Breaking news

Until further notice, I won't be posting on this blog anymore.  I have found that I can reach a lot more people through our 304 Facebook page.  So, I invite you to friend me there and check out all of the cool stuff we have going on.


Link to 304 Facebook page

Relaunching Entropy Gate on the Kindle

July 10th we are launching Entropy Gate on the Kindle for the reduced rate of $.99. It had been available for digital download before but the format was incompatible and difficult to read. If you don't know what Entropy Gate is, then let me explain so you don't have to dig through this blog.

Entropy Gate is a manuscript I wrote some time back.  It tells the story of Father Micheal, a priest questioning his faith, who is thrust into an epic journey to Venus to unravel the mystery of a rapidly forming vortex that is consuming the planet.  On the long venture he confronts terrorist, religious fanatics and the possible revelation that the vortex, the Entropy Gate, is a gateway to hell.

While taking a break from working on Cerulean...

...Andres, Maggie, and I have been working on another Installation. This will be at the Maker Faire at Headwaters Park this Saturday and Sunday.



















It's based on som

haven't been writing like I should...

I've passed off most of the movie project to other team members so I should be writing...but I'm not. I need to get back into it because the last thing I did write wasn't that good. I tried getting somewhere with the Nebula Bridge story and found that I was recycling ideas from Entropy Gate. BOO! Bad writer. I need to try my hand at something else. I am toying again with the idea of working on Beneath Shadows, our next movie project, but part of me really wants to keep that a screen play and not a novelization...

I've also toyed again with the idea of Darkness Aftermath as a fully fleshed out story, but until the movie is done, I think I'll leave it alone.

So...I am going to do some brain storming tonight...

In the mean time, I think that this blog will go untouched until I get feedback about the manuscript. Not much to say about the ENTROPY GATE series.

writing under the shadow of GALACTICA

I've been working on a new story, as posted below. It's a different type of story for me (as I will explain in a moment) but I am finding it difficult to write while such a fantastic show like GALACTICA is running. The writing is some of the best there is on TV and every week I feel as if I watched a great novel play out on my TV.

My new story takes place on a large space craft, though much more different than a BATTLESTAR. There is an ensemble cast but I've decided to break the story up into three parts...so how is that different than my other stories that are broken into three parts? I will 'splain. Part one takes place on one end of the ship. A tragedy happens and they become separated from the other half of the ship. Part two is the exact same story but told from the view point of the other end of the ship...this ship is over two miles long, btw. Part three takes place when the two halves of the ship are reunited...should be fun.

Still writing and still waiting...

Heard nothing from the group that is looking at my manuscript, but I'm writing just the same to stay in practice. Found this little gem...click here.

But then what?

OnePlusYou Quizzes and Widgets

So............

What have I been up to as far as writing goes? Well, (and I alluded to this earlier) a certain publishing house has requested my manuscript for book one of the ENTROPY GATE series. YAY! So now I wait. This is the first time I have had anyone in the publishing world email me and ask to look at what I have written. I am extremely excited.

The movie is going at a slow pace...check out the blog for Darkness Aftermath if you are curious.

As far as writing goes...

I have been working on a first person narrative called "Beneath Shadows".

I have also been working on a story that I hope to develop into a graphic novel called "Cloud Scraper's Union". I posted an image about the main character a while back...I am re posting it here.

Keeping busy...

...but now that the movie is winding down in post, I need to focus on writing again. I think I'll start off with a half hour to an hour a day of writing and in a week or so bump it up to two hours a day.

Umm..okay...

This is just too rich for words...I love it when a political figure who is all high and mighty is caught in a lie...they almost seem...human.

Click here for all the fun and excitement.

Good times, bad times you know I've had my share...

Well...what's been going on with the book, my career and art in general?

First off, a friend of mine, we'll call her D, gave me an article that at first depressed me to no end. It essentially stated that there was no market for the stuff I write. ARRRG! And that wasn't a Pirate arrrg, but a frustrated ARRRG! But as the article continued, it gave me some hope. So I am revisiting the first chapter and I'm punching it up a bit. Adding some caffine to the scene, as it were.

Career? Got some aps out there...so far, nothing.

Art? er...

I am editing like crazy on our movie! It's in post production...perhaps the most agonizing part of movie making for me!

WHY IS IT?

Why is it that if I sit down at the computer to draw or do anything mindless, the house is quiet BUT the minute I try sitting down to write, the house explodes in a mass of sound and chaos!?!?

A good nigth for writing..

Tonight I listened to the Darkness Aftermath soundtrack as I wrote six new pages to book three. I'm sorta excited about the fact that I'm not copying the original hard copy of book three...there are some scenes that need to be copied from the original text, but this new stuff is really exciting!

Star Wars FLASHBACK

So there I was, minding my own business when ANDREW posted some images of the soon to be re-released Star Wars comics from my youth. I tracked down some of the covers and had a great laugh.

"Here I stand tho I may die...with the wrong colored lightsaber in my hand!"



And of course there was this gem. I remember being very upset when the comics went from 35 cents to 40 cents!



"Aren't you a bit TALL for a storm trooper? How did this wind up a cover. And why didn't Leah just click her ruby red shoes together to get out of this mess.
Comics went up another nickel and almost broke me!

What to do...what to do...

As I've been rewriting the third story, I've found that there are several areas that really need the original writing. So, it looks as if I am going to have to scan in those pages because I have such a difficult time reading from the written page and typing at the same time.

GRRR ARRG.

Not horrible, but not great...

Marcher Lord Press is not ready to take my manuscript. They did, however, call the story FASCINATING and they would like to have it (maybe) at a later date when they release their second wave of books. It seems that they already had a SCI FI story and a Fantasy story and they were looking for a different story for their first release. Can't fault them on that. At least they were professional and responded quickly...unlike other places I have sent my manuscript to...so let's hear a cheer for Marcher Lord Press and hope that they succeed! I might one day be with them!

Multi-tasking

I'm editing and writing...While the footage slowly loads onto my dinosaur-like computer, I'm writing part for of the Entropy Gate series. Then, once it's up, I edit. Tonight I edited the fight with Danielle and Brittany and now I am working on the confrontation between Norfleet (Granes) and Danielle (Gwen).

More writing...

I've been writing book three...or rewriting it. There are some definite bits that I know I can not improve upon and they will be typed in from the hard copy (which is the only copy left).

Also of note, we (my theater and art troupe of special needs children and young adults) made the front page of our news paper ABOVE THE FOLD, baby!

Check it out here.

Our Pianist made it into 4 photos and I...I am no where to be seen...

I'd like to be editing the film or writing...but...
I still have tomorrow's lecture on Roman art to finish and I just spent two hours working on the gutters and downspouts on our house. Its a two story monster (about 90 years old) and slowly dying. I'm covered in rotted roofing shingles because the Amish who 'patched' our roof filled the gutters and it fell on me covering me in, well, rotted roofing shingles.

Last night after editing the movie some more, I worked on book three! I've decided to drop the original story and work from scratch.

Okay...shooting on the film DARKNESS AFTERMATH is done so I can now focus on the books.

I haven't been posting lately because I haven't been editing. Well, sort of. I only have book three of the series on paper. Somehow it got lost in the transition from one computer to another. So I've been reading the third story at night and part of me says, "Scan it in and edit it" while another part says, "Dump it and start fresh."

Not sure what to do...

This should be cool...if you're at all familiar with my (and it's not just mine) theory that the even numbered Star Trek episodes are better than the odd numbered ones (until NEMISIS) then the following might be a chance to reverse the "Odd Numbered Curse"...

SOURCE - SCI FI WIRE:

Ending months of speculation, J.J. Abrams signed on to direct the next installment of the Star Trek feature-film franchise, sources told The Hollywood Reporter late on Feb. 23. Rumors had been circulating that Abrams, who is also co-writing and producing Star Trek XI, may have decided not to helm the film.

But the trade paper confirmed that Abrams will helm Star Trek XI, which it added will revolve around a young James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock, chronicling their first meeting at Starfleet Academy and their first space mission. Abrams and Paramount have declined to confirm that version of the supposed story.

Abrams is the prolific co-creator/executive producer of ABC's Lost and directed Mission: Impossible III. He has been developing Star Trek XI through his Paramount-based Bad Robot production company. Abrams reportedly committed to directing the project only as of Friday evening, when the deal was finalized, sources told the trade paper.

Just got off the phone with Becky from church. She finished reading book two Of the series and gave it 'thumbs up'. One of my concerns in writing Science Fiction was that I not isolate women. I've known several women who like Star Wars or Star Trek or Firefly or Galactica...but I wanted to make sure that my stuff was 'women-friendly' and according to Becky, it is. Becky is a very well read woman of plus 30 age and she has read all of Denise's works (and, like myself, loves Denise's writing). So for her to like my stories, I'm flattered! Book two is edited...on to book three...

Well, today was my birthday, even tho we celebrated over the weekend with the arrival of a WACOM. It's been fun to use. Anyway, my birthday went off as usual and I shall chronicle it here. First off, one of the places I work always gives out birthday cards to the profs and instructors in the department. For the fifth year in a row, they have neglected to give me a card.

But the cool thing is the dinner. Every year I request the same thing and my fantastic wife comes through. Here is the menu...

Steak (marinaded in wine, soy sauce and Italian Dressing for several hours). I then cook it to a rare, reddish color (basically I walk the steak to the back yard and wave it in front of the grill). There is salad. I also have a bottle of Cabernet. And of course there is freshly baked bread. But the final touch is the home made Blueberry cream pie. OH YES!!! Turning 40 aint so bad!

Last Tuesday I started feeling bad...actually, the feeling started on Sunday, but I have a tendency to ignore illness, pain, small badgers, whatever...so I trudged ahead. But then, Tuesday I had no coffee...because it didn't sound good. That should have been my first warning. Then, no appetite. Then high fevers 102, 103,...sweats, cold spells, a desire to watch Bob Ross! It was maddening! From Tuesday night to Friday night I slept only for short spurts of time (a spurt being increments of 5-7 minutes). So at one time I had slept for many spurts...that would be one and a half hours. That was the most at one time. I became cranky and irritable. Yes, there is a significant difference between the two.

Horizon...cue sunrise music...

Today we celebrated my 40th birthday a few days early and my wonderful wife surprised me with a WACOM tablet. If this means nothing to you, don't worry...but if you understand what a WACOM is, well, let me tell you, it's a 6 x 8 in and it has all the bells and whistles a guy could hope for! Once my computer gets upgraded (Monday by my brother) the artwork should come spewing forth!

ps. Kristi-the-fantastic (as I shall call her now) also got me FIREFLY the DVD box set for Valentines day! Be envious!

Some of you have asked about the Jesters...I', the director of a theater troupe of special needs children and young adults at the University of Saint Francis. This year I wrote a musical called "Come in Out of the Rain". It's a take on the whole 'film noir' / Bogart and Bacall...thing. Her is the poster we just got from friend/fellow instructor Alan Nauts.

Just got off the phone with B. She finished the final draft of Book One. She's eager for Book Two. I've got to really get crankin' on the editing. She's hoping for the second one by Sunday.

Last night I had some more editing time. I am just about done with book two. I've got a few people lined up to read it as well.

Last night on the way home from the in-laws, Kristi and I saw a 'shooting star'. It had orange and green fire in it's tail and it was close.

This morning I read this on one of the on line newspapers I visit.

Spectacle in Midwestern sky was probably meteor, military says

02/05/2007

Scores of people all over the central United States reported seeing flames and fiery explosions in the sky Sunday night.

Calls flooded 911 operators and area police departments, the Missouri Highway Patrol said. Callers described the spectacle in various ways, some saying it looked like a plane crash and others calling it a ball of fire in the sky.

A preliminary report Sunday indicated that the lights were from a meteor, said Maj. April Cunningham, a spokeswoman for North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, which watches for airborne threats to the United States and Canada.

"We had a pilot reporting seeing a meteor, and that's really all the information we have tonight," Cunningham said.

The patrol forwarded the information to the Federal Aviation Administration and had no reports of damage or landings from the potential meteor or space debris.

"CURSE YOU PLASTIC MOLDSMEN!!!"

My boys got a "Pirates of the Caribbean" plastic "BLACK PEARL" boat for Christmas...it has lots of parts that attach to it like legos. Well one of the parts is the top of a lantern that comes to a sharp point. I stepped on that yesterday and it went deep into my foot.


(I only tell this story so that I can use the quote from OVER THE HEDGE...)

Apparently I activated comment moderation on this blog and there were several comments that had not shown up from the past...because I didn't know they were there. I have rectified the problem and the comments are now showing. I was beginning to think that no one was visiting here any more.

Currently...editing book two. Haven't painted since the coffee show. I have been drawing daily, however.

Well, back to editing.

currently editing...currently listening to "Last of the Mohicans" soundtrack, Led Zeppelin CLASSICAL COMP, and Kate Bush!

I like Science fiction...a lot! But this is weirder than some of the aliens I've seen in movies. AND IT'S REAL!!! It's a frilled Shark. And it is just one MORE reason why I don't go into large bodies of water.

writing, writing, writing...

a desk top image for the web page...

I had a rare chance to edit for three hours tonight...I listened to KASHMIR - symphonic Led Zeppelin and "The Last of the Mohicans" Sound track...tres cool stuff. I've been working on book two...I am so excited about the series!


But enough about that...if you have the chance to get Last of the Mohicans soundtrack BUY IT!!! Tracks 1,2,3,6,10,16 is some of the most inspiring stuff you'll ever hear...

This has nothing to do with writing...however, when my wife asks me why I won't swim in the ocean...well, I think this picture sums up my reasons...

Yummy. Art and writing takes energy.

I've been busy editing and drawing. I've got a new drawing of Silla in the works.

I'm extremely excited about book two...it is really getting better the more I edit it.

Me at the GRIND COFFEE HOUSE.

ever have one of those days when you're too tired to go to bed and you could just fall alseep in your chair...I'm so there...

I had my opening at the GRIND coffee house...I can't believe I actually filled the place with art and people...after the weeks I've had. What was really crazy was that this afternoon I realized there was a blank spot on the wall of the coffee shop and I actually cranked out a drawing in "Rattle and Hum" the DVD time (I started the drawing at the beginning of the DVD and finished it during the credits). It's one of my faves...I'll take photo's this week and post. I've had no sleep.

just found out that several drawings I planned to display at the GRIND show were ruined when our basement (and my studio) flooded...sigh...

The new and VASTLY improved Entropy Gate web site is up and almost done...

Got a show coming up soon...Jan. 3, from 7-9 at the GRIND COFFEE house. I prefer showing at coffee houses over Galleries because a) they are far less stuffy, b) more people show up to them (coffee houses that is) and c) a lot easier to get into...Chuck out at the GRIND originally had me down for a July, but his Jan. guy is a potter and wasn't going to have any work on the walls...so...long story lengthened, I've got some framing to do...oh yeah, and a few new peices to work on. Kevin gave me some frames he was going to toss and they're huge! YAY for big art.

Just stumbled across this...her work looks to be quite cool.

this is just too darn clever...click HERE

Okay...here it is. ROCKY is one of my all time favorite movies. I loved Rocky II, liked Rocky III, sort of enjoyed Rocky IV and like the rest of the world, wondered what Stallone was smoking when he made ROCKY V. But then I heard about ROCKY BALBOA (aka VI)...or maybe it was called ROCKY BALBOA so that it could easily fit next to number IV without messing up the look of the order of the numbers...but I digress...I'm actually pumped to see BALBOA and here's why...click here.

Borat, The Office, Punk'd...there is so little entertainment out there anymore. Does anyone reme,ber what it was like to turn on the TV and have shows entertain you without that awkward silence. Yeah, I know, the critics love BORAT because he essentially said what Michael Richards said...'cept he was 'funny'...though if his SNL performance was anything close to his stupid movie, then he deserved the beating he got after the show...I still like Hugh Laurie because he is great as Dr. House, but I wish that he had let Borat get his just desert.

It seems that we can no longer be entertained unless we are watching someone get humiliated. I remember walking out of the living room when my wife and I watched "Meet the Parents". How is an hour and a half long movie about making someone feel absolutely worthless and humiliating them repeatedly concidered humorous entertainment.

Entertainment and writing in Hollywood has been at a steady decline for years, but "reality TV" which is anything but reality and "humiliation" comedy is causing so much damage to people...I wonder if anyone can laugh any more unless someone is a) humiliated b) Punk'd(what ever that means...MTV idiots on drugs pulling childish pranks on people most likely) or c) being SHOCKING!

Let's face it...sit coms are all about a) stupid dads b) over sexed and under satisfied wives c) smart alec kids who talk back to dumb dad and then have sex with under satisfied teenagers d) sarcastic idiots who find it funny trashing Christian values...

Stop the world...I'm done for now...

Dr. K.F. R.I.P.

I have been dragged, kicking and screaming into the 21st century...my wife bought me a cell phone...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! But then she down loaded the bladerunner theme song for a dial tone...it was either that or William Shatner asking to be let out of my pocket.

The digital camera is down so I won't post the recent art...which is a total bummer because I have had another artistic eruption...when the camera is working, there will be much art...oh yes, there will be art...

A creature from Entropy Gate - Beyond.

Chen.

Michael.

Just so ya know...


NEWS: BABYLON 5 DVD movie coming

SOURCE - SCI FI WIRE:

Warner Home Video and Warner Brothers Television announced the start of production on Babylon 5: The Lost Tales, a made-for-video movie that will tell two new stories set in the B5 universe. WHV will be the home-entertainment distributor for the made-for-DVD release, which will include two new stories under the collective subtitle "Voices of the Dark" in one film, plus exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

The stories will be written and directed by executive producer and Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski. Executive producer Doug Netter also returns in that role. Actors from the original series that have signed on to participate in the project include Bruce Boxleitner (President John Sheridan), Tracy Scoggins (Capt. Elizabeth Lochley) and Peter Woodward (Galen).

The Lost Tales picks up several years after the events of the original Babylon 5 TV series and follows several of its major characters in new adventures set against the backdrop of the B5 universe. The movie will be released sometime in 2007.

Still editing book two...and writing book five...I may have to take a break from five to finish three.

What a night…I got to ITT at 4:00 pm and we finished at 10:30…We shot half of the sword fight video (choreographed to the music from Final Fantasy 7) complete with me standing on the bumper of my father-in-law’s truck while balancing the camera on the back cab to simulate a rotating dolly shot that totally rocked…then we destroyed the teacher’s lounge for a TOOL video that had two chefs creating cookies without eggs…there will be images posted next week of both projects…it was a long day…

Grant Gould has some great Battlestar Galactica images here

I've been watching "Battlestar Galactica" since it first aired on Sci Fi...honestly, I hated the idea at first...now, I am convinced that it is the best show on TV next to HOUSE MD.

I mean...wow...really...wow...





nuff said...

This is a clone of the same character as posted below, but she has a gun.

I’ve sent several copies of Entropy Gate – Journey to readers for comments and feedback. Still wouldn’t mind sending out a few more. For those of you who did read it, here’s the survey.

1. What did you like most/least about it? (why?)

2. Who was your favorite/least favorite character? (why?)

3. When the book ended, did you want to read the sequel?

4. If you could compare the writing style and story telling to an already published author, who would it be? (there’s a reason for asking this…)

5. If this were published, would you recommend it to a friend?

6. Would you reread the story? (why/why not)

7. If you could change anything about the story, what would that be?

8. What sort of books do you normally read?

How realistic am I?

One day I want to be a published author and spend my days writing, painting and doing the ocassional lecture. Is that realistic? I think so. Is it a dream? Sure. But why not dream big. I've done my best to surround myself with friends who are positive and who are actively pursuing their own dreams. I've lost some friends and aquaintences by doing this, but the way I look at is like this...if you have a talent, a gift, use it. If all you're going to do is complain about how cheated you are by life, God and everyone, because you aren't the success you thought you were going to be, then I don't want to hang with you. Go away.

Here's a drawing of KAYLA from the forth coming short story/graphic novel "Cloud Scrapers Union".

Here is a drawing of a character from book 3. I just realized that I had the character's name on this post and for some of you, that could be a spoiler...name removed now...

I'll be posting some images tonight from work where my computer runs faster...but now, back to evil vs bad.

Book one - Journey - explores badness. Our heroes are confronted with bad politicians, bad 'guys' and bad, or unfortunate, events. The truely evil is lurking there, but it doesn't emerge until book two - Beyond. There is a character who embodies evil...that is to say, he at one point in his life embraced fully, as his 'master', if you will, Satan and all that the devil stands for. It is not stated that he one day sat down and said, "Hey Satan, let's embrace." It was more of a gradual understanding of evil being the only choice he felt was there for him to take.

Have I ever met someone bad? Sure. Even dated a few. But have I ever met anyone evil? Truely evil? Only once. People don't scare me, but this individual made my hands shake. When you are around true evil, I think that, if you're slightly intuitive, you'll sense that something about the person does not register...there is a feeling about them that makes you uneasy...

more later...

Okay…so where were we?

Bad vs Evil.

And you are?

That little voice.

I see. That little voice. Some might call you a conscience.

No, not THAT little voice…the one you use for dramatic moments when you need to narrate using a secondary primary. Like on Magnum P.I. when he would talk to the audience.

So…he was talking to everyone, not just me.

Are you ill?

A joke. Calm down. Now, on to business. Evil. I believe in the Devil.

THANK YOU MY CHILD OF DARKNESS!

Back off pal. I believe you exist. I don’t worship you.

@!!#%

Yeah, well, don’t be so gullible.

YOU’RE ONE TO TALK.

Oh?

SURE. YOU ATTRIBUTE EVERY WRONG DOING, EVERY MISTAKE, EVERY FAUX PAS TO ME!

Ha, I knew Satan was French.

WHAT?

Maybe some people attribute all of their ill happenings to you, but I don’t think you’re that talented.

OH YEAH, WATCH THIS.

What? I didn’t see anything.

THIRTEEN CHILDREN IN AFRICA JUST DIED OF AIDS.

And you’re claiming responsibility for that?

SURE. I’M REALLY EVIL. I GET AROUND. I SPREAD AIDS. I SPREAD VENERIAL DESEASE. I INVENTED MONOPOLY.

Actually you spread temptation. Men and women…and sometimes men and men, spread disease…Parker Bros. created monopoly.

FINE. YA GOT ME THERE. BUT I INSPIRED MONOPOLY.

What? How?

REMEMBER MY COUP? IT WAS A MONOPOLY! I TRIED TAKING OVER HEAVEN, BUT BLAST IF GABRIEL, MICHAEL, STEVE AND A BUNCH OF OTHER ANGELS DIDN’T KICK MY SORRY-

Hold on their you rascally devil…this is a family show. Steve?

WELL I CALL HIM STEVE. HE WAS ON THE FRONT LINES AND HE REALLY DID SOME DAMAGE. I DON’T KNOW. GETTING KICKED OUT OF HEAVEN KIND OF CAUSES YOU TO PRIORATIZE CERTAIN THINGS AND NAMES AREN’T REALLY THAT IMPORTANT WHEN YOU’RE A BURNING CINDER FALLING TO EARTH.

Serves you right.

I SHALL SMITE THEE.

No one smites these day.

FINE. I SHALL CAUSE YOU FINANCIAL DAMAGE!

Been there...done that...am doing that, actually...

ILLNESS. MULTIPLE HOSPITAL VISITS FOR YOUR FAMILY. YOU WILL CRY AS YOU SEE YOUR CHILDREN UNDERGO MANY EXAMS AS DOCTORS PICK THEIR NOSES AND PLAY WITH POSSIBLE DIAGNOSISE.

Oh yeah…that is soooo last year.

VERY WELL, I SHALL DESTROY YOUR VAN TWO DAYS AFTER YOU PAY IT OFF. THEN, AS IT IS PARKED BEHIND YOUR GARAGE, I SHALL MOTIVATE A SNOOPY NEIGHBOR TO REPORT IT AS AN ABANDONDED VEHICAL GIVING YOU 20 DAYS TO MOVE IT. WHEN YOU TRY TO MOVE IT, YOU SHALL SLIP AND FALL. YOUR FACE WILL COLIDE WITH THE HOOD AND YOUR CHEEK SHALL BE CUT BY THE PONTIAC ORNAMANT ADORNING YOUR CAPATALISTIC PRIZE. YOUR TOE SHALL BE CUT ON THE PAVEMENT AND YOUR ELBOW GASHED BY SMALL ROCKS.

Uh…yeah…you aren’t really Satan…are you?

BUT ALL OF THIS SHALL COME TO PA-

It all happened tonight. I slipped on gravel. Tomorrow I’m meeting with a friend from church at a coffee shop and he’s praying with me regarding my book, the van, the finances, Saint Francis-

THAT’S RIGHT. THE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS...I SHALL SMITE THEE THERE.

All ready smitten, pal. You missed that one. They excell at smiting. But honestly, you aren’t Lucifer…are you.

CURSES! FOUND OUT AGAIN. SEE, SATAN’S NOT OMNICIENT SO WE HAVE TO FILL IN SOMETIMES.

And you are?

FRANK…A MINOR DEMON. THE BIG "L" IS OFF PLAYING CHESS WITH DEATH AND I HAVE TO WATCH THE PHONES BECAUSE ALL OF THE OTHER DEMONS ARE AT THE HALLOWEEN PARTY.

I love Halloween. My kids are going Trick or Treating.

REALLY, MAYBE WE’LL SEE YOU.

I’ll probably stab you with a cross or read Lamentation to you if I see you.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Alright…starting tomorrow…I promise to talk about Bad vs Evil.

ARRRGGG! I can’t find the cable I use to down load the images from the camera to the computer…the knuckle of death will have to wait.

And now, for something completely different…

Evil vs Bad.

Is there really a difference?

In the past I have posted comments about the two. But I intend to delve a little bit deeper today.
Merriam Webster’s online dictionary states that Evil is…
1 a : morally reprehensible : SINFUL, WICKED

While Bad is
1 a : failing to reach an acceptable standard : POOR a bad repair job b : UNFAVORABLE make a bad impression c : not fresh : SPOILED bad fish d : not sound : DILAPIDATED the house was in bad condition

So…let me begin my rambling…

I think that in today’s social and political scene, the term evil is often misapplied. I think that everyone but the truly stupid would agree that Hitler, for example, was evil. So with that- oh, I’m sorry, you in the back with your hand up…

*NAZI-SKIN-HEAD-DOOFUS: Ah, yes, well, Hitler was a brilliant artist and he liked dogs.

And Satan was fond of legged serpants and fruit from forbidden fruit trees. What’s your point, moron?

NSHD: I don’t see the point in name calling.

Don’t you ‘name call’ Jews?

NSHD: Well, sure, but that’s different. They’re evil.

I see. And you’re just ignorant, stupid and a moron. Plus you’ve sidetracked me. (gun shot, sound of NSHD falling to ground) Don’t worry, folks, it’s just a tranquilizer. But anyway, Hitler, Bin Laden, Stalin…all evil. Yes, I think what they did (do) went beyond simple “badness” and was truly sinful and wicked. Therefore in my book…oh what now?

**ARROGANT ATHEIST: Sin and wickedness is a construct of man to keep hedonists from having fun.

Are you a hedonist?

AA: Yes.

Are you having fun?

AA: A little. I’d like to have more fun, but you Christians are-

And Jews.

AA: -yes, and Jews are keeping-

And Muslims…at least the ones not blowing things up and killing everyone.

AA: -Okay, yes, Muslims too. You’ve all created rules to stop the human race from becoming-

And environmentalists.

AA: What?!?

Environmentalists make rules too. I want to chop down a tree, build a fire and roast an owl, but they won’t let me.

AA: Now your being silly.

I’m proving my point. What’s yours?

AA: My point is that you make rules to keep everyone in line the way you want them to be and claim that a ‘god’ told you to do this.

Well, almost. We believe that God told us and that we have a conscience that enables us to know right from wrong.

AA: But a conscience is just your reaction to guilt.

And if Hitler-

AA: Oh enough with Hitler.

Alright if a radical Muslim-

AA: Give it a rest.

(sigh) Suppose George Bush...

AA: EVIL!

Chill. Suppose he said that all atheists had to be registered with the government-

AA: Why would he do that?

Let’s just say Dick Chaney told him to. Will that satisfy you?

AA: For now.

And suppose he had no guilty feelings about this act and you were visited each and every day by a rotating squadron of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Catholics, Baptists, Evangelicals, Muslims, Hindus, Environmentalists and the entire cast of Saturday Night Live after they have converted to Scientology. And they would all try to save you.

AA: That would be wrong.

But he doesn’t feel guilty about it.

AA: Do the SNL guys do skits?

Yeah, but they all involve Tom Cruise.

AA: If that would happen, I’d be convinced even more that there is no god.

But you miss my point. You wouldn’t like that because it tramples on your rights and your comfort zone.

AA: What does this have to do with evil vs bad?

Okay, you seem nice enough despite going straight to hell.

AA: HEY!

Just teasing. No I’m not. Well, I am, but you are.

AA: I think you’re the arrogant one.

Yeah, sometimes. But let’s talk some more. What is evil?

AA: The absence of good.

And we define good…how?

AA: Is this a trap?

No. I genuinely want to know how someone who does not believe in God can define good and evil. I understand how an agnostic could, but gee whiz, if I didn’t believe in God, I would have said something else instead of gee whiz, and I’d be livin’ it up BIG TIME (cue Peter Gabriel’s ‘Big Time’). See, the problem here is that I believe without a doubt (though in the past there were times of doubt) that God exists and so therefore my entire debate is fueled and based on that...

Hello? Are you there…darn. I need a real atheist to talk to.


More later. Because I promise at some time to actually discuss bad vs evil.

Disclaimer
* no nazi skin-heads were injured during this post, though they should have been.
** not all atheists are arrogant…just some of them I know.

Knuckle busters and throat slashers...

Odd post, I know, but tonight at ITT I was showing the students how to create wounds with latex, spirit gum and a variety of art tools..I created a successeful "knuckle cut" that had most of the faculty convinced I had crushed my finger in a car door or some such violent thing...needless to say, I enjoyed poking the "knuckle of death" into everyone's face and asking if it looked infected...hopefully I can post images soon...

Looking for...

people who don't really like Science fiction to read Entropy Gate - Journey and answer a short questionaire...

so...um...whats with the whole "chick-lit" business, eh?

No, I have not crossed over to some other relm...it's just that my wed. group "SCRIBES" that was my twelve step writing 'group' meets at a time when I have to work and I have found a lot of energy and encouragement from "Girlswriteout"

I was also expanding my horizons when I decided to read Denise's book(s) but my source has them stored away some where so I'm off to anchor room to buy one. In the meantime, since I've finished some Franke Herbert, the Leonard Nimoy autobiography and the Buckley Biography...I've picked up my wife's copy of Colleen Coble's "Alaska Twilight".

CREATIVITY SLAM!

Lately I've been 'slammed' with so much inspiration that I feel as if I'll soon burst. I can't write until Saturday night (it's currently 1:45 am and my wife and I are going to play some cards...long story)...but Saturday night will be a time for me to get some words onto the great big white! Here is the break-down...Kristi leaves for the "Covered Bridge Festival" at 3:00 am (thus the night owl card game...next, I get the boys up at 9:00 am for Jesters (the theater and art program for special needs children and young adults)...then we get home at 2:30...I snooze for an hour...then we go to nephew Leroy's birthday...then we come home around 6:30 and carve pumpkins...then the boys watch a movie...and then...and then...I get to write!!! Yay!

This is the squirrel that visits us daily for nuts, corn and other snacks. He'll eat from your hand.

As posted earlier...here is a picture of the flying squirrel that visited our back yard every night for a month.

Just so ya know...

After rereading my last post I don't want any of you thinking that my characters will suddenly have big eyes, spikey hair and overly dramatic poses...though it'd be funny to draw EG characters as anime...no it wouldn't...yes it would...no it wouldn't...okay...maybe...

What I was getting at was that the film was inspirational in it's creative aproach. I found it nice to view something that was almost oure eye candy and yet still have a good narrative.

um...wow...I'm not sure what to say...a friend from church lent me Final Fantasy 7 the movie and I was a) totally confused plot-wise b) knocked out of my seat visually. I have a bunch of ideas running through my head for EG2, EG4, and EG5. It is a fantastic visual rush...more later...still enjoying the experience.

They're baaaa-aaack.

This summer we had three flying squirrels in our back yard. Well some doofus exploded a large roman candle-like fire work in our back yard several months ago and scared them away. Tonight, they have returned. I'll post images of them tomorrow.

out

Back in the saddle again...

Last summer an agent rated my book a B and gave me several suggestions. I followed the suggestions and resubmitted again...just got the rejection letter today. Sort of bummed, but hanging in there. Kristi and I are digging through the internet looking for some more agents...

Ten minutes ago Kristi found an agent that seems even more appropriate than the last one. Say a prayer!!!

did a little more on it...

Here is a drawing I just finished a week ago for the Faculty/Alumni show at the University of Saint Francis.




LEARNING TO FLY

I've worked some more on the 8 x 4 footer...

Over the summer I had the opportunity to do the 3 River's Festival chalk walk...I was given an 8 x 8 foot section of the street to draw on.

In my studio, I have several work areas. This is the primary desk where I paint and draw mixed media works. I also have a table for graphite drawing that is much cleaner. The chair is from the Mulder mobile (my old Taurus). I pulled it out and mounted it on four 4x4s.

I have been working on the fifth installment of the Entropy Gate series (Destination) even though I am currently working on editing book two (Beyond) and have as of yet finished book three (Repercussions) and book four (Return). I feel that it is some of the best writing I have ever done. I wish I could share it with you all, but it is so full of spoilers that I’d hate to ruin the other as-of-yet-unfinished books.

Also, after work (ITT) today (10:45 pm), I added some more paint to the 4 x 8 image I've been working on and I’ll post the images from the speedy computers IPFW or USF tomorrow.

Sleepy time!

OUT

and here is the painting I'm working on. It's still in the early stages...just putting some color down. It's 4 ft by 8 ft. The red color isn't blood, by the way. When it's finished, it should look (color and texture) like the image below. This is a detailed, cropped image of another of my large paintings. The full image delt with cloning and the soul.

As promised, here are the crazy cloud images I took during the freak storm the other day. I plan on using them for the back ground of the painting that will be shown in the next post.

It's 12:50 right now...I doubt that the post clock says that time...anyway, I just finished reading "I am Spock" by Nimoy. Great autobiography...I took a break from Herbert's Dune series to read it and now I'm going to read one of DENISE'S works. I'm also going to post the paintings and cloud images tomorrow...I borrowed a cord from my folks so I could post the images...another storm is rolling through and I'm about ready to crash...later...

ps...I'm redesigneing the Entropy Gate site on Wed.

And what of the fifth book?

Someone asked me again about a fifth book and I repeated myself. The only way I'd have a fifth book would be to include several short stories in a compiled sort of way...but then the idea for a fifth book that wasn't a compilation of short stories hit me. If book one is Journey, then book five should be destination.

So the titles go as follows.

ENTROPY GATE -
Journey
Beyond
Repercussions
Return
Destination

I wrote about five pages of Destination last night.

ALSO!!! Anyone interested in giving book one a read, (new, improved and shorter than before) give me a buzz...I'll hook you up.

Here is a drawing from Icons, one of the short stories I wrote.

I brought in my digital camera to wok today to dwon load some images of the current painting. The computer didn't have the right port for reading the card so I sat at my station and sulked...until, that is, I looked out the window and saw the funkiest clouds I've ever seen. I started snapping pictures and stood outside with some of the other profs and students. The clouds were going in at least four different directions. It looked looked like something out of the most recent version of War of the Worlds.

Once I get the right cord, I'll post the images. Hopefully this afternoon.

JSYK...

My wife is the coolest woman a man could ever hope to marry!

Just puttin' that out there. Kristi ROCKS. I mean...who else plays "Star Wars Legos" for PC2 with their kids? Really...the woman is amazing! And she's beautiful!

It's 2:06 pm...that means I have about six hours to sleep tonight...and it's raining so that's cool...I'll sleep well tonight...I finshed the script for tomorrow's rehearsal...is that spelled right? don't know...don't care...anyway...this weekend I should have some more artwork done and some more of EG 2 done and posted...


This year the Jesters have grown by at least ten new kids...one girl. Lizzy, has a fantastic voice...just amazing...I find it rather pleasing that God would endow children (who have special needs and have been picked on by 'normals' at their schools) with voices of angels...this new kid (lizzy) rocks! I wrote a solo for her and can't wait to hear her go at it.

Also, my two boys want to be in the play this year...they don't see any of the 'special needs' that these kids have...a dad couldn't be more proud...

I'm toast...good night...

rain...cool...thunder...nice...

Oy...long day...after this evening's class (audio/video @ Itt 6:00-10:20 pm) I arrived at home to find that Zack was still up...it was Mom and the Boys night and they were munching on cheese sticks and pizza pockets and egg rolls and watching a few scenes from Phantom of the Opera. Zack is really into musicals, but unfortunately most of the musicals have adult themes so we have to edit them...

well, after I got everyone to bed, I went downstairs and worked on the 8x4 foot painting...I have been taking pictures as I am painting it, but we don't have the right cable to download the images onto the net...it will happen though and I'd welcome feedback on the painting...it is for a show that will take place in December...I'm loving it. Lots of texture and very monotone on color...

Now, at 1:10 pm I have to complete the play for the JESTERS...it is a theater and art troupe that I have for children (and adults) with special needs...this year we are doing a comedy send up of film noir style...films...I have to right in four new characters and create two more songs before tomorrow...

Thank God for caffine...bye for now...

This is a drawing I'm working on for a large painting of Silla...

some more stuff...

Not one to complain much...however...

Years ago I was into Fencing...not the act of selling stolen goods, but the French Foil sort of fencing. It was the best sport ever (still is)...but...I developed a style of sword play that played havoc on my knees...now at (near) 40 I sometimes reap the wrath of those fine years of fencing...tonight is one of those nights (actually, last Sunday, I wacked my left knee on a desk at a friend's school and tore up a bunch of stuff...had I not possessed a knee of destruction from years of fencing abuse, I would have easily walked off the injury). My left leg is in a tremendous amount of pain and I am thankful for the vicodin from a previous surgery "botch up" that I can now take to ease the pain. I'm not sure when the next post will be. I'm having a bit of a 'time' focusing on editing...later...

Book four...hmmm...what about book four...I've had three different starts to the 4th book in the series and none have felt right. However...this evening I finished a drawing for the USF Faculty show and it inspired me to create another Entropy Gate painting like the one I did a few years ago...I'll post those images later. As I listened to Pink Floyd's Pulse and then the Deep Space Nine soundtrack followed by the Blade Runner Soundtrack, I came up with a painting that sums up all of Book Four...can't wait to paint...can't wait to write...

ps. I'm currently rereading "I Am Spock" by Leonard Nemoy...what a great read!

plus...it's raining outside...nice!

More artwork...