zen of an american road trip / September 15, 2011 by admin

Taking a road trip is one of my favorite things in the world. I'm sure it harkens back to the days of my childhood when my family would pack up the station wagon and journey through America. With my father's career as a Navel Officer, we did our share of long distance road travels every couple of years, in addition to our countless summer vacations of camping. I have vivid memories of viewing the country from the backseat of Dad's authentic Detroit made automobiles, especially his 1968 turquoise Gran Torino. With the windows rolled down and the wind whipping in a little faster than the posted highway speed, it was spectacular.

We made the 4000 mile plus drive across the entire United States from coast to coast at least four times, including a 1300 mile jaunt along the Alaska Highway, back when it was just a two-lane gravel and dirt road and long before there was ever a thought of paving it. We reached our destination late that summer in Anchorage searching for the ferry departure to Kodiak and for a carwash to remove the heavy coating of red clay covering Dad's Ford.

Seeing America from the road has always been a Zen like experience for me. I find a centering peace in the miles of memory, beauty, and the numerous hand painted signs for Mom and Pop type stores that read "just ahead".

kissing a painted sky and paint bank / September 8, 2011 by admin

Following an early morning lead, yesterday sent me on a road trip to Paint Bank,Virginia located in the southwestern region of Virginia on Potts Mountain, just five miles from the WestVirginia border. The day was beautiful and my roadtrip equaled that along the stunning scenic two lane Virginia route 311. I can't recall ever having driven more S turns than I did through theJefferson National Forest. The vistas were gorgeous and I seemed close enoughat times to reach out and kiss the few clouds that painted the sky.

The day was a path of basics - core places, people, and moments of real lifeof real America. I received a genuine hello with sincere waves as I drove past two young mothers at a rural bus stop, waiting for their children to arrive homefrom school. I passed a field lit up from the sun. Sitting behind the harvestwas a pale yellow barn in the distance with an American flag covering theentire façade. The aromas of freshly cut grass filled the air along severalmiles, and the few General Stores I did pass were tidy, welcoming, andunlittered from excessive commercialism.

Nearly an hour after exiting I-81, I found myself approaching a 35 MPHzone. The square green sign with white letters read PAINT BANK. Less than halfa mile ahead, just past the Volunteer Fire Department, was the crossroads at route 608 were the Paint Bank General Store and the Depot Lodge share theintersection and all of downtown Paint Bank. I was greeted by hospitality in person, listened to authentic local music, snapped more than a few pictures, and made a new friend named Jeremy.

There are days when life is just beyond rich. I'm thankful for those kind of days.

shake, rattle, and rock and roll / August 23, 2011 by admin

For the first time in my half century of living, I experienced the earth physically move by her own will yesterday. All by herself, she quivered and rattled everything around me as I sat in cubicle 3-02R on the third floor. Like everyone around me, I paused everything I was working on, then quickly grabbed my camera and computer bags and made my way down the stairwell and out of the building. Within minutes of the movement, I read posts of a 5.8 magnitude earthquake reported on Twitter.

Upon arriving home two hours after the quake, just 20 miles from the epicenter, all appeared fine with exception to the hanging artwork throughout the house which had shifted and a few cupboard and cabinet doors had flung open. Our dogs and cats, who always greet us happily when we arrive, were very vocal, frantic, and far happier than normal to see us. Aftershocks of 2.8, 2.2, and 4.2 followed.

I discovered the greatest casualty this morning as I walked into my studio. My vintage G.I. Joes, Ace Frehley, and Paul Stanley dolls were sprawled on the floor, six to eight feet from the place they usually perch while watching and guarding the studio. The horror and senselessness was moving, much like yesterday afternoon.

it's all for sale / August 3, 2011 by admin

During a recent field trip to a mega home furnishings outlet, I discovered amongst the rows and rows and rows of couches and chairs in every color and fabric option know to man that ornamental adornments, like most furniture, requires an acquired taste. Regardless of your flair, everything's for sale. We didn't carry one home with us, but for a few bucks, you can even mount a realistic plastic sculptured buck as the focal centerpiece trophy to your home decor.

together alone / July 29, 2011 by admin

The opposites I captured here interest me. The arm in arm moment of the Saturday morning couple is the counter balance found in the foreground vacancy of the lone table for one.

ain't sad because / July 29, 2011 by admin

One of the closing snippet stories Brian Williams shared with me during the evening news last night was that Dan Peek from the group America had passed away the day before. It saddened me to hear this, though the blow seemed lessened with so many of my musical heroes having left the stage early over the past few years. This year alone, there have been too many to count. They all left far sooner than I'd like, but fortunately each of them left a wealth of their art behind.

As I do each evening, I spent last night in my office with my turntable listening to a few albums in their entirety before marking off another day from my calendar. Among a few others, America's debut from 1971 just happened to make my playlist. The album shined beautifully like it always has, continuing to be a timeless collection of musical depth, sentiment, and human spirit. Hearing track two on side two was perfectly brilliant and my personal way of offering a nod to Dan. Enjoying it once wasn't enough, so I picked the needle up as the song faded out and laid it down carefully for a second listen. Thank you Dan for chasing those clouds away.

Rainy Day

written and sung by Dan Peek, 1971.

Whenever it's a rainy day
I pack my troubles up in my room
I chase all the clouds away
I get myself back to the womb

But I know that you're gonna cry
Tears are runnin' from your eyes
The piece of my life you take
Is one that so often breaks

Whenever you are miles away
I think of you the way you are
Your shining lips, your auburn hair
And then it don't seem quite so far

Well I know that you're gonna cry
Tears are runnin' from your eyes
The piece of my life you take
Is one that so often breaks

a father. a son. and a ford. / July 18, 2011 by admin

Simple times capture me and when I'm fortunate, I get the chance to do the same to them.

thanking bernie. remembering dad. / June 19, 2011 by admin

He taught me the importance of respect, to say yes ma'am and sir, to give nothing less than my absolute best, to always do the right thing, and to never miss the opportunity to tell someone thank-you.
Thanks for life's tools, Dad.... I haven't forgotten and do my best to use each of them every day. Happy Father's Day.

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