Got to go to a special screening of “My man Godfrey” (1936) at Hotel Roosevelt. I never felt so exclusive.

Its been a while, and may I take this opportunity to apologize to the kind folks who left comments on the last post… comments that didn’t get approved until a few seconds ago. I’m sure you’ve since become disenchanted and stopped reading. So I’ve been in LA for a few months now, certain things are getting easier (getting around, doing laundry, finding and destroying silverfish) but it still doesn’t feel entirely like home. Its an exciting time for me though, and I’m doing my best to make the most of it. And, in this new spirit of optimism that I found while typing that last sentence, I’m deciding to post more frequently. Starting now.

Not to tears, to a new locale. I live right between hollywood and studio city, which basically means there’s lots of traffic and rent is ridiculously high. My new job is great, the people are pretty chill and the work is interesting. I went from not having a window in my last office to having a panoramic view of hollywood and downtown LA from the hills under the hollywood sign. Not to mention the Griffith Observatory on the next hilltop over. Can’t complain about that. My apartment is small but my own. I live on a steady diet of fruit snacks and otter-pops. And now, on this momentous day, I have the internet. So from now on when I don’t post to my blog it will be by choice.

PS- I live across the street from universal studios theme park if anyone wants to go sometime. No really.

I found a job at an awesome firm in Hollywood, California. Its official folks, I’m moving to LA! I have about a month to pack and clean, and it might just take me that long. I’m going to miss Idaho, but at the same time I’m excited to get out, and ready for new things. I’ve set up a Help-Ben-Survive-in-California Fund, you can donate here. I’m also looking for a car, preferably one with air conditioning. Fancy, eh? Don’t get me wrong, I love my Bronco, I just don’t think its gonna cut it on those California freeways.

I’ve been doing stuff lately, not like cool artsy stuff, but mundane stuff like jobhunting and eating bajios. Just got back from New York last week, but if you read Lizzy’s blog, which apparently (?) everyone does, you already knew that. I had some good interviews, some good food, and some good out-of-pocket expenses. Been doing some housekeeping on current and past projects and I have two points of order, accordingly.

Firstly, there’s new junk in the shop. I finally got around to adding some prints and projects I did last semester, including the David Bowie letterpress prints, a gocco print of an E.M. Forster quote (above) and a couple packs of the Zenerkarten. Click here to go to the shop.

Secondly, I have only gotten a couple poetry entries for the indy book project. Come on people, there’s nothing to be ashamed about… whip out those old journals. In case you have no clue what I’m talking about, read the previous post right before this one. For those of you that are ready to be part of an awesome art project, click here and enter your poem today.

That’s all.

What’s going on?

You know you’ve always wanted to be published, and this just might be your big chance. I’m embarking on an indie book project that requires your assistance. Allow me to explain. I’m putting together a collection of poetry written by people in their teenage years (yes… you know you have some). I’d like to think its less of a book and more of a collaborative art project. One that hopefully lots of people will get involved with.

Why are you doing this…

You’re undoubtedly thinking, who would want to read a book filled with nothing but teenage poetry? But that’s the whole point. No one would, and that’s why the idea is so great. But really, there’s a dual purpose to the book. For one, its a chance to give a voice to those misunderstood, bitter, past versions of ourselves. I’m looking for the most authentic, overly dramatic and ultimately cringe-worthy teenage attempts at self-expression. The more bitter or embarrassing the poem, the better. Secondly, it will give me a chance as a budding designer to try my hand at book design. Aside from the content, every aspect of the project will be handled by me, including typography, size/format, layout, imagery, materials, printing and production.

Ok, how do I get involved?

To ease what could potentially be an embarrassing process, I’ve created a website that will allow contributors to type in and send their entries to me anonymously. There’s no registration or anything like that, no ads or hoops you have to jump through. Just a blank box where you type in your poem and hit send! I can guarantee that your poem will be kept 100% anonymous as I will not have a way of knowing who wrote which poem. If you don’t mind that I know which poem you wrote, just go ahead and email it to me. Don’t worry, I won’t judge you. Snail mail entries will also be accepted, particularly if there are some bits of artwork that you would like to accompany your poem. Send them here: Ben Griffin, 352 S 3rd E, Rexburg, ID 83440 USA. Short stories, essays, photos, doodles or other artwork are also welcome, though the main focus of the book is on poetry.

Obviously I will need to read and screen poems before they get put into the book, but just make sure that you don’t include any information that you’d rather not see published. If you would like credit for your poem just mention it in the same box where you submit your entry. You can also get involved by telling your friends. The more entries received, the better the book is going to turn out.

That’s all good, but what do I get out of it?

Good question. Well, I can’t offer any kind of cash prize or anything for entries, but I can promise that anyone that wants a copy of the book will get one, once everything is said and done. I’ll keep you up-to-date by posting updates about the project periodically. Also, feel free to email me about the project at any time.

The 3 rules for participation:

1. Be Legit
Any poem(s) that you submit must be written by you and must have been written during your teenage years. Also, please don’t submit poems written by other people unless they give you permission.

2. Don’t Sue Me
There’s little chance that this book will ever be published by someone other than yours truly, but if it somehow does, it needs to be understood that by submitting your work you essentially give up your creative right to that specific piece. Not that you wouldn’t mind parting with it, right? I will not, under any circumstance, edit your work (outside of typos, line breaks/formatting, etc) or claim to have written your poem or any of that type of nonsense. Just don’t sue me. Thanks.

3. No Regrets
This project is about looking back and laughing, and at the same time being able to reinterpret and appreciate how hard it was being a teenager. Though the concept may come off as tongue-in-cheek, its very important to me that the tone of the book remains respectful, and that all the poems are handled with dignity.

Thats it! Its pretty simple. As with all collaborative art projects, the success of this endeavor relies upon everyone doing their part. Please take 5 minutes out of your day and send in an entry! One last time, here’s the link to the website where you can enter your poem.

Lets do this! Thanks friends–

Ben Griffin

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes…

I’ve been going through my portfolio and noticed a lot of my work hasn’t changed since I was a freshman. So I’ve been spiffing* things up a little bit. On a similar note, this blog is going to be absorbed by the new portfolio site that will be living at steedgriffin.com in the very near future. My blog will still be accessible on the site, but the new link will be steedgriffin.com/blog.

I know, its super complicated.

And. I’m heading to New York in a week. Don’t get excited, I’ll come back, undoubtedly empty-handed. But right now, that broadway rhythm’s got me, so everybody dance, capiche? And if anybody knows someone that knows someone that’s looking for a designer in NYC, let a little bird know, so that he can let me know. Danke.

*the word “spiffing” is owned by Ryan Mudrock, the flintstone version of Ryan Murdock.

Happy graduation, self!

Well, its all over. I’m officially a graduate. Who would have thought it would come so soon? Seems like yesterday I was enrolling in my first graphic design class with Bro. Graybill and now all of a sudden I’m trying to put together a professional portfolio to take out into the great big world of design.

About a month ago I bought myself an Eee PC 900HA netbook as a graduation present. I’m so thoughtful. Its got a 160gb hd, 2 gb of ram, and a 1.6 ghz processor in less than half the size of my macbook pro and less than the cost of a fancy ipod. It can surf the web. It can do youtube and gmail. It can even pump out world of warcraft. I love everything about it except the awful Eee Pc logo that was on the top casing. That was easily solved with a trip to the vinyl shop. He’s since officially been dubbed Archimedes. After the owl of course, not the mathematician. Duhz.