Now THAT's what I'm talking about. This guy in Poland has constructed a Star Destroyer from Legos that has over 40,000 bricks, 6-1/2 feet long and 110 pounds - don't drop it! I particularly liked the pics if the construction Mini-Figs on coffee break. Is everything awesome in the Star Wars Universe?? And the construction method he used has all flat plate bricks, so you don't see the typical Lego studs. So the surface of the ship is flat plates just like it would if it was real... Wait... It is real - no, it's a Sci-Fi fantasy... But the ship is right there in the pictures, but... I'll stop arguing with myself long enough to share the link.

Hello all. I've been away for far too long. Got a decent job in the Energy Trade, so learning a new facet of design. Also started up a jazz band, M-Town Jazz Jam and non-profit, SJMEP.org. That has become my latest hobby and we sent 44 kids to summer school to learn an instrument. Check out the links if you want to know more. I'm also going to try my best to get back to animating. I have characters ready, just need proper motivation and time. Thanks for listening...

Damn' Pancreatic Cancer

I really don't like when events like this come along. I recently lost a friend to the same (type of) reaper, and he was very active in his community as well. Both are major losses, no matter status or position in our society. They were both 'Do-ers'. I would like to become more of a Do-er than an Idea guy and these guys push me, although in a passive sense of meaning. Well, our lives are indeed short, and it's events like these that drive me to recognize that - and focus on what is important and what REALLY needs to be done.

We lost a true visionary and rebel yesterday. His company made the first computer that I owned. He pushed boundaries and people to be better and maintain the cutting edge of what is technologically possible. He embodied minimalistic design, getting more out of that design and improving quality of life in the same package. It started like most of the American dreams do - in a garage. He made technology for the masses, not for the money (of course, that came along as well). He Helped a struggling animation company become one of the juggernauts of the industry. I'm certain there are many more points to mention, but I am just a fan and don't want to bore you.

This event also leads me to wonder who will be shaping our technological future now? Will the envelope stagnate? I'm sure he left some instructions... I just hope that there are more real visionaries (Do-ers) out there to push in the same directions. And it is also my hope that they are for the people and not the corporate money gods - you know what I mean.

Steve Jobs...R.I.P.

Thinking about this road we are going down.

While listening to Miles today, I came across a notion that stopped to make me think for a second. The subject hits home, so I hope you might do the same.

Camden, the poorest (or really close to it) city in NJ, hired the elementary band school teacher which Medford - one of the richest town in South Jersey, laid off. Now, Medford had to lay him off since they could not afford to keep him, as well as the other elementary band teacher. It is also well documented that Art and Music are the first things to go when budgets get tight.

Now, we have all had to make cut backs lately. I have finally found a job after being laid off for 14 months. But why does the Medford township school board layoff teachers and not trim for other areas like administration? Heck, I have heard one of the secretaries in the school district clears $100,000. Another school has 12 vice-principals. Why can't the administrators start multitasking? I have two kids, a job, (and now) a part-time job and after-school activities, I'm not Superman, but we manage. The point here is 'why layoff teachers who directly interface with our kids, and opt for the overly expensive management that coordinate and push papers'. I'm certain that I am over-simplifying their jobs, but I have to wonder what the Superintendent is thinking - or is he a politician before an educator? And the teacher's Union isn't helping us either.

Last year, after a presentation by my daughters' class on a neat Promethean smart board, we found out that all of the classes in the school were to get one in the coming year. How much does that cost? Purchase, installation, training? - I'm pretty sure that could pay for a teachers salary for a year. The question comes down to what is really necessary. I'm all for keeping up with technology, but when so much is on the line, I start to wonder what is really necessary.

I'll get to my point, does a smart board help our kids? They really don't, they are a tool for the teacher. It helps the teachers by making their computer presentations and notes which they write on the board printable so they can just hand them out rather than teaching kids how to take notes (it's a narrow vision, I admit). Can't the way things were displayed last a little longer till the recession is over? And please understand, this is NOT about bashing the teachers or the Smart board manufacturers, I just would like to coax the school district to employ a few more teachers.

OK, let's talk about how music has been stripped out of the elementary curriculum. What does music do? It teaches kids about culture, it helps them to communicate and grow socially, it also gives them something else to do than sit in front of the TV. It evens the playing field between the kids that are skilled at sports and those that aren't. And they play 'together'. Does a smart board help with social skills? People, if there is anything our kids need - it has to be social skills.

I know that there are programs installed in the Elementary curriculum to teach social skills. But the great thing about music is that the social skills are built-in, not bashed into their brains with videos and sporadic discussion - snore... And they get a sense of community from something that simple... It's not about exclusion. It's not about competition at this level. It's about new skills and community - playing together for a common purpose. Learning to communicate with anyone through the played note or refrain - it's liberating to think of it. And it's fun to too, what's there not to gain?

Now, what does the Camden school district understand that Medford does not? I'm certain that there are programs and other red tape in the school funding systems which I do not know of or can begin to fathom. But that does not make me ignorant of the fact that education is about growing 'civilized people'. And if we forget about culture and social skills, we will be heading down a bad stretch of road.

What decisions our school board makes today will affect 'us all' down the road - it's alot to take in when you think of it in those terms. We are stewards of our future by our decisions, and learning should not be black & white where basic knowledge is the only thing 'we' think is necessary to teach our children. There is much to be learned from culture - not just past culture, but the ones which our children will forge enabled with a broad spectrum of knowledge through, Math, Music (which also has math built-in too), Literature, Art, Social Studies, and so on. By cutting an important part of learning out of our children's elementary experience - and that is EXACTLY what they are going through - an experience, we are cheating them and ourselves in the long run... So who do these cuts help?


-No one


...thanks for listening.

Animation Reel 2011

Hello all,

I hope all is well on your end(s).

I have completed putting together my demo reels for 2011 - any feedback is welcome.

Animation reel

Modeling reel

Rigging reel

If you have any need for 3d help or know of others how need a hand, please let me know.

Thank you for listening...

Checking out the iPad2

I have to admit that the knew tablet is a pretty neat gizmo. Since my buddy Jon & I are putting together the next big social networking icon, I am seriously considering making an investment in one of these. Besides, the larger keys are way more friendly to my fat digits.

Spamalot Pit Crew

Hello all.

It's been about 4 days since the last show of Spamalot at the Ritz, and I must admit that I am having separation anxiety. These guys were so much fun to play with and the cast and crew were all 24 karats.

Here we are 'shoe-horned' into our 15'x4' space, stage left in the theatre. The line up from left to right is: Gary Jackere on Drums, Me (Dale Storer) on Bass, Brian Bacon on Keyboard (also Conductor), Jim Sheffer on Trumpet and Steve Grenhart on Woodwinds.


This is us at the Opening Night after-work party. I'm gonna miss these guys.

There is something to be said for working with people that are talented and have easy-going attitudes. That makes it less like work and more like fun - and getting paid for it.

Hopefully we can do more soon! And thanks go out to Gary Jackere for supplying the photos.

...Thanks for listening...

Just landed a Killer Gig

Hello all.
I am so jazzed (literally)! I got a small gig playing bass in the orchestra for 'Spamalot'!

It's playing at the Ritz Theatre in Haddon Twp., NJ

Now - I'm a Monty Python freak from way back, I caught it from my late brother, George (I think I was 8). And in keeping with tradition, I passed the bug on to my son a couple years back (I think HE was 8). -Although due to mature content restrictions, I have only turned him onto The Holy Grail and any TV episodes I can find on the DVR (my wife still blames me...).

Karma has blessed me with the most pleasant fortune and timing to find this gig on Sunday evening and start practicing with the cast yesterday - the Show opens this Friday, October 22nd @ 8:00!

I found the gig on craigslist (the ONLY job listing site that I actually get 'callbacks' from). I sent the email out, got a call from Brian Bacon (conductor & killer keyboard player) 5 minutes later, picked up the score and a CD an hour after that and started cramming (it wasn't jamming - that will be happening by Thursday-ish).
Last night I did the entire 2nd act by sight-reading and it was... a blast! The one actor who is doing the French soldier/Lead Knight who said 'Ni'/Conjurer Tim, nailed the part(s). He had me splitting my side so bad I had to cover my mouth to stifle my chuckling - I actually missed a cue or 2...^o^. The other guys were at it too - his obvious talent was not wasted on me alone. Of course, being steeped in the classics, I was the one guy in my 2'x2' corner back stage-right, bass in lap, slamming an imaginary block of wood against my forehead during the 'Monks' scene - good times.

The guys in the orchestra (& myself) went back through some of the songs after rehearsal and we started gelling - it only took 4 hours ^_^. I can't stress the coolness that happens when 5 musicians who just met, belt out the songs and get a groove in such a short amount of time. I dig being part of the clan. Later, Brian & I were helping Gary the drummer out to his car with his cases. The cast (getting a pep-talk by the director, Bruce Curless) in the foyer applauded - what a shot in the arm! Imagine when we get the groove really going. I practically blushed.

You know, this takes me back to my High School daze (NBC - now 'Northern') when I played bass in the School musicals (and one for $ at Holy Cross, Delran) - Thanks, JL (John Lindner, teacher and mentor)! He (JL) had me playing tuba for a year an a half before I even looked at the bass - but I sincerely Thank Him for teaching me 2 instruments and the joy that comes from being a good musician. And since I am having a bit of a time getting real work. **Important Note - do not take that last line as meaning that that this ISN'T real work - The cast and crew has been at this since August and they put everything into it! I am just the new comer to this team. And I am so glad to have these skills to recall and use for a positive purpose (and the karma that comes with it).

The show is playing through to the 20th of November. So please get out and support your local arts, friends. And just enjoy the exuberant, overly-acted, silliness that IS Monty Python. And Many Thanks to Mr. Eric Idle and John Du Prez (as well as Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and all the imported, Peruvian llamas).

...Thanks for Listening...


...PS. Last night (10/20) while walking to my truck with my gear, my neighbor asked if I was going to play banjo for them ^_^. I told him about the gig and he took a step back and kept on saying," Spamalot? At the Ritz?!?" After a couple confirmations, he said that his oldest son was playing Sir Galahad - that's the gent all the way on the left. It truly is a small world.

...digging the karma... (and I am STILL having to cover my mouth backstage to stifle my laughter)

The size of things

Hello all,

A friend of mine on Facebook, Susan Poliniak, posted this link.

It was so cool, I had to post it here. It is a presentation of the size of things. From the edge of the known Universe, down to the Quantum Foam (Einstein's 'Fabric of the Universe'). Those of us that read Michael Crichton's 'Timeline' can relate. And it's the book - NOT the movie, the books are ALWAYS better... Anywho, please take a little time and learn a thing or two.

Thanks Susan!

...and Thanks for listening...

Why all those toolbars?

Hi All,

Replying to Kini's comment got me thinking about another item which I think is important for those that download a bunch of 'FREE' stuff and wonder why their computer system is running slow.

OK, here's a rule that I was taught by my Father, James H. Storer BEFORE the internet and it is still true today... "Nothing is free."

Folks, it's common sense - which is not common at all these days. If someone gives you something for free, they are poking a hole in your back pocket for your change to fall out.

I'll make my point: When you download the latest 'cute/neat/killer/sick' game or app, don't just keep clicking on the OK and NEXT buttons during the install. Read the fine print. When I upgraded my Java yesterday, It wanted to install a Bing toolbar. I installed AVG Free (antivirus software) and it wanted to install an AVG toolbar. Now, I'm OK with people wanting to forward their brand, but these toolbars are backdoors for other things (Spyware, Malware, etc.) to get into your systems. Not that (all) these people are crooked, they just don't upgrade the toolbars and hackers will use any means to send your private info to someone who will pay them big bucks for it.

Think about it. Microsoft puts out patches and updates to their software on a nearly weekly basis to keep the bad guys out of your systems. When was the last time I saw a Google toolbar update? - Hmmmmm. I've never seen one of them... And if you have these toolbars in Internet Explorer - the hackers can get right into the base command of your operating system and then all bets are off!

Friends (and I mean that), why do we need a toolbar to search Google, when we can search Google in the built-in 'search box' in the top right of Internet Explorer or Firefox? My advice, uninstall the toolbars - they clutter-up your browser(IMHO) and do nothing but allow junk (that's a nice way of saying what I really mean) into your system. The junk (Spyware, Malware, etc.) takes down your Firewall without you seeing it, and lets in more junk which makes your system slow to a crawl. Then it's too late and you are calling guys/companies like me (which I can't say that I mind) to fix the problem.

I have seen one such system that Windows defender was down, the Firewall was down and I couldn't get either one back up. And I couldn't do a 'System Restore' to an earlier date to try to fix it - the junk in the system erased them! The only thing to do was to Pull the personal info from the system and wipe it clean and start over (FYI. When I connected to Microsoft to get updates, I stopped counting at 71.) And that was a system where unsuspecting kids were playing 'free' games and not doing Antivirus/Spyware updates and scans. Computers are like anything else - you need to do maintenance to keep 'em healthy - do the updates and scans at least every 2 weeks!

So, If you have made it this far and not fallen asleep. I will award you the 'Geek Medal of Honor'.


Now Let's chant the anti-toolbar mantra of system cleanliness:

"Toolbars are for Mars...Toolbars are for Mars...
Toolbars are for Mars...Toolbars are for Mars".

OK, that should about do it for this post. Thanks for listening...

Just Geekin'

Hello all,

Today I wanted to do something other than I normally do, so I figured on getting some 'geek' on. Actually, I geek pretty much everyday. Anyways, I went ahead and made a 'Persona' for the Firefox web browser. It's an add-on that places an image background in the header and footer of your Firefox browser. (I prefer most things non-MS)

Here's the link if you want to check it out (Shameless Plug of self-promotion). The persona features Mo, from my upcoming Children's book and Animated short. It's the same guy you see above in the blog header. I figured if you couldn't get enough plastic cuteness and had to navigate from this blog, you could keep him on your browser for constant distraction!

Payback

Hello all,

IMHO I think that our kid's time span of 'childhood' is shrinking. The amount of information available (and not so good info) is staggering and most children grow up way too fast. As parents, we rush around taking care of work (I'm laid-off, so I find myself busier than ever between my 'Start up', running errands and the Honey-do list) and having not much time to let kids be kids. I really can't say that I agree with the amount of academia our kids have on them today. We need more culture, people - too much 'reality', sports, competitiveness, rude behavior and pushing kids (not in that order), I believe contributes to the shocking headlines of these poor kids when they snap.

(OK, I'll get off my soap box and onto the point of the post ^_^)

Last week I played a small gig in this great spot called Kindergarten. It's right down the road and I suggest it to any Dad that has a talent for playing music. Really Dad's, they won't miss you that much at work if you call in sick (hint-hint), and if you're laid-off, absolutely no excuses... There was no money involved, took me a few hours for prep. of materials, some practicing, and the payback was immense!

Ally on the left, my late brother George's guitar, center...

There is an activity called 'Centers' in Mrs. Bray's Kindergarten class. It's where a volunteer parent (I'm the only Dad so far) comes in and does an activity with the class. This is the second one I have done. Last time, I read "Don't let the Pigeon ride the Bus" - one of my favorites from Mo Willems (since the kids get involved and get to say 'No' during the book) and then the kids put together Construction paper buses which I cut out the day before.

Good Times.

This time I sang "Bingo", "This Old Man" with cue cards for the kids to follow along.

I also did Ice Cream Man by VH for the potty break,
and No - Eddie VH, I am NOT ^_^.
Check out the kid in green - right back at ya, bro.

I believe that steeping kids in the classics is paramount. After that, it was 3 books including "Parts", and 2 Dr. Seuss - "Sneeches on the Beaches" and "Fox in Socks". I can't really say which of the Dr.'s books are my favorites - they both are so great.

If you are looking for the defacto standard
of tongue-twisters to read to kids, "Fox in Socks" is it.
Thanks to Mr. Wigley (my son's 5th grade teacher) for having me
read it for his class, introducing me to a wonderful book
that is a challenge to read at a normal pace and gets the kids giggling.
(I ran out and bought it that day)

The payback I mentioned came that Friday afternoon. My Wife went in to school for "Tea time with Mom" for Mother's day, and she spoke with a few of the Moms there - she is one of the 'Room Mom's for Ally's class. They said that their kids were singing "Bingo" and "This old Man" out of the blue. When asked, they said some Dad came in with a guitar and they all sang together - SCORE!!!

I plan on doing an encore next month, so if you have any suggestions - I'm all ears. And remember friends, Don't play down to kids - just play with them.

thanks for listening...

Music - Michael LuBrant

Hello all,

Well it's been a long road, and I love it when life affords us the karma that comes when paths cross of good people whom you haven't seen in so long. Remember folks, it's a journey. I feel lucky to be given one of these moments a couple weeks back.

When I worked at Teknion, I worked with a cool guy, Michael LuBrant in the IS (IT) department. I also played bass with him once or twice at open mic nights. Back then, he had already began his musical career recording his own music - and it was good then. I bumped into him, and he turned me onto his latest stuff - You have to check it out!

The music from his latest CD, 'Any Road You Take' shows his accomplishment and maturity as a singer/songwriter. From the rock beat in 'Long Time Gone' to his soulful balladeer's delivery in 'Rainy Sunday', Michael demonstrates his formidable songwriting ability. 'A Little More Time' hearkens back to 80's influences from pop music and shows more of the vast creativity he possesses. No need to look further, his music is fresh, soulful and you can see right into him and feel what he gives to you.

Like I said...karma. It's the best.

...Thanks for listening...

Animation: Moe Test

Hello all,

Here is a quick animation I made of an original character for my upcoming Flyball Short. His name is Moe. He's all happy now, but keep an eye on him. His mood can change at a moment's notice. ^_^ / -_-



...thanks for listening...

3d Rigging: Free Lightwave character- Pawn

The year before last, I designed a character named Pawn which I was going to use for animating shorts to use in my (upcoming) reel. I still plan to use him, but sometime life gets in the way of getting the personal projects done.

I visit the 11second club here and there. They have a monthly animation competition for the fun of it and they have free rigs for Max, Maya, etc. But they never have any free rigged characters for us Lightwavers.

So I found a need to fill... Why not clean him up a bit and post him for free for others to use and learn by picking the rig apart? I have learned so much from these forums - I taught myself 3d, no university schooling yet ^_~. I thought this would be a good opportunity to give back, for so much I have taken.

I contacted the 11second club a few times to offer it for free to the users with no response - maybe I'm on their spam list. So I decided to go to the source and post the rig for free on the Spinquad and the Newtek forums.

Of course with human nature, there is always someone riding your coat-tails or trying to steal your fire. My thread on the Newtek forums got Hi-jacked by a guy in the UK offering his own rig for free to reel in people to buy his tutorials and all. Well, he has to pay for his schooling somehow - no worries, there's always one.

Anyways, mine has a control panel to manipulate the facial morphs and mouth for lip sync - his doesn't even have a mouth ^ ^... Live and let live.

...thanks for listening...

Rendering: Li & Fung,New York, NY

This is a visualization which I did for an office furniture client in New York. It was a space planning and color scheme exercise, that is why you see 2 countertops with different colors.

Renderings: Game Development

Back in 2001, I made some concept art and 3d models for an independent game company in New York. The game never went too far in development due to the developer cancelling production. Here are a few images that I made for the proposed game.
2d concepts


3d images just before production was canceled...

Animation: Flag Icons

I also made some animated gifs for an Administrator of a racing web forum. I developed these in 3d studio Max 4 back in 2001.

Renderings: David Wolfe Design

Some more visualization renderings I found while going through my old CD's.
This is a rendering of a Cherry corner hutch for a colleague. He did get the job to make and install the hutch for a private client.

These are visualizations of a proposed niche installation at the Double Tree hotel in Center City, Philadelphia back in 2001. Both of these renderings were made in AutoCAD 2000i and 3d Studio Max v4.

Web Development: Artist & 3d Render Client

Here are 2 links to web sites which I developed.

This is the first site I made for a client. It was made back in 2002 for a former colleague who was doing a start-up, and done in HTML and JavaScript. HS Studios

This site I co-designed with a former colleague in 2007. It is a bit more involved then the one I made five years earlier. I was responsible for the Web Graphics in Adobe Photoshop and ImageReady, and developed and incorporated 2 Flash plug ins, a slide show and mp3 player. The mp3 player does not have any volume since I did this site for free (come to think of it, I did the first one for free too). This site was made for a starving artist in Mullica Hill, NJ. Once I had the site development done and needed content, the client dropped off the face of the earth. ie. We couldn't get any information from him, so I only have the site without content to complete it. Shepherd

Feel free to contact me if you would like more information about the programming behind the sites.