Somewhere along the way I got the crazy idea to do a self-portrait. Mostly I wanted to have something representative of my work on this page. I like the stark black and white template that I use, but it seems a little too dry. I wanted to include something that reflects my love for the contrast of black and white lines. That’s what I do, after all. I don’t like the black and white template because I like things that … Read the rest
http://www.examiner.com/a‑564555~Is_Medicare_the_more_efficient_plan_.html
Interesting editorial and I absolutely don’t trust it.
Here’s why: Matthews’ article here reads like a critique of Medicare’s efficiency and throws around a lot of numbers that indicate that Medicare is far more efficient than private-sector health care administration. This inclusion suggests two factors that support the author’s integrity if not his premise. First, including the numbers and some discussion about what they mean and how they were come by indicates that Matthews was actually looking at … Read the rest
This morning by email a friend asked me to tell her what I know about composition. It’s a tough subject to sum up in a few words, not because I know so much about it, but because there’s not really a right or wrong way to arrange a drawing.
My take is that it’s all about balance, but there are a lot of things to consider when you talk about balance. There’s the balance of the “weight” of the positive … Read the rest
Today marks the 44th anniversary of the trade embargo on Cuba. Now, I know that they aren’t doing all that well there, and Castro is, shall we say, a leader of mixed virtue, but every time I think of the trade embargo I am impressed with the resiliency of the Cuban people. Every time it crosses my mind I also think that Communism must be more stable than we like to think if it could survive all this time … Read the rest
I’m writing about this a full week (or more) late, but hey, you don’t come read Monochromatic Outlook for the news.
I try to ignore sex scandals about public officials. For the most part, I think they are a hysterical waste of ink. Bill and Monica? Don’t care now, didn’t then. Does it bother me that POTUS lied? Yeah, a little. It would bother me more if it were about public policy (say something about the reasons for invading another country? … Read the rest
Today’s run: Twin Peaks. As best as I can tell from some low-res topo maps on the web, I ran from 150 feet above sea level to 850 feet in two miles, then back after a flat loop, totalling 4.1 miles in 44:34. That’s a 10:52 pace, hardly what I’d normally call speedy, but I don’t normally run hills these days so I call it a resounding victory. In fact, considering how long … Read the rest
Got out on the road for the first time in ages. I’ve been getting over being sick for entirely too long now and it’s kept me from running. Hopefully today wasn’t too early, but I’m getting really tired of being inactive. I feel fine on a moment-by-moment basis, I just keep on coughing. So caution went to the wind and I got out there and had fun.
Also: vanilla Power Gel is like eating cake frosting right out of the can.… Read the rest
Less than a half hour ago San Francisco Police Department cruiser #576 was parked in front of the fire hydrant at the corner of 22nd and Tennessee. While the hair on the back of my neck stood up at the thought that law enforcement officers are basically exempt from the laws they are sworn to uphold, I calmed myself down by reminding myself that it was very possible that the cruiser was there responding to some call, and … Read the rest
I took a different approach with this portrait of my rockstar friend Pauli. I enjoy the free-form pen work and it has definite advantages, but it has its limitations as well. Working this way feels like painting with lines and the result is a lot more organic than straight hatching, but I have a lot of trouble bringing out contrast. Likewise I really like the look of a derendered drawing without outlines, but the tradeoff is detail.
Successful experiment, the … Read the rest
- Be comfortable on your own before bringing someone else along.
- Go too slow and be left behind; go too fast and crash.
- No matter how thrilled you are, never forget that you can be hurt badly.
- No matter how careful you think you should be, never forget to have fun.
- If your heart isn’t in it, go home.
- Trust what you ride.
- Buy the object of your affection plenty of accessories.
- Never cut corners with maintenance.
- Pay full attention 110% of the time.
- Always wear protection.