Rob's Blog

Bringing the blog back to life...

2007-09-17T09:44:00.000-04:00

Well, it has been a very long time since I have used my blog. The last time I did I was gearing up for my Team in Training Century in Asheville, NC. That went very well.
Now that my ride is behind me I am going to use the blog to discuss my current art projects and whatever else strikes me.

So, here goes....

5 bucks

This picture was started 4 or 5 years ago. I had recently visited an exhibition of art work that was either done with money or about money. I really liked the idea of the show and some of the pieces in it were fascinating. A few weeks after that I was handed a 1962 5 dollar bill as part of my change for my morning fix of coffee...I took that as a sign for me to try some money art. I've started doing the wood back ground but man, it has taken awhile just to get the first layer down. I have at the very least two more layers to go before I can start back on the bill.

On this drawing I was so focused on the bill I put zero thought into the background.
So about 3 weeks ago I decided to have the bill nailed/pinned to a fence/wood.

So when I feel like doing more than just coloring I pick this drawing up...

5.0

I'm doing this picture of Rob by following the steps that Virginia Tupper lays out in her Damien WIP over at Wet Canvas. I will follow her methods except for the color of the paper. I don't have the color she used (rosy taupe Canson Mi Teintes) so I opted for white cold press water color paper.

I will keep you posted on both pieces when I have completed certain parts of the drawings.

Thanks,

Rob

1.5 Weeks of Training

2007-01-22T07:55:00.000-05:00

This is my second entry of my TNT log series where I will chronicle my quest to get in shape for my TNT ride in Asheville, NC on May 20th.

Well it has been about a week and half since I have started training for my . Since I hadn't really serious trained for any riding event in about 2 years I figured the first month of training was going to be painful. While it has had its painful moments it hasn't been as bad as I thought. Training for a ride in North Carolina is different for two reasons: roads and weather.

This is my first training session in North Carolina where there is no such thing as a flat road. When I lived in California all of my weekday rides were on flat roads where I could really work on my pedal stroke, sprints, etc. Basically I could get in a rhythm and just keep going. On the weekends a group of us would go ride in the foothills. For some reason knowing that you were going to be climbing real hills it didn't seem to hurt as much. Maybe because I knew that during the week I would be riding on flat roads. In the long run the rolling hills of NC will be better for my conditioning but right now it can be painful.

Secondly there is actually winter weather here. This past weekend was the first real
winter weekend we have had since I've dusted off the bike and it was the first time I've ever ridden when it was in the 30s outside, it was 36 degrees when I rode on Saturday. What really kills the training is precipitation. If it rains and it is in the 30s I'm going to ride the trainer and trainer rides just aren't the same as riding outside. They work but they aren't nearly as fun.

Overall the training is going along fine. I can already feel my muscles turning back to solid things instead of the flabby masses they have been for the past 2 years. I'm down 3 pounds since the start of my training and I have yet to really do any rides of significant length. Once those rides start I should see more pounds coming off. There are two things I had forgotten about the post ride 'rush' and the trance like state you get into when you are really riding comfortably. The 'rush' is almost like a buzz really. I just seem to relax and have a generally happy outlook on things. I can't really describe it, it is something you have to experience yourself to enjoy fully.

Remember I have to raise $2,500 for TNT so any amount you would like to donate would be greatly appreciated.

Yeah, Yeah, I Know...but I mean it!

2007-01-11T14:46:00.000-05:00

Well it is the beginning of the year and it is time where probably at least half of
the world makes the resolution to do some form of exercise. I am not doing that I promise you. I am, however, dusting off my road bike in preparation for a century in late May. I know, I know you are saying, "...but Rob you said you weren't making a resolution to exercise more..." I promise you I am not. It just so happened to be the beginning of the year when I decided to start riding again. I swear, there is no resolution involved U.N. or otherwise.

One of the best ways I have found to keep myself motivated is to have a goal to shot for such as a particular event to train for. To ensure I keep up riding I've joined Team In Training (TNT). This will be my second time participating in a TNT event. My first event was the Tour de Tucson in 2003 when I was lived in California. This year I will be participating in the Fletcher Flyer in Asheville, NC. What does TNT do? TNT raises funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's research and support teams. It is a great way to help give back. I need to raise $2,500 to participate. 75% of the money I raise will go to help support research and patient support programs ran by the LLS. The remaining 25% is used to pay for administrative costs for TNT. If you follow the link I've provided above you can make a donation. Remember all donations are tax deductible. I will keep everyone updated on my progress toward my training and fundraising. My first experience with TNT was fantastic and I'm sure this time around will be just as fun. I will be giving updates periodically throughout my training for no other reason to remind me how far I've come if for no other reason.

My First Christmas in North Carolina

2006-12-28T10:10:00.000-05:00

Some Background
Last January 1st I moved to North Carolina. I know moving on New Years day is a bit odd but
that's the way it went down. I was starting my new job on the 2ND. That being the case this was my first Christmas in Durham. All of my previous Christmas except one (spent in Arkansas which doesn't count since I had just married my wife 3 days prior.) have been held in California. Being a born and raised CA gives you a less then merry Christmas experience. In CA I would never dream of going to a mall after Thanksgiving. The crowds would be too big and less than friendly. I felt like I was being hit over the head about the entire Christmas season from what seems to be August on out there. I'm sure that is an exaggeration but that's the way it felt. By the time Christmas day rolled around I was done with Christmas, basically Christmas had grown to be a pain. With that as my frame of reference here is what my first Christmas experience was like out here.

The Christmas Shopping Experience
My parents came out here this year so instead of buying the most of their presents out in CA
they decided to buy them here. The came in on the 20Th in the afternoon. On the 21st we decided to brave the mall and see what we could find. I was totally surprised to see EMPTY PARKING SPACES! That in and of itself would have been a miracle out in CA. When we made it into the stores at the mall all of the sales people we encountered were nothing less then courteous. It was a great experience. We ended up making trips on the 22ND and the 23rd and had the same experience. The only day we didn't have parking was when we went on the 26Th to try and take advantage of a few sales at Barnes & Nobles. Instead of fighting the crowd at the mall we went to a B&N a little farther down the road and had no problems.

The Overall 'Christmas Spirit'
Besides the nice and courteous sales folk in the malls people I ran into everywhere seemed to be up beat, not beaten down by the rush of Christmas shopping. There was also more real giving to the needy and other organizations. For instance, I have a son that is on a local diving team. Instead of doing the usual gift exchange they were asked to bring a $10 Kroger gift card so they could all go and buy food for the local food bank. I know that many places do this but that is usually just sending in money. This I liked better because the kids actually went and bought the food that was needed. The coach had talked to the food bank and they gave him a list of needed items. Anyway, I think having the kids do the shopping made it more 'real' it just seems a little hands off to just send money. With about 12 kids they raised just under $300.

This was one of the best Christmases I have had in a long time. Probably since I was married (See the Arkansas comment). Having my parents out here with the boys and doing many 'old fashion' family things with all of us was great. I hope you also had a nice holiday season.

B&N's The Best of 2006 Staff Favorites top 10 'On the Dark Side' books.

2006-12-19T11:08:00.000-05:00

Barnes and Noble has posted their 'Darker' books top 10 list. I have not read any on the list. I have one on my wish list and I am curious about a few others. Has anyone read any of the books on the list? If so which book and what did you think about it?

My Wish List

2006-12-01T11:24:00.000-05:00

I've been using Barnes & Nobles' wish list functionality to keep track of books that have caught my eye and looked interesting enough to read. The list usually contains 20+ books. I have as of yet not found a good way to pick up the next book to read so I'm looking for a little help. I have placed my wish list below in hopes that the readers of the blog (are there any?) will leave their comments regarding any of the books they have read that appear on my list. The books are loosely grouped into genres and are in no particular order. I have also given a sentence or two on why the book is on my wish list for whatever that is worth. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

Horror, Suspense and everything else (execpt sf and fantasy)

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova - I can't remember exactly why I added it to the list but I think it was due to the historical nature of it and the vampires.

The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving - Recommended by my brother.

The Talisman by Stephen King, Peter Straub - As Stephen King fan this is a must read.

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay - I have been watching the series on Showtime and thought I
should read the book that spawned the series.

Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Robert Harris - After reading a few other historical fiction books I thought I'd check this one out. A Christmas gift to myself.

The Bell Jar (P.S.) By Sylvia Plath - This is one of those books that I've heard discussed periodically and I think its about time I read it. When I do is the question. It will happen.

The Afghan by Frederick Forsyth - This looks like something to feed my fading 'Clancy-esque' habit

Bag of Bones by Stephen King - Another King book that I haven't read that many king fans speak highly of.

Suspension by Richard Edward Crabbe After reading The Alienist and The Dante Club: A Novel I was looking for another historical fiction book that was set around that same time period and I found this book. The write ups I've seen on it are positive so it is on the list.

The Poe Shadow: A Novel by Matthew Pearl - I liked The Dante Club: A Novel so I'll read his second novel.

Dystopic and Post-Apocalyptic Stories

The Handmaid's Tale: A Novel by Margaret Atwood - After reading reviews and descriptions this book sounds like it was meant for me to read. I'm pretty sure this book will be one of the next books I buy. The problem is I currently have a back log of about 10 books to read. Who knows when I will actually pick this book up.

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood - While I was the description of The Handmaid's Tale I stumbled across this book. It sounded interesting so I added it to the list.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy - Post-Apocalyptic from an author that my grandmother speaks highly of but I have never read. Why not start with this book? A Christmas Gift from my grandmother.

A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr. - After reading about 13 of the top 50 S/F books of the past 50 years and a few other blogger's comments about the book I was curious. I did some checking and the book really caught my attention. This book may be the second book I buy.

Science Fiction and Fantasy

The Runes of the Earth (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 1) by Stephen R. Donaldson - I liked the first Covenant trilogy but it has been so long since I read it I can't recall what
I liked about it. I know that when I read the trilogy I wasn't a real heavy reader so it must have really caught my attention. So many years later I thought I'd pick up the first book of the second trilogy.

The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks Ok, I like some Fanstasy but most of it I find over the top. I did recently finish his Word and the Void series which I really enjoyed so I thought I'd give this book a spin. I know this is a favorite of many fantasy genre fans.

The Real Story: The Gap into Conflict (Gap) by Stephen R. Donaldson - I think I read this book shortly after I finished the Covenant trilogy. I seem to recall it
being a little dark or twisted, I can't recall which. Since is a short book I thought I would add it to the list for when I'm in a S/F mood.

Empire by Orson Scott Card - The idea for the book I find intriguing but the reviews I've read so far haven't been that positive so I'm a little leary.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clark - I'm just curious. I've read a few reader reviews that make the book sound a bit different in a way that has interested me.

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett - An interesting summary on the B&N site piqued my interest. I'm a little leary of Gaiman though. I read Anansi Boys and wasn't all that impressed. I started American God's but stopped halfway but not because it was bad. I will probably read it but not sure when.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman - I've read many reader reviews that point to this as Gaiman's best novel.

Reading About...

2006-11-21T14:43:00.000-05:00

The Flu
Over the past few months I've read two books with the Flu being a central part of the plot (The Last Town on Earth: A Novel and The Stand) and what I've noticed is how I react when when someone coughs or sneezes. There were times when I was in the heart of these books that I found myself walking a little quicker or staring at the person who coughed. Once I realized what I was doing I would chuckle and carry on about my business. I take those actions as a sign that the author has sucked me in. Anyone else have this happen to them?

Power Outages
On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving our power went out while we were packing for our trip. The power remained out for the entire day. At the point the power went out I was half way through The Stand long after Flu had hit. While I was reading the book the power being out didn't really hit me like the Flu epidemic did. I just figured, the power is out no big deal they can do this and that instead. Well my thoughts have changed after trying to get ready for the Thanksgiving weekend. I quickly learned how much easier it is to find clothes in the walk in closet with the over head light versus the flashlight. I also realized how much I like microwave ovens when lunch came around and I couldn't warm up leftovers. We had the sheets in the dryer so the house sitter would have clean sheets to sleep on but the power was out until we left so she had to sleep with a comforter only...anyway needless to say I now appreciate the comforts that electricity provides for us. Besides all that the power outtage almost made me feel like I was in the book not just reading it. When I was in the house by myself I noticed how quiet an area can be when there were no hums of the refridgerator, lights, and computers.

Science Fiction Book Club top 50

2006-11-21T09:33:00.000-05:00

This is a list of the 50 most significant science fiction/fantasy novels, 1953-2002, according to the Science Fiction Book Club. Bold the ones you've read, strike-out the ones you hated, italicize those you started but never finished, put an asterisk beside the ones you loved and put a '#' next to the ones you intend to read some time.

1. The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
2. The Foundation Trilogy, Isaac Asimov*
3. Dune, Frank Herbert
4. Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert A. Heinlein
5. A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin #
6. Neuromancer, William Gibson (It was silly)
7. Childhood's End, Arthur C Clarke
8. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick#
9. The Mists of Avalon, Marion Zimmer Bradley
10. Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
11. The Book of the New Sun, Gene Wolfe
12. A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M Miller Jr#
13. The Caves of Steel, Isaac Asimov#
14. Children of the Atom, Wilmar Shiras
15. Cities in Flight, James Blish
16. The Colour of Magic, Terry Pratchett
17. Dangerous Visions, edited by Harlan Ellison
18. Deathbird Stories, Harlan Ellison
19. The Demolished Man, Alfred Bester#
20. Dhalgren, Samuel R. Delany
21. Dragonflight, Anne McCaffrey
22. Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card#
23. The First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Stephen R. Donaldson*
24. The Forever War, Joe Haldeman
25. Gateway, Frederik Pohl
26. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling
27. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
28. I Am Legend, Richard Matheson
29. Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice*
30. The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K Le Guin#
31. Little, Big, John Crowley
32. Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny
33. The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dick
34. Mission of Gravity, Hal Clement
35. More Than Human, Theodore Sturgeon
36. The Rediscovery of Man, Cordwainer Smith
37. On the Beach, Nevil Shute
38. Rendezvous with Rama, Arthur C. Clarke
39. Ringworld, Larry Niven
40. Rogue Moon, Algis Budrys
41. The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien
42. Slaughterhouse-5, Kurt Vonnegut (Another silly book)
43. Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson
44. Stand on Zanzibar, John Brunner
45. The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester
46. Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein
47. Stormbringer, Michael Moorcock
48. The Sword of Shannara, Terry Brooks#
49. Timescape, Gregory Benford
50. To Your Scattered Bodies Go, Philip Jose Farmer

As you can see I'm not exactly the biggest S/F reader I tend to read horror if I'm in the genre reading mood. About half of these books I read 15 to 20 years ago when I really enjoyed the genre. I wrote that genre off as being only for kids until just about two months ago when I decided I would try it again.

The Hitchhiker's Guide, Thomas Covenent Trilogy, and The Foundation series I read so long ago that I can remember liking them but that is about it.

I will never understand the allure of Neuromancer it was way over the top for me. I just don't like the cyber punk books.

After just about everyone I know raving about Slaughterhouse-5 I picked it up to read on a cross country trip. I read about 80% of the book before I just put it down. Again, a lot of hype
but it just wasn't my type of book.

Everything is Political

2006-11-17T08:45:00.000-05:00

When did everything become politicized? I have recently increased the amount of 'pleasure' reading and during my search for new authors and books to read I have spotted a trend. People now seem to think that you should take an author's political views into account when you rate their books. I've seen more than one review of Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game state that it is a good book but due to Mr. Card's political views I cannot recommend the book. Granted the reviewers aren't exactly professional reviewers but I think it indicates that the average Joe/Jane use their political views to rule all aspects of life. It is not just in the world of fiction its everywhere. In the world of music if I was to not listen to music created by people who didn't share my political views I would have very little music in my iPod.

The 'politicization' of every day life breeds this on going division in our society. Whatever happened to keeping political and religious views to yourself? Read a book because the story is good or it says something to you don't worry about the author's political views.

2006-10-30T10:29:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my blog. In the near future, I'll be adding posts on books and whatever else strikes my fancy.

Currently I'm looking for a book site that would help me find new authors. I have been using www.librarything.com which has been helpful. If you know of any other site similar to that
one I would appreciate it if you would leave a comment with your suggestion.