Showing posts with label For your approval. Show all posts
Showing posts with label For your approval. Show all posts

Sunday, December 16, 2012

My thoughts on the Sandy Hook Shooting



I must start by saying that I wish I did not have to write about this horror, but it has only been 2 days since the tragedy and I am already fed up with the platitudes and out pouring of false well wishes and outward miss-direction of causalities. I am not, in any way trying to anger or infuriate, but rather wish well to those affected by this event, and to tell others who would use this as a soap box to shut the hell up !

I am one who spends probably way too much time on Facebook, and I have many friends and followers, as well as follow the online exploits of others. I see so many posts on this and other subjects and I have, until now, held my tongue – but it has gone too far. I saw a post where a person wrote a poem about the children who, through no action of their own or for any reason, died at the hand of a disturbed person, the post went on to say how it was “wonderful that these poor souls were called unto heaven by god, and the lord Jesus would now care for them, and for those who died trying to save them”, this is such a load of bull!

All the miscreants and self-proclaimed voices of the masses on Facebook that would use this to preach of God and of how we should no fear the government would use this to take away our guns, or that it is the fault of the Gays or other “heathens” YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED! This was not some clandestine act of holy authority, it was not “a good thing”, and this is an abomination, a horror of outrageous proportion. The children of Sandy Hook lost their lives, teachers lost their lives, people died long before their time. God did not “Call them home” a highly disturbed individual decided he wanted to do something vile, and to try to say “he was sick”, no sick is having a clod, or having and illness and being under some treatment, this person was deranged, killed their own parent and then killed others who left behind a world that will now never know what great things they would have done and families that will never get past this or ever stop feeling the sorrow of their loss.

Some will now say “oh, now the government will take away our rights” or “the president sheds fake tears” or “if we had so and so in the white house”- get off it! I heard that a group plans to picket the school, a church group will picket the school and hold signs saying “God killed your kids because of the Gays”, how the (explanative) can a church do that? Where is their respect for god? Where their respect for life is that god grants to all.

Writing poems and shedding tears of Facebook love just adds to the lie that is perpetrated, that if we say nice enough things often enough, the pain will go away, tell that to one of the sandy hook parents and you will lose some teeth or using this to further hate or fear will make one no less disturbed than the shooter, and no less vile.

All the news and press are going on and on, forcing everyone involved to relive the day’s events, or “look into the mind of the shooter” or what were his issues or what was done, let’s just accept the fact that there was no good reason and that several children, and those that would protect them died, let us remember them, mourn them and reach out to their loved ones without words of advice, or reason or preaching, let’s just say “ I am so sorry for your loss” or “I wish this never happened to you” or even not say anything, just reach out and hold them close, anything other than try to find something good in all of this, there is no good.

NONE!

Let their healing begin in silence, let them cry or scream or beat their chests. I was born in NY, in my youth I went to funeral with a friend, it was at a synagogue, the family had lost a uncle in an accident, he was a very good man, his father wept so loud and screamed, he ripped open his shirt and fell forward on the casket and begged god to take him instead, all at once I felt like I wanted to scream and weep and cry out, the rage and the feeling of loss was so great that everyone cried for days following.

I can only imagine what the families of Sandy Hook are feeling now, and I wish I could not.

Let the people of Sandy Hook Mourn and heal, let’s leave them alone, let us let them to their time, shut the mouths of the online demagogy and let the dead rest, let us not raise them up only to cast them further down.

Like if you wish, share if you must, scroll past if you need, but let Sandy hook heal, I beg of you, let us end this cycle of pain and remember the children as their families would, forever alive, forever loved and forever un-martyred.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Irene Flores—Illustrator & Mangaka



an Artist with a Flair

Article / Interview By Joseph Timmons GS1

chibi_illusIn a small bistro in San Luis Obispo I met with Irene Flores, published and well known anime artist and illustrator. Over lunch we discussed her travels in the art world and how she became one of the few anime artists in the United States to be just as much, if not more popular than artists and illustrators from Japan. Irene has always been interested in art, as a child she enjoyed being given opportunities to explore her interests freely, and having a father who was also an established artist was very helpful and her whole family supported her dreams. From an early age, Irene enjoyed reading comics and graphic novels, growing up in a family that was very close to its Asian roots , she quickly moved from American style comics to anime and then on to animated movies from Japan and Asian countries. Irene would examine the story telling aspects of illustration and found appreciation for the craft and its natural ability to be transformative, to change and grow with the story line or plot. She relies on the emphasis of good story-telling to give her illustrations life.

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During Irene’s journey in art, she has grown to treat her illustrations as if they were alive, the characters grow and mature, experience personal development and become real, not just to Irene, but to her fans and followers. Irene shared that at the many Comic Conventions and Cosplay events she has been at, both as a patron and as a celebrity; it is the fine line between fantasy and reality that excites her about her artwork. Irene enjoys being an artist, but also keeps a certain amount of anonymity. Irene stated that as well as being a published artist and illustrator, she continues to live a normal life; she has a day job and tries to keep her celebrity status “Low-Key”. Irene has been a bit disappointed in the transfer of Japanese anime and animated movies that are voiced over or edited for American audiences, stating that the process takes the life out of the story and mutes the true voices of the characters, “Some things just cannot translate” she said as she was sipping her smoothie and enjoying the sunlight streaming through the window. Irene likes living in California and often works at the local library and art schools services to teach illustrative skills and share her gift.

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Her works include a series of books that teach anime style illustration, her work with Impact Comics, Tokyo-Pop, Marvel and is working on a project for Yen Press. Her most impressive work however is her Anime series Mark of the Succubus, A story where an unmotivated high school student named Aiden meets Maeve, a succubus-in-training sent from the demon homeland to learn about humans. This series was voted as one of the top titles in Tokyo-Pop’s publication and is available on Amazon.com and other online distributors.

Irene Flores Website


Saturday, April 23, 2011

So far this year: an update



 

Hello friend, it’s been a while since we had the time to talk and “chew the fat”, how have you been-Well, sit down and relax, I will tell you a story of my life, as it is, and what I have been doing for the past few months. I may sound a bit down, but life has its ups and downs and it is very cathartic to just let it all go. So, if you don’t mind, I will use this moment to do a bit of self-therapy.

This year, so far has been very exciting. I have been working very hard on several projects and things are going very well, so far. My day job, as it were, has been ok, but the hours have been dropped down, the company felt that, rather than lay people off, they just cut hours – having some work is better that not having a job. So I find myself writing more and doing the odd jobs around the house. I am going to be building a studio in my garage, for painting and working on some furniture projects I want to do, as well as organizing all of my stuff. It is amazing how one can collect so much stuff over the course of the years. Some of it is important and cannot be replaced, but I will admit – some is just pure junk I cannot seem to part with. I guess I am the “pack rat” my mother said I was.

I have been working on my writing and painting… well more writing than painting actually. I am getting more time to go out and writing on location, like café’s and public places, watching life stride by, and getting some photography work done, it’s not so bad having some time to write or just do something for myself. It gives me a chance to be more introspective, work on the “me-projects” that I don’t always get to complete.

I have been hired by Blog Critics (http://www.blogcritics.org) to write for them, their online news source is very popular and it gives me an opportunity to get my work seen by more people. My blog RantBabble (http://www.rantbabble.wordpress.com) has started getting some popular feedback and is getting more readers – I find that writing for 4 different web sites is allot of work but it is also many different outlets, so what may not work well for one site may be great for the other ones. I am going to the Paso Robles Wine Festival in May to do some review work for my food and wine columns and I may have a chance at getting some connections there to get material for my magazine Groove Studio One.

My Online Style and Entertainment Magazine, Groove Studio One is doing very well, the site http://www.yourgrooveonline is in “beta” and I am working out the bugs that come with web page design, but the blog side http://www.groovestudio1.blogspot.com is getting multiple hits per day, sometimes in the thousands, this gives me a way to get involved with writing about fashion, food, wine and style – one would not know it, looking at me, but I am very interested in the elements of personal style, and I like writing about it. I have been able to meet many interesting people and I was even invited to take my wife with me to be on an episode of Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay.

My book “Rants and Ravings of a Modern Day Cave Dweller” was officially published this year on http://www.lulu.com, it is a self-publishing site, but they work like the normal publishers, you have to submit material, go through the process and if they like it, they publish your book and market it for you. I look forward to it doing well, the publisher said it was “unique” and had potential, so we will see what come of it.

I have put together a concept for a Television Show, and I am working with local cable TV and public access television to get it put together. I have not come up with a title yet, but it will be connected with my magazine, I will do live interviews, “news” style coverage of local events. I have asked my longtime friend David Jay to help me on this project, he is a producer and a very popular “on air” personality in local radio. I have so great friends who are willing to help me achieve my goals, get some friends, I know you’ll like it.

I have made the acquaintance of a very famous artist, John Landon who lives here in the Central Coast; he has worldwide appreciation of his work and he said he thought my paintings were good, so I take the compliments where I can, and if he likes my painting, well I guess that means it is worth looking at. I also met another very talented artist, Neal Breton, whom owns San Luis Art Supply in San Luis Obispo; he is both a business owner and an artist, so he never gets to sleep, but there is hope.

The wife and kids are fine, my wife has been working on her stitchery and has a shop on Etsy, where she has been growing in popularity and making sales. My littlest one, Vera, was recently in a musical pageant where she sang in the final act; I don’t know who was more excited, her or myself. I felt so nervous with her on stage, I was hoping that she would not get stage fright, but she was wonderful, I felt so proud. My daughter Rita has won awards at school just before this spring break and she is turning into quite a little actress, she is working on jokes and impersonating TV stars, she wants to be an actress when she grows up, she does a great job at making her mother laugh.

All of my life I have wanted to be something special, not so much as “famous” or “rich” but to be someone remembered, and I have never seemed to find it. I now find that I have been memorable for some time now, I have a great family, I am a writer and an artist, I have great friends and my blogs get readers, like you, who come back from time to time so see what I am up to.

So if you get a chance, stop by my blogs, my Online Magazine and if you see me in person, try not to run me down with your car, I’ll buy you a cup of Java and we can talk a while, I got time.


Monday, March 21, 2011

Blatant Plug for an Art Store



nealRecently I had the chance to find an Art Supply Store in San Luis Obispo which is more than what it looks like.

San Luis Art Supply is owned and operated by Neal Breton, a great guy and a great artist, working with local artists to promote art shows, displays and events, Neal looks to creating an Artist atmosphere that has not been seen in the area since the 60’s. When I have gone into the store it is always a meeting place for some of the local artisans, both well known and new to the craft, Neal serves the art community not only with affordable wares but a place to meet and exchange ideas, forming an arena of free thought and expression. 

Originally from the East Coast, Neal spent time in Los Angeles and was very connected to the trade and did a lot of work in Hollywood, but moved to the Central Coast to explore new thoughts and provide his vision to our community. San Luis Art Supply has sponsored many community events and looks to do more in the near future.

Visit Neal at
San Luis Art Supply, 1116 Morro St. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401- Phone: 805-787-0348 

Neal’s artwork is on display at The Claassen Gallery, 785 Mash Street, San Luis Obispo, California 93401 – 805-541-3932

Peace

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Fueling Bitterness



188725_10150108539852481_97516057480_6857060_1542938_nRegular unleaded gas is 4.90 a gallon, and climbing. the economy is spiraling downward and, even though the government swears otherwise, the unemployment level is climbing. the average American spends most of the day worrying about where the next car payment will come from and if their house will still be theirs in a month.

These are not happy thoughts, and everyone could come up with more things to inflame and enrage themselves. I would like to propose thinking positively about these issues. we have seen in the news how other countries are having protests and revolutions when they are sick and tired of how their perspective governments are ruining their lives with overly strict laws and the lack of respect for basic human rights. I am not advocating protests in the streets or revolution, but referring to the fact that we do have the ability to make change in how our government runs this country and how they need to listen to the people.

I could express on the already well known rules and laws of this country, but that would digress from the point of this commentary, it is through diligence on our part, watching and objecting when needed to make it possible for “we the people” to be happy in our own land. many have worked, struggled, fought and even died for the right to be either happy or unhappy with the way things are in the USA, and we should never forget this, nor should we seek to have any more pain and suffering. it is a confusing issue, do we let the powers that be continue to run things without our watching, or do we bounce the prats from office and hope the next bunch would and could do better.

So, with the hopes of positive change I propose we let the government know that we want change, boycott gas stations that gouge the pumps, vote against politicians who seek to fatten their pockets and leave our tables bare. write and call public officials so much that they either have to listen or change their phone numbers, become a non-violent, law abiding pain in the but, make them aware that you are watching them, they watch us, so why not turn the tables. Use the rights and privileges we know we have to make them change. Call the talk shows and make your point known, don’t just demand change, but demand change with an example of what the change should be, so often we say “ this should be different” but we do not often give a “and this is what should be done”. If you want the right to be married, don’t just complain about it, tell them why. Don’t just complain about environmental issues, do something at the local level and grow to global considerations. I often see people complain about the pollution issues, but still drive SUV’s  just to go to the store 3 blocks away, or buy at large “big box stores” when small markets have better prices, but not the prestigious packaging.

Get on your bike and ride to the local mom/pop market, buy the weeks groceries and make your dollar stretch, have more parties at home and watch less TV, having an active social life in the comfort of your home is much more fun than a night at the bar, and costs much less.

So, Revolt without being revolting and do your part to piss off the government, be part of something grander than grandstanding for something less rewarding. If you do decide to have a party, invite me, I love a good party.

Joseph Timmons

Artist, Author and all around “weird old man”…


Sponsored By:

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Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Rants and Ravings of a Modern Day Cave Dweller by Joseph Timmons in Poetry



 

My Book is now officially published, you can buy it here. Please share this link with all of your friends who like poetry of know someone who does.

Use link below to see.


Rants and Ravings of a Modern Day Cave Dweller by Joseph Timmons in Poetry


Saturday, January 01, 2011

Musings of the New Year



Well my friends, it is upon us, a New Year, another chance to do well and make something of what life throws at us. In the past year we have seen much of the ills of the world come to pass and there have been ups and downs. The government has given us reason to question their abilities and the people have taken chances and voted in new blood in hopes to stop the hemorrhaging of the economic wounds. We have seen great minds of our times and entertainers who have given us moments of happiness pass on to the next world. I would like to think that as a society we have many chances during our lives to create great things and become the special people we could be; we can and with hopes, will, become the vision of ourselves that we look to see in the mirror every morning. I would like to impart to you one thought to keep with you as your year progresses…

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, do as thy will and bring harm to none, starting and ending with thy selves.

So often we do not think that what we do not only affects us, as well as those around us. Whatever religion, race or creed you are we are all the same, inside and out, and with that, we are as strong, and as weak, as the person we stand next to or across from.

Be and do well in the year, may 2011 find you everything you desire, bring you joy and happiness, or at least a good deal of dreams come true. Find time to remember what you have lost, so you may find it again, say a prayer for the ones you’ve lost, give love the ones you’ve found, give something back to your community and be that vision of perfection that still exists in your mother’s eye.

PEACE

Joseph Timmons

Artist, Author, Writer, Journalist and all around strange person that your mother may have warned you about.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Family Time



Family time, the moments that pass through the day and are all too often forgotten, or trapped within photographs that keep a brief moment in time the same way forever, yet is never remembered for what it is. I have a wife and 5 children, whom I try to spend as much time with as possible. The children grow and grow and change, they become people different than what we know or expect. My wife, who tries to understand me, often looks at me with disbelief or even mild contempt when I offer resolutions to situations contrary from her own, yet I love here more and more each day, to which she sometime flinches when I tell her so.

My wife has admitted to me that her life is not what she wanted, and that she sometimes regrets not being more true to her original plans. The boys grow older and do the things that drive us both nuts, all too often than not. Our daughters are still very young, and very innocent, and very much like their mother; they adore puppies and kittens and listen to everyone, except us, unless they want something, which is often. I dearly enjoy being a husband and father, and I regret nothing, but I feel that I am at times the target of regret, though I am not at fault. Do not think that I am moaning about not “being respected” or that “I don’t feel loved”, I do, I am much loved, and I know this, I dearly praise every moment I have with them.

My siblings, whom often put me at odds with each other, whom often try to let me know, that even at 45, they know “what’s best” and push and pry into my life, but even with that, I smile and let the winds blow, until it is calm again. I have friends, some I see everyday day, and some that are friends in name only, but never in action. So everyone has these aspect in their life, I am no different than anyone else who wakes up every day and goes to sleep every night, but why am I writing this, read on.

I am the last of the optimists, I wake up every morning thinking it is going to be a brand new day with brand new adventures; Peter Pan has nothing on me. I read the same books I did when I was young, and yes, I do think I still believe in Santa Clause, and the tooth fairy, which I have personal and factual knowledge, has a back door to my wallet every time my kids loose a tooth. I feel that every day, we have a new chance to be something or someone special, I believe everyone deserves a chance, 1st, 2nd or 3rd.

The other day, I went out with my wife and daughters, I took my camera, and the photos I was able to take at just the right moments show me that I have been blessed with everything I ever wanted. So whether my wife is happy, or my children content or all hell has come up from below, I know why I am happy, and always will be. Family Time is all the time, and always will be. Most people feel that if they die tomorrow, they would leave great works undone, me, my great works are already here.

Think about all you have, and be content, because some have less than you, and you have more than you know.

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Life has a way of being just a little more perfect everyday, if you take the time to notice.

Joseph Timmons

Artist, Author, Husband, Father, Grateful Human Being

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

A Holiday Wish For You



To all of you in the Blogosphere, to friends and family, to all of you young and old, may you have a Happy Thanksgiving, and a wonderful holiday season.

Take time to remember loved ones both lost and found, and do 1 random act of kindness per day, if possible. Be charitable and kind, wise and playful, but above all be happy.

Sunday, November 07, 2010

Entertainment Review



An Evening with Dr. Drew Pinsky at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara

Sponsored by New Noise Santa Barbara

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The dimly lit theatre seemed to come alive when Dr. Drew Pinsky, noted doctor and host of “Love Lines” and “Celebrity Rehab” took the stage. The rousing applause of the audience made him blush and he stood patiently waiting for it to fade, which seemed to take forever. Dr. Drew is known for his medical work and his ability to sincerely and thoughtfully help people with their problems and confront their inner demons, and for this the audience was enamored with him and wanted to hear what he had to say. Author of “Cracked” and “The Mirror Effect”, his new book dealing with celebrity immorality and its effects on society, stood on the stage, smiling out at the fully packed house. With witty repose and humorous candor, he offered his philosophies on disease and addiction, telling all that there was a growing epidemic that needs to be addressed.

For more than 25 years, Dr. Drew has been working to help the individual, to support, give hope and nurture those that would be left by the side of the road. Through his career, the good doctor found that treatment of the disease that is addiction requires not just counseling, but consistent support and a self-discipline that must be taught, sometimes one day at a time. People often think that addiction can be cured, in actuality, it can only be coped with, and it is an illness that can stay with a person indefinitely. Addiction is also not confined to the substance abuser, but to everyone they connect with, and so on and so on, it can be vicious and rampant, but it can be stopped and managed with the best medicine there is, compassion.

Dr. Drew asked for the lights to be raised and addressed everyone, some with direct eye contact. He announced that there would be question and answer moments. We could “ask anything” and if some wanted, he could address some issues after the show. The doctor was in the house and in charge, giving some clarity to confusion. People took advantage of this by openly asking questions, exposing their secrets, often coming to tears. Dr. Drew, as if reaching from across the theatre spoke kindly, but firmly, to each and every person as if in private council, showing a mercy that lifted everyone in the house.

Dr. Drew covered the concepts of physical and psychological addiction as biological; it attacks the body and the mind. He stated that the need for a “fix” can be torment, and without a caring and supportive group, it can overcome the strongest of people. Whether it is drugs, alcohol, food or sex, addictions start with key factors that are often missed or even unknown, even to the addict, until counseling and therapy root out the cause and begin the treatment process. Dr. Drew approached the edge of the stage and looked out at the audience and stated “Only by following the patient through the treatment process, from start to maturity, can the healing process begin”. It was at that moment that there was a rouse of applause, and one would know there were people with some experience in the audience, from both sides of the fence.

The audience wanted more and more of his words of wisdom, information and knowledge that could prove as road markers to a path of enlightenment and healing. Everyone in the audience had questions, and he tried to address all of them, giving us a way to defend ourselves in the war against self-destructive behavior. Issues like abandonment, sexual abuse, trauma and a gambit of other “Key Causes” were covered, and issues that affected everyone, some that can be coped with, and some that could not. Looking around I saw people that were nodding, some seemed shocked at what they heard, some were teary eyed, and either in compassion or concern and questioned to themselves, “Do I have his in my life?” I am sure that some thought this. Dr. Drew is trying to make us all change our perception of addictive nature, disease and treatment, everyone walked away from this event with the knowledge that we can each overcome our problems and together we can heal.

DR DrewMasking trauma does not work, if somebody has an active addiction and is exposed to opiates or situations of abuse, their lives are in danger. The reason people do this to themselves is the sense of despair and hopelessness, they want out, it is up to all of us to bring them back IN”- Dr. Drew

 

 

Dr. Drew Pinsky is service Director of the Chemical dependency Program / residential Treatment Center at Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena, California. His latest book “The Mirror Effect – how Celebrity Narcissism is Seducing America” written with Dr. S. Mark Young, published by Harper Press, is available in your local bookstore.

 

Sunday, October 03, 2010

A Day Out, A Day of Joy

 

Saturday, October 2bd, 2010 – we were sitting around the house not doing much of anything at all, so I took the family out to the Santa Maria Grapes and Grains Festival, a yearly event that we have here in Santa Maria. It was a decent day, as far as weather was concerned, when we arrived the parking was terrible, and I immediately thought it was going to a bad idea, but I was pleasantly proved wrong. I took my family to the Santa Maria natural Museum exhibit first, the girls loved the displays and saw some interesting animals, the only bizarre moment was the guide that was doing the tour used the following statement, which made my girls cringe “ Most of these animals were collected from road kill incidents of found already dead, they were once alive, but now they are dead, and stuffed” so matter of fact,  and without any emotion she began to explain what that meant, my girls were a little taken back and started walking around saying “poor birdy” or “poor beaver”, here are some more fun images of that moment.

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october 2nd 026     We then went to the Street Painting Event, and there was a petting zoo area, we also ran into Albert, the best friend of my son Michael, Albert works for the Parks and Recreation Department, always a happy guy and never a bad word to say about anything. as you can see from the pictures, there were many activities for kids to do, not just vendors and salesmen. so many times I go to fairs and events and find that they were just excuses to set up shop, or try to get charity donations from people that don’t have anything to give.This was a really great event hosted by the city, which should do more like this.

october 2nd 027I found one kid was doing a replica of an Andy Warhol print of Elizabeth Taylor, and it was really cool, because this kid was doing something special, something that they wanted to do, something expressive about who october 2nd 029they are and want to be.

The Petting Zoo is not very big, but it had baby animals, now nobody can resist baby animals, can they, my girls just loved it so much they actually wanted to join the local AG group so they could october 2nd 033do this everyday, I thought about saying yes, but I looked over at the goats and said to myself “ yeah, and who's going to have to clean it up”, we moved on to the next area.

I was wandering around at saw the Teacher and students from the Alan Hancock College Ceramics Program, which I used to be a part of and got a chance to say hi to my former teacher Bob, and fellow student Sue, who were doing demonstrations of the Wheel Process and I was able to get a short Video, no sound, but you get to see a great Artist doing what he does best.

2010 Grapes and Grains Festival Wheel Ceramics Demonstration

And here are some stills,

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Bob is a great Teacher and the people really loved watching him do his work, in the time I was standing there watching he made 35 Bowls and Dishes, it took him about 36 min to do this, I remember it took me about 60 min to make 1 item, so he is the master artist and I am still just a hack, at ceramics anyway.

this blog entry was not so much as a tribute or critique of the event, but just a statement, one never knows what fun is out there unless they look, so many of the people I know say this town is lame or boring, and sometimes I do agree, but then I go out with my kids and I am reminded that fun is fun only if you let it be fun, just be happy to be alive and live each new day as if it were a new chance at happiness, and you will be happy, my kids often remind me of how life can be great, which is why I love them more and more each day.

Joseph Timmons, Newly Humbled Father, yet again.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

$1.00 is worth something again

 

logoOK, now I don’t often plug stores or offer criticism or critiques of retailers, I have done book reviews and food reviews, but to tell people about where to shop, no, hardly ever. I have found a new favorite bookstore, and it is the $1.00 Bookstore in the Santa Maria Town Center Mall. this store is part of a new chain of bookstores offering used books of a wide variety to the consumer. Most bookstores have hundreds of titles, new releases and so on, which is great if you are looking for a new book title, or looking to get the next installment of a new series, I have often praised stores like Boarders and Barnes and Nobel for having a great selection of new books, buy when it comes to finding used books in paperback or hardcover, I have, like most of you, had to check every used bookstore in town, or the thrift stores, which has much to be desired, oh you may find a gem or 2, but they have prices on them, often higher than original price.

The $1.00 Bookstores is very different, they have literally HUNDEREDS, if not THOUSANDS of titles, paperback, Hardcover, recent works, complete collections, the occasional rare / out of print tome that you may have been looking for online for months, and still not find. The staff, is very friendly and if it is not there, they will call to another branch to see if it is there or take your information and call you when it comes in, they have a hold and lay-a-way program, daily deals, like buy 5 and get 1 free, new and used movies, Comic Books and Anime, in the TONS, I mean some are entire collections from issue 1 to 100 and more. what is the best is the concept that no matter what you pick up, just a buck, your buying power really goes far.

The $1.00 Bookstore, here in Santa Maria, is located on the 1st floor of the Santa Maria Town Center Mall, Directly across from the main entrance, their phone is 805-352-0044, hors are standard mall hours 10am to 7pm Mon-Sun, and I think if you go there you will find something special, I never leave it without something. their motto “Making a Difference, One Book at a Time” and they do, I see very happy children, and even happier parents enter and leave the store often.

I would like, if I may, check out the poetry section, wow, lots and lots of great books, selections change literally daily.

$1.00 Bookstores 805-352-0044

Thursday, September 09, 2010

A Memory of a Train, followed by a Party


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Recently I have been pondering my life, thinking about all that I have and have not done, seen and not seen. I figure, this is what most men do when they get older, some get the seven year itch, me, I get melancholy and misty about my past. I will impart to you a true story, one that until now I had almost forgotten, I hope you enjoy this memory as much as I do. I have met many famous people in my life, Gram Nash, George Carlin, Joan Jet, Jerry Garcia and members of the band Anthrax and so on, but none as famous, to me as the next one.
It was December 12th 1984, I remember because it was just before my birthday and I was on break from college. I was invited to a party being hosted by a friend of mine in Manhattan, a literary party, for those who thought themselves quite the intellectual illuminate of NY, so I had to attend. I took the train from Farmingdale to Jamaica station to board the transfer to Pennsylvania Station, we called it the “Penn” for short, don’t know why, just did. I took my seat and withdrew from my shoulder bag a book I had been reading, “Slaughterhouse 5” by Kurt Vonnegut, at the time, my all-time favorite author.
While reading this great book, I slipped into the story, like a warm bath, drifting and being subdued by the gentle sway of the train as it clattered along the tracks, the peaceful drift was interrupted by a soft yet bold voice “ is that a good book”, without looking up I answered” yes, very” to which was responded “ well, I have read his work, don’t care much for it at times, but I guess it does well” , to this I thought to myself “where has this guy been”, I then looked up and saw the face of a gruff looking man, wearing a grey tweed long coat and a shabby driving cap, it took a moment and I realized I was looking directly into the eyes of Mr. Vonnegut himself.
I sat there, motionless and for a first time, in a long time, speechless. Vonnegut asked “you ok?” I responded “well, yes, it’s just not often I am faced with the author of the book I am reading, what are you doing here”, he stared at me, “I live in NY, so being on the train is something I do”, I did not realize the impudence of my statement, how can I ask one of the great literary minds of our time to account to me of his decision to ride the same train and sit across from what was now to be known as the biggest jack-ass of NYC. From that moment and for about 10 min there was a crushing silence, I dared not try to engage him in conversation, I felt a striking class difference, a rift of immense proportions, and I felt I did not even have the right to be in the same state as him, yet the same train. Mr. Vonnegut looked to me and said “where you going”, I quickly responded “to a party, a book party, I mean a writers party” stammering over my words like a child trying not to get caught in a lie “ but I don’t think I am a writer, well not like you, you’re great, I mean wonderful I mean..” to which he interrupted “ So you like what I write I gather” my response “YES”, I realized the word could be heard on the platform we just passed. We came upon Penn and he said “well, this is where I get off, going to a party myself, my well wishes to you”, and we departed the train together.
I watched him disappear into the crowd on the platform, thinking to myself – well, he lives in NY, why is it impossible to have not met him, and off I strode, thinking ill of myself, missing an opportunity to just have a normal conversation and not to “gush” at his every word. I took the subway to my destination and walked 2 blocks west to the apartment building, a very nice and wealthy neighborhood, the nice part of Manhattan, and I felt that I now had a story to tell, but not to too many, I did not want it getting around that I thought to snub Kurt Vonnegut and then try to coax a friendship from it.
It was about 20 minutes into my arrival that the host announced that his special guest was going to be delayed, but will show up, I thought to myself “wouldn’t it be great if it was Vonnegut again” but lightning never strikes the same place twice”. An hour later, or was it 2 long island Iced Teas and a Beer later, Kurt Vonnegut arrived at the door, wearing the same jacket, but a different hat, he was the special guest, I slid out of sight, composed my thoughts, so if he did come near I could appear calm and eloquent. Other people started to show up, people of note, other local writers, newspaper columnists and some of the social commentators who write for the papers, I thought this was just unheard of writers, no, this was the real deal, I stumbled into a nest of angels and vipers, if I made a fool of myself here, no matter how well I wrote, I would never get published.
I sat down on the sofa, feeling a bit woozy, not drunk woozy, that I could handle, fame woozy, that was it, surrounded by all these famous and soon to be famous and those who thought themselves famous, that is breathtaking. There was a “whump” and the couch shifted, sitting next to me was Kurt Vonnegut, he looked at me “oh, hello again, so this is where you wound up” I replied “yes, and I still feel stupid, I am so sorry if I said anything foolish earlier” he smiled and responded with “you would be surprised at what some people say to me”. We sat there and watched the people shuffle past, back and forth, and he commented on who each person was, what they did and what he thought of them. Kurt Vonnegut has had the pleasure of keeping most of his life private and his private life even more so quiet, so when he said that most of the people here have 2 sides, and he wanted to see neither I had to ask why he was here, to which he responded that the host was related to him, and as a special favor he was asked to come, I wanted to know how the famous and infamous knew he would be here, we both paused and said “ well, it is NY, isn’t it”, in NY there are no secrets, everyone finds out sooner or later who is where when and how.
The party came to an end around 3am, some had work the next morning, I suppose, the rest had whatever, Kurt had left around 2am, he said “ I always leave early and unannounced, so nobody can follow me home” he was smiling when he said it, so it had to be true.
April 11, 2007, Kurt Vonnegut passed away, I was at home and heard the news on NPR, even though I don’t even begin to think I knew him, I did “Know “him, he was a New York Native, one of the tribe, one of our great chiefs, one of the gems in liberty’s crown, it has been said “if you ever meet a New Yorker writer once, you have met all of New York”, with Kurt, it was a very true statement.
I am including Kurt’s website, which is being maintained by his family, I suggest you visit it, just to see the smiling writer I had the honor of sharing a coffee with at 1:30 am surrounded by people that wanted to be him.