The Barn Yard

Cabin Christmas

2011-11-27T20:20:00.000-05:00

I hung the lights with care.

Christmas Light Pro HQ

2011-11-25T22:13:00.001-05:00

What a cutie!

2011-11-25T22:12:00.001-05:00

Mateo' 1st Turkey Coma?

2011-11-25T22:11:00.000-05:00

Track Hoe!!!

2011-08-02T10:23:00.000-04:00

Deck Demolition

2011-07-22T13:29:00.000-04:00

Deck Demolition

2011-07-22T13:28:00.000-04:00

Deck Demolition

2011-07-22T13:27:00.000-04:00

Deck Demolition

2011-07-22T13:26:00.000-04:00

Now we're cookin!!

2011-07-07T09:52:00.000-04:00

Stove is in the kitchen. Thanks to Craigslist and the Ascendant Masters' Rehabbin' Cabin Crew. It's all about how the little cabin creature comforts make a construction zone feel like home.

Brian J. Arnold

Live. Love. Laugh.

Tee Time!!!

2011-07-07T00:26:00.000-04:00

Trashed Creek

2011-07-02T14:04:00.000-04:00

I spent this morning cutting vines off the huge Nobel Fir in my yard. This process led me to the over-grown section of the storm-runoff creek that comes down the mountain and passes beside my cabin, down to Little Branch, and finally down to the mighty French Broad River.
It seems that the previous owners felt a trip to the dump was too big a hassle when there's a perfectly good creek to trash on your property.
So today I started clearing vines and found the remnants of old metal chairs, other odd pieces of metal, rocks and mortar from what appeared to be a building foundation, fabric, foam cushions, and plastic and metal pipes (perhaps they thought the water would pass through them and go under the trash).
The pile of trash in this photo, I'm sure, is just the tip of the Mt. Trashmore.
It got me thinking, are there any environmental organizations that could help me with a stream clean-up/restoration project?

B Frank the B Boy

2011-06-27T08:31:00.000-04:00

South Street

2011-06-24T23:40:00.000-04:00

Philly Nightlife

Philly!!

2011-06-24T18:38:00.000-04:00

At Home...Hardhat Area

2011-06-20T11:36:00.000-04:00

I carried Bruno through the threshold.

2011-06-10T22:14:00.000-04:00

The Keys Work!

2011-06-10T22:12:00.000-04:00

Keys to the Cabin

2011-06-10T22:10:00.000-04:00

Memorial Day Weekend

2011-05-29T08:51:00.000-04:00

5 pound dry-rubbed Boston Butt on the smoker.

Biking Buddies

2011-04-27T20:24:00.000-04:00

Taken during a break from mountain biking this past weekend @Bent Creek.

Ready for Fun

2011-04-27T20:22:00.000-04:00

Pepe

2011-03-25T19:34:00.000-04:00

El Mexicano.

What am I saying?

2011-03-25T18:10:00.000-04:00

Please comment and fill in your own quotation for the vocal Husky, Dewey.

Today in Class

2011-03-23T09:43:00.000-04:00

Dogwood blossom in mason jar still-lifes using white colored pencils on black construction paper. Hopefully some great results to follow.

Star Walker

2011-03-17T23:25:00.001-04:00

I was looking at the stars While using the app Star Walk for the first time, and I took this screen shot. I had no idea that Orion had a dog!

An Extra Hour...

2011-03-13T19:19:00.000-04:00

...makes grilling dinner a nice option.

Spring Sun...

2011-03-12T09:40:00.000-05:00

...Soak up as much as you can..
Shot with my Hipstamatic for iPhone
Lens: Roboto Glitter
Flash: Off
Film: Ina's 1969

Another Beauty

2011-03-10T22:00:00.000-05:00

Scenes from the barnyard.

Another Day...

2011-03-10T21:56:00.000-05:00

Another beautiful moment.

Spring Blossoms

2011-03-10T09:05:00.001-05:00

I have been riding my bike with Bruno around my neighborhood about every day. It always amazes me when the trees start to flower. I had to stop yesterday, and capture this beauty.

Intense Concentration

2011-03-08T21:32:00.000-05:00

This is what it looks like.

Violets

2011-03-07T20:37:00.001-05:00

I made this painting on my phone using the app called Brushes. It's really a fun way of finger-painting, even on such a small screen. This app alone would make the iPad worth it's salt.

Tug of War

2011-03-07T20:16:00.000-05:00

After Bruno ran next to me while I rode my bike a good couple miles, we saw Joey and his dog Svelky at the park They had a rope. Bruno likes ropes. Svelky likes ropes. Bruno likes to tug. Svelky likes to tug. You can imagine the rest.

I forgot about the white stuff

2011-03-06T11:45:00.000-05:00

The weather has been so warm for nearly the last month, I almost forgot about the "s" word. And yes, that's what you see on Bruno's fur coat.

Plaster Casting

2011-03-05T13:04:00.000-05:00

Here's a scene from my classroom this week. My 7th and 8th graders are making masks, and many choose to have their faces cast with plaster gauze strips to start the process. It was a hit with the kids and a big success.

Funny Animal Voiceovers

2011-02-14T02:07:00.000-05:00

So true. So true. Allan! Allan!!! Allan!?!?!!?

Single Speed

2011-01-29T18:59:00.000-05:00

My new street bike.
It goes so fast.
Buy new street bike.
Not too much cash.
Ride new street bike.
It's sure a blast!
Tied to new street bike.
Bruno running fast.

Portland Slideshow

2010-12-31T13:47:00.000-05:00

A photo-story of my travels and the silliness that comes along with me.

DonarsChoose.org

2010-10-12T22:30:00.000-04:00

I'm trying my luck with some freelance fund-raising.
Check out my project, and spread the word to all your philanthropist friends.

AMS2OBX. MUSICFEST. 11.06.10

2010-10-12T22:26:00.000-04:00

Before and After

2010-08-10T14:28:00.000-04:00

My colleague Rick requested my barbarous barbershop skills to clean him up before the new school year started.

Here's his summertime, crazy, dirty hippie look before I worked on him.

Here we have the after picture. Rick now appears to be a fine, upstanding, respectable, public servant.

Hiking the Appalachain Trail

2010-08-02T12:56:00.000-04:00

Last summer, my friend Richard and I backpacked a great stretch of the Appalachian Trail, from Sam's Gap to just past Roan Mountain. We made it back to pick up the northbound trail where we left off. New to this year's trip, our two dogs acquired over the past year, Dewey and Bruno.
Backpacking the trail, carrying everything you need (and more) on your back is near the top of my list for enjoyable activities. I have yet to hike from the beginning of the trail in Georgia, up through the Smokies and to Sam's Gap, but I feel strongly that someday I will. Hopefully, one day, I will have hiked the entire stretch of the trail from Georgia to Maine. Little by little, I am adding up the miles. So far, out of an estimated 2,179 miles, I have completed 103. That's just amazing, because the memories from those 103 miles will always seem like an epic journey in my mind.

Here's a slideshow from our four days on the trail:

Update: Bling Summit 2.0'10

2010-07-27T09:27:00.002-04:00


Go to Bling Summit 2.0'10 album

Bling Summit 2.0'10

2010-07-23T12:16:00.000-04:00

Well, the Parrot has landed to officially kick off this season's Bling Summit. If you don't know what a Bling Summit is, don't worry, we don't either. Bottom-line...fun, gut-busting, tom-harkin-foolery.

Update as needed. Do you need to be kneaded?

Tubing

2010-07-22T11:08:00.000-04:00

This past week has been all about beating the heat, and tubing the Swannanoa River near Warren Wilson College. The river can be shallow, but with the late afternoon storms that have been passing through, the conditions have been excellent.

Here is a slideshow from the trip yesterday with Jhomas Tefferson and Bruno. Go out to Kmart and get'cha a $5 tube, find a river, and cool off!

Save the French Broad: Updates

2010-07-22T11:01:00.000-04:00

It's been a lazy summer of leisure. Notice how I haven't finished updating the "Save the French Broad" trip. Someday I will...hopefully.

Check out some of the footage:

Check out the story directly from the dangerous mind of the French Broad Riverkeeper:
http://www.savethefrenchbroad.com/

Save the French Broad: Slideshow

2010-07-02T08:39:00.000-04:00

I reallize that I have some updates to make concerning the last half of this trip. In due time. While you are all anxiously waiting, pacify yourself with this slideshow...

Day 5

2010-06-25T12:22:00.000-04:00

Rhoades Farm field wake up with the dog pack stampededing with 20 or so horses.

Bruno, Junebug, Kodiak, Dingo, Harper, and Bomber all tugging on the same stick at the same time.
Oh yeah, it's my birthday. Gonna paddle like it's my birthday.
Took a morning plunge in the river via the jumping tree.

Packed.
Left farm via muddy harbor. Almost lost a shoe to the mud.

Back in the boat with ol' John.

Great morning of paddling.

Stopped at a rock for lunch. Flipped boat while trying to stop!
Ate lunch. Jumped in river to cool off. Sunglasses not secure. Sunglasses now river debris :(

Ol' John took over the rudder after lunch.

Birthday boy kicked back in the front and took a nap.

Getting closer to the city now.

Stopped at another farm to camp. Pizza and beer for dinner. The group sang "Happy Birthday".

Happy it was.

Day 4 Recap

2010-06-23T16:43:00.000-04:00

Woke up cold in hammock tent next to babbling stream. Last one up. Packed and waited for folks. Cleaned boat. Recycling run with Haywood, I mean Hartwell. Whatever your name is. Took a trash dive.
Drive back to river. Hot hot hot!! Short paddle. Good swim. Tighty whitey tree jump. No women.
Made it to the muddiest harbor at the most beautiful horse farm, Back Rhoades Ranch.

Here's Mr. & Mrs. Rhoades

Big country. Big clouds.

Tree swing rigging. Tree swing really didn't swing. Better to jump off tree.

Rain threat. Why did I set tent up in middle of field? Didn't rain. That's why.

Lots of doggy play.

Stars, smores and snores. Really amazing. Sleepy-time at fire circle.

The journey continues...

Notes from Day 3

2010-06-22T07:18:00.001-04:00

French Broad Paddle trip. Day 3 recap.
Solo paddled a canoe with Bruno. Independence. No appologies. Slack floating. River clean up with Riverkeeper.

Canoe became trash barge. Found TweetyBird hangin in tree. She/he then became a back support. Mastered art of laying down and paddling. So much trash.

Picked up a CO2 tank from the fallen tree dam. Had to lift boat over same tree because it blocked the whole river.

Arrived at "campsite". But some peeps didn't like it. After pros and cons it was decided to go to nearby Davidson campground. Felt like the umbelical chord was cut. I wanted to stay close to river. Feeling the connection grow.

Stayed up talking to country Chris. Too loud. Common respect. Moved to the chattering stream. Nice sharing the spiritual journey. Back to river for day 4. Short day expected.

Day 2

2010-06-21T18:17:00.000-04:00

We had way too much fun the first night. Some new buddies staying at the campsite from AVL, who weren't part of the trip gave me my first taste of strawberry appalachain moonshine....whew!!

I woke up to Bruno scratching himself and trying to poke through the tent screen. I let him out so he could sprint laps around the other tents at the campsite with 3 other very energetic dogs. I guess they acted as the camp roosters.

The campsite was on the river next to a field and farmhouse.

The morning mist was deluxe, as was the coffee and breakfast fare. We packed up and got on the river by 10.

Above, you have our fearless Riverkeeper, Hartwell Carson starting the day of right by finding a rope-swing tied to a tree above maybe 3-4 feet if water.

Here's Bruno enjoying the ride with my shipmate, John from Fletcher.

Stopping for lunch.

Check out Hartwell's fancy new boat. I guess he crashed his old one.

We passed by slot of mountain ranches and farmlands.

We saw several groups of cows in the river. Obviously, it feels refreshing for the cows, but the damage they do to the riverbanks is a contributor to the number one pollutant to the French Broad, sediment.

We saw a lot of areas where the banks of the river were extemely eroded due to humans using the land all the way up until the shore. Ideally there should be a 100 foot buffer of vegetation to limit erosion.

I learned a lot on the trip today about the challenges facing our water supply.

It is a real treat to live on the river.

Here's the group chillin' at our camp, Hap Simpson Park on the riverside in Brevard.

We went into Brevard for dinner at Square Root.

More updates to come.

I'm your huckleberry

2010-06-21T18:13:00.001-04:00

Day 1

2010-06-19T13:24:00.000-04:00

We started our journey down the mighty French Broad at the confluence of the North and West Forks at the appropriatly named Headwaters Outfitters. It was an easy day starting with Sweetwater Beer and burgers and hotdogs at Headwaters. We then paddled ten canoes and kayaks about 8 miles of beautiful mountain countryside to our destination, Hannah Ford outpost. We were greeted with a wide variety of snacks and Sweetwater beer. Living the dream.

More to come. Twenty miles tomorrow followed by a Save the French Broad party at Square Root in Brevard. Come out and join us!

Save the French Broad

2010-06-18T11:11:00.001-04:00

Today marks the start of an epic 122 mile journey down the French Broad River to raise awareness of water quality threats affecting the river and those who call it home.

You can support me in this journey by visiting my canoe-a-thon website:

http://www.firstgiving.com/barnold

Make a pledge for each mile I paddle, or make a flat donation.
I'll be posting updates as the journey continues. Stay tuned, and thanks for the support.

Beauty Spot Videos

2010-06-08T18:38:00.000-04:00

Bruno is quite the fetcher. Not the best retriever, but a great fetcher, and really good at catching the frisbee on the run. So camping on a "bald", as mountains are called when the top is a meadow instead of covered with trees, made for a great fetching experience.

Part II

An ode to Beauty Spot with reference to the nearby Roan Mountain.

Current Works

2010-06-07T21:30:00.006-04:00

Here are some things I spent time on this past weekend. I worked on these two projects Saturday morning before going out to give some mad "trail magic" at Beauty Spot, TN to my friend Tannis, who's been hiking the Appalachain Trail this spring. It was an incredible weekend. Up next, the final week of the 2009-2010 school year!!!

Recycling is Reusing: Mixed media collage. I started this as an example for an Earth Day project I taught at school.

A work in progress. Inspired by the Gulf of Mexico catastrophe.

Close up.

:P

Spring 2010

2010-06-07T20:25:00.003-04:00

Here is a slideshow of images taken over the last several weeks of my life.
Enjoy!!

On Exhibition

2010-05-31T21:29:00.001-04:00

I have this print on display at the Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University until July 10th.
Here's the story.

Montford Arts Fesitval Tomorrow!!

2010-05-21T20:26:00.000-04:00

Come on by!!

the bunkhaus

2010-05-21T20:16:00.000-04:00

Montreat, NC

2010-05-02T14:23:00.002-04:00

I went to Montreat, NC over the last couple weekends. It is such an amazing, beautiful area, and so close to home. I couldn't stop taking photos with my new iPhone app Hipstamatic. I just love the effects!

Cooling Off

2010-04-07T08:27:00.002-04:00

Here's a shot from my bike ride on a fun trail near Clayton, GA It's been a pretty active Spring Break for Bruno and I. Since dogs don't have sweat-glands, finding a cold mountain creek to lay in is the next best thing.

Happy Equinoxication!!

2010-03-20T19:33:00.002-04:00

One egg. Equal gravity from the North and South Poles. Balance.

Another shot for the non-believers.

Oh yeah, there is also a keg in the kitchen.

Snow and Art Day

2010-03-03T09:39:00.002-05:00

The snow and the decision makers who decide whether to drive busses on it or not may keep me from teaching art, but it can't stop me from making it.

So Long Old Friend

2010-03-02T13:36:00.001-05:00

After four years, thousands of miles, camping trips, road trips up and down the eastern seaboard, and countless errands around town, I say goodbye to the ol' red Ta Tonka, who had a personality that surpassed most vehicles you find on the road. Her loving engine just couldn't go any farther after returning from our last overnighter several weeks ago.
Finally, I said my goodbye and good luck to the faithful friend. She will be repaired, upgraded, and resurrected by Joquin from Orellana's garage in West Asheville. He came and took her away yesterday.

Thanks for the memories!

A New Car!!

2010-02-22T20:41:00.001-05:00

Who's this guy? Some kind of soccer mom?

Get real!!

Reason for Hope

2010-02-20T14:56:00.001-05:00

After finishing a snow makeup day, and snow still on the ground, what a welcome sight to see flowers blooming in my backyard today.

We still have more Saturday school on the horizon. I really loved the casual look displayed by my cohort Charles. Who says you can't teach Math and Science in your jammies?

Snowday Stroll

2010-02-16T17:34:00.002-05:00

The past two school days have been declared "snow days" by those in charge. Yesterday had some rain mixed with snow for about a half hour, then it turned into a beautiful day. It started snowing again before going to bed last night, but ended with only a dusting. Still that's enough to close the schoolhouse in these parts. So what does one do with an unexpected day off? Do I complain about having to make up the missed school days on Saturdays and maybe during spring break? The thought definitely crossed the mind, but no, I braved the elements for a nice walk with my faithful compadre Bruno.

The always ready, all-weather shepherd, Bruno and his ubiquitous tennis ball.

"Major" snowfall- Asheville style.

Stark contrast.

Respect.

Blatant diss.

Walking among giants.

Play ball!! When does spring arrive? Who's counting?

TackleBox

2010-02-06T09:28:00.000-05:00

I made this stencil for my buddies Chassner and Parks, who have a musical project here in Asheville called TackleBox.
They claim their music, like the band name implies, seems to have a lure or jig for any situation and/or taste. That, or they found it funny that football announcers use the term "tackle box" to describe an area where the quarterback is safe from vicious hits. However, if he steps outside of the "tackle box", he is fair game and fresh meat for a hungry defensive lineman.
Look for TackleBox shows coming soon to the Asheville scene.
For right now, take a deep-sea adventure, tacklebox in hand, with The Good Sense in Beginning. This is from Chassner and Parks earlier project from their days in Tallahassee.

Don't be afraid to step outside the TackleBox!!

Good Buddies

2010-02-05T11:32:00.001-05:00

Harlen and Bruno. Next door neighbors. Yard wrestlers. Chewers of sticks and bones. Biters of collars and necks. Snowball eaters. Wet fur shakers. Possessive toy protectors. Best friends.

On a roll...

2010-02-01T12:40:00.000-05:00

This is my boy, Philippe. It's cold out. I don't have to work. I could do this all day.

Speaking of taking the stencils further, check out the B.O.G.- Better Off Garments site my incredibly multi-talented friend Johmi Spafra is working on in Florida. Do I smell a co-lab-rat-nation in our future?

Another Stencil

2010-02-01T08:53:00.000-05:00

New Mexico Christmas

2010-01-12T18:22:00.000-05:00

I know it's a little overdue, but I wanted to share some of the good times I had with family in Albuquerque this Christmas.

I stayed with my brother Tim, his wife Michelle, and my nephews in their beautiful southwestern hacienda.

I awoke to snow and horses outside my bedroom winow my first night.

There was also a cool lot nearby with some old car bones.

My brother and I went mountain biking several times. There are vast undeveloped area called public lands right next to the house filled with trails, cactus, juniper bushes, and wild horses.

Here's some decorative architecture. A very fitting image for such a sunny place.

Here's Michelle and the boys on Christmas morning. It was great to be around their excitment for Christmas and relive the excitment I once felt as a child.

My nephew modeling the apron my mom made for him.

Monkeying around at the climbing gym one afternoon.

We went to an ABQ institution, El Modelo, after the climbing gym for some lunch and New Mexican staples; tortillas, and chiles of green and red. It's quite a production and the food is amazing.

Here is Duncan. He loves table scraps, running 30 mph, and chasing Jack Rabbits.

Here is Bunny. She also loves running and sneaking bites off the kitchen counter.

It was a fantastic holiday with family. I'm so glad I could make it. I hope to go back another time when it's warmer.

More fun with stencils

2010-01-05T22:10:00.001-05:00

I've revisited the joy of stencil-making lately.

Here's a shadow box/ lantern I made out of a PBR box.

Here's a work in progress...

Abstract Surreal Expression

2010-01-05T21:46:00.000-05:00

A little something I'm cookin up.

Fleeting Moments of 2009

2009-12-30T22:25:00.001-05:00

Bruno, Richard, and I shared one more hike in 2009 at Dupont State Forest. The waterfalls were in free flowing perfection despite a fun, slippery trail of ice.

A Storm

2009-12-21T16:19:00.000-05:00

The long, anticipated winter break began a day early with an artic blast. Normally I don't believe the weather predictions and the hysteria that follows, but when Asheville City Schools gives you your pay check a day early, ya gotta wonder if they are on to something. The clear skies and balmy conditions seemed to justify my scepticism on that Thursday. However, I woke up early the next morning with a smile as i saw a light dusting of snow and more falling. I knew the plowless/ salt-truckless city of Asheville would be parallized. Still funny to this ex-snowbelt buckler. Ah, but I live in the Biblebelt now, where we buckle down with all the bread and milk available at the local bodega and beg for mercy.
School was cancelled for the students, but somehow teachers are expected to sled in for a workday. Luckily I have an all-conditions diesel, as in my "dez'll get you anywhere" boots. So I laced them up and leashed up my pooch Bruno and hoofed it the short mile from my place to the schoolhouse.

Above is the young pup trying to figure it all out. Yeah, I didn't get much work done that morning, unless you call sledding down a hill on a cafeteria tray work. Hey, I'm an art teacher and I was gathering inspiration.
As the snow kept falling an announcement was made for those brave educators who where there to head home.
Here's a shot of Montford Ave as I walked home.

That afternoon some friends came over to my place, the "Bro-Pen", for some sled riding at Montford park. The snow kept piling up, and my friends, being from Florida decided to hunker down.

We played games, music, cooked, and some creative holiday-inspired barbering took place.

We ended up walking through the snow to see what was open downtown. On are way we met lots of folks enjoying the storm. There were snowmen, snowballs, even a 4x4 pulling a snowboarder through the unplowed streets. It was truely a winter-wonderland.

Too much fun...

2009-12-15T19:01:00.001-05:00

with self-portraits....Insert your own captions when required.

"____"

"_______"

"________"

"______"

"_______"

"________"

"_______"

FYI: I've been teaching printmaking the past week, so the hands and nails are a wee bit stained.
So, what's your favorite soap?

Works in Progress

2009-12-14T20:28:00.000-05:00

A bird ornament and a playful pooch.

I start off with building the armature using balled up newspaper and masking tape (see poochie), then apply Sculptamold, a paperclay (see birdie). Will sculpt some more and sand as the paperclay dries. Next step would be the paint job.
Anybody have experience with this stuff? I'm planning to teach this, so any hints are most appreciated.

Whatever happened to...

2009-12-09T20:47:00.001-05:00

Blow Up Your T.V. ?

An Epic Satuday

2009-12-06T07:37:00.001-05:00

The day started off with a light dusting of snow. No need to panic and head to the grocery to stock up on bread and milk like so many locals do. Instead, Bruno and I took a nice walk downtown and checked out the storefront's holiday displays. There I met up with my friends Ben and Ashe, who works at a shop downtown. I was able to check out behind the scenes and the dusty, raw second floor space of the old building. I couldn't help but imagine converting it into a sweet gallery/ studio.
Later I met with the Chassner brothers Jon and Josh of the "Man Den", and their friend Stephen for the best Indian buffet at Mela. It was the perfect compliment to cure any remaining side effects from celebrating Jon's birthday the night before at my place, Jon dubbed, "The Bro Pen".
I ended up hangin with Jon after lunch, and took Bruno to the dog park, where he got all muddy. So Bruno had to have his first ride in the back of an open truck bed. He is a southern boy, thank you. He handled it well and we even took him on the highway to Ben and Ashe's place about ten miles outside town to meet their dogs and watch a little football. Good thing the pooch's handsome coat is warm.

Giving Thanks 2

2009-11-27T22:09:00.001-05:00

I'm thankful for turkey and all the fixins.

I'm thankful for silly pictures.

I'm thankful for silly family.

I'm thankful for tryptophan induced comas.

I'm thankful for the gathering of generations around the table.

I'm thankful for dog training tips from my sister.

How could you not be thankful for this handsome face?

Giving Thanks

2009-11-25T10:05:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for friends who are like family.

I'm thankful for the 17 hours it took to smoke a 22 pound bird.

Thankful for friends (k9 and human) who kept me company.

Im thankful for cheap beer and handtools.

Thankful for beautiful mountains.

Thankful for beautiful cottages in those beautiful mountains that allow beautiful pups to run and play with beautiful children.

I'm thankful for old VW pop-ups with comfy beds to sleep on while keepin the bird smokin'.

Thankful for front porch jamming.

I'm thankful for inspiration.

I'm thankful for expressive, regional mountain dialects.

I'm thankful for giving.

Life. Time. Choice. Yours.

2009-11-15T20:32:00.000-05:00

A lot of time has passed since I've used this Blog. The events have been many. The directions have been changing. Friends have come and girlfriends have gone. Yet, through it all, I remain.

I guess so much has happened since I last wrote (check out Facebook if you're really that interested). I am definetly not like my sister, I don't feel the blogger itch. I just can't keep my readers (there are readers?) up to date. Shoot, I'm lucky if I call my folks each month (doesn't mean I don't love the shit out of them). I guess my birth sign has something on me. I'm half Gemeni (explains my Jeckle and Hyde bi-polar roller coaster of life) and half Cancer (explains my poor communication/ introverted/ sensitive/ hidden self).
Still, despite my habits/ routines/ neurological hard-wiring I have a burning (nagging) passion to create and shape my own reality. I believe doing that requires determination, hard-work, faith, and some luck of fate. Really if I could create my own reality EXACTLY how I would like it...I would probably be too overwhelmed with the choices I would have and not change a thing. I'm glad so much of life's facts are beyond my control. Of course, you always have choice. Thankfully, no matter how it might hurt sometimes, I love that we all have choices and how those choices effect everyone in some way. Somehow.

So my choice right here, right now, is to communicate to others, with this forum, my simple joys, sorrows, celebrations, worries, and probably most important, laughter.

Let's start with this little guy Bruno. I adopted him from the pound just a week ago. He has already learned: a new name, how to sit, how to eat rice with hot sauce, how to have diaherria from eating rice with hot sauce, how to fetch, how to return from fetching, how to drop, how to find his leash, how to take a duece in places I don't have to clean up after him, how to play nice with kids, how to chase chickens, and just today how to swim in the South Mills River. There's a lot to say about my new best friend, and maybe I will someday.

Until then, here I am. Wherever you go there you are. Live. Love. Laugh.

Window stars

2009-11-15T20:19:00.001-05:00

Window stars, originally uploaded by locomotivated.

Faux Backs

2009-02-21T14:08:00.004-05:00

UniWatch is one of my favorite blogs. I've always loved sports uniform design. As a kid, I did tons of drawings of athletes, and loved to design uniforms. As an adult, I check out UniWatch to feed my obsession with sports uniforms. Today had an article about a designer who took old uniforms and mixed some of those elements with the current uniforms, calling them "fauxbacks", because they aren't really throwbacks because they were never used before, but still have some slight nostalgia. Paul Soto, the designer does his fauxbacks using Photoshop. I was inspired to create one of my own.

I used to love the old Blue Jay uniforms when they were great in the early 90's. The new design on the left mixes the old 90's design with the current design on the right, by just having the word "Jays" along with the bird head.

Here is the road uniform. My new design on the left, and the current on the right. I kept the 90's font and logo, and added the color black, and made a couple different hats. I don't really know which hat would be better.

Well, there you have a little exercise in Photoshop and uniform obsession. A fun way to spend your time on a blustery morning.

Beautiful Lunch Break

2009-02-09T13:39:00.000-05:00

Look what I saw at lunch today!

Big News

2009-02-04T22:43:00.000-05:00

Can the world handle another Arnold?

Darby

2009-01-19T21:13:00.001-05:00

I'm really into this paper-cutting process. I definitely want to do more. Any ideas? Requests?

Stencils!!

2009-01-18T10:12:00.009-05:00

I don't know what inspired me yesterday, but I started some fun projects I'd like to share.

First I took a good picture of me riding in the little "camionetta"(aka-Mexican pickup truck taxi) from Spring Break a few years ago.

Next I cropped the image and put a photocopy filter on it in Adobe Photoshop, so it looked like this...
I then printed this image and selectively cut out the black with an X-acto knife, being careful not to leave any floating islands of paper that would not stay connected to the stencil.
After cutting everything out, you can use it to paint, although I would recommend a thicker paper or transparency sheet if you want to use it several times. I'm guessing if you take the time to make this you would want to use it more than once.
Another option is placing the stencil on a photo scanner with a piece of colored paper behind it. That is how I made these...This one I put bubble wrap behind the stencil, then a green piece of paper behind that. The possibilities are crazy. Scanners rock!

Nice Ride

2009-01-11T13:52:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I went out to the Mills River area in Pisgah National Forest for some mountain biking on the Fletcher Creek trail. It's nice that the weather has been mild. I went biking last Saturday too, but it was much muddier. I had a nice wipe-out that made me sore all week. No wipe-outs yesterday, just a good workout in a very beautiful spot.

Beautiful

2008-12-19T17:15:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I lost my voice. I've had a little cold all week, but I guess it all caught up with me yesterday with my last two classes of the day. In an hour and a half, my voice went from a little wraspy to sounding like Tom Waits. By the time I went to bed, I could only whisper. So today, I called in sick, but still went in during the morning to get things ready for a sub. I really wanted to be there today to see the kids off to the holiday break, but a voiceless teacher is not my style.
So besides not feeling that bad, except for not being able to talk, the weather was amazing. A springlike 68 F!! I was sitting out on my porch enjoying the warm sun, when it started to rain. I just love it when it rains when the sun is out, and today was no exception. The rain produced the most amazing rainbow. I took a little walk out to the street corner where I could see the entire, colorful arch.

Here's some pictures:

Contest

2008-12-19T16:50:00.000-05:00

Write the best caption for this picture! Prize yet to be determined.

She's just a little baby!

2008-11-12T19:26:00.000-05:00

Kitty in a box!

Did you know?

2008-07-21T19:04:00.000-04:00

That metal jewelry gets pickled? This is a picture of that process. Courtesy: Green Girl Studios.

Lost Wax Processor

2008-07-10T15:27:00.002-04:00

I've been working for my friends @ Green Girl Studios lately. It's pretty meditative shooting wax into molds, then cleaning up the delicate wax copies with a hot metal tool and a steady hand.

The Amazing, Magic Sketchbook

2008-07-10T11:11:00.003-04:00

Stuck in a hail storm

2008-07-07T17:22:00.001-04:00

I'm waiting under some trees!

The Showdown

2008-06-26T09:19:00.001-04:00

Shaffner vs. Barb. Senaca Lake. Be there!