Showing posts with label The Master's Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Master's Work. 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, 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 21, 2010

So what do you say when you have nothing to say?



 

It is Sunday night and I am bored beyond belief, I have had a great weekend, had fun with my kids and my wife was wonderful. I have nothing to specifically talk about and I feel I need to say it here. I want to know what is the reason for this, why blog about nothing. Well everyone does it, everyone has something to say and feel that it needs to be shared here, on the blog-o-sphere, where everyone has a voice and scream as loud as they can above everyone else. Rambling seems to be a favorite past-time of all bloggers, so I ask this question, why do you feel that what you have to say in no more or no less important that everyone else, and / or why do you feel what you say has to matter.

I don’t think that what bloggers have to say is “no important” but I have seen that all bloggers (even myself) feel that what they say is enlightening and everyone else is “less that mediocre”.

Educate Me

Monday, September 06, 2010

Labor Day, My New Favorite Day

I have had an received an acceptance for publication to Leaf Garden Press, which is an Online and Print Publication. This is one of several acceptance letters I received today, 4 in total. I have been working on my writing for some time without luck, but as of today I feel that is changing.
Being a writer is not easy, hell, I often don’t think of myself as a writer, my wife is very supportive, and I have had the support of my friends, which combined has kept me working on both my writing and my painting.
Leaf Garden Press can be found online at http://leafgardenpress.blogspot.com/ and I encourage you, if you have a blogger account to follow their publications.
My writing will be published in Issue 12 is due out in November of this year, The publication will be in print and online, so look for it.
To all of you who have supported me, again, thank you.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

On my mark

I am presently working on the last few paintings that will be in my showing at the Costa De Oro Tasting room on the day after thanksgiving, I am both excited and nervous. I have not had a major showing since before I moved from NY, I mean I have had displays and small showings, but this seems like a big deal to me, and it is. I have about 1/2 of the pieces done and should be accepted pretty well. I have put an event post on my facebook site, so I will put the link up on the page here and if you like you can click it and check it. I am presently back to working on my various blogs and website, trying to connect all of them together and getting a “massive” web presence going, I have found several really nice art blogs on blogger and I hope to connect with the artists' and see if I can get them to contribute to my Artist Network site http://www.ccvisualart.com and with any luck, I can also get some advertisers so it will make some self sustaining funds.

I will have to say  am so tired of working and trying to find time for my art and my writing, I am so behind on my book / books and I want to get a publisher “on the hook” so I can get my name out, as far as painting…. I REALLY NEED TO GET BACK TO IT I am not saying that my skills are dull or suffering, but I want to spend more time painting and finding my “voice” in art, I have been silent too long..,.maybe?

I am going to get back to work now, and try to be the gifted artist my wife sees me as, I am so happy I met and married her, she is my gift.

I will be taking pictures of the completed paintings today and posting them, feel free to comment on them once posted and let me know what you think.

Facebook page Links: Facebook Artist Page / Event Page

 

Event Information………………………..

Date: Friday, November 27, 2009

Time: 4:00- 7:00pm

Location: Costa De Oro Winery

Street: 1331 South Nicholson Ave.

City/Town: Santa Maria, CA

Sunday, October 25, 2009

What’s been going on ? Well, some big news now…

 

Well here is what's going on, and this is just a quick update,…

1. I have found a site to upload my writing, it is called SCRIBD -http://www.scribd.com/ and this is a great site for finding new works by many writers and some materials that can be for research or study, I suggest you check it out, and here are my links so you can see my works, http://www.scribd.com/josepht1965   and http://www.scribd.com/people/documents/18164377-joseph-timmons

I am hoping that since there are many publishing companies involved with this site, I may be lucky and find a publisher

 

Meeting of Minds2. I am having an art exhibit at Costa De Oro Vineyards in November, the day after thanksgiving, my first major showing here in CA in many years, I am working on my paintings and should have all of them ready for the showing. I have a Face book page set up, and I try to update it every day or so, check it out and get the info, tell your friends, it should be great.

 

One of my paintings: Meeting of the Minds

More pictures on My Face book links below

 

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Joseph-Timmons-Artist-Designer/32763202951

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=151466854283&ref=mf

Note: the face book pages should show info, even if you don't have face book, but if it does not, set up a face book account, it’s free and another great social medium.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Well, I made it into History

well, in Santa Maria at least….

I donated a Painting of mine to the city of Santa Maria, and the Mayor personally thanked me and said he would be extremely happy to display it in the newly designed and built public library that opened last year. My wife and I are thrilled at this and are looking forward to taking the kids to the Library and seeing my painting on the wall. I am posting pictures of it here. The Title is “Reflection of Soul”

I would like to thank all of my friends and Family for your love and support and I dedicate this first great public display to My family and all of you. My painting is now part of the permanent collection of art in Santa Maria California and the State of California in General.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Artist: Karl Briullov - Wikipedia

brullov_pompeii My wife Katya had replied to one of my earlier questions of the week in regards to "who inspired you", however the post did not seem to go through, but I feel that this artist's work should be examined.

 

I particularly enjoyed looking at the realism of the work, the colors just jumped off the screen and it was very strong in its dimension and how you could see that the artist desired to show the subject in it's truest form. I am going to post this entry to my other 2 blogs on art as to the fact that this artist is one to investigate further.

The above picture is

The Last Day of Pompeii, 1830-33
Oil on Canvas, 456.5 x 651 cm
The State Russian Museum

St. Petersburg, Russia

You can view more of his works at http://www.russianartgallery.org/famous/brullov.htm

 

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Karl Briullov - Self-Portrait, 1848
Oil on Canvas, 64.1 x 54 cm
The State Tretyakov Gallery

Moscow, Russia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Karl Briullov - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia