Random Stats on the Random Post

How about this for a random post.. Some random statistics! I know, just too exciting. I personally watch my stats closely. It keeps me entertained. I guess that's just my inner nerd. Anyway, let's begin.


My audience is in the United States and Canada.

Number 1 referring site: Facebook.com
Number 2 referring site: Visionsfantastic.com
Number 3 referring site: Twitter.com

Most popular Browsers:

1. Firefox
2. Chrome (really? Who uses chrome?)
3. Safari
4. Mobile

Most popular operating systems:

1. Windows
2. Macintosh
3. Other
4. Ipad (Awesome!)

Page views last month= 102 (boo!)

All time highest view month= January, 2011. (yaay!)

Anyway, just a short post right now. I'll be working on more detailed posts in the future. Stay awhile and check out all the new stuff! Let me know what you think of it. Don't forget to say a quick hello in the Chatbox!

-Austen

Summer is in the Air

I may have a cold, but part of this is allergies. I know every year that when my bad allergies hit, summer is around the corner. That, and the sun was out today. It was actually a beautiful, warm day today. I can't wait for summer. We've had so much rain this year it's crazy. I'm ready to go swimming, to BBQ, to relax and enjoy the long sunny days and cool nights with friends. I'm excited to see all the trees and bushes start to bloom. Ah, summer. What could be better?

Finally! New Design!

So I had some spare time, and I thought I'd update my blog a bit. Things from colors, fonts, gadgets, etc. It's been a long while since I did some major work on it. I'm excited, and I think it looks nice! I'm especially loving the Chatbox!

Anyway, feel free to comment or send a message in the Chatbox saying if you like the new changes or not. And don't forget to take the survey!


Thanks for your support in reading what I have to write, even if I don't blog a ton. I'm going to start posting more frequently, but school and work easily gets in my way.


Thanks again,
Austen

DCA in 10 Days!

In 10 days, I'll be attending the D23 Mixer in Anaheim, California. I'm going with a great Cast Member friend of mine. I'm excited to finally see World of Color, ElecTRONica, and to take pictures of all the construction. It's been awhile since I've been to DCA. I'm looking forward to get away from school and work for a day.

However, my mother isn't so happy. She is actually freaking out. This is the first time that I will be driving to LA by myself. She wants me to ride with someone, because she doesn't want me to fall asleep on my way home. And she is just nervous about my trip there, with traffic and such. I understand, but I think I can do it.

Here is her list to me on what I need to do before I leave:

1. Get my flashers fixed. (I agree)
2. Buy a car charger for my phone.
3. Change my oil. (It needs it)
4. Leave by 10pm. NO LATER! (says she)
5. Buy coffee when I leave, and stop at Magic Mountain to get some more.
6. Roll down my window if I get tired. (I'll pass on this. I don't like my windows down.)

I only live about 2 hours away from Anaheim. It's not a major trip. And if I get stranded.. Oh well! :D Guess I'll just have to stay at Disneyland for another day. Dang. (hehe)

Anyway, I'm looking forward to it. I think it will be a great time. I'll be sure to keep you updated, and blog about my adventures down there.

Political Rant- Fair Thinking

Hey all.

I'm taking this short time I have to post something that has been troubling me for a few weeks. Now, I say this over and over, and I'm going to say it again. I'm not the best at describing or communicating my ideas. So please, bear with me.


I've decided to blog this. Because I don't want to offend anyone on Facebook. I don't want this turning into a huge debate. I don't want to lose friends, or think less of them, or have them think less of me. Many, many people have made me want to do this. I feel this is an appropriate place and time. Even for the short crowd and few friends who are going to read this. Well, here it goes.

Let me just say it straight forward before I go into detail.

Your democrat. I'm republican. Your (Insert different religion here). I'm Christian. I respect that you believe what you do, and you are who you are. Honestly, I do. I promise. But I'm not feeling the respect back. No, in fact, I'm feeling pretty mad about what I feel I'm getting back.

Let's start with this. Everyone is a hypocrite. Everyone is. It's just like how everyone lies. Everyone does it. Some more, some less. It's nature. Ok?

Now, I'm going to use democrat Vs. republican in this rant of mine. Because I'm republican.

You believe what you do. You probably like Obama. You probably are for gay marriage. Ok. I respect that! Honestly, I do!

Now, I don't like him, and I'm not for that. Here's where it gets interesting. Tension occurs, and fights begin. You don't respect what I believe. You always have to be right, I am wrong. That's not the democrat or republican way. That's human nature.

Look, this is what I'm saying. You believe and are for what you believe and are for. I obviously differ than that, and believe different things. Let's respect each other for that, say "OK, your still a friend of mine." Fighting about this isn't going to change my mind, and it isn't going to change your mind. So let's just skip that part.

Here is where my personality shows. I don't try to shove this down your throat. I rarely post republican propaganda. And if I do, it dang sure isn't offensive to you. It's just about republican-ness, just like how your posting about democrat-ness. We differ on thoughts. THAT'S OK! Let's just say, cool, and move on.

I like politics. I don't like how some things are being run, but that's ok. Because you don't like all of it either.

Now for my republican friends-

You are giving ALL of us a bad reputation. You, who are probably Christian, do NOT trust God in all this. Not every Muslim is a terrorist. Instead of thinking this way, just be a good, Christian influence to them. Don't force it down their throat. Don't even bring up religion. Just be kind. It's really not that hard. I do it everyday. I never bring religion up to people. Somehow, someway, the convo just comes up on it. And in the right time, you can both share it. If it is ment to be, it will be. This is just one example. Here is another: I'm not for gay marriage. But I have many gay friends. I don't hate them, I'm not going to sit there and say: "Your going to hell! God hates you!", No, That's the most un-Christian thing I could ever do. In fact, I believe that's called judging. Which is a sin also. Instead, I say, I'm not for it, but I respect that you are. And we still are friends who know where each of us stand.


I hope I'm making sense. To both parties, stop the fighting that isn't getting us anywhere. Yea, our people who represent us on both sides aren't the best. Yea, we both have a lot of friends who are different than us. Stand up for what you believe in, but don't blame the other party. We've all made mistakes. Seriously. And we all have different beliefs. No one is perfect, or a perfect candidate for any office.

I really hope you get my point. I'm typing this fast because I'm pretty upset about all this that's going on. It makes me mad.

And lastly- If your going to put it on Facebook, Twitter, or anywhere else, then I have a right to comment on it and share my views. Which are probably different than yours. So think twice about it. Because I don't want to fight and lose friends.

I'll tell this story again. I have a friend. No, a best friend. She is democrat. I'm republican. We had a class everyday together, and EVERYDAY we fought about opposing views. Yet, we still are best friends. If everyone were like that than it would be ok to argue. But some people take it way to personal.




Mkay? Questions? Comments? Let me know if you do.

Today....

Well I woke up sick. I have bad allergies, a headache, and a slight fever. I was supposed to do school and go to a lesson, but I really don't feel like it today. So school can wait one more day. I'm just glad I don't have to work, that would have sucked. ha

So I'm currently on my laptop on my couch, watching movies. Right now I'm watching Kung-Fu Panda. Later I'll probably watch Jurassic Park or Inception.

I hate just laying around! I had stuff I wanted to do today. Hopefully tomorrow I will feel fine. I'm chugging all kinds of liquids. haha


Well, feel free to entertain me someway.


-Austen

Defying Architecture

Do me a favor. Defy architecture. Explain to me how this process is done. Explain to me how you would do it. Explain to me why someone would think this up.

You can defy gravity. That's easy. But architecture? Pretty impossible. I mean, you can't move a part of a building without actually moving it. You can't change something on a building without that change staying.

I'm so glad Disney was invented. Because everyday, they do the impossible. Because they aren't afraid to Dream, and Create new elements in our every day lives. They have defied architecture, in their new projections for their new campaign: The Magic, The Memories, And You!

You see, you give them your pictures you took at a Disney park, and they are projected onto the Castle in Walt Disney World, and on Small World in Disneyland, in their new 10 minute, breathtaking, nighttime inspiration spectacular.

Before I continue, go ahead and watch the video.








Walt Disney has inspired me. The Sherman Brothers have inspired me. Tony Baxter, Marty Sklar, and other Imagineers have inspired me. The rides at Disneyland, atmosphere, firework shows and parades have all inspired me.

But this? This has inspired me like nothing has before. They are continually bringing in new technology in everything they do. That's Disney. But to defy architecture, that's incredible.

This has inspired me more than ever to try my hardest to be sure that one day, I'm a part of that company. Right now, I'm looking over all my options and ways how I can successfully get to Disney, and move to Anaheim. My major is still undecided, although I think I might have finalized some things within the past month.

Creativity. Powerful stuff.

Right now, already so soon, I'm channeling all this creativity and inspirations into this year's show of Winter Light!. (Concept art to come early summer)


I just had to share how powerful this video was for me. I look forward to seeing Disneyland's in person, hopefully soon.



Disney, I'm after you.




-Austen

I just remembered that I can update my blog from my phone.. So.. Heres a pointless update!

And The Nostalgia Hits

In about the middle of January, 2010, I was on Lime wire researching some Disney songs. "A Christmas Fantasy Parade" came up, I listened to it, listened to it again, and again, and again. It was safe to say by that time that Winter Light! 2010! had begun.



It seems weird, but I get my best ideas when I do yard work. So as I'm mowing the yards and trimming everything, I have my ipod in listening to Christmas music, and what songs I could use in the show. Being in the yard while doing this, I can easily imagine where everything goes, and what new props I can incorporate in. I did this through August. And then I got the news that we were moving.



I knew this could be a great thing, or a horrible thing. I didn't care what house we chose, as long as I see potential in the front yard to do a show. The houses we were looking at did not have this potential. I started to lose hope in this year's show, but I know that either way it would be a challenge for me to have a new landscape, and it would only improve my technique and imagination. Either way I would have new things to work with, unlike the old house where I have done a show for the past three years and the landscape was getting old.



One day, our real-estate agent told us about this house on Blythe. We went to look at it, and I stood in the front yard most of the time. I knew this was the one. (The floor plan was just an added bonus! My room isn't much larger, but the vaulted ceilings make it cool.) Sure enough, everything worked out and we chose this house.



We moved in in the beginning of September. The fair followed shortly after that. I knew that I didn't have much time to plan a Christmas and Halloween show. I got the paper and colored pencils out, and started working on it whenever I could. I listened to "A Christmas Fantasy Parade" over and over, while looking out the front window. I walked around the yard, counted the bushes, and got on the roof. I knew that I could do something with this house.



It's the last few days of September, and I know that I have to get started. So I put my rope light around the flowerbed. I was surprised to find that the rope light, which has candy cane looking stakes that I made attached to it, fit perfectly. This was the first sign to my neighbors that we aren't normal.

The wall followed shortly after that, and it was a challenge. I blew many fuses in it, it got tangled, but it worked. I started getting the rest of the lights out of storage, and getting them out of the bins and organizing them into the garage. My mom isn't happy that from September through the beginning of November she can't park in the garage. Oh well.



Halloween hit, and that show turned out great also. My Madam Leota effect turned out better than expected. (Yes, it was complete with flying cards, pumpkins, and flickering candles!)

You will definitely see it in this show also, along with some more effects that I've worked out. (This year, I'm revisiting the popular "Haunted Mansion Holiday: The Nightmare Before Christmas" soundtrack. I worked with it a few years ago, but I would like to make it better this year.)



After Halloween, I had to get some major progress done with Winter Light!. I finished the bushes, put the C-9's up, icicles up, strobes up, chimney, fence, and everything else.

There was just one problem- This took me until less than a week from Thanksgiving. The show starts Thanksgiving night, and I still have hours and hours of programming. (Plus school..)

So I spent every free moment programming it, and finished programming it a few hours before the show started. I didn't even have time to watch it before. (I usually watch it at midnight, so the neighbors don't see it until opening night also.)



Thanksgiving. Opening night. About 50 people there and waiting. Neighbors coming out wondering what the heck is going on. My clock hit 6pm, and I waited the few seconds before "It's A Small World Holiday" (intro song) began playing. The strobes hit at the end, and the "Wows" began. (I'm the only one in Bakersfield that has the strobes. They are common, but I haven't seen any other displays this year that used them.)



I have to say, this year was incredible. For such short notice, quick planning, and rushed programming, it turned out amazing and was one of my best years. I'm not giving any ideas for this year's show away just yet, but I promise you it will be better. I'm working on a few things, and researching some stuff, to really make it different than any other display. (The music, of course, will remain a secret until you come see the show, or until it ends.)



Thank you to everyone who came out and saw it. I enjoyed visiting with you, and going to Starbucks 5 nights out of the week for 2 months. :D



I get a lot of questions from everyone. But one question I got this year a couple of times was "Why do you do this?". Yes, it is fun, entertaining, and cool. But a friend of mine in Arizona who does a display also summed it up best-





"Last night I had a man come up to me and said he brought his father to see my display/show on Christmas night and it was all his father kept talking about. The man went on to say he was back to see the show again and he brought all of his relatives to see the show in honor of his father. It was in honor of his father because he had passed away on Christmas night and the family had gathered for his memorial. They came to pay tribute to him by watching my lights – which he had loved. He finished by saying his mother had passed a few years earlier and he was sure his father and mother were arm in arm watching the show from heaven.



Yes, I became a bit emotional as he told me the story. This is why we do lights…because of the impact it makes, the smiles it brings, and the joy that people take from it. We make memories and some memories do last forever." -Dave





Thank you everyone for the support. I'm looking forward to seeing this year's display.

Speaking of this year.... I only have 324 days until Thanksgiving.. Which means I only have about 290 days until I start setting up!



I'm behind already! :O

Christmas

Well, Christmas is over. It always comes and goes so quickly. This year was a great year, though. Lots of family time, a great light show (That is running until New Year's!), and many pounds gained. (Yet, I am still too skinny.)


Overall a great year. Now on to working this week, and 2011. Hopefully 2011 will be MUCH better than 2010. What a rough year.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas, and has a great New Year.

Again, if you haven't seen Winter Light! yet, come check it out. I think its my best year so far. A video will be out very soon! I'll be sure to post it to Facebook and such. Remember, you can always check out my website for info.


Gotta go get stuff done now.


One last plea to support me by copying this link in the bar and hitting enter. (In other words-- go to the link please. I get paid. Thanks) http://bit.ly/hl0fGX



Have a great day everyone!

Interesting News You Should Know (12/21)

1. Rascal Flatts and Justin Bieber: http://www.chacha.com/topic/justin-bieber-phone-number/news/is-justin-bieber-joining-forces-with-rascal-flatts?cmpid=Austen


2. Neverland Ranch becoming a music school? http://www.chacha.com/topic/michael-jackson/news/will-neverland-ranch-become-a-music-school?cmpid=Austen

3. FREAKY trick by Criss Angel: http://www.chacha.com/topic/criss-angel/news/no-way-this-is-real-right?cmpid=Austen

4. Well that's good to know.. http://www.chacha.com/topic/city/news/seattle-named-the-best-trick-or-treating-city-in-america?cmpid=Austen

5. I like Firefox.. http://www.chacha.com/topic/internet/news/which-browser-reigns-supreme-chrome-or-firefox?cmpid=Austen


That's all for today! Look for another news update shortly.

(I'm getting paid to do this. CLICK THE LINKS!) :)

Winter Light! Update

So far this year, Winter Light!, my Christmas light show, is doing great. It turned out amazing this year. I have about 12,360 lights, almost triple from last year. For having under 3 months to look at this new house's landscape, everything came together quite nicely. A friend videoed it, so I'm excited to see that. My new neighbors seem to like it too. (Thankfully!)


If you haven't seen it yet, feel free to come by. (if you need my address or directions, let me know.)

It's up until New Year's. Shows are nightly.

Here is the website: http://sites.google.com/site/christmaslightshowwinterlight/home
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This concludes the mini update for Winter Light! 2010!