A Change Of Venue

“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”

I’m sick of television. There, I’ve said it.

Back in January I wrote a piece on this blog about where I was — where I thought I was — in my life, professionally and personally. It was entitled, The Game’s Afoot! - read it again if you like.

As the year slowly comes to a close, chronologically speaking, I continue to find myself sitting on the career fence of confusion ten months on. Maybe not confusion so much as indecision. The stop-in-for-breakfast, maybe-have-that-second-cup-of-coffee, maybe-not, kind of indecision.

Twice this year I’ve cancelled my cablevision, the most recent time just last month. I don’t miss it. I used to have every channel under the sun, now it’s just basic plus a few HiDef channels to keep my interest and tease me every so slightly. On the odd occasion when I actually attempt to watch TV, I still find myself using the remote like a robot with Parkinsons - click, click, click, click, click. Nuthin’ on.

But here’s the really interesting part… it’s not just the lack of desire in WATCHING television, I have no interest in MAKING television any more. I simply don’t care. (more…)

Up on the hill
They’ve got time to burn,
There’s no return.
Double helix in the sky tonight,
Throw out the hardware,
Let’s do it right.

Why are men afraid of vibrators…? I’ve never understood that. To me, they’re the perfect gift for any girlfriend or wife (yours, not someone else’s - careful with that shit!)

They’re not a threat to anyone’s masculinity or offensive in any way. In fact, they’re playful and fun and incredibly useful in the right hands.

The next time you think a dozen long-stemmed red roses will do the trick, try spending an extra twenty dollars and slip a ‘pocket rocket’ into the bouquet. See what effect THAT has on her.

Alright, I’ll admit: having a dozen long-stemmed red roses shoved up your ass — “Thorns, THORNS!” — probably isn’t the reaction you were looking for. And maybe the first date — let alone a blind date — isn’t the ideal opportunity.

No, timing and discretion are important. And understanding her is crucial. Maybe she’s shy, maybe she thinks that this ‘toy’ is just a tad too personal. Your offer of it should be a signal that you have a desire to experiment, to show her that you care about her pleasure and you are willing to share and be shared with. (more…)

I know she can see me. I can see her. There are only three things in the room and the chair doesn’t count! Hello - over here.

Nice dress, by the way. Don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a dress. Not… that one, anyway. Red is definitely your colour.

Hello - I’m talking to you! Trying to get your attention over here. Remember me…? Hello….

Hmm….

I thought I knew her… from before. Like when she was running around being all efficient and shit. Things got done. She was soooo… with it. Who knew. I thought I knew.

There was that one time, when she actually listened to something I was saying, and laughed. In all the right places too. That was cool.

Then she was aloof. Still there, but not there, you know? Women - I don’t get it.

While once at sea, a Toucan did I see,
beating her outstretched wings.
She flew so fast, my hopes were dashed -
No time to hear her sing.

And then it occurred, a splash I heard,
A Penguin could she be…?
Laughing and smiling, swooping and diving
in and out of the sea.

Another look, perhaps I mistook
a Hummingbird in flight.
Over and over, she darted for cover,
Always just out of sight.

And then it was clear, she flew so near,
At last I could truly see:
Not a Hummingbird, Toucan or Penguin at all,
But a Puffin… she was all three!

What do you see when you look at me…?

Yeah, red is definitely your colour.

And so 007 begins with a bang! At least for me.

While some might refer to my present life outlook as a ‘middle-age crisis’ or ‘middle age crazy’, I prefer my own ‘middling’ interpretation: ‘mid-course correction’. Allow me to explain.

The year just passed was in many ways a watershed for me… literally and figuratively with the floods in my apartment on Christmas Day! Many of my television productions saw their completion, broadcast and even an award or two - always a nice recognition, though not necessary in the slightest. (more…)

Some new shots up on the Flickr site. I’ve been finding many old shots in many old boxes. Some negs, some prints, some colour, some B&W, some old, some not so old. They don’t really have any category so I created a set called, ‘Flotsam’. That’s where most can be found. There are a few other scattered around as well. Enjoy.

New photographs up on my Flickr account. A few shots from my road trip to Newport, Oregon back in August.

I’ve finally gotten around to launching the photo side of this personal web journal on Flickr. I have several thousand photographs taken with various camera, lens, film and digital combinations over the years. Some shots date back as far as the late 70s, and some go back farther, to the 20s and 30s if you count the ones not taken by me (I ain’t that old!).

I figure there should be a good cross-section of shots here - everything from my travel photography to my boudoir shots to stuff that falls into the more generic ‘people, places and things’ department.

So, from this point forward you can just click on the Flickrus link in the banner above. For now, a first look at some of my ‘Daliroids’ - Polaroid SX-70 manipulations taken in the 80s. The BIG versions are on the Flickr site.

Enjoy!

Today, the fourth and final installment of my Thai adventure.

If you’ve ever been to Bangkok you know that the major form of transportation is the smoke-belching, three-wheeled motorized tricycle known as a ‘Tuk Tuk’. Frequently held together with nothing more than rope and duct tape, their operators and passangers blast through traffic without heed to signals, safety or sanity. You hold on for dear life and hope you arrive at your appointed destination in one un-damaged piece.

An air conditioned taxi costs about twice as much, but the additional Baht is considered insurance, and well-worth the cost. Had we all taken a Tuk Tuk instead of the taxi I may never have arrived safely, nor borne witness to the amazing sureptitious evening that was continuing to unfold.

And so, to the spies and the spooks. Illumination was never this dark and smoky!

Enjoy Part Four.

Today, the third installment of my Thai adventure.

By now, the phrase ‘in for a penny, in for a pound’ ruled the day. My buddy, Frank, Jesus and I were sitting on top of the world in the Media Club in Bangkok.

I was about to learn why Frank was the way he was, and how his version of the Vietnam War had shaped him and his values - in fact, how his entire life experience continued to control his very reason for being. And learning the meaning of the term ’sheep dipping’ had much to do with the whole night.

Enjoy Part Three.

Today, the second installment of my Thai adventure.

Wherein I meet Jesus in full war paint and become acquainted with the business end of several AK-47 assault rifles.

Enjoy Part Two.