Unreal boundaries

I have often found myself in situations like this where I have placed boundaries or obstacles when in fact none existed. I have a tendency to over think things, trying to see things from every angle before I will make a move.  Uncertainty can cause paralysis, not because of what is there, but because of what my mind thinks is there. Sometimes it is helpful to assess the situation objectively and rationally in order to realize what the truth is.

Taking risks and Making Dreams

 

 I came across this video and became intrigued by it for a couple of reasons. I liked it because it shows two ways to make a dream come true. My intial thought was in regards to the young piano player taking the risk to ask the tough question necessary for his dream to come true. It takes guts to ask a musical legend if you can accompany him.
I also liked it becasue there was the other side of the dream. Mr. Joel had a choice to make. It would have ben easy for him to say no, to dismiss the question, to dismiss the dream. He had obviously been performing for some time and the Q&A was intended to be a break. He could have said "no" and most people would have understood why he declined the request.
Mr. Joel decided to go another way. He chose to make a dream come true. It wasn't that hard for him. He has already sang that song countless times. He didn't know the skill level of the young musician but he took a small risk to yield a huge reward for both the young musician and the audience.
I think it points to the idea that you can tell someone how to pursue their dreams or you can make them come true. In light of his comment about how to become a horn player at the end of the video, earlier someone had asked how they could make it in the music industry.  You can ask for advice countless times and still be in the same place that you were when you started. Dreams don't come true while you are sitting around dreaming. Dreams take action and require risk.
Who knows how many times the young musician had asked those more advanced to fulfill a similar dream. Even if you hear no countless times it only takes one, "yes" for it to come true.

I think the take away, for me at least, is this:
Pursue your dreams. Take opportunities to make dreams come true.

Often we don't feel worthy or experienced enough to be able to do something like that. The truth is, if someone asks you for help it means they see something in you that they can grow from. Although it may not seem like a big or challenging thing for you to do. It can make a huge impact on another person.

a persistent sea

a persistent sea from daniel vangerpen on Vimeo.

waves crashing
water churns
at it edges
the great expanse yearns
for something a little further
just out of reach
white noise
and white spray
calling in rythmic retort
striving all this way
but coming up short
a boundless sea
meeting it's boundries
yet keeps persisting
always relenting

This was the last sunset of 2012 taken at Rocky Point.

2013

As one year comes to a close, another begins.
Some opportunites missed, some new risks taken.
Some questions answered, some left to be asked.
Each day holds its own interest within the details.
As year changes into year it prompts a look at the grander scope of things.
Another year older, more mature(maybe)
new experiences
new acquaintences
new relationships
new adventures.

A new provides new opportunities, chances and challenges to face.
Hopefully another year makes me older and bolder.

Cheers, to new experiences.
Go make it a good one.

Making a mountain

Each year as we were constructing the sets for Streets of Bethlehem we talked about designing a new mountain but never seemed to get it done. So last year, on my flight back to South Dakota, I decided that I needed to strike while the iron is hot and quickly sketched out an idea for the new set. It was rough but it was down on paper.
Over the year it began to take more shape, through discussions, meetings and plans. Then the time came to start building and painting. It is always exciting to see ideas manifested into something you can see, touch and walk around. It especially exciting when it is something of this magnitude. Also the process of problem sloving to make and sketch into a functional apparatus.
It was fun to see the team building the structure in real life and then to see everyone walk through the event. Knowing that it was part of telling the story of Christ's birth adds an extra bonus.

Here is a timelapse of the mountain being painted. You can see some of the construction still taking place as well.




Streets of Bethlehem 2012: Mountain Painting Timelapse from daniel vangerpen on Vimeo.

 Rori Jensen contacted me a while back to complete a logo for her blossoming business. She has an etsy shop where she sells unique handmade creations constructed from new and repurposed materials. She wanted a design that reflected both her work and her studio.