The Big , Big World Wide Web

When the WWW came to be, it was heralded as a means of bringing us all a little closer. But, the sometime prevailing imagery is that of a socially awkward person creating an online persona to communicate with other disaffected folks who had created their own virtual personalities.

The web can be a scary place. We have all heard the stories; some true, some firmly entrenched as urban lore. But, amongst all the flotsam and junk, real moments occur where connections are made that finally deliver on that early promise of making the world a smaller place.

Two posts ago, I received an amazing comment from Nina in Copenhagen. She spoke of things that I had posted, her own experiences, and mentioned that she too had stood in nearly the same spot two years earlier where I had taken a photo and took a picture of the limbs coming out from behind the boulders and thought it looked like a spider as well.

Thanks to the WWW, an expat in Europe can stumble onto a little virtual waystop and discover that someone else took the same photo of the same boulders and limbs, and for the same reasons. Thanks to the WWW, I follow the lives of folks in Wisconsin, the pains of a breast cancer survivor, and the creative musings of folks from all over the map. The world is a little smaller and I like it.

So, without further adieu, The above shot is Nina's photo of the spider tree.

Baker to Vega$

Every year, I run in a team relay called Baker to Vegas. It's a 120 mile relay challenge pitting law enforcement agencies from all over the world. This year, 250 teams from as far as Canada, the UK, and Australia showed up to run on a little two lane road in the middle of nowhere (that's a total of 5000 cops) near Death Valley National Park. There's a reason they call it Death Valley.........

For ten years I've been running and every year I swear I'm retiring. And, every year, like the swallow's returning to Capistrano, I end up doing it. But this year was different because I meant it. And it wasn't until a mere 3 weeks before the race that I was asked to run due to injuries on the team.

Damn..... First training run felt like someone beat me with a stick. I couldn't even walk from the living room to the fridge for a beer. Then, I crashed on my bike and did no running until 3 days before the race, and that was on the treadmill in an air conditioned room with a 50" wide screen TV (1080dpi w/surround sound-no suffering in the gym!).

Race day! I drive out to the start, which is actually below sea level. I've never run this leg, but how bad can it be? It's flat; not like the mountain legs I usually run. The temps aren't too bad; 86 degrees with a light breeze. Unless it's 86 in the desert (which feels like 95) and the breeze is actually a sustained 20 mile an hour headwind which makes me think of convection ovens.

I start pretty well, leading the pack at the 1 mile mark. At about 1.5 miles I notice a desert gremlin has stuffed my mouth full of cotton, depriving me of any moisture. Smack, smack, smack. Still another 1/2 mile til I pick up my support van.... By two miles, I have a white ring of spittle around my lips (gross, let me tell you) and I'm humming Christmas carols when my van pulls up along side.

"Do you need some water?" they ask? "Nope! I'm like a camel; that hump called my ass is actually where I store my water...." Duh! I start to alternate between drinking and pouring the water down my neck.

By mile 4, there's a slight rise in the road. Oh joy...... For some reason, I can't get Barry Manilow singing "Copa Cabana" out of my head; the desert is a cruel place.... Several times I start to throw up, but manage to keep it down because the infamy would be brutal.

At mile 5, it's the one mile to go marker. Along the route folks have pulled over to cheer runner's on. One person, someone's teenage son, yells out "You're too old for this...." He's right, but I yell back a string of obscenities at him that in reality probably sounds like a I've sustained major brain trauma.

Funny thing about the desert.... I could see the finish line, but it appeared to be moving away from me. Maybe it was the salt crystalizing on my eyes. Then, finally, I was in the gate, passing the baton off to the next runner while my 'catcher' and a medical staff member checked me over. The medical person was pretty damn sexy standing there with cold water. But, at some point, I read HIS name tag and realized how hard that run really was.......

So, now I'm home and retired (I swear it!) from running in the desert.

This photo is the start of my leg, which finished at about the base of those mountains......

The Art of Emotion

It is not often that we have the ability or opportunity to share the innermost glimpses of our being. It could be joy or pain; it could be peace or angst. Whatever the case, it is usually only shared with a very select few. But, I think artists are blessed/cursed with the means to express emotion that is unencumbered by the restrictions of language or intimacy. Art comes from someplace within. And that is why art can be so hit and miss for the observer.

But, when you get it; when you really get it, you share something with the artist that connects at such a visceral level that it's almost overpowering.

So, to all artists who labor to bring their vision to the rest of us, I thank you!

One last shot form Joshua Tree NP. I found a burnt scrub oak next to these boulders. Kyle thought it looked like a giant spider (it does), but the starkness of the scene was very appealing.

Seeing in Black and White (and Gray)

Just a gallery of shots from Joshua Tree this weekend. I'd mention to anyone who says "gee, I don't have a fancy camera" that these pics were shot with a small 6 mp point and shoot digital camera bought on Amazon for about $150.00.

Peace, Man!

Kyle and I just returned from Joshua Tree National Park for an annual spring camping trip. The Park is home to the largest concentration of Joshua tree on the planet and is a mecca for climbing and bouldering enthusiasts.

Anyway, Kyle needed some down time, so he popped in an Indiana Jones movie into his portable dvd player while I went out for some lost hiking to find some peace. At sunset, there are not too many places more beautiful than Joshua Tree, and the smell of desert sage and wildflower was pretty intense.

And I found peace.... Literally! Low and behold, this rock formation jumped out at me as looking just like a peace sign; a giant 60' high peace sign!

So, if you go to wild places looking for peace, you never know where you'll find it!

Ancient Ones

The National Park Challenge I'm a part of in the Printmaking Forum on WET CANVAS has really kept me busy coming up with a variety of scenes. This print is from the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains of California.

This grove of Bristlecone's contains Methuselah, the oldest known living thing on this planet. At 4700 years old, it's life spans the rise and fall of some of the greatest civilizations known to man, including the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures. It's more than double the age of Christianity and over 20 times older than our country.

This print is of another tree as Methuselah is not identified in order to protect it from trampling, vandalism, etc.

I Don't Even Know What to Say

My son is 12. He's had a mutual crush on a girl since kindergarten. Maybe it's because she has always been the tallest kid in school; maybe it's because they are both very decent young persons. Anyway, we've always thought it was kind of cute that they have made 'googly eyes' at each other for so long.

This week, Kyle told us he wanted to ask her out. We talked about it and figured it would be fine because 'asking out' meant coming over to watch a movie and play video games. In his mind, and hers, it was nothing more than taking those first awkward and innocent steps to growing up.

We told Kyle she would need to discuss it with her folks and he would have to be respectful of her's and her parents decisions and feelings (keep in mind, the young lady is all for it....) Today, Tami talked with the mom, who we have been friends with for years; who has let her daughter go to musicals and other activities with us; and who has never had any issues with Kyle or us.

She said she didn't want Kyle going out with her daughter because he is a non-believer. Apparently, she found out Kyle had a debate with a fellow student on evolution vs creationism in the strictest sense. A couple of his 'friends' labeled him a 'non-believer' and told the young lady (who's family is very religious). Apparently, it made its way to the mom.

First, I can't believe this lady would tell Tami. Then, to find out, she told her daughter the same and now it's floating around school that she can't go out with a non-believer. I think the appropriate exclamation here is "JESUS CHRIST!"

We have raised Kyle to be sensitive, decent, respectful, and tolerant of other people and cultures. He has attended church functions, but has not embraced it. He knows and hangs out with folks of all faiths. I have told him, what's in the heart is more important than the symbol on the chest. But, wow.... The closed minded gall. Despite it all, I told Kyle if he wanted to attend church to learn more about Christianity, he could. I've always believed in being open towards all comers.

I could rant all day, but I took a ride instead. Above are some photo's from this afternoon.

Hope Spring's Eternal

I went out on a mountain bike ride today; down the old North Shore Trail. Before the fires of 2003 and 2007, and the floods of 2003, the trail use to be one of those amazing places that was almost right out the back door.

There were bracken ferns and wild tea rose lining the trails. In the lower portion, Bear Creek meandered along through a lush canyon filled with wild iris and tiger lily. At the bottom, as the canyon opened up, there were tangles of blackberry bushes hidden amongst the grasses. I remember when my wife first learned she had skin cancer. I went on that trail to clear my head and ended up getting dehydrated because I dumped both of my water bottles in order to fill them with plump berries for Tami; Probably 2 pounds worth!

But today, it's gone.... The loggers have come through and clear cut all of the scorched trees for lumber. But, they have left the slash to divert water and runoff paths and destroy the trail. Now, it's just a brown monoscape with an occasional cat's claw bush to add a bit of washed out green to the view. Sad.....

Flash forward a couple of hours. I found myself walking with Tami through another burn area; this time over in Running Springs. We were enjoying the daffodil gardens, which has been devastated twice in the last 5 years by fire (in 03' it destroyed the owner's home).

Despite the fires, the gardens were cleared and ready to welcome visitors. For tourists, it's a chance to see a quaint local landmark. For us locals, it's a chance to see color instead of the dead browns, blacks, and tans we've become accustomed to.

So, here's the photo of the day. Tulips against a blue mountain sky taken in Running Springs.

Stretching the Boundries

I tried water coloring a print of Zion National Park. Not sure of I like the result, but it was fun attempting it. Pushing boundaries in anything you do is a good thing. Whether it's fitness, art, or your beliefs, it pays to get outside of the comfort zone now and again.

Sometimes we get stuck in our little circles. Imagine a page of polka dots with none touching the other. Now, imagine if all those polka-dots expanded. There would be overlap, communication, understanding, creativity, & appreciation.

Soooooooo, that's the mantra for the week; stretch your boundaries because once stretched, they never regain their original dimensions.

The Road Home

On Rim of the World Highway, there's a huge old sugar pine that has been topped by lightning/wind/fire. It sit's below Strawberry Peak and is local landmark for locals and 'flat landers' alike. I like the tree because it has an almost bonsai feel to it and it clings to a fairly steep drop off. It just feels like the essence of preseverance and stability because the Old Fire burnt everything around it, but could not manage to burn this tree.

I'm sure I'll re-visit this subject, but for now, it was printed on Stonehenge watercolor paper with akua brown oxide ink. Carved from a 6x8 blocl of linoleum.

There's Gold in Then Thar Hills!

Mountain biking is a passion. It keeps me fit, reduces stress, and give me some great folks to 'break bread' with and share in camaraderie. But the best part is when you get to pedal through amazing vistas.

Today, we went down to Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas, CA. The Santa Ana winds were howling. Several 18 wheelers were tipped over on the freeway it was so bad. But, about 5 miles from the park, it was like someone flipped the off switch and the winds just died. There was even a hint of coastal humidity in the air.

The backside of the ride was absolutely packed with wildflowers. You could smell just a hint of sweetness mixed in with with earthy tones. It was pretty spectacular. I almost forgot we were in a regional park with nearly 5,000,000 people within a half an hour of us. One of the biking moments to remember!

That little red dot? That's me.....

Witches & Burgers

We went to Wicked-The Musical last night at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. Let me clarify that I'm not a theater lover of any great degree. It's not that I don't enjoy it, it's just that often times the show of patrons in the lobby is better than the actual production. Not so with Wicked!

About all I can say is WOW! The production was outstanding. Tami, who's seen shows on Broadway, said it was one of the best she's ever seen. The stage, the lights, the costumes, and the actors were simply amazing. And the story itself was rich and complex; not at all what I expected.

Of course, I still enjoyed the people watching in the lobby. The older lady in a black latex rain coat with a huge tribal tat on her shin took the prize ("you have bin der naughty vittle boy & you need der discipline!).

As for dinner.... What does one have on a night of theater habberdashery? Given that we were running late and there ain't poop down there to eat, we chose American cuisine, AKA Tommy's Burgers. For those in the know, it's a locally famous concoction of a double cheeseburger topped with a cinnamon based chili, topped with mustard and pickles, and finally a huge slab of tomato. Throw in the 'hot out of the larder' fries, and you've got the original belly bomb! Thank goodness I didn't share it with any other closely seated theater goers during the show...... Kinda cool, though, when Tami remarked that the glasses of wine we enjoyed at the theater cost more than dinner. That's why I love her; cultured without pretense.

Dirty Old Man

The weather finally broke enough to get out and get some dirt on the bike. But, the wind was so bad it literally blew me off the bike and into a culvert. Still, it was great to play a little bit.

I read a quote from the adventurist who discovered the Titanic wreckage where he said "I was born old and have spent the rest of my life trying to become a child." That's my thought for the day!!!

The Road to No Where

Hwy 190 into Death Valley National Park is lonely. I've driven it, and I've pedaled it as well. It's a quiet, desolate, and yet amazingly beautiful place.

In the print, I tried to create the glare you get from the sun reflecting off of, well, everything! The only thing that you can really see is a long line of hot asphalt, stretched out a a piece of licorice taffy.

Now I can do my snow day chores.......

SnOw daY!!!!

Wellllllllll, unless the plow decides to roll through, I'll have to take a snow day for the first time in about 8 years, and only the second in my entire law enforcement career. Spent an hour shoveling out the car in preperation, but no plow yet. Hate having to call off, but Mother Nature trumps all wishes!

Even the ladies were reluctant to get out in the 15" of new powder....

National Park Challenge

I put together a challenge at http://wetcanvas.com for printmakers. The call is out for a wide open interpretation of National Parks with an final unveiling date of Earth Day, April 22, 2008. I've decided to do a two-fold challenge;

First, I plan on creating a monochromatic relief print of every National Park I've been to. At last count, it was 18.

Second, I plan on doing a large multi-color reduction print of my favorite park, which I won't share until April 22nd. Hopefully, I'll improve whilst I carve away!

Why National Parks? Personally I've had some of the best moments in my life in a National Park. A quick top 10 would include #10-Watching the sunrise over the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with Tami #9-Climbing ladders up a cliff in Mesa Verde #8-Seeing Yosemite Valley for the 1st time #7-Bouldering with Tami & Kyle in Zion #6-Seeing a Bearded Dragon in Hovenweep #5-Watching lightning and listening to thunder roll across the Grand Canyon #4-Climbing Pothole Dome with Kyle when he was 3 in Yosemite #2-Doing a 100 mile bike ride under a full moon in Death Valley #1-Giving the man-talk to Kyle around the campfire in Joshua Tree.

So, I figure I owe it to the Parks to pay them homage.

One down, a bunch to go. This is from Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Park.

Not on My Watch

For those who follow my wife's blog, you know my mother-in-law has been seriously ill. For those who read my blog, you probably have guessed that I'm generally am optimistic person. So, when my mother-in-law spoke to my wife about her requests and wishes 'when' she passes vs. 'if' she passes, it was quite simply gut wrenching.

Tami and I have discussed this stuff, but in a theoretical way. This was real and my initial instinct was to put my game face on and get pragmatic. But, when Tami mentioned that Shyron wanted us to take Kyle to Disney World in Florida after she's gone because that was the next trip she had planned with him, I lost it.

Shyron was there for Kyle's first Disneyland experience. I think it was for his 1st birthday and I can remember him being absolutely excited about the whole thing. At the Mainstreet Parade that night, I snapped a photo of Shyron holding Kyle that has always been one of my favorite; a grandma's beaming smile, gazing at a happy little boy. It has been the essence of their relationship ever since.

Well, I got to carving and tried to recreate that moment. I will give the print to Shyron, with the caveat that she will take Kyle to Disney World.

Why Nothing Gets Done

I always start the weekend with good intentions; get the garage clean, do some stuff in the yard, get some riding in, visit with the family..... Sadly, before I know it, the weekend is over and I'm left wondering where it all went. Then, my son took a photo that explains it all.

Though not apparent in real life, the film has captured two ghostly apparitions that appear to haunt me the second I sit down. These para-normal beasts effectively suck the life force out of me and leave me reclining with my feet up.

When I'm not sitting, these same creatures make voices in my head that sound like a Siren's call, willing me to venture out into the freezing cold to walk down by the creek. Upon return, I feel a compelling need to slap peanut butter on a treat and lay it on the ground.

I don't know where these harpy like vampires come from, but look at the photo~~~ They are REAL!

Alright, maybe I've taken dramatic license, but, damn those dogs! They get me all peaceful on a cold winter day. Thank god for football on TV!

(And, I did do a carving of some Anasazi Pottery. I liked the photo, which had a very abstract feel to it; like ancient art deco!)

Never to Old to Rock

For me, a great source of pride comes from when my son says "Dad, you know that song that goes 'Brahh-wah-wah-hwah-twaaahhh' real loud?" as he rips out a verbal guitar riff.

"You mean the one where they go 'gbow-wow-zeeeeeeeee---brahh-wah-hwah-twaaahhh?"

"Yeah, that's the one! Can you download it for me?"

While I download the tune to his ipod, I tell him about the song; what it means; how the guitarist was amongst the best before (pick one) sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll did him in; what I was doing in high school when the tune came out. A real history lesson.

I'm lucky if I get a "thanks" and stoked if I'm blessed with a "cool." Still, it's my way of connecting with my son, spanning the great divide, bridging the generation gap. I know he appreciates the download, even if it comes with a monologue.

Yesterday, while I'm watching football, I hear my son talking with his friend while they listen to tunes upstairs.

"You may think this song's about a trip across country, but what it's really about is discovering all the things he likes about his girlfriend..." he says and then casually mentions that the songwriter died in a plane crash/speeding in a Ferrari/eating a bologna sandwhich. And, of course, his knowledge illicits the appropriate "coooool........" And not just from his friend, but from dear old dad.

First Reduction Print

Since I have a new press to play with, I tried a reduction print. Reduction is where you carve away the lightest color, print the color, carve away the next color, print it, and so forth. By reducing the block, it's destroyed in the end.

Anyway, it's from a pictue I took, and have posted here previously, of two crows in Mesa Verde National Park.