February 19, 2011

The Soviet Condom Story

Posted by Robin under People I Know, Personal
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Suddenly remembered a story from when I was working as an Office PA at Associated Producers Ltd. a company whose owner, Simcha Jacobovici made a documentary on the “James, Brother of Jesus” bones and later, with James Cameron, discovered what was believed to be the bones of Jesus himself.

This is about one of the executive producers there, a man named Felix.  He was a complete bastard and is the first person that comes to mind when I hear the words “sneaky fucking Russian”.  One day he called me in to his office and showed me the decorations that he put on his wall.  Lots of pictures from his former life in the Soviet Union and at the center of it…a soviet-issued condom, still in golden-brown wrapper, nailed to the wall.  He pointed to it, swelling with pride.  ”You see,” he said. “Soviet condoms were the best in the world.  Forget this durex shit.  Soviet condoms could stop a fucking atom.”  A little lower, was a 1 chervonets bill, with Lenin’s face on it.  He pointed to that.  ”And I put it by Lenin so HE KNOWS…so he knows that his proud nation created the best condoms known to man.”

Felix later went on to involve me in something that involved the alleged bones of The Virgin Mary.  But that’s a story for another time (get me drunk at a party.  I’ll tell it).

It was one of the worst jobs I’ve had, but damn it, it gave me a book full of stories.

 

February 10, 2011

Sick As A Dog

Posted by Robin under photography, Work
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What started out as a sore throat seems to have turned in to the Hungarian Racka Flu (well, okay, it’s just the flu.  But I can be dramatic.  I’m SICK).  Now…I’m one of those people who hates taking sick days.  Staying in bed when I feel like walking around and doing stuff is something that brings out the angry Viking in me.  It makes me feel weak and helpless, something that I can’t afford to be in most situations including an attack on my village.  So I VERY rarely ever take sick days.

So I’m taking a fucking sick day.

But while I’m here with some time covered in my blanket with RED playing in the background, I can tell you what’s been going on in the past two weeks or so.

What started out as a facebook invite from fellow photo vixen Lex Machina to a Toronto steampunk fundraiser turned in to the “Difference Engineers” getting in touch with me about some photos I took of the Toronto Steampunk Society last year and them wanting to print one of them up for an upcoming Steampunk exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre starting up March 4th.  There’s an opening event, but I’m not sure when it is yet.  Will keep you posted when a flier or something turns up.  But I’m pretty excited about it.  The Ontario Science Centre was one of my absolute favorite places to go to as a child and as corny as it sounds, the thought that kids going on school trips there will see one of my photos just…makes me feel pretty damn good.

For those asking (with threats thrown in) about updates on REMNANTS, don’t worry.  Neil is on it.  But keep sending me dead things.  I hang them up outside my house as a warning for my neighbours to leave me alone.  It works.

There’s a new addition to my family.  Yesterday, after paying off most of my computer at Futureshop, I decided to get in to debt again and purchase a brand new Nikon D90 body on one of those “don’t pay for a year” plans.    Have messed around with it only a little bit, but it’s a BIG step up from my Nikon D50.  Loving the quality and customization.  Plus wirelessly controlling my external flash?  Brilliant.

So…I think that’s it.  There’s more, but I can’t talk about it right now.  But THINGS, they are going on.  Including two trips to NYC and MAYBE a trip to the UK.

But for now I have a strong desire for soup.

 

 

February 1, 2011

Wallpaper by Veronika von Volkova

Posted by Robin under People I Know, photography
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Dear Internet,

I have made this desktop wallpaper for you.  Its name is Hello Sailor and I would be happy for you to share it with anyone you like so long as you leave my name on it.

This image by Veronika von Volkova is available in three delicious sizes over on her site.

 

February 1, 2011

Renewed

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And it looks like the site is safe for another year.  To those that bought a print, thank you!  You made it possible for me to keep running!

 

January 31, 2011

WEEKLONG SALE! 8×10 Prints for $10!

Posted by Robin under photography
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You know how it is.  You wake up, you take a look at the grey winter sky outside and decide to put on a sale for a week.

From NOW until FEBRUARY 7TH 8×10 PHOTOGRAPHY PRINTS ARE $10.  That price INCLUDES cost of printing and shipping.

What do you need to do?  Simple.  Just pick a photo on my flickr and send me an e-mail at robin@therobinleblanc.com telling me which one you want and you’ll be hooked up.  Easy.  Simple.

Take advantage of this while you can!  It won’t happen again…until the next sale. *cough*

 

January 31, 2011

Veins

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Veins, originally uploaded by robinleblanc.

 

January 24, 2011

REMNANTS PAGE 1

Posted by Robin under art, comics, Writing | Tags: , , |
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Ladies and gentlemen, it is my EXTREME pleasure to introduce to you page one of the comic by Neil Struthers and myself, REMNANTS.

click to embiggen.

I’d also like to introduce you to the first character in this series, Edward.  You’ll learn a bit more about him later.  For now though, let him run.

This is…wow.  This is an emotional moment for me.  I came up with the idea for REMNANTS in 2008, getting some amazing concept sketches from folks in 2009, but nothing coming of it. In late 2009-early 2010 Mr. Neil Struthers heard my pitch and agreed to work on it with me.  And it took a while, as things normally do, but DAMN is it worth the wait.

Neil is a wonder.  He really is.  Since I first met him I’ve been in love with his work and his keen eye and sharp wit have been so important in the development of this.

Once a few more pages are done on Neil’s end, we’ll be posting pages up weekly.  We’re still in the process of getting a hold of the web space, so keep an eye on this site for updates regarding that.

 

January 24, 2011

My Ghost

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My Ghost, originally uploaded by AtypicalArt.

 

January 21, 2011

2011…SO FAR.

Posted by Robin under People I Know, Personal, photography | Tags: , , , , , |
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Well, well, well…it’s been an interesting first month of this Brand New Year, hasn’t it?  It has for me at any rate.  The main reason I haven’t posted anything on here is that I hit the ground running at the start of the year.  Let’s go through some things.

WORK:

Going great.  First day back from the holidays I ran in to an early meeting with a Chartered Accountant firm who needed photos for their web site.  The lovely Kyle Gallant, who is designing their site, referred them to me.  They seems to like my chops and just this past tuesday I finished the shoot.  As I type this I still have a few photos left to send out, but the job is pretty much done.  They seemed to like me, Kyle seems to like the shots and this is looking like it may lead to more work, so…hurrah!

Have also calculated that if I get at least two photography jobs a month, I will be able to survive in my own apartment and have time to work on personal projects more.  It’s just a matter of getting those jobs and I think I can do it.  2010 was the year where I just put my name in that list of photographers that aren’t crap and gained some word of mouth along the way.  2011 will be the year where I put that word of mouth to good use and get some work.

PERSONAL:

Also doing well.  Morale is up and so is self-esteem.  Two weeks ago I officially finished therapy, with my therapist honestly thinking that I have come a long LONG way from the broken down puddle of hopeless slime I was in late 2009.  I’m inclined to agree with her.  2010, I have to say, was the absolute best year from a developmental standpoint.  I bettered myself in so many ways.  Also have begun thinking, more often than not nowadays, that I’m a pretty attractive person.  We’ll see what gets done with that.

I will definitely be making more beer.  My first batch ever turned out stunningly amazing and I can’t wait to do it again.  Next weekend I’ll be heading down to the homebrew shop and getting prices on the malts and hops to make the brew I have in mind.  If I can’t afford it, I’ll just buy a kit and make the same batch I did the last time.  Either way, I’ve found that I’ve really enjoyed home brewing and look forward to making more beer for my friends and family.

I also bought a Ukulele!

FRIENDS

What the hell AREN’T these crazy people up to?  Here are some of my friends and their work.  I’ll try and introduce you to more of my friends in later posts.

PITCH BLACK – André Navarro is a twisted, fucked up Brazilian man who should be shot. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Wonderful humor in this comic.

KATELAN FOISY – An inspiration to say the least.  Read her blog and you too could have a dancing gypsy to go along with the angel and devil on your shoulders.

IMPETUOUS HEADLONG RUSH - Veronika von Volkova: Photographer & Lady Of Mystery.  We have already planned some things and I think we’ll plan more stuff sooner rather than later. Check out her inspiring work and the work that inspires her in this site.

CHIP ZDARSKY – …god DAMN IT, Zdarsky.  He’s brilliant, but he makes my mind scream.

So that’s some of them.

And that’s it for this post.  Hope your 2011 is going well so far.  We’ll all see how this year turns out.

 

December 21, 2010

Those Freakin’ Holidays

Posted by Robin under Personal
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I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m having a lot of trouble getting on top of things this Christmas.  In the past week I’ve received some very thoughtful Christmas cards and presents from friends and I’m ashamed to say I didn’t have anything to give to them in return.  It’s due to money issues, but I don’t like giving myself that excuse, you know?

So before I continue I would like to get an apology out of the way to all the people I didn’t send anything to who sent me stuff. It’s not a selfish thing and it damn well isn’t a reflection on you.  I just suck this year at doing that stuff.

At least there’s some eggnog at the end of the tunnel.

The year is looking like it’s already wrapping things up.  Changes are already happening that elude to an interesting year ahead.  My best friend Cheryl got me a camera flash for my birthday which will allow me to pursue event photography as work, I’ve started classes at Toronto Newsgirls Boxing Club, an all-female gym that has left me really damn sore (I have to come up with a boxing name. I’m open to suggestions!) and filled with endorphins. I’ve started brewing my own beer, which I expect to go to weird and interesting places. And finally I’m talking with potential clients. They seem to be piling up ever so slowly now.

I’m not going to lie, I’m EXCITED for 2011.  2010 was such a good year for me in terms of becoming closer to the person I want to be and figuring out that a hobby might be something I’d like to do with my life.  I grew as a person, became more independent, made new friends and developed tastes that are very distinctive to my own.  I’ve still got some more development ahead of me, but I’m closer than I’ve ever been.

I have many MANY people to thank for being playing such a key role this year, as I’m sure you have people to thank as well.  My advice is to do what I plan on doing. E-mailing each of them a thank you.

So to those who have been following me around on the internet and in real life, to old friends and new, to enemies and madmen, have a wonderful holiday and a very merry new year.

See you in 2011.

 

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