Monday, April 19, 2010

Searching...

I don't have a dog right now. But this is what I'd be doing if I did.

I'm not really a spiritual person at all. I have questions with no answers and other questions with answers I don't like but don't really believe in a huge amount. But two things seem to allow me to go beyond what I see day to day. Just glimpses, probably just into my subconscious... but maybe to something more than that.

Music and dogs.

Music goes deep inside. Like that guy from Inner Space. Inside and then it sort of plants little bombs that go off, waking something up inside.

Dogs are different. It's not like I'd listen to dogs for any length of time. And barking isn't all that soothing. Certainly not approaching anything spiritual. But, with dogs, I see something in their eyes. I don't know what it is. Something familiar, something special.

I even see it in the stupid ones. Possibly more so in the stupid ones. Yes, so some will eat their own vomit or worse. And they sniff each others posteriors. And lick themselves in... well, you know.

But there's something more there.


Not in cats. I know some of you are cat people but cats are up to something entirely different. I don't trust them.


But dogs... dogs are special. If I had time, a lot of music and a dog, I'm pretty sure I could unlock the secrets of the Universe.

12 comments:

Dorseytunes said...

I just found your blog and it's funny that you bring dogs into the equation. My dog woke me up this morning at 3am by snuggling up against me and giving me a lick on the face. Why am I not angry with this...but instead happy? I guess I just love my dog.

It's nice to see a blog that isn't some rant on how bad animation has become. I'm learning the craft on my own and just want to keep loving animation. No matter what the modern state it's in.

susan said...

Good morning Bitter. I agree with your taste in music totally. I do like dogs. I've just never had one. Growing up my mother and father didn't want to be bothered with one, and on my own, living in apartments (flats?) you just cannot have dogs. Cats are allowed. So I became a cat person by default. It was either cats, or fish. Although I think if you were to meet my "therapy" cat you might change your mind on cats. She's one in a billion.

I wish you could have a dog. I hope there will be a trip to the RSPCA in your future. Don't you know the secret to the universe is DOG? Um, a certain word spelled backward? (but don't tell the cats that).

Red Pill Junkie said...

Religion is the smile on a dog ;)hops

Bitter Animator said...

Dorseytunes, thanks for stopping by! There is no better way to wake up than having a dog lick your face. Man, I miss that. Even though my little guy's breath smelled like a harbour for the last few years of his life...

Keep on loving animation! You know, there is a lot to rant about and plenty of doom and gloom but there's still a lot of great stuff going on too. And it's the people who really love animation who will keep it alive and make sure it doesn't all go to shit.

Thanks Susan, I really hope I get another dog in the not too distant future.

RPJ... are you sure that's the right video? It's nice and all but I can't help feeling I'm missing something...

Red Pill Junkie said...

LOL I don't know man. I remember that song from the early 90s —didn't remember the title though, the vices of the Google oracle— and I'm pretty sure THAT is not the original performer.

Still, she wasn't awful to look at ;)

Anonymous said...

Dude, I've been reading your blog for quite a while now, but I've never really commented before. I'd just like to say that I've enjoyed all of your posts and interesting viewpoints on the art of animation and drawing. They've really been inspiring to me as someone who wants to work in the animation industry one day. I'm very young now, but I have a lot of hope for the future.

Red Pill Junkie said...

La esperanza muere al Ășltimo, Beto :)

Aliquant said...

I love the way you describe music with the dude from Inner Space and little bombs. That's a perfect description.

Alice said...

Dogs or Cats?

who's better?

http://fun-polls.blogspot.com/

Jeaux Janovsky said...

Hey Bit! I saw this earlier today, and it just about broke and melted my heart. http://lumber.tumblr.com/post/549507090/mykechilian-thiswallflower
The bond between human and animal can be awesome and amazing.
Sorry, for the sad image, but it just touched me.
Music does wonders too. Hope yr doing well Bit!

Bitter Animator said...

Aw man, Jeaux, that's heartbreaking. Beautiful and heartbreaking all in one. Reminds me of the end of that episode of Futurama with Fry's dog. That actually had me in tears. Like the Iron Giant all over again.

Roberto and Aliquant, thanks for the comments. Roberto, I wish you good luck in animation! It can be a rough ride sometimes but cartoons put smiles on the faces of adults and children alike - that's something special. So I hope it all works out well for you.

susan said...

I had to stop watching Futureama thanks to the episode with Fry's dog. When "Don't you forget about me" started playing I was bawling. Never saw it again. Thought I was the only one in the universe who lost it over that one.