It was pretty good.

Akemi and I ate it while watching MOON, which was also pretty good. It started off a bit shaky, as if they were going for some cheesy mid-2000s technology-horror vibe (think The Ring), but it quickly straightened out into a thoughtful and entertaining journey to the center of the human condition. The feel good event of the summer. Okay, that was phony, but I swear I really liked the film. A guy stranded in space with a robot — what’s not to like? If you squint hard enough, one of his meals even looks like pizza. I am going to be writing a short science-fiction story before the summer is through, and it will deal with some similar topics. I won’t offer any spoilers for either the film or my little deal, but of course, like most interesting things, they both discuss death and stuff. (In a poetic way, not like some cheesy horror movie or something.)

I just read this very good interview with Jim from Pennywise, who recently left that band after about 20 years to start a new one. He seems to be right there with everyone who criticized Pennywise for sounding the same for so long, but his words suggest a problem that artists face once they find something that people like. Being successful is fun (probably), so do you try to recreate the magic you’ve just found? Or do you continue to push forward toward something else? There’s no shame in being comfortable; some of the best artists find a style and stick with it, using their career to explore the limits of their “voice.” In fact, if these Limited Edition prints sell out, I’ll happily go sand all the paint off of another car as soon as I can. But until then, I’m going to give that sci-fi story a shot.

I think it’s best to stay busy, experimental, and open. I know for my work that even though the forms may range widely, it’s pretty clear it’s all coming from the same place (my brain). Same thing goes for my pal Joe Winter, who was a grad student at UCSD while I was an undergrad. Everything he does is “different,” but completely traceable from one work to the next. And completely awesome.