Comments on: The Halfway Point http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/ identity is an ever evolving reflection of experience and expectation. hopes, dreams, fears, and a visa check-card. this is a documentation of my life. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:08:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Emily http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-1100 Emily Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:26:21 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-1100 I can honestly say I enjoyed your portion of Momentum, though not as thoroughly as the pretty blonde in a cobalt cocktail dress and painful heels. Something tugged at me until I got home. I have seen this before, I thought. I Googled (damn! How odd how quickly this became a readily-useable and understandable word) "receipts." Mark Thomas. Oh, yeah, I just couldn't remember his name. He has catalogued his receipts for almost two decades. Granted, he has only written on some of them. It's tough being an artist. Things pull at you. Project ideas disturb everyday thought until they evetually usurp all of your time, money, and normal life. Appropriation abounds in art. It is said no idea is original-- something always has a reference point. I searched your website and newspaper articles-- no mention of Mr. Thomas--though the Creative Commons symbol is sweetly ironic: "No Derivative Works. You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work". P.S. I'm sure Mark Hancock, the photographer from the Oklahoma Gazette, would probably appreciate some credit, too, for the picture you use on your website. I can honestly say I enjoyed your portion of Momentum, though not as thoroughly as the pretty blonde in a cobalt cocktail dress and painful heels. Something tugged at me until I got home. I have seen this before, I thought. I Googled (damn! How odd how quickly this became a readily-useable and understandable word) “receipts.” Mark Thomas. Oh, yeah, I just couldn’t remember his name. He has catalogued his receipts for almost two decades. Granted, he has only written on some of them. It’s tough being an artist. Things pull at you. Project ideas disturb everyday thought until they evetually usurp all of your time, money, and normal life. Appropriation abounds in art. It is said no idea is original– something always has a reference point. I searched your website and newspaper articles– no mention of Mr. Thomas–though the Creative Commons symbol is sweetly ironic: “No Derivative Works. You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work”.

P.S. I’m sure Mark Hancock, the photographer from the Oklahoma Gazette, would probably appreciate some credit, too, for the picture you use on your website.

]]> By: Véronique http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-947 Véronique Mon, 31 Dec 2007 07:53:43 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-947 First, from a reader point of view, please, go on, it's brilliant (as in art matter than modern literature). On second hand, I think I understand your feelings of this little by little transformations. You maybe know J.Cortàzar, the argentinian writer, who, in a novel, told the story of a man visiting an aquarium and, step by step, thinking to his life in front of it,takes the place of the fish (name Axolototl)he was looking at.I think computers and Web is doing that on us, as if to say! Sorry for my aproximate english. All the best. First, from a reader point of view, please, go on, it’s brilliant (as in art matter than modern literature).
On second hand, I think I understand your feelings of this little by little transformations. You maybe know J.Cortàzar, the argentinian writer, who, in a novel, told the story of a man visiting an aquarium and, step by step, thinking to his life in front of it,takes the place of the fish (name Axolototl)he was looking at.I think computers and Web is doing that on us, as if to say! Sorry for my aproximate english. All the best.

]]> By: Dayna http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-891 Dayna Sat, 29 Dec 2007 15:15:49 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-891 I think what you are doing here is very interesting. I make an effort to check your site on a consistant basis. I do though understand how this has changed your life and how people you know may be changing the outcome of what you write. I think if this had been untainted by people that are you friends, this could of been something life changing for you. If you continue on without a bias on what you are writing based on who is reading it, I think you will achieve a greater sense of accomplishment. This is just a stranger's perspective, all that I know of you is what I read. If you ever publish a book of all your receipts, I would definitely buy it. Best of Luck. I think what you are doing here is very interesting. I make an effort to check your site on a consistant basis. I do though understand how this has changed your life and how people you know may be changing the outcome of what you write. I think if this had been untainted by people that are you friends, this could of been something life changing for you. If you continue on without a bias on what you are writing based on who is reading it, I think you will achieve a greater sense of accomplishment. This is just a stranger’s perspective, all that I know of you is what I read. If you ever publish a book of all your receipts, I would definitely buy it. Best of Luck.

]]> By: Laura http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-863 Laura Fri, 28 Dec 2007 05:29:29 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-863 Although you should do what's best for you, I would love to see the site continue. It really is a very interesting concept, and I'm glad you decided to do it. Namreg put it well: "In any case, you're already my hero" =] Although you should do what’s best for you, I would love to see the site continue. It really is a very interesting concept, and I’m glad you decided to do it.

Namreg put it well: “In any case, you’re already my hero”

=]

]]> By: Lswan http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-862 Lswan Fri, 28 Dec 2007 05:03:49 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-862 I think this is a neat project. But, I can totally understand how the prospect of gaining exposure and recogniztion could distract you from your original artistic need and vision. Don't keep going just to prolong or increase the exposure of the project. Find someone who will publish it even if it's not a full year, if you feel that it's becoming too systematic and product-oriented. I think this is a neat project. But, I can totally understand how the prospect of gaining exposure and recogniztion could distract you from your original artistic need and vision. Don’t keep going just to prolong or increase the exposure of the project. Find someone who will publish it even if it’s not a full year, if you feel that it’s becoming too systematic and product-oriented.

]]> By: Matt http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-842 Matt Thu, 27 Dec 2007 20:07:51 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-842 Well, I'm a little late on this one but I'm going to put down my two cents as well. I really enjoy this site, this experiment. I've said it before in the comments but I've thought about replicating this and doing the same or similar myself. It's weird. I stumbled upon this site and I was instantly enthralled with it. I read the whole backlog, bookmarked the site, and read it whenever I get the chance. When I realized that you lived so close to me (I live in Edmond but visit Norman constantly) I think I began to feel a closeness - it's somewhat reassuring that someone has such similar thoughts to me on a daily basis (it's odd how physical closeness can do that when you're reading something on the internet). When I go into someplace in Norman I oft times wonder "Has he met this person? Has he scribbled his thoughts down about him/her and were they the same as mine?" I would love to see this going for the entire year span or even more. It's intriguing, honest, brave, heartfelt, and wonderful. However, whatever you do in the future, I wish you luck. On a side note, I can't believe you told your "real-life" friends about it! I don't think I would be trusting enough to show more than a handful of people this site. Well, I’m a little late on this one but I’m going to put down my two cents as well.

I really enjoy this site, this experiment. I’ve said it before in the comments but I’ve thought about replicating this and doing the same or similar myself.

It’s weird. I stumbled upon this site and I was instantly enthralled with it. I read the whole backlog, bookmarked the site, and read it whenever I get the chance. When I realized that you lived so close to me (I live in Edmond but visit Norman constantly) I think I began to feel a closeness - it’s somewhat reassuring that someone has such similar thoughts to me on a daily basis (it’s odd how physical closeness can do that when you’re reading something on the internet). When I go into someplace in Norman I oft times wonder “Has he met this person? Has he scribbled his thoughts down about him/her and were they the same as mine?”

I would love to see this going for the entire year span or even more. It’s intriguing, honest, brave, heartfelt, and wonderful. However, whatever you do in the future, I wish you luck.

On a side note, I can’t believe you told your “real-life” friends about it! I don’t think I would be trusting enough to show more than a handful of people this site.

]]> By: Jad http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-834 Jad Thu, 27 Dec 2007 03:28:13 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-834 i think lora said it best :) i think lora said it best :)

]]> By: Lora http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-833 Lora Thu, 27 Dec 2007 02:17:24 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-833 In the end, just be sure to do what makes YOU happy. In the end, just be sure to do what makes YOU happy.

]]> By: Stephen Richards http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-809 Stephen Richards Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:23:01 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-809 Your site has inspired me to start my old journal back up, and it's somewhat become a symbol of me to the people I know, and for christmas, the one of my friends that I've trusted enough to read my journal has given me a lovely leather bound notebook with a quill pen, seeing as my other notebook is falling apart. Thank you for the push to start my writing back up, whether you choose to continue the blog or not. Your site has inspired me to start my old journal back up, and it’s somewhat become a symbol of me to the people I know, and for christmas, the one of my friends that I’ve trusted enough to read my journal has given me a lovely leather bound notebook with a quill pen, seeing as my other notebook is falling apart.
Thank you for the push to start my writing back up, whether you choose to continue the blog or not.

]]> By: P. Asher http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-798 P. Asher Wed, 26 Dec 2007 23:05:20 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-798 I think you'd regret not continuing this. I write pretty often and I love going back to read what I had written last year. Writing is different than looking at photographs. With pictures you get a snapshot, an instant, less than a second. But when you write, you get everything. At least that's what I've found looking back on my old stuff; you get more out of it. The point: Even if this was just an experiment, even if it changed your life in ways you're still ambivalent about, even if you're afraid of what this might do to you, this has certainly changed you and there's nothing you can do about it. Don't fight it. Don't try to stick to your one-year time frame just because it was the plan. I say go with it. I think you’d regret not continuing this. I write pretty often and I love going back to read what I had written last year. Writing is different than looking at photographs. With pictures you get a snapshot, an instant, less than a second. But when you write, you get everything. At least that’s what I’ve found looking back on my old stuff; you get more out of it.

The point: Even if this was just an experiment, even if it changed your life in ways you’re still ambivalent about, even if you’re afraid of what this might do to you, this has certainly changed you and there’s nothing you can do about it. Don’t fight it. Don’t try to stick to your one-year time frame just because it was the plan. I say go with it.

]]> By: just me http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-797 just me Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:29:38 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-797 I love the site. As a student in the arts, I can appreciate how a project can drain the life out of you. (If it doesn't, one should question its validity.) Regardless of what you do, promise that you'll somehow inform us of future projects. I'm curious to see what you'll do next... I love the site. As a student in the arts, I can appreciate how a project can drain the life out of you. (If it doesn’t, one should question its validity.) Regardless of what you do, promise that you’ll somehow inform us of future projects. I’m curious to see what you’ll do next…

]]> By: Ernie http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-796 Ernie Wed, 26 Dec 2007 21:59:42 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-796 Dude, don't stop! This shit is quite addicting. Dude, don’t stop! This shit is quite addicting.

]]> By: Brandon http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-795 Brandon Wed, 26 Dec 2007 21:10:33 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-795 My vote, much the same as anyone who has subscribed to this, is to keep it going. It truly is an ingenious method of documenting ones daily life. While I would hate for this to end, it would be completely understandable. Perhaps a break? I have a feeling you'd miss the project as much, if not more than your readers, and thus a short break may tear you away enough as to resume a 'normal' life, but not completely isolate yourself from the project. Regardless, best of luck. My vote, much the same as anyone who has subscribed to this, is to keep it going. It truly is an ingenious method of documenting ones daily life. While I would hate for this to end, it would be completely understandable. Perhaps a break? I have a feeling you’d miss the project as much, if not more than your readers, and thus a short break may tear you away enough as to resume a ‘normal’ life, but not completely isolate yourself from the project.

Regardless, best of luck.

]]> By: William http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-794 William Wed, 26 Dec 2007 21:09:34 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-794 I think that a complete life needs to have a little bit of 'routine' in it. What if you could have this tiny bit of 'routine' in the form of a mental exercise, blogging almost anonimously about your life, in a very innovative way, keeping peoples attention. To me, that would be just awesome. If you are looking for some reason to keep spending time blogging here, I hope you can find it. Maybe in the things I said, or anywhere else. Keep up with the good work and Happy Holidays! I think that a complete life needs to have a little bit of ‘routine’ in it. What if you could have this tiny bit of ‘routine’ in the form of a mental exercise, blogging almost anonimously about your life, in a very innovative way, keeping peoples attention. To me, that would be just awesome.
If you are looking for some reason to keep spending time blogging here, I hope you can find it. Maybe in the things I said, or anywhere else.

Keep up with the good work and Happy Holidays!

]]> By: Namreg http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-793 Namreg Wed, 26 Dec 2007 20:23:09 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-793 In any case, you're already my hero. In any case, you’re already my hero.

]]> By: Jad http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-792 Jad Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:54:33 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-792 i love your website and the concept behind it. you're very insightful and have a way with words. i'd love to see you continue the project but if you feel that it's draining your energy, maybe you should reorient yourself. why not blog more often (not necessarily in long-form; your snappy insights are quite delightful)? i don't know, maybe the website wouldn't make sense anymore, but it's something to consider.. good luck :) i love your website and the concept behind it. you’re very insightful and have a way with words. i’d love to see you continue the project but if you feel that it’s draining your energy, maybe you should reorient yourself. why not blog more often (not necessarily in long-form; your snappy insights are quite delightful)?

i don’t know, maybe the website wouldn’t make sense anymore, but it’s something to consider.. good luck :)

]]> By: jason http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-791 jason Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:20:18 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-791 Don't stop! Concise brilliance is so hard to come by! Don’t stop! Concise brilliance is so hard to come by!

]]> By: Katie http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-790 Katie Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:56:54 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-790 As a reader, of course I want you to continue, but you have to follow your instincts. Yes, of course us, the readers want more. We will always want more. That is why we are here. But, you are giving part of yourself on this journal, journey. You are sharing your insides and that can be hard. Follow your instincts, keep some of -you- for yourself and have a great new year. a reader, k As a reader, of course I want you to continue, but you have to follow your instincts. Yes, of course us, the readers want more. We will always want more. That is why we are here. But, you are giving part of yourself on this journal, journey. You are sharing your insides and that can be hard.
Follow your instincts, keep some of -you- for yourself and have a great new year.

a reader,
k

]]> By: Cupcake http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-787 Cupcake Wed, 26 Dec 2007 06:47:50 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-787 Your little pieces of scribbled insight are more far-reaching than you realize. Unexpected connections and deep-down-inside tugs are what blogging's about - or, at least, what it's about for me. You succeed at both, and manifest inspiration more than you know. A blog for you in the morning, mon ami. Your little pieces of scribbled insight are more far-reaching than you realize. Unexpected connections and deep-down-inside tugs are what blogging’s about - or, at least, what it’s about for me. You succeed at both, and manifest inspiration more than you know. A blog for you in the morning, mon ami.

]]> By: Jessi http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-786 Jessi Wed, 26 Dec 2007 05:23:23 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-786 I'm inspired and intrigued by your site, your receipts, and your notes. I may be slightly addicted to your site, but I think a part of me would always wonder what you were buying and what you were thinking if you stopped. You definitely rock out loud. (c: I’m inspired and intrigued by your site, your receipts, and your notes. I may be slightly addicted to your site, but I think a part of me would always wonder what you were buying and what you were thinking if you stopped. You definitely rock out loud. (c:

]]> By: jalin http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-785 jalin Wed, 26 Dec 2007 04:48:08 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-785 i want you to continue forever. <3 i want you to continue forever.
<3

]]> By: Donna http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-784 Donna Wed, 26 Dec 2007 03:28:41 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-784 I've been visiting your site for a while and was struck by the sheer brilliance of tracking your life through receipts and your execution of this idea matches its brilliance. I hadn't realized that this was an experiment for one year. Ultimately, your personal preference and artistic inspiration should be the determining force in deciding whether to continue, but if you're looking for input from readers, I would enjoy following this experiment to the end of its planned year (and even longer!). I’ve been visiting your site for a while and was struck by the sheer brilliance of tracking your life through receipts and your execution of this idea matches its brilliance. I hadn’t realized that this was an experiment for one year. Ultimately, your personal preference and artistic inspiration should be the determining force in deciding whether to continue, but if you’re looking for input from readers, I would enjoy following this experiment to the end of its planned year (and even longer!).

]]> By: Matt http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-783 Matt Wed, 26 Dec 2007 03:11:37 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-783 Even though this experiment may have impacted and changed the relationships and connections you already had with people - and may continue to do so - it is important to know that it has also made a connection with many others who visit the site. I know that I look at my own receipts a little differently since coming here. Even though this experiment may have impacted and changed the relationships and connections you already had with people - and may continue to do so - it is important to know that it has also made a connection with many others who visit the site. I know that I look at my own receipts a little differently since coming here.

]]> By: sally joan http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-782 sally joan Wed, 26 Dec 2007 02:56:26 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-782 Don't stop. I seriously read this everyday. I Stumbled onto it one day and was instantly addicted because my friends and I write notes on receipts and leave them wherever we were. Your blog, the only blog I have ever bothered checking on a regular basis, takes it a step further. I love it. Again, don't stop. Don’t stop. I seriously read this everyday. I Stumbled onto it one day and was instantly addicted because my friends and I write notes on receipts and leave them wherever we were. Your blog, the only blog I have ever bothered checking on a regular basis, takes it a step further. I love it. Again, don’t stop.

]]> By: Ben http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-779 Ben Wed, 26 Dec 2007 02:33:50 +0000 http://proofpurchase.com/the-halfway-point/#comment-779 As a reader, and a friend, I have really enjoyed being able to look at this site and have someone else confirm everything I'm normally afraid to say myself. I've known you for a long time, but I feel this project has made me understand you more than I ever did before. As far as strangers go, I think this site is a great piece of art. Some might understand everything you say, others... like you said... will not. Those that understand, I imagine, are glad to finally see someone with the same thought pattern and would probably be good folks to hang with out side of the iWorld that is the web. I know im rambling, but short and sweet, I think this project has been a great tool for you, as well as a great piece of art for many of us, and I would personally like to see it continue. As a reader, and a friend, I have really enjoyed being able to look at this site and have someone else confirm everything I’m normally afraid to say myself. I’ve known you for a long time, but I feel this project has made me understand you more than I ever did before. As far as strangers go, I think this site is a great piece of art. Some might understand everything you say, others… like you said… will not. Those that understand, I imagine, are glad to finally see someone with the same thought pattern and would probably be good folks to hang with out side of the iWorld that is the web.

I know im rambling, but short and sweet, I think this project has been a great tool for you, as well as a great piece of art for many of us, and I would personally like to see it continue.

]]>