First Friday--March, 2010

Three shows in four months. Take the brakes off. Yes sir, I did. We're smokin' now. Hotdiggetydirt. And wowzerfuckingdamn too.

My show dedicated to Ruthie opened at Computer Central on First Friday, during the gallery walk. I was too busy meeting and greeting to take any photos. Once again, I can say I am proud of my work. I tried a different display concept designed for the venue. Come see the show. Computer Central is next door to the old Raven, later Dauphine's, just west of the Post Office. As always, I am open to suggestions, criticisms, barter and haggle. I'll be spending some time over there admiring my work and tooting my ego.

After my opening, I went to see how the young anarchists were doing with their protest against the new homeless and panhandling regulations. Some of my best friends are among this group.

David Lewis Johnson /Reggie Herbert

One goal was accomplished as passers by stopped to ask about the issue. There will be a follow up discussion at the Union Hall on St Patrick's Day. That seems so appropriate on more than one level.

Around the block and over to the Top Hat

where I found another photographer taking pictures of another friend. Back up to Main and over to the Union Club to see Russ Nasset

There is no better guitar picker in Zootown. I say that not because Russ is a friend. I say it, because I love people who work at their art, and this cat is an artist. In addition, he's talented as hell and a true gentleman.

Feet were tapping, and folks were dancing. First Friday was one of those really good nights at the Union Club, and the very next night, Zeppo was there, but that is another story for another time. 

It's 11o'clock, and I must get to Ceretana's to see Wolf Redboy and his new line up. Wolf is one of the truly original denizens of Zootown. Again, as with Russ, I didn't say what I did about him, because he is my friend. He is my friend, because he is one of the most original fuckers I've ever met. I dig the shit out of his stuff and have, since I first saw him with Amanda Cevallos on bass and Martin McCain on drums at PBR two years ago.

Speaking of Amanda Cevallos reminds me, here is another Amanda, who was at Ceretana's Friday night. I'm trying to remember if every Amanda I've known has been drop dead gorgeous. It seems like it.

What's the time? My evening is ready to start. First stop, a Northside party, and then it downtown to the Top Hat. Tom Catmull is opening for Backyard Tire Fire, and I told Tom and Travis I would be there, if the creek didn't rise, and it didn't. I'm on my way.

Monday Musings and Rants

Kitchenpoet and Zola

Presidents' Day Protest

It is time to loudly voice my opposition to war in general, and specifically to this mess the last moron got us into and the new smart guy is willing to continue. I intend to adopt full Uncle Sam mode on Presidents' Day to stand at the Wilma end of Higgins Bridge with an anti-war sign in hand. Everyone is invited to join me there on Monday, February 15, at noon. You can bring a sign protesting the war or any issue you prefer (i.e. the supreme court's sell out to corporations). I will have some sloppy, quick signs I made with magic marker to hand out, and a marker and blank paper for you to get creative. Of course, I guess it's possible I will be only one there.

A recent attempt to switch from coffee to tea failed miserably, and I can only conclude I am addicted to coffee rather than just caffeine. At this point I would just like to say god bless Butterfly Herbs.

Will Rogers would buy a newspaper on the way to the theater, walk on stage and use the material he found for his comedy act live and spontaneous on stage. He's one of my heroes, and I wish I had the wit to emulate him. Witless or not, I must comment on some headlines and stories I've seen online.

"Exxon Mobil Profits fall 23% in 4th Quarter"

Isn't that a sad story? Those poor bastards only made $6 billion during the final three months of last year. I swear that just brings tears to my eyes.

Many people in Haiti have reason for tears. It's a smashing disaster. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost and ruined. In the midst of this tragedy a gang of Christians tried to abduct a bunch of children, hoping to convert the young heathen, while claiming they only did it for their own good. They didn't go through channels, file paper, nothing, and left some parents unable to find their children. Those righteous bastards remind me of the pompous gasbags claiming slavery was a good thing for allowing the descendants of slaves to now enjoy the benefits of living in our beloved country.

Can you tell I'm pissy about the state of the world and looking for some hypocrites to take it out on?

WWOZ in New Orleans is my most common soundtrack here in my workroom. The joy brought to the people of that city by the Saints has me happy for their wins and rooting for them in the Super Bowl. 

People should be reminded of how that wonderful city went beneath the waves and was ignored by the criminal assholes occupying the white house at the time. People died because the rich people in power didn't give a shit about poor people dying and being forced from their homes. It was negligence equivalent to murder. Then they helped their corporate cronies to move in and profit from the situation. Recommended reading: The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein.

Domestic Spending Freeze

That's a load of bullshit in the raygun style. Military spending continues to increase. We don't need to spend more than every body else in the world on our military. We don't need to spend half of every tax dollar on defense. A small portion of the money spent on killing people and preparing to kill more could provide health care to everyone in this country. A tiny portion of the money could rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and schools. 

A toast to the young anarchists in Zootown and their Food not Bombs project. That is a worthy message. You would think Christians might agree, since Jesus seemed to be more concerned with feeding people than killing them. Unfortunately, most who label themselves that way and worship his name are only into the names and not his message of love and openness.

I'll wrap with another headline and comment.

"Can talking to the Taliban stop the war?"  

I hope so, because trying to kill all of them isn't working worth a shit.