Max Riffner

The Parlor

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New Discoveries

There have been several things thus far this week that have been spurring on some exciting self-discoveries and improvements:

1. Backpack: The first day I received my Golden Ticket, I was also installing Tiger, so I didn’t mess around with Backpack too much. It started innocently – just posting a couple reminders for some things later in the week. Then it became a page of notes for something that I would normally send to myself in a bunch of vague emails that I would probably never read again. Last night, I upgraded to a paid plan so I could upload a mess of inspiration and research images to a new page for a bicycling jersey design that I’m working on for my wife’s RAGBRAI team. This project doesn’t need Basecamp – that would be overkill. Some people have called it a digital notebook. Me, I’m thinking it is my own administrative assistant! I’m in love with this friggin’ thing!
2. Yoga: I really didn’t think I’d get into this as much as I have, but after three classes under Ben’s steady tutelage, I’m having a blast. It is a workout, but it is so much more, also. Every week, we are supposed to focus on something we would like to get out of the class, and sure enough, this week I drank the Kool Aid or something because I felt like my personal goal was summarily achieved. Plus, we get to do half-handstands (which is harder than you would think) – it makes me feel like a bit of a kid again doing those. I feel great after class. My posture this week has been amazing (especially after those handstands, let me tell you). It is also just amazing to see one of my friends transition into a role that he seems born into doing. Ben is a damn fine teacher; there is no “ha-ha, dude” action going on when I’m there. He’s the instructor and I’m there to learn. And yeah, I’ve started a Backpack page for yoga notes.
3. My Inner Comic Artist: I finally got my first page finished in this updated style, but I honestly have to say it is one of the best pages I’ve ever done. The Chief even commented that everything matched, which as you might recall had been a worry of mine (backgrounds not matching character styles and vice versa). I pulled off some tough shots, everything looks like it belongs in the world I’ve built, and I think it flows well from panel to panel. I can’t wait to get the other pages done now that I’ve worked through my internal issues (confidence and competency). I feel like I’m coming into my own with my art, about 150 pages later (the complete Golden Boy and various other little projects), but still better late than never.

Wednesday May 4, 2005    

a-train
May 4, 11:04 AM

# 1

Where are you going for yoga? I’ve been thinking about doing this myself. Was kind of looking into the Bikram (hot room) yoga, but haven’t yet for some reason.

a-train

Max
May 4, 11:24 AM

# 2

Lighthouse Yoga is the name of the place. They practice Anusara yoga, but I have to say that it is pretty warm in there. Not Bikram levels, but I start to sweat instantly when we begin stretching.

My class isn’t listed yet on the schedule, but if you are interested you should shoot Ben an email! It is a great beginner’s class.

You can also browse through the Parlor archives.