Monday May 2nd ~ 2011

It has been one crazy week for our little world. I do not think that I have ever witnessed a week of more news worthy emotional extremes.

I am in awe of our President and his ability to multitask and not let anyone down in these past days. I know for sure that we elected the correct man for the job. Could you even begin to imagine the mess that McCain and Palin would have made of these same circumstances?

I am proud of our British and Italian neighbors, each nation put on a beautiful show that gave the rest of us a bit of a breather during an incredibly hard week.

Here is the last six days as I watched it unfold. Be amazed!

April 27th

• The largest outbreak of tornadoes and super cell storms ravaged Alabama, Tennessee and several other states.

I waited in fear of knowing the damage that these storms can inflict and waited to hear from those I know in the areas that are suffering the effects of these storms. I grew up in Ohio and watched the Xenia tornado pass over my house so I know very well the power of nature.

April 28th

•The President of the United States faces down an idiotic group of "fundies" by releasing his long form birth certificate and it was no surprise the "fundies" still were not satisfied.

I was mad. I hated that our President needed to personally address our Nation and the News agencies to focus on what actually matters. Come on folks. STOP giving time and pandering to a circus clown.

April 29th
• Prince William and Kate Middleton were married in England. An event that was watched by over 2 billion people and broke Internet records.

I got up at 2am to watch live. I had baked scones the night before to feel just a little bit British. The ceremony was so beautiful. No one does pageantry like the Brits! I loved the pageantry and I truly loved that the British accomplished the impossible. They incorporated the majestic pageantry of the day and totally made the event feel intimate and meaningful to William and Catherine.

• Obama gives the order to take out Osama Bin Laden after an intense several months intelligence gathering.
• Obama tours ravaged Alabama
• Obama tours Cape Canaveral and meets with Gabriele Giffords
• Obama gives commencement address at Miami Dade College

I watched the news live of the damage in the south that the storms inflicted and took count of friends that were in its path. I breathed a sigh of personal relief with the knowledge that the people that I knew were okay.

I waited for the Space Shuttle Launch and wanted to Giffords so I could personally see her amazing progress. I was disappointed by the delay but was pleased to know that the President met with Giffords.

April 30th
• Obama shakes a finger at the "birthers" and he Seth Meyers lambaste Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner

"The Donald” cries like the spoiled baby he is on Sunday morning Fox News. (Who else would listen to his crap pandering?) Welcome to the Big Leagues Donald, Wanna Play In This Sand Box? Here you go! I could not have been more delighted to see these two very intelligent men rip this idiot to shreds. I love watching that jerk just sit there and grind his teeth while the President put him in his place. (All during that event, our nation was preparing for the dangerous mission of crossing into Pakistan to take out Osama Bin Laden.)

May 1st.
Obama signals “GO” on an incredibly dangerous and risky mission to take out the most wanted man in the world and the mission is successful.

Beatification of Pope John Paul II was celebrated in Rome in a truly beautiful and memory filled ceremony at Vatican City.

I watched a good portion of the beatification, it was hard to concentrate with all of that Latin going on but the music and the pageantry was so beautiful. It has always been a dream of mine to see Vatican City to be able view the amazing structures and art first hand.

At 10:30pm I was texted by my girlfriend who is away in TX to turn to the news for the President. Obama informs the world that Bin Laden is dead and his body is in the custody of the American Military. I was in a surreal state of shock for the next 30 minutes. I was concerned by the jubilant response to the news. It is not what I felt at all.

I was taken by the following quote. "I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." --Martin Luther King, Jr.

May 2nd.
Can we all take a breath now? I am tired and need a break from "The Breaking News."

Thursday April 28 ~ 2011

I never thought that I would see, in this day an age, in our nation, a small, ignorant and short minded group, under the guise of patriotism, refuse to admit their own short sighted bigotry. This entire "birther" issue has absolutely nothing to do with our nations President being born in the USA but it is absolutely and totally about his being black.

This resolute refusal to accept that an exceptional individual could come from a minority group in our country, utilize the system provided and attain the greatest seat of power this nation can offer one of is citizens flies in the face of the countries deepest creed; "Achieving The American Dream". Or is this "Dream" only for the "White Folk"?

When I see a *man (disclaimer: I use that term with the greatest of reservations) like Donald Trump pandering to the absolute lowest common denominator & stirring up this race based vitriolic dialog and baiting these groups to further his own fame the worst of all possible behavior for a *person (please see above disclaimer) in his position of being able to command attention and TV time.

I absolutely loved Ron Reagan's comment on MSNBC's Hardball last evening asking how we could take person with a "confectionary cotton candy combover" seriously and WHY were we paying him nay heed. I was also proud of Lawrence O'Donnell's attack against NBC's entrainment division for allowing this farce to continue when Trump may already be contractually committed to another season of his FAKE Reality TV show.

I watched the news in spurts over these last 4 weeks due in most part to the entire month of April being spent driving over 7300 miles up and down the East Coast for 3 gigs in 3 weeks AND moving my mother into her new apartment. I was actually shocked to see that this story still had ANY teeth left to it after EVERY news agency and even that flake Bill O'Reilly from Fox saying that this should end due to the fact that there has been absolutely no evidence to support these ridiculous notions.

There were no riots in 2008 over the fact that John McCain was born on a military base in the Panama Canal, ANOTHER COUNTRY, and the issue was put to rest as soon as everyone said it was okay. Is this because he is the "White Guy"? I am actually starting to really believe so and that there is a group of individuals in this country that just cannot resolve to accept that a black man is our Commander and Chief.

This ability of these hate mongers to find each other and gain momentum is due solely to the rise of the Internet. This form of information retrieval and communications devise is as much a blessing as it is a curse. It allows the insanity gain footing and yet at the same time it lets me voice my absolute dismay that it can continue.

I was as proud as I was saddened yesterday as I watched our President address this issue yet again. My overriding thought was that he was actually doing this as much for our nation as he was for his children. My heart breaks for those two beautiful young girls as well as his wife Michelle who also has to witness this attack on her husband.

I cannot abide hatred and bigotry, I cannot fathom a persons hatred for the color of their skin. I saw it first hand just over a year ago in my classroom in Santa Fe, when I was playing music for the students to work to, and a male student called BB King a "Screaming F-ing N-word" in front of my class.

We need to make a choice in this Nation of ours.

Are we a true melting pot or not?

Are we a Nation that believes in attaining the American Dream?

Are we or are we not and entire nation of immigrants?


If not, I would kindly ask those that do not believe in equality for all to leave the country and choose another place to reside.

Thursday March 31 ~ 2011 ~

Quote of the Day: "Only the educated are free." Epictetus

When I sit down to try to write after a prolonged absence from posting I get frustrated by too many things to say. Not only do I have loads to comment on in the political arena I had much to say in regards to my personal life as well.

The beginning of March found me in Oakland for the NorCal one day show with my friend Gail Crosman Moore. We had some much needed time together and as usual it was way too short.

I got home to Abq. just in time for my presence to be required in jury duty for two weeks. Now this is two weeks of not being able to get work done during the day due to my inability to take my MacBook Pro into the courthouse. (it has a camera) I actually had to get my old PowerBok G4 shipped out to my from Tucson the last 2 days of my daytime "incarceration."

With my days being shot to hell in a hand-basket, my evenings were dedicated to scrambling like a crazed person getting ready for 3 weekends of events and teaching in April. As well as driving across the country and up and down the eastern seaboard for 3 weeks I am bopping in and out of Dayton getting my mom moved into her new apartment.

My mom has decided to finally sell the house that I grew up in from when I was 3 years old. I have not lived in this house since I was 18, so I have no real attachments involved. It is just difficult timing. I only have a two days here and two days there to get a load of things accomplished for her final move. I am very happy about her choice to get out of a house that was way to large for her needs and feel that this will simplify her life in a great many ways as well as be a very great new adventure for her.

This evening I am sitting in a hotel just east of Nashville TN drinking my tea and waiting for the Melatonin to kick in so I can get to sleep.

I am watching the news and am dumbfounded by so much of the fighting amongst the two parties in the House and the Senate. The bickering just keeps going on and on. The Republicans keep talking about how they want to focus on jobs but can only see fit to take away a woman's right to affordable health care by the de-funding Planned Parenthood, to pass legislation to de-fund NPR, eliminate collective bargaining through the newly elected Republican governors in our nation and try like hell to demean our President by any means necessary.

A post from the Daily Kos that made my day:

According to most right-wing pundits, President Obama represents the demon seed of socialism. Just today, for example, Rep. Michele Bachmann said he's intentionally making Americans poorer.

But let's put aside all the hot air and just look at the facts. Based on this chart of stock market performance under Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama, can you figure out which administration had the anti-growth record?

Wednesday February 23rd ~ 2011

I moved to Albuquerque last June, evidently after the worst of the allergy season had passed by. Well, 3 or 4 days ago the winds started to pick up here and I started sneezing and my eyes started watering. Not thinking that the two occurrences could be connected, I thought that I was getting a cold. I asked my health care providing girlfriend what I should take for these symptoms to avoid getting all out sick. She promptly informed me that I was having an allergic reaction to all of the pollens that were being stirred up due to the winds and to not expect it to end till mid May. Needless to say, I was a bit shocked by this pronouncement. I have never been allergic to anything and now I am on Zyrtec and I hate pills.

Sombrero Galaxy

So why the picture of a distant galaxy? I am gonna tell you.

First off, let it be known to all that, sneezing and sniffing is hard and takes it out of you. After 20 plus hours of these draining activities, I was really  tired and worn out by this newly addressed affliction. I was tucked in bed with some tea and watching a NOVA series on space. The experts were talking about all of the different Galaxies and Dark Matter and Dark Energy and how our Galaxy is part of a bigger Galaxy in a sea of Galaxies.

I was so tired and my mind so fluid that these theories started to creep into my mind and the notion of infinity started to take shape. These theories were so immense, I got totally freaked out by the concept of infinity and I was starting to grasp the enormity of this infinity and I could actually start to see it. I had to turn off the program because I was starting to feel very insignificant. I realized that we individuals are less than a grain of sand on the beach of the universe and I really did not like that feeling too much.

We live on this planet that is floating in a sea of infinity, there is no end, it just keeps going. Yet, to us, this world is so amazing and huge and intricate that we can easily become overwhelmed by the sizes of it's problems. I believe that there is nothing that we can't over come, nothing that we can't solve and nothing that we can't dare. I believe that if we can see into the heavens, look back through time to the beginnings of our universe, I am sure that we can tackle the issues that we are presented with and solve them. If there are those on this planet that can grasp something as huge as "out there" surely there are some of us that can grasp "right here" and work to solve what confronts us.

Friday February 18th ~ 2011

Arizona is headed off the deep end and Jan Brewer is the sadistic wolf that is leading the sheep off of the cliff to their doom. She actually has NO right what so ever to sound off on these issues. I am truly sick and tired of the extremist right activities that this governor thinks she is entitled.

1. AZ SB 1070:  She signed a law that systematically tried to force the police to profile anyone that  may "look" like and illegal and ask them for documentation as to their right to be in AZ.

2. AZ Health Care Cost Containment System:  She has denied transplant patients life saving medical procedures, several lives have been lost to her callus and irresponsible stand.

3. She is promoting a bill in AZ to calls into question laws that have been on the books in our country since the Civil Rights Act of 1866.

Here is what the 14th. Amendment actually says

14th Amendment to the United States Constitution

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

I lived in Tucson for a few years and was pleased to find that bastion of liberal blue in the sea overwhelming restrictive red. The people of AZ have to stand up and end this systemic dismantling of the rights that this country has fought and died for.

What I am glad to see that is that the democratic tsunami that is sweeping through middle east is igniting a fire under the ass of the people that let the Republicans gain control of the House in Congress & elect a number of Republican Governors whose only allegiance is to the top 2% wealth of this nation.

Wisconsin was to see a 121 billion dollar surplus in its budget, then the newly elected governor Walker set in place a  number of tax cuts to the wealthiest of the wealthy and NOW the state is in line for a 151 billion dollar deficit. He is now trying to lay that cost on who???? Oh yeah.. the middle class, and is trying limit the collective bargaining rights of union workers of those middle class workers.

Over the past few days, these people are standing up and telling the Republicans of Wisconsin that this is not an option. I am so proud of the Democratic representatives standing along side of the middle class and actually leaving to state to stop this steamrolling legislation from being voted on.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are some unions out there that have way to much power and can send me screaming down the street , but I will defend the rights of these unions to represent it's workers that gave a voice to those who spent generations having none.

Voices are not to be silenced and the Democratic liberal voice has to become organized or else we will be forced to live in a nation where is it commonplace for our rights to be dismantled and our voices to be silenced by those who only answer to the wealthy of our nation. Believe me when I say that the Koch family does not care about American Family Values, they only care about their billions.

Friday February 11 ~ 2011

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
~ Mahatma Gandhi ~

Here is to those who flourish against all opposition. My heart soars for Egypt and all of those that chose to follow the teachings of Gandhi & Martin Luther King in knowing that non-violent opposition to oppression would give them the freedoms that they so desire.

"Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swaps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all. DO not let the hero in your soul perish in the lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exhausts… it is real… it is possible… it's yours." ~ Ayn Rand ~

Thursday February 10 ~ 2011

My week in Tucson, exhibiting at the Best Bead Show and teaching, was a great time, once we got there! Terri & I left Albuquerque at 10:10am on Tuesday morning right as the blizzard conditions were just hitting their stride. As we drove south towards Hatch, NM the storm only got worse and at times we were traveling through near whiteout conditions. The conditions cleared as we approached Truth of Consequences, NM and to say that I was grateful to finally set the cruse control and relax my death grip on the steering wheel.

Setup went smooth and we hooked up with friends for our favorite Shrimp Culichi. Wednesday was our 14 hour day and it was so freaking cold that the outdoors exhibitors and those in the tents had to close up early. In the years that I lived in Tucson, I had never experienced temperatures that cold.

The rest of the show days got continually warmer and those customers that had gotten trapped in the countrywide storm trickled into town and added to the fun. It is always so great to see friends that I only get to see just once a year for these few days and the show atmosphere adds to the enthusiasm.

Terri & I got to spend this past Monday exploring the To Bead True Blue, Pueblo and Riverview Inn shows before we started out trek home.

As always, it is wonderful to get home, snuggle with my grey fuzzy and sleep in our own bed. Spent this past Tuesday, being a totally sloth, resting from the previous week and trying to get a list together of all of the things that I needed to get accomplished before Friday

All during these few days home I have been totally absorbed in the demonstrations in Egypt. The news has been on almost non-stop since I got back to New Mexico.  I am amazed by the courage and determination of these Egyptians and the desire to fight for the freedoms that they have been denied for the last 3 decades. I am impressed that the people are demonstrating peacefully, policing the square themselves.

This evening’s announcement by Mubarak only continues to demonstrate the amazing amount of self-delusion that this man lives by. For some reason he just continues to believe that these protests will just fade away and everything will return to business as usual. He continues to try the same old propaganda, to try to blame exterior forces for causing this disruption and blaming the cable news media for inciting the hysteria.

I too, take off my shoe in disgust for this regime and yes… he must go!

Wednesday February 2nd ~ 2011

 The Rules of Being Human

You will receive a body.  You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours for as long as you live.  How you take care of it or fail to take care of it can make an enormous difference in the quality of your life.

You will learn lessons.  You are enrolled in a full-time, informal school called Life.  Each day, you will be presented with opportunities to learn what you need to know.  The lessons presented are often completely different from those you think you need.

There are no mistakes, only lessons.  Growth is a process of trial, error and experimentation.  You can learn as much from failure as you can from success. Maybe more.

A lesson is repeated until it is learned.  A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it.  When you have learned it (as evidenced by a change in your attitude and ultimately your behavior) then you can go on to the next lesson.

Learning lessons does not end.  There is no stage of life that does not contain some lessons.  As long as you live there will be something more to learn.

“There” is no better than “here”.  When your “there” has become a “here” you will simply discover another “there” that will again look better than your “here.” Don’t be fooled by believing that the unattainable is better than what you have.

Others are merely mirrors of you.  You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself.  When tempted to criticize others, ask yourself why you feel so strongly.

What you make of your life is up to you.  You have all the tools and resources you need.  What you create with those tools and resources is up to you.  Remember that through desire, goal setting and unflagging effort you can have anything you want. Persistence is the key to success.

The answers lie inside of you.  The solutions to all of life’s problems lie within your grasp.  All you need to do is ask, look, listen and trust yourself.

Tuesday February 1st ~ 2011

Well, here is February 1st and I am out the door for the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. I am exhibiting at the Best Bead Show at the Kino Sports Complex. If you are in town.. stop by booth G-510 in the main gym.

I had one of the worst days at my bench that I have ever had today. No matter what I touched I ruined it. I have about 10 pieces that I wanted to assemble and after I totally screwed up the first 3 I decided that I needed to listen to that screaming voice in my head to "STOP" and "LET IT GO!" I have not had one of these days in a very long time and it was rather disappointing to know that I had hit the proverbial stone wall.

So I just went on with the other mundane tasks that I had on my plate for the day and got all of those accomplished in my very retentive manner and only had one minor melt-down when I could not find my jewelry pricing tags that were right in front of my face the entire time.

I am fascinated by all of the events that are unfolding in Egypt and the Middle East this last week. It is incredible what role the Internet, Social Media and Cell Phone Technology have played in the social uprising against "President" Hosni Mubarak and against Tunisia's leader. (Now, I use the word "President" loosely, Mubarak is a dictator who heads one of the worlds most corrupt and brutal Police Forces in the world.)

His regime has been in place for 30 years and even though their have been "elections" all who follow the goings on in the Middle East know that there is none of the freedoms that we hold so dearly. Over 40% of this nation lives on about $2.00 a day and these people work for pay so they can feed their family that evening.

I think that it is amazing that is was the youth of this nation that have risen up and for the most part have participated in peaceful demonstrations for the ouster of this dictator. Egypt is a very peace loving nation and there is no chance of any Islamic power struggle in this country.

I will continue to follow this action with great interest and it is my fervent hope that the protests are peaceful and that these people gain the freedoms and services that they so desperately desire.

Wednesday January 26th ~ 2011

I need someone to explain this to me please...

I spent the last week getting to Florida and back so I could teach Friday, Saturday & Sunday of last weekend. I also gave a talk on "How to Find Your Creative Voice in an Over Stimulating World" on Thursday evening at the South Florida Guilds meeting.

During the 2000 mile drive from Albuquerque to Miami I drove through some of the most conservative areas of our country. As I was traveling along I started to see a very interesting pattern. I tend to drive through the center of the country a great deal and most of those states are considered pretty conservative. As I passed through these last few states I noticed something strange.

What has struck me as an odd dichotomy is the very real fact that there are more XXX rated Adult Super Stores in these Ultra-Conservative, Religious Fundamentalist Republican states than I have ever encountered in any liberal state that I have visited

My perplexed state comes from a very real double standard that is being represented. How is it that these states that lay claim to be so morally and religiously superior to the rest of us heathens, have more billboards touting the damnation that a woman will incur is she dares to have an abortion and yet have HUGE billboards for strip clubs that "bare all" & XXX rated video stores with 1000's of the hottest titles and massage parlors that I am assuming are not actually giving massages.

How do the people who live in these states reconcile these two diametrically opposing points of view? Do the inhabitants of these states find it acceptable to have such establishments open for business and having these billboards seen for all who travel along see their moral two-faced lives?

Now here is the major caveat to these observations, to me it seems that the majority of these establishments are placed along the highways so that maybe the locals can claim that it's the travelers that are passing through that visit these businesses. But as I was driving, I actually took the time to take an exit or two and look at the cars in these lots and I was not surprised at all to see that majority of the cars were locals plates.

I find the moral dilemma here a fascinating one for sure. I would truly love to understand how the strict moral right can reconcile this issue for me in a way that does not demean and belittle the moral values that they scream so loudly about.

Thursday January 20th ~ 2011

I do own the Classic black iPod.

I am in Miami after a long drive of 2 and a half days. I forwent my usual book listening routine and I decided that I needed to listen to some music during this trip.

The first day I set my iPod to shuffle and was entertained by a very wide variety of musical selections. Yesterday was dedicated to Tom Waits, his gravelly voice unique view of the world. Today was spent jamming to Prince while I finished up my trip in 80º sunshine traveling south on the Florida Turnpike. All in all a very rewarding musical drive.

I gave my talk this evening for the South Florida Jewelry  Guild and it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and catch up with friends and even a kindred spirit that I have not seen in over 2 years. So.. to say it was fun is an understatement and that are a totally delightful group of people.

I am teaching for the next three days and am looking forward to it very much, it has been a few months since I was in front of a class of students, bending them to my will and forcing them to do what I tell them to do.. (just kidding) I love teaching, it is one of the few times in my life that I am totally at ease.

Tomorrow morning we are tackling the Loop-n-Loop chain and then we will abuse some heavier gauge wire in the afternoon. Saturday's class is the hand forged cuff and Sunday is two Chain Maille Classes. This group keeps me on my toes for sure!

I will try to remember to post some pictures of this weekends class

Monday January 17th ~ 2011

No matter how horrific as last weeks events in Tucson were, the citizens of my former city gathered their courage, faced the pain and embraced the people that were injured and who were tragically killed.

The questions that have followed have given me some very important thing to consider. I grew up in a household that had guns my father hunted when I was younger and so I have never been opposed to people that own firearms and hunt.

What I have become opposed to is semi-automatic hand guns and riffles whose ONLY purpose is to kill. I do not care what any "hunter" says, these guns are not about hunting and to say that they are actually belittles the true hunters.

I am now also very opposed to these ridiculous extended clips that can hold over 30 rounds of ammunition. Who, except one who is bent on destruction, needs to rapidly fire off 30 plus bullets in less than 20 seconds?

I found myself pondering many things on this holiday.

So, today we came together as a Nation to honor Matin Luther King Jr. and to remember all that he stood for and all that he fought for.

We lost this amazing man to violence as well as Bobby and John Kennedy and still we have learned nothing as a Nation. We have children going to schools and killing fellow students. We have disgruntled and disenfranchised  people going into their places of employment and opening fire.

How many more tragedies do we want our nation to endure till we see that the ease of access that we so adamantly embrace in our country needs to be rethought and addressed in a sane and reasonable manner and, I am sorry to say, the NRA has got to take a pill and be quiet.

So with Mr. King in mind and in true fitting tribute, I leave you with this final thought.

"Last week we saw a white Catholic male Republican judge murdered on his way to greet a Democratic Jewish woman member of Congress, who was his friend. Her life was saved initially by a 20-year-old Mexican-American gay college student, and eventually by a Korean American combat surgeon, and this all was eulogized by our African American President."

Saturday January 15th ~ 2011

I am getting ready for a wonderful 2000 mile drive to Miami starting next Tuesday morning. I have a date with the South Florida Jewelry Guild where I will be teaching and giving a talk on Thursday night.

I am getting to drive through a few more states that I have not been through. I have never been through Mississippi, Alabama and I have only ever driven around New Orleans in Louisiana, so I do not think that really counts and I am looking forward to seeing some new sights.

As I charted out my path to Miami I pulled up a map of the US and started checking off the states that I have driven through and I have to say that I have been through more than I had thought.

I need some suggestions for going to the following states that I have yet to visit.
Let me know what each of these states has to offer for exploration. I am always up for a new adventure.

1. Idaho
2. North Dakota
4. Minnesota
5. Arkansas
6. Maine
7. Alaska

If I can get to these last few states I will have driven through all 50 states of this nation. Now I have driven in Hawaii but only on the Island of Oahu so I have some more exploring to do there for sure…

Wednesday January 12th ~ 2011

~ Well spoken Mr President, thank you! ~

‎"I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it. All of us - we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations." ~ President Obama ~

These words were spoken this evening at the Memorial in Tucson Arizona. I was moved by the entire service and with the cross section of individuals that were in attendance, letting vitriolic discourse take a break for the time being. All who stood at the lectern spoke with eloquence and heartfelt humility.

It is time like these that reaffirm my faith in humanity and that there may be hope for us after all to embrace the changes that we need to make. As I stated earlier this week, it is these moments that matter for us as humans, as citizens of the country and citizens of the world.

We need to do better, we need to exist in this world with people that we disagree with and honor their right to a differing opinion. It is hard, because it is hard is what makes it so worth fighting for but it is what makes this nation an amazing place. 

My one and only partisan statement this evening:

In attendance this evening:
Barack and Mrs Obama - The President and the First Lady of the United States
Nancy Pelosi - House Minority Leader
Janet Napolitano - Security of Homeland Security
Eric Holder - U.S. Attorney General
Jan Brewer - governor of Arizona

Absent this evening:
John Boehner - House Majority Leader -

He decided that attending a GOP fund raiser was more important that showing respect for those that lost their lives and showing that he might actually give a damn.

I am sorry Mr Boehner, I do not believe your tears have ever been heartfelt.

Here is a fun thing to do for the day for a really good laugh!

1. Go to Google Maps - Get Directions
2. Write Japan as your start point
3. Write China as your destination
4. Go to the 42nd point on your route, and when you stop laughing, pass it in so others can laugh as well.

Tuesday January 11th ~ 2011

Seven Deadly Sins

"Wealth without work
Pleasure without conscience
Science without humanity
Knowledge without character
Politics without principle
Commerce without morality
Worship without sacrifice." ~  Mahatma Gandhi

Think about these words and the man that spoke them.
This was a man that lived by the practice of non-violent
demonstration and forced an occupying nation to recognize
that the people of his native nation had worth and mattered.

These are truly deadly sins and we need to heed his words.
Why? Because they are the truth and these are words that fostered change!

Monday January 10th ~ 2011

We Must Choose Peace and NOT the Crosshairs of a Gunsight.

I have not spent a great deal of time on my blog last year, which I am sure is obvious. My thoughts have been focused inwards and my life has been shifted onto such a crazy busy track that even when I feel I do have something to share, I run out of time in my day to write it down in a coherent form to share these thoughts. It is my desire to get back to writing, I have missed it!

This weekends horrific events in my former town of Tucson have rekindled my desire to write and to express myself and I feel the need to share some very real observations that I have taken in over the last decade.

There were real heros in Tucson this past weekend. Daniel Hernandez, a 20 year old intern who is credited with saving Congresswoman Giffords because he chose to stay in the line of fire and not run and Patricia Maisch, 61, who wrestled the clip of bullets away from the gunman.

We honor those who acted bravely and our thoughts and prayers are with those family members and friends who lost loved ones while they were living and practicing our democratic freedoms. 
~~~~~~~~
Just in the first ten of the 21st century their have been witness to some very amazing events that have caused our national consciousness to be united as one and it is my fervent hope that this weekends tragedy rises to that status and causes a real revue of how we speak and what we speak. The rhetoric and hate speech must end and we must restore our civility.

There is no excuse for a member of congress to call our President a LIAR during the State of the Union Address nor is there any reason for a citizen to yell out from the gallery in the House of Representatives during the order of business.

It has to end and we must remember that we are a civilized nation.

Right after 9/11 I remember the feeling that this country was totally united in being a nation bonded together more strongly and we would turn a corner towards a more compassionate and caring nation. I watched as people went out of their way to be kind and considerate and we were just aware of the fact that we live in a world full of other humans and that these people were aware of you in the world.

Those moments of our collective unity deserted our conscious all to quickly as we dulled our senses with the mind numbing tasks of day to day life and we did fail on a solemn promised. "Never Forget".

Then in 2008, this nation came together as I had never seen in my adult life and we chose to elect an optimistic and charismatic African American to the office of President of the United Sates. We elected a man who dared to bring out those qualities in us again and for a short while we as a nation basked in that light once again.

We existed in that glow of awareness and the aura of a conscious knowledge that we must act together as a unified nation and that if we do work together we will be able to solve any problem. But that time passed away too quickly as well, it was over shadowed by hate speech, out and out lies and a right wing TV and Radio media that made a choice to destroy that hope and that light. We chose to let lies and hate take away what we had fought so hard to bring to out of the darkness.

We need to take the events in Tucson, focus the collective nation, demand an end to hate speech and incendiary rhetoric and require that those that say they speak the truth actually do just that! Speak the Truth!
~~~~~~~~~
Here is your hero test for the day!

Our nation loves it's heros and yet we forget them all too quickly.

How many of you can tell me what Chesley B. (Sully) Sullenberger was responsible for in 2009 without Googling the name? This is a real test of how much you choose to actually pay attention and to place in your minds Rolodex happenings that we should actually remember.

Sunday November 28th ~ 2010

~ Now on to the serious stuff. ~

Because Words Cannot Describe How Dumb This Is.

I have been very frustrated by the turn of events that our Nation has taken in this past election cycle. We are an impatient lot and I guess that it does not matter that we were warned that recovery was going to take time and that there were no quick fixes and that it was going to be hard and going to hurt to achieve the recovery that is desired.

But what I find more disturbing than anything is the continued popularity of that quitter of a Governor from Alaska. I have a hard time even saying her name. What bothers me is that people are giving her credentials that she has in no way earned and are believing the hate filled rhetoric that she spews forth.

Here is a "political" figure that only operates on a one way street. She does not allow questions or confrontation, belittles anyone that challenges her and only communicates with the world through social media. Her handlers delete detracting comments on her posts on Face Book  and she does not even have the courage to have a BLOG and then have to stand by her statements.

This country has two years to get our crap toothier and not let the unthinkable happen. I am begging us all to not get complacent, do not lose hope. Remember to keep the courage of your convictions and speak out for the promises that this administration is fighting for. I am not saying that they have been perfect but they are a damn sight better than the ones that just got elected to congress.

Please, read the following two columns and start to do real research, then do not keep this information to yourself. Read from the all sources and come to real conclusions and to not get suck into hate speech and fear mongering.

First Article:
THE HUFFINGTON POST - Why Sarah Palin's North Korea Flub Matters

One of the Huffington Post Moderators commented on this article and the following text is one of the most insightful comments that I have read in awhile.


LMKay66: "This is the same woman who didn't know Africa is a continent.  So I'm not sure it was just a slip of the tongue.  Besides that, she is not qualified to speak on the matter, or any other matters as far as I'm concerned.  I think she's a fraud who has gotten this far on her looks and her so-called charisma (though I don't think junior high school-level snarkiness can be construed as charismatic).  She didn't make a good mayor or Governor.  She was a joke of a VP candidate, and she couldn't even finish one term as Governor.  Now Fox news calls her a "news analyst" as if she's supposed to be taken seriously?  I can't tell you  how dangerous it is that the media's obsession with her continues to enable her and her ego to the point where she is seriously considering running for president.  The media has the power to influence elections.  I believe the media influenced the midterms with their Republican takeover narrative.  If they decide to take up a Palin as President narrative, we're in trouble."

Second Article:
Des Moines Regester - Political advisers: Sarah Palin's 'star power' alone isn't enough

In closing, I am sure that we can all agree that we desire and desperately need leaders that are actually smarter than ourselves. I know that I would prefer a Rhodes Scholar (Clinton) or the President of the Harvard Law Review (Obama) over a C average Harvard Graduate (Bush Jr.) of someone that went to 6 colleges and came out with a Journalism Degree. (Palin)

Saturday November 27th ~ 2010

tied to the monthly planner

I have spent the last two days making sure that all of my dates for 2011 are in order and I am looking for those few rare slots in my schedule that I want so I will be able to open up my in home studio classes. I have really missed the intimacy of my smaller studio sessions where I actually get to know the names of my students and we get to have some quality one-on-one time.

My real goal for the next 48 hours is to truly get my website updated and have all of those dates plugged in and get some real work done in in my studio during the month of December. I have some sketches and some ideas that have been stewing for long enough that I think that I am actually ready to take the next leap of faith and start creating.

I love my Kindle...

I have been reading a great deal lately as well. I broke down and bought myself a Kindle DX and have been truly enjoying getting back into the groove of the taking in a good story. I started off quickly with the two latest Laurie King novels, "The Language of Bees" and "God of the Hive." Then I jumped full into Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End." Now, after a huge recommendation from a friend, I have chosen to dive head long into the Stieg Larsson trilogy.

It has been way to long since I have been able to sit down and read a book without getting huge headaches. When I was in college, I put my head through a windshield and I suffered a loss of muscle coordination that made it hard for my eyes to work together to read for extended periods  of time. But to my delight, I find that the Kindle screen does not make my eyes tired nor does it make my head pound, so I have been devouring books again for the first time in ages.

I am finishing up my 5th Master Muse challenge that will be sent off on Monday for all to see. I am pleased with this one and think that it is one of my better ones for the year. After this, I have only one left and then the next group of Masters will take over.

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful start to the holiday season. Mine, so far, has been excellent indeed.

Wednesday November 17th ~ 2010

Can someone please tell me what happened to this year? How has Thanksgiving snuck up on us already and where have the previous 320 days gone? I swear that it was only January a few weeks ago.

I am looking forward to Holidays this year; having a new and invigorated outlook on life is always a plus. I cannot even begin to express how a different  point of view and  ones personal feelings of inner peace can change your outlook on the entire picture.

Andrea, Christine & Anne doing Mr. Napkin-Head

I just finished up with the BABE show in Oakland last weekend and am now crashing for the rest of the week at my friends Andrea's and Whit's  house in Washington State for a few days before I am off again to exhibit this next weekend at the Bellevue Bead Festival.

I love this time of year. I always arrive in Oakland a few days before the show or stay a few days afterwards to hang with my friend Gail and it is always one of the highlights of my year. We both love the Bay Area so much and we always make sure that we get a room in Oakland that has that amazing view of SF.

I had a full days drive up into the Seattle/Tacoma area on Monday had to do some serious driving through an intense rained and wind storm as I passed over the Puget Sound on my way to Port Townsend. I arrived to my destination in a total power blackout, dodging pine branches being blown here and there. Who knew that the "flash light" APP on my Droid could ever come in so handy.

I got to spend today doing our best Mr. Napkin-Head impersonation at breakfast and just relaxing while catching up on good stories and playing a little bit in Andreas studio. I have a few students tomorrow for 2 impromptu fusing classes and then I have some serious work to get done for my next Master Muse project that is due in a few days.

I have a long drive back to Albuquerque the beginning of the next week but I am really looking forward to getting back home to all three of my sweet girls, one very large Odie and a Goodle.

Wednesday October 13th ~ 2010

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Are we able to rise to the task?

Is humanity able to remember what we have witnessed in Chile for longer than the next few news cycles? Are we, as the human race, capable of keeping this amazing act of humanity in our collective conscious and call to the forefront that many risked all to save 33 individuals?

How is it possible that the human race can be capable of such beauty, bravery, compassion, creativity and a single minded drive to rescue 33 people yet we are able to kill indiscriminately, hate without understanding and live in ignorance without the desire for true knowledge.

I watched in awe and wonder as 6 brave men willingly risked their own lives and descended down that drilled shaft to rescue those trapped miners. I watched till the last rescuer reached the surface and only then did I feel that I could breath again.

It is my hope that we can keep these images in our collective consciousness. It is my hope that we can maintain that drive for the sanctity of human life and hold it sacred. I will continue to hope that we can; but I have little faith left that we will. It does not seem to be in the nature of man to live beyond the immediate.

I was living in San Francisco on 9/11. I was actually up early that morning, cleaning my kitchen, because I was due to leave for London and Paris on the 14th for a 3-week vacation. This was to be my first vacation in almost 3 years. Needless to say, that flight did not happen for me till December.

Immediately following that horrific day there was a deep need for the familiar, a deep need for routine and a desire to be near others.  What I remember from that time and for a few weeks following was that we were a collective nation that actually saw others before we saw ourselves. People were conscientious, considerate and thought about how their actions reverberated in the pool of their surroundings.

I was ashamed of how quickly that sense of the world was lost and once again we became a country of the selfish and the self centered, resigned back to our ignorance and isolation. 

So, yet again, humanity has been given the chance to unite and to become connected to the rest of the world. Is humanity able to rise to the task? Are we able to cease hating that which we do not fully understand, able to be inclusive instead of exclusive, able to accept that all of humanity is deserving of the chance to strive and rise?

I live by just a few simple rules:

1. Always say thank you.
    (everyone deserves to be acknowledged)
2. Always hold the door open for the next person.
    (that is just plain nice)
3. Smile as you move through the world.
    (most will just wonder what you are thinking about)
4. Never give expecting for a reward.
    (give because it makes you happy to please another)
5. Let the person merge into your lane with a friendly wave.
    (I promise they will not get there any faster, but it makes them feel better about themselves)
6. Kiss your pets every morning.
    (there are few things better than my fuzzy girls purring me awake every morning.)
7. Kiss that special someone good night and good morning every morning.
    (I might suggest that kissing that special someone before you kiss your pets might be a really good idea)