Ode to Confusion

I love pics from high-speed cameras! 

Coat hangers

Chalk

Gum

Paint on body parts

Holographs

Computer pieces

Pencils

Tyres

2010 has been, by far, the most INSANE year of my life. In a good way though :) It’s been a year of extreme learning and maturing, of great joy and, at rare times, disappointment, which God has shown me a lot through.

Perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learnt is that school, and more specifically academic learning, does NOTHING to prepare you for the working world… it just gives you the gateway to get the job you need. Really hectic shock! But it’s good… I feel like I have a bit of an edge over others my age with my year’s working experience :)

Reason for this is because, early in the year, I was asked to work at Electromode, an independent record label… throughout the year, I’ve been in my dream job, having the privilege to work with some of my most favourite artists ever: Lonehill Estate, JR, Jack Parow, Auriol Hays, Voodoo Child and many, many others! It has been incredible, and I’ve gotten VIP access to many shows, been behind the scenes at music video shoots/interviews, and gotten to interact with musicians whom I really look up to! Amazing!

However, it’s also been the greatest learning experience! There is no culture shock like moving from 12 years at a conservative, closed up Christian school, to a hardcore record label, full of the most insane, arty, and just plain weird people you’ll ever meet! It’s really awesome though - I’ve learnt a whole lot more about different sorts of people and the world around me through it, and have learned to absolutely hate prejudice (which, whether they like to admit it or not, was subtly ingrained into my school’s attitude). The most important thing Electromode has taught me is a sense of responsibility, open-mindedness (in a good way, of course), and to relax and have fun :)

One of the SAMAs our artists won this year

Behind the scenes at Teargas’ “Take It Easy” music video shoot

http://www.facebook.com/gmanagement#!/album.php?aid=22464&id=136658916364495

The artists I work with! Love them :) what humble, talented people!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=443365516868&ref=mf

A video I edited from Auriol Hays’ interview at Highveld! Amazing voice!

I also had the honour of taking care of three kids in the early beginnings of the year, which taught me a lot about being patient, loving and how to treat kids, which I’m super grateful for! Definitely experience I’ll always find valuable!

Jaydene - the youngest of the three kids I was caring for.

Music wise, this has been an AWESOME year! By chance, I’ve gotten to play in a rocking melodic band, The NewDeavs, as a rhythm guitarist! We have 11 original songs, and they are quite catchy! :) really proud of the band - they’re so talented! I’ve also been given the opportunity to play on stage this year, for the first time ever, and it is really great to play to an appreciative audience! Definitely something to put on the bucket list for any budding muso!

I’m not the greatest of guitar players, but I’m sure glad the band has taken me in and made me part of them! :)

The NewDeavs! :D

Friendship-wise, 2010 has been a really hectic year, that’s taught me a lot about human interaction and psychology… it’s sadly taught me not to be so trusting of people, no matter how long you’ve known them. This year I had my first major fight and, consequentially, fallout with someone I considered a good friend, over nothing essentially, besides a psychological block really. Couldn’t have prevented it though, even if I tried as the anger wasn’t originating from me… so I’ve taken it as a learning experience instead of something to regret :) 

On the flip side though, this year has also brought me closer to a whole bunch of people, who I’m so grateful God has put in my life! They are all amazing and I couldn’t live without them!

Hanny, I miss you! :(

Morne, a cool, new friend and also an awesome photographer, who’s taken a lot of beautiful photos for the NewDeavs!

Primi Piatti fun with Topher, Steve and others :)

Cool photo of Topher! Can’t flip it around though, for some strange reason…

At Soccer City, watching SA vs. Ghana, with Steve, Topher, Laila, Nikki and the Crous twins! :)

And of course, my absolute favourite! :) what would I do without Steve? :)

Love this guy! :)

Last, but certainly not least, spiritual stuff… 2010’s been tough, because I’ve been removed from that safe, comfortable Christian environment I found myself in last year, and for the first time, I’ve had to stand up for what I believe is right at times. Which, is actually really good… it’s shown me how to stand up for myself a tiny bit, and also to think about the reasons I believe the things I do… a really, really growing experience.

I’ve also become a lot more open-minded about things… not letting fundamental aspects of Christianity slip, on the contrary… rather, getting to the core of what Christianity is about: loving the Lord your God, and your neighbour as yourself. And it’s been an amazing journey! :)

May the rest of 2010 be just as interesting! :D