On a lighter note

So, in an effort to be arty this year, I have embarked on a Christmas card making project. I will be chucking out about 15 handmade holiday greetings this year, and the rest will be sent from my stockpile of “vintage” cards. My vintage cards are boxes of cards that I have bought with the intention of sending over the years. Let me apologize ahead of time to those of you who get a store bought card. But I have already developed a callous from the xacto knife and I am only halfway through the cutting. If I make it to fifteen it will be a miracle.
I am using two designs that I have gleaned off the web; two wonderful reindeer designs, one from Evermore Designs, and one by Robert Sabuda. If I have time I will be trying a couple of secular designs from my book White Christmas by Masahiro Chatani and Keiko Nakazawa.

I have also been working out a Power Point presentation for this origami class that I one day hope to teach; if only to have a reason to order more specialty paper. While we’re in fantasyland, to have my own specialty paper and paper-craft store would be terrific. But to be realistic, I would have to find a place that was big enough to support my little store without Michael’s and Jo Ann’s putting me under. Sigh.

Riders on the storm

My best hopes, wishes, and prayers go out to all the people unfortunate enough to be a victim of this horrible hurricane. If you are a Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Clown College grad from the area and stumble on this, please e-mail me or the onelist and let us know that you are OK.
Also, I am looking for artist and friend Kip Bernadas from Metarie La. If you are him or someone that knows him, please contact me and let me know if he's safe.
A beautiful city, filled with beautiful (although at many times strange and troubled) people, now submerged beneath the muddy waters of lake Ponchatrain. It will never be the same.

Vieux Carre Waterpark

My poor French Quarter. As hurricane Katrina tears through Louisiana, my wife and I can't help but feel anxious about the fate of the city and the residents. New Orleans is where it all started for us. Meeting, falling in love, cheating, fighting, falling in love again. Ah L'amour. I worry about our friend Kip and his wife who live nearby, and about the fate of our beloved little home in the Quarter (see photo). Reports of the eye missing New Orleans are encouraging, as are the reports of absent flooding.
For those of you who have fled, my fingers are crossed for your safe return to a house that is intact, and livable. For those who have family and friends stranded in the city, all of my hopes and prayers go with yours.
I have high hopes though, the French Quarter has survived this long, I feel it will live to fight another day.

In with both feet.

Well, in an effort to connect with other "geeks like me" I'll start this off. Having been a performer, actor, circus clown, artist for years I found myself with in a tight spot. Unemployed, and married with a child on the way. Living in Las Vegas, I figured I'd collect unemployment and audition around town. Six months later in an act of desperation, I become a casino dealer. Flash forward ten years, I am now a Vegas pit boss with the secret life of an artist.