Holy Daze

The sixty foot nativity scene is up. Giant nutcrackers march in place and smile obscenely. Ice covers everything, and it's really just too bitter to be outside. ...Did I mention all those pipes a bursting?

It'll all be over soon. The sun will reach it's lowest place in the sky, stay there for three days then begin it's ascension once again. A new beginning looms just around the corner.

The days will get longer, the bitterness will recede, and all the birds (the ones that were smart enough to leave in the first place) will flock back to bathe us in song.

And I can't wait for winter's pastel to be replaced with a little bit of vibrancy.

Let's all pray for a heat wave. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

Love,
Craig

3rd and Final

Somehow I've managed to avoid the pomp and circumstance of the presidential debate circuit. I know this may surprise many of you.

Tonight, however, was an exercise in social interaction. I went to Studio 35, a local cinema/bar and watched the last debate on the big screen with approximately 100 other interested locals. It was free, and someone else bought me a pumpkin ale to wash down the politics. I'm not sure which was thicker.

Listening to McCain breathe was painful. Hearing the pundits tell me that he was forceful and in control made me think I was watching something different. To me, he was crazed, bumbling and repetitive. Hyper blinking. Scary.

Sure, Obama could have taken some stronger stances, but an even keel doesn't make one nauseous like the up and down / back and forth approach employed by the other candidate.

McCain said he doesn't want education to be about the privileged few, but 1000 vouchers in a city of 10 million seems pretty privileged to me (whether they work or not).

I looked it up, and I don't think this country needs a maverick.

What we need is a firm, even hand; a father figure, not a grandfather figure.

I worry that my vote will not even count. Ohio has problems with this kind of thing. I could absentee, but that's a sure bet to file 13.

Democracy, hard at work trying to save the Republic.

>>hyper-blinking link added on Oct 16<<

Ask, and you shall receive

The other day I was having a conversation about contemporary artists. The problem was that I didn't know any, save one: Banksy. He stood out only because his art is nigh illegal.

Drunks, eccentrics, dandies... at least yesteryear's artists were out there in all their glory. You'd think that with modern media and technological outlets that the whole world would be a stage for some creative genius to flaunt themselves silly.

While it's true that these tools have given rise to a plethora of little known artists, doesn't this generation deserve a Pollock, Dali or Warhol?

And what of style? Cannibalize, masticate, regurgitate? Are we stuck with the same old list? All I see are bold shapes and solid colors; does that mean that the crowning achievement of modern art is the Vector? Has globalization and the pace of the world made the old time art movement a thing of the past? By the time it's cool, it's not cool (or it's advertising).

I shudder to think that advertising is the modern art movement, as in artists are moving into advertising so they don't starve. Quick! Keep up with trends...no time for your own work. YEAAH!

Well, back to my conversation about contemporary artists. I came across this article about Damien Hirst on art's top 100 list. Yeah, I've never heard of him. They don't describe his art at all, only how much he makes from it.

Jeff Koons and Banksy are mentioned in the article, too. Great! I know these names. Wait, what does Koons do? I had to look it up to refresh my memory.

Perhaps it's my Midwest location. The avant-garde, by definition, is on the fringe, and Ohio is no NY, CA, or UK.

Political Brandy

The gastropodian pace at which we edge towards election day is mind numbing. Personally, I can't wait; I'm burned out on the process.

There is no news but politics, it seems, but I don't want this blog to become a soapbox. The media is concentrated, appropriately so. But the Super Bowl of governance (complete with theme music, flashy graphics, and play by play fact checking) has been going on for too long. Even the Energizer Bunny took a smoke break.

Hence, my less-than-daily notes.

I did find some interesting things to share, however. The first deserves a noted introduction.

I found this article in The Register, a British online journal. It was posted by an author in California. The story takes place a county away from me in Ohio. The story went around the world to go around the block! While Ohio is talking about the latest McCain visit a local 15 yo girl is arrested for dealing in child pornography.

Seems like the kind of thing you'd hear about in your hometown.

Second and last (and saved because best) is a story about a library. This is no government or public institution; It's an amazing private collection that puts my hodgepodge of a den to shame. Take a tour of Jay Walker's library.

Yes, his name's jaywalker.

I have to go outside...I think I see the sun.

Hangin' wit Johnny G

I had just seen him the night before at the annual Museum Ball, our aging astronaut. On Saturday October 4, Senator John Glenn, accompanied by his lovely wife, came to eat veal with 400 other well to do art patrons. Beautiful women in beautiful dresses filled the galleries and garden. Great fun. Let's do it again next year.

Sunday, we crossed paths again. I think he's following me. At an Obama rally on OSU's North Oval, the senator introduced Bruce Springsteen. The Boss sang patriotic songs (one about Youngstown) beside a massive American Flag. The opportunity to see two legends sharing a stage and a hug...and it's free? Sure, I'll go.

I didn't get the greatest patch of grass on the lawn; I was about a hundred yards from the stage. I did bring my long lens, which made up a bit of distance for my eyes.

Here are my keepers from the show. Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, Senator John Glenn, Bruce Springsteen, A Young Fan, and a street shot taken on the walk home. I call it Aroma.

Gone Fishin'

See above. See you soon.

A Dozen Doors

Well, I just completed and delivered my first set of commissioned photographs!

Here's one. If you'd like to view the rest, please visit BortmasPhoto.com and look under Current Projects.

The Rabbit in our Pocket

Someone told me the other day that the average American is in credit card debt for $16,000! Great, I thought, I've never been so happy to be below average. (paradoxically, below average is above average, right?)

The number stuck with me. Could it be right? A new car in debt? A year's worth of work in debt?

I dug around, and found wildly different numbers. This site nearly cut the number in half, but then told me it was realistically closer to $2000. I inch closer to being average.

Creditcards.com phrased it in a way that made a bit more sense.

"...the average American with a credit file is responsible for $16,635 in debt..."

OK. Total debt/amount of credit card holders. So some big spenders have collectively put us a year behind the ball. I hope they have nice toys.

While researching, I came across Money as Debt, an animated feature on the origins of credit. It's 45 min. long; I downloaded it to prevent the start and stop of inconsistent bandwidth. It's an eye opener, to say the least.

As if being a slave to personal debt wasn't bad enough, it also happens to be Americas No 1 Export.

In the end, I'm left wondering; If it's so pervasive, why should I care how much debt I or the government has? It's status quo. Why not go on a spending spree for canned foods and a fallout shelter? I promise that after the dust has cleared, I'll pay it all back.

Scout's honor.

Charlie Brown Said it Best

Good grief!

I understand that repetition is the foundation to clarity (or at least a solid foundation for belief), but Jeez!

Everything is slightly more tragic than it was last week. Palin continues to persist. The economy continues to take head long dives into the shallow end of our pockets. Gas prices continue to fluctuate wildly. Russia con... where's Russia? Other than being able to see it from Palin's porch, I've not even heard a scathing and wholly un-diplomatic remark from Condi Rice about the big Bear over there. Perhaps they're just sitting back and enjoying the entertainment.

Even Mother Nature had a vicious tantrum last week. From Ohio to Texas, that's quite a reach for one storm.

I get it. We're in panic mode, or at least we should be. If any of you giggled at ancient Mayan predictions that 2012 was the end (of something), take note of the signs. It sure feels like an exit ramp of sorts, speed bumps included.

I just want new news, something exciting and fresh. You can't be clean if you continue to wash in the same dirty bath water. Speaking of which, I'm off to work for the fifth time in three days.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Ike in Ohio

80-100 mph winds whipped through Columbus last week knocking out electricity and taking down trees. In the aftermath, I ventured down to Goodale Park and Greenlawn Cemetery to document the destruction. Here are some shots from those outings.

Goodale Park






Greenlawn Cemetery
(starts at angel)




More from Greenlawn to follow...have to run.

Waste Not

I have worked in catering off and on for nearly a decade. I've served in embassies and at universities, at private homes and small picnics. Weddings are my bread and butter...literally.

Buffets = Over production = waste
Plated dinners = better portion control (even though the size of those portions are ridiculous) = less waste

True, some of it may be able to be used somewhere, but most is destined for the bin. Donate? Many places I've worked worry about lawsuits. The scary part is that it's viewed as acceptable loss. It has been paid for.

After the weekend, my fridge is usually full of left overs that I didn't cook myself. Meats, cheeses and fruits are common. Visits to the grocery store are few and far between, and only for the essentials. Not a bad trade off for lack of tips.

I would (still) be a vegetarian if it weren't for the free fridge fillings. Toss a dozen chickens or eat a dozen chickens? The options are weighted.

I was thrilled when I found Wasted Food. I was reading an article on NY bicycle safety (I've friends in NY that bike) on No Impact Man when I came across the link. There's a lot of great information about social awareness on both of these sites.

Dig in!

Wasted Food

No Impact Man

The Work of Geniuses

The Vegetarian Diet

17 Years of Photographing Himself (daily)

Darwin to Receive Apology from Church of England

HAPPY FRIDAY!

It's a nice day... I'm out.

Got Smarts?

I've two websites to share with you today. I'm thoroughly entertained by their content, and am really surprised I haven't posted direct links to them sooner.

TED

DISCOVER

TED is an acronym for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It's basically an award given to thinkers and innovators; a platform for sharing ideas with other like-minded individuals. People are given about 15 minutes to make a 'sales pitch', and some of them are wildly creative.

DISCOVER is Discover Magazine's site. It's filled with great articles and interviews.

As a deviation from the norm, I'm not going to suggest you watch a certain video or read a particular story. Just start at the beginning and let adventure and interest guide you.

And AEP Said...

With a pop and a hum, electricity was restored to my street at approximately 11:30 this morning. It's 8:30 P.M. and I'm all ready for bed.

I took a lot of pictures over the last few days; now it's time to edit them.

Powerless

It was just a little windy; a soft breeze that toppled trees and ripped the face off of many a building.  Seasonal debris is everywhere... it is almost fall.

The power has been out since Sunday.  There's a great candle shortage.  I don't normally burn them for their ambience, so I was kind of prepared.  Small, short-lived candles for the early evening, pillars and oil lamps for the later.  They promise it will be on soon.

I've had to go to the other side of town to find and fight for internet access.  The outlet is prime real estate.  I'm sitting at the bar, the tender is already surly to me because I didn't order my caffeine from him.  I'm a squatter, but everyone else at the bar is on their machine as well.

What to do when there's no electricity?  Take pictures of the destruction.  Uploading, so that you can see what's going on, is just a little more difficult.  Bandwidth is not cooperating.  Such is free wi-fi.

What to do when it's dark?  Take pictures.  Last night it was plants, tonight I'll have a live model.  I'll need more candles.

It's better than going to bed early.

It may be days before I have this kind of access again.  It's almost fun being out of touch.

Photo Exhibits

In the last three weeks I have gone to just as many photo exhibits. Original prints by British great Bill Brandt, early originals by Ansel Adams, and the Ohio Historical Society's show Capture the Moment: Pulitzer Prize Photographs. The last was just today, and I'm still kind of depressed.

Brandt and Adams might have been contemporaries, but their styles were vastly dissimilar. Even so, I was left with a greater idea of what the world was like from the 30s-50s... from a certain point of view.

From a certain point of view, as exited as I was to see the work of these men, neither of their shows stirred me like Capture the Moment.

The collection spans 65 years. Very few images capture the glimmering accomplishments of man; our great spots of hope for achievement or pride. No, we give prizes for photos of brutality, chaos and desperation. We give prizes for bringing light to the human condition, and we've done it for 65 years!

(Breaking News and Feature Photography are the categories under the prize for distinguished photography.)

Back to the condition:

1. We are always at war.
2. We are starving
3. Nature will win.

I never want to win a Pulitzer Prize.

People tell me I take beautiful photographs. To that, Thank You. My secret is that I crop out everything else that I don't want you to see. You're still seeing what I'm seeing, but not the whole picture. You see?

In situations like this, I have the privilege of experience; I was there, man!

Capturing the tragedy of man seems like never ending work, and a painfully daunting task at that. At least one of the photographers was reported to have killed himself because of what he had been witness to. These images are constant reminders of inhumanity, and they've changed nothing.

Sure, these photos had an impact on the situation at hand, but the near consistent subject matter reveals the truth.

It's a good thing I've sided with the winner. Here are some recent shots from a few of Columbus, Ohio's Metro Parks

X Marks the Spot

Using a series of photographs and timestamps, I retraced my steps through the dense growth of a Hocking Hills gorge. The first time I was here (this year) it was January. Visibility wasn't an issue. I had come to chase waterfalls, and with the snows melting, I was not disappointed.

One spot in particular captured my attention. The photos have since been the subject of many a conversation. Where is this? Is this a picture of space? Did you take this? Is it under water? What is it?

When I returned in June to scout the location for portraits, the gorge was thick and verdant. I was also relying on memory to get me there. I was caught in two separate, and fairly vicious thunderstorms. I was forced to take shelter in caves and under rocky overhangs. I unwittingly followed a creek into an adjoining gorge and found myself lost for three hours.

I was wet, tired, without food, water or cell service. I was alone, and no one knew where I had gone. I dug myself out of the hole I was in, and eight hours after I left it, I returned to my car without finding the waterfall. I also suffered a rash of poison ivy for a week after.

BUT!... (↑ see first line above ↑)

Before I left the house yesterday, I made a map using the photos that I took in January. Each photo has a time stamp of when it was taken. I used this as a distance between subjects. I know my pace while I'm hiking, so it was as easy as checking off landmarks.

It rained hard Monday night, and I was expecting a spectacular display. As wet as the gorge was, all the falls were drips.

Yes, I found my subject, nearly dry. But, wet or dry, now I know, and I can start shooting people in front of that Beautiful Face.


I also found this bright little fellow. I believe him to be a Small Chanterelle.

Sciency Type Stuff

Without it, we'd still be living in the mud, dying by 40, afraid of kings and monsters... magic would have crushed logic, the air would be cleaner, but we'd probably be really really stupid.

Some of those things don't sound so bad. Perhaps science will bring them back one day. (albeit an unnatural and potentially disastrous experiment.) Maybe we should just leave the recreation to Hollywood.

You can't stop it, though. Science fiction races towards science fact at ever increasing speeds. Authors become prophetic, and the collective moves forward. Star Trek alone has given us communicators/cell phones and phasers/tasers, both set to stun. Space stations; yeah, we got
'em. Missions to other planets; those, too. Nuclear subs; check! Eradication of disease... still working on it.

All these toys are great, let's see if we can hold on to them. (we did forget that the world was round for almost 2000 years)

10 Most Beautiful Experiments

Rare Genetic Disorder Creates Super Strong Toddler

Large Hadron Collider Goes Online Sept 10

Water Bear Survives Vacuum of Space

A World Without Engineers

NASA's Turbulent Gases

Get a lab coat and some goggles and do something fun.

Historical Record

Common people have been taking photos now for well over 100 years. Many people today carry the power of image capture in their pocket. Snap shots are still wildly popular, but few (if any) will ever see the light of day. "Negatives" will stay on hard drives, and prints will only be made on the rare occasion that you get a good one.

A few years back, I heard that the average person's picture is taken eight times a day. A walk downtown might double that number. But, who looks at those?

By comparison, Flikr is now estimated to house over a billion images. Growing daily, they're just one of many image hosts.

I'm getting ahead of myself.

Columbus, OH hosts a Paper Show twice a year. 'Paper Show?', you say. Books, magazines, posters, and row upon row of post cards; printed items, to include photos, that celebrate paper in its various forms. Tid bits of ephemera that if you hold on to just long enough, you can sell it for a dollar.

Of course, many of these items are worth far more to the collector. Post cards with $500 price tags are common. The photos are where it's at, though.

People, places and times set in silver, many of them unidentified. The lost history of families shoved in a dusty box. Half price table and I'll make you a deal for the lot.

Sometimes you can find the negatives, which I'm more partial to rescuing.

In another 100 years, what will be in that box...if it's a box at all? I still use paper, but I use plastic more. I still make prints, but only the good ones (and they're ink, not silver) I still have film negatives, but not as many.

Another comparison: a silver gelatin print can last 300 years with proper care. My hard drive might last five (and by then, there's no support for its maintenance).

Take a look in today's box.

70 yo Color Photos

Who Needs Nuts?

By loose association... The Bookseller

Tomorrow, I think, is going to be a science day.

HAPPY MONDAY!

Rise and Fall

Lots of things do it, and some are more glorious than others. Here are some currents.

Lobbyist Jack Abramoff

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick

Col. Muammar Gaddafi

And here are some things that are just good for Friday.

An Alien Place on Earth

Hanuka Illustrations (oddly, while at work yesterday, I passed by someone on their laptop and the first illustration was on the monitor.)

Chimps are People Too.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Why So Serious?

Today, I think you need a laugh.

Not the Best Angle

Non-dairy Creamer

Cartoon Anatomy

The Customer is NOT Always Right

Not made for a laugh, but still interesting: 100 foods you should try before you die.

I can't remember who said it, but; "...those that were seen dancing were thought insane by those that couldn't hear the music."

oh, wait. It was Nietzsche.

Just remember, as you sit alone in your cubicle (or wherever you are reading this) and laugh... someone thinks you're crazy.

I Palin Comparisson

Wow.

Bush is angling to keep us in a perpetual state of war; He's even decided to send a billion dollars to help Georgia's economy after the 'Russian Invasion'. (I don't think they spent that much on our own Economic Stimulus Package.)

The separation of church and state is falling apart...guess where? That's right, Texas. It's now a law that the Bible is to be taught in public schools.

The environment's still bad. Canada is melting. It's unstoppable, so let us divert our attention elsewhere.

Lets not speak of war, or the economy. Religion is taboo and too sensitive a topic. The environment?... I'll be green tomorrow.

I know! Has anyone noticed how HOT the Republican VP nominee is?

Come on. Really? Guys and Gals alike...eyes on the ball. Obvious Distraction Alert!

Do Not Get Swallowed By The Walking Drama That is Sarah Palin. She may be a reality show come to life, but there are more important things to take care of.

Ice Cream

There are fewer things more exciting than ice cream. There are so many flavors; sometimes it's hard to choose. Occasionally, one will come along and it'll just make sense. (think chocolate) You'll also find your rarities, usually specific to location, that can also be show stoppers. (salted caramel, pooh's honey pot) Sometimes we deviate, compelled by our sense of adventure. Sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose. Sometimes we're met with combinations that are just plain nonsensical.

Here's a little bit of political ice cream for you. Make sure you eat slowly, so that it doesn't give you a headache.

Stewart and Colbert mock Palin choice

Carville vs. the Congresswoman

Juneau ..vs.. Juno

A Kiss for Hillary

↑ is just too funny.

Felo de se

Sometimes people do the strangest of things. We had dinner a week ago; a gathering of friends over beer cheese soup and some pink, minty desert...both delicious. I'm still getting over the cold that seemed to move through the room. You left too much unanswered.

Even the act of solitary reading has been shown to increase ones feelings of connection to the world and relieve depression.

Free Online Libraries

Don't leave early, stay late, and take your time.

The Direction We're Headed

It's interesting to me to see how my taste in politics has developed over the years. It's run the gamut from unimportant mumbo-jumbo and outdated ritual to finally fixing itself as grease to the machine. Sure, you could argue: "This is smooth?" With our constant simian fears of sticks and stones smashing us to pieces... a perpetual power struggle to be top primate... smooth enough I say.

Intentional alliteration aside, politics is communication; a language unto itself. You'd think that after millenia of use there'd be perfection. However, truth in politics is like oil and water, and historical adages remain appropriate.

*rolls eyes* here we go again. CUT. more exasperated this time...with feeling...go!

It's hard to really muster anything real. We're just too inundated and desensitized (which may be the plan.)

Honestly, I think we've been cowed; bred to consume and produce, pastured if we're lucky. Huddled together, all facing the same direction, narrowly aware of our surroundings and the lingering fear of inevitability.

Anybody for a stampede?

Russia Recognizes Georgian Rebels

UK to Monitor Everything

Futurese - The English Language in 3000 c.e.

Obama Assassination Plot Foiled

Analog Meets its Match - hi-res camera

My Olympic Experience

I'm not a big fanatic about athletics. To me, the Olympics is polite politics, just as war is impolite politics. In sixteen days of competition, I caught zero events. This time around, at least I can YouTube it. (I don't own a television)

Four years later they're going to package all that fun into another of the worlds notoriously crowded cities. Good luck, London.

Below is how I spent my Olympics. They're in no particular order, except the closing.

Sure, I have links for you.

China's Olympic Domination

Olympic Mania Fizzles

But that's it on that. My contribution: Collected Google images of the Olympics.

Something that matters...and some silliness

13 Days in August

Life in 2008 (40 yo prediction)

Things you cant do when you're rich

This Just In!..

Here's the image that made me a finalist in the 28th Annual Spring Photography Contest sponsored by Photographer's Forum.

Winners and honorable mentions were to receive notification by August 15th. Nothing for me, but I did receive my last notice a month late. No worries either way; a finalist is a finalist, and with over 3000 competitors that's not so bad. I still get printed in their hardback.

The book doesn't do titles, which is probably a good thing. I struggled with this one. Originally, it was subject-order (common in my work) lewes_beach_113. As I developed it further, it became Low Tide Explorers, but that was too playful and obvious. I am Sand, the current title, is much more contemplative and it's meaning open to multiple interpretations.

The taxonomy of photos isn't always so hard.

Ironically, I was wearing shoes when I took this photo. None of the feet are mine.

Return from the Rubber City

The Brandt exhibit was great; I learned a lot from looking at his prints. At times, he used graphite and ink to accentuate or destroy certain details. Most of the prints were flawless, however, and at around 80 years old were just as vibrant as the day they were set. His shadow detail was amazing. His nudes left much to be desired. It was well worth the trip.

Since I have a reciprocal membership from the Columbus Museum of Art admission was free. The trip was gas and food. I ate at Crave, a restaurant on the ground floor of the tall building just below the flag in image 1. Good food, great atmosphere. The Mocha Maiden, a coffee shop around the corner alley, helped me get home proper. In one of the towns mentioned below↓
I found gas for 3.38!

On the way home, I decided to stop at the highest point in Ohio. This adventure took me through various tiny burgs, past old theaters and derelict feed depots...lots of corn fields.

At 1549 feet, it was easily missed...3 times. I was expecting something a bit more ceremonious than a technical school, which uses the location for a radio tower. Getting there was more rewarding than being there. The picture I have is proof, and may only be shown if I can make it to half a dozen or more high points.





FDA to Permit Irradiated Spinach

Bigfoot was a Hoax - Gasp!

Chemical Party ← made me laugh

HAPPY FRIDAY! Have a great weekend.

Art & Culture

Today I am headed up to the Akron Art Museum to check out one of their exhibits.

On display... Bill Brandt: Shadows and Substance. I've been looking forward to this one since my spontaneous stop over in Akron a few weeks back. The city is very easy to drive through and be unimpressed. 76, the feed highway, doesn't come anywhere close to the downtown. The highway view is all old factory and outskirt residential. The city itself is filled with beautiful Art Deco buildings, a throwback to when Goodyear was the powerhouse of the area.

It's a two hour trip each way, so my day is set. If you have the opportunity, spare 15 minutes and watch

Pilobolus

Some of you may already be familiar with their work (because of the Oscar's).

I'll have pictures when I get back.

1:1 and 64 squares

I have just been informed that I am a finalist in Photographer's Forum's 28^th Annual Spring Photography Contest! I entered submissions in both black/white and color categories; 10 total. They didn't tell me which one(s) put me in this standing. I'll keep you updated.

When I was in the Service, the only civilian contractors I had contact with were through dining facilities. They were easily identified by their yellow shirts. On Ft McNair, they were our KP only. Across the water at Ft Myer, it was a little old lady that ran the entire dining facility (dfac). She could be both bitter and sweet in the same running tirade. There wasn't a single soldier assigned to that location.

If contractors were any where else on these two posts, I didn't see them.

But, oh, how times have changed...

Military Contractors

Russia Never Wanted A War

A New Cold War?

Earthmine - JPL and Google Maps

Let us not forget that Georgia was the aggressor, not Russia. We continue to espouse the merits of democracy in practice, while turning a blind eye to the reality that even democratically elected officials are tyrants that subjugate their people and invade their neighbors.

Worldwide, elections are rarely won any more; they're stolen, often blatantly and complacently.

I can't help but see the hands of the biggest players rearranging their pieces, movements both subtle and obvious.

Ironically, the titles of these two photos are appropriate to the political stance of this post, while still holding true to their theological underpinnings.
Exodus
Lie(ing) In Wait

Let it be so...

because such as it is.

World without religion

Even atoms may have free will

Pope warns of Italy approaching Fascism

Counting Sheep

Ohio voters may be disenfranchised

Lower standards = More fun

algae for oil

Photos tomorrow; promise

A Weekend-Work Hangover

Working long hours every day of the weekend is not only exhausting, but ridiculous as well. There should be a law. I could pull photos from my archives, but that's not really my style. Fresh creativity is what I'm pushing here.

The show that I told you about back on August 10 was filled with hitches. Most (all) came from the venue and their willingness to support what I was doing. The bartenders were nice, but that surly fellow, that seemed to be perma-drunk from his amazingly long career working at a bar, was a consistent screw up and a complete @$.

Granted, loading a dvd player with a clearly labled disc, and pressing play at the beginning of each set is really hard work when compared to sitting on the front patio and watching the cars go by. I mean, it was a nice day.

The music was great, however, and I thanked the bands for the opportunity.
Happy Monday!

Save the planet? Buy it.

Top of the world, Ma. - pic

The Anti-Cancer Spice

Scientists copy nature to produce Hydrogen

A Look at what's ugly

Olympic opening singer

Data driven facial enhancement

I even helped a couple of ladies in distress by fixing a flat at 11pm. A jack that worked, a quality flash light, a hammer for that bent rim, a compressor for the donut (which was also flat)... a grumble from my audience 'don't need no boy to help me'... my response 'it's a good thing a man showed up.'

And you thought I was joking when I said I'd be blogging about it tomorrow. You're welcome, Maya ;)

Huh?, Hell...Pay Attention.

Painting a picture of the woman in green...

She plodded slowly through the intersection, her dingy poodle prancing before her. As she adjusted her ear bud (for higher quality sound) an old, beige station wagon thundered toward her. The driver didn't brake, opting instead to blast her horn. The pedestrian popped to attention, her hand still barely away from her head. She skurried across the road as the driver sneered past.

I nearly saw poodle pancake w/iPod soup.

Ah, to be so oblivious to your surroundings, set apart by musical bliss. It's like a fairy tale...or schizophrenia.

Many of my co-workers are picking up this trend of ear bud isolationism. I can't help but find it rude on more than one level.

Granted, work isn't (supposed to be) for socializing, but team playing seems pretty important across the board. Asking for attention, especially more than once and where inattention is intentional, is ridiculous.

Pardon me. Excuse me. Thank you for looking at me with disdain for this obvious intrusion in to your private party. I was just wondering if you'd care to participate in the world (people) around you. No? OK. Perhaps I'll catch you at a better time.

The technological (w)edge wins again.

Oh, The Science!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Amazing and scary things(some that go bump in the night) are afoot. Unfortunately, they're all happening on a larger scale than should be comfortable.

Two (American) Georgians Find Bigfoot

Archaeologists Glimpse a Green Sahara

Oceans Dead-Zone is Expanding

Clinton's Name to be Placed in Nomination

Bystanders Lift Bus off of Pregnant Woman

Deep Blue _and_ Strike 2

Things that make you go hm.

Sometimes I wonder. Sometimes I don't. People are people, and it's all par for the course.

Russia continues to ruffle

Warning! God's Judgement is coming - pic

Teen pregnancy statistic - pic

Gobstoppers are weapons, too.

Arkansas town under curfew

Ugly Bug

The Way We're Treated

Don't Do Drugs! They're bad. Except these... they're government sanctioned and forcefully lobbied.

I rarely have the opportunity to watch television; actually, I generally avoid it at all cost. The other day I was visiting a friend, and she had her TV on. My focus was constantly pulled from conversation to the tube. I was amazed at how many commercials were for pharmaceuticals of some sort. I was even more entertained by the possible side effects.

"Check with your doctor if..." was suggested, but for the most part it was all about self-medication. We're smart enough to do that, right? Certain restrictions apply.

Any more, I'm not so comfortable with the qualifications of doctors either. In my recent experiences they have pushed for ridiculous tests, haven't listened to symptoms before jumping to action, and on more than one occasion have tried to fear me in to thinking I had a psychological disorder...but that they'd have to do more tests.

My possible psychosis remains un-diagnosed.

Ill and in pain, detainee dies in US hands

The Pill makes women pick bad mates

Must have been an Engineer - pic

The Blogs of Obama and McCain -pic

Here are a couple more pics from my day in the woods.
Landing
Still Life with Water

Skeletal Summer

Sunday night I had a dream that all the trees died, and hardly a leaf was left by morning. Oddly, I was the only one that seemed to notice... or care.

I spent all of Monday in the woods down on the Scioto River. I even found a little waterfall to wash my feet in.

Rush






















Ripple















...and Churn















There was news that happened while I was gone. I hope you found it somewhere. As for today...

Speaking of Waterfalls...

Lightning in slow motion

and, appropriately,

Bush to relax protected species rule

Russia ends Georgia operation - as if you didn't see that coming.

HAPPY TUESDAY!