The girl in the mill

Hello everyone,

It sure had been a long while since my last entry. So long even that I almost forgot this blog existed.During that time alot has happend. I learned alot about myself, and have grown as a person because of it. We are quick to think that as matures we know all about ourselves but in reality we are not always in control of our behaviour. How to deal with circumstances not always in your control, I fear it is a learning process until the end of my life but I know it's the same with any other person. Yes, that also means you. 

One of the other good things is that in an unexpected way there came a person in my life that became very dear to me. This person recently stayed in a mill for some days to read, do model drawing, and just to enjoy to simply be there. This inspired me to make a drawing of how that looked like in my mind. 

Girl In The Mill

One of the not so good things is that a bird smacked against a window at my parents place. It left a surprising mark as you can see. The beak and wings are clearly visible. I did not see the bird anywhere afterwards so I hope it was alright and just flew on.

One of the just sad things is that recently the company I work for (I'm active in the candy business) was open for public for a day. It was an enormous succes as we had more than 13.000(!) visitors and waiting lines of over more than 2 hours! A few days before this happend a film crew came over to film employers and I was one of them. They filmed me doing my daily job and I said some lines into the camera. Spread over the area where the visitors would pass they installed some tv screens showing this footage giving me major exposure. My boss had the excellent idea to put me near one of those screens to give autographs to people wanting a souvenir of this joyfull event (I wish I was making this up), but sadly though, no one seemed interested in an autograph by me and I did not sign a single card. I guess I am not as popular as I thought.....

And now just shut up and enjoy.

Penguin Cafe - Aurora

Blocked Staircase

I have been walking around lately and saw some things I wanted to post here.

Firstly, there has been a storm raging over the land a week or two ago. Nothing like you see in those programmes about tornado chasers, but still, a powerful wind for our region. I was doing a little tour with the dog and came past this, in my eyes, pretty cool sight. The wind had pushed over a big tree in someone's garden, which in itself isn't that special, but its roots were so firmly grown into the ground it took all the land and fence with it. 

Maria and Joseph discussing if they should cancel MTV Cribs coming over

Isn't it strange that sometimes you have walked down a street a thousand times over and then suddenly you see something that was always there but never noticed until that point? That happened to me just days ago. 

I think I found the towns smallest street! It's absurd really how isolated the houses seem at the end. I have not filmed the complete end of the street but it is just a dead end. So bizarre. As you can hear it's also a rough neighbourhood.

The smallest street

Direct Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8idFNosGQ-I

I also made a new drawing wich was a pain in the ass for me. By now you know I have trouble with drawing objects in perspective so when I had the idea of putting a staircase in there I knew that it would be a hassle. In the end, it sort of looks ok I think, as long as you don't study it too much.

I find Lissie a cool chick, reason enough for me to upload one of her songs, "Cuckoo". Nothing more to it really.

And now just shut up and enjoy.

                                       

Direct Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRRw_CD0psg&index=53&list=PLQWmOHTHOhJPPn3y8zV-31ZELzdum6Tcc

Finally set & prepared

Hi guys! Yes, it's been a while, about 2 months, but all is well. Things became more calm for me now (I finally have my own place! Naked thursdays, here I come!!)  and it seems I can spend more time on creating again.

There were some rumors floating around claiming I passed away, or fled to Paraguay to escape from reprisals for stealing during WWII, but none of that is true. I stole AFTER the war ended, and only something that was rotting in an old and dusty attic attached to a mansion long abandoned. In this place I found an original Wallonian gasmask from 1939.

If IS reaches my town, or something goes terribly wrong with my cooking, I'm prepared!!!

I've still been doing some sketches from time to time, most of them as a result of free time at work. One co-worker said I should make a tattoo design for him. I declined his offer in a friendly way in order to protect himself for his stupid ideas....(If you want a tattoo, make sure you go to a decent artist. It will cost you and waiting times can get long, but this piece should stay for life so it's worth it).

Some of them might make it in a more finished state in the future

 

I already made one of them in colour afterwards, and I'm telling you, in person it looks better. I couldn't get the colours right on a picture so you'll have to believe me on my word. Still, like most of the time, I like the sketched one better.

That's it for this time, but I'll leave you with a classic in old school 80's electronic trance. Love On A Real Train by Tangerine Dream is also used in the soundtrack of Risky Business with Tom Cruise and it's a, in my opinion, great peace to relax with and come "in the zone".

And now just shut up and enjoy.

                                           Tangerine Dream - Love On A Real Train

Exposing and Exposed

Hi there people,

Sometimes you live in a city for some years already and still there are many spots you've never been to. So that's why I started to go to a new bar every week now since the new year. Every friday or saturday evening I'm going to a different bar and I already found a cool new place. It's always good to know different nice locations to have a drink I'd say. So far, I'm liking my approach to discover my city in a new way.

I have to admit that my creative side is still on the low levels. My time recently is spent on work, fixing up my house, a new hobby in going to the gym and some family issues....

I can only show some doodles and sketch, but I hope that I'll do more stuff soon again.

You might remember the latest coloured drawing I did, at work I did a "sketch-over" of the same thing, I actually like the sketch more

Some guy sitting at a ravine and a girl in a tree, I'd like to make a finished drawing of the latter

Some demon, I don't even know what he's supposed to be wearing

In other news, I'd like to tell you about the devious ways Youtube tries to destroy popular channels (like mine) in favour of "others", less known internet stars. Maybe it's not the wisest to do so, but this story has to be told as I can not stand injustice.
Don't be shocked but soon could be the end of the Dropping Gems Youtube channel. Since some time I have been getting some warnings from their administrators regarding copyright infractions for the music I upload. Unfortunately that's really no joke and I have taken a screenscap to show you:

I wish it was fake, but it is not

As you can see, I have gotten 2 warnings so far and if I violate their terms 1 more time until 4 october 2015, they threaten to whipe my acount.
In itself, it's not so strange, I have not asked premission from the owners of the music if I could upload them (like nobody does on YT), I can understand that. But if you look further, you will see that it's all a great sheme to eliminate strong competition for other channels who the Youtube folks have ties with, like family or friends probably. A little far fetched? I don't think so.
One of the songs they sended me a penatlty for was Melanie De Biasio's "I'm gonna leave you". Ok, so what's the big deal? Well, just do a little search for the song on YT and what do you see? A whole list of uploads for the same song and they don't care!!!

The list goes on.....

So it is very obvious they follow their own rules just as they choose and see fit, leaving others untouched if they like to. I decided to investigate a little further because I sensed I was on the right trail. One of the uploaders is called "Deezer Sessions" (you can see that on the second pic), never heard of them, but I looked into what this group was about, recording live music it turns out, and found out that one of the leaders of that organisation is called Dan Hurley. 

Then it struck me. When I was searching for more info about Youtube because of my warnings, the name Hurley also showed up. As the matter of fact, one of the founders of YT is no one else than Chad Hurley!!!!

DAN HURLEY IS CHAD HURLEY'S SON!!!! If this is not proof enough that YT protects their relatives channels from competition then I don't know what is. Was his father scared that I might steel too many clicks from his son's videos or was it the son who begged his father to put a stop to Dropping gems before I eclipsed his subscribers number?

I already tried to contact them to sort this out. As I am not a supporter for violence I challenged Chad Hurley in something to settle this once and for all................A staring contest!!

So far, he has not contacted me back (chicken), but as soon as he does, you'll be the first to know.

What do you get when you mix Amy Winehouses Love Is A losing game with Bob Marley's No woman no cry? Don't try to imaginate, just listen!

And now just shut up and enjoy.


             Bob Marley/Amy Winehouse - No Woman No Cry (Love Is A Losing Game Remix)

TTT: Tessa, Train, Tiger

Meeeeeerrrry Christmasss people!

I've been looking through some older pictures lately and found something I tought would be cool to share. A couple of years ago I went on vacation in Thailand and at one point we were at a railroad at a market. Nothing too special but the train drives OVER the baskets of food and just inches away of hitting the people around. That's just a normal thing there, don't worry. Seconds after the train passes, the market just continues like nothing happened.

It's best to see it with your own eyes so take a look at the video I recorded:

Train in Thailand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgGY47ouzqM

Also, bonus picture, me and a baby tiger:

After seeing me playing with, and petting the cubs, some woman concluded that I would make a great father. If I ever make a tiger family, I will let her know.

I also read something eye catching in the newspaper recently. In Poppel, a small village in Flanders, there were some people protesting against the opening of a kindergarten in their neighbourhood. They are afraid their rest will be disturbed by the little devils. "When the weather is nice, they surely won't stay inside!" one of them says......

They even look proud at their protest. Say "asociaaaaaaaaal" *click*

It get's even better when the son (31) of one op the protesters, is worried too and tells us he knows how kids behave, making scratches on cars, or pulling out plants at the neighbours................urmmmm, Franky, these are toddlers, not hooligans!

I truly hope their actions are a succes and the kindergarten is never build, you don't want the neighbourhood to go to hell.  Maybe if it were a prison for top criminals the people would have felt safer.

I'm sorry to say that I haven't been as creative as I wanted lately. I only did one small sketch. Untill about 6 years ago, we had a dog named Tessa, a Britisch cocker spaniel. Tessa was my best friend and I can't count the times I laughed my ass off playing with her. Every day when I got home from school, and later from work, she was there welcoming me at the door, all happy and excited. She had ears literaly as long as my feet! When she was around 10 years old she was struck with an agressive cancer and we had to put her to sleep. I found a photo of her when looking through a photobook at my granny's place. I found her to be a beautiful dog with her black and white spots. I tried to make a cartoon version of her, since it's just impossible for me to draw realistic things.

Tessa, my beautiful dog

Tessa, cartoonised

As for music, Oasis may be split forever, their songs still stand. One of the two Irish brothers, Noel, preformed some time ago with songs from the Oasis era. Here's the live version of Don't look back in anger. 

And now, just shup up and enjoy.

                                         Noel Gallagher - Don't Look Back In Anger

About Posters & Patterns

Thank you all for the support, kind words and gifts you all sended my way (that unibrow brooming kit really does wonders! Thanks Anonymous!!) My wounds are healing and I could go working again today, but will remain cautious to not reopen them. I will make "art" again soon now!

I went to see Interstellar the other day. A grand film and liked it very much. It's theme, space exploration, is right up my alley and knowing that the visualisation of the black hole and worm hole in the film is based on equations Dr. Kip Thorne provided for the special effects team so that it looked entirely accurate made it extra amazing. Dr Thorne's mathematics made the simulation software of the team crunch sometimes over 100 hours to render 1 frame (a frame is a 24st of a second)!!

A theme in the movie was also the poem "Do not go gentle into that good night" by Dylan Thomas,which was very fitting and a nice poem altogether.

Do not go gentle into that good night

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Sometimes I ponder about our "nature". Why do icebears eat seals? That's nature. Why does Kim Kardashian has such ass? That's nature.  But what is Mother Nature exactly then? It is a name we give to all things regarding the development of life and material. Other than that it's just a hollow word. So what is truly, more than a name, responsible for all this code that makes us what we do and are who we are......and why are we here in the first place? You are here to read the latest update of Dropping Gems of course, but why are we here on this earth? In this universe?

To not make it too complicated for myself I'd like to think we live to go and find our own way and make use of our talents. It can take a while to find your direction, but that's ok as long as you find it eventually.
But I also believe that when you look back, you should ask yourself a question, did you make a difference in someone's life? Did you have a positive influence for another? I think it's important  that we do not lead a pure selfish life, and should strive to make a positive impact for others or even one, even if it may not seem significant at first. I truly believe all small things add up and a little sign of love or friendship can go a long way. To have been someone for another, even temporaly, is something that makes your life more worthwhile. And then you can say, Yes, I made a difference for someone. There had been meaning to my life.

But coming back to our existance in the enormous cosmos, I find it strange that there seems to be an universal code to the simplest and biggest of things. The way our bloodvessels are structured to best let our blood and nutritians flow are for example very similar to the way we have been buidling our roads if you look at it from a birds eye view, and roads are also a way of letting life flow. We follow a trend based on natures creation without even realising it.
But this structure continues in the microscopic way our brain neurons are connected, and are also very similar to the way the entire universe is mapped as you can see below. All these similarities in patterns on a gigantic variation in scale makes it seem that all things in natural phenomena form through the same architectic "laws".

Brain Cell

The Universe

Where do these patterns come from and what has laid these codes? These are things crossing my mind when laying in bath or pretending to read the stock market. Maybe we will never know, but if I stay in bath long enough maybe I will figure it out.......

Something fun now, AFRICAN MOVIE POSTERS ARE AMAZING!!! 

These are real movie posters used in Ghanese cinemas, some are legit cool I think, some are hilarious though.....

Terminator 3, this one is pretty badass

Original Terminator, I think he has a malfunction...

Milleniumbug striking after all?

300, this is alright.

Except for his eyes maybe (been hit 300 times?)

Mission Impossible, Tom Cruise sure is looking a little asian these days....effect of the botox?

Did you know Obama is a secret agent? 

Steven Seagal should just quit now, he's not even enjoying it anymore by the looks of his face "Ugh..just let me shoot you and get it over with...."

I hate my village.......so, if you cant beat them, eat them? The title alone makes me want to watch this movie!!

Screen Kiss by Thomas Dolby is such a beautiful song and a true classic so I thought, upload! Et voila!

And now just shut up and enjoy.

                                                Thomas Dolby - Screen Kiss

Constrained

Hello there DG friends,

It is with sadness that I bring you the news that I can't post a significant update this time because I had a little accident today. My hands are wrapped in bandage which makes it difficult to draw or film. I apologize to anyone who was eagerly awaiting a new blogpost and understand your dissapointment. I can not say when I will be ready to post a meaningfull entry, but will return as soon as possible.

You don't have to worry though. I had a clear view of the culprit and know where to find him. I don't think he knows who I am, but he has something coming, that's for sure. You don't mess with this lean, mean, fighting machine.

What I CAN do for the moment is link you to a cool song, namely Chameleon by Kimiko Kasai. This Japanese singer, who is now a jewelry designer, made a song sounding like it came from the bronx.
Let's get your grove on!

And now just shut up and enjoy.

                                                  Kimiko Kasai - Chameleon