I know it's ridiculous to expect, especially here, where ding dongs abide in mass..
but it really annoys the hell out of me when someone selects a picture of mine as a favorite, but doesn't make any comment as to why.

I subjected myself to the general public recently, saying thanks AND asking why?
I don't feel it's too much to ask, after all, it is a sort of gratuity right? I provide you with something you like, and you provide me with something I like.

I am feeling compelled to just remove the few items of mine that are popular enough for this sort of attention. All but one mean nothing to me.

How can a tattoo be a favorite anyway? It's not like the design hasn't been recreated a thousand times by a thousand different people anyway..

What gives?
Are the users here so lazy they can't say much of anything?

Ian and I have been frequenting our local parks, and the new favorite is William Pond for sure.
We go later in the day, closer to sunset and get some really amazing photos.. most of which are now numbering in the hundreds. They make an organizational nightmare.

It's one seriously amazing place, and it's so near by.
There are a ton of lesser Canadian Geese, Beavers, Turkeys, Egrets, Herons, Lizards and Snakes.
What's really great is that despite it's popularity due the the bike trail in the beginning of the park, is that it's so big, it's easy to lose yourself in it.

Lately, this place has given me a world of peace of mind.
Enjoy the pictures though they do this place no justice.

A few months back, Whole Foods Arden decided to hold a contest for this years t-shirt design.
I entered along with two other people from the store.
After much deliberation, they went with some one elses design, but this was not the end for me.

A couple weeks later, I was going through my company email account. I found a new message from one of my store team leaders asking if I would be interesting in creating a mural for the produce department.

Needless to say, I absolutely accepted. I'll begin work in the next couple of weeks. I've been communicating with admin, marketing, and produce to try to find out what their ideas were. We decided that we're going to do something entirely different from what the other stores are doing for their murals.
After all, if they're requesting me to create something GIANT, I'm gonna make it pop.

Our sign maker Dan, gave me a catalogue with chalk pens, and told me to write down all the ones I want. I think I wound up with twenty. Having never ordered art tools through work, I certainly hope I'm not asking too much!

I've already been commissioned to do two more signs.

I'm pretty damn excited to be able to bring art to work with me. I never thought in my life I could ever apply it in any sort of work type setting.. especially when a large part of my job is customer service.

I'm dying in anticipation to start already!!!

The holiday season of 08 went so much better than the last few years. Sometimes, when you go through hard times, it ruins the parts of the year that are meant to be close with the people you love. I regret some things I've done and said over the years, and I'm glad to have learned from some of my mistakes and had this holiday season be one of the best in a long time.

I believe we were some of the first to be hit in the current housing crisis. Since that time almost three years ago, we went through hell and back. I burned a lot of bridges that are now only beginning to mend.

We spent the Christmas eve with Ian's dad and step mom, and over all, had a good time. We went to my Dad's house in the morning of Christmas day and spent time there till noon. I didn't really have the time to catch up with dad on account of dad being dad, but I suppose that is okay.

Later we went to my Moms. We've been on rocky ground since I was a teenager. I was happy to have dinner there and catch up. We left a little early, and that was unfortunate, but to have been there at all and have it go so well, was a gift enough.

This last year, these last few days.. well, it was humbling to see everyone the way they were. During dinner at my mom's Jim said our thanks at the table: Things aren't the way they were, and everything is different. But we are grateful to all be here together enjoying this meal... I couldn't have put it better myself.

Nothing is the same.. and everything is different indeed. but at least we are all beginning to find common ground in the current state of being the world is in. I'm glad we were able to spend time together. I hope this holiday season brings a new foundation to the bridge and the gasoline I'd so hastily thrown upon it, begins to evaporate.

I hope this new year, as we all continue to grow, learn and even struggle, we gain something from it.

Hello 2009. We're gonna kick your ass.

To continue using this account. There's no point in keeping it if I don't.

It'll take some time to move things about and all that jazz.

Cha. Indecisive. I know.

A reply to a recent comment on "Extinction"

"People don't realize that the power of change is incredibly easy and relatively cheap. No one is saying you need to go to a beach and pick up trash or that you need to pour your life's savings into getting a biology degree. Rather, by fixing small every day habits and being more concientious of the things you do, you in turn create change.

Most people think, "Well, I'm only one person. What difference does it make?"

But what if most people thought, "Well, I'm only one person, but I'll do my part."?

Then, and only then, will real change occur. It doesn't require billions of government dollars. Just the power of one."