Steve Martin

steve-martin-actor-comedian

I just finished reading Born Standing Up by Steve Martin. It is a very quick read, and I think worth reading for anyone who considers themselves creative. I was really struck by one quote…

“What if nothing happens?” I had never really imagined success; I was just trying to be a performer, but I could not see myself playing dreary nightclubs into my thirties, forties, and fifties.

I think this stuck with me because it summarizes my feelings on my own artwork. I have not attacked a career creating art day in and day out with the same drive that Martin did his performing, but I have always wondered if I could. At the same time, though, I’m not sure what it would look like if I were successful in that capacity…I just like creating art and want to continue creating art. I seem to be moving in that direction because I feel the need to “publicize” my work and try to connect with people who might be in the same position as me, but I’m not sure what that would look like. Part of me just wants it to just happen organically, but at some point, you have to make a concerted effort to make it happen. Right now, it will be in the back of my head until I move it to the front.

Stuff I Wish I had Audio or Video of…

Even with the explosion of audio and video online over the past few years, you can’t seem to find everything. Things that make me laugh are always inspiring to me since it helps me be funnier and makes me feel more creative. That might be a little over the top, but I’d like to think of it as more than just entertainment. So, I’m not sure if this is a request, but I just thought I’d put it out there unless anyone knows where to get these…

  • Rodney Dangerfield saying the following line:

I was taking a cab and I asked the cabbie where I could get some cheap action…he took me to my house!

  • David Spade saying the following line:

I saw the Eagles once and they had the balls to open with Hotel California.

  • The original Don West sketch with Will Farrell and Chris Kattan on Saturday Night Live
  • The Sarcastic Clapping Family sketch on Saturday Night Live
  • Cedric the Enteratiner impersonating Pop Staples:

Talking ’bout takin’ somebody some where…watch me turn this mutha out…

Luis von Ahn

I’ve read about Luis von Ahn before, but I saw this video through Digital Inspiration. I find this guy to be very inspiring…he’s not an artist, but an…inventor? Researcher? Computer nerd? Regardless, he is the one who invented the CAPTCHA system that can tell the difference from a computer and human when buying things like tickets or signing up for email address. I just love how he wants to take millions of people, think about the mundane tasks they do on the computer, and use that power to “get things done” like translating scanned in books or appropriately tagging photographs. What a concept! It’s worth the few minutes to watch.