March, 2006

Shock. And Awe.

That's what's going thru my mind right now.

For those of you who haven't been around, my current state of affairs has changed dramatically over the last few weeks. Settle down, kids, and let Uncle Neil tell you a story...

Onceuponatime, there was a little lunatic named Neil. He was a distracted child, often looking for ways to entertain himself - and others - using whatever resources were at his disposal (excluding nudity, of course. This is a family website.). In the course of his travels, he discovered music, then stereos, then televisions, then lights... and always with extremely positive results. Now, I don't mean that lil' Neil was the sort to just sit around, wasting time on the sofa (altho there was more than my fair share of that, believe me). Rather, Neil became fascinated with the different means to manipulate these devices so they produced interesing, abstract results.

These days, parents would just knock out the little monster with Ritalin, but back then we were encouraged in these seemingly random, arty pursuits. Partly because he was really good at it, but mostly because it kept him occupied and out of trouble.

Finally, after much work, Neil made it to the top of the nightclub lighting game in Chicago, specifically Crobar - where he learned many magical things one could do with mood, and tone, and light. For many years, he cultivated these skills until finally, after much thought, he relocated himself, his wife, and his cat to the brightly lit city of Las Vegas - in the hopes of working with equipment he could only dream about.

Sadly, Neil was not accepted into the commmunity at first, which, to be fair, was undergoing an extreme recession due to certain terrorist activities keeping people from flying fearlessly. And so, he changed his career and focused on an internet project developed by a friend who had also moved to Vegas recently. And for several years, Neil worked on web design....

Until now. Just a few weeks ago, Neil received a phone call from the brand-new, high-profile, top-shelf nightclub in the Mirage Hotel Las Vegas called JET. When Neil arrived in the club to investigate, he was floored by the astonishing potential in the revolutionary lighting system currently installed. A delightful combination of light and video, Neil's mind instantly exploded with numerous concepts and ideas for how to operate the room. And after a few short-yet-positive meetings with the management...

Basically, what I'm trying to say is I changed careers again. Only this time, I've re-entered the lighting game... and at the top of the ladder.

This has all happened so incredibly fast, that I'm still in shock. Oh yeah - and awe. I've been temporarily running both jobs with web design by day and lighting design at night, resting briefly on Sundays. Soon, I'll be operating the room exclusively, and will have more time to create my photography company, work on music, etc etc. Many offers have come and gone in the time I've been in Vegas, and after a while I would just turn them down by reflex. But a few friends of mine (and Sue,of course) were able to illuminate (heh) why this was a perfect opportunity for me to get back with media I love. So, after much consideration, I've accepted the position. My first weekend went smashingly well, and the whole world is opening up like a big ol' flower. In a few weeks, the programming will be esquisitely tailored for the club, and I'll have some amazing photos to show you.

Stay tuned.