I have three heads

Lately

2011-07-10T00:14:00.000-07:00

Lately some of my latest favorite songs:

Townes Van Zandt - Rake
Steve Earle - Guitar Town
Emmylou Harris - Tulsa Queen
Elliot Smith - Either/Or
Marty Robbins - The Masters Call

I haven't had a lot of time to watch television lately, but when I do get a chance I enjoy watching "How I Met Your Mother" and "Storage Wars".

Lately I've been busy with school and studying for Octobers LSAT.

I really enjoy living in the Pacific Northwest. I love the Portland area, it is full of life, culture, and art. Not just lately, but for a while.

The Vacuum Museum

2011-02-07T07:58:00.000-08:00

If you're in the need for checking out some super old vacuums, look no further than Stark's Vacuum Museum. They are located off of Grand Ave in SE Portland. Serious stuff folks. They have a two-man pump vacuum.

iWish

2010-11-24T17:15:00.000-08:00

I occasionally think to myself excellent possibilities for musicians to cover other songs. I've always thought that "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" would be a great one for Tom Waits. I've also wanted to hear him sing the "Star Spangled Banner". But one particular wish of mine is Tom Waits covering an albums worth of Sesame Street songs. The Cookie Monster song "C is for Cookie" is a no-brainer, but what about "I Love Trash" from Oscar the Grouch or "Elmo's Song" by Elmo. He sorta did a somewhat cover with "People in the Neighborhood" on one of his earlier albums. It's something to think about, Mr. Waits.

Northwest Lincoln

2010-09-16T22:47:00.000-07:00

8 inches tall on scrap 2x4 pine. Acrylic. Hanger on the back.

Lincoln Town

2010-09-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

Lately i've been experimenting with finishes. This is one of the better ones i've done with the old crackled look.

This is an upcycled/recycled scrap board in which I mix my acrylics on to paint other pictures. My beautiful wife says it looks like gum.

Title: Lincoln riding a dinosaur through fields of poppy. (practicing for Lincoln riding a Llama)

new paintings.

2010-07-28T00:46:00.000-07:00

couple new one's are up on my Etsy shop for now. I might could take them to a gallery down in SE PDX. We shalteth see-eth. In the works I have a portrait of a sea-faring man by the name of Paddy McGann, and another one started with a new style of paint, hoopty digidoopty. I've been thinking about oils, but the more I think about oils, the more it makes me realize I need to put some in my car before the engine locks up. It should be spelled oyl or oyel. Does the word have Hebrew roots? I love green beans too, thanks babe.

latest favorite song

2010-06-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to a lot various music lately, this ones my current favorite. I also have been listening to a guy from Seattle sing some pretty and good-weird music. His name is Richard Panzer but I don't have any links to anything online.

Lakers v. Celtics

2010-06-16T14:38:00.000-07:00

I'm a Jazz fan, always.

However.

This series, considering I really dislike the Lakers, I am a Celtics fan. One of my favorite non-Jazz players in the League is Garnett. I love to watch his theatrics when he's on the bench. He is more interesting than the game itself. I also like Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. I don't know what to think of Rondo yet. He's good, but he's not Deron Williams good.

Unfortunately, I also appreciate super duper talent when I see it. Therefore, I appreciate Kobe Bryant. I will be the first person to state that Kobe Bryant is easily argued the best NBA player in NBA history. He is equal if not greater than Jordan. He's finally become a closer (been so for about 4-5 years). I really enjoy watching him play. That guy is so determined, and so talented, it makes me sick.

So really, I wouldn't be terribly disappointed if the Lakers win game 7 because I like Kobe. But I will be hoping that Boston gets the banner this year.

two couples of very homely looking folks

2010-05-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

Original, acrylic, 22x44ish. I haven't sealed or framed them yet, I still want to get some pro photos/scans of these and i've heard it is better w/o sheen. I enjoy doing larger ones like these.

2010-04-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

I love sitting at a desk looking at numbers.

LIAAAARRRRRR!

2 new pieces

2010-02-20T23:14:00.001-08:00

Hey all, two new pieces to report. Two new Lincolns too. I haven't put hangers on the back yet but I will then i'll put them on Etsy and/or a local showing. By the way I am aware my sentences aren't gramatically and/or punctually and/or repetitive but I don't care because I'm not being graded by a professor/professor's aide. I have to use up my favorite trash before I can justify bringing more home...so I am using it up. I have a lot to use up.

Abe in 2010

2010-02-17T23:18:00.000-08:00

He's baa-aaack

Abe is back on a recycled 2x4 cut-off (cut down to 2.5x3.5x2) with a bunch of screws. It's a black and white beauty with red accents. Marvelous. The thing is, I started painting an entirely different person and this guy showed up. Well, I'll put this one either on etsy or somewhere in Portland...we'll see.

Lately i've been listening to Lady Gaga and a new (new to me) Townes Van Zandt CD I got at Borders. I can't get enough of both of them. I wish the two could do a duet. I bet they both would've if they could've.

Portland is weird?

2010-02-03T00:12:00.000-08:00

I have moved to the sunny Pacific Northwest. I only wish it would rain a little bit more.

I finished a painting today. Abe. I thought I was done with Abe, but he came back. He's a hanger-on. It's a sweet looking black and white miniature. I should get around to photographs in the next two days. I really like what I did with it.

I have been busy with job hunting and catching up on schoolwork. More art and music is sure to come.

adieu.

some of my current favorite songs

2009-12-27T04:14:00.000-08:00

Some of my current favorite songs:

1. "No One Knows I'm Gone" by Tom Waits
This is a song that creeps me out as I think how many people lie under the ground I stand on, and no one knows they're there. I really like Scarlett Johansson's version of this song as well. She nailed it.

2. "Parting Glass" by Emer Kenny
This song is part of the legendary Putumayo album series, from "Celtic Crossroads." I have many versions of this song, and they are all good. But this version is the best.

3. "Crystal Ship" by The Doors
This isn't a typical Doors song at all. It has a quality more consistent with classical music than anything. I don't think I have ever listened to this song just one at a time. I always repeat it.

4. "Has Been" by William Shatner
In this song, Shatner has a spagetti western theme song as he speaks. He makes an excellent and thoughtful argument that 'has beens' are better than their critics. "Has been was. Has been, might again." Meanwhile, you and me are critical of other's fame, and we have nothing to show for it. Just listen to the song.

5. "Portland, Oregon" by Loretta Lynn and Jack White
Aside from the fact that I am moving to the Portland area, this is a great song. Loretta and Jack are great. I hope they continue to collaborate. I also hope Jack White collaborates with other old time musicians that are ready for a comeback. It's very Rick Rubinish.

functional art

2009-12-13T04:54:00.001-08:00

Once upon a time I wanted to create bizarre furniture for a living. These were the days before I was practical and realized it wasn't for me. I had an idea of opening up a store in a ritsy part of the country, catering to the extremely rich and weird. I now have a new dream and this one is -the one-. But a look back on my old inspirations is fun too.

http://www.theblogismine.com/2009/08/12/the-best-garden-bench-ever-spaghetti-bench/

The Spaghetti Bench by Pablo Reinoso is a combination of a piece of art and a functional piece. Many people question whether or not his Spaghetti Bench is practical, but it is sure not simple or discrete. The impressive design is outstanding, and no one could ever pass by it without laying an eye on the piece. It is shaped like a bench, but shape changes as the wooden pieces extends and twists into an interesting form which resembles a tree giving the wooden bench some life. Pablo Reinoso has created this bench as a part of a normal cell and spaghetti. And the result is absolutely fantastic. Awesome work, Pablo.

Some words about Pablo. Pablo Reinoso is an artist and a designer that lives and works in Paris since 1979. He designs scent bottles and furniture. He also creates fabulous works of arts such as sculptures, installations, and videos. Many of his works were displayed in galleries and attracted many admirers. He has shown an interest in furniture since he was 6 years old, and has drawn, made, and bought them as part of his collection at a young age. Pablo Reinoso is known for taking normal everyday furniture, and recreates them into something extraordinary. His projects have misleading appearances that seem unreal. [PabloReinoso via Toxel]

Fred Frith - cool.

2009-11-21T04:30:00.000-08:00

Cabaret Voltaire

2009-11-21T04:26:00.000-08:00

Cabaret Voltaire. European. 1973-1994. This is a little...more.....different.

Philip Glass

2009-11-21T04:12:00.000-08:00

Two great things come together like peanut butter and toast. Here is a composer who wrote a piece for Sesame Street. This segment on Sesame Street looks familiar to me. It probably will be familiar to you too.

Lady Gaga

2009-11-13T01:49:00.000-08:00

These are my thoughts on Lady Gaga:

She reminds me of a female version of Jeffree Star. She espouses the plasiticty and fiction that is the entertainment industry, and she embraces it. Her genuinity is unknown, but believable. Regardless of what my wife says, I have no attraction to her other than her music. Her fashion is unique and I like it. Her interviews bore me. Very high quality pop star. Madonna, eat your heart out...and goodbye...you have been replaced.

Vesti la giubba by Placido Domingo

2009-11-09T07:17:00.000-08:00

I would say of all the versions of this aria, Domingo is my favorite. He is very dramatic and musical. It sounds cliche, and it may be, but he truly is one of the greatest performers of all time. The show must go on...Put on your costume!

If you're on the Youtube, check out Caruso's and Pavarotti's versions of this as well.

Klaus Nomi

2009-10-23T06:46:00.000-07:00

Klaus Nomi, an Opera singer and character. He is one of the first "big" names to fall to the new virus called AIDS. What an excellent performance. He has many neat performances, this is one of my favorites. (I had a hard time deciding which video to embed.) This particular video/song is more of a pop song, so if you want to see some opera...visit the utube.

Degenerate Art Ensemble

2009-10-02T01:54:00.000-07:00

They have some incredible, INCREDIBLE performance/musical type of videos on youtube. This is a strictly music gig.

Nora Keyes

2009-09-30T16:50:00.000-07:00

Nora Keyes is one of my new favorite musicians. I hope I get to see her in action one day. She has an excellent cackle. Bravo Nora Keyes.

lady folk singer - Karen Dalton

2009-09-26T00:30:00.000-07:00

RIP.

She's been gone since 1993 and I just discovered her recently...too late for a concert I suppose. What a strange and haunting banjo player/singer. giddyup.

yoko ono

2009-09-25T04:27:00.000-07:00

I tend to enjoy the avant garde in everything, especially music. So here I present....Yoko Ono. So if you haven't flippin' heard of yoko ono...you're in a cave somewhere. She is notorious for breaking up the beatles, but frankly she has ten times the talent than all those british hacks. (kidding about the hack comment, beatles are decent...but yoko is still incredible)

Love Painting

2009-08-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

as seen on etsy...
"Love Squared"
3 1/8 x 3 1/8" image size
5 5/8 x 5 5/8" outside edge size
original framed painting
shellac finish
ready to hang

Instead of giving someone a card that will thrown away or destroyed over time, send them a painting that they will feel obligated/forced to hang for the next 50 years. You can write a special message on the backside of the painting. Aww, how romantic!?!

This theory is truly sound. Anyone who has cards either has them in a box in storage that may never be opened again, or the card is thrown away promptly. If you want to ensure they will never throw away your card again, make it a painting. They will have to hang it up somewhere. Or at least they will feel guilt if they throw it away.

The Fifth Element

2009-08-13T02:19:00.000-07:00

This movie is a Sci-Fi adventure set far into the future. It has Bruce Willis as a reluctant hero-taxi driver that saves the world from death. It has some comical parts including Chris Tucker as a very flamboyant celebrity that joins Bruce Willis' character on his quest. My personal favorite part is an Alien opera that has traditional opera singing with bizarre alien backdrop and costume. Excellente! I didn't get annoyed at the swearing which means there probably wasn't very much. There are two scenes where the lead actress gets naked in the distant background but you can't really see anything. Good all around sci-fi flick. I recommend watching it for those interested in futuristic science fiction.

Lincoln - snot

2009-08-09T03:42:00.000-07:00

My family was highly critical of this portrait. I think this portrait is spot on, however. It makes it interesting at least. Besides, I am sick of the Lincoln-worship this country has been stuck in. He wasn't a great president, in fact, I wouldn't call him good. He was lousy when it came to civil rights and that is taking into account the Emancipation Pr.....i'm done ranting.

I'm listening to some David Bowie now, what a cool cat. I love Space Oddity.

I am excited to get back to school and get engaged/indoctrinated in education.

best regards,

Nate Ashby

swine flu vaccination < death

Peter Schiff

2009-08-07T03:58:00.000-07:00

Peter Schiff is a guy that is making a lot of noise recently. He is contending for the Senate position in Connecticut that is currently occupied by Sen. Dodd. This guy is with it. He is sharp as a tack....even considering he is Republican. He is on television a lot and really is giving the almighty government a lotta grief. Good luck Mr. Schiff, we need more of your kind.

http://peterschiffblog.blogspot.com/

Apologies.

2009-07-25T04:59:00.001-07:00

Apologies for that last post, it seems as if I was demonstrating the antithesis of my true self. I will say that I do applaud Obama when he said the Cambridge Massachusetts Police acted 'Stupidly" when they arrested a Harvard professor for entering his own home. However I do think he is the worst president since G.W. Bush, whatever that means. Luckily we have a great Congress and Supreme Court to balance the system.....(Is it possible to sense sarcasm on blogs?)

The Government

2009-07-23T22:16:00.000-07:00

I officially declare that I am a loyal servant of the Government. I pledge allegiance to you...President Obama. I am not your enemy. I will take your medicines. I accept your handouts. Your decisions are the right ones. I will return to the cable news television and watch your masterpiece unfold. All Heil Obama!

culture clash

2009-07-17T03:19:00.000-07:00

This photo is fascinating to me. I took it on I-40 about 45 miles east of Grand Junction Colorado. Here we have a serious mixture of culture.

1. Northwest Indian Totem Pole

2. Southwest Indian (Hopi) Kokopelli

3. Plains Indian Tipee

4. Italian Latte and espresso

This is like seeing a store with the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Big Ben and an Aztec pyramid on the outside, in neon lights. I thought I only saw this kind of pandering in Vegas, but I was wrong. The worst part about this photo is that i locked the keys in the car, it was freezing, it was raining, I didn't have a coat, and the nearest locksmith was 45 miles away. But don't worry, I got my camera.

Sci-Fi movie stuff

2009-07-16T01:47:00.000-07:00

1. NO REMAKE EVER should be made of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Period. None. (smallest exception: Richard O' Brien says so and is master of production)

2. The latest Star Trek movie was great! I even looked past all the flaws in the movie (such as the color of Vulcan's sky, the fact that Spock would embrace Uhura in such a way, teleportation positions, etc.)

3. 2012 looks freaking awesome

4. 1984 should be remade. The original version is good but it was drab. It could really mean something if it was produced correctly.

5. Atlas Shrugged. (Yes, this is a Sci-Fi if you account for Galt's engine, Rearden Metal, etc.) The part of Dagny should not be played by Angelina, but rather Cate Blanchett or Anne Hathaway. And it should be made. Hurry up people.

6. New Star Trek movies are a great idea, but lets not forget the small screen. I suggest they continue Enterprise.

7. Speaking of Star Trek movies, how about a prequel to Next Generation. Wouldn't you love to see Picard, Riker, Crusher, etc all meeting for the first time? I would!

8. Pee Wee's Playhouse (the movie) is in production and I am excited. Okay, this one is not Sci-Fi but regardless is a neat show and I am anxious to see Paul Reubens in the red tie again.

vintage ihavethreeheads

2009-07-10T02:01:00.000-07:00

I came across some old, old school paintings of mine that were done several years ago.

This is a sunset landscape painting, I sold it for a penny on ebay....which was a steal if you look at the frame. The painting isn't too bad either.

Brandon Walsh from 90210!

I don't like this one at all. I can't remember if I painted over it or sold it.

This is the "Lizard Girl", a character from an Opera I wrote. She was sold to someone at National Greek Television.

Molesting clown. What I like about this one also is my signature of "Utah Joe" in Russian. I don't remember what happened to this one.

I received an email from yahoo with a notice that they are shutting down their Geocities web hosting service. I completely forgot I had a Geocities website, and I haven't accessed it in several years. It's always nice coming across photos of stuff I did long ago. Of course I have a few more, but I'll save them for another day.

Sobered Down

2009-07-04T03:00:00.000-07:00

"Sobered Down"

2.5 x 3.5 inches
acrylic on masonite
(summer of 2009)

Why do people have to 'sober up' when they can 'sober down'? The use of lay-men language is interesting. Regarding this miniature painting, I wish I was a professional photographer. This is an excellent piece but I seem to lack the skill of taking great photos. My brother in law (Dan Heywood) takes amazing photos and occasionally i'll get lucky if the lighting is perfect...but usually my photos are very utilitarian and lack grace (and sometimes lack detail).

Big Pawn

2009-07-04T01:59:00.000-07:00

"Big Pawn"

5 x 7 inches

acrylic on masonite

(summer of 2009)

The most underrated piece in the game of chess is the pawn. If it endures the onslaught of the enemy, it can progress to royalty to become the most powerful piece overall. Not only is the promotion the strength of the pawn, it also comes with seven identical brothers that can be strategically placed to protect the center of the board for maximum destruction.

Chester Arthur

2009-07-04T01:39:00.000-07:00

"Chester Arthur"

4 x 6 inches

acrylic on board

(summer of 2009)

Chester Arthur is one of the least recognized in a presidential lineup, despite the 'stache. In reality, his presidency was mostly lethargic and dull. He did however sign off on legislation that specifically banned Chinese immigration. Oops. I like this painting because it is bright and cheerful, and he looks like a jolly man.

Fishbone

2009-07-04T01:03:00.000-07:00

"Fishbone"

4 x 6 inches

acrylic on masonite

(summer of 2009)

I am fascinated with skeletons. I am fascinated with body structures and organs, especially of fish. And it is this same fascination that prevents me from working in the medical field. Obviously a certain level of intrigue and curiousity is needed to be a successful doctor or nurse, but my intrigue and curiousity is dangerously morbid. I would be a modern Doctor Frankenstein if I were allowed to open up bodies with a scalpel. Therefore, I am studying law.

Abe the Angel

2009-07-04T00:29:00.000-07:00

"Abe the Angel"

9.5 x 19.5 inches

acrylic on masonite

(early 2007)

It perplexed me why I received a lot of compliments on Angel Abe. I didn't like it until just recently. I think what I like about it is the glowing aura and the shape of the banjo. It has it's strengths and they overpower the weaknesses. I would suppose this is a good start for a budding artist. Some people would joke that it is impossible for banjo's to be in heaven because they actually belong in hell. I beg to differ with those people, it is truly an instrument of the angels. Well, at least the glowing redneck angels.

I love hearing stories of people dying then returning to their bodies. Many of them claim to see people that glow. Perhaps we all glow right now and can't see it. But frankly, if I see a glowing person I am going to be very afraid and I will lose bladder control. Ghosts, angels, etc., they are all equally scary to me. I'd rather see a Frankenstein monster, zombie, or vampire before a ghost.

Toothy Grin

2009-07-03T23:24:00.000-07:00

"Toothy Grin"

4 x 6 inch
acrylic on masonite

(summer of 2009)

Why didn't Mr. Lincoln show his teeth in photographs? Is it possible he had fangs? Honestly, nobody back then showed their teeth so he's off the hook. However, I can't help but wonder what he would have looked like with a real smile. Was it a gummy smile like Julia Roberts? Or perhaps it was very toothy like one of the Osmonds or a later president by the name of Theodore Roosevelt? It of course doesn't matter and nobody will ever know one way or another. Regardless, can you envision Mr. Lincoln sitting next to you...smiling...with a toothy grin? Creepy.

Swine Flu

2009-07-03T23:06:00.000-07:00

"Swine Flu"

2.5 x 3.5 inches

acrylic on masonite

Mass hysteria erupted over the outbreak of Swine Flu. As it developed, it turned out to not be so bad as first expected. I can't help but wonder if this "Swine Flu" was actually an engineered virus that was unleashed on the western world to distract the citizens from the ailing economy. It sounds like I pulled that from a movie, but in fact the western world has done so many crazy things that I wouldn't be suprised if the "powers that be" did just that.

2009-05-08T02:52:00.000-07:00

I've been gone a while...I know. However, I have a new baby to show for it. Meanwhile, I found an awesome flash-game online that requires no downloads or anything. You set up towers and walls to destroy tanks. I love those tower defense games. Click below to play. My highest score is 69000 (warning: it's extremely addictive)

http://www.madcowinteractive.com/

Momo Wandel Soumah

2009-02-14T23:26:00.000-08:00

I came across a pretty decent musician by the name of Momo Wandel Soumah. I think he is from Guinea. It's basically what you would get if you got a Central African version of Howlin' Wolf. His voice is tremendous. I dare say he is one of my favorite vocalists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyMf7sdue_U

I'll try embedding it later. For some reason I can't embed this video right now. It's worth it. click it!

Gettin' Frisky

2009-01-29T02:21:00.000-08:00

According to the Associated Press:

Police can now frisk you (search you) without warrant or cause. Lame. Not that I have anything to hide...I just happen to treasure the Bill of Rights and I hate seeing this happen. I am really upset at this. I am very disappointed in the Supreme Court for allowing this to happen. I think the Supreme Court are officially traitors to this nation (luckily they haven't taken too much of the first amendment away, yet). The day we give all power to the police is a bad day indeed. The police have too much power as it is...where are our rights?

news article: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i0f9zHVHrRQMg0ssuar_7KsJsy9wD95UTGSG1

Political Test

2009-01-12T02:18:00.000-08:00

The Political Compass

I found a really cool website about determining where you fit on a political compass. I've taken many of these tests before but this one is the best. After several questions...it has you placed along a line from liberal to conservative, then on a Y-Axis of authoritarian to libertarian. It also has famous people graphed so you can see where you relate to Hitler, Stalin, Pope John Paul, George W Bush, Mugabe, Margaret Thatcher, Ghandi, etc. I did it and I am about the same as Milton Friedman...which I was excited about.

http://www.politicalcompass.org/

Interesting blog I found

2009-01-11T00:02:00.000-08:00

Interesting blog I found. It's from a Ms. Pamela Gellar that wants us to join her in fighting for Israel. Her blog recently focuses on the turmoil in Israel and the effects of it all at home in the USA. I can't say I agree with her because I firmly believe they (Israel and Palestine) are both at fault for this whole mess. I'm just saddened that she has taken "Atlas Shrugged", one of the most important ideological/economic books ever written and has perverted it with propaganda. Regardless, it's a good site if you want to see pro-Israel/anti-Gaza/Hamas/Palestine/Obama info.

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/

1/9/09

2009-01-09T03:06:00.001-08:00

I'd be scared to restart the motor on that plane!!

just thought I would share some funny photos

Resolutions a bust.

2009-01-05T04:56:00.000-08:00

well, I already broke the first 2 out of the 3 resolutions I had this year. They were out of my reach so that's my fault for setting them. They were resolutions meant to be broken. They were...

1. break a sweat every day
2. study the scriptures for 5 minutes every day
3. return to a 34 inch waist by Dec. 31st 2009

i'll let you decide which two I didn't do. (hint: it's easy to figure it out)

2009-01-01T03:37:00.001-08:00

I'm considering getting some magnets for my artwork. Anybody have recommendations?

12/20/2008

2008-12-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Who does Henry Kissinger think he is? He comes out says that the world needs to unite economically into one unitary, communal, money system? A borderless world? A global world order, without an America? BLAH! I wonder who is buying into his scary ideal...perhaps I don't want to know the answer.

New on ETSY:

4x6 Einstein. My wife doesn't like this, it creeps her out. She specifically said the word "creeps". Oh well. Sorry hun. I really like Einstein.

2.5" x 3.5"

I sure hope I don't get people upset at this one, invoking old stereotypes. By golly, that's not what this is about. He is into old school g-funk and he's black...that's it. I think it's pretty funny. I titled it "Black President".

I just learned how to use the macro setting on the camera so now I can take killer photos really close up. It's about time I learn something new about photography...thats been a struggle of mine for hundreds of years. This reel has been fun, I always ALWAYS have people talk about when they visit. But it's time she find herself a new home, it's time to babyproof the house.

paintings

2008-12-17T14:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning I had a final at 7:00. I left the house at 6:15 thinking I would get there a few minutes early....little did I know that a snowstorm came in. It was furious. It was end-of-the-world serious. Slide-outs everywhere one would look. I parked my car and was walking to the school (1 hour later) and I remember seeing my legs raise high at a 45 degree angle as I fell. That was a weird feeling seeing my head below my boots. I know several people saw me fall.

I did well on the final. I enjoy Astronomy. The final wasn't comprehensive and it focused on the Solar System. I still think it's fascinating how they came to the conclusion to declassify Pluto as a planet and instead relabel it a comet. (if you heard the explanation, you would agree with their decision)

Then it took an hour to get home when it normally takes 15-20 minutes.

Best part: it was all fine an hour later when the sun came out and cleaned up the streets.

Here are some beautiful paintings I've listed in the past two days.

Cigarette Abe: I don't know why he is smoking in this one. It just wouldn't be any other way. I am not a smoker but I think smokers have lost all their rights recently...I just needed to stick up for them. My dad says he looks like Tom Waits in this painting, I agree.

Chess Abe: I look for any excuse to add in chess themes into my paintings. I love the game of chess and it just seemed natural for Abe vs the South. If anyone is up for a game, I play on chess.com under the name "ihavethreeheads".

No particular inspiration for this other than the fact I think it's kind of funny. Lincoln never did much in the way of ecology and he is still regarded as the greatest president of the USA. Ecology was never an important subject until recently, and I suppose thats unfortunate. It's ironic that the heaviest polluter in the USA is not a private organization...it is the government. Yet we all want the government to come in and save us from these evil businessmen who pollute the Earth. If we want to improve the Earth, we need to stop trusting GI Joe. The frame and masonite this was painted on is 100% pulled out of the trash. This is genuine recycling.

Steampunk Abe: I've always liked the genre of 'steampunk'. Steampunk is a science fiction world where the industrial age comes a lot sooner than the postbellum 1870's and on. The best definition I heard of steampunk is a world where Leonardo Da Vinci focused on his inventions instead of artwork. In this world, the industrial revolution comes in the early 1600's. Very cool. We'd see steam-powered crawling cars and airships. I personally like this one a lot.

ACEO's

2008-12-14T11:32:00.000-08:00

I've finally done some. They are fun to do also. I imagine I will have a bunch more of these. I did these at work last night while there was a terrible snowstorm and it was colder than sin.

Lunar Abe

2008-12-12T16:46:00.000-08:00

"Hi Abe"

"Hi Moon"

"How are you doing?"

"Not so well tonight, moon."

"Sorry fella, don't worry...things will pick up tomorrow."

"Thanks moon"

"Goodnight Abe"

"Goodnight Moon"

8 x 10

framed.

bam!

Hulkamania

2008-12-11T06:52:00.001-08:00

When I was little, Hulkamania was my life. I dreamed of the day when I could get in the ring and help Hulk take out the Undertaker or pull a Figure Four Leglock on Kamala with Hulk doing his leg drop on the back of his head. I would imagine robbers coming into the house and threatening the family, only to be rescued by the Hulkamania which subdues the robbers and instills fear into their mind. Hulkamania was as cool as it got. It still is.

"Hulkamania"

8 x 10 acrylic on board, framed

Latenight Lincoln

2008-12-11T06:43:00.001-08:00

When I painted this I was working the Northwest Unit at the State Hospital. It was quieter than i've been used too and was not prepared to have the whole night to paint. The ladies I worked with talked about going shopping on "Black Friday" for hours and hours. They were online looking at different store openings, talking about how poor they were, then ultimately convincing themselves they had to buy that Xbox 360 for their husbands. Funny ladies. Anyhow, I am not a talker and was not interested in talking about Black Friday, so I painted how I felt....tired. I ate the greatest meal of my life for Thanksgiving, just a few hours earlier. I was hopped up on Triptophen. Me and Abe were one in the same.

"Latenight Lincoln"

11x14 Acrylic on artboard, framed

Reflections of the Abe

2008-12-11T06:33:00.000-08:00

One thing i've always liked about beards is that they are all different. Some of them make the chin more pronounced than others, and Abe is no exception. It is impossible to get two beards exactly the same...I suppose they are a lot like fingerprints. This Abe in particular has a very unique beard shape that I like. I also like how he's thinking. It's an action painting. This is a painting in motion. Whoa, slow down!

Unfortunately, I keep trying the photography improvements to no avail. But alas, one day I will triumph and blow the lid right off the camera. I will figure the photography out! mwuahahaha. (The picture is fuzzy because of all the action of thinking by Abe that blurs the image)

Budget Cuts

2008-09-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

During an emergency session for the Utah’s Congress, the lawmakers were poised and forced to cut more than $270 million from the budget. They are instructed to keep all budget cuts away from education. Instead of any cuts to education, they are likely to eliminate many jobs and scale back on many programs. These cuts will likely be decided later today.

May I make a few suggestions?

1. Eliminate all vehicle privileges for state officials, including the Highway Patrol and administration. We will cut down on a lot of unnecessary cost by taking away their opportunity to drive their car on the state’s dime. Taxpayers do not want to pay for executive staff to drive to the movies, to the mall, and to Macey’s in state funded vehicles. If the majority of the citizens have to provide their own transportation to work then so can the rest of the State’s officials. (I’m also pointing at you, Provo City!)

2. Post a call for bids to privatize the Utah State Hospital immediately. Millions of dollars are wasted at the USH every year in unnecessary building costs and unproductive programs. True Republicans would advocate for smaller government and this is your chance to fulfill your platform of smaller government! There is also a lot of unnecessary and wasteful bureacracy within the State Hospital that is eating a lot of the budget up.

3. Immediately pull the plug on any funding to anything that should never have received funding including the REAL SOCCER STADIUM! Political party conventions also.

4. Cutting Executive Office staffers. You can do your own job Governor Huntsman.

5. Change the priorities in the prison system. If there is a violent/sexual offender then they are to remain in jail. If he/she commits victimless crimes (a crime that has hurt nobody except themselves) then the perpetrator is to go free. This will free up the prisons' budget and will open the prison system for more violent offenders ... which will free up the police on the streets because the violent ones are remaining in jail…and not being set free because of overcrowding.

6. Privatize the expensive FrontRunner Train system and TRAX light-rail.

7. Force UVU, WSU, UofU, SUU, Snow, CEU, etc. to be more profitable. Universities and colleges are capable of this (they are smart people, right?) I'm not advocating an overnight pullout of all funds, but I'd tell them they have 5 years to be self sufficient because their funds are being eliminated. They should be given the opportunity to sell to a private institution. The new Library in Utah Valley University is a waste of public funds.

8. Flat tax. (I would prefer no income tax). It's unconstitutional anyway, and it eats up potential sales tax revenue. Let the people earn their own money and keep it.

9. Spend money on a major internal audit so we can find unnecessary state institutions to weed out waste.

10. Promote industry to move to Utah by eliminating corporate tax and subsidies. Let them keep their earnings and pay their employees. Those employees will pay plenty of sales tax to run this monstro government.

These are just a few of the ideas I can think of. It’s going to be frustrating watching what budget cuts occur with these people running the show. I guarantee they make things worse. Help! Get me in there!

THE NIETZSCHE and NIELSON NEWSPAPER

2008-09-10T23:05:00.000-07:00

Two influential philosophers are making a point that must be expressed. It shouldn't matter who is what religion, when, or how...when it comes to the election. Their names are Nielsen and Nietzsche.

Nielson and Nietzsche both believe that a belief in God affects morality. If it were at all possible for the two of them to discuss each other’s arguments, they would agree on the argument that the nonreligious human is capable of great morality. Although Nielson and Nietzsche believe in secular morality, they will disagree on the argument of who are more morally correct, seculars or non-seculars. They would not be enjoying each other’s company for too long.

Nielson believes that it doesn’t matter whether there is a belief in God or not, both the secular and non-secular are capable of being moral. He states: “if a believer loses his God but can keep his nerve, think the matter over, and thoroughly take it to heart, life can still be meaningful and morality yet have an objective rationale”. Basically what he is saying is that a believer and nonbeliever alike are capable of morality. This is a good Libertarian philosophy that I believe in.

An example of Nielson’s logic is the Seinfeld episode when Elaine Benes discovers that her boyfriend, David Putty, is religious. “Putty” believes that he is morally right and refuses to steal the newspaper in front of his neighbor’s apartment door even though he wants it really bad. However, he asks Elaine, the secular one, to steal it for him. Elaine refuses because she retains her moral values. The newspaper remained in front of the apartment door. No crime is committed. This demonstrates Nielson’s point that both secular and religious are capable of moral values.

On the contrast, Nietzsche believes that a completely secular outlook on life actually enhances morality. Case in point, Nietzsche states: “Indeed at hearing the news that ‘the old God is dead’, we philosophers and ‘free spirits’ feel illuminated by a new dawn; our heart overflows with gratitude, amazement, forebodings, expectation—finally the horizon seems clear again…the sea, our sea, lies open again; maybe there has not been such an ‘open sea’. In other words, Nietzsche believes that once God is taken out of our lives it seems as if we are actually more capable of morality than ever before. Atheism is not a requisite for Libertarianism, as a Libertarian will usually disagree with this philosophy. I believe that those who belong to a church ARE capable of great morality.

Using the same Seinfeld scenario as before, Elaine asks Putty why he won’t steal the paper and insists that Elaine steal it. Putty says: “Thou shalt not steal”. Putty goes on to explain that it is okay for Elaine to steal because she is going to hell anyway for not believing in God.

Nietzsche would see this scenario and argue that Elaine is the one with the morality because she believes in not stealing, for society’s sake, regardless of her status of going to hell or not. Putty is the one lacking in morality because his mind is clouded and has no purpose for not stealing other than the fear of God, Nietzsche would argue.

In conclusion, both philosophers make an excellent argument about the belief in God affecting moral choices. However, these philosopher’s arguments do not completely agree with one another. Religious and non-religious alike would benefit from reading both Nielson and Nietzsche, as I know David Putty and Elaine Benes would have benefited too. So in this election, don't discriminate because someone is a member or is not a member of any church or religion. I know for me personally...I'd rather just not know. Amen.

Don't toss the suit

2008-08-22T01:47:00.000-07:00

Utah will NEVER be my future child's parents!

The state wants to have the lawsuit tossed that was brought forth by Parker Jensens parents. Their constitutional rights were violated in a severe way. (from Salt Lake Tribune)The parents filed suit in 2005, claiming their constitutional right to decide the best course of treatment for their son was violated. The defendants are two physicians, then at the University of Utah; the then-director of the Division of Child and Family Services; a DCFS social worker; and an assistant Utah attorney general.

The poor boy would have had to go through Chemotherapy and all kinds of expensive and dangerous treatments for a disease that he doesn't have.

God bless Parker Jensen's parents!

Nature Boy....woooh!

2008-05-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

I love anybody that wants to preserve the Earth. That means less government with less cars and other crap that will have less impact on the Earth. Afterall, the State and Federal Governments are the worst polluters of the environment. Look it up. By decreasing their size, conservation of the environment will surely follow.

Karl Malone

2008-05-21T07:08:00.000-07:00

You can be assured that I am going to do everything I can to lower taxes, even if it costs me a second term. If you elect my opponents, they will continue to raise taxes. Let's block the opponents out of the way like Karl Malone. (Karl Malone!)

iProvo

2008-05-14T19:17:00.000-07:00

I am tender!

2008-04-26T14:35:00.000-07:00

I will defend that sacred document like a wolf defends his chewed up lamb, or a crazy neighbor defending her apple desert recipe. GGRRRRR!

swoosh

2008-04-21T06:34:00.000-07:00

I plead with everyone to vote for people who will not waste tax money OR take bribes from lobbyists. Time to flush the legislatures down the toilet instead of letting them flush our money!

state convention

2008-04-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

I am proud and honored to be nominated as candidate for State Representative today in Sandy. Here is a picture of me introducing myself to the delegates and the rest of the party at the state convention. I promised that I will never raise taxes and will never expand the government. I am confident my fellow candidates believe the same way and I encourage everyone to research their beliefs. Elect Ashby for House 64!! I am a totally awesome candidate!