We had a very mellow sunrise this morning. I liked the color.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Bulldog Painting
This is a painting I did from a photograph three or four years ago. I got tired of it and really didn't finish the bottom of the dog.
I didn't like the green background so I changed it and also finished the bottom... a little more.
The painting fell off the wall when one of the grandsons was jumping on the couch next to it and fell. It was nicked on the edge.
Monday, June 18, 2007
The Power of Art - Vincent
What follows is personal opinion, of course. And what I'm going to opine on is Simon Schama's Power of Art and his presentation on van Gogh. (Part of a series of programs presented on public television.)
Edited later: I decided to remove my arrogant critique of this TV program. Its been bothering me all day. I shall simply say that I loved the visual presentation. The narrative seemed to not sit quite right with me and I'm not sure why.
I look forward to seeing the rest of the series and I hope they are shown soon.
Edited later: I decided to remove my arrogant critique of this TV program. Its been bothering me all day. I shall simply say that I loved the visual presentation. The narrative seemed to not sit quite right with me and I'm not sure why.
I look forward to seeing the rest of the series and I hope they are shown soon.
Warning: Rant about Taxes and Illogical Funding
This rant is about a proposed new (additional) cigarette tax. To be honest I must tell you that, yes, I am a smoker, so I have a personal interest in this.
Let me set the stage. Cigarettes have always been taxed. I do not know where or how the 'original taxes' are spent. I can only hope they are spent appropriately. The newest tax that has already been applied to cigarettes was presented to the public as a way to deter smoking, which is bad for a person's health. 'The more expensive the cigarettes, the more likely people will be willing to drop the habit' was the logic used. Kind of like a do-gooder's exhortion. "Its for their own good." And to sweeten the pot, it was also stated that the increased revenue would be used to provide health care for low-income families. Can you say "awwww." Look.... a tax that will do good. (You'll notice, no one is investigating why health insurance and health care is so expensive in the first place. This is why small businesses can not afford to cover employees.)
Over the last few years, the Oregon Health Plan has had to eliminate coverage for some things and reduce the 'children' who are covered because the needed budget was not met by the revenue source. Why? Because less people were smoking. So, success on one hand (reduce smokers) and failure on another (less tax revenue).
(I know some people started getting black market cigarettes, but I don't know how many it was, so I cannot determine how much of an impact it was on revenue. But these people are getting busted and my guess would be its not that high in comparison to the overall cigarette consumer count.)
Over half of the cost of a pack of cigarettes is for taxes already. Now they want to add another $.85 to each pack in additional taxes. So perhaps it will be 2/3 of the cost will be for taxes.
My rant is that THIS IS NOT A STABLE FUNDING SOURCE. What are they going to do as more and more people quit either by choice or because they can't afford it. And doesn't this smack a little of discrimination? The revenue was under budget last year and its going to continue to be under budget in the future. What are they going to do.... add additional kids to the plan and then disqualify them later? End up only covering blood pressure checks and asprin? Where is the logic in this? Its a yo-yo now. Now you're covered, now you're now. Now we cover this procedure, now we don't.
And my biggest complaint... the majority of people paying this tax do not qualify for the health plan. Isn't that something like taxation without representation? There is something not right about it. This is not a fair tax. The last time they tried to add additional taxes to alcohol, I felt it was unfair. And I don't drink. (I don't think the new tax passed on the alchol. I remember being surprised. Too many drinkers in government??)
If government needs to raise more taxes, then legalize marijuanha/weed (I never could remember how to spell that word), and keep all production and distribution under state control. Not only would there be increased revenue from taxes AND sales, there would be additional jobs created. These people, in turn, would be paying income taxes, etc. It also takes a product out of the hands of drug dealers.
If alcohol is a legal drug, then why not weed, which is less physically harmful. Cigarettes are a legal product. We're told it causes cancer and its so bad even second-hand smoke causes cancer. (Lets not talk about the bad gasoline we're stuck with that causes cancer... you know, because everyone knows ALL cancer comes from cigarettes. And they're still a legal product.) Legalizing weed would also eliminate the quacks who run medical-mari...-card mills for pure profit. That would just be a side benefit.
Bottom line, an additional cigarette tax is not a dependable source of revenue.
Let me set the stage. Cigarettes have always been taxed. I do not know where or how the 'original taxes' are spent. I can only hope they are spent appropriately. The newest tax that has already been applied to cigarettes was presented to the public as a way to deter smoking, which is bad for a person's health. 'The more expensive the cigarettes, the more likely people will be willing to drop the habit' was the logic used. Kind of like a do-gooder's exhortion. "Its for their own good." And to sweeten the pot, it was also stated that the increased revenue would be used to provide health care for low-income families. Can you say "awwww." Look.... a tax that will do good. (You'll notice, no one is investigating why health insurance and health care is so expensive in the first place. This is why small businesses can not afford to cover employees.)
Over the last few years, the Oregon Health Plan has had to eliminate coverage for some things and reduce the 'children' who are covered because the needed budget was not met by the revenue source. Why? Because less people were smoking. So, success on one hand (reduce smokers) and failure on another (less tax revenue).
(I know some people started getting black market cigarettes, but I don't know how many it was, so I cannot determine how much of an impact it was on revenue. But these people are getting busted and my guess would be its not that high in comparison to the overall cigarette consumer count.)
Over half of the cost of a pack of cigarettes is for taxes already. Now they want to add another $.85 to each pack in additional taxes. So perhaps it will be 2/3 of the cost will be for taxes.
My rant is that THIS IS NOT A STABLE FUNDING SOURCE. What are they going to do as more and more people quit either by choice or because they can't afford it. And doesn't this smack a little of discrimination? The revenue was under budget last year and its going to continue to be under budget in the future. What are they going to do.... add additional kids to the plan and then disqualify them later? End up only covering blood pressure checks and asprin? Where is the logic in this? Its a yo-yo now. Now you're covered, now you're now. Now we cover this procedure, now we don't.
And my biggest complaint... the majority of people paying this tax do not qualify for the health plan. Isn't that something like taxation without representation? There is something not right about it. This is not a fair tax. The last time they tried to add additional taxes to alcohol, I felt it was unfair. And I don't drink. (I don't think the new tax passed on the alchol. I remember being surprised. Too many drinkers in government??)
If government needs to raise more taxes, then legalize marijuanha/weed (I never could remember how to spell that word), and keep all production and distribution under state control. Not only would there be increased revenue from taxes AND sales, there would be additional jobs created. These people, in turn, would be paying income taxes, etc. It also takes a product out of the hands of drug dealers.
If alcohol is a legal drug, then why not weed, which is less physically harmful. Cigarettes are a legal product. We're told it causes cancer and its so bad even second-hand smoke causes cancer. (Lets not talk about the bad gasoline we're stuck with that causes cancer... you know, because everyone knows ALL cancer comes from cigarettes. And they're still a legal product.) Legalizing weed would also eliminate the quacks who run medical-mari...-card mills for pure profit. That would just be a side benefit.
Bottom line, an additional cigarette tax is not a dependable source of revenue.
Monday's Show-and-Tell Part 1
My choice for show and tell today is a garden statue that I keep in the bathroom. I keep it there, first, because I don't have a garden and, second, because I am a little concerned about how well it would hold up out in the elements. Its heavy, maybe 10 to 15 pounds, but it doesn't feel weather-strong. At least not the wet weather we have around here.
See all the crevices? Can you say 'dust magnetic'? I have to use a small toothbrush to get in there and sweep the dust out. I suppose it doesn't help that the first time I dusted it was this morning before taking the pictures.... after about three years. (Gee... Good can come from Show-and-Tell Mondays. How 'bout that!)
It could hold a little bird seed in her skirt.
I included the picture with the toilet paper to give you an idea of size.
(detail shots of her feet and the bird are below in a separate post. Picasa seems to only allow three photos at a time.)
If you want to see all the other participants in Monday's Show-and-Tell group, go here to see Sandy's entry (aka Dusty Duck) and then check out the comments for the links to others. (You'll need to copy and paste; comments don't do "hot links".)
Monday's Show-and-Tell Part 2
Close ups of feet and bird. Notice the "feathers" on the bird... very detailed.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
I feel a little dirty
Any time I plan on checking my bank balance online I do a complete scan for spyware and viruses (virui?) before doing it. Last night the spyware check came up with Trojan MalwareWipe. EUUUU Its like picking up a used condom thinking its a balloon. (And in case you were wondering, no... I have never done that. What? You think I was born yesterday?)
I googled the term (after removing it) and found out that its one of those programs that jump onto your pc and then pops up false system alert notices telling you your pc is in danger if you don't buy their spyware/cleanup software. Its like a liar telling you in all sincerity that they don't lie.
I'm bring this up to remind you to run those spyware and virus checks if you don't have it on a routine automated schedule.
I've recently began using SUPERAntiSpyware (they have a free version, God bless 'em). You have a choice of doing a quick scan (checks all the 'usual' places spyware is put) or a complete scan (checks every nook and cranny). I do a complete scan fairly often, but if I'm in a hurry, a quick scan is available.
The time it takes to do a complete scan varies depending upon how many files you have on your machine. Mine takes almost 3 hours.... so I generally start it in the evening and its done by the time I'm ready to go to bed. Same with the anti virus program, although I don't think it takes as long.
You can check out SUPERAntiSpyware dot com and/or Grisoft's AVG antivirus 'stuff'.
I googled the term (after removing it) and found out that its one of those programs that jump onto your pc and then pops up false system alert notices telling you your pc is in danger if you don't buy their spyware/cleanup software. Its like a liar telling you in all sincerity that they don't lie.
I'm bring this up to remind you to run those spyware and virus checks if you don't have it on a routine automated schedule.
I've recently began using SUPERAntiSpyware (they have a free version, God bless 'em). You have a choice of doing a quick scan (checks all the 'usual' places spyware is put) or a complete scan (checks every nook and cranny). I do a complete scan fairly often, but if I'm in a hurry, a quick scan is available.
The time it takes to do a complete scan varies depending upon how many files you have on your machine. Mine takes almost 3 hours.... so I generally start it in the evening and its done by the time I'm ready to go to bed. Same with the anti virus program, although I don't think it takes as long.
You can check out SUPERAntiSpyware dot com and/or Grisoft's AVG antivirus 'stuff'.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Sing Like Its a Lovely Day!
I'm not sure why, but I felt like I connected with this video. The credits at the end are cute too... thats where I noticed Yo Yo Ma played cello for this video. Go figure.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Mortality
Recently I signed up to get a weekly newsletter from our public broadcasting station. It includes upcoming programming highlights for both TV and radio. When I get it, I make a note of what programs I want to watch or listen to... (she holds up a scrap of paper... an atm receipt with writing on the back to be exact.) Then I try to keep the note in front of me so I will, hopefully, remember when its going to be on. I keep it at my pc. Its the place you are most likely to find me. (yes... I live a simple life and my ass is spreading as I key this.)
Tonight there was a radio program on that I wanted to listen to... "Radio Lab: Mortality". Since this is a Friday and I'm hard pressed to find anything worth watching on network TV I did remember to listen and I'm so glad I did!
What a great program! It was very informative and amazingly entertaining. (I laughed so hard it was difficult to get up off the floor. I kid you not. I might be exaggerating to make a point, but the laughter was real and it was OUT LOUD.) It delved into cell life and current research, and had a taste of how dealing with the elderly impacts society. And it was presented with humor. (I never laughed so hard at the Grim Reaper before this.)
Why am I blogging this? Its to say "hey... you might want to check out your local programs. They can be quite entertaining... oh, and if you've a mind to, how about contributing some bucks next time they have a fund raiser."
I don't know about your local station, but this coming Monday there's a TV program coming on called "Power of Art" at 9pm. I saw a 'teaser' for it and it looks like its going to be very very good. (she tucks her receipt-note half under the mouse pad for safe keeping. Monday morning she will put it up on the keyboard so its in her face. I guess this is where she could set an appointment alarm on her Blackberry if she had one, but she's a simple old fart and doesn't have a Blackberry. You know how old people are with technology. "What do ya mean 'push the button'???")
Tonight there was a radio program on that I wanted to listen to... "Radio Lab: Mortality". Since this is a Friday and I'm hard pressed to find anything worth watching on network TV I did remember to listen and I'm so glad I did!
What a great program! It was very informative and amazingly entertaining. (I laughed so hard it was difficult to get up off the floor. I kid you not. I might be exaggerating to make a point, but the laughter was real and it was OUT LOUD.) It delved into cell life and current research, and had a taste of how dealing with the elderly impacts society. And it was presented with humor. (I never laughed so hard at the Grim Reaper before this.)
Why am I blogging this? Its to say "hey... you might want to check out your local programs. They can be quite entertaining... oh, and if you've a mind to, how about contributing some bucks next time they have a fund raiser."
I don't know about your local station, but this coming Monday there's a TV program coming on called "Power of Art" at 9pm. I saw a 'teaser' for it and it looks like its going to be very very good. (she tucks her receipt-note half under the mouse pad for safe keeping. Monday morning she will put it up on the keyboard so its in her face. I guess this is where she could set an appointment alarm on her Blackberry if she had one, but she's a simple old fart and doesn't have a Blackberry. You know how old people are with technology. "What do ya mean 'push the button'???")
Well.... at least I like the hat.
Dogged determination. I see thats what its gonna take. That and practice practice practice.... and then practice some more.
I adore the reference photograph... and I like the initial sketch (2nd attempt). And I can say I like how the hat turned out in the painting... but it all went down hill from there. Call me psychic cause I see lots and lots of attempts to get what's in my head down on watercolor paper in my future.
We won't be keeping track of the temper tantrums, though.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
"I dehort you.... "
No, you have not just been knighted into the circle of royal degenerates. If successful, you have just been dissuaded from going into the public bath house. Or something like that.
Dehort: v. t. 1. To urge to abstain or refrain; to dissuade.
To discourage from doing something.
[From Latin dehortari (to dissuade), from de- + hortari (to urge).]
This well-meaning word has gone out of circulation while its antithesis "exhort" continues to prosper.
"To those of his Friends that dehort him from Poetry."
Thomas Randolph (1605-1635)
From the daily newsletter of wordsmith dot org.
Dehort: v. t. 1. To urge to abstain or refrain; to dissuade.
To discourage from doing something.
[From Latin dehortari (to dissuade), from de- + hortari (to urge).]
This well-meaning word has gone out of circulation while its antithesis "exhort" continues to prosper.
"To those of his Friends that dehort him from Poetry."
Thomas Randolph (1605-1635)
From the daily newsletter of wordsmith dot org.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Wiggley Squiggley
In an attempt to get something to show on the blog I did a couple of what I call 'wiggley squiggley' sketches using photos in a magazine. 1-2 minute squigglings. (I'm not even going to tell you who the people were in the photographs, because I don't want to embarrass myself. Sort of like taking the 5th when on the witness stand.)
And speaking of wiggley squiggley... do you remember Piggley Wiggley? I do. What a name for a grocery store, but everyone was always "goin' down to the Piggley Wiggley. Be right back." I think the last time I thought about Piggley Wiggley was when I was watching the movie Driving Miss Daisy. She went to Piggley Wiggley, too. What a great movie that caught the flavor of the 50s.... for their social-economical status. (I remembered each of the cars she had too. And the church bombing, MLK, Jr., and all the other news that was commented about in the movie.)
(a google search indicates Piggley Wiggley is still in operation in parts of the country. I did not know that.)
On to other things that have been on my mind....
If you are considering getting a Walmart prepaid visa car.... please THINK AGAIN!! I caught some commentary about how many fees Walmart will be charging people. There were between 7 - 10 different fees. One for opening an account, one for using the card, even one for them holding your money and at $4.95 I don't consider that to be a "low fee". There's even a fee for reloading the card. Don't go there, k?
The other evening I was listening to public radio... a presentation from Alternative News (or is it Alternative Radio. Can't remember for sure.) The presenter was talking about what his research showed regarding the war, Haliburton, and the Blackwater mercentaries. ohmygawd.... legalized murderers.
The government has contracted Blackwater to come help fight their war in Iraq. When you hear about contract workers getting injured or killed, you typically think its support personnel or construction folks. Not necessarily so. Could be Blackwater personnel. Each Blackwater "security" person gets paid something like $350 a day.... and the company charges the government $950 a day. And thats for each individual over there. Wonder what they pay the soldiers? Its not $350 a day, thats for sure!
The presenter also shared one of the 'tricks' Blackwater people have used to kill civilians. Using loudspeakers, they would drive slowly thru a residential section hurling insults to muslims. When the Iraqis' came out with their rifles and began shooting them in the air, they were killed by the Blackwater people. There is no one overseeing their activities and they cannot be charged or held accountable for any of their actions. Now how scarey is that!
I'm thinking our government is no better than Saddam's was... Saddam just didn't cloak his activities like our government does. Oh yeah... and there are, or were, Blackwater personnel in New Orleans, too.
If you're interested, Blackwater does have a web site... I'm just not going to put a link to it here. Its easy enough to find using google. Here's a link to Alternative Radio and it looks like you can still hear or read about the presentation. At least for now.
And regarding how senators voted for the war.... each senator got a 90 page intelligence report ten days before the vote. Most of the senators apparently did not bother to read it, because it stated that the intelligence was suspect. Based on some things Clinton said on the senate floor, she didn't do her homework.
oh lordy... enough of this political stuff. I mention it only in case it might cause one person to perhaps give a little more thought to what might be really going on and not necessarily swallow all the propaganda we are fed.
I think I should take a news break for a while.
And speaking of wiggley squiggley... do you remember Piggley Wiggley? I do. What a name for a grocery store, but everyone was always "goin' down to the Piggley Wiggley. Be right back." I think the last time I thought about Piggley Wiggley was when I was watching the movie Driving Miss Daisy. She went to Piggley Wiggley, too. What a great movie that caught the flavor of the 50s.... for their social-economical status. (I remembered each of the cars she had too. And the church bombing, MLK, Jr., and all the other news that was commented about in the movie.)
(a google search indicates Piggley Wiggley is still in operation in parts of the country. I did not know that.)
On to other things that have been on my mind....
If you are considering getting a Walmart prepaid visa car.... please THINK AGAIN!! I caught some commentary about how many fees Walmart will be charging people. There were between 7 - 10 different fees. One for opening an account, one for using the card, even one for them holding your money and at $4.95 I don't consider that to be a "low fee". There's even a fee for reloading the card. Don't go there, k?
The other evening I was listening to public radio... a presentation from Alternative News (or is it Alternative Radio. Can't remember for sure.) The presenter was talking about what his research showed regarding the war, Haliburton, and the Blackwater mercentaries. ohmygawd.... legalized murderers.
The government has contracted Blackwater to come help fight their war in Iraq. When you hear about contract workers getting injured or killed, you typically think its support personnel or construction folks. Not necessarily so. Could be Blackwater personnel. Each Blackwater "security" person gets paid something like $350 a day.... and the company charges the government $950 a day. And thats for each individual over there. Wonder what they pay the soldiers? Its not $350 a day, thats for sure!
The presenter also shared one of the 'tricks' Blackwater people have used to kill civilians. Using loudspeakers, they would drive slowly thru a residential section hurling insults to muslims. When the Iraqis' came out with their rifles and began shooting them in the air, they were killed by the Blackwater people. There is no one overseeing their activities and they cannot be charged or held accountable for any of their actions. Now how scarey is that!
I'm thinking our government is no better than Saddam's was... Saddam just didn't cloak his activities like our government does. Oh yeah... and there are, or were, Blackwater personnel in New Orleans, too.
If you're interested, Blackwater does have a web site... I'm just not going to put a link to it here. Its easy enough to find using google. Here's a link to Alternative Radio and it looks like you can still hear or read about the presentation. At least for now.
And regarding how senators voted for the war.... each senator got a 90 page intelligence report ten days before the vote. Most of the senators apparently did not bother to read it, because it stated that the intelligence was suspect. Based on some things Clinton said on the senate floor, she didn't do her homework.
oh lordy... enough of this political stuff. I mention it only in case it might cause one person to perhaps give a little more thought to what might be really going on and not necessarily swallow all the propaganda we are fed.
I think I should take a news break for a while.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Show-and-Tell Monday
First of all.... ohmygawd, thats today!! Its not like I had a week's notice or anything. Hopefully future Mondays will be a little more in alignment with an actual show-and-tell.
Mine is mostly 'tell' with just a smidgeon of 'show' tossed in....
I think I've been accepted... accepted by the old man in the back apt. The older couple are Asian, but I'm not sure from what area. If I was pressed to the wall for a guess, I would say Korean. When I first moved here their daughter would come by each and every day to check on them. When an apartment became available she and her immediate family moved here. Now she is up and down the stairs all the time. (The older couple is in the back ground floor apt. She, with family, is in an upstairs apt.)
I have seen the old man out for a "walk" almost every day. I put quotes around the word walk because I have a thing for quotes and I don't think 'walk' is accurate. Its more an extremely slow saunter. But he's out there, nonetheless.
I'm usually ignored as I stand up against the wall right next to my door having a smoke and trying to be inconspicuous. This morning the old man waved at me. He actually waved... you know... at me. As in a greeting. At me. I waved back and smiled.
What surprised me was the spring in his step. He was moving right along like a 20 yr old, wooden walking stick in his hand, arms swinging. He was movin' out, man!! It made me wonder if he and the ole lady got together last night or something.
He had on a white t-shirt, olive shirt over that, tan baseball cap, black walking shorts and thongs on his feet. (His wooden walking stick is smooth and a shiny golden color.)I did a real quick sketch from memory, so no reference to look at. (thats my disclaimer. Its okay to laugh. I won't be able to hear you.)
He looked like he was on top of the world.
Go to Sandy's Show and Tell Blog and check out the comments to find other participants.
Mine is mostly 'tell' with just a smidgeon of 'show' tossed in....
I think I've been accepted... accepted by the old man in the back apt. The older couple are Asian, but I'm not sure from what area. If I was pressed to the wall for a guess, I would say Korean. When I first moved here their daughter would come by each and every day to check on them. When an apartment became available she and her immediate family moved here. Now she is up and down the stairs all the time. (The older couple is in the back ground floor apt. She, with family, is in an upstairs apt.)
I have seen the old man out for a "walk" almost every day. I put quotes around the word walk because I have a thing for quotes and I don't think 'walk' is accurate. Its more an extremely slow saunter. But he's out there, nonetheless.
I'm usually ignored as I stand up against the wall right next to my door having a smoke and trying to be inconspicuous. This morning the old man waved at me. He actually waved... you know... at me. As in a greeting. At me. I waved back and smiled.
What surprised me was the spring in his step. He was moving right along like a 20 yr old, wooden walking stick in his hand, arms swinging. He was movin' out, man!! It made me wonder if he and the ole lady got together last night or something.
He had on a white t-shirt, olive shirt over that, tan baseball cap, black walking shorts and thongs on his feet. (His wooden walking stick is smooth and a shiny golden color.)I did a real quick sketch from memory, so no reference to look at. (thats my disclaimer. Its okay to laugh. I won't be able to hear you.)
He looked like he was on top of the world.
Go to Sandy's Show and Tell Blog and check out the comments to find other participants.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
It Rained on Our Parade
To the initiated, rain was expected. After all, its only June.
Besides the rain, one float turned into the crowd... no one hurt and just one person was bumped. (I guess they didn't see the BIG ASS FLOAT COMING.) Another float caught on fire. All in all, it wasn't the most pleasant of parades, but it was fun to watch. On my TV.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
OMG... Its Pure Janis!!
I find myself wondering about Janis' mother. What kind of mother was she and how did she cope with Janis' demise. Sometimes I forget that the pedophiles, murders, and overdose victims all have/had mothers.
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