AGED TO PERFECTION

Last Saturday, May 27th, was a special day. It only added to the fun and excitement of the Memorial Holiday Weekend.

Why was this day special? A large group of us celebrated my uncle's 80th birthday. It was exceptionally festive. And a surprise for my uncle. When he entered my cousin, Shawn's house, he was quite caught offguard. Think all the 'sneakiness' paid off. There were probably about 70 people at the event. I hadn't seen some of my cousins since last summer at Lake Tahoe, our annual two week gathering spot. I had to laugh. It seems that the goatee/beard trend is really catching on. Last summer, I was the only one with any beard of sorts. At this birthday gathering, seven of my cousins had either a beard or a goatee. And of course those beards were all sportin' a bit of gray in them. So to my family, I have to say, "Eat crow!" (done in jest) Half of my family can't stand my goatee, if your wondering.

Well, as for the party snacks and drinks, lets say they fell far from lacking. Chips and three or four dips, salsa. We rolled over to spaghetti, deli sandwiches ~ ham or turkey with all the condiments, garlic bread, fruit, and a tossed mixed green salad. As with any of our family gatherings, the drinks were flowing in abundance. Plenty of pop and water for the kids and the designated drivers. For the socializers, several beers and a variety of red and white wines.

Then came the birthday dessert. A variety of ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, and two sheet cakes, loaded with candles. The crowd all belted out a big Happy Birthday tune, rather worth chuckling over as with that large of a group it is next to impossible to get everyone to sing on queue and in tune. And as for those confectionery delights, well they were yummy. One was a white sheet cake with a whipped cream and custard filling, topped with more whip cream frosting and huge strawberries. The second was my favorite and my downfall. I had to cheat and have a piece. It was a white sheet cake, with a chocolate whipped cream, custard filling, smothered with whip cream frosting and huge shards of white and milk chocolate. I had to have an end piece where all the delicious chocolate was placed.

We spent five hours of laughing, chatting, and reminiscing ~ never long enough. Where have all the years gone? As the evening came to a close, my eyes caught a glimpse of something I hadn't noticed during the whole celebration. On the napkins was the phrase, "AGED TO PERFECTION." I found myself pausing momentarily. Then I thought, "How true." We really do improve with age. A bit more handsome or beautiful, a bit more intelligent (or at least we'd like to think that), a bit wiser, a bit more confident, and a bit more accepting of what curves life might still have in store for us. I like to think that we are only as good as we believe ourselves to be, so go for the gusto!

HOW DO YOU LIKE IT? (#4)

It's 'How Do You Like It?' time again. I thought that this week I would ask the following question given this past holiday weekend. I know that Memorial Day usually is the big weekend when all the movie houses start with their summer releases. I even suspect some of you got your movie 'fix' this past weekend. I know I did, even amidst the school work.

So here is the big question: How do you like your popcorn ~ lightly salted, "EXTRA BUTTER", or both?

While I love regular popcorn, I have to be honest...give me a box of Cracker Jacks. Love those caramel coated bits of popcorn and 'nuts.' MMMM! Good. But the ultimate is reaching into the box, not knowing what the 'SURPRISE' will be. ;-) Hot flashes here!

Let's hear those answers. We all want to know!

SOLDIER.... THOUGHTS THIS MEMORIAL DAY

SOLDIER, ...

...did you ever stop and pause to think where your actions might lead you?
No, because all that mattered to you was this great country we call the U.S. of A.

...did we ever really take a moment to know you?
No, but regardless of how well you knew us, you gave freely of yourself so that we might live in peace.

...did we ever really know how much pain you felt at the separation from your loved ones?
No, because some of us were too busy focusing on ourselves and what made us feel good.

...did you ever have a chance to dream and live those dreams?
No, because you gave of yourself so that we might live our own dreams.

...did anyone ever tell you that you were our HERO?
No, because you left this world so unexpectedly.

...have I personally told you what you mean to me?
Yes, I am doing it now and I have done it every day since I fully understood the meaning of Memorial Day. You are in my thoughts and prayers eternally. THANK YOU! Thank you for allowing me the liberties that this great nation offers, even amidst its flaws. For on this day, we are ONE if not but for 24 hours ~ gay straight, Catholic, Protestant, Jew, Muslim, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, young, old, male, and female, all that make up this great nation.

To my fellow bloggers, before you each begin your festive celebrations today, please take a moment to reflect on really what this day is about. REMEMBER all those men and women that gave their lives for this nation and its Constitution. REMEMBER those that still grieve for the loss of their son, daughter, friend, husband, wife.

To those of you bloggers who offered your service for this country and for whom we are blessed to still have here with us, thank you. (Kevin, that includes you!)

SOLDIER...YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!

'BRUSHSTROKES' ONE MONTH ANNIVERSARY

It's hard to believe that I have been blogging already for one month. Time flies. I can not begin to express how much pleasure I have received from this adventure. I find it hard to believe that I have already have near 2300 hits on my simple site in such a short time.

Blogging has been an opportunity to share some very poignant moments in my life and I am sure more will follow. I am on such a journey now. It is great to have people out there in BLOGLAND to offer encouragement and yes, to express their opinions, regardless of whether they are negative or positive. For me, I try to gain something from all that is written, whether it is from the manner a post or comment is written, the way it is conveyed, its content, or from whom the post/commentary is coming.

I have also gained so many new online friendships. I wish many times I could meet every last one of you. I know I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you and plan on meeting a few others, but alas, it is physically and financially impossible to meet all. ***Sigh***

I don't like to single people out because you all have effected me in some way, many with private emails. But I feel I have to say something to the following. They just mean too much to me! To my closest blogger buddies and personal friends, Rob, Pete,and Brett(Cajun), you guys mean the world to me. I hope we will always be true to each other. Derek and Spider, you guys are almost there. I just need to meet you, to make that personal connection (no - not that type of personal connection, hehehe!), and I have every intention on making it happen! You both are fast becoming a part of my circle of beloved friends. Now Spider do you see what I just wrote?!?! And I think Kevin is rounding the corner.

Well enjoy the balance of the Memorial Day Weekend. Play safely guys! I probably won't post again until either Tuesday or Wednesday.

X-MEN...THE LAST STAND?

My roommate and his girlfriend decided they had to see X-Men ~The Last Stand tonight. I, being the absolute X-Men lover, volunteered to tag along for the early evening show. We knew that it was opening night and to expect crowds. My roommate and I have scoped out the three theaters near us. We have the good and the bad times to hit any one of the theaters down 'pat.'

Tonight we went for the 7pm showing of X-Men at Regal Theaters in the Kaleidoscope complex in Mission Viejo. We arrived early to hit our favorite little pizza place in the mall. Pizza, salad, and lemonade for dinner. I know, not the greatest diet when you are weightlifting but heck, it was Friday night and to boot, the beginning of a long holiday weekend. Then it was over to the theater. We stood in line, about 10 people back, and when the doors opened to the theater room, we grabbed the primo spot in the theater ~dead center,mid screen.

Saw some interesting trailers...one for the new Superman movie due later this summer, another for the next big Marvel comic movie coming out in February, 2007, The Ghostrider, one for My Super Ex-Girlfriend with Uma Thurman, and one called Snakes in the Plane, just what you want to see...freakin' snakes creep me out. Can't quite understand why an actor like Samuel L. Jackson decided to take that movie.

The movie began promptly at 7pm. Its start was a little startling but reality will set in (can't give it away). Next, let's say that the first 25-30 minutes will be filled with some 'shockers.' You will also be introduced to new characters such as Juggernaut, played by Vinnie Jones, one hot big sexy guy. He gets 4 WOOFS from me. Aaron Stanford, as Pyro, comes to full force in this movie. Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Warren Worthington as Angel, and Eric Dane as Multiple Man are amidst some of the new small bit characters. I could go on but I don't want to give away every character as it may lend some indication as to the direction of the movie.

I think by now it is no new news, thanks to the trailers and hype, that the whole premise behind the movie is this final battle over the issue of a mutant cure. And the momentum definitely builds that plot. The special effects were rather fun in this movie. So I do not believe you will be disappointed in this department. You will see love interests come and go and come back. Not lacking there. As for the end of the movie, hold on. There are so many twists and turns and surprises. I truly believe you are going to enjoy this movie. So grab a large bucket of popcorn, some sodas, and a box of your favorite movie candy (Good'n'Plenty, Dots gum drops, bite size Butterfingers) and buckle down for the ride.

And oh! ONE BIG, BIG SUGGESTION. DO NOT LEAVE THE THEATER UNTIL ALL THE CREDITS RUN or you will miss something HUGE!

ENJOY THE FLIC!

THE BRUSH'S COLORFUL DAUBS ~ MISCELLANEOUS TIDBITS #3

Normally I do this post when I need to devote a bit more time to schoolwork. But it's coming a day late. I decided to do it today merely because I know a chunk of my readers may be off and running on their long holiday weekends. So I figured I would save the good stuff for next week and make this a fun-spirited post.

Memorial Day!!!: Just wanted to wish everyone of my buds out there in BLOGLAND a happy Memorial Day Weekend. Enjoy yourself, have lots of fun, be merry, but just don't drink and drive! Play it safe. You each mean a lot...don't want to lose any readers for ill reasons. And to all you lucky smucks that do have the long weekend off, just remember a few of us have to work our butts off for other reasons...ME, I have four small projects ~ all due next Thursday. Who said teachers couldn't be pains in the 'arses.'

Question To Ask YOU!: The question is: What are you doing this Memorial Day weekend? Yes, I guess I am a gluten for punishment but I would love to hear what you all have in the making. So leave me a comment on the 'shakin's' of your weekend in today's post section along with any other thoughts you wish to share.

So Tell Me Which Child's Day Are You: Don't know if you are all familiar with the poem? You know the one:

Mondays child is fair of face,
Tuesdays child is full of grace,
Wednesdays child is full of woe,
Thursdays child has far to go,
Fridays child is loving and giving,
Saturdays child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

Well, Curtis, at Let Me Tell You All About It, Sweetie, asked his readers this question. I thought it was a bit fun so now I ask you, "What child's day are you?" Let me know. Does it match who you are? If you do not know or recall the day you were born on, click here and fill in the info to obtain the day of your birth.

****Oops, I forgot to mention I am a Sunday child. Guess I fit the mold.****

Again...Have A Great Memorial Day! Be Safe!

CAN WE EVER LIVE THIS SIMPLE AGAIN?

Have you ever felt as if life is just getting so complicated? Too much me, me, me. Too much noise from cars. Too much easy-life, forgetting what real values and hard work are all about. Too much destruction of the natural beauty around us? Lastly, not really getting to know your neighbor and the people around you?

I know I find myself thinking about this question almost every other day. But then again, maybe it is my personality, since I tend to have a very introspective side. For me, I find my vision of life is changing. Don't we all experience this at some point, maybe some sooner, some later than others.

We are truly blessed with what gifts we have received as a nation, what progress has brought about. But with each thing gained, I think we lose a little of life's simplicity and its real meaning. One of the things I often do, is think about my trips back to Medugorje, Bosnia-Hercegovina. Bosnia-Hercegovina is next to Croatia and is, in part, one of several new countries that once made up the former Yugoslavia. I am not going to go into the reason for my visits to Medugorje, other than to say I have a dear friend their now and it is a town of pilgrimage (a place where the Blessed Mother has been appearing since 1981 for those of you who are Catholic and or have some familiarity with the faith ~ absent any opinion of its teachings). Each trip has had a profound effect on me and my life.

Medugorje is like no other place I have been. It is beyond putting into Word. I have been there 3 times and each time I have felt torn about leaving this sanctuary. My brother in fact is trying to get me to go late summer but I am working on other possible plans. Again torn, but we'll see. Life is simple there. Not a lot of vehicles. Lots of walking, some folk walking great distances into town from their more rural locations. The two and three story buildings that exist now only came to be over the past 25 years, built primarily to house the pilgrims. People are friendly ~ they take the time to chat with you if you engage them. Food is natural ~ fresh eggs and milk, fresh meat (we won't divulge how it became fresh), home-grown fruits and vegetables, and oh! home-made wine and GRAPPA, rocket-fuel in a bottle. A sense of real community exists ~ people help each other, like assisting in harvesting someone's grapes for the year. Heck one of my trips, I got out in the fields and helped my friend's family pick grapes...hard work but an utter blast! I felt this incredible sense of well-being, an inner peace. Every element of this little hamlet, if you will, makes me feel like this. It's what I wish I could feel every, breathing, waking moment of my life.

Can we ever truly attain such simplicity again in our lives? Really... take a moment to think about it. It is hard when you have been exposed to so many materials things and the pleasures/comforts they generate. I will be the first person to step up and admit it without hesitation. I think it can be attained but it takes an extreme amount of sacrifice to succeed. Perhaps that is what LIFE is about...sacrifices(emphasis here) and giving of oneself in order to gain the truest sense of inner peace. If I can ever find the inner strength, I so want to grasp onto 'the feeling' and never let go. I know I'd be happier!


The pictures that you see are of my favorite little corner of the universe, Medugorje. [Do you remember Steve?] The very first picture is of a home for recovering alcoholics and drug abusers. They all must make a commitment to relinquish there abuses, to stay at the home for six years, and to work doing the home chores and business. They survive in part by making and selling religious momentos for the pilgrims. The building that you also see was built quite literally by the hands of its members, those living in this home community. The craftsmanship is phenomenal and the mosaic they created in the chapel is unbelievable, considering not one member had artistic background. I'll have to locate that picture and post it. The next seven pictures are of Medugorje itself and some of the many abundances that its land produces. And finally, the last two pictures...me barefoot, hiking up the rocky path ties in with the church picture. See the hill behind the church...I hiked barefoot from the base of that hill up to its top on crumbled rock. Let's say I got two more years of my dad's life out of it...it was worth every last physical notion of discomfort.

Hope I didn't go to deep for you on this post...but you are seeing the real me exposed, whether I appeal to you or not. Damn, the picture of me was only 6 years ago, the big "40." I look like a kid ~ no goatee, a little thinner, and a bit more hair. Don't you just love the 'doo' too. ***chuckle***

A SORTED PICTORIAL: A PLACE I CALLED HOME FOR A YEAR ~ I SO WANT IT BACK!

Today I was over my sister and brother-in-law's house, sitting in the yard. I was thinking that I wish I were back at their place. See, when I sold my townhouse, and after a month stint at my mom's, I moved to southern California into my sister's house. At the time it had been recently purchased. They were both generous in letting me stay nearly rent-free in one of the 6 bedrooms they have in the house. I whopping $500 a month toward food and house essentials. I was suppose to have been there for only 6 months and then move in with my brother-in-law's step-brother, renting a room in his soon-to-be-purchased condo. He got into a bind and, oddly enough, ended up moving into my sister's house for 6 months as well. The condo purchase never materialized but we did move out and rent an apartment, a year later. That would be the one I am in currently and of which many of you have already seen a glimpse of my room, located in my post called, PART I: AN 'OSCAR' OR A 'FELIX' MOMENT, as well as its PART II follow-up.

As I sat in the backyard, I thought of how much I really have been hating my 10'x10' apartment room. When I was at my sisters house, I literally had a room that was almost double the size of my apartment bedroom. Plus I used her laundry room as my drafting studio. That was a space that was about 10'x16' with a 2' deep granite countertop running the entire side of 18'. SWEET SPACE! Now I am lucky if I can find a 6'x6' patch of space on my apartment living room floor to put boards and presentations together. Guess I was spoiled in that respect. But have to love my sister and brother-in-law for letting two people invade their privacy for the period of time we did.

Given what they live in, you may think my sister and brother-in-law are that kind of folk that are up'idy. But they aren't! They are two of the most generous people I know. I give kudos to my brother-in-law. He had a difficult childhood, came from a dysfunctional family, ended up in the Marines at eighteen, but from there, pulled his life together. He has been successful in business and at only 36, has worked his way up to a current VP-Chief Information Officer/West Coast for a major wireless service company. He gives freely of his earnings to friends, family, and charities, when he knows it's needed. In fact, if had it not been for his encouragement over my family's, I would never had taken the chance to do what I am doing now. He's a motivator, a believer!!

Anyway, thought I'd share my 'CRIB' for a year and boy was it some 'CRIB!'

These first pictures are of the front of the house, moving from left to right. The left side garden area, as well as the entire front yard, I designed with my sister's input and some guidance on a few plant choices from her landscaper/gardener. He obviously pulled it together for us.

The next grouping is of the backyard. Half of it was done at the time the front yard was. About six months ago, the remaining section was redone...the lawn area and the planters around its perimeter along with the arched arbor entrance. By the way, those are solar panels on the roof. As ugly as they look, they cut my sister's electrical down by two-thirds and it was HUGE before the installation.

A view taken from the house toward the visible back of the yard, left to right. There's another 1/8 of an acre behind it.

A view of the yard toward the direction of the house, left to right.

A view of the path that runs up side of the backyard which happens to be a hill retreat. This is on the left side of the picture views taken toward the house.

The play area in the backyard, right side of the picture views taken toward the house.

This last group of pictures are of the immediate neighbors houses on the top of the cul-de-sac where my sister's house is located.

A Sweet Pad!

HOW DO YOU LIKE IT? (#3)

So we have that favorite question of mine today, How Do You Like It?

The question is: How do you like your man - in boxer briefs, in a jock strap, in plain boxer shorts, or in some other piece of undergarment? [Guys, I know we all like commando but think undergarment here. ;-)]

This is a toss up for me! There is something sexy about a guy in a good pair of boxer briefs, especially the kind that have the seam running down the backside of the briefs. It manages to accentuate a guy's gluts something incredible. Want something real hot...black sheer mesh boxer briefs, made just as described above. But when it comes to being down right truthful, nothing beats a jockstrap, a nice red or black one! It lifts the package and accentuates each of those yummy cheeks.

Care to share your thoughts?

2 POSTS TODAY ~ FIRST: PASSING THROUGH MY BLOG OR STOPPING IN FOR THE FIRST TIME...SAY HI

~Two posts for you today~

The first is directed to any of you bloggers or blog readers just passing through or for those who are stopping by for the first time. Take a moment and say hi, to state where you are from, and, if so inclined, how you got to my blog.

I know that many are passing through but choose not to leave a comment. So many of you are from across the states and outside the U.S. Anyway, hope you take a moment to comment. If not, still enjoyed having you. Happy reading!

For my regular readers, my standard post for the day is above. It's my HOW DO YOU LIKE IT? segment today. So don't pass it up!

THOUGHTS OF PHYSICAL SELF-IMAGE: BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE

FLASHBACK! It’s 1974. It is freshman year in high school and my first day in gym class. After a quick change into my school gym wear, I can remember gathering with the rest of my class mates before our gym instructor. I can remember his first words after taking roll, “Guys…we’re running today. 5 miles. You’ll running from here over to Aragon High School and back.” I about died. Step forward ~ to the end of the run. It was time to shower up. My heart was beginning to race. All I saw were guys that looked so much bigger in muscular build than me. I was skinny, average in height for my age, and very much self-conscious about my physique.

As I progressed through my two years of required physical education, my physical stature never changed. I can recall being so frustrated as not even the occasional weight training sessions were helping me. Other student’s and friend’s muscle mass was changing before my eyes. For me it never came to be in high school with the exception of a growth spurt the middle of my junior year that added nearly 6 inches. I just got taller, lankier, and a bit more shy due to low self-esteem, in part stemming from not liking my appearance. When I graduated I was 5’-10”, 2 1/2 inches below my current height of 6’- ½”, weighed a whopping 155lbs, and had a 29” waist. CAN WE SAY SKINNY! Never had any real steady girlfriend of sorts…could it have been that low self-esteem as a result of my physical appearance. You betchya!

On I went to college. All I ever managed to gain physically during that stage of my life was another 2plus inches in height and about another 18 lbs. Yes ~ that is 168 lbs. when I graduated from college. Stack me up against some of the hot looking studs where I attended college and well, I was a ‘small-fry.’ I had friends mind you as I really started to feel less self-conscious, so I thought. But again I just couldn’t find the confidence to date any girl, because of how I viewed myself. Remember, this was all before I ever really had a sense of my sexuality as it stands today, though I think there was evidence of homosexual tendencies by then. I just did not really pursue them.

Then out into the working world I went. Nothing changed. I could never find the courage to date because I thought I looked ridiculously skinny. I was never motivated to weightlift or hit the gym either, again because I was embarrassed to step into a gym looking the way I did. I could never convince myself that there were ever others starting out in the gym, with similar builds, that eventually ‘blossomed.’ In retrospect, I was not nearly as skinny as some guys that I see these days, falling into my high school and present height range.

Jump forward to September 2004. I had been battling so many fears and feeling so lackadaisical. Not motivated to do healthy or fun activities, lacking confidence in certain elements of my life, down on my appearance still, down on who I was, where I was going. I was growing tired of the same constant, crappy feeling. I sought help after much persistence and encouragement from family. From therapy I found answers to portions of why I felt the way I did and how I could build up some of my self image. These sessions did not bring out everything, in particular who I was sexually. That evolved later on through my own exploration and self-reflection.

But I have digressed a bit here. The issue is physical self-image. What I gained from those therapy sessions was that I was letting my perceptions of how other people were viewing me, imagined and some real, dictate my life. In a nutshell, FEAR was dictating my life. FEAR that no one would find me attractive. FEAR that I wasn’t worthy of someone’s love and would remain single the rest of my life. It is amazing how much fear manages to pull our lives in so many directions other than their intended proper courses.

I made the decision that life was just to darn short to let fear, to let other’s cruel thoughts and words dictate who I am and the quality of my life. There are other elements and events that came to be after September 2004, that strengthened this conviction, but that are to complex to discuss here. I’d be writing a novel. Perhaps I will share those at a later date. I told myself I was happy with who I was but that I was going to make a determined, conscious effort to improve myself in some way, with the realization that I may occasionally fall off the bandwagon. I started weightlifting and cardio workouts from my sister’s home gym this past September 2005. I wanted to feel better physiologically and to feel good with my physical appearance, which meant adding muscle. I moved over to a protein diet, but balanced it with other food groups. I began lifting 4-5 times per week, though admittedly the number of times per week is now more like 3-4 days. I started at 176 lbs., 20% body fat, with a goal of 195 lbs., 17% body fat. In January of this year (2006) I reached my goal but not until I saw my weight dip to 172lbs. way at the beginning. I knew then that I was in fact building muscle from that point forward, given my diet. Elements in my life since have caused me to lose some of that weight but I am sticking to my conviction, to my physical routine, and I know I’ll be back to where I want to be physically. And just as confident in myself as the day I reach my goal in January.

See the key is believing in yourself but most importantly, liking who you are! So I say very bluntly… ‘To hell with the rest of the world. Screw those guys who can’t accept me or any of YOU for who we are.” Think about it. If people are rejecting us solely on physical elements, then they are most likely responding to FEAR themselves, though more often than not they will deny it. And one driving force will be the individual’s fear of what others think of their boyfriend’s or partner’s appearance, of what might be said behind their backs. It’s sad, but true. While I’ll be the first to say that I still fall into the trap of not liking myself physically, I have moved on. I want people to appreciate me for the inner person that I am – genuine, real, caring, funny, and sensitive. That’s what I to project outwardly. And as I have said before, if my path leads me down life as a single man, I am finding peace with it. All I need are my family and my close friends. ((HUGS!))

SIMPLY SAID ~ PROCRASTINATION!

Let's see...

• About 200 pages of reading between three text books.
• Another 115 pages of reading in an independent book.
• Two projects involving design layouts to most likely incorporate photography and video, and requiring time to get out into the public and perform the later tasks before putting the presentations together, one of the projects due this Thursday night, and the other due next Monday night.
• Research required for my Ecology project which is designing a light fixture and making it from recycled and ecologically-sound materials. Sounded easy at first but it is not turning out so ~ the materials are that easy to locate and or to get readily. I still have 4 weeks on this project. Would anyone know of any small companies that make recycled materials (not a finish product but rather component pieces) such as recycled glass, metal, etc. Let me know via email if you do as I would much appreciate. I am already 'buggy' over searching the web but that doesn't mean there still aren't some out there.
• Still need to locate my resume and start reorganizing it.
• View two movies.

Did I say this all yesterday in my post? I sure did. I can not get it out of my darn head! It's spinning there but my mind just doesn't want to shift gears and start tackling each task. I think its the reading that throws me for a loop. I have always hated to read. I get no enjoyment out of it so when it involved learning material, it is that much harder for me. I have always found myself having to re-read pages as some things just do not embed themselves into this little thing in my head called a 'brain.'

Do my legs give you an idea of what I was doing most of the day. They are looking awfully relaxed. I know what I'd like to be doing with them but we won't go there. I finally was so fed up with my lack of motivation that I said, 'Screw it,' and went out to the movies with my niece, nephew, sister, and brother-in-law to see the animation film, OVER THE EDGE. I actually enjoyed the movie. Some good laughs for adults and of course, it's always a ball to see the kids laugh. I just soaked it all up while slurping up my cola slushy. (And if your mind wondered off to any other thought, shame on you!) And such a glorious Saturday evening ~ a mild 75 degrees. Why can't life be a permanent vacation. If I could only win the Lotto and retire for good! I'd be out visiting all you guys and maybe passing along some of the winnings.

So I guess this is about all I have for you tonight as I am unfortunately not overly motivated to write tonight either. I do have some topics though that I would like to share and hopefully I'll have time to blog about them soon. Enjoy your SUNDAY!

INTERIOR DESIGN - MY MARKER RENDERINGS

Well the weekend is off to just a peachy start for me. I'm jumpin' with oh so much joy. I'm forcing a smile I am so happy. Do you sense an undertone of sarcasm here? If you do, it's because I am loaded to the hilt with reading. I have two small projects due, one this Thursday and another a week later. I have two required movies I must view for one of my classes as background resource material (we're talking boring old movies). Lastly, I need to locate my resume to begin updating it for part of my Senior Show, a portfolio development class. Should I locate by resume getting over to my new computer will be real fun. See it's on a floppy disk - didn't those go out about 3 or 4 years ago?!?! Hopefully my trusty KINKO's will be able to assist me there.

Since were on the topic of school, I thought I would share a bit the skills and techniques I have picked up in one area of my design education. Over the past year and a half, I have taken two perspective classes which have enabled me to visualize objects better three-dimensionally. I hope that at a later date, once I locate my perspectives, that I will be able to post them for your viewing. From Perspective we receive two quarters Marker Rendering education which really is the colorization of the perspective drawings we do. The key is learning to layer the color along with other techniques so that the finished product has depth and visual appeal. I am fortunate that I have an aptitude for perspective drawing. I have managed to excel here without any previous training. And I am proud to say that in each of the four classes I received an "A." (OK - I needed to stroke my ego here.)

I think of all the classes I have had so far at school, I have found the most enjoyment and the least amount of stress from these four classes. My biggest challenge in my Marker class was speed and it is something I hope to improve with more practice. Regretfully this portion of my education is over. But I have a gained a tremendous mentor, my professor, who is an exceptionally talented architect, interior designer, historian, and businessman.

The photos you see posted in this article are just a small portion of my Marker Rendering portfolio. The first two are conceptual designs of a resort bedroom suite and bathroom amidst tropical locations. The last picture is a conceptual design of a living/dining space for a condo complex. Enjoy! I look forward to sharing a bit more of my work and I am hoping to start posting design tips as time progresses.

Hope you all have a great weekend! Someone please drink a margarita for me! Later.

GOT THE 'WATERSKIING' SHAKES

Darn! I don't know what it is with me. My focus is so far away from school. Is it bigtime burnout with school? Is it because the class workload is slowly piling up? Heck, I still have another class to sign-up for online, assuming it is not too late. It's session starts next week, I believe, and I should have explored registration last week. Keep your fingers crossed.

But anyway, am I unfocused because summer is just around the corner and I have waterskiing fever. You betcha! I love to waterski. My cousins here in southern California introduced it to me when I was 9 years old and I haven't stopped since. I can only think of two summers in 37 years that I have not been involved in at least one ski trip for the summer. It is strange - it seems that the older I have gotten, in particular the last five years, my passion for it has intensified. I don't know why. It may be because I sense I am getting older and know my body, especially my back, will only hold out for so long before I have to 'hang up the ski!' But while I can, I am going to enjoy every moment of it. Having first started on doubles, I have skied on a single since I was 12 years old. I'm not exceptional but does it really matter when you simply enjoy the activity. As of lately, and as a means to spare my back, I have gotten into the wakeboard trend. No catchin' real air - just simply riding the wake and half spins.


Perhaps retaining my activeness in waterskiing stems from the fact that some of my nieces and nephews are starting to waterski, all at an age where I did. I have a reason now to get up at 6:30am in the morning in Homewood, California and ski Lake Tahoe's 65 degree waters. It helps that you don't have to bribe, maybe that is sucker, your little nephew anymore into maintaining the ski ropes and holding the warning flag. Do I ski this frigid type of water all the time? No way. I finish my summer with a warm waterski trip, the last two years relishing the waters of Lake Havasu, Arizona. Lots of smooth skiing in the early hours in splendid 80+ degree water, with air temperatures starting at about 90 degrees in the morning and ending at 100+ degrees.

So right now I am simply 'buggy' over the thought that I'll be waterskiing soon. Thought I would share a few of last year's Lake Havasu ski trip - me on a single, me on the wakeboard, and the morning and evening scenery. I apologize if some of the pictures are a little hazy. It doesn't help when your 13 year old cousin is operating the camera. Any of you waterski fanatics? As always enjoy and have a great weekend!

***Yesterday's Post - Did you guess my age correctly in each of the pictures? The picture of me without the goatee was taken in April 2004 so I was 44. The photo of me with the goatee was taken last year - 45. It's amazing how much younger I look when I shave off my goatee. My family hates the goatee, in part for that reason. Pete...you cheater. I told you. And Spider, bless you for making me 38 years old in the beardless pic. ;-)***

THE BRUSH'S COLORFUL DAUBS ~ MISCELLANEOUS TIDBITS #2

I am at that point again where I need a little time for school work. OK, I need a lot of time. I have been such the procrastinator this past week. I hate the start of school. I always need a week or two adjustment period once school initiates so that I can come off my 'vacation high.' When your course syllabi shows otherwise...well it becomes a matter of "OK, I need to get my sh*t together real quick!"


So here are some tidbits of news and or fun for today:


Woofables! : I don't know if you all have seen Roque's gay-themed Mighty Woofables comic strip, but if you haven't already caught Scotty's shout out to him, get yourself over to Roque's site and see the talent this guy has from a graphics standpoint. He has an icon on his sidebar that will directly link you to his comic strip. As for myself, I had already been introduced to Roque's comic strip via Pete from The Shortbus. I think it will be fun to watch it develop. I even think a few people are already getting attached to characters. I know of one blogger that already has an affinity for a certain red-haired, goateed character named Jamie. ;-)

Another genuine-hearted blogger: I also wanted to give a shout out to CityWOOF! I came across him via Mark at Zeitzeuge. CW started blogging at about the same time I did so he is still new to the blogosphere. Mosey on over to his site and take a gander yourself. He won't bite you, I promise! Let him know I sent you. I know personally I am enjoying his posts. CW also happens to be an aspiring singer. This Saturday, May 20th, he is involved in a local Portland solo musical production called Broadway on Broadway, of which he is the star. Take a moment to wish him well. "CW, way to go. Knock'em dead!"




Some fun: I'm posting a few pics of me, one with and one without a goatee. Can you guess how old I am in each of them? Guess it right and you might win a special prize. L.O.L. And by the way...how do you think I look without the goatee? I was contemplating shaving it off for the summer. The last picture of my backside pose is a gratuitous post of me. Hope you like it!

Who's a HUNK?: Did you all get over to Derek's site and see his post on who he selected as his HUNK OF THE WEEK for 5/17? To my awesome friend and awardee, here's looking at you, in more ways than one. ;-) Be sure to check out my comments that I posted under under Derek's 5/17 article. [**Spider - go back and check'em out.] Think it will entertain you. Of course, you all need to remember that dear ol' "daddy" (me) outmatched this young but spry "colt" (Brett) by achieving such high honors prior to him. Now the issue is can he bow down to me and admit he is nothing but a lowly commoner when he is in the presence of true "royalty." Boy! am I talking smack here. OMG! Is BrettCajun rubbing off on me. Please, is there a doctor out there that can tell me whether I can be spared from such a life-threatening disease???

HOT or COLD?: I have to say that I found the results of yesterday's 5/17 post, HOW DO YOU LIKE IT -Hot or Cold?, to be rather interesting. I believe I have a 'new' appreciation for Cold being HOT! Some reasons that have crossed my mind now: How invigorating and stimulating a cold shower can be; what marvels a cold, wet t-shirt can do to a man's chest (GRRRRR!); the sensation of a melting ice cube being run down your back. OK, time out here. I know...I'm so bad!

Well, I need to get to class in a bit and on to homework. Ya'll have a good Wednesday. The best!