NYC

Back from vacation in NYC. Let me just say, "It feels soooo good to be back in North Carolina." NYC - a nice place to visit but I really don't think I'd want to live there. MONDAY:
My flight from Charlotte was delayed due to inclement weather in NY. Maybe an hour delay. No big deal. The flight was good. Sat with a sexy, blond named Michelle, on her way to "COUGAR" status. She and her friend were flying out to NYC to promote a singer's ( Brit Price ) album release at a place called The Bitter End.

The prearranged shuttle with Golden Touch to my hotel took forever. Remind me to never use them again. More on that later.

Got to my hotel, The Jane. Ever been to the Chelsea Hotel (NYC) or Concord Hotel (Concord, NC)? Well, let's just say The Jane is an old hotel with charm and potential. Frightening at first if one is used to staying at chain hotels. The elevator is run by a man in the "monkey suit" of years gone by. The room was very small. that was okay as I did not go to NYC to entertain myself in a hotel room. It just creeped me out a little when the door to my hallway was opened by the elevator operator and some old resident was hanging out in another residents doorway in his boxers. The smell of the shower down the hallway wafting around.






Met up with Autumn in NY. We walked around a bit and finally had dinner at Mr Tang of Mott St. Chinese. Good enough. We chit chatted a while until the place got crowded and decided we should give up the table for the next diner.

TUESDAY:
I think I walked my feet down to nubs. Didn't really go anywhere in particular. Walked up Broadway.







Met up with Autumn in NY in the afternoon and we went to the MUSEUM of MODERN ART.












Saw my favorite Marc Chagall painting "I and the Village".

We took the subway back down to Chelsea and had dinner at The Trailer Park Lounge. Had a GREAT Burger w/ sweet potato fries. Autumn in NY had something vegetarian. We wandered around after dinner to a couple thrift stores and to a coffee house where we sat around a long while talking.

WEDNESDAY:
Snow flurries fell while I was out and about on Bleeker St. Sold a few paintings at a small park before a policeman started to approach me and I put them away. Not being 100 percent sure of the laws in NY, ... I didn't want to get into trouble.

Met up with Autumn in NY at a coffee house called THINK. She and Nick and James(?) and Genevieve(?) were having conversation. Introduction and then small talk for a while.

Autumn in NY and I walked to The Doughnut Plant for a snack. We walked through her old neighborhood on Henry St.

Had dinner at an Ethiopian place called AWASH (I didn't think Ethiopians really eat). Anyway, I was not impressed and the waitress rushed us out when we were finished with dinner. Rude. I left her $1 tip.

We went to RODEO BAR. Rockabilly folks are very cliquish. There were a few there.




Enjoyed Susquehanna Industrial Tool and Die Company
play their Rockabilly/Country. Their banter between songs was as enjoyable as their music. A GREAT show overall.

THURSDAY:
More walking! Met up with Autumn in NY late in the morning. Headed down to catch the STATEN ISLAND FERRY after coffee. We stopped at St Paul Chapel @ ground zero.
It is very emotional being there. We rode the ferry just for the view. We didn't go to Staten Island. Met an Irishman on the ferry.

We walked to Williamsburg after a soft serve ice cream from a Mr Softey ice cream truck. Mmmm.
Walked across the Williamsburg Bridge.


Is this a BANSKY? Passed it as we walked in Williamsburg.
Had dinner at a place called SEA Thai Restaurant and Bistro. Very Good! The atmosphere is unique. Cool seating. Autumn in NY told me that a scene in "Sex In The City" was filmed in that restaurant. "That don't impress me much" but good food and service does!

We walked to a park area facing the East River.



Then stopped in at a Salvation Army Store.

Went out with Autumn in NY and Nick to a place called "Happy Endings". It was at one time a massage parlor, I think. Now it's a bar. Some of her friends were having a party there. Not my cup of tea but whatever. Met some of her friends, OJ and Yanzi. There until 3am or so. Left her there with Nick. Yanzi and I walked together until she came to her street. She encouraged me to take a taxi but I was okay,... until...

Some drunk THUG and his buddy approached me cussing "You don't even know!! MF!" Not sure what he had in mind when he got to me but his friend talked him into leaving me alone. I never stopped until I got to the next intersection. I wasn't "scared". I was just thinking: Tonight I find out what it feels like to be punched in the face or mugged or to be beaten to death. Took a taxi at the next intersection.

FRIDAY:
More WALKING. Later I took a taxi to CENTRAL PARK. I love Central Park! Unfortunately it began to drizzle when I got there. Watched a band play island music for a while. Sat at a lake and watched people sail their little motorized sail boat rentals.

Walked back to The Jane and later met up with Autumn in NY for coffee and cake at Think. Listened to some world musicians play. Sounded vaguely like Beirut. I like Beirut.

Walked to Angelika Cinema and saw a film. "Goodbye Solo". Filmed in Winston-Salem, NC. It was an okay movie. Won some award(s) but I didn't like that the movie only showed seedy or poor looking parts of Winston-Salem.

SATURDAY:
Rain!!! Went out looking for a flea market that was supposed to be on W 18th Street but it was not there. So I snacked my way back to The Jane. Autumn in NY and I met up and took the subway to DUMBO. Went to a flea market on Front Street. Didn't buy anything. Not too great. Overpriced.

Had dinner at Royal Bangladesh Indian Restaurant. Where two Indian restaurants next door to each other bid for your business. Christmas Lights vs Jalapeno Lights. Good food. Loved that cheesy flat bread.


Walked to The Strand Bookstore. 18 Miles of Books. Priced to sell!! I bought a book of post cards "Adrian Tomine Optic Nerve Postcard Book" and 2 art books: Mark Chagall and 1930's movie posters.

Hung out at a pizza place close to Autumn in NY's place. Talking. Back to my hotel by 11:30pm.

SUNDAY:
7 am - Golden Touch shuttle service left me stranded in NYC. After waiting in the cold for 15 minutes I tried calling them to find out where they were. "Golden Touch, please hold!" before I could even speak. On hold and then lost my signal. Called them for an hour and went straight to hold until I'd lose my signal or someone would hang up. Finally spoke to a guy who told me they had my address as 113 Duane Street. WRONG!! I spelled it all out the day before when I confirmed the ride. "We don't have anyone in the area to pick you up." "How do I get to the airport?" " Hale a taxi."
So I did. The bastards at Golden Touch had better reimburse me for the cab fare. $40
(GOLDEN TOUCH Update: They only refunded $24 - I WILL NEVER USE Golden Touch AGAIN!)
Felt so good to get back to NC. Home Sweet Home.

"Reflecting St. Peter" by Brian K Raynor

Heading to the BIG APPLE on Monday!!! Going to visit my sister's daughter, Autumn. Have no real plans aside from getting to spend time with her. Hopefully get to a museum or two and site see a bit. Hopefully get over to the Rodeo Bar to hear Susquehanna Tool and Die Co play on Wednesday night. Who knows? It's a big city, so we'll see.

I painted "Reflecting St Peter" as a homage or whatever to the artist, Peter Max. I'm not a huge fan but he has some cool images.

HOT DOUGHNUTS NOW

Was reading an article in GREATER CHARLOTTE BIZ about the CEO of Krispie Kreme (doughnuts), Jim Morgan. Turns out that he's making more than a profit. He is also making a difference in our community through "his support of the YMCA". In May the YMCA will present James H Morgan with the John R Mott Award . The award was named for the MAN, who was "dedicated to the cause of displaced prisoners during WWI and WWII". The award is given annually to individuals who exemplify Mott's ideals through service to the YMCA and the winners adherence to the YMCA's Christian mission. I didn't get from the article how he supports the YMCA but it must be significantly.

Mr Morgan appears to be a man of restraint as he is CEO of a company that makes those oh so delicious doughnuts and looks to be in good shape. In his place I would probably be too big to fit through the doors of the YMCA after a few years with Krispie Kreme. Wondering though, if the government might fight against obesity in America by super-taxing Junk Food companies as they do the Cigarette companies for health care here.

Cigatettes, Doughnuts and Taxes, one or the other is bound to do a person in!

Missing the Sun

"We need the rain". I hear that almost every time it comes down. But I think I need a little break from the clouds and fog and drizzle and rain. It's doing a number on my seasonal depression.

I have the weekend off but if the sky doesn't clear up I may find myself inside all weekend. The only thing I know about here in the Charlotte area that I'd like to get out for is "Unknown Hinson" at the Visualite on Saturday. The Redneck Vampire of Rockabilly.

Rockabilly Music in Charlotte

Last weekend I was out Friday and Saturday night for ROCKABILLY Music in Charlotte.

Friday (3/13), Jem Crossland played at Puckett's Farm Equipment in Charlotte without the Hypertonics (Chipps Baker & John Marlow). He had a friend Jason from Spindale playing bass for him. No drummer. It was a good show. Jem played to the crowd. Sometimes with the band he seems more...reserved(?) but always gives a good night of singin' and guitarin'. He has an excellent voice and his memory for lyrics makes him seem like a walking JUKEBOX. Jason has improved greatly since I last heard him play. Jason's confidence level has quadrupled. He's been playing with Kitty King.
There wasn't much, if any advertisement about the show because Jem was stepping in to play for a band that canceled at the last minute. I think everyone that showed up got their money's worth times four!

Saturday (3/14) I was at Tremont Music Hall. Kelly and The Cowboys opened the night. She is a a real cutie with a voice that rivals the one she emulates: Patsy Cline.


The Straight 8's followed. Robert is a good singer. He writes excellent songs that capture that rockabilly rawness. Their bassist and drummer do a great job as back up singers. Bernie bangs the drum like a lunatic and is great to watch.


The Tremors finished the night. Jimmy belted out their tunes with his hiccup lilt,... a sound I've grown to like. Slim on bass and Stretch on drums.


Unfortunately the crowd was not much from the start to finish throughout the night. Blame it on the rain, blame it on the St Patricks celebration in uptown Charlotte, blame it on the economy but a lot of good music was missed by far too many people this past weekend.

Jem Crossland will be playing Saturday (3/21) at Puckett's. He and Jason on bass. The Defilers are the HEADLINER that night! Be there or be square!

Spring

"Mother's Love" by Brian K. Raynor



"Angel With Heart" by Brian K Raynor


Today is the first day of Spring. The two paintings above were done recently and are in colors I associate with Spring. Unfortunately, I do not really care for either one. Anyway, it's supposed to reach the low 60s today. I can hardly wait for the cold to be gone! Ready for life to spring into the faded lawns and bare limbed trees to fill with greenery, flora and fauna.

"# 8" by Brian K. Raynor

I painted "#8" a few years ago, after The Great American Race came through Concord, NC. I was inspired to paint a vintage race rod after seeing the beautiful cars of yesteryear that took part in the cross country race. This was before the 2007 Great American Race that kicked off in Concord. Longtime friends/neighbors took part in the race that year, in a 1957 Studebaker.

I sold "#8" to a hot rod enthusiast and "model citizen" named Shane at the Rockabilly BBQ in 2006 I think.

"Elvision" by Brian K Raynor

I painted "Elvision" in 2008. I haven't sold it yet. I did sell "TCB" and "Elvis Pomp" at the 2008 Rockabilly BBQ. All 3 were Elvis paintings and I was surprised that the other two sold but that "Elvision" did not. Go figure.

GREEN DAY

Happy St Patrick's Day! Not sure what that really means to me as I am neither Irish nor Catholic. I did receive a pinch today because I have no GREEN on. What's that all about anyway? I remember we did the pinch for no GREEN as children but I never knew why. St Patrick was a missionary to Ireland and I've never understood what modern day partying has to do with celebrating a "saint". All part of secularising religious holidays for pagan and nonreligious enjoyment, I suppose. Not celebrating the "saint" but instead indulging in the Irish culture. I have nothing against Catholicism, the Irish nor am I opposed to indulging, especially in good food,... ask anyone who knows me,... Irish, Jamaican, Chinese, Polish, Greek, American, Thai, German, Italian,... it's all good. :) But I'm not wearing GREEN! No more pinches, please.

"The Cadaver" by Brian K. Raynor

I painted "The Cadaver" years ago as part of a 3 part set. "The Cadaver", "The Attendant" (the funeral home attendant) and "The Mourner" make up this acrylic trilogy. I experienced a lot of loss at an early age. I suppose I have a preoccupation with and a fear of death.

First I painted "The Attendant", which was the 1st painting I ever sold. I don't have pictures of it that I know of and I don't remember the ladies name who bought it. She bought it when I had art hanging at "On Common Grounds". It is my favorite paintings to date. It was part of an exhibit in Charlotte as well. Perhaps someday I will find a snapshot of it.

"The Cadaver" was painted shortly after "The Attendant", as I recall. When I would come home from college and stay at my sister's for the summer I would hang these works in the spare bedroom. My sister told me later that she couldn't wait for summer to end and for the paintings to come down as they were too eerie for her liking.

"The Mourner" was painted after college. I like it least of the 3. It doesn't have the texture nor the style that the 1st two share. Perhaps I'll get a pic of "the Mourner" up soon.

"Little Red Hen" by Brian K. Raynor

I painted this, "Little Red Hen" last month and then I received this email
and have copied it here for your reading pleasure or disdain:

The Little Red Hen

"Who will help me grow my wheat?" asked the little red hen.
"Not I," said the cow.
"Not I," said the duck.
"Not I," said the pig.
"Not I," said the goose.

"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen, and so she did. She planted her crop, and the wheat grew very tall and ripened into golden grain.

"Who will help me reap my wheat?" asked the little red hen.
"Not I," said the duck..
"Out of my classification," said the pig.
"I'd lose my seniority," said the cow.
"I'd lose my unemployment compensation," said the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen, and so she did.

At last it came time to bake the bread. "Who will help me bake the bread?" asked the little red hen.

"That would be overtime for me," said the cow.
"I'd lose my welfare benefits," said the duck.
"I'm a dropout and never learned how," said the pig.
"If I'm to be the only helper, that's discrimination," said the goose.
"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen.

She baked five loaves and held them up for all of her neighbors to see.
They wanted some and, in fact, demanded a share. But the little red hen said, "No, I shall eat all five loaves."

"Excess profits!" cried the cow. (Nancy Pelosi)
"Capitalist leech!" screamed the duck. (Barbara Boxer)
"I demand equal eating rights!" yelled the goose. (Jesse Jackson)
The pig just grunted in disdain. (Ted Kennedy)

And they all painted 'Unfair!' picket signs and marched around and around the little red hen, shouting obscenities.

Then the farmer (Obama) came. He said to the little red hen, "You must not be so greedy."
"But I earned the bread," said the little red hen.

"Exactly," said Barack the farmer. "That is what makes our free enterprise system so wonderful. Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much as he wants. But under our modern government regulations, the productive workers must divide the fruits of their labor with those who are lazy and idle."

And they all lived happily ever after, including the little red hen, who smiled and clucked, "I am grateful, for now I truly understand."

But her neighbors became quite disappointed in her. She never again baked bread because she joined the 'free bread from the government party' and got her bread free. And all the Democrats smiled. 'Fairness' had been established.

Individual initiative had died, but nobody noticed; perhaps no one cared...so long as there was free bread that 'the rich' were paying for.

EPILOGUE
Bill Clinton is getting $12 million for his memoirs.
Hillary got $8 million for hers.
That's $20 million for the memories from two people, who for eight years
repeatedly testified, under oath, that they couldn't remember anything.

IS THIS A GREAT BARNYARD WE LIVE IN OR WHAT?

"Heart Of A Prince" by Brian K Raynor

The warm weather we've had the past few days has woken the tree frogs from their hibernation. It's obvious when they have come out of hiding because of their loud chirping in the evening. In all the years I've lived in NC I'd never seen one until 2 years ago. It was not at all colorful as my painting. In fact when I first saw it I thought it was a mud daubers start of a nest. So it freaked me out a little when it jumped from the porch column toward me.
I painted "Heart Of A Prince" as a gift for Sherry Baker. She collects froggy things and I thought she'd appreciate it. She has all sorts of croaker knickknacks and even has a little frog pond built in front of her house.

Spring Forward

Tonight we SPRING FORWARD an hour and lose an hours sleep. How will I manage the time change?!! :( Getting up an hour earlier is torture! I don't understand why ,as a state or country, we don't just do away with DAYLIGHT SAVINGS and let everyone enjoy the extra hour of sleep. I heard on NPR that in the 1950s and 1960s states decided rather arbitrarily when to start or even if to start DAYLIGHT SAVINGS and that on a certain bus route from WV to OH one would need to change their time on their watch 7 times over a 30 minute ride to keep up with the varied regulations. We don't need to be as inconsistent as they were back then and thank GOD we're not but I don't see the need for it anymore. Maybe we could all just SPRING AHEAD 30 minutes and leave it alone.

The Fall

Last night I enjoyed a beautiful film, directed by Tarsem Singh, called "The Fall". Set in a Los Angeles hospital, circa 1920s. A stuntman crippled by injuries he received from an accident while filming, has given up on life. He meets a patient with a broken arm; a little girl who is from a migrant family. Roy, the stuntman befriends the little girl, Alexandria. He uses her innocence and her need for attention to get her to steal Morphine from the pharmacy. He plans to commit suicide with the pills. Roy makes up and tells Alexandria stories of 5 heroic figures and their adventures. As he tells the tale we see the story unfold through Alexandria's imagination. As Roy's depression deepens and his story darkens there is a struggle with the outcome of the tale as the teller wants it and the way an innocent child expects it. The imagery is brilliant! The cinematography and settings are so vivid that they are surreal. *****

CashBash 7

CashBash 7 was this past weekend in Winston-Salem, NC at The Garage. I made it out Saturday night and had intended on playing the part of "rockabilly tourist" ; taking pictures and so forth but I came unprepared. Batteries were dead in the camera. I walked down to a CVS but they closed at 6pm. Whoa! That's right 6pm and the sidewalks are all but rolled up in downtown Winston-Salem. Anyway so I got no good pics to share. Maybe I can find some that others may have posted here or there.
Hickry Hawkins was singing when I got there. I dare say but I think he may have been sober. He was doing a solo set and sounded pretty good.
Jem Crossland and the Hypertonics did a good set. Much of their usual tunes. All 3 band members were actually there!
Hearts & Daggers follwed. I'd never heard them before that night and will not go out of my way to hear them again. Their sound is just not for me. It's like a West Coast Southern Rock sound.
Tommy Ray & the Rayguns are getting a little more punkish (?) as they evolve. Unfortunately, they had some technical difficulties in the beginning of their set.
I wimped out and headed home before the last 3 bands played: Gojira X (never heard of em), Rev D'ray and the Shockers (sorry I missed em) and the Defilers (probably shoulda hung around).

More snow!

We had a good snow storm overnight. Made a snowman or snowwoman as it is. It's amazing that so many people call in "sick" simply because of snow! Are they allergic or is there something viral in the flakes?

Daydreaming

I need a vacation. A real go far, far away from home vacation. I'm thinking of a trip to NYC. It's been a couple years. It was summer the last time I was there. I have a week of vacation that I must use before the end of April. Not sure what April in NY is like. Maybe still very Wintry? I wouldn't like that. I have a few friends scattered around the country I could visit but I'd hate for them to feel obligated to entertain me.
Then again I would like a trip to another country or tropical island. But I haven't a passport. I think it might take longer than the end of April to get one. Maybe not but I'm not even sure where I would go. Ireland or Germany or Australia or St Lucia or Barbados sound nice. Four new walls and new people.

I Call This A MIRACLE!!!

GOD is FAITHFUL. Today my doctor told me that I do not have Lymphoma nor Hodgkin's Disease as was suspected. I went to the doctor with a swollen gland above my left collarbone. I Googled the symptom the day after I found the lump and called for an appointment with my doctor the next day. That was last Wednesday. I went to church that night and had the congregation anoint and pray for me. I didn't tell them what we could be up against. I wanted them to focus the Power of the One Who is on our side.
I went in for my follow up today and all the test they ran came back good. They will do a sonogram in a week to check out the remaining swelling. I decided as soon as I found the lump to PRAY POSITIVELY. I focused on God and His power not on the symptom. Every time I realized that a doubtful thought or scenario was coming into mind I would quote what the BIBLE says about God and his HEALING power or of His LOVE for us and so forth. Everytime I touched the mass I have spoken to it and said, "God is Greater" or "By His stripes we are healed".
The week has been a struggle. I know that I am only human and falter many times But God is FAITHFUL. You can dismiss this but I call this a MIRACLE!

Game Day

Saturday I did something that I don't think I've done in a long time. I joined some friends for lunch and board games. Actually, we only played one game but it was fun. Alan and Angela were our hosts. I know them from church. I'd not been to their house before, so I followed Doug and Amy (& their son Jacob) there. David and Cynthia (& their 2 girls) were already there. Cynthia brought the game: "Loaded Questions". It's one of those games where you must know the personality of the players to have an advantage. I didn't win but we had fun. The kids played with the Wii or some other video gaming system.
The lunch was great too. Burgers and Chicken fillets and Salad and Potatoes and Asparagus and Chips and Veggie tray and Strawberries.

Faith

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

In the midst of turmoil it is sometimes hard to believe that we can overcome a dismal situation. But we must keep our hope in God. Hope is a goal; a focal point. We must focus on God, not the situation and keep faith in Who He is. Focus on the POWER that is in Him. Refuse to concentrate on the negative. Locked in a pool of water, in darkness, rats will soon drown. But if there is a light visible in the darkness they will swim to their last breath. The light is HOPE. Jesus/God is our HOPE.
With His WORDS He created this universe and all that is in it. He has AUTHORITY to change any situation. We must seek to be in the center of His Will and focus our prayers on His ability, NOT on our human frailty. He has not changed over the centuries. It is man who has changed.

Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob."

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

Mark 11:23 "For truly I say to you, That whoever shall say to this mountain, Be you removed, and be you cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he said shall come to pass; he shall have whatever he said."

"George" by Brian K. Raynor

Today is Presidents Day, so I'm posting a painting I did of George Washington. I call it "George". It's another painting that was displayed at On Common Grounds until they closed. These days "George" is just hanging around my house.

Save the Wabbit

This morning as I was headed down my driveway I noticed something black wiggling alongside the drive. I stopped to find it was a little black bunny. I got out of my car to investigate. The rabbit was obviously tame. I picked it up and discovered someone had tied a thick black shoestring around it's neck -it was strangling the creature. I tossed the poor soul into my car and backed up to the house. Ran inside for scissors and with some effort was able to free the rabbit from the noose. Not sure who the idiot was that put the shoestring around the bunnies neck but that person needs a good kick in the cottontail! I put the rabbit in what serves as a dog pen when I have a dog. Depending on the rabbit's get away skills (which don't seem to be too good) I may or may not have a new pet when I get home.

Bugatti

This beautiful Bugatti (Type 57S Atalante) was found in a barn in NE England recently. One of only 17 built! Auction estimate is over 12 million. Where are these barns?!! And why aren't they on land owned by my family? I heard that these vehicles could obtain speeds up to 135 mph. Incredible speed in the 1950's! And not too shabby by today's standard.

Snowfall

Snow fell again last night. It fell for the first time this season on
January 20th. There wasn't too much snowfall last night but it was
beautiful coming down. The sparkling white layer it left on everything
is, sadly, all but gone tonight. Nothing like the snows of yesteryear.
As a child, a snow day was exciting and seemed to last forever.

As a working adult snow days come and go so quickly that they're
hardly remembered. As an aged person, I suppose, they may seem to
linger painfully. I heard an old man say with an almost teary voice
that he couldn't wait for Spring and Summer to get here.

The Day the Music Died

Headstone in City of Lubbock Cemetery




Buddy Holly September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959

Christmas is really over!!!!

Saturday I finally got the Christmas tree disassembled! I hate the chore of Christmas clean up. Bringing the holiday clutter down from the attic is not as bad as putting it all away. Maybe because when decorating, nostalgic feelings and anticipation of the holiday makes the chore more celebratory and less like work. I made several trips up to the attic. That's another mess in itself. In the midst of all the dust covered junk that has accumulated up there I wondered why I hold onto to things. Worthless things, really. Antiques Road Show will find no treasure there!

"2Serpent" by Brian K Raynor

"2Serpent" was painted with some abstract meaning to it. Something to do with fear and focus, carnality and spirituality.
"Denn unser Kampf ist nicht wider Fleisch und Blut, sondern wider die Fürstentümer, wider die Gewalten, wider die Weltbeherrscher dieser Finsternis, wider die geistlichen Mächte der Bosheit in den himmlischen Örtern." Epheser 6:12

"Greased & Deceased" by Brian K. Raynor

I sold this painting, "Greased & Deceased", to John Marlow in 2007 or 2008 at the Rockabilly BBQ. John is the drummer for Jem Crossland & the Hypertonics.

To be Quite Frank,... I got nothing.

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing."
Ben Franklin
Hmm, Brilliant thoughts,...I got nothing at this moment. I suppose that means I should get out and do something. The hour may be too late for anything worth mentioning but tomorrow is another day!

Pain in the *****!!

I've had to go to a chiropractor the past 3 days. That's a $50 co-pay, per visit, with my insurance. My lower back is feeling better. It has been crippling pain the past week. Today, I was talking to the coworker who recommended the chiropractor and I told her about my co-pay (She only has a $20 co-pay) but she said the chiropractor only charges $40 per visit for people without insurance.! Why would the chiropractor allow me to pay more than necessary? I don't like forking out extra money!... because when you get right down to it I don't have EXTRA money!

facebook

My gosh! I've been sucked into facebbok! Between Hotmail, Yahoo, Pandora, Netfix, Blogspot, Flickr, Myspace, work related sites, and now Facebook, how can I keep up with all the passwords???!!!

"It's Better! Pure Coffee" by Brian K. Raynor

It's 26 degrees outside! How 'bout a little coffee to warm you up? I painted "It's Better! Pure Coffee" after seeing a picture like it in a book of Hatch posters that I bought in Nashville. I have always tried to keep the actual texture of my paintings smooth and posterlike. The other day I explained to someone that I have always tried to keep my artwork smooth because I'd only seen prints of paintings as a boy and for a long time I assumed the actual paintings were as smooth as a print.

"Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
-- Terry Pratchett