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Continuing with Part II of the first Plain Dealer of the year, here are what I consider the accomplishments of my past birth year:

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1.  The Art Exhibitions – For perhaps the first time in my artistic life, opportunities fell into my lap and I took advantage of them.  One of the shows – Bushwick Open Studios – was of my own initiative, but the other three were all called to my attention by friends and I simply practiced due diligence.  You can see videos for each show on their respective website pages: Bushwick Open Studios, “On the Grid”, “Perceptions of Character” and “Curate NYC’s Emerging Artists Expo”.

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2.  Bruce and Dom – During the course of time I’ve worked on this movie, from writing to filming, capturing to editing, watching to scoring and constantly scheming, I’ve likely put more thought hours into this project than I did to my entire college education.  Surely some will think it trite to compare it to a child, and only a fool would push the point to argument.  But what other word is there for a reflection of self you dote over constantly, with no expectations for personal gain?  Endurance is ten times the accomplishment of brilliance, though ideally the two hold hands.

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3. Listening Parties – For years now I’ve stockpiled recordings of my writings, distributing them individually and putting them up online.  But never had I gotten a group of people together to listen to the recordings until this year.  The results have been nothing short of wonderful.  Watching people take in my work as though it were a sonic movie is deeply gratifying, and the resulting parties are equally incredible, each flavored differently by the writing that marks them.  So far, we’ve listened to “The Ordination of Montgomery Jackson”, “A Night at the Rinks”, “The Events of Election ’08” and “A Tag Sale Fairy Tale.” There will be several more parties before all the material is spent.

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4.  My Video Work – This was a completely unexpected development, but as a consequence of travelling, my work on Bruce and Dom and getting a new camera, I’ve taken to regularly making small movies and video documents.  In my 26th year, I made sixty one videos alone.  It’s a fun activity that serves a crucial to the life of an artist, and I intend to further cultivate the habit.  Here are my favorite five from the age of 26:

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1. Buffalo, New York, September 2010 (HD)

2. Feast of our Lady of Mt. Carmel and San Paolino, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 2010 (HD)

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5.  Citizenship – Well the paperwork came today, so as of March 9th I am officially an Irish and EU citizen. Will I ever use this citizenship?  Who knows.  But having access to all the EU has to offer in jobs, education and health care is worth it.  Plus, any children I have will be covered as well.  The options it opens were worth the time invested.

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Regards,
Mike Varley

Continuing with Part II of the first Plain Dealer of the year, here are what I consider the accomplishments of my past birth year: . The Accomplishments of 26 . 1.  The Art Exhibitions – For perhaps the first time in my artistic life, opportunities fell into my lap and I took advantage of them.  One […]