Ten Years Gone... Ten Years On...
Thought to write something about 9/11...
but nothing extraordinary happened to me that day.
I was merely a witness from afar.
I watched events unfold on TV, alone at home,
switching from channel to channel.
The first word I heard of the attack came from
the Channel 4 News Chopper... during a traffic
report there was a sudden, fast-moving, shadow
outside the chopper's window and the woman
reporter yelled, "What was that?"
Everything else followed..
-Fini
_______________________________________________
Afterthoughts...
In that time just before sleep comes, the mind wanders where it will...
tonight I recalled one, nearly forgotten, 9/11 memory:
I live in the NY City area. Soon after events unfolded at the WTC, one of the local NY channels ran a short news story about Pakistani residents in (one or more ?) New Jersey towns dancing and singing in the streets in celebration of what had just occurred. It was only the one broadcast... and it was NEVER mentioned again.
I've often wondered if the media was self-censoring or if the govt. had intervened to prevent rioting by the rest of us (U.S. citizens). I do know that I've had a hard time looking at Pakistan (and things Pakistani) with anything approaching charity in my heart since.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
07 SEP 11
Art...
Naomi, the singer in my new band, is also an art teacher.
After practice one day, we got to talking about art and poetry.
Since I dabble in both, she asked to see some of my work.
I showed her some copies of my digital art work and the first
thing she said was, "When are you going to have a showing?"
She thinks the work is that good.
I'm not so sure.
I'm going to link to a couple of pictures and ask what readers think:
China_01 - I scanned this page from a book, then manipulated it with PhotoShop.
China_02 - My first manipulation of the book page... into a framed silk wall hanging.
China_03 - The second manipulation... a gouache-type art print.
China_04 - Thirdly... turned the first manipulation into a framed egg-shape.
China_05 - Fourth manipulation... modern art.
China_06 - Yet another manipulation... green silk wall hanging, w/modern frame.
China_ 07 - A manipulation in black & red.
Warpaint - Native American, a Plains Tribal Member... developed from a napkin doodle.
Any questions or critiques?
-Fini
PS:
These all began life as Windows desktop wallpapers, originally produced in the .bmp format.
Naomi, the singer in my new band, is also an art teacher.
After practice one day, we got to talking about art and poetry.
Since I dabble in both, she asked to see some of my work.
I showed her some copies of my digital art work and the first
thing she said was, "When are you going to have a showing?"
She thinks the work is that good.
I'm not so sure.
I'm going to link to a couple of pictures and ask what readers think:
China_01 - I scanned this page from a book, then manipulated it with PhotoShop.
China_02 - My first manipulation of the book page... into a framed silk wall hanging.
China_03 - The second manipulation... a gouache-type art print.
China_04 - Thirdly... turned the first manipulation into a framed egg-shape.
China_05 - Fourth manipulation... modern art.
China_06 - Yet another manipulation... green silk wall hanging, w/modern frame.
China_ 07 - A manipulation in black & red.
Warpaint - Native American, a Plains Tribal Member... developed from a napkin doodle.
Any questions or critiques?
-Fini
PS:
These all began life as Windows desktop wallpapers, originally produced in the .bmp format.
Monday, September 5, 2011
05 SEP 11
Kids and passing time...
Back in 2007, at the urging of my grandchildren, we built a tree fort back in the wood lot
at the rear of the property. The kids played in it every time they were here that summer.
However, as years pass, the fort is used less and less frequently. This past summer, they
showed no interest in it at all. (They're mostly teenagers now and their heads are filled
with other thoughts.)
The tree-fort, with three of the grandkids
This last Saturday, I spied two young boys up in the tree fort but before I could open the door, they'd climbed down and disappeared into the woods.
Later that day, as the wife and I were leaving to go to the store, we saw that they'd returned and were hammering away at the fort's railings. We asked them to come down, inquired as to their names and where they lived, got answers, asked what were they hammering on. "We were fixin' it. The nails are loose." was the reply. (They'd brought a tool box with them!) Feeling like a turd, I informed them that the fort was off-limits to them... safety and insurance matters.
I really feel bad about this. I like kids and would gladly let them play if I didn't think that I'd be sued if one of them fell and was hurt.
Life in these times.
-Fini
PS: Gotta remember to cut and remove the fort's ladder.
_____________________________________________________________
Apropos of nothing. . .
Caught an ad on TV for Simon Cowell's new show, "The X Factor."
Looked to me like an "American Idol" carbon copy.
I mean... amateurs singing, plus the comedy relief of all the awful wannabes.
Cowell, Paula Abdul and a Randy Jackson clone as judges.
A host (?).
1. The X Factor
2. American Idol
3. The Voice
4. America's Got Talent
5. Karoake USA
This is "Star Search" run amok.
(Just when does a programming niche become overly saturated?)
(I guess that I'm just cranky tonight.)
(-Fini, in fact)
Back in 2007, at the urging of my grandchildren, we built a tree fort back in the wood lot
at the rear of the property. The kids played in it every time they were here that summer.
However, as years pass, the fort is used less and less frequently. This past summer, they
showed no interest in it at all. (They're mostly teenagers now and their heads are filled
with other thoughts.)
The tree-fort, with three of the grandkids
This last Saturday, I spied two young boys up in the tree fort but before I could open the door, they'd climbed down and disappeared into the woods.
Later that day, as the wife and I were leaving to go to the store, we saw that they'd returned and were hammering away at the fort's railings. We asked them to come down, inquired as to their names and where they lived, got answers, asked what were they hammering on. "We were fixin' it. The nails are loose." was the reply. (They'd brought a tool box with them!) Feeling like a turd, I informed them that the fort was off-limits to them... safety and insurance matters.
I really feel bad about this. I like kids and would gladly let them play if I didn't think that I'd be sued if one of them fell and was hurt.
Life in these times.
-Fini
PS: Gotta remember to cut and remove the fort's ladder.
_____________________________________________________________
Apropos of nothing. . .
Caught an ad on TV for Simon Cowell's new show, "The X Factor."
Looked to me like an "American Idol" carbon copy.
I mean... amateurs singing, plus the comedy relief of all the awful wannabes.
Cowell, Paula Abdul and a Randy Jackson clone as judges.
A host (?).
1. The X Factor
2. American Idol
3. The Voice
4. America's Got Talent
5. Karoake USA
This is "Star Search" run amok.
(Just when does a programming niche become overly saturated?)
(I guess that I'm just cranky tonight.)
(-Fini, in fact)
Saturday, September 3, 2011
03 SEP 11
After Irene. . .
A week has passed. The storm is long gone. Some effects yet linger.
Looking out on my back yard, all is tranquil. The squirrels are nosing
around for food. The lone gopher made an appearance, crossing the
yard to the next-door neighbor's property. Birds are back. . . to include
the raucous crows. There is little damage. . . a couple of fallen trees
(one a 60 ft. giant) back in the small wood at the rear of the property.
We lost power for a few days. Spent one night in a Fishkill hotel. . .
(were in need of hot showers, food that wasn't canned, lights!).
All-in-all, we fared well compared to others in the storm path.
We were merely inconvenienced.
We were lucky.
I wish everyone else, touched by Irene, a speedy recovery.
-Fini
A week has passed. The storm is long gone. Some effects yet linger.
Looking out on my back yard, all is tranquil. The squirrels are nosing
around for food. The lone gopher made an appearance, crossing the
yard to the next-door neighbor's property. Birds are back. . . to include
the raucous crows. There is little damage. . . a couple of fallen trees
(one a 60 ft. giant) back in the small wood at the rear of the property.
We lost power for a few days. Spent one night in a Fishkill hotel. . .
(were in need of hot showers, food that wasn't canned, lights!).
All-in-all, we fared well compared to others in the storm path.
We were merely inconvenienced.
We were lucky.
I wish everyone else, touched by Irene, a speedy recovery.
-Fini
Saturday, August 27, 2011
27 AUG 11
IRENE!
It's 6:40 P.M. and Irene is moving north.
It's now located near Norfolk, VA.
I've done what I can to clear the decks for the coming assault.
Everything is either stored under the back deck,
moved close in beside the house or placed in the shed.
We've eaten the last of the frozen food... so if (when) power
goes out, we won't lose much.
The lanterns have fresh batteries,
ditto for the portable radio.
The camping stove is ready to go.
Water jugs are filled (the tub too).
Both cars have full gas tanks.
I've 2 bottles of wine to help me through this.
Ready to rock!
... Just hope no trees fall on the house.
-Fini
It's 6:40 P.M. and Irene is moving north.
It's now located near Norfolk, VA.
I've done what I can to clear the decks for the coming assault.
Everything is either stored under the back deck,
moved close in beside the house or placed in the shed.
We've eaten the last of the frozen food... so if (when) power
goes out, we won't lose much.
The lanterns have fresh batteries,
ditto for the portable radio.
The camping stove is ready to go.
Water jugs are filled (the tub too).
Both cars have full gas tanks.
I've 2 bottles of wine to help me through this.
Ready to rock!
... Just hope no trees fall on the house.
-Fini
Monday, August 22, 2011
22 AUG 11
Watching football.
Chicago at NY Giants.
I like football and am happy to have the new season arrive.
BUT... I've never understood the pre-season game syndrome.
Why risk a star (read: expensive) player being hurt, and out for the season,
for a game that means NOTHING?
The TV networks must be having some influence here.
I believe that it's the same thing that influenced the decision to move the Pro Bowl...
why move it from post Super Bowl play to pre Super Bowl?
Methinks that TV needed something to fill the blank space in
their programming schedule during the two week football hiatus...
and pressure was brought to bear (not to mention the money).
-Fini
PS: All I can say is, I'm gonna be pissed if Eli Manning gets hurt tonight.
Chicago at NY Giants.
I like football and am happy to have the new season arrive.
BUT... I've never understood the pre-season game syndrome.
Why risk a star (read: expensive) player being hurt, and out for the season,
for a game that means NOTHING?
The TV networks must be having some influence here.
I believe that it's the same thing that influenced the decision to move the Pro Bowl...
why move it from post Super Bowl play to pre Super Bowl?
Methinks that TV needed something to fill the blank space in
their programming schedule during the two week football hiatus...
and pressure was brought to bear (not to mention the money).
-Fini
PS: All I can say is, I'm gonna be pissed if Eli Manning gets hurt tonight.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
21 AUG 11
My new band:
Artsongjazz - Bios
I'm happy to be feeling healthy enough to play again.
(Remember when your grandmother told you,
"Be grateful for your good health."
Well, she was right.)
__________________________________________________
More on writing:
Kurt Vonnegut, in an excellent and short essay on writing style.
He has seven rules:
1. Find a subject you care about.
2. Do not ramble.
3. Keep it simple.
4. Have the guts to cut.
5. Sound like yourself.
6. Say what you mean.
7. Pity the readers.
Great rules for bloggers, obviously.
In fact, these are rules that seem to say:
"A great way to write is to blog."
-Fini
Artsongjazz - Bios
I'm happy to be feeling healthy enough to play again.
(Remember when your grandmother told you,
"Be grateful for your good health."
Well, she was right.)
__________________________________________________
More on writing:
Kurt Vonnegut, in an excellent and short essay on writing style.
He has seven rules:
1. Find a subject you care about.
2. Do not ramble.
3. Keep it simple.
4. Have the guts to cut.
5. Sound like yourself.
6. Say what you mean.
7. Pity the readers.
Great rules for bloggers, obviously.
In fact, these are rules that seem to say:
"A great way to write is to blog."
-Fini
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