What happened in 2004.

A'Muse Media

January 5, 2004

I hope everyone is fully recovered and happily falling into their New Year. The weather is blizzard cold outside, but candlelight warm in. Perfect winter weather at last. Considering it was almost 80 degrees Sunday, the cold is a welcome change.

I am working on some major changes with the site, most of my time delegated to rewriting the basic code.  I am converting my clients' sites as well, beginning with certain pages of mine for lessons and practice. So far, everything is going quite smoothly and I am enjoying the ride. The end-user and client hardly notice any difference. The difference is not in the look, it is in the size of the files, the bandwidth used to load pages, and the ease with which changes can be made.

This will cut my usual 12 hour day down to a manageable 8 or 9 hours. I can definitely live with that!

Meanwhile, email or call with questions or comments that you may have about things you see.

There is a great big world out there. Manage it well.

January 19, 2004

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday to everyone! What a great soul we had in our company, but for such a brief and shining hour. My prayers to all those who continue to carry the torch, and continue the fight for complete freedom.

I am here, entertaining my CSS, the HLN site, and my new kitten. Spunky little thing.

However, my other cats are a different story. Actually, my big black gorgeous Magic has this amazing mothering instinct and wants to meet the kitten (named Vanilla.) But Scala... Scala. Scala wants to eat Vanilla. Maybe I should have named the baby something having nothing to do with food???

The child wandered into my backyard, having no idea I would fall madly and helplessly in love with her. She's become a jewel among four (okay, I'm including myself. and why not?)

Suggestions for uniting the three are welcome. For now, Vanilla is quarantined for awhile until we are sure she hasn't brought any nasties with her (feline leukemia, feline AIDS, etc.)

February 1, 2004

Just when I thought everything was going to be okay, I suffer a MAJOR setback. I either tore ligaments in, or broke, my foot. This morning. In the dark. Climbing over canvas stretchers in the studio/garage. Brilliant.

Meanwhile, I have a kitten who is quarantined, two cats who also need attention, and an art show to prepare for (two weeks away.) February 13th, a Friday, is my debut. I was also supposed to pick up my "charge" today (I do volunteer work - mentoring - for the I Have A Dream Foundation, and Lucy is my kid) and we were to clean house, do some yard work, and get her some moolah!!

Two weeks til the show, kids. Four hours til I have to be at Lucy's house. This thing has got to heal FAST. Any suggestions?  I have ice on the bottom and the top as I write, and have been able to maneuver throughout my little space fairly well, but I must be mobile.

These things tend to happen for a reason, and it is usually a good one. I'm waiting for THAT to be revealed. Perhaps it is to finally force me to focus on my webbing, mastering the CSS as I've tried sporadically. I am being pulled in too many directions. Okay, I WAS being pulled. I have no choice but to sit and stay seated as long as it takes.

Superbowl Sunday. And the last three nights have been like Carnivale in Rio. Its been a writhing combination of unconventional partying and unfettered fresh urges, strangers meeting, linking up, then never seeing each other again. It has been mayhem.

February 8, 2004

Nothing broken! I saw the doctor Tuesday morning, at 7:15am (ouch), and he put me in a boot. It enables me to walk, go where I need to go, do what I need to do - within reason. But we were surprised that nothing was badly hurt, considering how loud the snapping was, and nothing damaged too far beyond a couple of weeks' recovery. Thank you for your cards, letters, and flower arrangements. I will let you know how it all works out.

I have my first group Art Show at Mindpuddles Friday, the 13th of February. A very good-luck day indeed. I will be showing my Weapons of Mass Seduction line, a collection of bronzed undies, as well as a few paintings and a fish or two. I am quite excited and will post the photos online (if I can remember to take photos! these things tend to be a blur to the artist showing)

February 16, 2004

The show was a HIT!!! Navid Ghedami's Mindpuddles put on such a great artists' opening February 13 that he has decided to have a 'closing show' as well in about a month (before March 13th.) Those who couldn't attend will be in for a fantastic time.

In spite of the nasty weather, we were mobbed. People showed up from everywhere, and my sister even flew in from Dallas, braving ice storms and the freezing cold! I had friends drive in from Navasota, leaving their horses and cattle to weather it out alone. I had old friends and new join me for my debutante ball. It was way too much fun.

See the gallery...

Navid searved wine and fruit, cheese and accoutrements. Several artists showed, including a dear friend gary faye. He does the most magnificent photography in the world.

Navid showed quite a few of his own ribbon metal works, including a beautiful abstract of a red Ferrari. Also in the show was the requisite furniture, including a bed in the back area where two sets of my own bronzes lay. Navid situated them on this gorgeous satin-esque STAINLESS STEEL MESH. It was a divine setting for the "girls".

Renee had her stunning abstract pieces, as Navid had hung quite a few of his own paintings. I had my damselflies, the PopMonitors, Bone, Blue Sheep, and my Balls (Skewed) scattered throughout the space. It was a game of "find the artist's works" to allow the roamer to seek out the mysteries of our creativity. I also had two of my fish at the opening, the small one on a glass shelf in the front window, and Fin on its own table in the corner, looking very ancient and wise.

The show went past our stopping time of 9pm, but the stragglers were more than welcome to stay as long as they wanted. Afterward, Navid and I met some friends at the newly opened LaStrada, where we had already dined a time or two. We were way ahead of the pack.

So if you weren't able to make the opening, please come to the closing show.  If you cannot make that show, there will be the PhotoFest opening at Mindpuddles on March 14th, with a wine tasting and photo installation!

February 28, 2004

Leap year. Now all those souls born on February 29th can have a blow out celebration. Happy Leaping Birthdays!

Easing back into a life, I have spent a lot of time stretching and restretching canvases.  I am also sculpting more figures to be bronzed. The creativity is flowing and my evenings and weekends are filled with production.

After painting all of November and December, I felt rather empty. I had depleted all my creative juice and was not aware that a rejuvenation was in order. I now know. I consider my twisted foot to be a stoplight (though more yellow than red) and have gone down into my lair to make peace with my mind.

The inspiration has been overwhelming. I find it everywhere, especially in listening to the birds in the early morning when the sun is peeking over the landscape. I remember my abilities to create, that it all begins with a small song, then crescends into a cacophony of motion. I remember that I have a limitless supply, as long as I regroup and allow the channels to open for receiving this.

There are several art openings tonight, and Igneous Rock is playing at the Artery, so a few friends and I plan on attending function after function. Inspiration at its most primal.

Happy arting.

Flight.

March 24, 2004

I am almost finished with this leg of the latest project at work, and I am ready for a week of sleep. This has aged me. And this is only the first (or second) phase of the project. It will only become more difficult after this, and I welcome that. I love a challenge.

I will survive.  I love the work, love the act of putting this puzzle together. I work early hours, beginning my day at 5am for yoga, then 6am for the work (and a gallon of coffee.) I work late into the night, although last night I painted. Thank goodness. That helps me keep my sanity.

I am far behind in my foundry work, but intend to get caught up this weekend. I have been graciously invited and included to many events, which has put a halt to some of my own creativity, but the creativity is still highly active. After a museum opening Monday night, I was chatting with fellow artists and was told how the mind continues to work on problems long after we've consciously left them alone. As we spoke, my mind discovered - uncovered - the solution to a problem I'd been having with a recent creation.

I took off in a hurry, running a few small errands, then getting to the studio to work at that solution.

I am beginning two paintings tonight - a very small one and a very large one. I also will get started pulling together my presentation for a silent auction. I will be auctioning off my pet portraiture services for a cause.

Frankly, I don't enjoy this type of painting because it does have to be so precise, but I have a plan...

I am finally back on my bike, and riding at 100%. If you know me, you know that this is not enough. I want to do more than my allotted time and distance.  I will tack on a couple of miles each ride, and power walk the days that I don't bike. This can be accomplished with a little effort... and about a week of sleep. Did I say I needed a week of sleep?

Wild Kingdom.

April 13, 2004

The sun is finally burning off all the fog and clouds, and it looks like it may be our Blue Heaven once again. I will hit the trails today, power walking early while it is still chilly, then biking later in the day when the winds will benefit my pedaling.

A few days ago, before all the rains and cold, I was on my return trip of biking on the trail. I went down under a freeway bridge, a place where the homeless and a large community of pidgeons hang out, pushing up toward the other side on the great incline that marks the end of the work, when I saw something rather unusual.

A red-tailed hawk had just captured its prey. I was on the upside of this hill, so I was a bit tired, but wanted to stop to see what had occured.

Remember: this is in the middle of the city. Urban wildlife. The hawk had just captured (and, I was hoping, killed) its target - a pidgeon. It flew high above me, landing on a street lamp about 20 or 30 feet high. I stopped my bike to plea that the pidgeon was already dead because all those Sunday evenings, before the Disney flick, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom would display exactly what was about to happen to prey when a red-tailed hawk got its way.

As I stood there balancing my bike between my legs, craning my neck to see if there was any movement in that most unfortunate pidgeon, the hawk began to pluck. I was showered with hundreds of tiny gray down feathers, raining down on me from the hawk's perch, the hawk completely oblivious to my presence (or perhaps not so oblivious,) as I observed this force of nature.

Natural order. It was both horrible and beautiful, disturbing yet mesmerizing.

Out of the corner of my gaze I spotted a tiny wren flying at top speed directly at the hawk, nipping him in the shoulders. He flew up and back around to nip the hawk again! The hawk took off, but I didn't see what became of the pidgeon (I rather hoped it had taken it with him as there should be no waste in nature.)

Bravo, I whispered. A little comic relief for such a tragic scene, though I'm sure the wren wasn't playing, nor was it performing its act with any personal humor whatsoever.

Courage replaced fear, solidarity reigned in the animal world, as this tiny little bird of a different feather was admonishing this enormous "monster" of its murderous act. It was too late to save its comrade, but it was pushing forth with all its tiny little might.

My ride home was then blanketed with an undercurrent of empathy, sadness, simple joy at the bravery and reality I witnessed. It was something worthy of my words.

May 23, 2004

For those of you who missed it, the art shows May 21st & 22nd were a blast. I was surprised and honored to be invited to exhibit my bronze works in Allan Rodewald's private studio gallery to compliment his own paintings. We both had friends in from out of town, as well as the usual suspects. We considered Friday night a dress rehearsal, as it was for the Serious Buyers, but Saturday night was much more fun and garnered more sales overall.

Eeking.

June1, 2004 -- the Garbage of it all.

Great Memorial Day weekend. I traveled to the country to see a girlfriend who has some fabulous property with horses, dogs, a number of feral cats, tons of bugs. I rode her horse for the first time. We barbequed. Lots of good people showed up. It became an experience I will never forget. Happy post Memorial Day.

For the rest of the weekend, I swam, worked out, laid in the sun, ate plenty, rested. This I needed the most.

Yesterday as I walked the park, I noticed the usual and ubiquitous trash skirting the trail. It wasn't immediately apparent, but the more I looked, the more I saw. I asked the universe for a plastic bag so that I could pick some of the trash up. Before I got the thought out, there was a plastic bag.  A small one at first. So I began picking up trash.  I found more plastic bags, bigger these, and continued to pick up trash.  How much trash?  Yessir, 3 bags full in an area of about 100 feet. That is just sad.

Again, you don't readily see all of it, but there is a lot of it there.  My suggestion to the parks and rec department is to NOT put 12 garbage cans all around the club house, but disperse them throughout the park. It is a 2-1/2 - 3 mile trail in just one portion of the park, with no cans more than 100 feet from the club house.  I guess that makes them easier to empty out and the workers don't have to drive too far to check the outlying cans.

So instead it encourages people to just chuck their garbage anywhere at all in this gorgeous little park. That's not acceptible.  I had hoped that those seeing me pick up so much trash would take the hint, either to help out or to NOT LITTER.

So for those of you who are listening, how about grabbing a plastic bag before leaving on your walk, jog, or bicycling tour and picking up what you see until you have a full bag?  Keep some bags in your car, keep some on your bike. It really is that simple and every little bit WILL help. I also have faith that those who see us do this will eventually get the hint that trashing our beloved spaces is not acceptible anymore.

Talk to the Animals.

June 9, 2004

So I'm riding on the bayou this evening and I come upon a beautiful and frightened snake who had just snuck onto the asphalt trail. It was this striking irridescent green, mysteriously dark and brilliantly light at the same time, this stunning surprise of beauty in my path. I gasped (something I don't do too often, but probably should; its a Southern thing), then laughed as the snake quickly, elegantly pulled itself back into the tall grass right before me.

I rode on, laughing at the flow of it all.

I wasn't going to bike today, but something kept at me, urged me on. In respect to the theory of chaos, as the fluttering of the butterfly's wing in Peru creates a world event from its subtle ripple, there will be this change in tide from my decision to push along the trails like a wind on the snake-laden high grasses, as I came upon this icon of eek, this bastion of sexuality and sin.

She and I have molded a different creation from my flying and her sliding.

In the early morning, digging cottonseed meal into my plants for fertilizer (try it, its fantastic), I saw my first BABY lizard. What a cute... yes, cute, little machine of perfection this was. He/she had a tiny body, but a rather large head (as babies do), and thoughful eyes. Lizards and birds tend to have quite human-like gazes. Anthropomorphic.

Go here, then click on All-In-One Word Look-up. One of my faves.

http://www.howardnations.com/lawlinks/writing_aids.html

So this was a bit of a reptilian day. I shall tell of another story another time, one about a baby bird. Birds and lizards. Thanks to Jurassic Park, people now know how closely they are related.

En arrière de mon voyage.

June 28, 2004

I have returned safely and in one piece. I learned a lot. I will be creating a page specific to my journey to France, and will provide the link to the 'A' list of people who wish to know the wonderful and amazing details. If you would like to be on this list, please email me with your name and the email address to which I can send the link to the story and photographs.

It will take me a little time to create in my spare moments, fewer and farther between now, but I can promise an exciting ride.

July 17, 2004

We will be traveling to the country today to visit friends and ride horses. It will be hot (is there anywhere in the US that isn't?), but the house is in a shady ravine and there is a constant breeze that blows through.

We will sit on the porch eating watermelon and talking about people we know. We'll probably talk about some people we don't know, too. We'll definitely be talking about those who shunned the trip in favor of working yet another Saturday in the city.

Let them eat cake.

Been Up the Country

July 19, 2004

Well, we sat on the porch eating watermelon, talking about people we know and people we don't know, but only after riding, cavorting, surveying the property, and having a most generally fabulous time.

Saturday we arrived around 4ish. Lisa and I talked most of the way, I interrupting only to let her know where we were and what exits to take. We finally arrived at the property and I opened the gate.  Up a hill, down into a valley, we made our way through some trees and, as the sun was beaming through the branches, we came upon Cerina the Andelusian. Seeing her is like discovering a Unicorn. She is exquisite.

We found the house as the dogs found us, and Patty appeared at the door. She is pure love, this gal. After the hugs and welcomes, we made some concoction libations and then took our requisite trip to the grocery store. Snacks, veggies, dressings, we planned a feast to beat all feasts that came before it. We always do.

But the sun was waning, so we opted to saddle up the horses and ride.  Now, if you've never been around while they were saddling up the horses, arriving at your own horseback rides with canned and mapped trails, barn spoiled animals, and pre-saddled mounts, you would be surprised at how long it takes to prepare for a ride.

About an hour and a half later, we were ready to climb on. Just as we were prepping, Tommy and Jim drove up with Tommy's horse (Jim was to ride "WildOn", the skittish of the pack), and we all possie'd for our trails.

The sun was going down as we approached "The Gate", the entrance to the rest of the acreage. It was Patty on "Tory", Tommy on his horse, Jim on "WildOn", Lisa on "Cerina" the wonder horse, and I on "Mama". Well, being as Mama has a colt, the colt joined us, as did "Spirit", whom Patty calls "Filly" because she is just a young'un.

So all us humans, all our mounts, and the two little ones go a'ridin'. Magic, kids. Pure magic.

At one point, it was growing fairly dark as Patty and I found ourselves dicking with Mama or Tory, or both (or perhaps dealing with the young'uns who would stay fairly close to us.) We look up just as Lisa, Jim, and Tommy came riding up over the hill toward us. Patty said it looked just like Bonanza, with Little Joe, Adam, and Ben. That was a sight! ... where's Hoss???

Okay, while I'm at it, I'll tell you that I was named after the only girlfriend Hoss ever had... Lacey.  On with the story...

So we start humming the Bonanza theme (which you can hum to yourself as I continue with my tale.) We ride on a'ways then decide that it is getting quite dark -- it was a new moon night, you know. We traveled the trek back to The Gate when we discover how bad Tommy's back was hurting. This guy was in some kinda pain. He rides all the time, every day if he needs to, and apparently did something to his back (keep humming, it helps the ambience.) So onto the house (back at the ranch?) we went, all us riders with the kids in tow.

We proceeded to create our feast (Hop Sing had the night off). Jim grilled the steaks as Lisa made a fabulous salad. I did a chicken stirfry with rice, as Patty and Tommy mulled over ways to kill his pain. World o' hurt, buckos. World o' hurt.

We ate at 11pm. I swear. There are no clocks in the country, just the sun and the new moon.

I was the first to crawl off to bed. Such a lightweight.

Lisa and I slept like the dead. We talked the next morning, and shared that neither of us moved all night.

Morning broke and we got our sustenance on pancakes and sausage, coffee and juice, as we decided to ride yet again.

Did I mention how sore one's butt can get on a saddle?  Even these gentle Paso Finos, soft riding as they were, still caused a bit of bumping on the up and down. I'm sure there is a wrangler name for that, but ya got this city girl by the bridle. Us three gals rode anyway, and rode well, with the dogs keeping up the pace, leaving the "kids" (Spirit and Baby) to stay at home. We rode like the wind. Well, a bumpy wind, like being in a plane during some badass turbulence... or maybe it was just me.

Lisa was a supreme horse whisperer woman, and Patty the Queen of all she surveys, the finest rider of us all.  I was the nubian bump, getting the giggles every time Tory (yes, I ventured out) would take off with me, streaming his gate beautifully as I hung onto my hat. 'Lost that hat once when I had to decide to hang onto it and let Tory take over, or grab the reins and try to control him. Screw control, I lost the hat anyway.

We rode the property and had the time of our lives.

Finally returning, we sat on the porch eating watermelon, talking about people we know and people we don't know.

Pure magic.

The Silent Noble.

August 14, 2004

I took Vanilla Bean, the incidental pussycat, up to the country to be free. She was borne into this life to live in nature and not be anyone's "pet". I was the apparent vehicle to get her there. I moved her from this somewhat bustling neighborhood, where nature consisted of backyards and bayous, streets and fences, to the great and enormous outdoors.

I decided a couple of weeks ago that I would take her to Pattie's place where rolling hills meet ravines and water tanks, and 300 year old trees stand witness to the entirety of our brief and ephemeral lives. Vanilla would have a somewhat full run of the place, along with about 20 or 30 feral cats that Pattie adopted to mouse out the property.

I packed up the little girl here at the house, placed her in a carrier with a litter box I'd fashioned out of a mailing crate, then taped a water dish to the bottom of the carrier. She was fairly comfortable and trusting, even as I knew that I would have to say goodbye later that day.

We drove the hour, Vanilla looking at me the entire time, meowing occasionally when I would talk to her. She was so sweet. She fell asleep for a few minutes but awoke with a strange expression on her face. She began to meow that low, pained cry, then she got car sick. I felt so bad for her.  I don't know that she had ever gotten sick in her little life.

At the first opportunity, I pulled over and began the cleanup. She sat very still and quiet as I reached into her cart to clean her up and get the cart in good shape again. She looked to me to help her feel better. I did all that I could.  I made her as comfortable as possible again with some soft cloths I had in the back, then continued our journey.

When we arrived, Rascal and Spot ran up to the car to greet me. Vanilla hissed her signature 'hello' to them and we began her indoctrination into her new life. I sat her cart on the northern side of the porch where there was a slight breeze. It was a very hot day. I wished aloud later that I had waited just a couple of weeks for this cooler weather. She panted, I brought her fresh water.

A few of the cats were curious, but most kept their distance. There was one brave old soul who didn't. The beautiful surprise of the day was old Grizzly Gus, our self-appointed Diplomat. He came over to Vanilla's cart and sniffed around a little, peeking in to see what lovely little gift we may have brought for him. Gus was this very old, very scrawny adopted cat that Pattie had acquired with the rest of the cat herd. He looked so emaciated, but she told me that he was far better than when he had arrived. He actually had hair on his tail now. His bony little body barely supported his rather unproportionately large head, but there he held your gaze with his cloudy but kind amber-green eyes.

He hung out by Vanilla's perch. He checked on her every now and then, completely ignoring any hisses or spits she may have aimed at him. He was old, she was scared, he would give every effort to usher her into his little fold. When we checked back in on them every few minutes, he would have changed positions from laying beside the cart, to walking around it, to laying in front of it. He was creating her comfort. His was an amazing old soul, softly, silently noble, our Dignitary. Our Diplomat.

At one point, as Pattie and I were talking on that side of the house, the dogs and a couple of the cats were gathered there by the cart with Grizzly Gus. Old Gus went to the edge of the porch and suddenly jumped off. This was the high part of the porch, and he landed with a thud as his front shoulder went down onto the ground. We were stunned that he thought he could do it (even though the steps were right next to him, he chose to "Superman" it) but figured he knew his limitations. He obviously had hurt himself in his leap, but he contined to slink around as usual, checking out the scene as we commenced our Vanilla Freedom Quest.

After an hour or so, I put her cart on the ground in the cat forum, up close to the house. Pattie and I decided she would feed all the other cats and I would release Vanilla. This actually went very well. Pattie was distracting the herd while I talked to Vanilla, telling her it was time to make her way without me now. I opened the door and she very quietly walked out. She made a soft trek away from the other cats, hoping (I'm sure) that they wouldn't notice her. She has a fear of cats. She was on the streets a long time before she wandered into my backyard, having to fend for herself, having to fight for her life.

She disappeared into the cool darkness under Pattie's house. I didn't know that I might never see her again. Had I known, I would have waited those couple of weeks for cooler weather. I would have shown her all the love I could while I still had the time. Let that be a lesson to us all. Sure, she's just a stray little tyke, a feisty ball of volatile energy, but that kid taught me more about myself and about life than anything I've come across lately.

I'm learning to detach (not readily and not easily, though); I am learning to let go. I learned that someone may trust me more than anything else in the world and that I must always honor that trust, no matter what. I am learning to trust in something beyond my own common senses. I am learning to trust myself.

We didn't see Vanilla after that.  I called her name several times that evening to let her know I was thinking about her, that I was still there. I know she was overwhelmed and I wanted to show her that we are safe, that this area was what she had fought so hard to win. She will be safe here, safer than anywhere in my neighborhood.

I called a few days later for a report -- still no Vanilla. Pattie said that she was keeping Gus in the laundry room, continuing his special feedings, but his shoulder wasn't doing so well. He would try and get up on his hind legs, but that darn front just wouldn't cooperate. When I spoke to her a couple of days later, I asked about Gus.

Pattie hesitated, then said "Gus didn't make it."

Our magnificent, benevolent, charming and self-less Diplomat of the Cat Ranch sacrificed himself for the comfort and integration of Vanilla Bean. Maybe he was trying to impress her with his former legendary finesse, maybe he was showing her how easy it was to just jump right into the herd, and maybe this gaunt little King was thinking things would always be this wonderful.

~~~

Pattie called the other night to tell me that she finally saw Vanilla. Oh, happy day. Vanilla is fine, comes out at night, is still just as sweet as anything, still has that meow filled with beautiful and quizzical intonations. I drove up there on business yesterday, during the midday, but couldn't find her.  I left food for her, water in case she didn't have a good source (there is water everywhere around the property.) I called her name many times as I sang to her. Vanilla will be just fine. And somewhere in that wilderness there is Grizzly Gus, with his legendary finesse of his younger years intact, as he now runs with Vanilla in her hunts and her captures.

Life is so rich, packed with great wonders and ever abundant, though fleeting, possibilities. As one mother said, life is so tragic and so beautiful.


taken the morning we left the house.

To the Sea.

August 29, 2004

I was taken sailing Friday night. The moon was nearly full, the waves were shallow, but very animated, the bay calm, the evening almost cool. It was damn near perfect. We were only out a couple of hours, but it was such a nice experience. My thanks to all those who made the pleasure trip so divine.


See how the cormorant swoops and dives
Must be a thrill to go that deep
Down to the basement of this life
Down where the Mermaid gentle sleeps

Not like here in the blue light
Far away from the fireside
Where dreams can get twisted, and haunted, and crowded
You can't even feel right

So I dream of Columbus
Everytime the panic starts
I dream of Columbus
With your maps and your beautiful charts
I dream of Columbus
There's an ache in my traveling heart...

From Columbus by Noel Brazil

I wish I could write like that.

Refresh.

september 10, 2004

Taking from the correspondence we've received, it seems that quite a few of you have noticed a little difference in the pages' layout. We have finally cobbled the shoes. Working up to 17 hours a day, we've been recoding the boss's site in favor of forward compatibility and ease of design, so we thought it might be a good idea to take our own site out of the last millenium. Looks like we have some appreciators in the audience.

Breaking away from "work", we had yet another art opening last night at Sippora (who looks to have had a recent site redesign as well!) and we would consider it to have been a success.  Nothing of ours sold last night, but opening night rarely sells anything anyway. It was a whole lotta fun; we saw some folks we hadn't seen in ages, so the social aspect was appealing. But there was this metaphysical aire to it, as well. We learned a thing or two.

We won't go waxing philosophical tonight in favor of work, but will write more on the soul when the chance presents itself.

Back at the Drawing Board.

september 12, 2004

I attended the house concert last night of a friend. It was visited by quite a crowd; I ended up running into an old friend from 20 years ago. Music by some old stand-bys, and the main attraction was Caroline Aiken of Atlanta, GA. She and two other women rocked the blues like I'd never heard before. Thank you, Jeff, for the invite.

Early morning for me (I think the concerts usually last until around 3 or 4am -- I left right before midnight) I launched my bike onto the trails. Mist laden lavender air, everything covered in dew, I powered out until my thighs were screaming uncle. I'm still at only around 10 miles a day, but that is a total of 60 miles a week.  I think that's enough to whip this kid back into condition.

I'm shuffling through my repetoire of css designed (and informational) sites this morning, trying to get a leg up on all my other reformatting projects. I came across the man in blue again, revamped and beautifully styled for forward compatibility. Hell, its just a great site to look at. "He" does what some of us are trying to accomplish: all the bells and whistles without all the actual Flash (or other some such 'trick up the sleeve' software.) Impressive stuff.

Precious Cargo.

October 12, 2004

Hey, guys, and you know who you are...
or at least that's how the log started out today.  I've received one too many emails from men as to my ramblings. I rescind, but not happily.

Jordan Creek Ranch Riding Club this weekend! Here are the details:

Jordan Creek Riding Club is going to meet again October 16th (the third Saturday of every month, of course), and wanted to give you some information.

It was such a fabulous time last month, with croquett... or is it cricket?, and badmitten, lots of FANTASTIC FOOD!!!, and great people. Lets not forget the horseback riding, which was entertaining and very informative. Some rode the horses, some helped barbeque the meats, some just hung around and helped set up the games and buffet tables.

We missed you being there!!!! So gear up for it this time so that we can ALL have a blast up at the ranch!!! Fact is: these horses love to and neeeed to be ridden! Come and help us out!!!

~~~

We'll all be meeting up at the Jordan Creek "Ranch" around 3 or 4 o'clock, and below is a list of items that you may want to bring for yourself....

Your own bottled water to keep with you

a chair to sit on (with all those inexpensive spring-up chairs BedBath&Beyond and other places have had, its easy to bring your own comfortable sitting apparatus!)

your favorite snack food or covered dish, and be sure to bring your own meat to barbeque in the pit!

a horse and tack, if you have one, but we have several horses so get there early and learn how to tack!

bug spray, just in case.

a cap or hat, just in case.

a change of shirt, just in case.

jeans and good shoes for riding, if you are riding.

If you wish to learn about tacking (saddling and bridling up a horse), please arrive a bit early. Its a highly metaphysical activity, and enables the rider to get to know the horses much better.

See you there!

Cerina Arena.

October 17, 2004

We had a blast, again, up at the country. A ton of good folk showed up and made the day magnificent. I would like to thank each and every one of you guys, but I'll never remember every name.

Thank you for bringing such fine food and drink, thank you for some wonderful conversation. Thank you for driving the hour+ to make it a day to remember. And when the day was blanketed by the night, we rode the horses under the stars. It was magic, just as Pattie has always wanted it to be.

Thank you the most, Pattie, for providing this rich, full forum for creating the magic.

The highlite of the day had to be when Hunk, an enormous male blonde lab, found a huge pile of fresh horse poo. I heard a collective "oh, no, oooooohhhhhh!!!!" from the crowd and turned around to find him rolling in it, covering himself in what he considered a lovely aroma. No one got up to stop him until Carolyn, his human mom, took the initiative to rinse him off with the hose.

In spite of the poo-covered dog, and a mishap with Lily on Cerina's back, the day was perfect. Cerina did not like the boarded donkeys in her Arena. Cerina's Arena - according to Cerina - is NOT a place for donkeys. Asses, if you ask her.

Now we know.

Life Back.

October 24, 2004

Just hours away from the Upload, I am working today to perfect my monkey. I have been on a project that has taken us 6 months to see through, 6 months of brain slog and private riots. Now we finish the task tonight (Saturday) and tweak to perfection tomorrow while the world sleeps.

Sunday will be my day of unrest.

Then I will have my life back.

12 - 16 hour days, 7 days a week, weeks on end. I have and do take breaks, but it is the work that matters the most. My house has been neglected, as has my car and my personal errand schedule (when was the last time I bought groceries?) I have been graciously wined and dined by friends who know I need to get out, and this has brought me the doggie-bag diet that has kept me alive (and eating fairly well.)

I am about to put up a schedule for Steve Krase and the In Crowd's band; they are actually playing today at a park somewhere downtown:

The Houston Blues Society will celebrate the 4TH Annual Founder's Day Picnic

Saturday, October 23, 2004 3:00pm – 7:00pm

at 3322 Sampson St. in Third Ward

... and so it goes.

Its a wonderful Life.

November 1, 2004

The upload went off without a hitch. Really.  I was expecting numerous internal broken links, but nothing. Simply perfect (okay, almost, but I won't go into any groggy details.) I worked part of last week, but have taken a lot of time to gather myself, regroup, regrow a few brain cells, and begin the creative act of art.

I ran by Mindpuddles to pick up the boxes for The Box Show, opening in December, and have prepped 7 for the exhibit. I am logging while waiting for the underpaintings to dry. Seven paintings... in less than a month. Get busy.

My tech guy, Steve, was in town Friday and Saturday, he hosts my site with his company NCC. After a long walk through IKEA, we dined at Baba Yega down in the Montrose.

Afterward we visited The Artery, Mark's little artists' haven down in the Museum District. THAT is always a great experience.

Saturday we headed out early to find the Historic Houston warehouse; the one on Houston Avenue was closed, but the one on West Gray was supposedly open... but I couldn't find it. Anybody got a clue?

While we searched, I turned Steve onto the Menil Museum, one of the finest small museums on the planet. Soon after that I drove Steve back so that he could load up and drive the million miles back home.

Oh, and he brought me my new kitten.  Yay!

Sunday I was escorted to the Texans game with a friend and we sat up in one of the luxury suites, eating barbeque chicken and fresh-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. Thank you Bob. Really great afternoon.

And then Halloween... Oh. My. God.  I've spent the day recovering.

Still plugging away.

November 8, 2004

The weather is gorgeous, in case you were living in a cave and didn't have to come out to hunt your own food. After loading up on Italian carbs last night, I and friends are now on a major get-back-in-shape kick. We're already looking pretty good, but we're striving for perfection, for maintenance of the temple. Today I walked the park (about 2 miles), tomorrow, I ride the trails (about 9-1/2 miles.)

I am introducing the kitten to the older cats today/tonight. So far, so good, although my calm and sedate cat isn't happy, so the psycho cat will be even more unhappy. The kitten?  She's doing just fine. in fact, she is the diplomat in all this. She knows a precarious situation when she sees it (and hears the hissing), and knows to keep her distance.

In jewelry making I am finding my stride.  I designed a rather nice pendant, a stylized flower that hangs by its stamen (pistle? oh, what the hell do I know about flowers...) and I am to add a bezel jewel to it. I'm fine with soldering, but still a bit afraid of screwing up. I watched me completely ruin hours of work on a magnificent ring because of over-soldering.

Oh, and I'm still off work, on vacation, so I'll not be at the helm for awhile. I'm painting these 7 boxes for the Box Show and they are turning out rather splendid. Go figure (I mean that literally; they are of a mathematical theme.)

Okay, kids, I've got a kitten crawling all over my shoulders, I'll type more later...

Shuffling Shows.

December 9, 2004

I am heading out to meet friends tonight at the Sippora "Red" art opening. It should be a swell time. Everyone who wears red gets in free. I'm wearing red. A = B = C, therefore C = A.

Is that  Aristotlean?

We will dine at a rather fabulous Asian fusion spot afterward.  They usually have art works from the locals hanging on their walls. Perhaps I should take my own portfolio, ever changing, to them to snipe a spot.

Life is good.

Tomorrow night is the pre-show for the $100 Box Show. Should be fun. Saturday night is the Mindpuddles Box Show, then Sunday night is the Bering & James Box Show. Navid tells me that my works are hanging in both galleries. Hmmmm. The seven dwarfs have been separated. Good. It'll help stave off those abandonment issues when they are sold to differing buyers.

The cats are all fat and happy, able to stay in one room together (not for long) without killing each other.  I've always been there, so I'm none too curious as to what would happen if I actually left them alone.

Well, we're off to the races!

Gallop

December 10, 2004

We went a'riding Saturday and it was simply gorgeous. I packed a GALLON of turkey meatballs in sauce, gathered up a couple of gifts, and headed out. I had two girlfriends who were interested, but I had to leave so early on a Saturday morning that they begged off til next time.

As it turned out, there were only four of us, so only four horses got ridden. Rode. Rided. Ridden. (Its early.) Pattie, as usual, rode Cerina, Ray rode his horse Regal, and Howard rode his new baby, Winston. I rode Mama and, in typical fashion, Baby Francis tagged along. Actually Baby set the pace, frolicking and running ahead of us, Mama wanting to keep up. She gave me a run quite a number of times so I let her.

Howard said yesterday that I'm "not supposed to do that", well I guess if I were training that'd be the case, but sweet little Mama was in a mood to RUN!!!! So I let her.

 

The Scourge

December 27, 2004

Back to work as of yesterday (yes, some of us DO work on holidays), but enjoying the efforts. We have several projects to get off the ground, and lift-offs are what we do best.

Meanwhile, the holidays have been wonderful. Tons of family, food, friends, and travel, but we are home and warm and safe and secure. Plans throughout the week for various webbing activities, you will soon see results of our efforts once we perform our lift-offs yet again.

Admittedly, we are getting quite sick of the Holiday design. We were going to work on another that was on a back burner, but life got in the way. Life has a penchant for that.  Plans?  Fuggetaboutit. Making plans seems a good way of insuring that they don't get done.

... a few minutes later...

you may see a new design right before your eyes.  If you don't, then hit "reload".