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Friday (pronunciation IPA: /ˈfraɪdeɪ, ˈfraɪdi/) is the day of the week falling between Thursday and Saturday. It is the sixth day in countries that adopt a Sunday-first convention. In ISO 8601, in work-based customs, and in countries adopting Monday-first conventions, it is the fifth day of the week. (See “Seven days of the week” for more on the different conventions.)
In most countries with a five-day work week, Friday is the last workday before the weekend and is, therefore, viewed as a cause for celebration or relief. In some offices, employees are allowed to wear less formal attire on Fridays, known as Casual Friday or Dress-Down Friday. Today was a dress-down Friday; I wore jeans and a tee-shirt.
This week has been moving at a very rapid pace. Or so it seems. My observation of the clock indicates its’ been moving much faster than I anticipated – amidst stops and starts and a roller coaster here and there. Ergo it’s been ‘fast and slow at the same time.’
On the way back from a client meeting yesterday, I began thinking about time and time movement just to give my head a break from work. Yes, this will sound kind of strange, but I’ve come to the conclusion that the present time, according to our frame of references is certainly the only real time ever present. In fact, the present time is what we experience flickering from second to second. It actually encompasses both the past and the future, and our minds seem to drag in-between them.
Thus far this week the clock seems fixated in the fast-forward mode but it feels like it’s crawling to the whistle of Friday afternoon – BLEH! The way I see it, if there is any time dimension that moves, it is purely a psychological one. When time seems blurry or moving quickly, it’s simply a psychological response. We notice it moving quickly when we’re having fun (enjoying ourselves), and when we’re stressed the seconds tick slowly and painfully over the minute hand.
For me when the clock moves fast and slow “at the same time” it’s best I take a break. I’m doing that right now.
Break oneth.
As you grow older, you’ll find
the only things you regret
are the things you didn’t do.
~Zachary Scott
Hello Kitty Popcorn Maker: assembly required, parental supervision suggested, takes dollar bills but isn’t for sale. Unlike the home version, this is not a toy. It makes 3 quarts of fresh, delicious popcorn at the shake of four bucks. Comes with a built-in butter well and is the size of a soda machine. Available at fine stores everywhere.
Pop-oneth.
Over the past four weeks, I’ve spent a lot of time surfing the net looking for painting reference – particularly palette knife work. In my search, I found several painters who “paint daily,” which gave me the encouragement I needed to look closer at each artist’s style and learn from observation. One in particular, I believe, is worthy of closer review. Karin Jurick is such a painter.
Jurick was recently (as in the Feburary 2009 edition) featured in American Artist Magazine. Several of her paintings depict people pondering great works of art in art museums. Her style is … well … very interesting. The bold use of color from a palette of near 50 colors makes her work appear to photographic. I like her work because it’s approachable, unique and vibrant.
Visit her website and view her work – you’ll be glad you did. Karin Jurick
Get this … there is a new (!) Hello Kitty camcorder on the market. At just over 3 ounces this kitten has a built-in USB port with enough memory for 60 minutes of high-quality video. At $229.99 it’s not on my list of “to get” (it’s in conflict with my New Year’s resolutions). Alas it’s kewl though. If I had to decide between camcorder or the tat, I’d select the tat. Both are vertical, but only one of them outlives technology. Stencil that on your happy ass, arm or leg. 
Van Gogh produced more than 2,000 works in his lifetime – roughly 900 paintings and 1,100 drawings and sketches. I’ve been very fortunate to have seen much of his work while in Amsterdam (I’ve been there on four separate occasions). I first saw his work at the “State” museum and then at the Van Gogh Museum.
Interestingly, he was a prolific artist during the last ten years of his life, and most of his best-known works were produced in the final two years of his life. He was a bit crazy and eventually cut off part of his left ear following a breakdown in his friendship with Paul Gauguin. After this he suffered recurrent bouts of mental illness, which led to his suicide. What a life.
The German impressionists of the early 20th Century hailed him as the holy grail of modern painting. What ever. I’m not convinced that Van Gogh is “all that” but I do want to attempt his style and have begun my own “chair” painting. His work is inspiring and I certainly appreciate his style and bold use of color. I’ll publish my own “chair” once completed.
Later.
Yes, we had a great evening just playing games – without the TV – and without music. It was super-nice. Ok. We started with Apples to Apples and then moved on … we all learned the game of Bunco. While I won a few rounds, I didn’t win either of the games we played. Leading the charge was MG herself. Other aliases include: MG, Missy Moo, Miss Kitty, Slicky-Slick, and of course Trouble. All of which tell me she’s ready for a tattoo. LOL. Seriously, this was a riot. The photos were taken of the winner. Roll oneth.
REFERENCE INFO:
n. pl. bun·cos also bun·kos
A swindle in which an unsuspecting person is cheated; a confidence game.
tr.v. bun·coed also bun·koed, bun·co·ing also bun·ko·ing, bun·cos also bun·kos To swindle.
Rather than pull the HK out and “snap,” it might be a good idea to “deal with” people who are difficult. I’m not talking about business associates talking about a tough topic, I’m talking about people who are difficult. A good first step in coping with a difficult person is to understand the behavior. I’ve learned over the years that difficult people are generally unhappy, insecure, and have low self-esteem. Not always, but often.
At some point early in life the typical “difficult person” learned to get their needs met in maladaptive ways – like being the bully. In addition, I’ve learned that different types of difficult people have one common desire: they want to be loved and accepted. Unfortunately, they learned inappropriate methods and ways to garner love and acceptance.
Although hostile at first, the true non-difficult person responds to effective communication and rational reasoning (more often than not). On the other hand, the difficult person is usually relentless in their pursuit to beat you – and win.
The bottom line is this – coping with difficult people is never easy and can be frustrating. One truth stands out related to difficult people: everyone has trouble dealing with difficult people – even difficult people dealing with other difficult people (LOL!). In the heat of the moment it is possible to deal with difficult people effectively. The key is to remain confident in your abilities and coping skills. Do not engage in an argument with the person as it is a no-win proposition. In fact, the only way for you to win is to elect not to play.
And if all else fails, the HK is to ready rumble.
Peace.
Several chickens decided they were “over it” and left us late Thursday evening. The greeting they received early this morning was a lovely wake up call. Ha. For the rest of us here in Maryville, it’s 7 and feels like minus 2! A warming trend is expected today – all the way to 24. Whoa.
At 5:30 a.m. it was minus 10 in Cleveland, minus 6 in Detroit and minus 11 in Chicago. Right now it’s cold. Meanwhile in the middle of the Pacific it’s 74 in Kona. Ahhhh.
Onward … in western upstate New York, meteorologist Dave Sage said areas near Lake Erie were getting “hit pretty hard” by snow Friday morning. Some areas were getting up to 2 inches per hour. The National Weather Service predicted the subzero temperatures would persist into the weekend. Wind chill warnings were in effect over much of five states advising the cold and strong winds could lead to hypothermia, frost bite and death.
“When you have these cold temperatures, it doesn’t take very long for skin to freeze,” National Weather Service meteorologist Rod Donavon said. Iowa City hospitals had treated three people for cold-related injuries by midday Thursday, said University of Iowa Hospitals spokesman Tom Moore. Overnight temperatures there reached minus 24 degrees. Even more burr-burr. ADVICE: bundle up, wear layers, and drink plenty of fluids during the day so you can consume multiple rum toddies this evening. March oneth.
George Inness was an American landscape painter whose work is “killa.” Seriously, he was an American Mac-daddy painting through experimentation. In other words, he was self-taught.
His primary works are associated with the Romantic movement, which greatly influenced his style. Later in his painting life his style evolved to painting intimate subjects in a more uninhibited fashion.
I enjoy his painting work for a couple of reasons. First, because it reminds me of George Hendrik Breitner’s work who painted life in Holland and who is known as a Dutch impressionist. The second reason I enjoy his work — because it connects with the style and feel I hope to espouse on canvass. I realize this is a “hopeful dream,” as he is considered to be the greatest 19th century landscape painter. Enjoy.
Penny Otwell is a residing painter in Yosemite National Park and while she invests her time in primarily landscapes, she is also know for capturing wildlife in the Park and other life, images and scenary of Yosemite. By way of her profile, Penny says she also paints in the High Sierrea and the Mendocino Coast. Kewl. I found her blog by looking for artists who paint using a palette knife.
Penny has many examples of their work posted for her students to view (and for budding artists like me). The image today is from her blog site. I’m uncertain as to the real name, but the jpg says: Happy Birthday Penny 144 — the view is Tioga Pass. Visit her website – Penny Otwell - to enjoy more of her work.
Thanks Penny for sharing your work! Paint oneth.
“BORIS & YURI” contemporary
abstract and realistic landscape
painting of a Moscow Summer.
The artist is Boris Kudryavtsev.
Это плетет кружево – превосходный пример традиционного искусства шрифта, плетут кружево объединенные с племенными изображениями татуировки, напоминающими древние вырезания камня петроглифа. Изображения более мягки и источают образы острова, переведенные современным художником.
Гавайское слово, ‘ohana, переводит к семье, родственнику, группе семьи, или связанный. “Ohana holo’oko’a, ‘ohana nui: расширенная семья, клан.”
This tat is an excellent example of a traditional font-art tat combined with tribal tattoo images resembling ancient petroglyph stone carvings. The images are softer and exude island imagery translated by a modern artist.
The Hawaiian word, ‘ohana, translates to family, relative, kin group, or related. “Ohana holo’oko’a, ‘ohana nui: extended family, clan.” Inketh oneth.
After dealing with a person today who decided to bully me in a business setting, I elected to do the right thing and take the high road. Not because it was easier, but because it’s the right thing to do. I hope that at some point in the future I can look back on the situation and laugh.
I also learned an important lesson (or was reminded of a lesson I already know) and it’s simple: taking the high road is harder to do than it is to espouse. Taking the high road and putting yourself above those who enjoy arguing a point just to argue or attempt to argue a point with pointless examples of mindless crap is difficult at times.
Simply stated: “take the high road” because anything less is just adding fuel to the fire.
“You who think you know
it all are annoying
to those of us that do.”
Like most electronics devices, a television can contain a number of elements that are potentially harmful to both people and the environment, making them poor residents for landfills. The various carcinogens and neurotoxins within them can potentially leach into the water system and into the air through burning, with deadly results. Not only do these oversized devices push landfills to their capacity, but many of their more valuable materials are wasted when they are not recycled. Materials such as glass, copper, and precious metals are sacrificed when an old television is relegated to a landfill. When you stop and think about it, discarding the old TV on River Road means you’re wasting money and junking up the neighborhood. To learn more, visit this site to recycle your crappy-crap TV. Garbage keepeth.
Crazy. Yes, Crazy. January 2nd I visited Kroger for some food and beverages. Imagine … by Friday, January 2nd, retailers started selling crappy-crap for V-day. Huh?
Isn’t that a make-believe day? Shall we boycott this retail crap and show love all year? Or, do we savor our love for one “retail holiday?”
Guess what I’m doing? (Refer to January 1st RESOLUTIONS.) Roll oneth.
Somebody is watching you.
1. Reduce, refine and streamline – things and relationships.
2. When in doubt remove excess. Refer to rule #1.
3. Be budget-minded each month; plan it and work the plan.
4. “Make due.” Good enough is good enough.
5. Plan ahead – enjoy the moment.
6. Take ALL vacation days … every last one.
7. When purchasing find a deal, and keep a tote board.
8. Save more, and SELL what’s not needed nor used.
9. Travel a lot … for vacation.
10. Remember family. Go visit them.
