Walk Through The Park

Turns out I really enjoy watching walking videos. Or at least have them playing on the side while I work or do other things. So I'm making my own!

Going with the seasons and visiting some of my favorite places where I live, this is the start of a series. It is a part of my Wellness category and its Therapy subcategory since, for real, a change of scenery helps (more so if you can actually go for a walk yourself, which I encourage).

  

Along with these videos, I'm adding a handful of shorts with short messages as reminders to go with them. Extracting clips I liked from the same footage.

“Endings can be hurtful and painful,

when and after they happen.

But beginnings can be promising,

and bring more than you’d imagine…"

“Give yourself the time you need.

To break out, to let go, to grow and evolve,

and to be restored…”

“Worry not about what you’re not

and cannot be.

Tend to yourself instead

and be revealed…”

I enjoyed making these, so I'm happy to continue the series in between other content! 

Taurus' Description

♉ TAURUS

Taurus, as the second sign of the Zodiac, stands as an earth and fixed sign, embodying stability and steadfastness. This sign exudes a grounded and practical nature, rooted deeply in its connection to the material and physical world. Often associated with qualities like determination and resilience, possessing a resolute will that is unwavering once set in motion. It may sometimes manifest as stubbornness, but beneath lies a profound commitment to its path. In the realm of comfort and security, Taurus excels, cherishing the finer things in celebration of the tangible.

Spiritually, Taurus represents a stage of growth where the soul learns the value of patience and perseverance. It teaches the lesson of slow and steady progress, reminding us that fulfillment comes from the consistent nurturing of our aspirations.

For context and more of relevance, please read about The Zodiac.

Justin Timberlake & NSYNC's Paradise

I've been wanting to write about this song, to bring and keep it here, forever to be cherished, since I first heard it. And it's been a while now, but I finally can. It came out during a heavy moment for me, and even so, I could love it so much...

Justin Timberlake has been the bringer of pleasant surprises for NSYNC fans since last year. And don't get me wrong, I appreciate Justin and his solo works as well (and I can go off about them too). But when you get NSYNC together, it hits on whole other levels. And I'm sooo thankful for it!

I'm not even sure how to describe it exactly, but it does something not only to my brain - but to my spirit, too. NSYNC was the band I hyperfixated on when I was young and yet to become cynical. You wouldn't believe the degree to which I loved this band and everything they did. And it was in such an innocent way, too. They hooked me with a music video of a psych ward, then with their glowing personalities, their impressive performances, and left me with lifelong favorite music and the memory of a fulfilling childhood that was complete with most-listened-to CDs. I knew nothing about the world back then. I didn't even know English and my obsession with them sped up my learning of it (thank you again for that!).

Unfortunately, I moved a lot since then. And quite often, in a rush and leaving possessions behind. So I no longer have any of the NSYNC merchandise I collected. I wish I still did to have proof of my level of craziness, but you'll have to believe me on this one. And maybe that's for the best. Pfft. But in other words, yup, definitely a true fan.

And it's so weird for me now because I disconnected from all of that until recently, when I suddenly saw them together again at the awards. I don't even know how to have this conversation with my child self. Like, how do I even begin to explain to her everything that has happened in between and up to this point, where she gets to live again? She'd be in utter disbelief. Everything from how life went to how much has changed all around. The unbelievable situations we'd find ourselves in. And how nice it all can be after and despite it all.

I don't know for how long NSYNC will continue to show up as a band, but it has already been magical. They indeed took us to a better place.

And this song, Paradise, is so absolutely perfect in so many ways. The melody and the lyrics come across as genuinely inspired and sincerely made with love. And as if that wasn't enough already, the vocals and the harmonizing between them are astoundingly flawless and outstanding. You'd believe angels are singing. I can't imagine a better gift, better wrapped, for those of us who are happy to see them and have them around once more. They really went in on this one and over-delivered.

The far-sighted and holistic view employed through it can make trivial and petty troubles look as small and insignificant as they are, lifting us to a plane where meaning is what is important and it prevails. I don't know about you, but for me, it is a remarkable example of art working wonders. And this one does it by connecting largely distanced points across time and space in a manner that transcends the mundane and arrives at what's considered paradise. It is soothing, relieving, and gently engulfing in the softest and fluffiest clouds. Talk about transmitting vibes and setting moods.

Needless to say, it got a special place in my heart. 

Long Rides

Riding with me is having no guarantee we'll get there fast, possibly getting a little lost, taking the scenic route, stopping to help innocent animals we see on the way, getting angry at inconsiderate drivers and cursing at them, questioning the layouts of everything, a couple of meltdowns here and there, drink and snack breaks at different locations, happy to pass the wheel to whoever can drive well and wants to (taking it back if they're a danger or must/prefer to rest), but definitely with great music through it all!

Complementary Colors

More that can be seen on The Color Wheel are the colors that sit across from each other as complementary colors. 

When a color is facing another from the other side of the wheel, it is considered a complementary color to it. Complementary colors are those that differ precisely enough from the other, left and right, to possess what they lack and be then their complement. E.g. Yellow is a complement to purple and vice-versa.

Complementary colors bring balance to a composition. Though they may be tricky to combine in just the right amounts, and in just the right spots, for them to add to and bring out the best in each other rather than fight for attention. This is a sort of partnership that stands out as peculiar yet enhancing. As with Contrast in Colors, complementary colors can be eye-catching when together despite and because of their differences.

It's not unusual for artists to work with complementary colors - and be known for it. This is yet another of the clever ways to work with color that yield impressive and memorable results.

Again, as with Adjacent Colors, depending on your preferences, the impression and impact you aim to make, and the meanings you aspire to convey, you could decide on a set of complementary colors as your go-to palette. Or switch them up as you go.

CREDIT: AI-Generated Examples done on Leonardo.AI

Adjacent Colors

Continuing with The Color Wheel, let's take a further look into adjacent colors - what we are referring to by that and what that means.

 Adjacent colors are two or more colors sitting next to each other on the wheel. These are colors with similarities and overlaps as they are more the same the closer they are. Their differences become more significant and notable the further apart they are. E.g. Orange slightly inching toward yellow gains a yellowish tint and orange further approaching yellow may become more yellow than it is orange.

When coloring, if you're afraid to take risks or make leaps, you could try sticking with a selection of adjacent colors so there won't be much conflict or noise between them. And while that's playing it safe, it won't necessarily be boring. Besides, it may be what is more suited for a given project or mission. Temperature in Colors, for example, is composed of adjacent colors.

Many artists make adjacent colors their trademark. They may stick with colors such as purple and those adjacent to it for all that they create. Or at least make them predominant in what they do. 

Depending on your preferences, the impression and impact you aim to make, and the meanings you aspire to convey, you could decide on a set of adjacent colors, whether closely tied together or wider apart, as your go-to palette. Or switch them up as you go.

CREDIT: AI-Generated Examples done on Leonardo.AI

The Color Wheel

Here is the color wheel. There are several ways in which you can group and organize colors, but this wheel is one of the most encompassing and cohesive kind. Not limited by the few colors shown above, but able to contain countless shades of them in between and in and out of them. For the sake of simplicity, though, let's just look at a few colors.

Within what we can call chromatic colors, you will find what are called primary colors and secondary colors (tertiary colors, too). The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. While secondary colors are green, orange, and purple. The names aren't about rank, but about blending. You can get secondary colors by blending primary colors, but not vice-versa. E.g. Red and yellow, primary colors, make orange, a secondary color. And you can see how they appear between them on the wheel.

Furthermore, on this wheel, you are able to see which colors are adjacent to one another and which ones are complementary to each other. E.g. Adjacent to blue is turquoise and indigo, and complementing blue is orange.

Being familiar with the color wheel comes in handy for understanding, choosing, combining, and also blending colors.  

AI Art for Storytelling?

  

  

  

Experimenting with AI tools for art, I keep giving into more uses for AI Art. It doesn't take away my desire to make art myself. If anything, it makes me wish I had more time to do so. Because the process of creating is enjoyable too, not just the end result - and I get to be hyper-specific with it. But I'd be lying if I said I'm not having fun with AI Art.

I prompted these images to aid storytelling and it's one of my favorite uses so far. It took me quite a few tries before getting the pictures that most resembled what I was aiming for, but still much better than not having any! I'm looking forward to doing something like this again in the not-so-distant future. Whether it is a continuation to the story these are for or any other story.

The application is called Leonardo.AI. It is web-based and sufficiently free. It currently contains many features and options. These images were generated using the Leonardo Lightning XL model with the Colorpop element (at 1.00 weight), including keywords such as: detailed, black, dark blue, cyberpunk, underground, city...

The tools are rapidly evolving so the complaints I have about them now may no longer have place soon and that's exciting. Go play with them if you aren't already!

CREDIT: AI-Generated Reference done on Leonardo.AI

Life has been... Something

Looking back, I figure that there are a few things that I haven't made as clear as they could be. And I want and need them to be as I go forward with everything:

- As much as I adore art and the artists behind it, you can rest assured that they aren't "brainwashing" me. I have always been insanely reflective and looking for what makes sense and resonates with me. At most, I may consider an idea, deem it plausible, test it out, and then decide whether or not it is something I should adopt or take as only an experience. So, worry not, I am my own person and make my own decisions.

- Continuing about adoration, I have and respect limits. I would never harass anyone with affection or flattery no matter how impressive I believe they are. In fact, the moment it seems likely that any of that isn't welcome or is in some way burdensome, I'll keep it to myself. May even vanish completely, depending.

- Furthermore, regardless of how much I adore someone, it isn't necessarily in a romantic manner. I can love for many different reasons and in many different ways to great degrees. And it seems to me that the greatest amount of love I can have for someone emanates from gratitude. So yes, I can love someone a lot because they helped me through something somehow.

- And speaking of being grateful, that often steers me in certain directions. Honoring help, keeping promises, but also realizing when I might be able to give back, regardless of how much time has passed, and turning back for it. Even if I don't know what will happen. If there's anything I can really do or that they would accept. But I at least could check. Would be terrible if I didn't and forever lost my chance.

- I don't like being pitied, so I reserve pity for those I dislike. If I like you, it's as if I bypass that emotion and go straight to simply knowing that you deserve good things and wanting you to have good things. Might be furious if that doesn't happen, too. And if I can facilitate that, then awesome. If not, hopefully, someone else will. The point is for you to be well.

My life has been a series of mixed events, one leading to another, that got me to places I would not have imagined I'd ever be. But once there, there were things I felt like I must do. And the more I didn't do them, the worse I felt. It's as if everything happened for a reason, and it was pushing me to continue to go along with it, but that's kind of crazy to believe (realistically, there's probably more than one reason). And yet, crazy things keep happening. So, what is sensible to believe?

All I know for sure is that life can be confusing, frightening, and horrible. And that can be unbearable if you're alone. I'd rather kindred spirits aren't.

Hello, Newcomer!

One month into what I’d call a new cycle, I’d like to make a quick recap of what you’ve missed if you’re a newcomer along with a few points on what you should know.

This is still in the early stages and I’ll probably keep saying that for a while! I have long-term plans for what I’m doing so, next to what I’ve visualized and am aiming for, this is still messy preparation. It’s like arriving at a party while it’s still being set up. Can’t expect optimal hosting yet, but you’re extra appreciated for helping out or simply being patient.

I may seem strangely unbothered by my lack of audience (we are still just a few), but I’m not really in a rush for a wide one (I’m not an example to follow if you are). I started this with the intention of eventually reaching “mini-me’s” who are struggling with what I’ve struggled (people similar to me and on a similar path but who are a little behind in aspects of it). However, it seems that I’m currently in a period of honoring my ancestors and heeding their guidance instead. Yet, I have so much faith in all of it because I’m certain that, if you’re art-obsessed like me, sooner or later, one way or another, we’ll be in a carefully crafted universe that is worth every second.

Then again, I still exhort you to have other sources of content for your needs and wants as I cannot cover them all now or ever. I’ll keep occasionally curating those I can deem trustworthy or at least worthwhile, but you should still go after what you require to keep going forward. Also, limit or moderate your consumption of my content if and when it is counterproductive to you and where you are (get back to more of it when that’s no longer the case).

There are times when I would like for things to move along faster, but maybe this is running on divine timing and rushing it would defeat the purpose. What do I know as a mere mortal? Admittedly, it’s like I’ve dodged a few bullets already. Sometimes what you believe you want is not what you need. And I’m currently happy to be working toward my goals with various types of support from people I’d gladly be grateful and reciprocal toward.

As usual, if you have any concerns, you can let me know and I’ll see if there’s anything I can do about it that’s still in alignment with my mission.

Be warned, though, I don’t promise eternal and constant pleasantness. I only promise to persistently strive to be and remain authentic. This means that there will be ups and downs, steps back and then forward, and a range of thoughts and feelings. Which, in my opinion, leads to some of the best art and you can take it as an invitation to allow yourself the same. As long as it is not seriously detrimental to you and/or to others, it’ll be fine. I do value some degree of safety and stability, though, so I’ll give notice and take precautions whenever I can.

Furthermore, don’t let my invisibility deceive you. I’ve been online since mIRC days, observing (and often discussing) online behavior across the web. I’m not as naive as I look. Nor are those closest to me.

Lastly, you’re more than welcome to become a regular if your intentions are good. I don’t consider myself too strict, but users and abusers might disagree. Nevertheless, if this place feels right for you, then I’m glad you found me and are around!