Saturday, July 31, 2010

Countdown to extinction



Well, here I am on the eve of my 49th birthday. It still amazes me I've made it this far. So many good people I've known have perished while I survived. Makes you wonder about the design of the universe and whether or not there is a plan at all. My father died at the ripe young age of 50 and it bothers me that I am approaching that age. But, I figure if it's my time, it's my time. There are so many people my age and younger who seem to have given up on life. I refuse to do that, although I sometimes find myself giving up on the human race. I've been trying not to do that, either....even though it is hard sometimes. Things like the oil spill in the Gulf and the ensuing lack of concern by my fellow man just really, really, really bother me. We're all so insensitive to things these days. All so self-centered. Or, at least, that's the way it seems to me. I could go on and on about things.....and I probably should. Things just aren't right, my friends. So, I try my best to be a good person, love my children, be a good father, and dream of a better day for us all. I think, in the end, optimism is the best answer to the pessimism the world throws our way. Smile at the SOB's.....it'll confuse their tiny little minds....and maybe, if we are lucky, it just might rub off on the idiots. One can only hope.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

There I was on a July morning looking for love




The title for this installment comes from one of my favorite bands, Uriah Heep. They played in Chicago last night but I missed it. First time they've been in the states in ten years. Damn, I'm gonna regret that. I always loved the song "July Morning" with its anthemish keyboard intro and the twenty years+ dead voice of David Byron. Their new lead singer, Bernie Shaw, has sung with them for twenty years. They're still a viable band. Their 2008 album, "Wake the Sleeper", rocks. Wish I'd seen them.

The illustration to this installment was done to accompany perhaps the most controversial story I've ever written. "Mary had a little lamb" is about the daughter of God. Things don't go so well for her when she is sent to St. Louis to face her destiny. The story ended on a positive note, though. It was written way back in the good ol' 1980's. It never found a home....till recently, that is. It was published in an online magazine about six months back. I really love this illustration because it captures the mood of the story perfectly. If you like the illustration, hunt down "Marginal Boundaries" on the good ol' Internet. Lots of good stories in there.

Anyway, I need to try to sleep now, folks. Have a happy 4th of July.