Quarter Life Crisis

Doesn't every 26 y/o who has a blog at some point create new post with the title "Quarter Life Crisis"?  While I can't afford to go out and buy a new ferrari (cuz we had to purchase a new fridge ... that took all my car money away!) I can tell the world what the hell is going on inside my crazy brain.

I want it all.  I want to do it all, rather.  And I want it all too.  I want to shoot music videos.  I want to create an album ... yeah, like a music album!  I want to be a professional painter.  I want to move to Australia.  I want to own the Canon 5D Mark II with dozens of lenses of my choice (that will happen one day soon).  I want an iMac, a new external and internal hard-drive.  How can a person focus?  How can an ARTIST focus?

I've heard "pick one!", but why?  Why do I have to be just a headshot photographer?  How boring is that?  I wanna shoot weddings, and newborns, and sexy models too!  I want to paint - and I want to show those paintings to the world!  One day I dream of my artwork being showcased in the Getty Museum just down the road...that's not bad, right?  Or is it bad for business?  Am I confusing my market?  Who IS my market?

I mean, we're good.  Zoe's full, and content, with a crib she's happily sleeping in under a roof.  We have a fridge with food in it, and I'm typing on a pretty sick computer.  We've got a nice car that gets us to Target where we can always buy more toilet paper ... so why do I worry?  Honestly, my wife brings in most of the money for the time being, but honestly, I bring in a significant amount too.  So ... so what?

Ha... I don't even know what I'm getting at.  I just finished a book about Zen and just being.  And I am ... just being.  I do what I want, when I want.  I even live streamed a painting the other day.  Does that mean that I'm going to put down my camera and only paint for financial gain?  No.  Even though I've thought about it.

I've cut out several vices in my life that have plagued my creativity and productivity and I think that's where all this extra energy and ideas are coming from.

I don't care if I tweet too much, or if I Facebook too much.  Even though, sometimes I wonder if I do.  But I can't worry about if I'm doing something wrong all the time - that's a waste of time!  I opened up a tumblr account the other day.  Why?  I dunno - I wanted a place to post my iPhone pics ... even though I'm a part of The Best Camera project and Twitpic.  I'm not even confused! ... I'm just presented with so many awesome options that I want them all!

And like I said, I'm only 26.  Thankfully.  I've got A LOT to do and hopefully (knock on wood) I've got a lot of time to do it.

I'm going to start calling myself a visual artist.  I photograph.  I paint.  I draw.  I make websites and flash designs.

What now?

Peace,
-marc

Zoe Turns 1, Dad Turns Old!

I know, I know.  I've been leaving you hanging.  Every single day you've been getting online to see something, a picture, a video, a simple sentence about Zoe's birthday - and I've been leaving you hanging.  I know, I feel the pressure.  So let me make it up to you by posting a cute video of us on the carousel.

Let me explain that Stacey did not hold back for this party.  It was Zoe's FIRST birthday party ever!  We had every excuse to make it as fun and elaborate as we wanted.  It was like our wedding all over again.  Weekends were filled with shopping ... which we won't get into - but I'll just say that it turned out BEAUTIFUL and everyone had a great time.  We had our awesome photographer, Emily Photo, photograph the day so I won't even bother you with the very few iPhone pics I took.  I will share the link as soon as we get it.  DON'T WORRY, OK!  I WILL SHARE THE PICS!  ;)

Um ... what else is new ... Zoe had her first year check up today, and all is well.  She's advanced, thanks to me.  ;)  JK LOL.  ;) 

Also, big congrats to the Winn family for their successful entrance to the cutest little boy I've seen since Jaxon, Elijah Michael Winn!  He's sooooooo cute.  Can't wait to meetchya little guy!

Alright - the laundry is folded, I gotta go pick Stacey up from work.  Anyone wanna donate a car?

Much love!

-marc

Zoe in the bookstore

Do You Rememba, Life in Septemba!

Recently I purchased a remote controlled helicopter. I believe my inner child is now complete. I haven't had this much fun since my brother got me a water powered car when we were little.


Stacey likes to shop, and I need to find a way to entertain myself. Here's one time we didn't get kicked out. ;)

Shout out to Sister Suz! Much love to you and Eli!

Peace,
-marc

The Launch of Blackwell Photography!

A few days ago, August 23rd, to be exact, Stacey and I launched Blackwell Photography!  We have combined photography forces to create a trinity of photography services, including but not limited to actor's headshots, musician portraits, and wedding celebrations!  We're super excited to be starting out on this very exciting adventure, and encourage you to check out Blackwell Photography's Blog.  It may be just as entertaining as this one.  And you'll probably get more photos of celebrities and less pictures of Zoe.  Until Zoe is a celebrity.  Then I won't know what to do!  :)

We're really, really excited, and even offering a launch special.  Go check it out!  Share with your friends, and support a dying art - photography!  We always appreciate your continued support.

Years pass.  Does it get any easier?  I continued to say no.  But you do stop crying as much.  Today is the 5 year anniversary of my mothers death.  It's really difficult still, and I assume it always will be, but the other women in my life make it easier.  Stacey is the best wife and partner a guy could ever ask for.  She's always understanding when it comes to the mom subject, and now that she is a mom - she gets it from a very different perspective.  Zoe too, middle name and all, reminds me of my mother daily.  I sometimes imagine that my mom used to look like Zoe when she was 11 months old.  My mother would LOVE these ladies in my life, and vise versa.  I think, no ... know, all 3 of us are better people because of Marcia Blackwell.

Zoe's 11 months today too!  It's a crazy week!



Stacey organized a walk this evening for my mother and some friends are on their way over to take a little walk around the neighborhood and grill out.

I feel like I've been posting a lot of stuff in the past 3 days.  Tweets, Facebook posts and links, blogs here  and there.  It's all for a good cause, trust me . . . and I've been holding back!

Alright - love you guys!

Peace,
-marc

Being Resonsible & Thinking of Everything

Being a parent means you think of everything. I post this as a blogger entry due to the fact that I think "my readers" will understand more than just my twitter followed and facebook friends. When you have a child, all thought proccess gear towards the child. One adult has to be around Zoe at all times. Stacey and I can't just run up to Ralph's for a quick late night dinner. Not to be morbid, but what if the big earthquake of California hits when we are inside and we get trapped I side. Not cool! And this may seem as an obvious "duh!" to some of you, but these thoughts are still new to me. I haven't done anything like locking Zoe inside our apartment without a cell phone or keys ... Wait, yes I have. :). All I'm saying is, when you have a child, and get married, priorities change amd you stop thinking about only yourself, and really notice the impact your decisions have on others. Or at least that's what I've learned. :)

Good night.

-marc

Zoe and the 5D

On Sunday, I'm the DP (Director of Photography) for my first music video! To shoot the video, we borrowed a Canon 5D Mark II and an array of cool lenses. This is the first time I played with any of it, and I decided to share! :)

Have a good one!

Peace,
-marc