1.30.2006

A Road Trip Story

Aaron and I have finally reached the Pacific Ocean at San Francisco. Leaving home over eight days earlier (our senior road trip) we are eager to stretch our legs in the ocean-side air of the famed city. Our primary goal of reaching the Pacific Ocean was accompanied by a fellowship of other worthy goals. One such goal is more important than others. We are on a secret mission initiated by our dear friend and brother Troy. He gave us his "soul stone." This special among special objects was, to the eye, an eight sided jar - perhaps just smaller in size than a can of coca cola. It is made of clear glass and sealed at the lid with wax around what I recall a cork top. Inside it the all important "soul stone," which presently, glints black through the refracted afternoon light divided first by the long-thin cables of the suspended-bridge and second by the octagonal prism of the jar. Aaron and I walked and admired the artistry and unexpected grandeur of the postcard-friendly coastal monument. We walked and admired, unfortunately, on the wrong side of the bridge. Our task, as Troy specified on the eve of our parting, was to throw this sacred object into the vast Pacific waters from the center of the Golden Gate Bridge. So there we stood at the wrong side of the exact center of the aforementioned bridge, with sacred object in one hand and the strange recipe of adolescent laziness and desire for adventure in the other - the mingling of these elements left sound reasoning alone, not invited to the party. Our solution to this exciting problem was to throw the jar and its holy contents across the eight lanes of ceaseless traffic and into the great-deep beyond. So at the precise and unexpected moment a clear path across all eight lanes revealed itself...

…well, all I can say is that was the most beautiful flying jar I have ever seen. The moment seemed unbuckled from links of time as the hurtling automobiles seemed to vanish during the jar's magic flight. Its spinning arching path bent through the impossible gauntlet of space shedding diamond flecks of heavenly light before its predestined decent into the unknown. It crossed out of view at the bright red-orange line of the distant handrail, and then, abruptly, the window into the beyond snapped shut with metalic jaws that reflected their own harsh light – threatening to obscure that divine image and its brief passing.

Time though has preserved the crystalline beauty of the heroic toss - showered in perfect light – surpassing all obstacles. I see it as though it has only just happened. And I am still as full of wonder now as I was in the distant then.

1.29.2006

Breakfast of Champions


With a tight neck and re-"jibbied" ankle I needed a balanced start to today's activity. Thanks to Nick and Katie for the carb-on-carb cakes. I love you guys.

Blogger gives Iraq reports - up close

Check this Link from excite news. Click HERE.

The article follows an ex-green beret and world traveler (Michael Yon) that set out to tell the story of what is happening in Iraq, to give us the story from the ground. I Love the last line. "It's a very complicated world and you can't learn about it by sitting back and reading about it, " Yon says. "Not the way I wanted to learn about it anyway."

1.25.2006

What is your Pride and Prejudice?

Time for a dumb personality test... what character are you most like? Click here to find out. Link

I took three variations of this test and each time I was most like (or compatible with) Liz Bennet. So does that mean I will remain alone even after my younger siblings are married? Wait, Dangit! Well, maybe it's a sign that I'll find a sugar mama after a long and complicated courtship which will ultimately end in chillin' on the porch looking at the lake under the night sky... It could happen, I do own the "Lake House."

The one good thing is that each time I finished the test (on each of the websites) I was shown a nice picture of Keira Knightley. She is one fine woman.

Goodnight all,

Daniel

p.s. The "Painting a Day" website is looking good. Stop over and say hi.

A Good Day for Dissent


"Alberto Gonzales spoke before law students at Georgetown today, justifying illegal, unauthorized surveilance of US citizens, but during the course of his speech the students in class did something pretty ballsy and brave..." says one blogger's post. Click the link for the whole story. LINK
*look at all the comments - I think that is the best part. Many different views are present.

Also, check CNN for some mainstream coverage. LINK

1.21.2006

What is your favorite word?

What word in the English language is your most favorite?

1.09.2006

IllustrationFriday - Sea


A "harbor" view of Cinque Terra... what a beautiful place. It made for a fun painting. Oil on Board, 2ft x 2ft.

1.04.2006

Harpers Yearly Review

From Harpers Magazine:
"The number of people killed by the Indian Ocean tsunami rose to 230,000. A study showed that 310,000 Europeans die from air pollution each year, and the U.N. predicted that 90 million Africans will have HIV by 2025. An international task force of scientists, politicians, and business leaders warned that the world has about 10 years before global warming becomes irreversible... Police began random bag checks of subway passengers in New York City. It was revealed that the CIA had set up a secret system of prisons, called “black sites,” around the world; it was also revealed that the National Security Agency was spying on Americans without first obtaining warrants. Journalist Judith Miller was released from jail and said she wanted to hug her dog. U.S. Congressman Tom DeLay was arrested; U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's Chief of Staff I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby was indicted. The Pentagon admitted to using white phosphorus during the 2004 attack on Fallujah, Iraq, and allocated $127 billion to build a robot army. The total number of American soldiers killed in the Iraq war rose to 2,174, while the total number of Iraqi civilians killed rose to 27,636. “We are all waiting for death,” said an Iraqi soldier, “like the moon waiting for sunset.” The U.S. Defense Department, in violation of the federal Privacy Act, was building a database of 30 million 16- to 25-year-olds. The Department of Homeland Security announced that it had wasted a great deal of money and needed much more. Starbucks came to Guantanamo Bay. Scientists began work on a complete, molecule-level computer simulation of the human brain. The project will take at least ten years." Read more Here.

What a crazy year. At least The Black Eyed Peas released that song "My Humps," oh wait, that's not a good thing either. I thought the song was bad enough, but that video is absolute garbage! (it serves as comic relief I guess)