Category Archives: Reasons for Things

Well thought-out posts and in-depth observations. Warning: may contain extensive abstract thought.

R.I.P. Black Lodge Video 1.0

Black Lodge, Ernestine & Hazel's, Future Plans, Quick Thoughts, Reasons for Things

I attended a glorious celebration last night.  It was disguised as a Halloween party, but I know in my heart it was a wake for Black Lodge Video.  After the Incredible Hook party tonight, the Black Lodge that Memphis has known for over 13 years will metamorphose into something new.  Development plans are finalized and Lodge co-founder Matt Martin has announced the impending release of Black Lodge 2.0.  But before that can happen, we must say goodbye to an icon of Memphis past. Continue reading R.I.P. Black Lodge Video 1.0 →

Mobility Achieved!

Daily Life, First Impressions, Future Plans, Quick Thoughts, Reasons for Things

This little blog has learned to walk.  Huzzah! (Ask me about my Huzzah.)

Hopefully this change will yield more posts and (better) more youtube uploads.  I bit the bullet and got myself a Surface Pro 3.  A rare moment of budgeting and bravery, this is an investment and I am treating it as such.

Now I just have to learn how to use it.  I’m pretty much treating it like my desktop at the moment, which Windows 8 kindly allows for for a newb like me.  As I attune to the dynamic quality of this machine, I believe it will become a seamless part of my creative experience.  As with any Windows version, I have to learn how to break down the parts so I can rebuild it for my own purposes.

Until then – I’ve got a new toy, yay!

 

PAX: The Lines

First Impressions, PAX Prime, Reasons for Things

The first thing I read about PAX was to plan for lines.  An endless thread about expecting lines and dealing with lines and the silver linings to lines, ad nauseam.  Seriously, I think I got a cavity while reading about how great it is to meet people in lines.  I half expected there to be a local bar called Lines just so the circle was complete.  Turns out there’s a place called Shorty’s that pretty much fills that slot; I still get the trademark on Lines(TM).  Maybe Gabe will draw me a logo?  But, I digress. Continue reading PAX: The Lines →

Exciting News for Music Lovers!

Crosstown, Hi Tone, Reasons for Things, Venues
CCDE turns up the heat and the crowd boiled over.
CCDE turns up the heat and the crowd boiled over.

I went out to the Hi Tone last night for the Back To School Costume Party organized by Robbie House.  It was a great night with a broad range of entertainment, so everyone got the chance to try something a little different.  Band of Ooo, Greedy Kidney, Sin City Scoundrels, Chinese Connection Dub Embassy, and Medicin Men.  There was also some great local craft art for sale from QUIP in the back, next to where Richard set up his delicious soul food.  That’s exactly the way I want to spend my night – 1 cover, 5 completely different shows, food and shopping.  It’s like crawl down Main Street, without the annoying crawling.  =D Continue reading Exciting News for Music Lovers! →

Memphis Needs Lyft

Art, Bars, Daily Life, Dining, Dives, Large Events, Overton Park, Places, Reasons for Things, Venues

[Legal caveat: This article does not represent the opinions of Lyft or any of its employees.  Except me, of course.]

Haven’t tried Lyft?  Download the app here.
Use the code RO96 and your first ride is free!

*ahem*

Picture this.

Empty stage.
Matte black floor dotted with the remains of old tape.
A single light bulb dangles from an unseen chain above the stage.
Dusty curtains hang limply, neither open nor shut, simply there.

A woman emerges into the unflattering light carrying a wooden box.
She places the box on the black floor with a thump.
Reaching in her back pocket, she pulls out a container of hand soap.
Using a small caddy, she hooks it over the edge of the box.

Stepping up to stand on top of the box, spreading her arms for balance, the woman turns toward you and folds her hands demurely.
Holding a steady gaze, she smiles and begins to speak…

Continue reading Memphis Needs Lyft →

Spillit Slam: Education

Amurica, Crosstown, il poeta, Reasons for Things

This past Friday there was another Spillit event held at the Amurica studio in Crosstown.  I was so inspired by the one before, I set aside time to make sure I came back.  I was trepidatious about this adventure but not for the usual socially-anxious reasons.  I set out that night intending to tell a story.  What made it so terribly hard to approach is that I had NO clue what story to tell.  The theme was education.  Pretty broad, pretty ubiquitous.  I even got a pep talk from Jamie Harmon prior to the show about just how broad and ubiquitous the topic can be.

Basically, I should tell a story about something I’ve learned.  It’s extremely fortunate I received that pep talk.  Not only did it shatter the flimsy construction of a story I tried to piece together that day (a stilted retelling of how I became a pariah at Bryn Mawr) but it also made me look at myself and admit the biggest lesson I have learned recently.  I decided in that moment to attempt a summation of how I learned to find success.  Continue reading Spillit Slam: Education →

Dodo Bird ~ Yojimbo

2014 World Cup, Blue Canoe (Tupelo), First Impressions, Future Plans, Quick Thoughts, Reasons for Things, The Brass Door

I have discovered that video editing is a time consuming process.  Especially without software.  Fortunately, my Sisyphean relationship with technology yields a little more progress every round.  So I just need to keep learning.

Tupeloyojimbo2014I went to The Blue Canoe in Tupelo last night to catch Yojimbo a second time.  (Note: Word’p’ress spell check does not recognize Tupelo as a proper noun and yet, corrects WordPress automatically.)  Driving an hour and a half to see a show is fairly uncommon for me personally.  I’m not really the “We’re drivin’ to Florida!” guy in the group.  This time the stars aligned perfectly.  Continue reading Dodo Bird ~ Yojimbo →