Art

A movie called Art City Simplicity came out a few years ago, highly recommended if you haven't seen it.

Anyway, there is a scene in one of the extra features section featuring two guys discussing Duchamp. And what's funny is that they actually admit that the only reason they really like Duchamp is so they can feel superior to people in Idaho.

Isn't that like being a wine snob and drinking wine you hate because people in wherever think it tastes bad?

I'm taking my daughter to the open house at Art Center today, and that's what triggered this thought I suppose.

iTunes

He Came Down now available on iTunes.

Just be thankful I'm not on iTunes for my singing.

CD Cover

I made a CD cover for the wifey's church choir. I made an oil painting and was happy with the results. However, after photographed it looked absolutely horrible on a screen or in a printed format. It's the nature of painting and is not uncommon to have this happen, as photographs can mess with colors and pick up textures in unforeseeable ways.

So I took the best picture I could, and added some photoshop effects. After a lot of trial and error, I found a nice combination of filters that kept the original look, but cleaned up the photographed effects. Once I made the realization that this is a digital project, things got much better.

And the music is good, too. If you are interested in ordering a copy, click here.

Don't Be This Guy

I recently found out a previous employer from many years ago had cancer, and it seems to be terminal. I will not mention his name or what he did, but I am not alone in condemning his actions. Suffice to say, think of Kevin Spacey in Swimming With Sharks and know that this man was worse.

When I heard the news, I have to say there was no voice that said, "He deserved it". Instead, I felt sad. I tried to remember his good qualities and the laughs we shared. Regardless of how evil people can act, nobody deserves cancer.

I think what makes me sad is that he had potential, but was so weak he was abusive. He is alone at this point and lost most of his friends and contacts because of pettiness.

On the positive side I met my wife at his office, and made some close friends there, so it is not all bad.

All we can do is learn from this and not be this person. I pray his suffering will end and he will be ok. Maybe he just needs a second chance.

12 Benches from Cambria, and one from Harmony, CA

Keeping track

Benched

Scenes from a bench in Toluca Lake.