spring.subtleties
seattle, wa
16 may 2013 - g10, f/4 1/160s, iso-200

sometimes stepping back outside with a flashlight after checking the mail is worth it. even if you're going to look a little bit crazy but the thing is, sometimes life might be telling you things, but you just have to be looking around. you can't let something surprise you if you don't give it a chance.

~ = ~

speaking of, this film was a pleasant, feel-good surprise:


populaire :: a film by régis roinsard

a romantic comedy about typing (yes, with typewriters)? i like to catch at least one french film each time SIFF rolls around mainly to keep my french listening skills from going completely dull, but also because i've loved the way the french filmmakers seem to have a mastery of the human condition. they know how to work tension and release, or to make you clearly feel a given emotion in the most elegant of ways, whether it be a serious film or even in a romantic comedy.

it's one of the few times where i get to see so many foreign films in one go, so i try to make sure i take advantage of the opportunity. and with this film, i was left smiling because it left you feeling so good. naturally, there isn't anything groundbreaking in this film, but if you just let go of this elitist need to always find a film that does something different or something that you've never seen before, this takes something that's been done before and it does it well. it made you feel really, really good. and i think that's why i fell in love with this film.

~ = ~

on a side note, i'm noticing that as a result of this film festival, i'm getting more and more familiar with the actors and actresses of french cinema; i think the first time i had seen romain duris et déborah françois two were in different SIFF screenings in different years, paris and tribulations d'une caissière.

connections are happening. :)

anyway, i sure hope they release this soon; i'd like to add it to my personal collection.

it's been a feel good type of weekend, if you ask me. after seeing this, i couldn't help but smile even bigger because in the back of my mind was the knowledge that two time zones away, a friend (that i made more or less by surprise) was getting married, but then again, that's something that'll make me smile regardless. so happy for you, sleepysouthie--congratulations to the two of you!

tomorrow...err...later today, playing in a concert.

magically,
-j

challenge.milestones
seattle, wa
9 may 2013 - gopro HD hero, exposure data unrecorded

the interesting part about training is that when you have an instructor that constantly pushes you even on "easy" days, pushing you to the point until you start to feel like you're on the edge of your ability and your ability to keep the composure of the situation (and sometimes just a little bit beyond just to let you know what it's like), it makes some of the milestones on the horizon seem a bit less daunting when you get there. all i can say is that with each lesson my appreciation of pilots grows even more than it had been even before i started, and for all of the people going through lessons, or have finished their lessons and have earned their private pilot certificate (and i place great emphasis on the word earned), i completely appreciate what it takes to fly even a relatively simple airplane.

and so, the first day in the eleventh year of this blog, i completed my first solo flight. all i can say is thanks to my brother for keeping me inspired and for my instructor that keeps pushing me each lesson, throwing things at me just to let me see how i fare when things start to fall apart. there's always something to learn. it's consumed my life for the time being, but the reward is very clear, and that first solo, with the challenge, the rush, and the views, was just a very small taste of what's on the other side--and it was absolutely wonderful.

can't stop learning. must keep learning.

magically,
-j

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sky.wander
seattle, wa
30 april 2013 - g10, f/4 1/1600s, iso-200

they thought the people who were trying to fly for the first time were crazy because human flight was impossible. of course, that was until they proved them wrong. in the meantime, you'll find me "chair flying," flipping switches and moving levers and slides that that don't exist, looking a bit crazy but it'll make sense when you put an airplane around me.

we have to be ready to look crazy before we do amazing things. perhaps that's why they're amazing.

~ = ~

in other news, i fell for this:

:)

magically,
-j

Currently Information Manual: Cessna 1980, Model 152 By Cessna Aircraft Co. see related