture is set (fork inserted into center comes out dry), about 1.5 hours
7. Top quiche with parmesan cheese, and broil on high until cheese is golden (about 10 minutes)

The Perfect Cup

There's nothing like the last minute. I have decided that my life isn't quite insanely busy enough, so I'm going to try for an entry in the London Short Film Showcase.

Here's the current elevator pitch:

  The Perfect Cup - one man's fanatical search for the perfect cup of coffee.

There's room for fellow conspirators. If the concept sounds interesting, drop me a line... email, twitter, facebook, pigeon, whatever.

On Road Cycling: Speed Up to Slow Down

I have discovered something that may seem obvious to those who have experienced long-distance cycling. There’s a duality of time compression and expansion that occurs when on a long ride.

At once, a cyclist feels the andrenaline-amplified sensation of high speed while barrelling down a hill, yet enjoys the stately progression of being out on the roads for several hours. It it simultaneously both physically exhilirating and mentally relaxing - a fantastic break for the full mind of a knowledge worker.

I’m hooked.